0000101594 false US ENERGY CORP --12-31 0000101594 2022-01-04 2022-01-04 iso4217:USD xbrli:shares iso4217:USD xbrli:shares

 

 

 

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): January 4, 2022

 

U.S. ENERGY CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Wyoming   000-06814   83-0205516

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

675 Bering Drive, Suite 100, Houston, Texas   77057
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 993-3200

 

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 (see General Instruction A.2 below):

 

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))

 

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

 

Title of each class   Trading Symbol(s)   Name of exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.01 par value   USEG   NASDAQ Capital Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company

 

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

 

 

 

 
 

 

Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

 

Purchase Agreements, Related Agreements and Transactions

 

On January 5, 2022 (the “Closing Date”), U.S. Energy Corp. (“we”, “us”, “U.S. Energy” or the “Company”) closed the acquisitions (the “Closing”) contemplated by those certain three separate Purchase and Sale Agreements (as amended to date, the “Purchase Agreements”), previously entered into by the Company on October 4, 2021, with each of (a) Lubbock Energy Partners LLC (“Lubbock”); (b) Banner Oil & Gas, LLC, Woodford Petroleum, LLC and Llano Energy LLC (collectively, “Banner”), and (c) Synergy Offshore LLC (“Synergy”, and collectively with Lubbock and Banner, the “Sellers”), which were previously disclosed in Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC” or the “Commission”) on October 6, 2021 and October 27, 2021. Copies of the Purchase Agreements are also incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibits 2.1 through 2.4 hereto.

 

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreements, we acquired certain oil and gas properties from the Sellers, representing a diversified, conventional portfolio of operated, producing, oil-weighted assets located across the Rockies, West Texas, Eagle Ford, and Mid-Continent. The acquisition also included certain wells, contracts, technical data, records, personal property and hydrocarbons associated with the acquired assets (collectively with the oil and gas properties acquired, the “Acquired Assets”).

 

The purchase price for the Acquired Assets was (a) $125,000 in cash and 6,568,828 shares of our common stock, as to Lubbock; (b) $1,000,000 in cash, the repayment of $3.5 million in liabilities (which amounts were repaid with funds borrowed under the Credit Agreement discussed and defined below), and 6,790,524 shares of common stock, as well as the novation of certain hedges which had a mark to market loss of approximately $3.1 million as of the Closing Date, as to Banner (which were evidenced by the Master Agreement and Schedule, discussed and defined below); and (c) $125,000 in cash and 6,546,384 shares of common stock, as to Synergy. The aggregate purchase price under all the Purchase Agreements was $1.25 million in cash, 19,905,736 shares of common stock (the “PSA Shares”), the repayment of $3.5 million in debt, as well as the novation of the hedges discussed above. The initial base purchase price remains subject to customary working capital and other adjustments following the Closing.

 

Each Purchase Agreement required the Company to place a $500,000 deposit into escrow ($1.5 million in aggregate)(the “Deposits”). The Deposits were released at the closing to pay a portion of the purchase price for the Acquired Assets.

 

In connection with the Closing of the acquisition of the Acquired Assets, and on January 5, 2022, we entered into various related agreements with the Sellers as discussed below:

 

Registration Rights Agreement

 

Immediately prior to the Closing, on January 5, 2022, each Seller and the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “RRA”). Pursuant to the RRA, we agreed:

 

● To use our commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file an initial shelf registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) covering the resale of all of the shares of common stock issuable to the Sellers, on or before the 30th day after the date the RRA was entered into and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such initial shelf registration statement to become effective no later than 60 days following the filing date (or, in the event of a “full review” by the Commission, the 90th day following the filing date); and

 

 
 

 

● To provide the Sellers certain piggy-back registration and participation rights associated with future registration statements and/or future registered offerings we may undertake in the future, subject to certain exclusions and exceptions.

 

We agreed to bear the full costs of such registration statements and to keep them effective indefinitely, as long as any Seller holds any shares of common stock included thereunder.

 

The RRA contains customary indemnification obligations of the parties and requires us to take commercially reasonable efforts for so long as the RRA remains in place, to allow for Rule 144 to be available for the sale of the Sellers’ shares of common stock issuable in connection with the Closing.

 

The RRA is to remain in place until such time as each Seller no longer holds any shares of common stock issuable in connection with the Closing.

 

The RRA requires the Sellers to comply with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with the sale of any registered shares, and also to refrain from selling any shares at any time we advise such Sellers that such registration statement can no longer be used for the sale of such shares.

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement

 

As described in greater detail under Items 5.02 and 5.03, below, on January 4, 2022, and effective as of the Closing on January 5, 2022, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) (i) increased the size of the Company’s Board of Directors from five members to seven members (with Javier F. Pico resigning from the Board effective immediately prior to Closing), and appointed (a) Mr. John A. Weinzierl, the Chief Executive Officer of Lubbock, who was designated by Lubbock, as a director and Chairman of the Company; (b) Mr. Joshua Batchelor, the Managing Partner of Sage Road Capital, LP, the owner of Banner, who was designated by Banner, as a director of the Company; and (c) Mr. Duane H. King, the Chief Executive Officer of Synergy, who was designated by Synergy, as a director of the Company.

 

Separately, at Closing, we and each of the Sellers entered into a Nominating and Voting Agreement. Pursuant to the Nominating and Voting Agreement, we were required to (a) increase the number of directors on the Board from five to seven, (b) cause the resignation or removal of a member from the Board, and (c) cause to be appointed to the Board one person designated by each of Lubbock, Synergy and Banner (each a “Nominating Party”), with the result that, as of the Closing Date, the Board was required to be comprised of: (i) one person designated by each Nominating Party (each a “Seller Nominated Person”) and (ii) four current members of the Board. As described above, all such required actions under the Nominating and Voting Agreement were taken prior to or contemporaneously with the Closing.

 

The Nominating and Voting Agreement also provides that each Nominating Party will have the right to designate for nomination to the Board two nominees (for so long as such Nominating Party holds at least 15% of the Company’s outstanding common stock) and one nominee (for so long as such Nominating Party holds at least 5% of the Company’s common stock), for appointment at any stockholder meeting or via any consent to action without meeting of the stockholders of the Company. The Nominating and Voting Agreement also requires the Board to include such nominees in the slate of directors up for appointment at each meeting of stockholders where directors will be appointed, and take other actions to ensure that such persons are elected to the Board by the stockholders of the Company.

 

If any Nominating Party’s Seller Nominated Party ceases for any reason to serve on the Board, such Seller Nominated Party will be provided the right to appoint another person to the Board, who shall be appointed to the Board pursuant to the power to fill vacancies given to the Board without a stockholder vote, by the Bylaws of the Company.

 

 
 

 

Notwithstanding the above, no person is required to be included as a nominee for election or appointment to the Board in the event such person is a Disqualified Person. A “Disqualified Person” is a person for whom the Board reasonably determines that the nomination, election or appointment of, or retention of such person on the Board, as applicable, would (a) violate the listing rules of Nasdaq or the rules and regulations of the SEC, (b) due to such person’s past, affiliations or otherwise, negatively affect the reputation of the Company, negatively affect the Company’s ability to complete future transactions, or disqualify the Company from undertaking any offering under applicable securities laws, or (c) violate the fiduciary duties that the Board owes to the Company or its stockholders; provided, however, that if the Board reasonably determines that any person is unfit for service on the Board for the reasons set forth above, then the applicable Nominating Party is entitled to designate an alternative or replacement person.

 

Further notwithstanding the above, the non-Nominating Party directors and Nominating Party directors are required to be apportioned between ‘independent’ and non-’independent’ directors as required by the rules of Nasdaq such that the Company continues in compliance with applicable Nasdaq rules.

 

Each Seller Nominated Person is entitled to the same expense reimbursement and advancement, exculpation, indemnification and insurance in connection with his or her role as a director as the other members of the Board, as well as reimbursement for documented, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board or any committee of the Board of which such Seller Nominated Person is a member, if any, in each case to the same extent as the other members of the Board. We also agreed to continue to maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage with respect to each Seller Nominated Person’s service on the Board for a period of at least six years after each such Seller Nominated Person’s service on the Board has concluded.

 

At all times when Lubbock holds at least 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock and its appointee is John A. Weinzierl, each Seller is required to instruct its appointee on the Board to vote in favor of appointing Mr. Weinzierl as Chairman of the Board.

 

During the term of the Nominating and Voting Agreement, each Seller agreed to vote all securities of the Company which they hold in any manner as may be necessary to nominate and elect (and, if applicable, maintain in office) as a member of the Company’s Board, each of the Seller Nominated Persons and further to not remove any Seller Nominated Persons, unless such person is a Disqualified Person.

 

The agreement continues in effect from the Closing Date until the earlier of (a) the date mutually agreed by all the parties (the Company and each of the Sellers); and (b) the date that no Seller owns at least 5% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company; subject to certain rights and obligations which survive termination. Once a Seller’s ownership drops below 5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock, it no longer has any right to nominate any person under the Nominating and Voting Agreement, even if such Seller’s ownership increases above 5% of the Company’s common stock in the future.

 

Contribution Agreement

 

Pursuant to a Contribution Agreement dated January 5, 2022, entered into with each Seller and the Company at Closing, each of the Sellers agreed, among other things, for the purposes of Section 351 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”):

 

● That the Purchase Agreements, while individual in nature, were negotiated by each Seller collectively with the Company, and are intended to be part of one singular transaction.

 

● The closing of each Purchase Agreement is conditioned on the consummation of the closing under each of the other Purchase Agreements.

 

● Following the Closing, the Sellers will control, within the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code, the Company, with the assets to be acquired by the Company pursuant to the Purchase Agreements collectively constituting the “Contributed Assets”.

 

● That the intent of the parties is for the Purchase Agreements, and the transactions contemplated thereby, to provide for a tax-free exchange between the Sellers and the Company as described in, and in accordance with, Section 351 of the Code.

 

 
 

 

Farmout Agreement

 

On the Closing Date, Synergy and U.S. Energy entered into a Farmout Agreement concerning certain leases located in Glacier and Toole Counties, in Montana, which provides, among other things, the Company a 20% participation right on any type of secondary or tertiary development operations undertaken by Synergy in such properties. Synergy agreed to bear 100% of the drilling, operating, equipping and completing expense associated with the enhancing operations conducted on the properties, subject to such participation right. The Farmout Agreement includes limited tag-along rights for the Company and confidentiality obligations.

 

Pursuant to the Farmout Agreement, Synergy has the right to purchase back from the Company, any unit or field on the farmout properties for which Synergy has given written notice that it will commence enhancement operations on, and Synergy, in fact, commences such operations, and the unit or field has been affected by production enhancement operations performed by Synergy. The price of said purchase is to be based on the greater of PV-10 value of said unit or field, based on its current Initial Production Rate (“IPR”) at (i) the prevailing commodity price at the time of purchase or (ii) flat pricing of $65.00 per barrel of oil and $3.25 per thousand cubic feet (mcf) of natural gas (the “Repurchase Right”). For so long as Synergy or any of its affiliates has the right to appoint a member of the board of directors of the Company, if (and only if) the proposed purchase price for the sale to Synergy of the applicable farmout properties is less than the Repurchase Price, the sale of such farmout properties shall be subject to the affirmative approval by the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

The Farmout Agreement has an initial term of ten years. If Synergy has not conducted any enhancement operations during the term, the Farmout Agreement terminates. If operations have been conducted and Synergy has succeeded in increasing the production of any unit or wells in a unit, the Farmout Agreement continues in full force and effect for so long as there is oil and gas in commercially paying quantities in any unit or field affected by Synergy pursuant to the terms thereof.

 

Transition Services Agreement

 

On the Closing Date, the Company entered into a Transition Services Agreement (“TSA”) with Banner, for Banner to provide services in connection with the assets acquired from Banner (“Services”), including (i) land and lease administration services; (ii) revenue and expense accounting services, accounts payable payment services, accounts receivable collection services, division order services, marketing services, and related records services; (iii) information technology services, including all supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and other field data capture, collection and reporting systems, and computer networks and other technology systems related to, or necessary in the operation of, the assets; (iv) tax services; and (v) other transition services and cooperation sufficient to enable the Company to set up its operations and assume the operation of the assets acquired from Banner.

 

The transition services are to be provided to the Company on an independent contractor basis. The TSA will remain in place for six months (through June 30, 2022), extendable on a month-to-month basis thereafter at the Company’s request, subject to the terms of the agreement, and the Company will pay Banner $90,000 per month during the duration of the TSA, and reimburse Banner for reasonable and documented expenses incurred by Banner, including the cost to maintain insurance. The TSA includes mutual confidentiality and indemnification obligations with the Company agreeing to indemnify Banner in respect to certain third-party claims arising from the Services and Banner agreeing to indemnify the Company against third party claims arising from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of Banner or its related parties.

 

* * * * *

 

The foregoing description of the RRA, Nominating and Voting Agreement, Contribution Agreement, Farmout Agreement, and Transition Services Agreement, is only a summary and is not complete, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the RRA, Nominating and Voting Agreement, Contribution Agreement, Farmout Agreement, and Transition Services Agreement, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 and 10.5, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated into this Item 1.01 in their entirety by reference.

 

 
 

 

Credit Agreement; Hedging Agreement and Related Transactions

 

Credit Agreement

 

Separate from the Closing, but also effective on January 5, 2022, the Company entered into a five-year credit agreement (“Credit Agreement”) with Firstbank Southwest (“Firstbank”) as administrative agent for one or more lenders (the “Lenders”), which provides for a revolving line of credit with an initial borrowing base of $15 million, subject to adjustment as discussed in the Credit Agreement, and redetermination on a semi-annual basis on April 1st and October 1st of each year, or in the interim as provided in the Credit Agreement, and a maximum credit amount of $100,000,000. The borrowing base is subject to semi-annual redeterminations in April and October of each year until maturity, based on the value of the Company’s proved oil and natural gas reserves in accordance with the lenders’ customary procedures and practices.

 

Under the Credit Agreement, revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed until January 5, 2026, when all outstanding amounts must be repaid.

 

Under the Credit Agreement, the Company may request letters of credit for its own account or the account of its subsidiaries (which are guarantors of the debt), in an amount equal to no more than 10% of the total borrowing base then in effect.

 

Amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement are to be evidenced by promissory notes entered into with the Lenders subject to the terms of the Credit Agreement (the “Notes”).

 

Interest on the outstanding amounts under the Credit Agreement will accrue at an interest rate equal to (a) the greatest of (i) the prime rate in effect on such day, and (b) the Federal Funds rate in effect on such day (as determined in the Credit Agreement) plus 0.50%, and an applicable margin that ranges between 0.25% to 1.25% depending on utilization of the amount of the borrowing base (the “Applicable Margin”). During the first six months of the term, the applicable margin will be 0.75% regardless of utilization. If the Company fails to deliver a report setting forth its proved oil and natural gas reserves as and when required under the Credit Agreement, the applicable margin will be 1.25% regardless of utilization.

 

In the event that certain event of defaults (as described under the Credit Agreement) occur, the outstanding amounts will bear an additional 2.00% interest per annum. Accrued interest on each revolving loan is payable in arrears on the last day of each March, June, September and December.

 

The Company generally has the right to make prepayments of the borrowings at any time without penalty or premium under the Credit Agreement. A commitment fee of 0.50% accrues on the average daily amount of the unused portion of the borrowing base (currently $11,500,000) is payable in arrears on the last business day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the maturity date. Letter of credit fees will include a participation fee to the administrative agent accruing interest at the Applicable Margin as loans under the Credit Agreement, based on the average daily amount of the letter of credits issued by such Lender, as calculated under the terms of the Credit Agreement, and a fronting fee accruing interest at 0.125% will be paid to each bank issuing letters of credit under the Credit Agreement, as well as certain other standard fees of issuing banks. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last business day of March, June, September and December of each year are payable on such last business day. We also agreed to pay certain fees to the agent, including an upfront fee of 0.75% of the initial borrowing base.

 

We are also required to make certain mandatory repayments under the Credit Agreement, in the event the borrowing base decreases below the aggregate amount of loans made by the Lenders and/or if as of the last business day of any calendar month, certain required debt ratios required under the Credit Agreement are not met, there are outstanding amounts owed to the Lenders, and the Company has consolidated cash on hand in excess of $5 million, and in some cases we are also required to pay cash to the agent to be held as collateral.

 

 
 

 

The Credit Agreement contains customary indemnification requirements, representations and warranties and customary affirmative and negative covenants applicable to the Loan Parties and their subsidiaries, including, among other things, restrictions on indebtedness, liens, investments, mergers, dispositions, prepayment of other indebtedness, transactions with affiliates, and dividends and other distributions. In addition, the Credit Agreement contains financial covenants, tested quarterly, that limit the Company’s ratio of total debt to EBITDAX (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to 3:1 and require its ratio of consolidated current assets to consolidated current liabilities (as each is described in the Credit Agreement) to remain at 1:1 or higher.

 

The proceeds of the borrowings under the Credit Agreement must be used to provide funds for working capital, to finance capital expenditures, for the acquisition and development by the Company and its subsidiaries of certain oil and natural gas producing properties, to refinance existing debt, and for general corporate purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

The Credit Agreement also requires us to hedge certain oil and gas volumes, based on our utilization of the borrowing base, which hedging will be accomplished pursuant to the ISDA Master Agreement, discussed below.

 

Events of default under the Credit Agreement include: the failure by the Company to timely make payments due under the Credit Agreement; material misrepresentations or misstatements in any representation or warranty of any of the Loan Parties; failure by the Company or any of its subsidiaries to comply with their covenants under the Credit Agreement and other related agreements, subject in certain cases to rights to cure; certain defaults under other indebtedness of the Loan Parties; insolvency or bankruptcy-related events with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries; certain unsatisfied judgments against the Company or any of its subsidiaries in an amount in excess of $500,000; if the Credit Agreement or certain related agreements or security interests created by them cease to be in full force and effect; certain ERISA-related events reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries; and the occurrence of a change in control, each as discussed in greater detail in the Credit Agreement, and subject to certain cure rights. If any event of default occurs and is continuing under the Credit Agreement, the Lenders may terminate their commitments, and may require the Company and its subsidiaries to repay outstanding debt and/or to provide a cash deposit as additional security for outstanding letters of credit.

 

A total of $3.5 million was borrowed under the Credit Agreement, immediately upon the entry into such Credit Agreement, which was evidenced by a Note dated January 5, 2022. Such $3.5 million was immediately used to repay $3.5 million of debt owed by Banner which the Company agreed to assume as part of the Closing.

 

Guaranty and Security Agreement

 

The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement and any secured swap agreement or secured cash management agreement are jointly and severally guaranteed by each of the Company’s existing and subsequently acquired or organized subsidiaries, including the Company’s current subsidiaries, Energy One LLC, New Horizon Resources LLC and BOG – OSAGE, LLC (together with the Company, the “Loan Parties”) pursuant to an Unconditional Guaranty dated February 5, 2022 (the “Guaranty”) and are secured, subject to customary permitted liens and other agreed upon exceptions, by (i) all of the equity interests of each Loan Party and (ii) a perfected security interest in and mortgages on all tangible and intangible assets of each Loan Party (i.e., are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company). The security interests are set forth in a series of deeds of trust covering each of the Company’s oil and natural gas producing properties and in a Security Agreement dated February 5, 2022, covering the equity interests and other tangible and intangible assets of each Loan Party (the “Security Agreement”).

 

 
 

 

The Guaranty and Security Agreement requires the Company and its subsidiaries to comply with various affirmative and negative covenants, including, without limitation, covenants relating to maintaining perfected security interests, providing information and documentation to Firstbank, complying with contractual obligations relating to the collateral, restricting the sale and issuance of securities by their respective subsidiaries and providing Firstbank with access to the collateral.

 

Intercreditor Agreement

 

In connection with the Credit Agreement, Firstbank, as administrative agent for the Lenders and as collateral agent on behalf of all creditors, and Nextera Energy Marketing, LLC (“NextEra”), together with one or more future swap counterparties (“Swap Counterparties”) entered into an intercreditor agreement (“Intercreditor Agreement”), dated February 5, 2022, which was acknowledged by the Company. Under the Intercreditor Agreement, the parties agreed that the Loan Parties’ obligations under the Credit Agreement and their obligations to the Swap Counterparties in connection with certain acceptable swap agreements (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement), and discussed below under “ISDA Master Agreement”, would be pari passu and ratably secured by the deeds of trust securing the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement, and permitted such swap agreements under the terms of the Credit Agreement, subject to certain requirements. The Intercreditor Agreement terminates upon payment in full of all amounts owed under the Credit Agreement and the Master Agreement Schedule, discussed below.

 

ISDA Master Agreement

 

Separate from the Closing, but also effective on January 5, 2022, the Company and NextEra entered into an International Swap Dealers Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“Master Agreement”), facilitating the Company to enter into derivative and/or hedging transactions (“Transactions”) to manage the risk associated with its business relating to commodity prices. The derivative and hedging transactions will be governed by the Master Agreement, including the related Schedule to the ISDA Master Agreement (“Schedule”). The Company’s obligations to NextEra under the Master Agreement are secured by the collateral which secures the loans under the Credit Agreement on a pari passu and pro rata basis with the principal of such loans. The structure of the Transactions may include swaps, caps, floors, collars, locks, forwards and options.

 

Certain events of default will apply to the Transactions under the ISDA Master Agreement and Schedule, including, but not limited to, failure to pay or deliver, breach of the agreement, credit support default, cross-defaults and misrepresentation.

 

NextEra’s obligations under the Master Agreement and Schedule were guaranteed by NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. pursuant to a Guaranty, which is included as Exhibit I to the Master Agreement.

 

The Company’s entry into and the obligations of the Company under the Master Agreement and Schedule were required conditions to the Closing of the Banner Purchase Agreement, pursuant to which the Company was required to assume and novate certain hedges of Banner which had a mark to market loss of approximately $3.1 million as of the Closing Date.

 

* * * * *

 

The foregoing summary of the Credit Agreement, Notes, Guaranty, Security Agreement, Intercreditor Agreement, and Master Agreement (and Schedule and Guaranty), is qualified in its entirety by the complete text of the Credit Agreement, the Note, Guaranty, Security Agreement, Intercreditor Agreement, and Master Agreement (and Schedule), copies of which are filed as Exhibits 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 10.10 and 10.11, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated into this Item 1.01 in their entirety by reference.

 

 
 

 

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

 

The description of the Closing of the Purchase Agreements, the Purchase Agreements and the Acquired Assets, and the other information set forth under “Purchase Agreements, Related Agreements and Transactions” in Item 1.01 above, is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01 in its entirety. To the extent required by Item 2.01, the information contained in the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Commission on October 6, 2021 and October 27, 2021, is hereby incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.

 

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

 

The information and disclosures set forth in Item 1.01 above under “Credit Agreement; Hedging Agreement and Related Transactions”, including, but not limited to the discussion of the Credit Agreement, Notes, Master Agreement (and Schedule and Guaranty), and the descriptions of the amounts borrowed under the Credit Agreement to date and the obligations of the Company under the Master Agreement and Schedule, and the exhibits referenced therein, and incorporated by reference therein, are incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03 in their entirety.

 

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

 

We claim an exemption from registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act, for the issuance of the 19,905,736 SPA Shares, since the Purchase Agreements and related transactions did not involve a public offering, the recipients were “accredited investors”, and acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof. The securities are subject to transfer restrictions, and the certificates evidencing the securities contain an appropriate legend stating that such securities have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold absent registration or pursuant to an exemption therefrom. The securities are not registered under the Securities Act and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

 

Item 3.03 Material Modifications to Rights of Security Holders.

 

The information and disclosures set forth in Item 1.01 above under “Purchase Agreements, Related Agreements and Transactions” and “Credit Agreement; Hedging Agreement and Related Transactions”, including the exhibits referenced therein, and incorporated by reference therein, are incorporated by reference into this Item 3.03 in their entirety.

 

As described in Item 5.03 below, which description is incorporated by reference herein, on January 4, 2022, the Board of Directors amended the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company to increase the number of directors of the Company from five to seven.

 

Item 5.01 Changes in Control of Registrant.

 

As a result of the Closing, and effective on the Closing Date, January 5, 2022, the Sellers hold 80.98% of the Company’s outstanding shares of common stock, effectively controlling the Company, and as such, the acquisition resulted in a change of control of the Company. No one person or group held voting control over the Company prior to the Closing.

 

Following the Closing, John A. Weinzierl, who was appointed as member of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Company effective upon Closing, beneficially owns 6,568,828 shares of common stock of the Company (26.7% of the Company’s outstanding common stock)(representing the shares issued to Lubbock), which he beneficially owns due to Mr. Weinzierl’s status as Chief Executive Officer of Lubbock; Duane H. King, who was appointed as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company effective upon Closing, beneficially owns 6,546,384 shares of common stock of the Company (26.6% of the Company’s outstanding common stock)(representing the shares issued to Synergy), which he beneficially owns as Chief Executive Officer of Synergy; and Joshua L. Batchelor, who was appointed as member of the Board of Directors of the Company effective upon Closing, beneficially owns 6,790,524 shares of common stock of the Company (27.6% of the Company’s outstanding common stock)(representing the shares issued to the Banner Parties), which he beneficially owns due to Mr. Batchelor’s status as Managing Partner of Sage Road, which entity owns and controls each Banner Party entity.

 

 
 

 

Separately, each of the Sellers entered into a Nominating and Voting Agreement at Closing, which is described in greater detail above under Item 1.01, “Purchase Agreements, Related Agreements and Transactions—Purchase Agreements, Related Agreements and Transactions”, which information, and the Nominating and Voting Agreement, are incorporated by reference in this Item 5.01 in their entirety, which provides that each Nominating Party (as defined in Item 1.01) will have the right to designate for nomination to the Board two nominees (for so long as such Nominating Party holds at least 15% of the Company’s outstanding common stock) and one nominee (for so long as such Nominating Party holds at least 5% of the Company’s common stock), for appointment at any stockholder meeting or via any consent to action without meeting of the stockholders of the Company. The Nominating and Voting Agreement also requires the Board to include such nominees in the slate of directors up for appointment at each meeting of stockholders where directors will be appointed, and take other actions to ensure that such persons are elected to the Board by the stockholders of the Company. During the term of the Nominating and Voting Agreement, each Seller agreed to vote all securities of the Company which they hold in any manner as may be necessary to nominate and elect (and, if applicable, maintain in office) as a member of the Company’s Board, each of the Seller Nominated Persons and further to not remove any Seller Nominated Persons, unless such person is a Disqualified Person (as defined in Item 1.01).

 

Except in connection with the Nominating and Voting Agreement and the Purchase Agreements, no arrangements or understandings exist among present or former controlling shareholders with respect to the election of members of the Board of Directors of the Company, and, to the knowledge of the Company, no other arrangements exist that might result in a change of control of the Company.

 

The Purchase Agreements are disclosed in greater detail in the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the SEC on October 6, 2021 and October 27, 2021. The shares of common stock issued to each of the Sellers were issued pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreements, in consideration for the Acquired Assets.

 

The information and disclosures set forth in Item 1.01 above under “Purchase Agreements, Related Agreements and Transactions” including the exhibits referenced therein, and incorporated by reference therein, are incorporated by reference into this Item 5.01 in their entirety.

 

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

 

(b) Resignation of Director

 

Effective on January 4, 2022, Javier F. Pico notified the Company of his intent to resign as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company, effective upon the Closing, which Closing and which resignation was effective January 5, 2021. The resignation was not because of a disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices, but was solely due to the requirements of the Purchase Agreements and Nominating and Voting Agreement.

 

(b)(c) Chief Operating Officer Appointment

 

Effective on January 5, 2022, pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreements and Nominating and Voting Agreement, and as a required condition to Closing, the Board of Directors appointed Mr. Donald Kessel as Chief Operating Officer of the Company. While the Company did not have a formal Chief Operating Officer prior to such appointment, to the extent that Mr. Ryan L. Smith, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, could have been deemed the principal operating officer of the Company, due to his status as the sole executive officer of the Company prior to such appointment, Mr. Smith was relieved of such functions effective as of the appointment of Mr. Kessel.

 

 
 

 

Mr. Kessel is not party to an employment agreement with the Company, and will serve as Chief Operating Officer, at the discretion of the Board, rather than for specific terms of office, subject to the terms of any employment agreement.

 

Mr. Kessel’s biographical information is provided below:

 

Donald A. Kessel

 

Mr. Kessel, age 61, has served as U.S. Energy’s Vice President of Operations (non-executive) since April 2021 after consulting for the Company since March 2020. Mr. Kessell has also provided consulting services to various entities in the exploration and production industry since 2016. Mr. Kessel previously served as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of Timber Creek Energy LLC, an oil and gas exploration and production company from March 2018 to January 2019. Mr. Kessel is responsible for improving efficiency and implementing operational changes on U.S. Energy’s assets. Mr. Kessel co-founded Murex Petroleum Corporation in 1999 and grew the company into an industry leader in the Williston Basin, before leaving in 2016. Mr. Kessel’s began his oil and gas career at Hess Corporation in various engineering roles. Mr. Kessel spent 18 years on the Board of the North Dakota Petroleum Council and serves as the Chair of the Advisory Committee of the Petroleum Technology Program at Bismarck State College. Mr. Kessel obtained a B.S. in petroleum engineering from North Dakota State University.

 

There are no family relationships among any of the current Company directors and executive officers of the Company.

 

Mr. Kessel is not party to any material plan, contract or arrangement (whether or not written) with the Company and there are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Kessel and any other person pursuant to which he was selected to serve as an officer of the Company (except in connection with the Purchase Agreements and Nominating and Voting Agreement), nor is he a participant in any related party transaction required to be reported pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, except in connection with the Purchase Agreements and Nominating and Voting Agreement.

 

Mr. Kessel’s compensation may be set from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company, or the Compensation Committee, and Mr. Kessel, in the discretion of the Board of Directors and Compensation Committee, may also receive bonuses from time to time in the discretion of the Board and/or Compensation Committee in cash, stock, or options. Mr. Kessel’s current compensation, as approved by the Board of Directors effective January 1, 2022, is set forth below under “(e) Changes in Executive Compensation”.

 

(d) Appointment of new Directors

 

On January 4, 2022, and effective on January 5, 2022, pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreements and Nominating and Voting Agreement, and as a required condition to Closing, the Board of Directors, after amending the Bylaws to increase the number of members of the Board of Directors from five to seven (as discussed in greater detail in Item 5.03, below), and after the resignation of Mr. Pico, as discussed above, the Board of Directors, pursuant to the power provided to the Board under Wyoming law, the Company’s Bylaws and the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, appointed (a) Mr. John A. Weinzierl, the Chief Executive Officer of Lubbock, who had been designated by Lubbock, as a director and Chairman of the Company; (b) Mr. Joshua Batchelor, the Managing Partner of Sage Road, who had been designated by Banner, as a director of the Company; and (c) Mr. Duane H. King, the Chief Executive Officer of Synergy, who had been designated by Synergy, as a director of the Company.

 

 
 

 

Each of the persons described above were appointed to the Board of Directors pursuant to the terms of the Purchase Agreements and Nominating and Voting Agreement (each discussed in greater detail in Item 1.01, above).

 

Pursuant to the Nominating and Voting Agreement, which is described in greater detail above under Item 1.01, “Purchase Agreements, Related Agreements and Transactions—Purchase Agreements, Related Agreements and Transactions”, which information, and the Nominating and Voting Agreement, are incorporated by reference in this Item 5.02 in their entirety, each Nominating Party (as defined in Item 1.01) has the right to designate for nomination to the Board two nominees (for so long as such Nominating Party holds at least 15% of the Company’s outstanding common stock) and one nominee (for so long as such Nominating Party holds at least 5% of the Company’s common stock), for appointment at any stockholder meeting or via any consent to action without meeting of the stockholders of the Company. The Nominating and Voting Agreement also requires the Board to include such nominees in the slate of directors up for appointment at each meeting of stockholders where directors will be appointed, and take other actions to ensure that such persons are elected to the Board by the stockholders of the Company. During the term of the Nominating and Voting Agreement, each Seller agreed to vote all securities of the Company which they hold in any manner as may be necessary to nominate and elect (and, if applicable, maintain in office) as a member of the Company’s Board, each of the Seller Nominated Persons and further to not remove any Seller Nominated Persons, unless such person is a Disqualified Person (as defined in Item 1.01).

 

Each of (a) Mr. John A. Weinzierl, (b) Mr. Joshua Batchelor; and (c) Mr. Duane H. King, were Seller Nominated Persons of each of the Sellers, and such appointments to the Board of Directors were required conditions to the Closing. Such persons will continue to serve as members of the Board of Directors pursuant to the terms of the Nominating and Voting Agreement.

 

There are no family relationships among any of the current Company directors and executive officers of the Company.

 

In connection with such appointments, and effective at Closing, the Board of Directors appointed the new members of the Board to following classes of director:

 

Class   Director/ Director Candidate   Expiration of Initial Term of Director*
Class One   Randall D. Keys   2023
Class One   D. Stephen Slack   2023
Class One   John A. Weinzierl   2023
Class Two   Ryan L. Smith   2024
Class Two   James W. Denny III   2024
Class Three   Duane H. King   2022
Class Three   Joshua Batchelor   2022

 

*Terms expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2022 (Class Three), 2023 (Class One) and 2024 (Class Two) Directors.

 

 
 

 

Also in connection with such appointments, and effective at Closing, Mr. King was appointed to the Compensation Committee, and the Board of Directors updated the committee membership of the other directors of the Company as follows:

 

   

Audit

Committee

 

Compensation

Committee

 

Nominating

Committee

 
John A. Weinzierl(1)              
Randall D. Keys   C   M   M  
D. Stephen Slack   M   C   M  
Ryan L. Smith              
James W. Denny III   M       C  
Duane H. King       M      
Joshua Batchelor              

 

(1) Chairman of Board of Directors.

C – Chairman of Committee.

M – Member.

 

The Board of Directors also affirmatively determined that each of (a) Mr. John A. Weinzierl, (b) Mr. Joshua Batchelor; and (c) Mr. Duane H. King, were independent within the requirements of The Nasdaq Stock Market.

 

Except in connection with the agreements described above under Item 1.01, under “Purchase Agreements, Related Agreements and Transactions”, neither (a) Mr. John A. Weinzierl, (b) Mr. Joshua Batchelor; or (c) Mr. Duane H. King, is a party to any material plan, contract or arrangement (whether or not written) with the Company, there are no arrangements or understandings between such persons and any other person pursuant to which they were selected to serve as a member of the Board of Directors (except in connection with the Purchase Agreements and Nominating and Voting Agreement), they are not a participant in any related party transaction required to be reported pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and none of such persons are party to any material plan, contract or arrangement (whether or not written) to which the director is a party or in which he participates, except in connection with such agreements discussed above Item 1.01, under “Purchase Agreements, Related Agreements and Transactions”, which are incorporated by reference herein.

 

As non-management directors of the Company, each of the New Directors will receive director compensation on the same basis as other non-management directors of the Company in accordance with the Company’s director compensation policies and practices, as they may be amended from time to time, which effective as of January 1, 2022 (as approved by the Board of Directors on January 5, 2022), include:

 

  An annual cash retainer payable to each member of the Board of Directors of $75,000 ($150,000 as to the Chairman of the Board of Directors);
  An annual cash payment payable to the Chairperson of (a) the Audit Committee of $20,000; (b) the Compensation Committee of $10,000; and (c) the Nominating Committee of $10,000; and
  Long-term equity grants of shares of common stock of the Company, issuable to each member of the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Board of Directors, to be determined by the Board of Directors in the future, which are expected to vest over time, subject to such persons’ continued service on the Board of Directors. Such awards and terms have not been finalized to date, and will be included in an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days after such grants and awards have been determined.

 

The biographical information of (a) Mr. John A. Weinzierl, (b) Mr. Joshua Batchelor; and (c) Mr. Duane H. King, is included below:

 

 
 

 

John A. Weinzierl, age 53

 

John A. Weinzierl is a founding partner of Katla Capital, a Houston based family office seeking to invest with entrepreneurs, business owners, management teams and other investors/sponsors in diversified industries, as well as other opportunistic investments in real estate and alternative asset classes. He also leads Katla Energy Holdings LLC, a company he founded in 2016, to own, operate and invest in energy assets and companies in North America. John previously served as CEO of Memorial Resource Development LLC (MRD), a company he co-founded in 2011, from December 2011 to September 2016. While CEO, he expanded MRD’s oil and gas operations to six states, led the public listing of two subsidiary companies, Memorial Resource Development Corp. and Memorial Production Partners LP. Memorial Production Partners LP filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2017, which bankruptcy was closed in May 2017 (Mr. Weinzierl served as Chief Executive Officer of Memorial Production Partners LP from December 2011 to September 2016). Prior to MRD, John was a partner and ran the Houston office of NGP Energy Capital Management, an energy-focused private equity firm, from 1999 to 2011. He sourced, structured and executed investments, monitored existing investments and led capital markets transactions in the upstream, midstream and oilfield services sectors. He began his career as a petroleum engineer for Conoco, Inc. and held positions of increasing responsibility in project teams located in the US, Congo (Brazzaville), Nigeria and Norway. John is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Texas, and earned a B.S. in Petroleum Engineering and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, which recognized him as Sord Scholar, a Distinguished Alumnus from the Department of Petroleum Engineering and an Outstanding Young Engineering Graduate. He is currently a member and former chairman of the Engineering Advisory Board of the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin, was President of the Houston Producers Forum, serves on the Board of Trustees of Episcopal High School (Houston) and is President of the St. Francis Episcopal Church Endowment Fund. The Board has concluded that Mr. Weinzierl’s significant oil and gas experience qualifies him for service as a member of the Board of Directors.

 

Duane H. King, age 61

 

Mr. King has served as CEO of Synergy Offshore, LLC (which he co-founded) since October 2010. In 2002, Mr. King co-founded Synergy Oil & Gas, L.P. (“Synergy LP”). In 2010 and 2011, Synergy LP sold its assets, providing a successful exit to its private equity sponsor, Natural Gas Partners, while retaining interest in a midstream processing company and an exploration project. In 1991, Mr. King co-founded Synergy Oil & Gas, Inc and in 2001, successfully sold the company. From 1988 to May 1991, he served as an Associate with the Chase Manhattan Bank in the Energy Division in Houston and New York, specializing in energy corporate finance. From 1984 to 1986, Mr. King was a Production Engineer for Mitchell Energy & Development Corp. in Midland, Texas. His responsibilities with Mitchell included the design, arrangement and performance of completions and workovers and the direction of the daily operations of approximately 120 producing oil and gas wells. Mr. King is a member of The Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee and the Engineering Advisory Board for the University of Texas. Mr. King is also involved in numerous charity organizations and is currently the President of the Board of Yellowstone Academy, a school he helped establish, and has served on the Boards of Episcopal High School, Archway Academy, Presbyterian School, Houston Habitat for Humanity, Houston Producers Forum, and other organizations. Mr. King received his B.S. with honors in Petroleum Engineering from the University of Texas and obtained an MBA from the University of Texas where he was a Sord Scholar. The Board has concluded that Mr. King’s significant oil and gas experience qualifies him for service as a member of the Board of Directors.

 

Joshua L. Batchelor, age 45

 

Mr. Batchelor is a Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Sage Road Capital, a Houston-based lower middle market private equity fund focused on the upstream oil and gas sector, with over $200 million under management. Prior to founding Sage Road in 2012, Mr. Batchelor was a Principal at Quantum Energy Partners, a leading energy-focused private equity firm with over $6 billion of capital under management. Mr. Batchelor also held positions with Behrman Capital, a middle market private equity firm focused on technology, healthcare and business services, and Morgan Stanley Capital Partners (now Metalmark Capital). Mr. Batchelor served as a director of Ridglea Energy, LLC from November 2015 to October 2020, which entity filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October 2020 which was final in May 2021. Mr. Batchelor holds a B.A. in Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences and Economics with honors from Northwestern University. The Board has concluded that Mr. Batchelor’s significant private equity and oil and gas experience qualifies him for service as a member of the Board of Directors.

 

 
 

 

(e) Changes in Executive Compensation

 

On January 5, 2022, and effective on January 1, 2022, the Board of Directors (with the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, and with Mr. Smith abstaining from the vote thereon) increased the base annual salary of Mr. Ryan L. Smith, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, from $240,000 per year, to $300,000 per year. Mr. Smith is also expected to receive an equity award in connection with the increase in his salary, which grant and award has not been finalized to date, and will be included in an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days after such grant and award amount has been determined. Mr. Smith may also receive additional bonuses awarded from time to time in the discretion of the Board and/or Compensation Committee in cash, stock, or options. Mr. Smith’s compensation may be increased from time to time in the discretion of the Compensation Committee and/or Board of Directors.

 

Also on January 5, 2022, and effective on January 1, 2022, the Board of Directors (with the recommendation of the Compensation Committee) set the compensation of Mr. Kessel, the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer of the Company, at $240,000 per year. Mr. Kessel is also expected to receive an equity award in connection with his appointment as Chief Operating Officer, which grant and award has not been finalized to date, and will be included in an amendment to this Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days after such grant and award amount has been determined. Mr. Kessel may also receive additional bonuses awarded from time to time in the discretion of the Board and/or Compensation Committee in cash, stock, or options. Mr. Kessel’s compensation may be increased from time to time in the discretion of the Compensation Committee and/or Board of Directors.

 

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

 

On January 4, 2022, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws (“Restated Bylaws”) to amend Section 3.2 thereto, to increase the number of members of the Board of Directors from five to seven members. A copy of the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

 

On January 4, 2022, the Company held a Special Meeting of Stockholders at 9:00 A.M. Houston time at the Company’s corporate offices: 675 Bering Drive, Suite 390, Houston, Texas 77057 (the “Special Meeting”). Summarized below are the results of the matters voted on at the Special Meeting.

 

 
 

 

Matter Voted On   Votes For   Votes Against   Abstentions   Broker Non-Votes
1. To approve the terms of that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated October 4, 2021, between Lubbock Energy Partners LLC (“Lubbock”) and the Company (as it may be amended from time to time and including all exhibits and schedules thereto, “Lubbock Purchase Agreement”), including, but not limited to, the shares of Company common stock issuable in connection therewith, pursuant to which the Company will acquire certain oil and gas interests and related assets from Lubbock (the “Lubbock Purchase Agreement Proposal”);   2,397,254   137,989   59,827   -0-
2. To approve the terms of that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated October 4, 2021, between Banner Oil & Gas, LLC (“Banner Oil”), Woodford Petroleum, LLC (“Woodford”) and Llano Energy LLC (“Llano” and collectively, Llano, Banner Oil and Woodford, “Banner”) and the Company (as it may be amended from time to time and including all exhibits and schedules thereto, “Banner Purchase Agreement”), but not limited to, the shares of Company common stock issuable in connection therewith, pursuant to which the Company will acquire certain oil and gas interests and related assets from Banner (the “Banner Purchase Agreement Proposal”);   2,395,328   137,987   61,755   -0-
3. To approve the terms of that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated October 4, 2021, between Synergy Offshore LLC (“Synergy”) and the Company (as it may be amended from time to time and including all exhibits and schedules thereto, “Synergy Purchase Agreement”), but not limited to, the shares of Company common stock issuable in connection therewith, pursuant to which the Company will acquire certain oil and gas interests and related assets from Synergy (the “Synergy Purchase Agreement Proposal”, and together with the Lubbock Purchase Agreement Proposal and the Banner Purchase Agreement Proposal, the “Purchase Agreements Proposals”);   2,395,333   138,010   61,727   -0-
4. To approve, on a non-binding, advisory basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to certain of U.S. Energy’s named executive officers prior to, or after, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Lubbock Purchase Agreement, Banner Purchase Agreement and Synergy Purchase Agreement (as they have, and may be, amended from time to time and including all exhibits and schedules thereto, the “Purchase Agreements”); and   2,296,313   233,091   65,666   -0-
5. To approve an adjournment of the Special Meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes in favor of the proposal to approve the Purchase Agreements.   2,372,995   153,824   68,251   -0-

 

The results reported above are final voting results. No other matters were considered or voted upon at the meeting.

 

The proposals above are described in greater detail in the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2021 (the “Proxy Statement”). At the Special Meeting, an aggregate of 2,595,070 shares of voting stock, or 55.5% of our 4,676,301 total outstanding voting shares as of November 5, 2021, the record date for the Meeting (the “Record Date”), were present at or were voted at the Meeting, constituting a quorum. Approval of Proposals 1 through 5 required more votes cast in favor of such proposals than were cast against such proposals at the Special Meeting and as such, each of proposals 1 through 5 were approved by the requisite vote of the Company’s stockholders.

 

 
 

 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

On January 10, 2022, the Company issued a press release announcing the Closing. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Also on January 10, 2022, the Company posted an updated January 2022 presentation on its website, disclosing certain information about the Company and the acquisitions. A copy of the presentation is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

The information responsive to Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K and Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, attached hereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

 

The press release and presentation furnished as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These forward-looking statements relate to the Company’s current expectations and are subject to the limitations and qualifications set forth in the press release and presentation as well as in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, that actual events and/or results may differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. These statements also involve known and unknown risks, which may cause the results of the Company, its divisions and concepts to be materially different than those expressed or implied in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include comments as to the Company’s beliefs and expectations as to future financial performance, events and trends affecting its business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of which are outside the Company’s control. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company’s financial results is included from time to time in the “Cautionary Note About Forward-Looking Statements,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the Company’s periodic and current filings with the SEC, including the Form 10-Qs and Form 10-Ks, filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise that occur after that date, except as otherwise provided by law.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired

 

The financial statements of the Acquired Assets will be filed no later than 71 calendar days after the date that this Current Report on Form 8-K is required to be filed.

 

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information

 

Pro forma financial information relative to acquisition of the Acquired Assets will be filed no later than 71 calendar days after the date that this Current Report on Form 8-K is required to be filed.

 

 
 

 

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.   Description
2.1+   Purchase and Sale Agreement between among Lubbock Energy Partners, LLC, as seller, and U.S. Energy Corp., as purchaser, dated as of October 4, 2021 (Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 6, 2021, and incorporated by reference herein)
2.2+   Purchase and Sale Agreement between among Banner Oil & Gas, LLC, Woodford Petroleum, LLC and Llano Energy LLC, as sellers, and U.S. Energy Corp., as purchaser, dated as of October 4, 2021 (Filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 6, 2021, and incorporated by reference herein)
2.3+   Purchase and Sale Agreement between among Synergy Offshore, LLC, as seller, and U.S. Energy Corp., as purchaser, dated as of October 4, 2021 (Filed as Exhibit 2.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 6, 2021, and incorporated by reference herein)
2.4   First Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreements between Lubbock Energy Partners, LLC; Banner Oil & Gas, LLC, Woodford Petroleum, LLC and Llano Energy LLC; Synergy Offshore, LLC, and U.S. Energy Corp., dated as of October 25, 2021(Filed as Exhibit 2.4 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 27, 2021, and incorporated by reference herein)
3.1*   Amended and Restated Bylaws of U.S. Energy Corp.
10.1*   Registration Rights Agreement dated January 5, 2022, by and between U.S. Energy Corp., Banner Oil & Gas, LLC, Woodford Petroleum, LLC, Llano Energy LLC, Lubbock Energy Partners LLC and Synergy Offshore LLC
10.2*   Nominating and Voting Agreement dated January 5, 2022, by and between U.S. Energy Corp., Banner Oil & Gas, LLC, Woodford Petroleum, LLC, Llano Energy LLC, Lubbock Energy Partners LLC and Synergy Offshore LLC
10.3*   Contribution Agreement dated January 5, 2022, by and between U.S. Energy Corp., Banner Oil & Gas, LLC, Woodford Petroleum, LLC, Llano Energy LLC, Lubbock Energy Partners LLC and Synergy Offshore LLC
10.4*+   Farmout Agreement dated January 5, 2022, by and between U.S. Energy Corp. and Synergy Offshore LLC
10.5*+   Transition Services Agreement dated January 5, 2022, by and between Banner Oil & Gas, LLC and U.S. Energy Corp.
10.6*   Credit Agreement dated as of January 5, 2022, among U.S. Energy Corp., as borrower, Firstbank Southwest, as Administrative Agent and the Lenders party thereto
10.7*   Note dated January 5, 2022 in connection with January 5, 2022, Credit Agreement
10.8*   Unconditional Guaranty dated January 5, 2022, by and between Firstbank Southwest and Energy One LLC, New Horizon Resources LLC and BOG – OSAGE, LLC
10.9*+   Security Agreement dated January 5, 2022, by and between U.S. Energy Corp., Energy One LLC, New Horizon Resources LLC and BOG – OSAGE, LLC and Firstbank Southwest
10.10*   Intercreditor Agreement dated January 5, 2022, by and between Nextera Energy Marketing, LLC, each Swap Counterparty thereto, U.S. Energy Corp. and Firstbank Southwest
10.11*   ISDA 2002 Master Agreement between Nextera Energy Marketing, LLC and U.S. Energy Corp., and related Schedule and form of Guaranty.
99.1**   Press Release dated January 10, 2022
99.2**   January 2022 Corporate Overview Presentation
104   Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

* Filed herewith.

** Furnished herewith.

+ Certain schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit will be furnished supplementally to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request; provided, however that U.S. Energy Corp. may request confidential treatment pursuant to Rule 24b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, for any schedule or exhibit so furnished.

 

 
 

 

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.

 

  U.S. ENERGY CORP.
   
  By: /s/ Ryan Smith
    Ryan Smith
    Chief Executive Officer

 

  Dated: January 10, 2022

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 3.1

 

U.S. ENERGY CORP. BYLAWS

 

AS INITIALLY ADOPTED ON APRIL 22, 1992

 

AND AMENDED (AND READOPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY ON OCTOBER 14, 2005) EXCEPT
THAT THE INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS TO SEVEN

IS EFFECTIVE AS OF DECEMBER 13, 1996;

 

FURTHER AMENDED (AND READOPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY AS OF

JUNE 22, 2007) TO CONFORM SECTION 5 OF ARTICLE II TO WYOMING LAW;

 

FURTHER AMENDED (AND READOPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY) AS OF NOVEMBER 6, 2007
TO ALLOW FOR BOOK-ENTRY OWNERSHIP OF SHARES;

 

FURTHER AMENDED (AND READOPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY) AS OF

MARCH 7, 2008 TO AMEND PROCEDURES FOR SHAREHOLDER REQUESTS FOR
CONSIDERATION OF PERSONS TO BE NOMINATED AS DIRECTORS;

 

FURTHER AMENDED (AND READOPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY) AS OF

MARCH 17, 2009 TO ADD AN ADVANCE NOTICE PROVISION FOR MATTERS TO BE
CONSIDERED AT MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS;

 

FURTHER AMENDED (AND READOPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY) AS OF

APRIL 17, 2009 TO LIMIT THE TERM OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS;

 

FURTHER AMENDED (AND READOPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY)

AS OF APRIL 3, 2014;

 

FURTHER AMENDED (AND READOPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY) AS OF

APRIL 27, 2017 TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS TO FIVE;

 

FURTHER AMENDED (AND READOPTED IN THEIR ENTIRETY)

AS OF AUGUST 5, 2019; and

 

FURTHER AMENDED (AND RESTATED) BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AS OF JANUARY
5, 2022, TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DIRECTORS TO SEVEN.

 

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

 

The principal office of U.S. Energy Corp., a Wyoming corporation (the “Corporation”), shall be located either within or without Wyoming, as the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the “Board”) may designate from time to time. The Corporation may have such other offices either within or without the state of incorporation as the Board may designate or as the business of the Corporation may require.

 

The registered office of the Corporation in the Articles of Incorporation (as amended or amended and restated, the “Articles”) need not be identical with the principal office of the Corporation.

 

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ARTICLE II

SHAREHOLDERS

 

Section 2.1 Annual Meeting. The annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held each year on a date and at a time and place to be determined by resolution of the Board, for the purpose of electing directors and for the purpose of voting upon such matters as properly may come before the meeting in accordance with these Bylaws. The nomination (which shall be conducted at the annual meeting) of persons for election to the Board shall be considered an integral part of the purpose of electing directors at the annual meeting. If the election of directors shall not be held on the day designated for the annual meeting of the shareholders, or at any adjournment thereof, the Board shall cause the election to be held at a special meeting of the shareholders.

 

Section 2.2 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the shareholders for any purpose, unless otherwise provided for by statute, may be called by the President or by the Board. The President shall call a special meeting upon receipt by the Corporation’s Secretary of one or more written demands of the holders of twenty-five percent (25%) of all the votes entitled to be cast at the proposed special meeting, signed and dated, by such holders, either manually or in facsimile, and setting forth the purposes for which it is to be held; provided, however, that the Board has the discretion to require that the issues for which a special meeting is demanded by shareholders holding twenty-five percent (25%) of the votes entitled to be cast at the proposed special meeting be considered instead at the next annual meeting if the demand for the special meeting is made within 180 days of the next annual meeting. If a purpose of a special meeting is to elect directors to the Board, the nomination (which shall be conducted at the special meeting) of persons for election to the Board shall be considered an integral part of the purpose of electing directors at the special meeting.

 

Section 2.3 Place of Meeting. The Board may designate any place, either within or without Wyoming, as the place of meeting for any annual or special meeting. If no designation is made, the place of meeting shall be the registered office of the Corporation in Wyoming.

 

Section 2.4 Notice of Meeting. The Corporation shall deliver written notice of any annual or special meeting of the shareholders, stating the place, day and hour of the meeting, no fewer than ten (10) and no more than sixty (60) days before the meeting date. A notice of a special meeting, if demanded by the holders of at least twenty-five percent (25%) of all the votes entitled to be cast at the special meeting, shall state the purpose or purposes for which that meeting is called, and that notice shall be delivered, only by the Corporation, and then only if the requirements of Section 2.13 have been satisfied, not more than sixty (60) days before the special meeting date. Additionally, the period of time between the Corporation’s receipt of a special meeting demand, and the sending of notice thereof (if the requirements of Section 2.13 have been satisfied), shall be sufficient to allow the proper operation of Section 2.13. If an annual or special meeting is adjourned to a different time or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment; provided however, notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to persons who are shareholders as of any new record date that is fixed with respect to the adjournment.

 

Except for a shareholder proposal which has been properly brought before an annual or special meeting pursuant to Section 2.13, no proposal that is not within the purpose or purposes specifically described in the notice of a meeting of shareholders, whether an annual or a special meeting, shall be conducted at the meeting, nor shall any action be taken by the shareholders on any other matter unless it is specifically described as a purpose in the notice for the meeting.

 

Section 2.5 Fixing of Record Date. For the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment thereof, entitled to demand a special shareholders’ meeting, or shareholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend, or in order to make a determination of shareholders for any other proper purpose, the Board may fix in advance a date (the “Record Date”) for any such determination of shareholders, which date shall be not more than 60 days prior to the date on which the particular action requiring such determination of shareholders is to be taken. If no Record Date is fixed by the Board, the Record Date for any such purpose shall be ten (10) days before the date of such meeting or action. The Record Date determined for the purpose of ascertaining the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting may not be less than ten (10) days prior to the meeting.

 

When a Record Date has been determined for the purpose of a meeting, the determination shall apply to any adjournment thereof, except the original Record Date shall only be effective with respect to an adjournment or adjournments held within one hundred twenty (120) days after the date fixed at the original meeting.

 

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Section 2.6 Quorum.

 

(a) A majority of the votes entitled to be cast on a matter represented in person or by proxy shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders with respect to such matters. If less than a quorum of the outstanding shares are represented at a meeting, such meeting may be adjourned without further notice for a period which may be determined at the time such meeting is adjourned. At such adjourned meeting, at which a quorum shall be present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the original meeting. Once a share is represented for any purpose at a meeting, it is deemed present for quorum purposes for the remainder of the meeting, and for any adjournment of that meeting unless a new record date is or shall be set for that adjourned meeting.

 

(b) Shareholders present or represented by proxy at an annual or special meeting at which a quorum is not present may take only the following actions:

 

  (i) Ratify or reject the independent auditors selected by the Board.
     
  (ii) With the consent of the officer presiding at the meeting, receive or hear any reports on the affairs of the Corporation that may be presented.
     
  (iii) Within the constraints of the time allowed on the agenda, ask questions concerning the affairs of the Corporation of any officer or Board member present.
     
  (iv) Adjourn or recess the meeting to allow time to assemble a quorum, but the shareholders may not adjourn or recess to a different city and the total of all the adjournments and recesses may not exceed two business days without the consent of the Board.

 

  (v) If a quorum is not present, the shareholders may adjourn the meeting without an appointed date for resumption, provided the motion to adjourn without an appointed date for resumption shall not be in order until at least two hours have passed since the time specified for the start of the meeting and the time at which the meeting was called to order.

 

(c) If an annual meeting is adjourned without an appointed date for resumption without achieving a quorum, the requirement of the Wyoming Business Corporation Act section 17-16-701 (or its successor provision) shall have been satisfied. The Board may call a second annual meeting to take the place of the one adjourned without a quorum, but the Board is not obligated to do so.

 

(d) If a special meeting is adjourned without an appointed date for resumption without achieving a quorum, or without achieving the quorum necessary to consider completely the purpose or purposes for which the meeting was called, the Board may call another special meeting, but is not obligated to do so. The remedy of a shareholder aggrieved by a failure of the Board to call another special meeting shall be to follow the procedures necessary to demand that a new special meeting be called.

 

(e) If different quorums are required for different purposes at a meeting, the absence of a quorum on one purpose shall not affect the ability of the shareholders at the meeting to act on other purposes where a quorum is present.

 

Section 2.7 Voting of Shares. Each outstanding share of common stock entitled to vote shall be entitled to one vote upon each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of shareholders.

 

Section 2.8 Proxies. At all meetings of shareholders, a shareholder may vote by proxy executed, either manually or in facsimile, by the shareholder or by his duly authorized attorney-in-fact. Such appointment of a proxy shall be filed with the Secretary of the Corporation before or at the time of the meeting. No appointment of a proxy shall be valid after 11 months from the date of its execution, unless a longer period is expressly provided in the appointment form. The proxies named in the Corporation’s proxy statement shall have discretionary authority to vote at all meetings of shareholders as provided Rule 14a-4(c) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as that rule is currently in effect or as it subsequently may be amended or superseded.

 

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Section 2.9 Voting of Shares by Certain Holders. Shares standing in the name of another corporation may be voted by agent or proxy as the bylaws of such corporation may prescribe or, in the absence of such provision, as the board of directors of such corporation may determine as evidenced by a duly certified copy of either the bylaws or corporate resolution.

 

Neither treasury shares, shares of its own stock held by the Corporation in a fiduciary capacity nor shares held by another corporation, if the majority of the shares entitled to vote for the election of directors of such other corporation is held by the Corporation (except to the extent permitted by the Articles and Wyoming law), shall be voted at any meeting or counted in determining the total number of outstanding shares at any given time.

 

Shares held by an administrator, executor, guardian or conservator may be voted by such fiduciary, either in person or by proxy, without a transfer of such shares into the name of such fiduciary. Shares standing in the name of a trustee may be voted by such trustee, either in person or by proxy, but no trustee shall be entitled to vote shares held by a trustee without a transfer of the shares into such trust.

 

Shares standing in the name of a receiver may be voted by such receiver and shares held by or under the control of a receiver may be voted by such receiver, without the transfer thereof into the name of such receiver if authority so to do is contained in an appropriate order of the court by which the receiver was appointed.

 

A shareholder whose shares are pledged shall be entitled to vote such shares until the shares have been transferred on the books of the Corporation into the name of the pledgee, and thereafter the pledgee shall be entitled to vote the shares so transferred.

 

Section 2.10 Cumulative Voting. Cumulative voting shall be permitted in the election of directors, unless otherwise provided by the Articles and the Wyoming Business Corporation Act.

 

Section 2.11 Inspectors and Shareholder Lists.

 

Inspectors. The Board may, in advance of any meeting of shareholders, appoint one or more inspectors to act at such meeting or any adjournment thereof. If the inspectors shall not be so appointed or if any of them shall fail to appear or act, the chairman of the meeting may appoint inspectors. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of his ability. The inspectors shall determine the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each, the number of shares represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies and shall receive votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes, ballots or consents, determine the result and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. On request of the chairman of the meeting or any shareholder entitled to vote thereat, the inspectors shall make a report in writing of any challenge, request or matter determined by them and shall execute a certificate of any fact found by them.

 

Shareholder Lists.

 

(a) Access to the list of shareholders shall be restricted to a period beginning two days after the date of the notice of the shareholders’ meeting for which the list was prepared, or 10 days before the date of the meeting, whichever is less.

 

(b) The Board may deny to shareholders the right to copy the list of shareholders before the meeting, provided that:

 

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  (i) Arrangements are made for an independent firm to provide to shareholders any information any shareholder wants to send them relative to the matters to be considered at the meeting, provided the shareholder pays for the mailing and provides the material in a timely fashion;

 

  (ii) The list is made available at the shareholder’s expense to any shareholder at or after the meeting who is bringing a legal challenge to the right of any other shareholder to vote at the meeting; and
     
  (iii) The list is available for inspection (but not copying) as provided by (a) above, and at the meeting. The making of handwritten copies by the shareholder or his attorney of the names and addresses of individual shareholders shall not be construed as copying within the meaning of subsection (a).

 

(c) The Board may take any other steps it deems reasonable or necessary to prevent the use of its shareholder lists for purposes not related to issues under consideration at a shareholder meeting.

 

Section 2.12 [Reserved]

 

Section 2.13 Advance Notice Requirement for Shareholder Proposals. For any matter to be considered as a proper purpose for consideration by the shareholders at an annual or special meeting, which is not specifically stated as a purpose in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting (such other matter referred to in this section as a “Shareholder Proposal”), each of the conditions set forth below must be satisfied. For purposes of this Section 2.13 (and Article II in general), a proposal to nominate persons for election to the Board shall be deemed to constitute a Shareholder Proposal.

 

The following conditions also shall apply to any motion which the requesting shareholder intends to make from the floor of the meeting to nominate a person for election to the Board, where such person has not been included as a director candidate in the Corporation’s notice of the meeting.

 

(a) At least 90 calendar days, but no earlier than 120 calendar days, before the date of the meeting of the Corporation’s shareholders, the requesting shareholder shall give written notice to the Secretary of the Corporation, providing:

 

  (i) a brief description of the Shareholder Proposal which the shareholder wishes to present to the meeting;
     
  (ii) the reason why the Shareholder Proposal is sought to be presented at the meeting;
     
  (iii) a statement of any material interest which the requesting shareholder or its beneficial owners have in the Shareholder Proposal;

 

  (iv) as to the requesting shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the Shareholder Proposal to nominate or another Shareholder Proposal is made, a statement of (1) the requesting shareholder’s and such beneficial owner’s name and address, (2) the number of shares of the Corporation owned of record or beneficially by the requesting shareholder and such beneficial owner, (3) the name of each nominee holder of shares owned beneficially but not of record by the requesting shareholder and the number of shares of stock held by each such nominee holder, and (4) whether and the extent to which any derivative instrument, swap, option, warrant, short interest, hedge or profit interest or other transaction has been entered into by or on behalf of the requesting shareholder with respect to stock of the Corporation and whether any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares of stock) has been made by or on behalf of the requesting shareholder, the effect or intent of any of the foregoing being to mitigate loss to, or to manage risk of stock price changes for, such shareholder or to increase or decrease the voting power or pecuniary or economic interest of the requesting shareholder with respect to stock of the Corporation;
     
  (v) a description of all agreements, arrangements or understandings between the requesting shareholder and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the Shareholder Proposal;
     
  (vi) a representation that the shareholder is a holder of record of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote at such meeting and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to propose such business or nomination and a representation whether the shareholder or the beneficial owner, if any, intends or is part of a group which intends to solicit proxies from other shareholders in support of such nomination; and
     
  (vii) the text of any amendment to the Articles, or these Bylaws, which would be part of the Shareholder Proposal.

 

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(b) Notwithstanding a requesting shareholder’s compliance with the provisions of paragraph (a) above, a Shareholder Proposal shall not be deemed properly presented to the meeting if the full Board, by majority vote, determines that allowing the Shareholder Proposal to be considered by the shareholders at the meeting would be prohibited by the Articles, other provisions of these Bylaws then in effect, Wyoming law, or federal securities laws.

 

ARTICLE III

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

Section 3.1 General Powers. The Board shall manage and direct the business and affairs of the Corporation in such manner as it sees fit. Directors shall discharge their duties in such capacity in good faith, with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances, and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or at least not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation. For the purposes of the preceding sentence, a director, in determining what is reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, shall consider the interests of the Corporation’s shareholders, and at the director’s discretion may consider the interests of the Corporation’s employees, suppliers, creditors and customers, the economy of the state and nation, the impact of any action upon the communities in or near which the Corporation’s facilities or operations are located, the long- term interests of the Corporation and its shareholders, including the possibility that those interests may be best served by the continued independence of the Corporation and any other factors relevant to preserving public or community interests. In addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred upon it, the Board may do all lawful acts which are not directed to be done by the shareholders by statute, by the Articles or by these Bylaws.

 

Section 3.2 Number, Tenure and Qualifications. The number of directors of the Corporation shall be seven (7), provided that the number may be increased or decreased from time to time by an amendment to these Bylaws or by resolution adopted by the Board. Subject to the provision in the Articles for a staggered Board, each director shall hold office until the third succeeding annual meeting of shareholders and until a successor director has been elected and qualified, or until the death, resignation or removal of such director. The term of each independent director (as defined in the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market (or other stock exchange or market on which the Corporation’s Securities are traded) and the Securities and Exchange Commission) shall be two terms, unless the Chairman of the Board specifically recommends and the full Board approves one additional term for such independent director. Directors need not be residents of Wyoming or shareholders of the Corporation.

 

Section 3.3 Regular Meetings. A regular meeting of the Board shall be held, without other notice than this Bylaw, immediately after and at the same place as an annual meeting of shareholders. The Board may provide, by resolution, the time and place, either within or without the state of incorporation, for the holding of additional regular meetings, without other notice than such resolution.

 

Section 3.4 Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board may be called by or at the request of the Chief Executive Officer, President or any two directors and such special meetings may be called for any place, either within or without Wyoming.

 

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Section 3.5 Telephonic Meetings. Members of the Board and committees thereof may participate and be deemed present at a meeting by means of conference telephone or any other means of communications equipment by which all persons participating may communicate with each other during the meeting.

 

Section 3.6 Notice. Notice of any special meeting of the Board shall be given by telephone, e-mail, facsimile or written notice sent by mail. Notice shall be delivered at least two days prior to the meeting if the meeting is called by or at the request of the President if given by telephone or by written notice. Written or telephonic notice of a meeting called by two directors shall be delivered personally or by mail to each director at such director’s business or home address at least five days prior to the meeting. Notice of any special meeting of the Board shall include an agenda of the items to be considered at a special meeting.

 

If notice of a directors’ meeting is given by mail or e-mail, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when deposited in the United States mail so addressed with postage thereon prepaid or at the time sent such e-mail is sent.

 

Any director may waive notice of any meeting and, except as provided in the following sentence, such waver shall be in writing, signed either manually or in facsimile, and filed with the minutes or corporate records. The attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a director objects to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting and does not thereafter vote for or assent to action taken at the meeting. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the Board need be specified in the notice or waiver of notice of such meeting.

 

Section 3.7 Quorum. A majority of the total membership of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, but if a quorum shall not be present at any meeting or adjournment thereof, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting without further notice.

 

Section 3.8 Action by Consent of All Directors. Any action required to be taken, or which may be taken at a meeting of the Board may be taken without a meeting, if the action is taken by all members of the Board, evidenced by one or more written consents describing the action taken, signed, either manually or in facsimile, by each director, and included in the minutes or filed with the corporate records reflecting the action taken. Actions taken by written unanimous consent are effective when the last director signs the consent, unless the consent specifies a different effective date.

 

Section 3.9 Manner of Acting. The act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be an act of the Board.

 

The order of business at any regular or special meeting of the Board shall be:

 

  1. Record of those present.
  2. Secretary’s proof of notice of meeting, if notice is not waived.
  3. Reading and disposal of unapproved minutes, if any.
  4. Reports of officer.
  5. Unfinished business, if any.
  6. New business.
  7. Adjournment.

 

Section 3.10 Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in the Board by reason of an increase in the number of directors specified in these Bylaws, or for any other reason, may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors voting on such matter at a duly convened meeting, or in the event that the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a quorum of the Board, by the affirmative vote of a majority of all directors remaining in office.

 

Section 3.11 Compensation. By resolution of the Board, the directors may be paid their expenses, if any, for attendance at each meeting of the Board and may be paid a fixed sum for attendance at each meeting of the Board and a stated salary or retainer or other compensation as director. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefor or from receiving compensation for any extraordinary or unusual services as a director.

 

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Section 3.12 Presumption of Assent. A director of the Corporation who is present at a meeting of the Board at which action on any corporate matter is taken shall be deemed to have assented to an action taken at such meeting unless the director objects at the beginning of the meeting or promptly upon arrival to holding the meeting or transacting business at the meeting; the dissent of such director is entered in the minutes of the meeting; or the director delivers written notice of such dissent or abstention to the presiding officer of the meeting before its adjournment or to the Corporation immediately after adjournment of the meeting. Such right to dissent is not available to a director who voted in favor of such action.

 

Section 3.13 Executive or Other Committees. The Board, by resolution adopted by the greater of a majority of the directors in office when the action is taken or the number of directors required by the Articles or Bylaws to take action under Wyoming Statute Section 17-16-824, may create one or more committees and appoint members of the Board to serve on them. Each committee shall have one (1) or more members who serve at the pleasure of the Board. Any committee designated as an executive committee may exercise the authority of the Board under Wyoming Statute Section 17-16-801, and shall have all of the authority of the Board, but unless specifically authorized by the Board no such committee shall have the authority of the Board in reference to authorizing distributions, approving or proposing to shareholders action that the Wyoming Business Corporation Act requires be approved by shareholders, filling vacancies on the Board or any of its committees, amending the Articles pursuant to Wyoming Statute Section 17-16-1002, adopting, amending or repealing the Bylaws, a plan of merger not requiring shareholder approval, authorizing or approving a reacquisition of shares (except according to a formula method prescribed by the Board), or determining the designation and relative rights, preferences and limitations of a class or series of shares (except that the Board may authorize a committee or a senior executive officer of the Corporation to do so within limits specifically prescribed by the Board). The designation of such committees and the delegation thereto of authority shall not operate to relieve the Board, or any member thereof, of any responsibility imposed by law.

 

Any action required to be taken, or which may be taken at a meeting of a committee designated in accordance with this Section of the Bylaws, may be taken without a meeting, if the action is taken by all members of the Committee, evidenced by one or more written consents, setting forth the action so taken, signed either manually or in facsimile, by each Committee member and filed with the Corporation records reflecting the transaction. Such action by written consent of all entitled to vote shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of such persons.

 

Section 3.14 Resignation of Officers or Directors. Any director or officer may resign at any time by submitting a resignation in writing. Such resignation takes effect from the time of its receipt by the Corporation unless a date or time is fixed in the resignation, in which case it will take effect from that time. Acceptance of the resignation shall not be required to make it effective.

 

Section 3.15 Removal. A director may be removed by shareholders, with or without cause pursuant to the Articles, at a duly convened meeting called for the purpose of such removal. The notice for any meeting at which it is proposed that a director be removed must specifically state that such is a purpose of the meeting.

 

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ARTICLE IV

OFFICERS

 

Section 4.1 Number. The officers of the Corporation shall be a Chief Executive Officer, President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. For so long as the Corporation has a class of stock registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, the Corporation also shall have a Chief Financial Officer. All of the preceding shall be executive officers and shall be elected by the Board. One or more vice Presidents shall be executive officers if the Board so determines by resolution. Such other officers and assistant officers, as may be deemed necessary, shall be designated administrative assistant officers and may be appointed and removed in accordance with Article IV, Section 4.11, hereof. Any two or more offices may be held by the same person.

 

Section 4.2 Election and Term of Office. The executive officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board at its first meeting held after each annual meeting of the shareholders or at a convenient time soon thereafter. Each executive officer shall hold office until the resignation of such officer or a successor shall be duly elected and qualified, until the death of such executive officer, or until removal of such officer in the manner herein provided.

 

Section 4.3 Removal. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board may be removed by the Board whenever, in its judgment, the best interests of the Corporation would be served thereby, but such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract rights, if any, of the person so removed.

 

Section 4.4 Vacancies. A vacancy in any executive office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise may be filled by the Board for the unexpired portion of the term.

 

Section 4.5 Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, which may not be the Chief Executive Officer, shall be appointed by the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the members of the Board, unless otherwise determined by the Board. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board.

 

Section 4.6 [RESERVED].

 

Section 4.7 The Chief Executive Officer and the President. The Chief Executive Officer subject to the control of the Board shall be in general charge of the affairs of the Corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall sign, with the other officers of the Corporation as appropriate and as authorized by the Board generally, certificates for shares of the Corporation, deeds, mortgages, bonds, contracts or other instruments whose execution the Board has authorized, except in cases where the signing and execution thereof shall be expressly delegated by the Board or Bylaws to some other officer or agent of the Corporation, or shall be required by law to be otherwise signed or executed. The President shall perform all duties incident to that office and shall serve also serve as Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation, as determined by the Board from time to time. If the Chief Executive Officer should be unable to serve, the President shall execute such duties of the Chief Executive Officer as may be appropriate and approved generally by the Board, pending return of the Chief Executive Officer to active service.

 

Section 4.8 Vice Presidents. From time to time, the Board may appoint one or more Vice-Presidents, with such duties as may be assigned to him or them.

 

Section 4.9 The Secretary. Unless the Board otherwise directs, the Secretary shall keep the minutes of the shareholders’ and directors’ meetings in one or more books provided for that purpose. The Secretary shall also see that all notices are duly given in accordance with the law and the provisions of the Bylaws; be custodian of the corporate records and the seal of the Corporation: affix the seal or direct its affixing to all documents, the execution of which on behalf of the Corporation is duly authorized; keep a list of the address of each shareholder; sign with the Chief Executive Officer certificates for shares of the Corporation, the issuance of which shall have been authorized by resolution of the Board; have charge of the stock transfer books of the Corporation; and perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and such other duties as may be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board.

 

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Section 4.10 The Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the offices of Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer shall be served by the same person. Neither the Treasurer nor the Chief Financial Officer shall be required to give a bond for the faithful discharge of their duties. The Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all funds and Securities of the Corporation, receive and give receipts for monies due and payable to the Corporation from any source whatsoever, deposit all such monies in the name of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as shall be selected in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws, and perform all the duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or the Board. Additionally, the Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer shall have the duties associated with the chief financial officer position under federal securities laws.

 

Section 4.11 Assistant Officers. The Board may elect (or delegate to the Chairman or to the President the right to appoint) such other officers and agents as may be necessary or desirable for the business of the Corporation. Such other officers shall include one or more assistant secretaries and treasurers who shall have the power and authority to act in place of the officer to whom they are elected or appointed as an assistant in the event of the officer’s inability or unavailability to act in his official capacity.

 

Section 4.12 Salaries. The salaries of the executive officers shall be fixed by the Board and no officer shall be prevented from receiving such salary by reason of the fact that such officer is also a director of the Corporation. The salaries of the assistant officers shall be fixed by the Chief Executive Officer.

 

Section 4.13 Standards of Conduct and Discharge of Duties. Executive officers of the Corporation shall discharge their duties in good faith, with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would exercise under similar circumstances and in a manner reasonably believed to be in or at least not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation. For the purposes of determining what is reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, each executive officer shall consider the interests of the Corporation’s shareholders and in such officer’s discretion, may consider the interests of the Corporation’s employees, suppliers, creditors and customers, the economy of the state and nation, the impact of any action upon the communities in or near which the Corporation’s facilities or operations are located, the long-term interests of the Corporation and its shareholders, including the possibility that those interests may be best served by the independence of the Corporation, and any other factors relevant to promoting or preserving public or community interests.

 

ARTICLE V

CONTRACTS, LOANS, CHECKS AND DEPOSITS

 

Section 5.1 Contracts. The Board may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract on behalf of the Corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

 

Section 5.2 Checks, Drafts, Etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness, issued in the name of the Corporation, shall be signed by such officer or officers, agent or agents, of the Corporation and in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board.

 

Section 5.3 Deposits. All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the Corporation in such banks, trust companies or other depositories as the Board may select.

 

Section 5.4 Loans to Directors. Subject to restrictions under Wyoming and Federal law, the Corporation may only lend money to or guarantee the obligations of a director of the Corporation if the particular loan or guarantee is approved by a majority of the votes represented by the outstanding voting shares of all classes voting as a single voting group (except the shares owned or voted under the control of the benefited director) or by the Board if it determines that the loan or guarantee benefits the Corporation and it either approves the specific loan or guarantee or a general plan authorizing loans and guarantees.

 

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ARTICLE VI

CERTIFICATES FOR SECURITIES

AND THEIR TRANSFER

 

Section 6.1 Certificates for Securities. Certificates representing securities of the Corporation (the “Securities”) shall be in such form as shall be determined by the Board. Certificates for Securities shall state the name of the corporation, that it is organized under the laws of the State of Wyoming, the person to whom the Certificate is issued, and the number and class of shares and the designation of the series, if any, the Certificate represents. Each Certificate shall be signed by the Chief Executive Officer and by the Secretary. The signatures may be facsimiles.

 

A Certificate signed or impressed with the facsimile signature of an officer, who ceases by death, resignation or otherwise to be an officer of the Corporation before the certificate is delivered by the Corporation, is valid as though signed by a duly elected, qualified and authorized officer.

 

The name of the person to whom the Securities represented by a Certificate are issued, the number of Securities, and date of issue, shall be entered on the Security transfer books of the Corporation. All Certificates surrendered to the Corporation for transfer shall be canceled and no new Certificate shall be issued until the former Certificate for a like number of shares shall have been surrendered and canceled, except that, in case of a lost, destroyed or mutilated Certificate, a new one may be issued therefor upon such terms and indemnity to the Corporation as the Board may prescribe.

 

This Section 6.1 shall not prohibit the Corporation from establishing a direct registration program for electronic registry of shares pursuant to the rules of the regulatory association with supervisory authority over the market on which the Corporation’s Securities are traded.

 

Section 6.2 Transfer of Securities. Transfer of Securities shall be made only on the security transfer books of the Corporation by the holder of record thereof, by the legal representative of the holder who shall furnish proper evidence of authority to transfer, or by an attorney authorized by a power of attorney, duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation, and a surrender for cancellation of the certificate for such shares. The person in whose name Securities stand on the books of the Corporation shall be deemed by the Corporation to be the owner thereof for all purposes; provided, however, that if a direct registration program is established under Section 6.1 above, the procedures therefor shall not require submission of a paper certificate.

 

ARTICLE VII

FISCAL YEAR

 

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be determined by resolution of the Board.

 

ARTICLE VIII

DIVIDENDS

 

The Board may declare, and the Corporation may pay in cash, stock or other property, dividends on its outstanding shares in the manner and upon the terms and conditions provided by law and the Articles.

 

ARTICLE IX

SEAL

 

The Board shall provide a corporate seal, circular in form, having inscribed thereon the corporate name, the state of incorporation and the word “Seal.” The seal may be by facsimile, or engraved, embossed or printed.

 

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ARTICLE X

WAIVER OF NOTICE

 

Whenever any notice is required to be given to any shareholder, director of the Corporation or member of a committee thereof under the provisions of these Bylaws or under the provisions of the Articles or under the provisions of the applicable laws of Wyoming, a waiver thereof in writing, signed by the person or persons entitled to such notice, whether before, at or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice.

 

ARTICLE XI

INDEMNIFICATION

 

Section 11.1 General. The Corporation shall indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by and in the manner permissible under the Wyoming Business Corporation Act, as amended from time to time (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than said law permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), any person made, or threatened to be made, a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding, whether criminal, civil, administrative, or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person (a) is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation or (b) served any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent at the request of the Corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation; provided, however, that except as provided in Section 11.4, the Corporation shall indemnify any such person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized in advance by the Board.

 

Section 11.2 Advancement of Expenses. The right to indemnification conferred in this Article XI shall be a contract right and shall include the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition, such advances to be paid by the Corporation within twenty (20) days after the receipt by the Corporation of a statement or statements from the claimant requesting such advance or advances from time to time; provided, however, that if required by the Wyoming Business Corporation Act, the payment of such expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such person while a director or officer, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) in advance of the final disposition of a proceeding, shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by a final judicial decision from which there is no right of appeal that such director or officer is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article XI or otherwise.

 

Section 11.3 Procedure for Indemnification. To obtain indemnification under this Article XI, a claimant shall submit to the Corporation a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to the claimant and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent the claimant is entitled to indemnification. Upon written request by a claimant for indemnification pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 11.3, a determination, if required by applicable law, with respect to the claimant’s entitlement thereto shall be made as follows: (a) if requested by the claimant or if there are not at least two “qualified directors” (as defined in the Wyoming Business Corporation Act), by Independent Counsel (as hereinafter defined) to the extent permitted by law, or (b) by a majority vote of the qualified directors, even though less than a quorum, or by a majority vote of a committee of qualified directors designated by a majority vote of qualified directors, even though less than a quorum. If the determination cannot be made pursuant to the foregoing, the determination may be made in any other manner permitted under the Wyoming Business Corporation Act. If it is determined pursuant to this Section 11.3 that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, payment to the claimant shall be made within 10 days after such determination.

 

Section 11.4 Certain Remedies. If a claim under Section 11.1 is not paid in full by the Corporation within thirty (30) days after a written claim pursuant to Section 11.3 has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled to be paid also the reasonable expense of prosecuting such claim. It shall be a defense to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition where the required undertaking, if any, has been tendered to the Corporation) that the claimant has not met the standard of conduct which makes it permissible under the Wyoming Business Corporation Act for the Corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden of proving such defense shall be on the Corporation. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including the Board, Independent Counsel or shareholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he or she has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Wyoming Business Corporation Act nor an actual determination by the Corporation (including the Board, Independent Counsel or shareholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

 

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Section 11.5 Binding Effect. If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 11.3 that the claimant is entitled to indemnification, the Corporation shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 11.4.

 

Section 11.6 Validity of this Article. The Corporation shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding commenced pursuant to Section 11.4 that the procedures and presumptions of this Article XI are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in such proceeding that the Corporation is bound by all the provisions of this Article XI.

 

Section 11.7 Non-exclusivity, etc. The right to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses incurred in defending a proceeding in advance of its final disposition conferred in this Article XI shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of the Articles, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or qualified directors or otherwise. No repeal or modification of this Article XI shall in any way diminish or adversely affect the rights of any present or former director or officer of the Corporation or any predecessor thereof hereunder in respect of any occurrence or matter arising prior to any such repeal or modification.

 

Section 11.8 Insurance. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss under the Wyoming Business Corporation Act.

 

Section 11.9 Indemnification of Other Persons. The Corporation may grant rights to indemnification, and rights to the advancement by the Corporation of expenses incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final disposition, to any present or former employee or agent of the Corporation or any predecessor of the Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article XI with respect to the indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.

 

Section 11.10 Definition. For purposes of this Article XI, “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, a member of a law firm, or an independent practitioner that is experienced in matters of corporation law and shall include any such person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would not have a conflict of interest in representing either the Corporation or the claimant in an action to determine the claimant’s rights under this Article XI. Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Board.

 

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ARTICLE XII

AMENDMENTS

 

These Bylaws may be altered, amended, repealed or replaced by new bylaws by the Board at any regular or special meeting of the Board or by the majority vote of the Corporation’s shareholders.

 

ARTICLE XIII

UNIFORMITY OF INTERPRETATION

AND SEVERABILITY

 

These Bylaws shall be so interpreted and construed as to conform to the Articles and the statutes of Wyoming or of any other state in which conformity may become necessary by reason of the qualification of the Corporation to do business in such foreign state, and where conflict between these Bylaws and the Articles or a statute has arisen or shall arise, the Bylaws shall be considered to be modified to the extent, but only to the extent, conformity shall require. If any Bylaw provision or its application shall be deemed invalid by reason of the said nonconformity, the remainder of the Bylaws shall remain operable in that the provisions set forth in the Bylaws are severable.

 

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Exhibit 10.1

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

by and among

 

U.S. ENERGY CORPORATION

 

and

 

THE STOCKHOLDERS PARTY HERETO

 

 

 

 

Table of Contents

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS 1
   
Section 1.1 Definitions 1
Section 1.2 Registrable Securities 3
     
ARTICLE II REGISTRATION RIGHTS 4
   
Section 2.1 Shelf Registration 4
Section 2.2 Piggyback Registration 5
Section 2.3 Sale Procedures 7
Section 2.4 Cooperation by Holders 11
Section 2.5 Expenses 11
Section 2.6 Indemnification 11
Section 2.7 Rule 144 Reporting 12
Section 2.8 Transfer or Assignment of Registration Rights 14
     
ARTICLE III MISCELLANEOUS 15
   
Section 3.1 Communications 15
Section 3.2 Successors and Assigns 16
Section 3.3 Assignment of Rights 16
Section 3.4 Recapitalization (Exchanges, etc. Affecting the Registrable Securities) 16
Section 3.5 Specific Performance 16
Section 3.6 Counterparts 16
Section 3.7 Headings 17
Section 3.8 Governing Law, Submission to Jurisdiction 17
Section 3.9 Waiver of Jury Trial 18
Section 3.10 Severability of Provisions 18
Section 3.11 Entire Agreement 18
Section 3.12 Term; Amendment 18
Section 3.13 No Presumption 18
Section 3.14 Obligations Limited to Parties to Agreement 19
Section 3.15 Interpretation 19
Section 3.16 No Inconsistent Agreements; Additional Rights 19

 

i

 

 

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of January 5, 2022 by and between U.S. Energy Corporation, a Wyoming corporation (“USEG”), and the parties set forth on Schedule A hereto, which have also signed a signature page of this Agreement under the heading “Holders”.

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is made in connection with the closing of the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the three (3) Purchase and Sale Agreements, each dated as of October 4, 2021, by and between USEG and the Holders (the “Purchase Agreements”); and

 

WHEREAS, USEG has agreed to provide the registration and other rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the Holders pursuant to the Purchase Agreements.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by each party hereto, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 1.1 Definitions. The terms set forth below are used herein as so defined:

 

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, any other Person, directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, “controlling,” “controlled by,” and “under common control with”) means the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

 

Agreement” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph.

 

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, any federal legal holiday or day on which banking institutions in the State of New York or State of Texas are authorized or required by law or other governmental action to close.

 

Cease Sale Notification” has the meaning specified in Section 2.3(b)(vii) of this Agreement.

 

Commission” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of USEG.

 

Effectiveness Period” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(a) of this Agreement.

 

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

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Holder” initially has the meaning given to such term in the introductory paragraph hereof, and shall also apply to the record holder of any Registrable Securities transferred to such Person in accordance with Section 2.9 hereof.

 

Included Registrable Securities” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement.

 

Law” shall have the meaning set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

 

Losses” has the meaning specified in Section 2.6(a) of this Agreement.

 

Managing Underwriter” means, with respect to any Underwritten Offering, the left lead book running manager of such Underwritten Offering.

 

Other Holder” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(b).

 

Person” means any individual, corporation, company, voluntary association, partnership, joint venture, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, government or any agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, or any other form of entity.

 

Piggyback Opt-Out Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement.

 

Piggyback Registration” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2(a) of this Agreement.

 

Purchase Agreements” has the meaning specified in the Recitals of this Agreement.

 

Registrable Securities” means, subject to Section 1.2 of this Agreement, (i) the shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreements, and (ii) any shares of Common Stock issued as (or issuable upon the conversion, redemption or exercise of) any warrant, option, right or other security that is issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect to, or in exchange for or in replacement of, any such shares of Common Stock described in clause (i). The value of such Registrable Securities for purposes of determining whether any threshold set forth in this Agreement shall be calculated by multiplying such number of shares of Registrable Securities by the average of the closing price on each securities exchange or nationally recognized quotation system on which the Common Stock is then listed for the ten (10) trading days preceding the date on which such value is being determined.

 

Registration” means any registration pursuant to this Agreement, including pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement or a Piggyback Registration.

 

Registration Expenses” has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(a) of this Agreement.

 

Resale Opt-Out Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(c) of this Agreement.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

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Selling Expenses” has the meaning specified in Section 2.5(a) of this Agreement.

 

Selling Holder” means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration.

 

Shelf Registration Statement” means a registration statement under the Securities Act to permit the public resale of the Registrable Securities from time to time as permitted by Rule 415 of the Securities Act (or any similar provision then in force under the Securities Act).

 

Texas Courts” has the meaning specified in Section 3.8(b) of this Agreement.

 

Underwritten Offering” means an offering (including an offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement) in which Common Stock is sold to an underwriter on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public or an offering that is a “bought deal” with one or more investment banks.

 

USEG” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

WKSI” means a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act).

 

Section 1.2 Registrable Securities. Any Registrable Security will cease to be a Registrable Security at the earliest of the following: (a) when a registration statement covering such Registrable Security has been declared effective by the Commission and such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement; (b) when such Registrable Security has been disposed of pursuant to any section of Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”) or any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act as a result of which the legend on any certificate or book-entry notation representing such Registrable Security restricting transfer of such Registrable Security has been removed; (c) when such Registrable Security is held by USEG or one of its subsidiaries; and (d) when such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under this Agreement are not assigned to the transferee of such securities.

 

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ARTICLE II

REGISTRATION RIGHTS

Section 2.1 Shelf Registration.

 

(a) Shelf Registration. USEG shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file an initial Shelf Registration Statement under the Securities Act covering the resale of all of the Registrable Securities on or before the 30th day after the date of this Agreement. USEG shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such initial Shelf Registration Statement to become effective no later than 60 days following the filing of the initial Shelf Registration Statement (or, in the event of a “full review” by the Commission, the 90th calendar day following the filing date thereof); provided, however that that in the event USEG is notified by the Commission that the initial Shelf Registration Statement will not be reviewed or is no longer subject to further review and comments, the effectiveness date as to such initial Registration Statement shall be the fifth Business Day following the date on which USEG is so notified if such date precedes the dates otherwise required above. USEG will use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.1(a) to be continuously effective under the Securities Act until the earliest of the date (i) all Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement have been distributed in the manner set forth and as contemplated in such Shelf Registration Statement, and (ii) there are no longer any Registrable Securities outstanding (the “Effectiveness Period”). A Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.1 shall be on Form S-3, except that if USEG is not then eligible for to register the resale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Form S-3, it shall be filed on another appropriate form in accordance herewith. A Shelf Registration Statement when declared effective (including the documents incorporated therein by reference) will comply as to form in all material respects with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any prospectus contained in such Shelf Registration Statement, in the light of the circumstances under which a statement is made). As soon as practicable following the date that a Shelf Registration Statement becomes effective, but in any event within five (5) Business Days of such date, USEG shall provide the Holders with written notice of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.1, no Holder shall be required to be named as an “underwriter” in a Shelf Registration Statement without such Holder’s express prior written consent. If the staff of the Commission requires the Company to name in a Shelf Registration Statement any Holder as an underwriter as defined in Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and such Holder does not consent thereto, then such Holder’s Registrable Securities shall not be included on such Shelf Registration Statement and the Company shall have no further obligations hereunder with respect to Registrable Securities held by such Holder with respect to that Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(b) Commission Cutback. Notwithstanding the registration obligations set forth in Section 2.1(a), if the Commission informs USEG that all of the Registrable Securities cannot, as a result of the application of Rule 415 of the Securities Act, be registered for resale as a secondary offering on a single registration statement, USEG agrees to promptly inform each of the Holders thereof and use its commercially reasonable efforts to file amendments to the applicable Shelf Registration Statement as required by the Commission, covering the maximum number of Registrable Securities permitted to be registered by the Commission; provided, however, that prior to filing such amendment, USEG shall be obligated to use diligent efforts to advocate with the Commission for the registration of all of the Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable Commission guidance, including without limitation, Compliance and Disclosure Interpretation 612.09. In the event that such an amendment is required, USEG shall subsequently file, as promptly as allowed by the Commission or any guidance provided by the Commission to USEG, one or more additional Shelf Registration Statements to register for resale those Registrable Securities that were not registered for resale on the initial Shelf Registration Statement, as amended. Such additional Shelf Registration Statements shall be filed on Form S-3 or such other form available to register for resale the Registrable Securities as a secondary offering as contemplated by Section 2.1(a). USEG shall cause each such additional Shelf Registration Statement to be continuously effective under the Securities Act during the Effectiveness Period.

 

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(c) Resale Registration Opt-Out. At least five (5) Business Days before the initial filing of any Shelf Registration Statement required by Section 2.1, USEG shall provide advance written notice to each Holder that it plans to file a Shelf Registration Statement. Any Holder may deliver advance written notice (a “Resale Opt-Out Notice”) to USEG requesting that such Holder not be included in a Shelf Registration Statement prior to its initial filing. Following receipt of a Resale Opt-Out Notice from a Holder, USEG shall not be required to include the Registrable Securities of such Holder in such Shelf Registration Statement.

 

(d)       Renewal. If, by the third anniversary (the “Renewal Deadline”) of the initial effective date of a Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.1, any of the Registrable Securities remain unsold by a Holder included on such Registration, and the Shelf Registration Statement will expire by the Renewal Deadline in accordance with the then applicable rules of the Commission, USEG shall file, if it has not already done so and is eligible to do so, a new Shelf Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities included on the prior Shelf Registration Statement and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Shelf Registration Statement to be declared effective within 60 days after the Renewal Deadline; and USEG shall take all other action necessary or appropriate to permit the public offering and sale of the Registrable Securities to continue as contemplated in the expired Shelf Registration Statement. References herein to Shelf Registration Statement shall include such new shelf registration statement.

 

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Section 2.2 Piggyback Registration.

 

(a) Participation. If at any time USEG proposes to file (i) at a time when USEG is not a WKSI, a registration statement and such Holder has not previously included its Registrable Securities in a Shelf Registration Statement contemplated by Section 2.1 of this Agreement that is currently effective, or (ii) a prospectus supplement to an effective “automatic shelf registration statement” (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act), so long as USEG is a WKSI at such time or, whether or not USEG is a WKSI, so long as the Registrable Securities were previously included in the underlying Shelf Registration Statement or are included in an effective Shelf Registration Statement, or in any case in which Holders may participate in such offering without the filing of a post-effective amendment, in each case, for the sale of Common Stock in an Underwritten Offering for its own account and/or another Person, other than (a) a registration relating solely to employee benefit plans, (b) a registration relating solely to a Rule 145 transaction, or (c) a registration statement on any registration form which does not permit secondary sales, then USEG shall give not less than three (3) Business Days advance notice (including, but not limited to, notification by e-mail; such notice, a “Piggyback Notice”) of such proposed Underwritten Offering to each Holder, and such notice shall offer such Holder the opportunity to participate in any Underwritten Offering and to include in such Underwritten Offering such number of Registrable Securities (the “Included Registrable Securities”) as each such Holder may request in writing (a “Piggyback Registration”); provided, however, that if USEG has been advised by the Managing Underwriter that the inclusion of Registrable Securities for sale for the benefit of the Holders will have an adverse effect on the offering price, timing or probability of success of the distribution of the Common Stock in the Underwritten Offering, then the amount of Registrable Securities to be offered for the accounts of Holders shall be determined based on the provisions of Section 2.2(b). If USEG is not required to offer the opportunity for a Piggyback Registration in respect of a proposed Underwritten Offering as a result of the circumstance described in the immediately preceding sentence, then USEG shall nevertheless be required to furnish to such Holders the Piggyback Notice in respect of such proposed Underwritten Offering, which notice shall describe USEG’s intention to conduct an Underwritten Offering and, if the determination described in the immediately preceding sentence has been made at the time that the Piggyback Notice is required to be given by USEG, shall include notification that the Holders do not have the opportunity to include Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering because USEG has been advised by the Managing Underwriter that the inclusion of Registrable Securities for sale for the benefit of the Holders will have an adverse effect on the offering price, timing or probability of success of the distribution of the Common Stock in the Underwritten Offering. If the circumstance described in the immediately preceding sentence is made after the Piggyback Notice has been given, then USEG shall notify the Holders who were provided such Piggyback Notice (or if the two Business Day period referred to in the next sentence has lapsed, the Holders who have timely elected to include Registrable Securities in such offering) in writing of such circumstance and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities, if any, that can be included in such offering. Each Piggyback Notice shall be provided to Holders on a Business Day pursuant to Section 3.1 hereof and confirmation of receipt of such notice shall be requested in the notice. The Holder will have two Business Days after notice has been delivered to request in writing the inclusion of Registrable Securities in the Underwritten Offering. If no request for inclusion from a Holder is received within the specified time, such Holder shall have no further right to participate in such Piggyback Registration. If, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to undertake an Underwritten Offering and prior to the closing of such Underwritten Offering, USEG shall determine for any reason not to undertake or to delay such Underwritten Offering, USEG may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to the Selling Holders and, (x) in the case of a determination not to undertake such Underwritten Offering, shall be relieved of its obligation to sell any Included Registrable Securities in connection with such terminated Underwritten Offering, and (y) in the case of a determination to delay such Underwritten Offering, shall be permitted to delay offering any Included Registrable Securities for the same period as the delay in the Underwritten Offering. Any Selling Holder shall have the right to withdraw such Selling Holder’s request for inclusion of such Selling Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering by giving written notice to USEG of such withdrawal up to and including the time of pricing of such offering. Any Holder may deliver written notice (a “Piggyback Opt-Out Notice”) to USEG requesting that such Holder not receive notice from USEG of any proposed Underwritten Offering; provided, however, that such Holder may later revoke any such Piggyback Opt-Out Notice in writing. Following receipt of a Piggyback Opt-Out Notice from a Holder (unless subsequently revoked), USEG shall not be required to deliver any notice to such Holder pursuant to this Section 2.2(a) and such Holder shall no longer be entitled to participate in Underwritten Offerings by USEG pursuant to this Section 2.2(a), unless such Piggyback Opt-Out Notice is revoked by such Holder.

 

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(b) Priority of Piggyback Registration. If the Managing Underwriter or Underwriters of any proposed Underwritten Offering of shares of Common Stock included in a Piggyback Registration advises USEG that the total shares of Common Stock which the Selling Holders and any other Persons intend to include in such offering exceeds the number which can be sold in such offering without being likely to have an adverse effect on the offering price, timing or probability of success of the distribution of the Common Stock offered or the market for the Common Stock, then the Piggyback Notice provided by USEG pursuant to Section 2.2(a) shall include notification of such determination or, if such determination is made after the Piggyback Notice has been given, then USEG shall furnish notice in writing (including by e-mail) to the Holders (or to those who have timely elected to participate in such Underwritten Offering), and the Common Stock to be included in such Underwritten Offering shall include the number of shares of Common Stock that such Managing Underwriter or Underwriters advises USEG can be sold without having such adverse effect, with such number to be allocated (i) if such Piggyback Registration was initiated by USEG, (A) first, to USEG, (B) second, pro rata among the Selling Holders and any other Persons who have been or after the date hereof are granted registration rights on parity with the registration rights granted under this Agreement (the “Other Holders”) who have requested participation in the Piggyback Registration (based, for each such Selling Holder or Other Holder, on the percentage derived by dividing (1) the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be sold by such Selling Holder or such Other Holder in such offering; by (2) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be sold by all Selling Holders and all Other Holders in the Piggyback Registration), and (C) third, to any other holder of shares of Common Stock with registration rights that are subordinate to the rights of the Holders hereunder and (ii) if such Piggyback Registration was not initiated by USEG, (A) first, to the Persons initiating such Registration, (B) second, pro rata among the Selling Holders and any Other Holders who have requested participation in the Piggyback Registration (based, for each such Selling Holder or Other Holder, on the percentage derived by dividing (1) the number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be sold by such Selling Holder or such Other Holder in such offering; by (2) the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock proposed to be sold by all Selling Holders and all Other Holders in the Piggyback Registration other than the Persons initiating such Registration), and (C) third, to any other holder of shares of Common Stock with registration rights that are subordinate to the rights of the Holders hereunder.

 

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Section 2.3 Sale Procedures.

 

(a) General Procedures. In connection with any Underwritten Offering under Section 2.2 of this Agreement, USEG shall be entitled to select the Managing Underwriter or Underwriters. In connection with an Underwritten Offering contemplated by this Agreement in which a Selling Holder participates, each Selling Holder and USEG shall be obligated to enter into an underwriting agreement with the Managing Underwriter or Underwriters which contains such representations, covenants, indemnities and other rights and obligations as are customary in underwriting agreements for firm commitment offerings of equity securities. No Selling Holder may participate in such Underwritten Offering unless such Selling Holder agrees to sell its Registrable Securities on the basis provided in such underwriting agreement and completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. Each Selling Holder may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, USEG to and for the benefit of such underwriters also be made to and for such Selling Holder’s benefit and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement also be conditions precedent to its obligations. No Selling Holder shall be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with USEG or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Selling Holder’s ownership of the securities being registered on its behalf and its intended method of distribution and any other representation required by law. If any Selling Holder disapproves of the terms of an underwriting, such Selling Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by notice to USEG and the Managing Underwriter; provided, however, that such withdrawal must be made at least one Business Day prior to the time of pricing of such Underwritten Offering to be effective. No such withdrawal or abandonment shall affect USEG’s obligation to pay Registration Expenses. Upon the receipt by USEG of a written request from the Holders of at least $25,000,000 of Registrable Securities that are participating in any Underwritten Offering contemplated by this Agreement, USEG’s management shall be required to participate in a roadshow or similar marketing effort in connection with any Underwritten Offering.

 

(b) In connection with its obligations under this Article II, USEG will, as expeditiously as possible:

 

(i) prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to the Shelf Registration Statements and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such Shelf Registration Statements effective for the Effectiveness Period and as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement;

 

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(ii) if a prospectus supplement will be used in connection with the marketing of an Underwritten Offering from a Shelf Registration Statement and the Managing Underwriter at any time shall notify USEG in writing that, in the sole judgment of such Managing Underwriter, the inclusion of detailed information to be used in such prospectus supplement is of material importance to the success of the Underwritten Offering of such Registrable Securities, USEG shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to include such information in the prospectus supplement;

 

(iii) furnish to each Selling Holder (A) as far in advance as reasonably practicable before filing a Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement or any supplement or amendment thereto, upon request, copies of reasonably complete drafts of all such documents proposed to be filed (including exhibits and each document incorporated by reference therein to the extent then required by the rules and regulations of the Commission), and provide each such Selling Holder the opportunity to object to any information pertaining to such Selling Holder and its plan of distribution that is contained therein and make the corrections reasonably requested by such Selling Holder with respect to such information prior to filing such Shelf Registration Statement or such other registration statement and the prospectus included therein or any supplement or amendment thereto, and (B) such number of copies of such Shelf Registration Statement or such other registration statement and the prospectus included therein and any supplements and amendments thereto as such Persons may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Shelf Registration Statement or other registration statement;

 

(iv) if applicable, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Selling Holders or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, the Managing Underwriter, shall reasonably request, provided that USEG will not be required to qualify generally to transact business in any jurisdiction where it is not then required to so qualify or to take any action which would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

 

(v) promptly notify each Selling Holder when the Commission notifies USEG whether there will be a “review” of any registration statement filed pursuant to this Agreement and whether the Commission comments in writing on such registration statement;

 

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(vi) promptly notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (A) the filing of a Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement or any prospectus included therein or any amendment or supplement thereto (other than any amendment or supplement resulting from the filing of a document incorporated by reference therein), and, with respect to such Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective; and (B) the receipt of any written comments from the Commission with respect to any filing referred to in clause (A) and any written request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to such Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement thereto;

 

(vii)  immediately notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (A) the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus contained in a Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement or any supplemental amendment thereto, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing; (B) the issuance or threat of issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; or (C) the receipt by USEG of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the applicable securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction (each of (A) through (C), a “Cease Sale Notification”). Following the provision of such notice, USEG agrees to as promptly as practicable amend or supplement the prospectus or prospectus supplement or take other appropriate action so that the prospectus or prospectus supplement does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing and to take such other action as is necessary to remove a stop order, suspension, threat thereof or proceedings related thereto;

 

(viii)  upon request and subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations, furnish to each Selling Holder copies of any and all transmittal letters or other correspondence with the Commission or any other governmental agency or self-regulatory body or other body having jurisdiction (including any domestic or foreign securities exchange) relating to such offering of Registrable Securities;

 

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(ix) in the case of an Underwritten Offering, furnish upon request, (A) an opinion of counsel for USEG, dated the effective date of the applicable registration statement or the date of any amendment or supplement thereto (other than any amendment or supplement resulting from the filing of a document incorporated by reference therein), preliminary or prospectus supplement, and a letter of like kind dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement, and (B) a “comfort” letter, dated the pricing date of such Underwritten Offering and a letter of like kind dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement, in each case, signed by the independent public accountants who have certified USEG’s financial statements included or incorporated by reference into the applicable registration statement, and each of the opinion and the “comfort” letter shall be in customary form and covering substantially the same matters with respect to such registration statement (and the prospectus included therein and any supplement thereto) and as are customarily covered in opinions of issuer’s counsel and in accountants’ letters delivered to the underwriters in underwritten offerings of securities, such other matters as such underwriters may reasonably request;

 

(x) otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least 12 months, but not more than 18 months, beginning with the first full calendar month after the effective date of such registration statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 promulgated thereunder;

 

(xi) make available to the appropriate representatives of the underwriters access to such information and USEG personnel as is reasonable and customary to enable such parties and their representatives to establish a due diligence defense under the Securities Act; provided that USEG need not disclose any non-public information to any such representative unless and until such representative has entered into a confidentiality agreement with USEG;

 

(xii)  cause all such Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Agreement to be listed on each securities exchange or nationally recognized quotation system on which similar securities issued by USEG are then listed;

 

(xiii)  use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of USEG to enable the Selling Holders to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

 

(xiv)  shall use its best efforts to maintain eligibility for use of Form S-3 (or any successor form thereto) for the registration of the resale of Registrable Securities;

 

(xv)  provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement; and

 

(xvi)  enter into customary agreements and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the Selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

 

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(c) Each Selling Holder, upon receipt of notice from USEG of the happening of any event of the kind described in Section 2.3(b)(vi), shall forthwith discontinue disposition of the Registrable Securities until such Selling Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 2.3(b)(vi) or until it is advised in writing by USEG that the use of the prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings incorporated by reference in the prospectus, and, if so directed by USEG, such Selling Holder will, or will request the Managing Underwriter or underwriters, if any, to deliver to USEG (at USEG’s expense) all copies in their possession or control, other than permanent file copies then in such Selling Holder’s possession, of the prospectus and any prospectus supplement covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.

 

Section 2.4 Cooperation by Holders. USEG shall have no obligation to include Registrable Securities of a Holder in a Shelf Registration Statement or in an Underwritten Offering under Article II of this Agreement if such Selling Holder has failed to timely furnish such information which, in the opinion of counsel to USEG, is reasonably required in order for the registration statement or prospectus supplement, as applicable, to comply with the Securities Act.

 

Section 2.5 Prospectus Delivery Requirement. Each Seller Holder understands that the Securities Act may require delivery of a prospectus relating to the Registrable Securities in connection with any sale thereof pursuant to a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the resale by such Seller Holder of the Registrable Securities being sold, and each Seller Holder shall comply with the applicable prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any such sale.

 

Section 2.6 Expenses.

 

(a) Certain Definitions. “Registration Expenses” means all expenses incident to USEG’s performance under or compliance with this Agreement to effect the registration of Registrable Securities in a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.1, a Piggyback Registration pursuant to Section 2.2 or an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2.2 and the disposition of such securities, including, without limitation, all registration, filing, securities exchange listing and fees, all registration, filing, qualification and other fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky laws, fees of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, transfer taxes and fees of transfer agents and registrars, all word processing, duplicating and printing expenses, all roadshow expenses borne by it and the fees and disbursements of counsel and independent public accountants for USEG, including the expenses of any special audits or “comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance. Except as otherwise provided in Section 2.6 hereof, USEG shall not be responsible for legal fees incurred by Holders in connection with the exercise of such Holders’ rights hereunder. In addition, USEG shall not be responsible for any “Selling Expenses,” which means all underwriting fees, discounts and selling commissions, transfer taxes and fees of counsel allocable to the sale of the Registrable Securities.

 

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(b) Expenses. USEG will pay all reasonable Registration Expenses in connection with a Shelf Registration Statement, a Piggyback Registration or Underwritten Offering, whether or not any sale is made pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, Piggyback Registration or Underwritten Offering. Each Selling Holder shall pay its pro rata share of all Selling Expenses in connection with any sale of its Registrable Securities hereunder.

 

Section 2.7 Indemnification.

 

(a) By USEG. In the event of a registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, USEG will indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder thereunder, its directors, officers, employees, agents and managers, and each underwriter, pursuant to the applicable underwriting agreement with such underwriter, of Registrable Securities thereunder and each Person, if any, who controls such Selling Holder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and its directors, officers, employees, agents and managers, against any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) (collectively, “Losses”), joint or several, to which such Selling Holder or underwriter or controlling Person or directors, officers, employees, agents or managers may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact (in the case of any prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which such statement is made) contained in a Shelf Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any free writing prospectus related thereto, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, and will reimburse each such Selling Holder, its directors and officers, each such underwriter and each such controlling Person and each such director, officer, employee, agent or manager for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss or actions or proceedings; provided, however, that USEG will not be liable in any such case if and to the extent that any such Loss arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so made in conformity with information furnished by such Selling Holder, such underwriter or such controlling Person in writing specifically for use in a Shelf Registration Statement or such other registration statement, or prospectus supplement, as applicable. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Selling Holder or any such director, officer, employee, agent, manager or controlling Person, and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Selling Holder.

 

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(b) By Each Selling Holder. Each Selling Holder agrees severally and not jointly to indemnify and hold harmless USEG, its directors, officers, employees and agents and each Person, if any, who controls USEG within the meaning of the Securities Act or of the Exchange Act to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from USEG to the Selling Holders, but only with respect to (i) information regarding such Selling Holder furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Selling Holder expressly for inclusion in a Shelf Registration Statement, any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement or prospectus supplement relating to the Registrable Securities, or any amendment or supplement thereto; (ii) such Selling Holder’s sale of Registrable Securities after receipt of any Cease Sale Notification, and prior to the Company withdrawing such Cease Sale Notification; and (iii) such Selling Holder’s failure to comply with any applicable prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, through no fault of the Company; provided, however, that the liability of each Selling Holder shall not be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net of any Selling Expenses) received by such Selling Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification less the amount of any damages that such Selling Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

 

(c) Notice. Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party other than under this Section 2.6(c) except to the extent that the indemnifying party is materially prejudiced by such failure. In any action brought against any indemnified party, it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it shall wish, to assume and undertake the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume and undertake the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 2.6 for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation and of liaison with counsel so selected; provided, however, that, (i) if the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense and employ counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party or (ii) if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and counsel to the indemnified party shall have concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to the indemnified party that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or if the interests of the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the interests of the indemnifying party or representation by both parties by the same counsel is otherwise inappropriate under the applicable standards of professional conduct, then the indemnified party shall have the right to select a separate counsel and to assume such legal defense and otherwise to participate in the defense of such action, with the reasonable expenses and fees of such separate counsel and other reasonable expenses related to such participation to be reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the indemnifying party shall not settle any indemnified claim without the consent of the indemnified party, unless the settlement thereof imposes no liability or obligation on, includes a complete release from liability of, and does not contain any admission of wrong doing by, the indemnified party.

 

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(d) Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.6 is held by a court or government agency of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to USEG or any Selling Holder or is insufficient to hold them harmless in respect of any Losses, then each such indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Losses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of USEG on the one hand and of such Selling Holder on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided, however, that in no event shall such Selling Holder be required to contribute an aggregate amount in excess of the dollar amount of proceeds (net of Selling Expenses) received by such Selling Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification less the amount of any damages that such Selling Holder has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. The relative fault of USEG on the one hand and each Selling Holder on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact has been made by, or relates to, information supplied by such party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this paragraph were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the Losses referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph shall be deemed to include any legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any Loss which is the subject of this paragraph. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

(e) Other Indemnification. The provisions of this Section 2.6 shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution which an indemnified party may have pursuant to law, equity, contract or otherwise.

 

Section 2.8 Rule 144 Reporting. With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Commission that may permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, USEG agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to:

 

(a) Make and keep public information regarding USEG available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144, at all times from and after the date hereof;

 

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(b) File with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of USEG under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act at all times from and after the date hereof;

 

(c) So long as a Holder, together with its Affiliates, owns any Registrable Securities, (i) unless otherwise available at no charge by access electronically to the Commission’s EDGAR filing system (or any successor system), furnish to such Holder forthwith upon request a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of USEG, and such other reports and documents so filed as such Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing such Holder to sell any such securities without registration and (ii) to the extent accurate, furnish to such Holder upon reasonable request a written statement of USEG that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144; and

 

(d) Provide opinion(s) of counsel as may be reasonably necessary in order for a Holder to avail itself of Rule 144 to allow such Holder to sell any Registrable Securities without registration, and remove, or cause to be removed, the notation of any restrictive legend on such Holder’s book-entry account maintained by USEG’s transfer agent, and bear all costs associated with the removal of such legend in USEG’s books.

 

Section 2.9 Transfer or Assignment of Registration Rights. The rights to cause USEG to register Registrable Securities granted to the Holders under this Article II may be transferred or assigned by each Holder to one or more transferee(s) or assignee(s) of such Registrable Securities, or securities convertible, redeemable or exchangeable for Registrable Securities, who assume in writing responsibility for the obligations of such Holder under this Agreement with respect to the securities so transferred. USEG shall be given written notice prior to any said transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of each such transferee and identifying the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned.

 

ARTICLE III

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 3.1 Communications. All notices and demands provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, e-mail, air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery or personal delivery to the following addresses:

 

(a) If to a Holder, to such addresses indicated on Schedule A attached hereto.

 

(b) If to USEG:

 

U.S. Energy Corporation

675 Bering, Suite 390

Houston, Texas 77057

Attention: Ryan Smith

E-mail: ryan@usnrg.com

 

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with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

The Loev Law Firm, PC

6300 West Loop South, Suite 280

Bellaire, Texas 77401

Attention: David Loev

E-mail: dloev@loevlaw.com

 

or, if to a transferee of a Holder, to the transferee at the address provided pursuant to Section 2.8 above. All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; upon actual receipt if sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or regular mail, if mailed; upon actual receipt of the e-mail, if sent via e-mail; and upon actual receipt when delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.

 

Section 3.2 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities to the extent permitted herein.

 

Section 3.3 Assignment of Rights. All or any portion of the rights and obligations of any Holder under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned by such Holder in accordance with Section 2.8 hereof.

 

Section 3.4 Recapitalization (Exchanges, etc. Affecting the Registrable Securities). The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the full extent set forth herein with respect to any and all shares of capital stock of USEG or any successor or assign of USEG (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution of, the Registrable Securities, and shall be appropriately adjusted for combinations, recapitalizations and the like occurring after the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 3.5 Specific Performance. Damages in the event of breach of this Agreement by a party hereto would be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain, and it is therefore agreed that each such Person, in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, will have the right to an injunction or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction, enjoining any such breach, and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof, and each of the parties hereto hereby waives (a) any and all defenses it may have on the ground of lack of jurisdiction or competence of the court to grant such an injunction or other equitable relief or that a remedy at law would be adequate and (b) any requirement under any law to post securities as a prerequisite to obtaining equitable relief. The existence of this right will not preclude any such Person from pursuing any other rights and remedies at law or in equity which such Person may have.

 

Section 3.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.

 

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Section 3.7 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

Section 3.8 Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

(a) This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relating to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Texas, without regard to any choice-of-law or conflicts of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas.

 

(b) Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of any federal court or state court sitting in Houston, Texas) (the “Texas Courts”), and any appellate court from any decision thereof, in any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action shall be heard and determined in the Texas Courts, (ii) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement in the Texas Courts, including any objection based on its place of incorporation or domicile, (iii) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action in any such court and (iv) agrees that a final judgment in any such action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

 

(c) EACH OF THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY THAT MAY BE BASED UPON, ARISE OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY FOR ANY DISPUTE BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE BREACH, TERMINATION OR VALIDITY HEREOF OR ANY TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NEITHER THE OTHER PARTIES NOR THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES, AGENTS OR ATTORNEYS HAVE REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) EACH OF THE PARTIES UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (III) EACH OF THE PARTIES MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) EACH OF THE PARTIES HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS OF THIS SECTION 3.8(c). ANY PARTY MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

18

 

 

Section 3.9 Severability of Provisions. Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting or impairing the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 3.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Purchase Agreements are intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein or therein. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein or therein with respect to the rights granted by USEG set forth herein or therein. This Agreement and the Purchase Agreements supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

 

Section 3.11 Term; Amendment. This Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect on the date on which there are no Registrable Securities. This Agreement may be amended only by means of a written amendment signed by USEG and the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities; provided, however, that no such amendment shall materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder hereunder without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 3.12 No Presumption. In the event any claim is made by a party relating to any conflict, omission, or ambiguity in this Agreement, no presumption or burden of proof or persuasion shall be implied by virtue of the fact that this Agreement was prepared by or at the request of a particular party or its counsel.

 

Section 3.13 Obligations Limited to Parties to Agreement. Each of the parties hereto covenants, agrees and acknowledges that no Person other than the Selling Holders, their respective permitted assignees and USEG shall have any obligation hereunder and that, notwithstanding that one or more of USEG and the Holders may be a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, no recourse under this Agreement or under any documents or instruments delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be had against any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate of any of USEG, the Selling Holders or their respective permitted assignees, or any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate of any of the foregoing, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any applicable law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise by incurred by any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate of any of USEG, the Selling Holders or any of their respective assignees, or any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate of any of the foregoing, as such, for any obligations of USEG, the Selling Holders or their respective permitted assignees under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection herewith or therewith or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligation or its creation, except in each case for any assignee of a Selling Holder hereunder.

 

19

 

 

Section 3.14 Independent Nature of Holder’s Obligations.The obligations of each Holder under this Agreement are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Holder, and no Holder shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Holder under this Agreement. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken by any Holder pursuant thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Holders as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of group or entity, or create a presumption that the Holders are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Holder shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Holder to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.

 

Section 3.15 Interpretation. Article and Section references in this Agreement are references to the corresponding Article and Section to this Agreement, unless otherwise specified. All references to instruments, documents, contracts and agreements are references to such instruments, documents, contracts and agreements as the same may be amended, supplemented and otherwise modified from time to time, unless otherwise specified. The word “including” shall mean “including but not limited to.” Whenever any determination, consent or approval is to be made or given by a Holder under this Agreement, such action shall be in such Holder’s sole discretion unless otherwise specified.

 

Section 3.16 No Inconsistent Agreements; Additional Rights. If USEG hereafter enters into a registration rights agreement with a third party with terms more favorable than those set forth herein with respect to Holders of shares of Common Stock, this Agreement shall, to the extent so requested by any such Holders, be amended so as to provide such Holders with substantially the same material terms as provided to such other third party.

 

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

20

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

  USEG:
   
  U.S. ENERGY CORPORATION
                     
  By: /s/ Ryan Smith
  Name: Ryan Smith
  Title: CEO

 

[Signatures continue on following page.]

 

21

 

 

  HOLDERS:
   
  BANNER OIL & GAS, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Joshua L. Batchelor
  Name: Joshua L. Batchelor
  Title: Manager
   
  WOODFORD PETROLEUM, LLC
   
  By: /s/ Joshua L. Batchelor
  Name: Joshua L. Batchelor
  Title: Manager
   
  LLANO ENERGY LLC
   
  By: /s/ Joshua L. Batchelor
  Name: Joshua L. Batchelor
  Title: Manager

 

[Signatures continue on following page.]

 

22

 

 

  Lubbock Energy Partners LLC
   
  By: /s/ John Weinzierl
  Name: John Weinzierl
  Title: CEO

 

[Signatures continue on following page.]

 

23

 

 

  SYNERGY OFFSHORE LLC
   
  By: /s/ Duane King
  Name: Duane King
  Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

[End Signature Pages]

 

24

 

 

Schedule A

 

Name of Holder Address of Holder

Banner Oil & Gas, LLC

 

Woodford Petroleum, LLC

 

Llano Energy LLC

 

c/o Sage Road Capital, LLC

2121 Sage Road, Suite 325

Houston, TX 77056

Attention: Benjamin A. Stamets

Email: ben@sagerc.com

 

With a copy, which shall not constitute notice to:

 

Porter Hedges LLP

1000 Main Street, 36th Floor

Houston, Texas 77002

Attn: Jeremy Mouton

Email: jmouton@porterhedges.com

 

Lubbock Energy Partners LLC

 

Lubbock Energy Partners LLC

Attn: John Weinzierl

1616 S. Voss Rd. #530

Houston, Texas 77057

Email: johnw@katlacapital.com

 

With a copy, which shall not constitute notice to:

 

Nance & Simpson, LLP

Attn: Glynn Nance

2603 Augusta, Suite 1000

Houston, Texas 77057

Email: gnance@nancesimpson.com

 

Synergy Offshore LLC

 

Synergy Offshore LLC

Attn: Duane H. King

9821 Katy Fwy, Suite 805

Houston, Texas 77024

Email: dking@synergyog.com

 

With a copy, which shall not constitute notice to:

 

Crain, Caton and James

Attn: Adrienne Randle Bond

Five Houston Center

1401 McKinney St., Suite 1700

Houston, Texas 77010

Email: abond@craincaton.com

 

 

Schedule A

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

NOMINATING AND VOTING AGREEMENT

 

This Nominating and Voting Agreement (this “Agreement”), is made and entered into as of January 5, 2022, by and among U.S. Energy Corp., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”); Lubbock Energy Partners LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Lubbock”); Synergy Offshore LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Synergy”); and Banner Oil & Gas, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Banner”), Woodford Petroleum, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Woodford”), and Llano Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Llano”, and together with Banner and Woodford, collectively, the “Sage Road Entities”), each a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties”. Lubbock, Synergy and the Sage Road Entities are each referred to as a “Seller Party” and collectively referred to as the “Seller Parties”.

 

A. Each of Lubbock, Synergy and the Sage Road Entities has entered into a separate Purchase and Sale Agreement with the Company (collectively the “Purchase and Sale Agreements”), pursuant to which such Seller Party will sell upon the closing thereof certain of their assets in exchange for shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”) and cash.

 

B. As a condition to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreements and the issuance of such shares of Common Stock to the Seller Parties, the Parties have agreed to enter into this Agreement.

 

C. Upon the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase and Sale Agreements, Lubbock will own 6,568,828 shares of Common Stock, representing 26.7% of the voting shares of the Company, Synergy will own 6,546,384 shares of Common Stock, representing 26.6% of the voting shares of the Company, and the Sage Road Entities will own 6,790,524 shares of Common Stock, representing 27.6% of the voting shares of the Company, and the Parties desire to enter into this Agreement with respect to the nomination of certain persons to the Board and each Seller Party’s voting of its Common Stock in favor of such nominees, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants, representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Parties agree as follows:

 

1. Definitions. The defined terms in the introductory paragraphs, the defined terms set forth below, and the defined terms in the remainder of this Agreement each has the meaning so given to it whenever used throughout this Agreement; provided, however, that each capitalized term used herein but not defined herein has the meaning given to it in the Purchase and Sale Agreements.

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement
Page 1 of 14
 

 

1.1. “Affiliate” of a specified Person means any other Person that (at the time when the determination is made) directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, such specified Person. As used in the foregoing sentence, the term “control” (including, with correlative meaning, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means, with respect to a specified Person, the power to direct the management and/or the policies of a Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise. Additionally, any shareholder, member or owner of a Seller Party to whom Common Stock may be distributed by such Seller Party, for so long as such Person is a shareholder, member or owner of such Seller Party, will be deemed an Affiliate of such Seller Party for the purposes hereof.

 

1.2. “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

1.3. “Board Appointee” means, as applicable, (a) a person designed for nomination to the Board by a Nominating Seller Party pursuant to its Board Appointment Right or (b) a person designed for nomination to the Board by the Non-Seller Appointed Directors.

 

1.4. “Board Appointment Notice” means notice of a proposed Election Meeting or Consent to appoint members of the Board.

 

1.5. “Board Appointment Right” means the right of a Nominating Seller Party to designate a nominee for election or appointment to the Board as set forth in this Agreement.

 

1.6. “Company Nominated Person” means a person designed by the Non-Seller Appointed Directors for nomination to the Board.

 

1.7. “Nominating Seller Party” means a Seller Party that, together with its Affiliates, holds at least five percent (5%) of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock at the time when the determination is made.

 

1.8. “Non-Nominating Seller Party” means a Seller Party which, together with its Affiliates, fails to hold at least five percent (5%) of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock as of any date following the Effective Date.

 

1.9. “Non-Seller Appointed Directors” means the members of the Board who were not nominated by the Sellers as set forth herein.

 

1.10. “Organizational Documents” means Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws as then in effect.

 

1.11. “Person” means any natural person, corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, proprietorship, business or statutory trust, trust, union, association, instrumentality, governmental authority or other entity, enterprise, authority, unincorporated organization or business organization.

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement
Page 2 of 14
 

 

2. Effective Date; Initial Board Composition.

 

2.1. This Agreement shall become effective on the Closing Date (the “Effective Date”).

 

2.2. As of the Effective Date, the Company shall have taken any and all necessary action to (a) increase the number of directors on the Board from five (5) to seven (7), (b) cause the resignation or removal of a member from the Board and (c) cause to be appointed to the Board one (1) Board Appointee by each Nominating Seller Party, with the result that, as of the Effective Date, the Board shall be comprised of: (i) one (1) Board Appointee designated by each Nominating Seller Party and (ii) the following Non-Seller Appointed Directors: D. Stephen Slack, James W. Denny III, Randall D. Keys and Ryan Smith.

 

3. Nominating Provisions.

 

3.1. Nominating Rights.

 

(A) With respect to any general meeting of the shareholders of the Company (the “Shareholders”) or pursuant to any consent to action without meeting of the Shareholders, in each case at which the election of directors is to be voted on (each, an “Election Meeting or Consent”) (a) each Nominating Seller Party shall have the right to designate for nomination to the Board one or two Board Appointees in accordance with Section 3.1(B) below (each such designated person, a “Seller Nominated Person”) and (b) the Company shall take any and all actions necessary (to the extent such actions are permitted by Law) to cause the Board to include each Seller Nominated Person, including the following: (i) with respect to each applicable Election Meeting or Consent, include for election to the Board the Seller Nominated Persons as part of the Company’s slate of nominees for election as directors, (ii) to solicit proxies in order to obtain shareholder approval of the election of the Seller Nominated Persons, including causing officers of the Company who hold proxies (unless otherwise directed by the Company shareholder submitting such proxy) to vote such proxies in favor of the election of such Seller Nominated Persons, (iii) to cause the Seller Nominated Persons to be elected to the Board, including recommending that the Company’s shareholders vote in favor of the Seller Nominated Persons in any proxy statement used by the Company to solicit the vote of its shareholders in connection with each Election Meeting or Consent and (iv) to use or provide the same level of effort and same level of support as is used or provided for the other director nominees of the Company in connection with each Election Meeting or Consent; provided, however, that to exercise its Board Appointment Right with respect to any particular Election Meeting or Consent, a Nominating Seller Party must notify the Chairman of the Board (or if there is not a Chairman of the Board, the Board) in writing of each Seller Nominated Person designated by such Nominating Seller Party no later than twenty (20) days after receiving the Board Appointment Notice with respect to such Election Meeting or Consent.

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement
Page 3 of 14
 

 

(B) A Nominating Seller Party who holds at least five percent (5%) but less than fifteen percent (15%) of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock at the time when the determination is made is entitled to designate for nomination to the Board one (1) Board Appointee. A Nominating Seller Party who holds fifteen percent (15%) or more of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock at the time when the determination is made is entitled to designate for nomination to the Board a total of two (2) Board Appointees.

 

3.2. If at any time there are less than that the number of Board Appointees to which a Nominating Seller Party is entitled to designate for nomination pursuant to Sections 3.1(B) then serving on the Board, then upon the receipt of written notice from such Nominating Seller Party to the Chairman of the Board (or if there is not a Chairman of the Board, the Board) (a “Seller Appointment Notice”) designating a Board Appointee to fill any such position, the Company shall take any and all necessary action to (a) increase the number of directors on the Board as may be required for the appointment of such Board Appointee(s) and (b) cause the appointment of such Board Appointee(s) to the Board.

 

3.3. Each Seller Nominated Person shall be selected by the affirmative vote of each Nominating Seller Party, as applicable, and each Company Nominated Person shall be selected by the affirmative vote of the Non-Seller Appointed Directors set forth in writing (which may be via email).

 

3.4. Each Nominating Seller Party shall have the exclusive right to designate a nominee to the Board to fill any vacancy created by reason of death, disqualification, removal or resignation of any director who was a Seller Nominated Person designated by such Nominating Seller Party, and upon the receipt of a Seller Appointment Notice with respect to any such designation, the Company shall take any and all necessary action to cause such vacancy to be filled by the Seller Nominated Person set forth in such Seller Appointment Notice as promptly as reasonably practicable. In the absence of a designation from the applicable Nominating Seller Party as specified above, such Board seat shall remain vacant until otherwise filled as provided above.

 

3.5. Any vacancy on the Board arising from the death, disqualification, removal or resignation of a Company Nominated Person shall be filled by an individual nominated by the Non-Seller Appointed Directors.

 

3.6. Following provision of any notice from a Nominating Seller Party regarding the designation of a Board Appointee, such Nominating Seller Party shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to provide, or cause such individual(s) to provide, to the Company such information about such individuals at such times as the Company may reasonably request in order to ensure compliance with Section 3.6, the listing rules of NASDAQ and the rules and regulations of the SEC to the same extent as requested from the other director nominees of the Company in connection with their appointment or election.

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement
Page 4 of 14
 

 

3.7. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Board Appointee shall be included as a nominee for election or appointment to the Board in the event such person is a Disqualified Person. For the purposes hereof, a “Disqualified Person” is a person for whom the Board reasonably determines (which determination shall set forth in writing the grounds for such reasonable determination) that the nomination, election or appointment of such person to the Board or retention of such person on the Board, as applicable, would (a) violate the listing rules of NASDAQ or the rules and regulations of the SEC, (b) due to such person’s past, affiliations or otherwise, negatively affect the reputation of the Company, negatively affect the Company’s ability to complete future transactions, or disqualify the Company from undertaking any offering under applicable securities laws, or (c) violate the fiduciary duties that the Board owes to the Company or its shareholders; provided, however, that if the Board reasonably determines that any Board Appointee is unfit for service on the Board for the reasons set forth above, then the Company shall promptly notify the applicable Nominating Seller Party and such Nominating Seller Party shall then be entitled to designate an alternative or replacement person as a nominee to the Board. Other than pursuant to the foregoing sentence, neither the Company nor any other Party shall have the right to object to any nominee selected pursuant to this Section 1.

 

3.8. Notwithstanding the above, the Non-Seller Appointed Directors and Seller Nominated Persons shall be apportioned between ‘independent’ and non-’independent’ directors as required by the rules of NASDAQ such that the Company continues in compliance with applicable NASDAQ rules.

 

3.9. During the Term, each Seller Party shall promptly notify the Company upon becoming a Non-Nominating Seller Party. The Company shall not be required to provide Board Appointment Notice to any Non-Nominating Seller Parties and Non-Nominating Seller Parties shall have no rights to nominate any Person to the Board pursuant to the terms hereof. Upon any Nominating Seller Party becoming a Non-Nominating Seller Party, such Seller Party shall take any and all necessary action to cause such Seller Party’s Seller Nominated Persons to tender their resignation from the Board and, upon delivery of such resignations, the Company and Seller Parties shall take any and all necessary action to cause the authorized size of the Board to be reduced accordingly.

 

3.10. Any nomination procedures set forth in the Company’s Organizational Documents which conflict with the terms hereof shall be amended as required to comply with the terms hereof.

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement
Page 5 of 14
 

 

3.11. Each Seller Nominated Person shall be entitled to the same expense reimbursement and advancement, exculpation, indemnification and insurance in connection with his or her role as a director as the other members of the Board (which shall be primary over any other indemnification or insurance available to such Seller Nominated Person), as well as reimbursement for documented, reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board or any committee of the Board of which such Seller Nominated Person is a member, if any, in each case to the same extent as the other members of the Board. Each Seller Nominated Person shall be also entitled to any retainer, equity compensation or other fees or compensation paid to the non-employee directors of the Company for their services as a director, including any service on any committee of the Board. During the term hereof and for a period of at least six (6) years after each such Seller Nominated Person’s service on the Board has concluded, the Company shall not amend, alter, repeal or waive (a) any right to indemnification or exculpation covering or benefiting any Seller Nominated Person nominated pursuant to this Agreement (whether such right is contained in the Company Organizational Documents or another document) or (b) any provision of the Company Organizational Documents, if such amendment, alteration, repeal or waiver adversely affects the rights or obligations of the Seller Parties or the Seller Nominated Persons pursuant to this Agreement. The Company shall maintain directors’ and officers’ liability insurance covering each Seller Nominated Person to the maximum extent of the coverage available to the most favorably insured of the other directors serving on the Board, and the Company shall continue to maintain such directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage with respect to each Seller Nominated Person’s service on the Board for a period of at least six (6) years after each such Seller Nominated Person’s service on the Board has concluded. The obligations of the Company under this Section 3.11 shall survive the expiration of the Term.

 

3.12. Each Seller Nominated Person may share any information received in his or her capacity as a Board member with the Nominating Seller Party which designated them for election or appointment to the Board. Each Nominating Seller Party severally agrees that it will, and will cause its Affiliates to, keep confidential and not disclose, divulge or use for any purpose, other than to monitor and make voting and investment decisions with respect to its investment in the Company and its subsidiaries, any confidential information obtained from the Company, unless such confidential information is known or becomes known to the public in general (other than as a result of a breach of this Section 3.12 by such Nominating Seller Party or its Affiliates), is or has been independently developed or conceived by such Nominating Seller Party or its Affiliates without use of the Company’s confidential information or is or has been made known or disclosed to such Nominating Seller Party or its Affiliates by a third party without a breach of any obligation of confidentiality such third party may have to the Company that is known to such Nominating Seller Party or its Affiliates; provided, however, that such Nominating Seller Party and its Affiliates may disclose confidential information (a) to its attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other professionals to the extent necessary to obtain their services in connection with monitoring and making voting and investment decisions with respect to its investment in the Company, (b) to any Affiliate, partner, member or related investment fund of such Nominating Seller Party or its Affiliates and their respective directors, employees and consultants, in each case in the ordinary course of business, or (c) as may otherwise be required by Law. Each Party hereto acknowledges that the Sage Road Entities or any of their Affiliates and related investment funds may review the business plans and related proprietary information of many enterprises, including enterprises which may have products or services which compete directly or indirectly with those of the Company and its subsidiaries, and may trade in the securities of such enterprises. Nothing in this Section 3.12 will preclude or in any way restrict the Sage Road Entities or any of their Affiliates or related investment funds from investing or participating in any particular enterprise, or trading in the securities thereof, whether or not such enterprise has products or services that compete with those of the Company and its subsidiaries.

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement
Page 6 of 14
 

 

3.13. Any Seller Party may elect upon written notice to the Company to irrevocably terminate any or all of their rights under this Section 3 at any time.

 

3.14. At all times when Lubbock is a Nominating Seller Party and its Board Appointee is John A. Weinzierl (“Weinzierl”), each Nominating Seller Party shall instruct its Board Appointee to vote in favor of appointing Weinzierl as Chairman of the Board.

 

4. Voting Requirements.

 

4.1. During the Term, each Seller Party agrees to vote all Common Stock (whether at a meeting of the shareholders of the Company or via any written consent to action without meeting of the shareholders of the Company), in such manner as may be necessary to nominate and elect (and, if applicable, maintain in office) as a member of the Company’s Board, each of the Seller Nominated Persons.

 

4.2. Each Seller Party agrees to not vote any Common Stock for the removal of any Seller Nominated Persons, unless such person is a Disqualified Person.

 

5. Term. This Agreement shall continue in effect from the Effective Date until the earlier of (a) the date mutually agreed by all the Parties and (b) the date that no Seller Party owns at least 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (such period, the “Term”); provided that any rights or obligations which by their express terms survive beyond the expiration of the Term shall survive in accordance with their terms. Once a Seller Party becomes a Non-Nominating Seller Party it shall no longer have any right to nominate any Person hereunder, even if such Seller Party shall thereafter increase its ownership of Common Stock above 5% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock.

 

6. Miscellaneous.

 

6.1. Representations. Each Party hereby represents and warrants to each other Party that as of the Effective Date: (a) it is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization; (b) this Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by such party and this Agreement constitutes a legal and binding obligation of such party, enforceable against the such party in accordance with its terms; (c) the execution, delivery and performance by such party of this Agreement and the consummation by such party of the transactions contemplated hereby will not, with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both (i) violate any Law applicable to it, or (ii) conflict with, or result in a breach or default under, any term or condition of any material agreement or other instrument to which such party is a party or by which such party is bound, except for such violations, conflicts, breaches or defaults that would not, in the aggregate, materially affect such party’s ability to perform its obligations hereunder.

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement
Page 7 of 14
 

 

6.2. Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors, heirs and permitted assigns of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the Parties hereto or their respective successors and permitted assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

6.3. Enforceability. This Agreement may only be enforced by the Parties hereto, and nothing set forth in this Agreement shall be construed to confer upon or give to any other person, other than the Parties hereto and their respective successors, heirs and permitted assigns, any rights to enforce the undertakings set forth herein.

 

6.4. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

(a) This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relating to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Texas, without regard to any choice-of-law or conflicts of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas.

 

(b) Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of any federal court or state court sitting in Houston, Texas) (“Texas Courts”), and any appellate court from any decision thereof, in any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action shall be heard and determined in the Texas Courts, (ii) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement in the Texas Courts, including any objection based on its place of incorporation or domicile, (iii) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action in any such court and (iv) agrees that a final judgment in any such action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement
Page 8 of 14
 

 

(c) EACH OF THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY THAT MAY BE BASED UPON, ARISE OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY FOR ANY DISPUTE BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE BREACH, TERMINATION OR VALIDITY HEREOF OR ANY TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NEITHER THE OTHER PARTIES NOR THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES, AGENTS OR ATTORNEYS HAVE REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) EACH OF THE PARTIES UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (III) EACH OF THE PARTIES MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) EACH OF THE PARTIES HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS OF THIS SECTION 4.3(c). ANY PARTY MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

6.5.  Counterparts. This Agreement and any signed agreement or instrument entered into in connection with this Agreement, and any amendments hereto or thereto, may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. Any such counterpart, to the extent delivered by means of a facsimile machine or by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to electronic mail (any such delivery, an “Electronic Delivery”) shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original executed counterpart and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person.

 

6.6. Headings. The descriptive headings used herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

6.7. Notices. All notices and other communications given or made pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon the earlier of actual receipt or (a) personal delivery to the Party to be notified, (b) when sent, if sent by electronic mail or facsimile during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not sent during normal business hours, then on the recipient’s next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) business day after the business day of deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, freight prepaid, specifying next business day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the respective Parties at their address as set forth on the signature pages hereto, or to such email address, facsimile number or address as subsequently modified by written notice given in accordance with this Section 6.6.

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement
Page 9 of 14
 

 

6.8. Consent Required to Amend, Terminate or Waive. This Agreement may be amended or terminated and the observance of any term hereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by a written instrument executed by each of the Parties hereto.

 

6.9. Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any federal or state court located in Texas, this being in addition to any other remedy at law or in equity, and the Parties to this Agreement hereby waive any requirement for the posting of any bond or similar collateral in connection therewith. The Parties agree that they shall not object to the granting of injunctive or other equitable relief on the basis that there exists an adequate remedy at law.

 

6.10. Delays or Omissions. No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any Party under this Agreement, upon any breach or default of any other Party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such non-breaching or non-defaulting Party nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring; nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default previously or thereafter occurring. Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any Party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement or by law or otherwise afforded to any Party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

 

6.11. Severability. If any provision of this or the application of any such provision to any Party or circumstance shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision hereof or the application of such provision to any other Parties or circumstances.

 

6.12. Further Assurances. At any time or from time to time after the date hereof, the Parties agree to cooperate with each other, and at the request of any other Party, to execute and deliver any further instruments or documents and to take all such further action as the other Party may reasonably request in order to evidence or effectuate the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and to otherwise carry out the intent of the Parties hereunder.

 

6.13. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Purchase and Sale Agreements, the Confidentiality Agreement, and (when executed) the other Transaction Documents contain the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and all prior and contemporaneous negotiations, understandings, and agreements between the Parties on the matters contained herein and therein are expressly merged into and superseded by this Agreement, the Purchase and Sale Agreements, the Confidentiality Agreement, and (when executed) the other Transaction Documents. The provisions of this Agreement, the Purchase and Sale Agreements, the Confidentiality Agreement, and (when executed) the other Transaction Documents may not be explained, supplemented, or qualified through evidence of trade usage or a prior course of dealings. No Party shall be liable or bound to any other Party in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants, or agreements relating to such subject matter except as specifically set forth in this Agreement, the Purchase and Sale Agreements, the Confidentiality Agreement, and (when executed) the other Transaction Documents.

 

[Remainder of page left intentionally blank. Signature pages follow.]

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement
Page 10 of 14
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Nominating and Voting Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

“COMPANY”  
     
U.S. Energy Corp.  
     
By: /s/ Ryan Smith  
Name: Ryan Smith  
Title: CEO  

 

Address for Notice:

 

U.S. Energy Corp.

Attn: Ryan Smith

675 Bering Dr, Suite 390

Houston, Texas 77057

Email: Ryan@usnrg.com

 

With a copy, which shall not constitute notice to:

 

The Loev Law Firm, PC

Attn: David M. Loev and John S. Gillies

6300 West Loop South, Suite 280

Bellaire, Texas 77401

Email: dloev@loevlaw.com and john@loevlaw.com

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement
Page 11 of 14
 

 

“LUBBOCK”  
     
Lubbock Energy Partners LLC  
     
By: /s/ John Weinzierl  
Name: John Weinzierl  
Title: CEO  

 

Address for Notice:

 

Lubbock Energy Partners LLC

Attn: John Weinzierl

1616 S. Voss Rd. #530

Houston, Texas 77057

Email: johnw@katlacapital.com

 

With a copy, which shall not constitute notice to:

 

Nance & Simpson, LLP

Attn: Glynn Nance

2603 Augusta, Suite 1000

Houston, Texas 77057

Email: gnance@nancesimpson.com

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement
Page 12 of 14
 

 

“SYNERGY”  
     
Synergy Offshore LLC  
     
By: /s/ Duane H. King  
Name: Duane H. King  
Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

Address for Notice:

 

Synergy Offshore LLC

Attn: Duane H. King

9821 Katy Fwy, Suite 805

Houston, Texas 77024

Fax: 713-827-9989

Email: dking@synergyog.com

 

With a copy, which shall not constitute notice to:

 

Crain, Caton and James

Attn: Adrienne Randle Bond

Five Houston Center

1401 McKinney St., Suite 1700

Houston, Texas 77010

Email: abond@craincaton.com

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement
Page 13 of 14
 

 

“SAGE ROAD ENTITIES”  
     
Banner Oil & Gas, LLC  
     
By: /s/ Joshua L. Batchelor  
Name: Joshua L. Batchelor  
Title: Manager  

 

Woodford Petroleum, LLC  
     
By: /s/ Joshua L. Batchelor  
Name: Joshua L. Batchelor  
Title: Manager  

 

Llano Energy LLC  
     
By: /s/ Joshua L. Batchelor  
Name: Joshua L. Batchelor  
Title: Manager  

 

Address for Notice:

 

c/o Sage Road Capital, LLC

2121 Sage Road, Suite 325

Houston, TX 77056

Attention: Benjamin A. Stamets

Email: ben@sagerc.com

 

With a copy, which shall not constitute notice to:

 

Porter Hedges LLP

1000 Main Street, 36th Floor

Houston, Texas 77002

Attn: Jeremy Mouton

Email: jmouton@porterhedges.com

 

Nominating and Voting Agreement
Page 14 of 14

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

This Contribution Agreement (this “Agreement”), is made and entered into as of January 5, 2022, by and among U.S. Energy Corp., a Wyoming corporation (the “Company”); Lubbock Energy Partners LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Lubbock”); Synergy Offshore LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Synergy”); and Banner Oil & Gas, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Banner”), Woodford Petroleum, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Woodford”), and Llano Energy LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Llano”, and together with Banner and Woodford, collectively, the “Sage Road Entities”), each a “Party” and collectively, the “Parties”. Lubbock, Synergy and the Sage Road Entities are each referred to as a “Seller Party” and collectively referred to as the “Seller Parties”.

 

A. Concurrent with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of Lubbock, Synergy and the Sage Road Entities have entered into a separate Purchase and Sale Agreement with the Company (collectively the “Purchase and Sale Agreements”), pursuant to which such Seller Party(ies) will sell upon the closing thereof certain of their assets in exchange for shares of the Company’s common stock (“Issued Stock”) representing over 80% of the voting shares and over 80% of each class of non-voting shares (if any) of the Company as of the issuance thereof (capitalized terms used, but not defined, herein have the meanings provided in the Purchase and Sale Agreements).

 

B. The Seller Parties and the Company desire to enter into this Agreement to confirm their intent that all three (3) Purchase and Sale Agreements be deemed one transaction, constituting one exchange as described in Section 351 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).

 

The Parties agree as follows:

 

1. Section 351 Transaction.

 

2. The Purchase and Sale Agreements, while individual in nature, were negotiated by each of the Seller Parties collectively with the Company, and are intended to be part of one singular transaction.

 

3. The Closing under each of the Purchase and Sale Agreements is conditioned on the consummation of the Closing under each of the other Purchase and Sale Agreements.

 

4. Following the Closings, the Seller Parties will control, within the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code, the Company, with the assets to be acquired by the Company pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreements collectively constituting the “Contributed Assets”.

 

Contribution Agreement

Page 1 of 7

 

 

5. The intent of the Parties is for the Purchase and Sale Agreements, and the transactions contemplated thereby (collectively, the “Transaction”), to provide for a tax-free exchange between the Seller Parties and the Company as described in, and in accordance with, Section 351 of the Code (a “Section 351 Exchange”), and the Parties shall report consistently therewith. The Parties represent and warrant to one another that they are not aware of any facts or circumstances pursuant to which the Transaction would not constitute a Section 351 Exchange. Without limiting the foregoing, (a) the Company represents and warrants to each Seller Party that (i) immediately after the conveyance of the Contributed Assets to the Company by the Seller Parties in exchange for the consideration set forth in the Purchase and Sale Agreements, the Seller Parties will be in control, within the meaning of Section 368(c) of the Code, of the Company, (ii) the Company has no prearranged plan to transfer or otherwise dispose of the Contributed Assets after its acquisition of the Contributed Assets pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreements, and (iii) the Company is not an entity described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.351-1(c)(1)(ii), and (b) each Seller Party represents and warrants to each other Seller Party and the Company that (i) such Seller Party has no prearranged plan to transfer or otherwise dispose of shares of stock in the Company received by such Seller Party pursuant to the applicable Purchase and Sale Agreement, (ii) no Seller Party intends to contribute services or any of the other enumerated items under Section 351(d) of the Code that do not constitute “property” in exchange for the Issued Stock, (iii) each Seller Party is solvent and able to pay its respective debts as they come due and will continue to be able to do so after the completion of the Transaction.

 

6. None of the Parties shall take any position, publicly, or internally, nor with the Internal Revenue Service, contrary to the terms of this Agreement, including any position that the Transaction does not constitute a Section 351 Exchange.

 

7. Termination. This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further effect if any of the Purchase and Sale Agreements is terminated prior to the Closing thereunder.

 

8. Miscellaneous.

 

8.1. Successors and Assigns. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors, heirs and permitted assigns of the Parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the Parties hereto or their respective successors and permitted assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

8.2. Enforceability. This Agreement may only be enforced by the Parties hereto, and nothing set forth in this Agreement shall be construed to confer upon or give to any other person, other than the Parties hereto and their respective successors, heirs and permitted assigns, any rights to enforce the undertakings set forth herein.

 

8.3. Governing Law; Consent to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

(a) This Agreement, and all claims or causes of action (whether in contract, tort or otherwise) that may be based upon, arise out of or relating to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement (including any claim or cause of action based upon, arising out of or related to any representation or warranty made in or in connection with this Agreement or as an inducement to enter into this Agreement) shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal Laws of the State of Texas, without regard to any choice-of-law or conflicts-of-law provision or rule (whether of the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the Laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas.

 

Contribution Agreement

Page 2 of 7

 

 

(b) Each of the Parties hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) submits, for itself and its property, to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of any federal court or state court sitting in Houston, Texas) (“Texas Courts”), and any appellate court from any decision thereof, in any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement, including the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action shall be heard and determined in the Texas Courts, (ii) waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the negotiation, execution or performance of this Agreement in the Texas Courts, including any objection based on its place of incorporation or domicile, (iii) waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action in any such court and (iv) agrees that a final judgment in any such action shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

 

(c) EACH OF THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY THAT MAY BE BASED UPON, ARISE OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY FOR ANY DISPUTE BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE BREACH, TERMINATION OR VALIDITY HEREOF OR ANY TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (I) NEITHER THE OTHER PARTIES NOR THEIR RESPECTIVE REPRESENTATIVES, AGENTS OR ATTORNEYS HAVE REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (II) EACH OF THE PARTIES UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (III) EACH OF THE PARTIES MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (IV) EACH OF THE PARTIES HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS OF THIS SECTION 4.3(c). ANY PARTY MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

 

Contribution Agreement

Page 3 of 7

 

 

8.4. Counterparts. This Agreement and any signed agreement or instrument entered into in connection with this Agreement, and any amendments hereto or thereto, may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. Any such counterpart, to the extent delivered by means of a facsimile machine or by .pdf, .tif, .gif, .jpeg or similar attachment to electronic mail (any such delivery, an “Electronic Delivery”) shall be treated in all manner and respects as an original executed counterpart and shall be considered to have the same binding legal effect as if it were the original signed version thereof delivered in person.

 

8.5. Headings. The descriptive headings used herein are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not intended to be part of or to affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

 

8.6. Consent Required to Amend, Terminate or Waive. This Agreement may be amended or terminated and the observance of any term hereof may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by a written instrument executed by each of the Parties hereto.

 

8.7. Specific Performance. The Parties agree that irreparable damage would occur if any of the provisions of this Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the Parties shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches or threatened breaches of this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of this Agreement in any federal or state court located in Texas, this being in addition to any other remedy at law or in equity, and the Parties to this Agreement hereby waive any requirement for the posting of any bond or similar collateral in connection therewith. The Parties agree that they shall not object to the granting of injunctive or other equitable relief on the basis that there exists an adequate remedy at law.

 

8.8. Severability. If any provision of this or the application of any such provision to any Party or circumstance shall be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision hereof or the application of such provision to any other Parties or circumstances.

 

8.9. Further Assurances. At any time or from time to time after the date hereof, the Parties agree to cooperate with each other, and at the request of any other Party, to execute and deliver any further instruments or documents and to take all such further action as the other Party may reasonably request in order to evidence or effectuate the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and to otherwise carry out the intent of the Parties hereunder.

 

Contribution Agreement

Page 4 of 7

 

 

8.10. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Purchase and Sale Agreements, the Confidentiality Agreement, and (when executed) the other Transaction Documents contain the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and all prior and contemporaneous negotiations, understandings, and agreements between the Parties on the matters contained herein and therein are expressly merged into and superseded by this Agreement, the Purchase and Sale Agreements, the Confidentiality Agreement, and (when executed) the other Transaction Documents. The provisions of this Agreement, the Purchase and Sale Agreements, the Confidentiality Agreement, and (when executed) the other Transaction Documents may not be explained, supplemented, or qualified through evidence of trade usage or a prior course of dealings. No Party shall be liable or bound to any other Party in any manner by any representations, warranties, covenants, or agreements relating to such subject matter except as specifically set forth in this Agreement, the Purchase and Sale Agreements, the Confidentiality Agreement, and (when executed) the other Transaction Documents.

 

[Remainder of page left intentionally blank. Signature pages follow.]

 

Contribution Agreement

Page 5 of 7

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Contribution Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

U.S. Energy Corp.  
   
By: /s/ Ryan Smith  
Name: Ryan Smith  
Title: CEO  
     
Lubbock Energy Partners LLC  
   
By: /s/ John Weinzierl  
Name: John Weinzierl  
Title: CEO  
     
Synergy Offshore LLC  
   
By: /s/ Duane King  
Name: Duane King  
Title: Chief Executive Officer  

 

Contribution Agreement

Page 6 of 7

 

 

Banner Oil & Gas, LLC  
   
By: /s/ Joshua L. Batchelor  
Name: Joshua L. Batchelor  
Title: Manager  
     
Woodford Petroleum, LLC  
   
By: /s/ Joshua L. Batchelor  
Name: Joshua L. Batchelor  
Title: Manager  
     
Llano Energy LLC  
   
By: /s/ Joshua L. Batchelor  
Name: Joshua L. Batchelor  
Title: Manager  

 

Contribution Agreement

Page 7 of 7

 

 

Exhibit 10.4

 

Synergy Producing Properties, LLC

 

October __, 2021

 

US Energy Corp.

Attn: Ryan Smith

675 Bering, Suite 390

Houston, TX 77057

 

RE: Farmout Agreement
  Glacier and Toole Counties
  Montana

 

Gentlemen:

 

This letter shall put into writing the farmout agreement (the “Agreement”) between U.S. Energy Corp, a Wyoming corporation (“Farmor”) and Synergy Offshore, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Farmee”) hereto covering certain properties located in Glacier and Toole Counties, Montana. On October 4, 2021, Farmee entered into a Purchase and Sale Agreement (“PSA”) with Farmor in which Farmee conveyed to Farmor, among other assets, all right title and interest in and to Farmee’s producing properties located in Montana. With specific reference to said PSA, and subject to the terms and conditions set out below, Farmor hereby agrees to farmout back to Farmee certain rights in and to the specific properties located in Glacier and Toole Counties, Montana (“Farmout Properties”), the legal descriptions of which set forth in Exhibit “A”, attached hereto, and the units, leases and wells associated with the properties set forth in Exhibit “B” hereto.

 

1. Secondary and Tertiary Operations by Farmee. Farmor and Farmee agree pursuant to this Agreement that Farmee will have the right to enhance the oil and gas production on the Farmout Properties by secondary and tertiary recovery operations, including, but not limited to, the re-entry and utilization of existing units or wells, the drilling of new wells, and the installation of new production and transportation equipment and facilities. Said enhancing operations may be for the purpose of creating injection and/or production wells. Farmee shall bear 100% of the drilling, operating, equipping and completing expense associated with the enhancing operations conducted on the Farmout Properties, and shall own all equipment and facilities that it installs. Farmor shall bear no expense of the drilling, operating, equipping and completing such enhancement operations. Farmor and Farmee agree that, except as specifically set forth in Paragraph 7, below, Farmee may conduct operations in any legal location on the Farmout Properties, for so long as it does not interfere with the existing production or the behind pipe reserves of Farmor.

 

9821 katy freeway, Suite 805 ● Houston, Texas 77024 ● (713) 827-9988

 

 

 

 

US Energy Corp. Date
Farmout Agreement  
Page 2  

 

2. Term. This Agreement shall have an initial term of ten (10) years. If Farmee has not conducted any enhancement operations during the Term, this Agreement shall terminate. If operations have been conducted and the Farmee has succeeded in increasing the production of any unit or wells in a unit, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect for so long as there is oil and gas in commercially paying quantities in any unit or field affected by the Farmee pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

3. Determination of IPR. At least thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of any production enhancing operations by Farmee, the Farmor and Farmee will agree upon an Initial Production Rate (“IPR”) to be established for each well, unit or field subject to this Agreement. In the event a new well or new depth is drilled in any unit or field, the IPR shall be zero for that well or depth. The IPR shall be determined by a mutually agreed independent petroleum engineering firm based on the most recently prepared reserve report prepared for the audited financial statements for the Farmor, and based on the historical monthly rate of oil and gas production as of the date of the determination of the IPR, with the proposed estimated decline rate for that well, unit or field. Once enhancement operations are conducted on any unit or field, any increase in production over the life of the well, unit or field, shall be the Enhanced Production Rate (“EPR”). Farmor shall be entitled to the working interest and net revenue interest attributable to the IPR, and Farmee shall be entitled to the working interest and net revenue interest attributable to the EPR. Over the life of the enhanced well, unit or field, on a monthly basis, Farmor shall pay Farmee the monthly EPR of said well, unit or field. The EPR will be determined by subtracting IPR from the total production of the well, unit or field (EPR = Total Production - IPR).

 

For example, if a particular well, unit or field is producing 400 bbls of oil per month (“BOPM”) at the commencement of the enhancement operations, its initial IPR will be 400 BOPM. If, after the Farmee performs production enhancing operations on a well, unit or field that affect said well, and the production increases to 500 BOPM, then Farmor shall receive its 400 BOPM of the production, subject to its decline curve, and Farmee shall receive 100 BOPM of the production.

 

It is specifically agreed to and understood that, in addition to the IPR revenue described above, Farmor shall own and retain a one (1%) percent interest in the net revenues attributable to the Farmee’s EPR, subject to production taxes, marketing expenses and other standard deductions to net revenue.

 

4. Monthly Price Determinations. The payments made to Farmor and Farmee based on the IPR and EPR on a monthly basis shall be based on the price received for oil and/or gas for the particular month in which that production was sold. For example, if the unit made 400 BOPM prior to any enhancing operations being performed, and the price received for the oil that month was $60 per bbl, then the revenues Farmor would equal, being $24,000 ($60 x 400 BOPM), subject to production taxes, marketing expense and other standard revenue deductions. If, after Farmee performs production enhancing operations on said unit, and the production increases to 500 BOPM, then Farmee shall receive gross revenues of $6,000 ($60 x 100 BOPM), subject to production taxes, marketing expense and other standard revenue deductions. EPR and IPR may both change over time, but not necessarily at the same rates, or in the same directions, and such changes will be estimated and calculated by a mutually agreed registered petroleum engineer

 

 

 

 

US Energy Corp. Date
Farmout Agreement  
Page 3  

 

5. Revenue Collection and Disbursement. As operator of the Farmout Properties, Farmor shall continue to collect 100% of the revenues, and pay 100% of the expenses for all wells, units and fields situated in the Farmout Properties. On a monthly basis, as it otherwise distributes revenues to working interest owners, Farmor shall calculate the revenue due to Farmee based on the EPR, as it may be adjusted from time to time, of any well, unit or field that has been enhanced by Farmee, and pay to Farmee the gross revenue of said EPR, less all standard revenue deductions and associated expenses attributable to the portion of the gross revenues attributable to the EPR.

 

6. Operations. Farmee, as operator for all of the enhancement operations, shall pay all of its operating and capital costs for the enhancement of any well, unit or field. If Farmee commences enhancement operations with respect to any existing well, drills any new wells or otherwise takes over operations of any well, it will be liable for 100% (to its proportionate interest) of the plugging and abandonment costs for any such wells. Once the enhancement operations are complete, the Farmee and Farmor will agree on turning production operations back to the Farmor, with any amendments or agreements necessary or desirable to the existing operating agreements.

 

7. Conversion to Injection Well. Farmor and Farmee agree that Farmee has the right to convert any existing producing well into an injection well, any injection well into a producer, and use any producing or non-producing well for the purpose of enhancing the production of other wells in the unit or field. Once a well is taken over by Farmee for that purpose, then Farmee shall bear all risks and expenses of said well, from that point forward, including 100% of the plugging and abandonment costs. In addition, Farmee shall pay Farmor a monthly amount equal to the calculated IPR of that well, including its natural decline. When the originally estimated decline rates indicate that the well would not be producing in commercially paying quantities, the monthly fee shall cease.

 

8. Notice. Farmee agrees to notify Farmor at least thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of any enhancement operations for any particular well, unit, field or new or additional operation thereon. Such notification shall include a description of the anticipated operations. Farmee agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to minimize any interference to or disruption of the current operations of the field. In return, Farmor agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with Farmee to allow for said operations.

 

9. Access to Information. On written request by Farmee, Farmor shall make available to Farmee copies of all title opinions, abstracts of title and other title information in Farmor’s possession with respect to the Farmout Lands; provided, however, furnishing such items shall not be construed as a warranty or representation by Farmor of title or ownership. Any curative work or additional title examination required by Farmee shall be conducted by Farmee at its sole cost and risk. Farmee shall also provide Farmor with a copy of all curative work and title information resulting from any additional title examinations conducted by Farmee. Farmor shall also provide Farmee access to all well files, engineering and geophysical data in its possession with respect to any operations proposed hereunder.

 

 

 

 

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10. Access to Operations. Farmee, and if applicable, its contractors and subcontractors shall be entitled to exercise all of Farmor’s rights of ingress and egress pertaining to the Farmout Lands for the purpose of conducting operations. Farmor shall advise Farmee of any unusual limitations or restrictions on ingress or egress, known to Farmor, and Farmee and, if applicable, its contractors and subcontractors shall comply with such limitations or restrictions. During Farmee’s operations Farmor and Farmor’s representatives shall have access at all times to the worksite, for the purpose of observation, at Farmor’s sole risk and liability.

 

11. AMI and Participation Right

 

a. . AMI Upon the execution hereof, the Farmee and Farmor shall establish the Area of Mutual Interest equal to halo of one (1) mile around the Farmout Properties, (“AMI”). The term of the AMI shall continue through the Term. During the Term of the AMI, if an oil or gas lease, or other interest within the AMI is acquired by one Party (the “Acquiring Party”), the Acquiring Party shall notify the other Party (the “Non-Acquiring Party”) at least twenty (20) days prior to any such acquisition. The properties so acquired within the AMI shall become subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and the Parties will promptly amend this Agreement to include such additional properties.

 

b. Participation Right. In the event that Farmee determines to (a) raise capital from independent third-party, or (ii) sells all or any portion of its rights hereunder to any independent third-party (expressly excluding, however, any grants that Farmee may obtain), Farmor shall have the right to participate for up to 20% (by value) of any such offer or transaction, on the same economic basis and terms as the independent third-party. Farmee shall give at least ten (10) days advance written notice to Farmor of any such third-party transaction, and Farmor must make its election to participate within that notice period. Farmor will be required to execute and deliver documents for any such third-party transaction substantially the same as the third-party capital provider, or the third-party purchaser.

 

12. Well Information. During Farmee’s operations, Farmee shall furnish to Farmor, upon written request, at no cost to Farmor, the following information pertaining to the any operations by Farmee on the Farmout Properties:

 

(a) Written notice of the time and date on which any well is spudded.

 

(b) A drilling report showing all formations encountered and the depths at which those formations were encountered.

 

(c) Written reports on all cuttings and cores taken in the well, along with representative samples of the cuttings and cores if requested by Farmor.

 

 

 

 

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(d) Reasonable advance notice of any production tests, pressure tests, cores and logs to be run in the well so that Farmor may witness the operations. Written report of such operations, when they are completed, shall be furnished to Farmor.

 

(e) Copies of all reports and other forms filed with any federal, state or local governmental authority concerning any well.

 

(f) A complete copy of the driller’s log and a complete copy of all electrical logs (if such logs are run), on a scale of not less than 2 inches per 100 feet, from the bottom of the surface casing to the total depth of the well.

 

(g) Copies of all fluid analyses and other reports or information obtained with respect to the well.

 

(h) If any well is completed as a well capable of production, Farmee shall, within 60 days of that completion, furnish Farmor with a statement of all costs of drilling, equipping and completing that well.

 

13. Tag-Along Rights. (A)There is no preferential purchase right in this Agreement nor in any applicable Operating Agreement. However, in the event that Farmor, its successors and assigns, should sell, assign, farmout, or otherwise dispose of all or part of the rights, interests, assets and properties that are governed by this Agreement, including but not limited to the units, and wells and leases (whether earned or not) and any and all wells, facilities and production equipment located thereon (the “Contract Interests”) owned by Farmor (sometimes called the “Selling Party”), the following shall apply:

 

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Section 13(a), Farmor will cause the purchaser of the Contract Interests to offer to acquire that portion of the interests of Farmee and its successors and assigns in the units and wells and all related equipment and facilities owned by Farmee (the “Tag-Along Parties”) based on the evaluation by a third-party independent petroleum engineer as to the relative values of the IPRs and EPRs of the applicable Farmout Properties at the time of the sale;

 

(b) Should the Selling Party’s Contract Interests be only a portion of a larger transaction by the Selling Party, then the allocation of value given to the Selling Party’s Contract Interests by the third-party purchaser shall be the basis for establishing the value of the Tag-Along Parties’ Contract Interests, which shall be confidential and not disclosed to the Tag-Along Parties.

 

(c) Subject to appropriate confidentiality, the Selling Party will keep the Tag-Along Parties reasonably apprised of the status of negotiations with the proposed purchaser, but the offer, if any, for the Tag-Along Parties’ Contract Interests, will be made by the proposed purchaser. If a Tag-Along Party receives a binding offer from the proposed purchaser, such Tag-Along Party will have five (5) business days to consider the offer and either accept it or reject it. If such Tag-Along Party fails to accept or reject the offer within such period, it will be deemed to have rejected the offer.

 

(d) The rights of the Tag-Along Party, under this Section 13(a), shall continue to apply if the Selling Party fails to consummate the transaction on the basis on which the offer was made, and this Section 13 shall apply to any future offer; and

 

(e) The provisions of this Section 13 shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective successors and assigns.

 

 

 

 

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13(B) The provisions of Section 13(A) shall not apply in cases where any party wishes to mortgage its Contract Interests, or to transfer title to its Contract Interests to its mortgagee in lieu of or pursuant to a foreclosure of a mortgage of its Contract Interests or to dispose of its Contract Interests by transfer of its Contract Interests to, or merger, reorganization or consolidation with, a subsidiary or parent company or any company or entity in which such party owns a majority of the ownership or beneficial interests.

 

14. Confidentiality. Farmor shall not divulge any information obtained from Farmee’s operations under the terms of this Agreement to any person or entity other than any representative, accountant, potential investor or investor, potential lender or lender, consultant, or officer or employee of Farmor that agrees that the information obtained from Farmee ‘s operations hereunder are proprietary and are, in many instances, trade secrets and that such person or entity shall not disclose such information to any other person or entity except, (i) to the extent the information was already in the public domain, (ii) to any party owning an interest in the unit or well, and/or (iii) to the appropriate governmental authority(s) as necessary or as required by applicable security laws or as may be required to be produced in legal proceeding; provided however, no public release of information may be made in compliance with applicable securities law, unless the releasing person has given the other Party prior written notice of such disclosure. Any Party desiring to make a press release or other public announcement concerning this Agreement or operations on the wells, units or fields shall allow the other Party to review and comment on the proposed language prior to the release of the press release of public announcement. The targeted formation will not be disclosed until after any well, unit or field actually has been drilled or the enhancement operations otherwise commenced in the unit or field.

 

15. Force Majeure. If a Party is rendered unable, wholly or in part, by Force Majeure, to carry out its obligations or rights under this Agreement, other than the obligation to make any payments due hereunder, the obligations of that Party, so far as they are affected by Force Majeure, shall be suspended from the inception and during the continuance of the inability, and the cause of the Force Majeure, as far as possible, shall be remedied with commercially reasonable diligence. The Party affected by Force Majeure shall provide the other Party with prompt written notice of the Force Majeure event, with reasonably full detail of the Force Majeure after the affected Party learns of the occurrence of the Force Majeure event. The settlement of strikes, lockouts and other labor difficulty shall be entirely within the discretion of the Party having the difficulty and nothing herein shall require the settlement of strikes, lockouts, or other labor difficulty. As used herein, “Force Majeure” means any cause or condition not within the reasonable control of the Party claiming suspension and which, by the exercise of reasonable diligence, such Party is unable to prevent or overcome, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such shall include delays or inabilities to obtain requisite permits to conduct the operations contemplated hereunder, but excluding any cause or condition due to economic or financial conditions.

 

 

 

 

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16. Notices and Well Information. All well data, information and notices to be given to Farmor as provided in this Agreement, and all other notices from one party to the other, shall be given shall be in writing and shall be deemed conclusively to have been duly given if personally delivered, sent by nationally recognized, receipted overnight courier, or mailed by registered mail, postage prepaid, and return receipt requested or transmitted by facsimile and confirmed by a similar mailed writing to the addresses as follows:

 

If to Farmor: U.S. Energy Corp.
  Attn: Ryan Smith
  675 Bering, Suite 390
  Houston, TX 77057
  Facsimile: ________________
 
If to Farmee: Synergy Offshore, LLC
  Attn: Duane H. King
  9821 Katy Freeway. Suite 805
  Houston, Texas 77024
  Facsimile: 713-827-9989

 

17. Right to Repurchase. It is agreed to and understood that Farmee shall have the right to purchase back from Farmor, any unit or field on the Farmout Properties for which Farmee has given written notice pursuant to Paragraph 8 hereof that it will commence enhancement operations, and Farmee, in fact, commences such operations, and the unit or field has been affected by production enhancement operations performed by Farmee. The price of said purchase shall be based on the greater of PV-10 value of said unit or field, based on its current IPR at (i) the prevailing commodity price at the time of purchase or (ii) flat pricing of $65.00 per barrel oil and $3.25 per mcf natural gas (the “Repurchase Right”). For so long as Sage Road Capital, LLC or any of its affiliates (“Sage Road”) has the right to appoint a member of the board of directors of Farmor, if (and only if) the proposed purchase price for the sale to Farmee of the applicable Farmout Properties is less than the Repurchase Price, the sale of such Farmout Properties to Farmee shall be subject to the affirmative approval by the disinterested members of the Board of Directors of the Company. For clarity, Farmor and Farmee may not amend the terms of this Section 17 after the closing of the transactions contemplated by the PSA and the execution of this Agreement. After said purchase is complete, Farmee may take over as operator of said properties, or have Farmor continue to operate and oversee said properties as a contract operator for Farmee.

 

 

 

 

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18. Miscellaneous.

 

a. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, without regard to choice of law principles.

 

b. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with all Exhibits hereto, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior negotiations or agreements pertaining to such.

 

c. Relationship of the Parties. With respect to this Agreement, each Party shall not be considered the agent, partner, employee or fiduciary of any other Party, nor shall this Agreement be construed as creating a mining partnership, joint venture or other partnership or association. Each Party shall be responsible only for its obligations as provided in this Agreement and shall be liable only for its proportionate share of the costs of performing its obligations under this Agreement. All of the obligations and liabilities under this Agreement shall be several and not joint or collective. The Parties elect not to be treated as a partnership under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or under any Income Tax Laws of the state in which the lands covered hereby are located, and specifically elect to be excluded from all such provisions hereof.

 

d. Compliance with Laws. This Agreement and all operations hereunder shall be subject to all valid and applicable Federal and State laws, and all valid and applicable orders, laws, rules and regulations of any Federal or State authority having jurisdiction, but nothing contained herein shall be construed as a waiver of any right to question or contest any such law, order, rule or regulation in any forum having jurisdiction over the Farmout Properties.

 

e. Headings. The heading of the several paragraphs and/or sections of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of the terms and provisions hereof.

 

f. Further Assurances. The Parties agree to execute, acknowledge and deliver any additional instruments, agreements or other documents and to do any other acts and things which may be necessary to more fully and effectively accomplish the intent of the Parties as set forth in this Agreement.

 

g. Counterparts; Facsimile Signatures. This Agreement may be executed by the Parties in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original instrument, but all of which together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. Facsimile signatures are considered binding.

 

h. Exhibits. The Exhibits referred to in this Agreement are hereby incorporated in this Agreement by reference and constitute a part of this Agreement.

 

i. Costs and Expenses. All fees, costs and expenses incurred by a Party in negotiating this Agreement or in consummating the transaction shall be paid by the Party incurring the same, including, without limitation, engineering, land, title, legal and accounting fees, costs and expenses.

 

 

 

 

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If the terms and conditions set out in this agreement are acceptable to you, please signify your acceptance by signing in the space provided below. This agreement shall be effective as of the date hereof.

 

Yours truly,  
   
Synergy Offshore, LLC  
   
/s/ Duane H. King  
By Duane H. King, CEO  
   
AGREED TO AND ACCEPTED THIS 5 DAY OF January 2022
   
US Energy Corp.  
   
/s/ Ryan Smith  
By: Ryan Smith  
CEO  

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.5

 

TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

This Transition Services Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of January 5, 2022 (the “Execution Date”), is by and between Banner Oil & Gas, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Contractor”) and U.S. Energy Corporation, a Wyoming corporation (“Owner”). Contractor and Owner are sometimes referred to herein individually as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties”. Capitalized terms used herein but not described herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Purchase Agreement (as hereinafter defined).

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, Contractor, Woodford Petroleum, LLC and Llano Energy LLC (collectively, “Seller”) and Owner entered into that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement dated October 4, 2021 (as amended from time to time, the “Purchase Agreement”), pursuant to which Seller sold and assigned to Owner, and Owner purchased and accepted from Seller, the oil and gas interests and other assets and properties more specifically described in the Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement Assets”);

 

WHEREAS, the subset of Purchase Agreement Assets owned by Contractor and more specifically described on Schedule 1.2 of this Agreement are referred to herein as the “Assets”.

 

WHEREAS, in order to facilitate the orderly transfer of the Assets to Owner, Contractor desires to provide, and Owner desires that Contractor provide subject to the general oversight of Owner, with respect to the Assets, those certain transition services described herein and for the applicable time period(s) described herein, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the foregoing and the respective promises, covenants, conditions and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties, intending to be legally bound, do hereby agree as follows:

 

Article 1

SERVICES

 

Section 1.1 Services. With respect to the Assets, Contractor hereby agrees to provide or cause to be provided, in all material respects, the transition services described on Schedule ‎1.1 (collectively, the “Services”) during the Transition Period (as defined below), in the manner set forth in Section 1.2 and in accordance with the other terms of this Agreement.

 

Section 1.2 Standard of Performance. Contractor shall perform or cause to be performed the Services as a reasonable and prudent operator, with due diligence and dispatch and the same degree of care, skill and prudence as such services were provided by Contractor to Seller with respect to the Assets prior to the Closing Date and in compliance with all applicable Laws; provided, however, in no event shall Contractor have any obligations or liability hereunder with respect to the performance of the Services except as expressly set forth herein. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Owner acknowledges that (a) Contractor and its Affiliates are not professional providers of the types of services included in the Services, (b) the personnel providing such Services may have other responsibilities to the business of Contractor and its Affiliates to which said personnel may be required to devote substantial time, (c) such personnel will not be dedicated full-time to performing the Services but will devote such time as is reasonably necessary for Contractor to perform the Services in accordance with this Agreement; and (d) certain personnel of Contractor or its Affiliates may leave the employment of Contractor or its Affiliates or terminate their employment or contract with Contractor or its Affiliates during the term of this Agreement, provided that Contractor will maintain during the Transition Period sufficient personnel to perform the Services in accordance with this Agreement. The Services shall not include, and Contractor shall not be responsible for, providing any technical evaluation regarding any drilling, reworking or other capital expenditure projects. Neither Contractor nor any of its Affiliates shall be responsible for the accuracy of any information furnished by Contractor or any of its Affiliates to Owner or to any of the Owner’s employees for inclusion in any reports or for results obtained by use of any inaccurate information so furnished.

 

 

 

 

Section 1.3 Third-Party Services. Contractor shall have the right to hire third-party subcontractors to provide all or part of the Services hereunder, provided that such subcontracting, and the work performed by such subcontractors, is consistent with (a) the manner set forth in Section 1.2 and (b) the other terms of this Agreement.

 

Section 1.4 Limitation of Services. Except as expressly agreed herein, in connection with the performance of its obligations under this Agreement, in no event shall Contractor be obligated to: (a) make modifications to its existing systems; (b) acquire additional assets, equipment, rights or properties (including computer equipment, software, furniture, furnishings, fixtures, machinery, vehicles, tools and other tangible personal property) that are not in its ordinary course of operations; (c) maintain the employment of any specific employee or hire additional employees, provided that Contractor maintains during the Transition Period sufficient personnel to perform the Services in accordance with this Agreement; or (d) perform any service that it, in good faith, believes requires the consent, approval, authorization or bargaining, with respect to any collective bargaining agreement or other labor agreement with any labor union, works council or organization.

 

Section 1.5 Independent Contractor. In its performance of Services, Contractor shall be considered an independent contractor, and in no event shall Contractor or Owner be deemed partners, co-venturers or agents of one another. All Persons performing the Services who shall be in the employ or under the control of Contractor or its Affiliates (including agents, contractors, temporary employees and consultants) shall be independent from Owner. Neither Contractor nor anyone employed by Contractor, shall be deemed to be employees, agents, servants, or representatives of Owner for any purpose, and no employee, contractor or agent of Contractor shall represent itself to Third Parties to be other than an employee, contractor or agent of Contractor, nor shall Contractor permit itself to offer or agree to incur or assume any obligations or commitments in the name of Owner or for Owner without the prior consent and authorization of Owner. Contractor shall be responsible for the payment of federal income tax, social security tax, workers’ compensation insurance, unemployment tax, and other similar payments, if any, relating to its business and employees, and Owner shall not withhold any amounts for such purposes from payments made to Contractor.

 

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Section 1.6 Notices. Contractor shall, within forty-eight (48) hours of receipt, forward to Owner all material notices, correspondence, reports, instruments, writings, agreements, documents, Claims, assertions, records, invoices, notices of proceedings, and other communications received by Contractor from Owner’s predecessors-in-interest, all “Operators,” under the operating agreements, or any other “Non-Operators,” co-owners, parties to any marketing agreements, or any other material agreements pertaining to the Assets, or any other Persons with respect to any other material matters related to the Assets. Contractor shall promptly deliver to Owner notice with respect to any Claim received by Contractor relating to the Assets, including, without limitation, notice and copies of all (a) HSE incident reports filed by the provider of any Services hereunder, (b) landowner and government complaints and (c) legal notices and Claims.

 

Article 2

FEES AND EXPENSES

 

Section 2.1 Reimbursement of Expenses. Owner shall reimburse Contractor for all reasonable and documented expenses, costs, disbursements, and advances incurred or made by Contractor on behalf of Owner in accordance with this Agreement in connection with providing the Services, including reimbursement of all such Third Party costs and expenses for accounting, audit, tax, legal, and engineering services, but only to the extent directly related to performing the Services with respect to the Assets (“Reimbursable Expenses”). From time to time during the Transition Period, Contractor may require Owner to advance certain funds as needed to make payments for expenditures and Taxes that Contractor reasonably anticipates will be paid in the succeeding month in connection with the Services, including for the cost of maintaining insurance in accordance with Section 7.28 of the Purchase Agreement from Closing until the expiration of the Transition Period.

 

Section 2.2 Management Fee. Owner shall also pay Contractor a fee equal to ninety thousand dollars ($90,000) per month (or portion of any month) (the “Management Fee”). For the avoidance of doubt, the initial $90,000 payment shall be paid to Contractor for the period starting on the Effective Date (as defined in the Purchase Agreement) through the Execution Date and ending on the last day of the month of the Effective Date (as defined in the Purchase Agreement). Any sales, use, transfer or similar Taxes, now or hereafter imposed, levied or assessed upon any fees payable by Contractor hereunder in connection with the Services shall be passed on to Owner as an explicit surcharge and shall be borne and paid by Owner in addition to any Management Fee payment, whether included in the applicable invoice or added retroactively within a reasonable time thereafter.

 

Article 3

PAYMENT AND DEFAULT

 

Section 3.1 Submission of Invoice. Contractor shall submit a written invoice to Owner, no earlier than the first (1st) Business Day of each calendar month and no later than the tenth (10th) Business Day of each calendar month, setting forth the Reimbursable Expenses and Management Fee for the Services for the preceding calendar month. Contractor will include reasonable supporting documentation for all Reimbursable Expenses appearing on each such invoice.

 

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Section 3.2 Payment of Invoices. Absent manifest error in calculations contained in an invoice (if there is a manifest error, Contractor will correct such error and show such recalculation), and except to the extent otherwise disputed in accordance with Section 3.3, Owner shall pay on or before the later of (i) the last day of each calendar month in which Owner receives an invoice, or (ii) fifteen (15) days after Owner receives the invoice, the amounts invoiced therein in accordance with Section 3.1 and for the prior calendar month, in each case, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the bank account designated by Contractor. Any payment that became due and payable prior to the termination of this Agreement for the Services provided hereunder shall survive the termination of this Agreement. Interest will accrue on any unpaid amounts at an amount equal to eight percent (8%) per annum from the date due, compounded monthly, until such amounts, together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, are paid in full.

 

Section 3.3  Payment Disputes. Owner may object to any invoiced amounts at any time before, at the time of or after payment therefor is made; provided that (a) Owner shall pay any undisputed amounts and (b) such objection is made in writing to Contractor no later than fifteen (15) days after receipt of the applicable invoice. Payment or acceptance of payment of any amount set forth in an invoice shall constitute approval thereof. The Parties shall meet as expeditiously as possible to resolve any dispute.

 

Section 3.4 Default.

 

(a) Owner Default.

 

(i) It shall constitute a default on behalf of Owner (an “Owner Default”) if Owner fails to timely pay any invoiced amounts that are invoiced in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, other than those disputed in accordance with Section 3.3, and which failure continues for at least ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice to Owner of such Owner Default.

 

(ii) Upon the occurrence of an Owner Default, and absent the existence of a Contractor Default, Contractor may, at its option, suspend all or any portion of the provision of Services hereunder, including Services for which payment is outstanding, until such time as the Owner Default is cured.

 

(b) Contractor Default.

 

(i) It shall constitute a default on behalf of Contractor (a “Contractor Default”) if Contractor fails to provide Services to Owner in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, and which failure continues for at least ten (10) Business Days following receipt of written notice to Contractor of such Contractor Default; provided, however, if Contractor cannot reasonably cure such failure within such 10-Business Day period, no Contractor Default shall be deemed to occur.

 

(ii) Upon the occurrence of a Contractor Default, Owner may, immediately terminate this Agreement with no further obligation to pay any Management Fees except for Services performed prior to such termination.

 

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Article 4

TRANSITION PERIOD AND TERMINATION

 

Section 4.1 Transition Period. This Agreement commences on the Execution Date and shall remain in force and effect through June 30, 2022, provided, however, this Agreement may be (a) extended, with respect to all Services, on a month-to-month basis beyond such date if Owner delivers a written request to Contractor no later than thirty (30) days prior to the then applicable expiration date and Contractor consents thereto, such consent to be in Contractor’s sole and absolute discretion, or (b) earlier terminated as follows: (i) by Owner, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.4(b)(ii); or (ii) by mutual agreement of Contractor and Owner (as to this Agreement as a whole, as applicable, the “Transition Period”). Owner shall assume all of each group of Services at the end of the applicable Transition Period and Contractor shall have no responsibility for any Services following such date. Following such a termination of all of the Services, Owner shall have no further obligation to pay Management Fees to Contractor other than those earned for periods prior to the effective date of such termination. At the end of the Transition Period, Contractor (or its appointees) and Owner shall duly execute federal and state change of operator forms with respect to the Assets of Banner that will be operated by Owner after the expiration of the Transition Period.

 

Section 4.2 Procedures upon Termination of Services. Upon the expiration of the Transition Period, this Agreement shall be of no further force and effect, except as to obligations accrued prior to the date of discontinuation or termination; provided, however, that ‎Article 2 (to the extent Owner has not paid such amounts to Contractor incurred prior to the discontinuation or termination), this ‎Article 4, ‎Article 5, ‎Article 6 and Article 8 of this Agreement shall survive such discontinuation or termination. Expiration or early termination of this Agreement in whole or in part shall not release any obligations, liabilities, rights and remedies arising out any breach of, or failure to comply with, this Agreement occurring prior to such termination.

 

Article 5

CONFIDENTIALITY

 

Section 5.1 Generally. Subject to Sections ‎5.2, ‎5.3 and ‎5.4 of this Agreement, each Party (“Receiving Party”) agrees: (i) to hold in trust and maintain confidential; (ii) not to disclose to others without prior written approval from the other Party (“Disclosing Party”); (iii) not to use for any purpose, other than such purpose as may be authorized in writing by the Disclosing Party; and (iv) to prevent duplication of and disclosure to any other Person, any Confidential Information of the other Party, whether or not developed, presently held or continued to be held, or otherwise obtained by it under this Agreement. “Confidential Information” of a Party includes (1) in the case of Owner, all results of any Services provided hereunder and any property records related to the Assets (the “Asset Information”), and (2) in the case of each Party, the terms of this Agreement and any information of Disclosing Party disclosed orally, visually, in writing or in other tangible form that is nonpublic or proprietary information of any nature (including prices, trade secrets, technological know-how, data and all other nonpublic or proprietary concepts, methods of doing business, ideas, materials or information) and all information derived from any nonpublic or proprietary information.

 

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Section 5.2 Exceptions. The foregoing obligations of confidence, nondisclosure and nonuse shall not apply to any information that: (i) was in the public domain at the time of disclosure by Disclosing Party; (ii) enters the public domain through no fault of Receiving Party or its Affiliates or representatives; (iii) was communicated to Receiving Party by a Third Party free of any obligation of confidence known to the recipient; or (iv) except for Asset Information, was developed by officers, employees or agents of or consultants of Receiving Party independently of and without reference to the proprietary information of Disclosing Party. Specific information shall not be deemed to come under the above exceptions merely because it is embraced by more general information that is or becomes public knowledge.

 

Section 5.3 Required Disclosure. Receiving Party may disclose Disclosing Party’s information to the extent necessary and appropriate to attorneys of litigants or to Governmental Authorities to comply with any obligation imposed on Receiving Party in connection with a proceeding in a court or other Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction; provided that Receiving Party gives reasonably prompt notice to Disclosing Party of the need for such disclosure, together with such other information about the proceeding as will enable Disclosing Party to evaluate the obligation and the need and to elect either to intervene or otherwise appear or act in the proceeding to protect directly Disclosing Party’s information at the expense of Disclosing Party. Alternatively, Disclosing Party may request Receiving Party to, and if so requested, Receiving Party shall, make a reasonable and diligent effort at the expense of Disclosing Party to obtain a protective order or otherwise to protect the confidentiality of information sought to be obtained in said proceeding.

 

Section 5.4 Length of Confidentiality Obligation. Each Party agrees to maintain and protect the confidentiality of the information of the other Party as set forth in this ‎Article 5 for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of termination of this Agreement.

 

Article 6

INDEMNITY

 

Section 6.1 Owner’s Indemnification for Third Party Claims. OWNER agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by Laws, to RELEASE, PAY, DEFEND, PROTECT, INDEMNIFY and HOLD HARMLESS Contractor GROUP FOR, from and against any and all claims caused by or arising out of or resulting from the provision of Services pursuant to this Agreement (other than caused by or arising out of or resulting from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of any member of the contractor group). For purposes of this Agreement: (i) “Claims” means any and all claims, demands, suits, causes of action, administrative proceedings, losses, damages, liabilities, obligations, interest, fines, penalties, assessments, judgments, settlements and costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and costs of investigation, defense, litigation, arbitration and settlement), whether known or unknown, direct or indirect; and (ii) “Contractor Group” means Contractor and its Affiliates and its and their respective officers, directors, managers, employees, agents, and representatives. THE FOREGOING INDEMNITY OBLIGATIONS SHALL APPLY WHETHER OR NOT SUCH CLAIMS ARISE OUT OF (a) THE NEGLIGENCE (INCLUDING SOLE NEGLIGENCE, SIMPLE NEGLIGENCE, CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OR, ACTIVE OR PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE) OF ANY MEMBER OF THE CONTRACTOR GROUP, (b) STRICT LIABILITY, OR (c) ANY VIOLATION OF ANY LAW, RULE, REGULATION OR ORDER RELATED TO THE OWNERSHIP OR OPERATION OF THE ASSETS, INCLUDING APPLICABLE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS; EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LIABILITIES ARE CAUSED BY, ATTRIBUTABLE TO OR ARISE FROM THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF CONTRACTOR OR ANY MEMBER OF THE CONTRACTOR GROUP.

 

6

 

 

Section 6.2 Contractor’s Indemnification. contractor agrees, to the fullest extent permitted by Laws, to RELEASE, pay, DEFEND, PROTECT, INDEMNIFY and HOLD HARMLESS OWNER group for, from and against any and all claims caused by ARISING OUT OF OR RESULTING FROM the WiLLFUL misconduct or gross negligence of any member of the contractor group. For purposes of this Agreement, “Owner Group” means Owner and its Affiliates and its and their respective officers, directors, managers, employees, agents, and representatives.

 

Section 6.3 Limitations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, none of owner, Contractor, any member of the owner group or any member of the contractor group shall be entitled to lost profits, indirect, consequential, special or punitive damages in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and each of owner AND CONTRACTOR, for itself and on behalf of ITS Affiliates, hereby expressly waives any right to lost profits, indirect, consequential, special or punitive damages in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby. In no event shall the aggregate liabilitIES of Contractor arising out of this Agreement exceed AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO the aggregate amount of the management fees received by contractor under this agreement.

 

Article 7

FORCE MAJEURE

 

Section 7.1 Performance Excused. Continued performance of a Service may be suspended immediately to the extent caused by any event or condition beyond the reasonable control of Contractor, including acts of God, fire, labor strike or trade disturbance, war, terrorism, civil commotion, inability to procure labor, unavailability of equipment, compliance in good faith with any Law (whether or not it later proves to be invalid), or any other cause, whether of the kind specifically enumerated above or otherwise, which is not reasonably within the control of Contractor (a “Force Majeure Event”).

 

Section 7.2 Notice. Upon the occurrence of a Force Majeure Event, Contractor will give prompt notice to Owner of the occurrence of the Force Majeure Event giving rise to the suspension and of its nature and anticipated duration, and, during such Force Majeure Event, shall keep Owner fully advised of its efforts to overcome such Force Majeure Event.

 

7

 

 

Section 7.3 Cooperation. Upon the occurrence of a Force Majeure Event, the Parties shall cooperate with each other to find alternative means and methods for the provision of the suspended Service or to resume performance within a commercially reasonable timeframe.

 

Article 8

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 8.1 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one agreement. Delivery of an executed counterpart signature page by facsimile is as effective as executing and delivering this Agreement in the presence of the other Parties to this Agreement.

 

Section 8.2 Notices. All notices and communications required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be given in writing and shall be delivered personally, or sent by bonded overnight courier, or mailed by U.S. Express Mail, Federal Express or United Parcel Service Express Delivery or by certified or registered United States Mail with all postage fully prepaid, or sent by electronic mail (“email”) transmission (provided that receipt of such email is requested and received, excluding automatic receipts, and with the receiving Person affirmatively obligated to promptly acknowledge receipt) addressed to the appropriate Party at the address for such Party shown below or at such other address as such Party shall have theretofore designated by written notice delivered to the Party giving such notice:

 

If to Contractor:

 

Banner Oil & Gas, LLC

10011 South Pennsylvania Ave.

Oklahoma City, OK 73159

Attention: Michael Richardson

Email: michael@bogokc.com

 

If to Owner:

 

U.S. Energy Corporation

675 Bering Dr., Suite 290

Houston, Texas 77057

Attention: Ryan L. Smith

Email: ryan@usnrg.org

 

Any notice given in accordance herewith shall be deemed to have been given when delivered to the addressee in person, or by courier, or transmitted by email transmission during normal business hours on a Business Day (or if delivered or transmitted after normal business hours on a Business Day or on a day other than a Business Day, then on the next Business Day), or upon actual receipt by the addressee during normal business hours on a Business Day after such notice has either been delivered to an overnight courier or deposited in the United States Mail or with Federal Express or United Parcel Service, as the case may be (or if delivered after normal business hours on a Business Day or on a day other than a Business Day, then on the next Business Day). Either Party may change its contact information for notice by giving written notice to the other Party in the manner provided in this Section 8.2.

 

8

 

 

Section 8.3 Expenses. All expenses incurred by Contractor in connection with or related to the authorization, preparation or execution of this Agreement, and the exhibits and schedules hereto, including all fees and expenses of counsel, accountants, and financial advisers employed by Contractor, shall be borne solely and entirely by Contractor, and all such expenses incurred by Owner shall be borne solely and entirely by Owner.

 

Section 8.4 Governing Law. This Agreement, including, without limitation, its validity, interpretation, construction, performance, and enforcement (together with all of the transactions it contemplates) shall be governed and interpreted in accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Texas, without regard to any principles of conflicts of law that would result in the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 8.5 Jurisdiction and Venue. Each Party hereby fully, personally, and voluntarily consents to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Texas (State or Federal) for any and all disputes, conflicts, or claims related to or arising under or from this Agreement and/or performance of the Parties or under this Agreement. The Parties agree that the State or Federal courts of Texas shall have exclusive jurisdiction over any and all disputes, conflicts, or claims related to or arising under or from this Agreement and/or the performance of either Party under the Agreement. Each Party further agrees that the State courts of Harris County or the federal court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division will be the exclusive venue and forum for any and all disputes, conflicts, or claims related to or arising from or under this Agreement and/or the Parties’ performance of or under the Agreement, and all objections to forum or venue therein based on convenience of the parties, witnesses, or otherwise are hereby expressly waived.

 

Section 8.6 Captions. The captions in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be considered a part of or affect the construction or interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

 

Section 8.7 Waivers. Any failure by any Party to comply with any of its obligations, agreements, or conditions herein contained may be waived by the Party to whom such compliance is owed by an instrument signed by the Party to whom compliance is owed and expressly identified as a waiver, but not in any other manner. No waiver of, or consent to a change in, any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of, or consent to a change in, other provisions hereof (whether or not similar), nor shall such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided.

 

Section 8.8 Assignment. No Party shall assign (including by change of control, merger, consolidation, or stock purchase) or otherwise transfer all or any part of this Agreement to any other Person, nor shall any Party delegate any of its rights or duties hereunder (including by change of control, merger, consolidation, or stock purchase) to any other Person, without the prior written consent of the other Party and any transfer or delegation made without such consent shall be void. Subject to the foregoing, this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

 

Section 8.9 Entire Agreement. This Agreement, and the documents to be executed hereunder, including the exhibits and schedules attached hereto, constitute the entire agreement among the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof, and supersede all prior agreements, understandings, negotiations, and discussions, whether oral or written, of the Parties pertaining to the subject matter hereof.

 

9

 

 

Section 8.10 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by an agreement in writing signed by Contractor and Owner and expressly identified as an amendment or modification.

 

Section 8.11 No Third-Person Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement shall entitle any Person other than Owner and Contractor to any claim, cause of action, remedy or right of any kind, except the rights expressly provided in Article 6 to the Persons described therein.

 

Section 8.12 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement, or any application thereof, is held invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect under any Law, this Agreement shall be reformed to the extent necessary to conform, in each case consistent with the intention of the Parties, to such Law, and, to the extent such provision cannot be so reformed, then such provision (or the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable application thereof) shall be deemed deleted from (or prohibited under) this Agreement, as the case may be, and the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein (and any other application of such provision) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

Section 8.13 Time of the Essence. Time is of the essence in this Agreement. If the date specified in this Agreement for giving any notice or taking any action is not a Business Day (or if the period during which any notice is required to be given or any action taken expires on a date which is not a Business Day), then the date for giving such notice or taking such action (and the expiration of such period during which notice is required to be given or action taken) shall be the next day which is a Business Day.

 

Section 8.14 References. In this Agreement, unless the context requires otherwise: (a) references to any gender includes a reference to all other genders; (b) references to the singular includes the plural, and vice versa; (c) reference to any article or section means an article or section of this Agreement; (d) reference to any exhibit or schedule means an exhibit or schedule to this Agreement, all of which are incorporated into, and made a part of, this Agreement; (e) unless expressly provided to the contrary, “hereunder”, “hereof”, “herein”, and words of similar import are references to this Agreement as a whole and not any particular Section or other provision of this Agreement; (f) references to “$” or “Dollars” means United States Dollars; and (g) “include” and “including” mean include or including without limiting the generality of the description preceding such term.

 

Section 8.15 Construction. Contractor and Owner have had the opportunity to exercise business discretion in relation to the negotiation of the details of the transaction contemplated hereby. This Agreement is the result of arm’s-length negotiations from equal bargaining positions. It is expressly agreed that this Agreement shall not be construed against any Party, and no consideration shall be given or presumption made, on the basis of who drafted this Agreement or any particular provision hereof.

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

10

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been signed by each of the Parties as of the date first above written.

 

  CONTRACTOR:
     
  BANNER OIL & GAS LLC
     
  By: /s/ Joshua L. Batchelor
  Name: Joshua L. Batchelor
  Title: Manager
     
  OWNER:
     
  U.S. ENERGY CORPORATION
     
  By: /s/ Ryan Smith
  Name: Ryan Smith
  Title: CEO

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1.1

 

ATTACHED TO AND MADE A PART OF THAT CERTAIN TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT, BY AND BETWEEN BY AND BETWEEN BANNER OIL & GAS LLC AND U.S. ENERGY CORPORATION

 

SERVICES

 

Subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement, during the Transition Period, Owner engages and hires Contractor, and Contractor accepts such engagement and hiring, to perform the following tasks:

 

1. Land Services. Contractor shall provide land and lease administration services with respect to the Assets in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the following:

 

(a) administering and maintaining Hydrocarbon leases and contracts constituting or relating to the Assets, including, without limitation, advising Owner and assisting as reasonably requested with respect to actions pursuant to applicable farm-out agreements, operating agreements (such as well proposals, elections and voting), submittal of AFEs and securing necessary approvals of non-operators, subject to the terms of such leases and contracts;

 

(b) administering, generating, processing, verifying, preserving and maintaining and updating lease files, land records, maps and databases relating to the Assets, including maintaining and updating all royalty payment reports and databases, royalty suspense accounts, reports and databases, and all accounts, reports and databases associated with compulsory pooled interests related to the Assets, and, until such time as same are converted and transitioned into Owner’s systems, providing continued access to the same;

 

(c) identifying, paying and appropriately invoicing rentals, shut-in payments and other payments required by the Hydrocarbon leases or other contracts relating to the Assets, including lease settlement, shut-in royalties, minimum royalties, payments in lieu of production, royalties, overriding royalties, production payments, net profit payments and other similar burdens that are associated with the ownership and operation of the Assets;

 

(d) identifying, paying and appropriately invoicing rentals, surface and right-of-way payments required by the Hydrocarbon leases or other contracts relating to the Assets and, upon prior consent of Owner, negotiating and executing new surface use agreements and right-of-ways or extensions or renewals of those currently in existence;

 

(e) in accordance with Owner’s prior written instructions, (1) obtaining lease amendments or other consents from royalty or mineral interest holders authorizing the pooling of Hydrocarbon leases, royalty and mineral interests, and (2) in Owner’s name, the extension and renewal of Hydrocarbon leases;

 

(f) filing all necessary documents and reports in connection with any of the foregoing with appropriate local, state or federal agencies or recording offices; and

 

 

 

 

(g) assisting Owner with the transfer from Contractor, if any, or acquisition from any applicable Governmental Authority or Third Party of any applicable permits, licenses, permissions or other instruments reasonably necessary for the continued ownership and operation of the Assets, including executing and delivering, with respect to any Wells operated by Contractor on behalf of Seller prior to the Execution Date, all counterparts of such documents as are required to transfer the regulatory authority to operate such Wells to Owner or its designee.

 

2. Accounting and Division Order Services. Contractor shall assist Owner regarding, with respect to the Assets, revenue and expense accounting services, accounts payable payment services, accounts receivable collection services, division order services, marketing services, and related records services, in each case, as specifically described below:

 

(a) the calculation of payments in lieu of production, royalties, overriding royalties, production payments, net profit payments and other similar burdens, that are associated with the ownership and operation of the Assets;

 

(b) assisting Owner in Owner’s payment of invoices and subsequent billing of same to all working interest owners, and Owner’s payment of operating costs, vendor invoices, and contractor invoices associated with ownership and operation of the Assets;

 

(c) assisting Owner in Owner’s payment of accounts payable, and Owner’s performance of the collection of accounts receivable receipts including, without limitation revenue and joint interest billings (for the avoidance of doubt, Owner shall be entitled to all amounts that are billed to third parties and amounts attributable to Owner’s interest for overhead, supervision, etc., in each case, pursuant to the applicable joint operating agreement or other operating arrangements covering the Assets);

 

(d) on or before the last day of the calendar month following the calendar month of production, assisting Owner in distributing directly to the appropriate royalty owners on Assets their share of revenues from production from the Assets that were owned by Contractor prior to Closing; provided that revenues related to production from non-operated Assets will be disbursed by Contractor to Owner in the next revenue distribution after the funds have been received in collected funds;

 

(e) generating, verifying and processing internal and external division orders and transfer orders required in the normal course of business;

 

(f) as and when requested by Owner, providing marketing, gas control, scheduling, balancing, and other similar services necessary for Owner to sell the products produced from the Assets; provided, however, without Owner’s written consent, Contractor will not enter into any agreement, amendment or extension to any marketing, processing, gathering, transporting or treating contract, or other contract related to similar services with respect to the Assets, if such contract (i) is not based on index prices with market based adjustments and/or (ii) is not terminable without penalty or fee on 30 days’ or less notice;

 

(g) providing Owner with information as needed or reasonably requested regarding any sales contracts for products produced from the Assets, or, if applicable, current hedge positions; and

 

 

 

 

(h) keeping complete and accurate records of with respect to the Accounting and Division Order Services, including with respect to payments made and revenues received hereunder (including royalties, overriding royalties, and other burdens on Owner’s share of production) all in the ordinary course and in accordance with applicable agreements and Laws, and providing Owner access to such records during normal business hours.

 

3. Information Technology Services. Contractor shall provide or cause to be provided substantially the same information technology services relating to the Assets as were being provided prior to the Execution Date, including all SCADA and other field data capture, collection and reporting systems, and computer networks and other technology systems related to, or necessary in the operation of, the Assets; provided, however, nothing in this Agreement shall require Contractor to provide Owner use of or access to licensed software or data in violation of the terms of any licenses or which would otherwise infringe the rights of any Third Party. Contractor shall provide reasonable assistance in the development of plans relating to the replacement of Contractor’s, if applicable, or Seller’s proprietary or licensed information technology and computer systems that are not conveyed to Owner, and provide to Owner’s employees a reasonable level of training and consultation in respect of any technology systems or databases contained in and relating to the Assets.

 

4. Tax Services. Contractor shall provide tax services relating to the Assets in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, including (a) calculation and payment of severance, ad valorem/property and sales and use taxes, but excluding state or federal income and franchise taxes, (b) filing for refundable exemptions related to the direct usage exemption for production of natural resources, and (c) provision of such data, records and information as may be required by Owner to calculate and pay its state or federal income taxes and such interim filings and payments as may be required.

 

5. Transition Services. Contractor shall cooperate with Owner in the transition of services relating to the Assets sufficient to enable Owner to set up its operations and assume the operation of the Assets. Contractor and Owner shall reasonably cooperate with each other, and shall cause their Affiliates, officers, employees, agents, auditors and representatives to reasonably cooperate with each other to assist in the orderly transition in order to minimize any disruption to the respective businesses of Contractor and Owner that may result from the transactions contemplated hereby. For purposes of this Agreement, the transition services to be provided by Contractor to Owner shall include, without limitation, the following:

 

(a) Contractor shall provide, or cause to be provided, upon Owner’s request, such reasonable and timely information and assistance to Owner’s personnel to allow Owner to set up its well ownership and division of interest databases in order for Owner to assume the Services as of the termination of this Agreement.

 

(b) Contractor shall provide, or cause to be provided, upon Owner’s request, system support services necessary to extract accounting, division of interest, land data and production data from the currently used operating systems as such services may have been provided prior to the Execution Date; provided that any electronic information or data provided shall be in the same format as that then currently used and maintained by Contractor and Contractor is not required to perform or create additional programming or system support in connection therewith;

 

 

 

 

(c) Contractor shall provide, or cause to be provided, any and all documentation in Contractor’s possession necessary to administer any suspended funds related to the Assets;

 

(d) Contractor shall provide or cause to be provided any and all incident reports or incident investigation reports to the extent regarding any of the Assets, promptly after such reports are prepared; and

 

(e) Contractor shall provide Owner reports from field automation and measurement equipment.

 

6. Operating Services. Contractor shall provide or cause to be provided all physical operations services with respect to the Assets (including the operation and maintenance thereof, as direction by Owner) in accordance with the terms of the Agreement, and including, without limitation, the following:

 

(a) making all expenditures for supplies, materials, tools and equipment and contracting for services associated with the Assets (the title to which such supplies, materials, tools and equipment shall immediately pass to (and vest in) Owner); provided that, without Owner’s prior consent, Owner will not purchase any of such items with respect to any of the Assets if such purchase would require approval of the working interest owners pursuant to the applicable operating agreement or if such purchase exceeds $25,000 for a single item;

 

(b) conducting or contracting for all services associated with physical operation of the Assets;

 

(c) executing, amending or extending contracts, agreements and leases associated with the physical operation and maintenance of the Assets; provided that without Owner’s prior written consent Contractor will not execute, amend or extend any such contract with respect to any of the Assets if such contract would require approval of the working interest owners pursuant to the applicable operating agreement or if the costs associated with such contract would reasonably be expected to exceed $25,000; provided further that no such contract, amendment or extension shall (a) be for a term extending more than thirty (30) days beyond the Transition Period or (b) contain cancellation penalties in the event of early termination thereof by Owner;

 

(d) providing substantially the same health, safety and environment services relating to the Assets as were being provided during the twelve (12) month period immediately prior to the Execution Date and in compliance with applicable laws; and

 

(e) maintaining insurance in accordance with Section 7.28 of the Purchase Agreement from Closing until the expiration of the Transition Period.

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE 1.2

 

ATTACHED TO AND MADE A PART OF THAT CERTAIN TRANSITION SERVICES AGREEMENT, BY AND BETWEEN BY AND BETWEEN BANNER OIL & GAS LLC AND U.S. ENERGY CORPORATION

 

ASSETS

 

[see attached]

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.6

 

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of

 

January 5, 2022

among

 

U.S. ENERGY CORP.,

as Borrower,

 

FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST,

as Administrative Agent,

 

and

 

the Lenders party hereto

 

 

 

FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST

Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Runner

 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    Page
ARTICLE I Definitions and Accounting Matters
     
Section 1.01 Terms Defined Above 1
Section 1.02 Certain Defined Terms 1
Section 1.03 [Reserved] 28
Section 1.04 Terms Generally; Rules of Construction 28
Section 1.05 Accounting Terms; Changes in GAAP 29
Section 1.06 Timing of Payment or Performance 29
Section 1.07 Rates 29
Section 1.08 Divisions 29
Section 1.09 Letter of Credit Amounts 29
     
ARTICLE II The Credits
     
Section 2.01 Commitments 29
Section 2.02 Loans and Borrowings 30
Section 2.03 Requests for Borrowings 30
Section 2.04 [Reserved] 31
Section 2.05 Funding of Borrowings 31
Section 2.06 Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts 32
Section 2.07 Borrowing Base 33
Section 2.08 Letters of Credit 35
     
ARTICLE III Payments of Principal and Interest; Prepayments; Fees
     
Section 3.01 Repayment of Loans 40
Section 3.02 Interest 40
Section 3.03 [Reserved] 40
Section 3.04 Prepayments 40
Section 3.05 Fees 43
     
ARTICLE IV Payments; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs
     
Section 4.01 Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs 44
Section 4.02 Presumption of Payment by the Borrower 45
Section 4.03 Certain Deductions by the Administrative Agent 45
Section 4.04 Disposition of Proceeds 45
Section 4.05 Defaulting Lenders 46

 

- i -
 

 

ARTICLE V Increased Costs; Break Funding Payments; Taxes
     
Section 5.01 Increased Costs 48
Section 5.02 [Reserved] 49
Section 5.03 Taxes 49
Section 5.04 Designation of Different Lending Office 53
Section 5.05 Replacement of Lenders 53
Section 5.06 [Reserved] 53
     
ARTICLE VI Conditions Precedent
     
Section 6.01 Effective Date 54
Section 6.02 Each Credit Event 56
     
ARTICLE VII Representations and Warranties
     
Section 7.01 Organization; Powers 57
Section 7.02 Authority; Enforceability 57
Section 7.03 Approvals; No Conflicts 57
Section 7.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change 58
Section 7.05 Litigation 58
Section 7.06 Environmental Matters 58
Section 7.07 Compliance with the Laws and Agreements; No Defaults 59
Section 7.08 Investment Company Act 59
Section 7.09 Taxes 60
Section 7.10 ERISA 60
Section 7.11 Disclosure; No Material Misstatements 60
Section 7.12 Insurance 61
Section 7.13 Restriction on Liens 61
Section 7.14 Subsidiaries 61
Section 7.15 Foreign Operations 61
Section 7.16 Location of Business and Offices 61
Section 7.17 Properties; Defensible Title, Etc 61
Section 7.18 Maintenance of Properties 62
Section 7.19 Gas Imbalances; Prepayments 63
Section 7.20 Marketing of Production 63
Section 7.21 Security Documents 63

 

- ii -
 

 

Section 7.22 Swap Agreements and Eligible Contract Participant 63
Section 7.23 Use of Loans and Letters of Credit 63
Section 7.24 Solvency 64
Section 7.25 Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions; OFAC 64
Section 7.26 EEA Financial Institution 64
     
ARTICLE VIII Affirmative Covenants
     
Section 8.01 Financial Statements; Other Information 64
Section 8.02 Notices of Material Events 67
Section 8.03 Existence; Conduct of Business 67
Section 8.04 Payment of Obligations 67
Section 8.05 Performance of Obligations under Loan Documents 67
Section 8.06 Operation and Maintenance of Properties 67
Section 8.07 Insurance 68
Section 8.08 Books and Records; Inspection Rights 68
Section 8.09 Compliance with Laws 68
Section 8.10 Environmental Matters 69
Section 8.11 Further Assurances 70
Section 8.12 Reserve Reports 70
Section 8.13 Title Information 71
Section 8.14 Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors 72
Section 8.15 ERISA Compliance 73
Section 8.16 Marketing Activities 73
Section 8.17 Account Control Agreements; Location of Proceeds of Loans 73
Section 8.18 EEA Financial Institution 74
Section 8.19 Affirmative Hedging Covenant 74
Section 8.20 Excess Cash Information 74
Section 8.21 Permitted PPP Loans and Permitted EIDL 75
Section 8.22 Post Closing Obligations 75
     
ARTICLE IX Negative Covenants
     
Section 9.01 Financial Covenants 76
Section 9.02 Debt 76
Section 9.03 Liens 77
Section 9.04 Restricted Payments 77

 

- iii -
 

 

Section 9.05 Investments, Loans and Advances 78
Section 9.06 Nature of Business; No International Operations 79
Section 9.07 Proceeds of Loans 79
Section 9.08 ERISA Compliance 80
Section 9.09 Sale or Discount of Receivables 80
Section 9.10 Mergers, Etc 80
Section 9.11 Sale of Properties and Termination of Hedging Transactions 80
Section 9.12 Sales and Leasebacks 81
Section 9.13 Environmental Matters 81
Section 9.14 Transactions with Affiliates 81
Section 9.15 Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions 81
Section 9.16 Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments 82
Section 9.17 Swap Agreements 82
Section 9.18 Amendments to Organizational Documents and Material Contracts 83
Section 9.19 Changes in Fiscal Periods 83
Section 9.20 No Subsidiaries 83
     
ARTICLE X Events of Default; Remedies
     
Section 10.01 Events of Default 83
Section 10.02 Remedies 85
Section 10.03 Right to Cure 86
     
ARTICLE XI The Administrative Agent
     
Section 11.01 Appointment and Authority 87
Section 11.02 Rights as a Lender 88
Section 11.03 Exculpatory Provisions 88
Section 11.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent 89
Section 11.05 Delegation of Duties 90
Section 11.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent 90
Section 11.07 Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders 91
Section 11.08 No Other Duties 91
Section 11.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim 91
Section 11.10 Authority of Administrative Agent to Release Collateral and Liens 92
Section 11.11 Certain ERISA Matters 92
Section 11.12 Erroneous Payments 93

 

- iv -
 

 

ARTICLE XII Miscellaneous
     
Section 12.01 Notices 97
Section 12.02 Waivers; Amendments 99
Section 12.03 Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver 101
Section 12.04 Successors and Assigns 103
Section 12.05 Survival; Revival; Reinstatement 106
Section 12.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness 107
Section 12.07 Severability 107
Section 12.08 Right of Setoff 108
Section 12.09 GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; ETC 108
Section 12.10 Waiver of Jury Trial 109
Section 12.11 Headings 109
Section 12.12 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality 109
Section 12.13 USA Patriot Act Notice 110
Section 12.14 Interest Rate Limitation 110
Section 12.15 Collateral Matters; Swap Agreements 111
Section 12.16 No Third Party Beneficiaries 111
Section 12.17 EXCULPATION PROVISIONS 111
Section 12.18 Flood Insurance Provisions 112
Section 12.19 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions 112
Section 12.20 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs 112
Section 12.21 Intercreditor Agreement 112

 

- v -
 

 

ANNEXES, EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

 

Annex I List of Maximum Credit Amounts
   
Exhibit A Form of Note
Exhibit B Form of Borrowing Request
Exhibit C [Reserved]
Exhibit D Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit E Form of Solvency Certificate
Exhibit F Security Instruments
Exhibit G Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit H-1 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
  (Non-U.S. Lenders; non-partnerships)
Exhibit H-2 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
  (Foreign Participants; non-partnerships)
Exhibit H-3 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
  (Foreign Participants; partnerships)
Exhibit H-4 Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate
  (Non-U.S. Lenders; partnerships)
   
Schedule 7.05 Litigation
Schedule 7.06 Environmental Matters
Schedule 7.12 Insurance
Schedule 7.14 Subsidiaries
Schedule 7.19 Gas Imbalances
Schedule 7.20 Marketing of Production
Schedule 7.22 Swap Agreements
Schedule 9.05 Investments

 

- vi -
 

  

CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of January 5, 2022, is among U.S. ENERGY CORP., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Wyoming (the “Borrower”), each of the Lenders from time to time party hereto and FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST (in its individual capacity, “FBSW”), as administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, together with its successors in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”).

 

R E C I T A L S

 

A. The Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide certain loans to and extensions of credit on its behalf and each Issuing Bank provide Letters of Credit, and the Lenders have indicated their willingness to lend and each Issuing Bank has indicated its willingness to issue Letters of Credit, in each case subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

 

B. In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained and of the loans, extensions of credit and commitments hereinafter referred to, the parties hereto agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
Definitions and Accounting Matters

 

Section 1.01 Terms Defined Above. As used in this Agreement, each term defined above has the meaning indicated above.

 

Section 1.02 Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

 

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

 

Administrative Agent” has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

 

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

 

Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

 

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

 

Agent” means each of the Administrative Agent and any other agent or sub-agent pursuant to Section 11.05 appointed by the Administrative Agent with respect to matters related to the Loan Documents.

 

Agent Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.01(d)(ii).

 

 Page 1
 

 

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

 

Agreement” means this Credit Agreement, including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto, as the same may be amended, modified, supplemented, restated, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

Alternate Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day plus 0.50%. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, respectively.

 

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

 

Anticipated Cure Deadline” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.03(a).

 

Applicable Margin” means, for any date, with respect to any ABR Loan, or with respect to the Commitment Fee Rate, the applicable rate per annum set forth below based upon the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage then in effect:

 

    Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Level 4   Level 5
Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage   <25%   ≥25% and <50%   ≥50% and <75%   ≥75% and <90%   ≥90%
ABR Loans   0.25%   0.50%   0.75%   1.00%   1.25%
Commitment Fee Rate   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%   0.50%

 

provided that, from the Effective Date until the date that is six months after the Effective Date, the Applicable Margin shall be determined at Level 3 indicated above for all purposes regardless of the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage during such time period. After such date, each change in the Applicable Margin shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change in the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change, provided, that if at any time the Borrower fails to deliver a Reserve Report pursuant to Section 8.12(a), then until delivery of such Reserve Report, the “Applicable Margin” shall mean the rate per annum set forth on the grid when the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage is at its highest level.

 

Applicable Percentage” means, with respect to any Lender, at any time, the percentage of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts represented by such Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount; provided that when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Applicable Percentage” shall mean the percentage of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts (disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount) represented by such Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount. The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender is set forth on Annex I.

 

Approved Counterparty” means (a) NextEra Energy Marketing, LLC. (and any Subsidiary thereof), (b) any other Secured Swap Provider, (c) any other Person whose (or whose credit support provider’s) long term senior unsecured debt rating at the time a particular Swap Agreement transaction is entered into is A- or A3 by S&P or Moody’s (or their equivalent), respectively, or higher and has been approved in writing by the Administrative Agent, or (d) any other Person that has been approved by the Required Lenders.

 

 Page 2
 

 

Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

 

Approved Petroleum Engineers” means (a) DeGolyer and MacNaughton, (b) Cawley, Gillespie & Associates, Inc., (d) LaRoche Petroleum Consultants, Ltd., and (e) any other independent petroleum engineers reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

Arranger” means FBSW, in its capacity as the sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner hereunder.

 

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

 

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

 

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 12.04(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, substantially in the form of Exhibit G or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

Availability” means, at any time, the excess, if any, of (a) the total Commitments of the Lenders at such time, over (b) the total Revolving Credit Exposures of the Lenders at such time.

 

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

 

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

 

Bail-In Legislation” means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate” (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

 

 Page 3
 

 

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

 

Borrowing” means Loans made on the same date.

 

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

 

Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions” means Section 2.07(e), Section 8.13(c) and Section 9.11(e) and any other provisions hereunder which adjust the amount of the Borrowing Base.

 

Borrowing Base Deficiency” occurs if, at any time the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceed the Borrowing Base then in effect. The amount of the Borrowing Base Deficiency at such time is the amount by which the total Revolving Credit Exposures of all Lenders at such time exceeds the Borrowing Base in effect at such time.

 

Borrowing Base Properties” means the Oil and Gas Properties of the Loan Parties included in the Initial Reserve Report and thereafter in the most recently delivered Reserve Report delivered pursuant to Section 8.12.

 

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

 

Borrowing Request” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.03.

 

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Amarillo, Dallas and Houston Texas are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

 

Capital Leases” means, in respect of any Person, all leases that are or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capital leases on the balance sheet of the Person liable (whether contingent or otherwise) for the payment of rent thereunder. Any lease that was treated as an operating lease under GAAP at the time it was entered into that later becomes a capital lease as a result of a change in GAAP during the life of such lease, including any renewals, shall be treated as an operating lease for all purposes under this Agreement, and any lease that was treated as a capital lease under GAAP at the time it was entered into that later becomes an operating lease as a result of a change in GAAP during the life of such lease, including any renewals, shall be treated as a capital lease for all purposes under this Agreement.

 

CARES Act” means the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, as amended (including any successor thereto), and all applicable rules and regulations with respect thereto.

 

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

 

 Page 4
 

 

Cash Management Services” means (a) commercial credit cards, merchant card services, purchase or debit cards, including non-card e-payables services, (b) treasury management services (including controlled disbursement, overdraft, automated clearing house services, return items, interstate depository network services, electronic funds transfer services, lockbox services and stop payment services), (c) any other demand deposit or operating account relationships and (d) any other cash management services, including for collections and for operating, payroll and trust accounts of the Borrower or any of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries.

 

Cash Receipts” means all cash received by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including without limitation: (a) amounts payable under or in connection with any Oil and Gas Properties; (b) cash representing operating revenue earned or to be earned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (c) proceeds from Loans; and (d) any other cash received by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary from whatever source (including amounts received in respect of any Swap Termination and amounts received in respect of any disposition of Property).

 

Casualty Event” means any loss, casualty or other insured damage to, or any nationalization, taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding of, any Property of any Loan Party.

 

CERCLA” has the meaning assigned to such term within the definition of “Environmental Laws.”

 

Change in Control” means (a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its Subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of 35% or more of the Equity Interests of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); or (c) during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors of the Borrower cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board.

 

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the Effective Date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any Law, (b) any change in any Law or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline, requirement or directive (whether or not having the force of Law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith (whether or not having the force of Law) and (y) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States of America or foreign regulatory authorities (whether or not having the force of Law), in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued, promulgated or implemented.

 

 Page 5
 

 

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

 

Collateral” means the Mortgaged Properties and all other Property of the Loan Parties, now owned or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien is purported to be created by any Security Instrument, in each case excluding any Excluded Assets.

 

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

 

Commitment Fee Rate” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Applicable Margin”.

 

Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Communications” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.01(d)(ii).

 

Compliance Certificate” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.01(c).

 

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

 

Consolidated Cash Balance” means the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, in each case, held or owned by (whether directly or indirectly), credited to the account of, or otherwise reflected as an asset on the balance sheet of, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries other than (i) any cash set aside to pay in the ordinary course of business amounts of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries then due and owing to unaffiliated third parties (including, for the avoidance of doubt, to pay royalty obligations, working interest obligations, production payments and severance taxes and amounts held in suspense accounts in respect of obligations owed to third parties) and for which the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, has issued checks or has initiated wires or ACH transfers in order to pay (or will issue checks or initiate wires or ACH transfers in order to pay such amounts within three Business Days), (ii) any amounts held as Cash Collateral as required pursuant to Section 2.08(j), (iii) cash of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary set aside to be used by the Borrower or any Subsidiary within three Business Days to pay the purchase price for any acquisition of any assets or property permitted hereunder by the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to a binding and enforceable purchase and sale agreement with an unaffiliated third party containing customary provisions regarding the payment and refunding of such purchase price, (iv) amounts in respect of reserves established and maintained in accordance with GAAP in good faith, (v) deposits made in respect of tenders, surety and appeal bonds, performance and return of money bonds, bids, leases, contracts, statutory or regulatory obligations, or other obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business, and (vi) while and to the extent refundable, any cash or cash equivalents of the Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary constituting purchase price deposits held in escrow pursuant to a binding and enforceable purchase and sale agreement with an unaffiliated third party containing customary provisions regarding the payment and refunding of such deposits.

 

 Page 6
 

 

Consolidated Cash Balance Measurement Day” means the last Business Day of each calendar month.

 

Consolidated Cash Balance Threshold” means $5,000,000.

 

Consolidated Net Income” means with respect to the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries, for any Test Period, the aggregate of the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries after allowances for taxes for such Test Period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided that there shall be excluded from such net income (to the extent otherwise included therein) the following: (a) the net income of any Person in which the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary has an interest (which interest does not cause the net income of such other Person to be consolidated with the net income of the Borrower and the Consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP), except to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid in cash during such Test Period by such other Person to the Borrower or to a Consolidated Subsidiary, as the case may be; (b) the net income (but not loss) during such Test Period of any Consolidated Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions or transfers or loans by that Consolidated Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument or Governmental Requirement applicable to such Consolidated Subsidiary or is otherwise restricted or prohibited, in each case determined in accordance with GAAP; (c) the net income (or loss) of any Person acquired in a pooling of interests transaction for any Test Period prior to the date of such transaction; (d) any extraordinary or non-recurring gains or losses during such Test Period; (e) non-cash gains or losses under FASB ASC Topic 815 resulting from the net change in mark to market portfolio of commodity price risk management activities during that Test Period; and (f) any gains or losses attributable to writeups or writedowns of assets, including ceiling test writedowns.

 

Consolidated Subsidiaries” means each Subsidiary of the Borrower (whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired) the financial statements of which shall be (or should have been) consolidated with the financial statements of the Borrower in accordance with GAAP.

 

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. For the purposes of this definition, and without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Person that owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of the Equity Interests having ordinary voting power for the election of the directors or other governing body of a Person (other than as a limited partner of such other Person) will be deemed to “control” such other Person. “Controlled” has a meaning correlative thereto.

 

Covered Entity” means any of the following: (i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

 

Covered Party” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.19.

 

Cure Amount” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.03(a).

 

Cure Right” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.03(a).

 

 Page 7
 

 

Debt” means, for any Person, the sum of the following (without duplication): (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, bankers’ acceptances, debentures, notes or other similar instruments; (b) all obligations of such Person (whether contingent or otherwise) in respect of letters of credit, surety or other bonds and similar instruments; (c) all accounts payable and all accrued expenses, liabilities or other obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services that are more than one hundred twenty (120) days past the date of invoice other than those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP (excluding any amounts owed to the Permitted Holder or any Affiliates thereof in respect of the reimbursement of expenses and other obligations); (d) all obligations under Capital Leases; (e) all obligations under Synthetic Leases; (f) all Debt (as defined in the other clauses of this definition) of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Debt has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any Property of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person; (g) all Debt (as defined in the other clauses of this definition) of others guaranteed by such Person or in which such Person otherwise assures a creditor against loss of the Debt (howsoever such assurance shall be made) to the extent of the lesser of the amount of such Debt and the maximum stated amount of such guarantee or assurance against loss; (h) all obligations or undertakings of such Person to maintain or cause to purchase the Debt or Property of others; (i) obligations to deliver commodities, goods or services, including Hydrocarbons, in consideration of one or more advance payments, made more than one month in advance of the month in which the commodities, goods or services are to be delivered other than gas balancing arrangements in the ordinary course of business; (j) any Debt of a partnership for which such Person is liable either by agreement, by operation of law or by a Governmental Requirement but only to the extent of such liability; (k) Disqualified Capital Stock; (l) the undischarged balance of any production payment created by such Person or for the creation of which such Person directly or indirectly received payment; and (m) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Agreement. The Debt of any Person shall include all obligations of such Person of the character described above to the extent such Person remains legally liable in respect thereof notwithstanding that any such obligation is not included as a liability of such Person under GAAP. Debt shall not include liabilities resulting from endorsements of instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business.

 

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

 

Default” means any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

 

Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

 

 Page 8
 

 

Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 4.05(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, or (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank, or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit) within two Business Days of the date when due, (b) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or public statement relates to such Lender’s obligation to fund a Loan hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity, or (iii) become the subject of a Bail-In Action; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under any one or more of clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 4.05(b)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower, each Issuing Bank, and each Lender.

 

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

 

Disqualified Capital Stock” means any Equity Interest that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (which would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is convertible or exchangeable for Debt or redeemable for any consideration other than other Equity Interests (which would not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock) at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the earlier of (a) the Maturity Date and (b) the date on which there are no Loans, LC Exposure or other obligations (other than contingent indemnity obligations) hereunder outstanding and all of the Commitments are terminated; provided that, any such Equity Interests that are subject to the prior repayment in full of the Obligations shall not constitute Disqualified Capital Stock.

 

Disqualified Person” means any Person that is (a) actively engaged, directly or indirectly, as one of its principal businesses in the exploration, development or production of oil, gas, or other Hydrocarbons, or any other business within the upstream, midstream, downstream, or energy service industries in North America, or (b) is under common Control with a Person described in clause (a).

 

dollars” or “$” refers to lawful money of the United States of America.

 

 Page 9
 

 

Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia provided that a Subsidiary of a Foreign Subsidiary is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

EBITDAX” means, for any Test Period, the sum of Consolidated Net Income for such Test Period plus the following expenses or charges to the extent deducted from Consolidated Net Income in such Test Period: (i) interest, income and franchise taxes (including Texas margin or gross receipts taxes), (ii) depreciation, (iii) depletion, (iv) amortization, (v) exploration expenses, (vi) non-recurring workover expenses in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000 for any period of 12 consecutive months, (vii) restructuring costs, fees and expenses incurred in connection with acquisitions and the Transactions in an aggregate amount not to exceed $250,000 for any period of 12 consecutive months, and (viii) other similar charges (including expenses relating to stock based compensation, hedging, ceiling test impairments, etc.) minus all noncash income added to Consolidated Net Income. For the avoidance of doubt, EBITDAX shall not include any unrealized mark-to-market hedging gains or losses.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Environmental Laws” means any and all Governmental Requirements pertaining in any way to health and safety (insofar as either may be affected by a Release of, or exposure to, Hazardous Materials) the environment, the preservation or reclamation of natural resources, or the management, Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials, in effect in any and all jurisdictions in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is conducting, or at any time has conducted, business, or where any Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary is located, including, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, as amended, the Clean Air Act, as amended, the Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”), as amended, the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as amended, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (“RCRA”), as amended, the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, the Toxic Substances Control Act, as amended, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as amended, the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, as amended, the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, as amended, the Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979, as amended, and other environmental conservation or protection Governmental Requirements.

 

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

 

 Page 10
 

 

Equity Cure Standstill Period” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.03(a).

 

Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such Equity Interest.

 

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

 

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA).

 

ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules or the filing of an application for the waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules; (c) the incurrence by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any liability pursuant to Section 4063 or 4064 of ERISA or a cessation of operations with respect to a Pension Plan within the meaning of Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (d) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvent (within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA); (e) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan under, or the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under, Section 4041 of ERISA; (f) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan; (g) any event or condition that constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (h) the determination that any Pension Plan is in at-risk status (within the meaning of Section 430 of the Code or Section 303 of ERISA) or that a Multiemployer Plan is in endangered or critical status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA); (i) the imposition or incurrence of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate; (j) the engagement by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (k) the imposition of a lien upon the Borrower pursuant to Section 430(k) of the Code or Section 303(k) of ERISA; or (l) the making of an amendment to a Pension Plan that could result in the posting of bond or security under Section 436(f)(1) of the Code.

 

Erroneous Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.12(a).

 

Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.12(d)(i).

 

Erroneous Payment Impacted Class” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.12(d)(i).

 

Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.12(d)(i).

 

Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.12(e).

 

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

 

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

 

 Page 11
 

 

Excepted Liens” means: (a) Liens for Taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or levies which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (b) Liens in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security, old age pension or public liability obligations which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (c) statutory landlord’s liens, operators’, vendors’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, repairmen’s, mechanics’, suppliers’, workers’, materialmen’s, construction or other like Liens arising by operation of law or otherwise in the ordinary course of business or incident to the exploration, development, operation and maintenance of Oil and Gas Properties each of which is in respect of obligations that are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP; (d) contractual Liens which arise in the ordinary course of business under operating agreements, joint venture agreements, oil and gas partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil and natural gas, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, overriding royalty agreements, marketing agreements, processing agreements, net profits agreements, development agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or other geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and are for claims which are not delinquent or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate action and for which adequate reserves have been maintained in accordance with GAAP, provided that any such Lien referred to in this clause does not materially impair the use of the Property covered by such Lien for the purposes for which such Property is held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or materially impair the value of such Property subject thereto; (e) Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision or customary deposit account terms relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies and burdening only deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a creditor depository institution, provided that no such deposit account is a dedicated cash collateral account or is subject to restrictions against access by the depositor in excess of those set forth by regulations promulgated by the Board and no such deposit account is intended by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to provide collateral to the depository institution (other than pursuant to the Loan Documents); (f) zoning and land use requirements, easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations in any Property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary for the purpose of roads, pipelines, transmission lines, transportation lines, distribution lines for the removal of gas, oil, coal or other minerals or timber, and other like purposes, or for the joint or common use of real estate, rights of way, facilities and equipment, that do not secure any monetary obligations and which in the aggregate do not materially impair the use of such Property for the purposes of which such Property is held by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or materially impair the value of such Property subject thereto; (g) Liens on cash or securities pledged to secure performance of tenders, surety and appeal bonds, government contracts, performance and return of money bonds, bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, regulatory obligations and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money, (h) Immaterial Title Deficiencies, and (i) judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default, provided that any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceeding may be initiated shall not have expired and no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced; provided, further, that Liens described in clauses (a) through (e) shall remain “Excepted Liens” only for so long as no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced, and no intention to subordinate the first priority Lien granted in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders is to be hereby implied or expressed by the permitted existence of such Excepted Liens.

 

Excess Cash” means the Consolidated Cash Balance in excess of the Consolidated Cash Balance Threshold at any time.

 

Excluded Accounts” means (a) any deposit account, commodity account or securities account so long as the aggregate balance of all such deposit accounts, commodity accounts and securities accounts does not at any time exceed $50,000, (b) any deposit account that is a zero balance account or a deposit account for which the balance of such deposit account is transferred at the end of each date to a deposit account that is not an Excluded Account, and (c) any other deposit accounts exclusively used for trust, payroll, payroll taxes and other employee wage and benefit payments to or for the benefit of any employees of Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries.

 

 Page 12
 

 

Excluded Assets” means:

 

(a) any permit or license issued by a Governmental Authority to any Loan Party or any contract or agreement to which any Loan Party is a party, in each case, only to the extent and for so long as the terms of such permit, license, contract, or agreement or any Governmental Requirement applicable thereto validly prohibit or require the consent of any person other than Borrower and its Affiliates which has not been obtained as a condition to the creation by such Loan Party of a security interest in such permit, license or agreement in favor of the Administrative Agent (after giving effect to Sections 9-406(d), 9-407(a), 9-408(a) or 9-409 of the UCC (or any successor provision or provisions) or any other applicable law (including the bankruptcy law) or principles of equity);

 

(b) any item of general intangibles that is now or hereafter held by any Loan Party but only to the extent that such item of general intangibles (or any agreement evidencing such item of general intangibles) contains a term, provision or other contractual obligation or is subject to a rule of law, statute or regulation that restricts, prohibits, or requires a consent (that has not been obtained) of a Person (other than Borrower or any other Loan Party) to, the grant, creation, attachment or perfection of the security interest granted pursuant to the Security Documents, and any such restriction, prohibition and/or requirement of consent is effective and enforceable under applicable law and is not rendered ineffective by applicable law (including, without limitation, pursuant to Sections 9-406, 9-407, 9-408 or 9-409 of the UCC, and any successor provision thereto),

 

(c) any property owned by any Grantor on the date hereof or hereafter acquired that is subject to a purchase money Lien or Capital Lease obligation permitted to be incurred pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement if the contract or other agreement in which such Lien is granted (or the documentation providing for such Capital Lease obligation) validly prohibits or requires the consent of any person other than Borrower and its Affiliates which has not been obtained as a condition the creation of any other Lien on such property;

 

(d) any United States intent-to-use trademark applications under applicable federal law; provided that upon submission and acceptance by the United States Patent and Trademark Office of an amendment to allege use pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 1060(a) (or any successor provision), such intent-to-use trademark application shall be considered Collateral;

 

(e) commercial tort claims having an aggregate anticipated value of not greater than $750,000;

 

(f) vehicles and rolling stock subject to a certificate of title statute; and

 

(g) Excluded Accounts;

 

provided, however, that any property described in the preceding clauses (a), (b), and (c) above shall constitute “Excluded Assets” only to the extent and for so long as the grant of a security interest therein is prohibited, requires a consent, would constitute a breach or default or result in a termination (and to the extent severable, such grant of a security interest shall attach immediately to any portion of such property that does not result in any of the consequences specified above), in each case, as more particularly described in the preceding clauses (a), (b), and (c) above (a “Grant Prohibition”), and any such property shall automatically be included in the Collateral, without further action on the part of Borrower, any other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or any other Person, immediately when such property is no longer subject to any Grant Prohibition; provided, further, Excluded Assets shall not include any proceeds, substitutions or replacements of any Excluded Assets (unless such proceeds, substitutions or replacements would constitute Excluded Assets).

 

 Page 13
 

 

Excluded Swap Obligation” means any obligation of any Guarantor to pay or perform under any Swap Agreement, if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guarantee by such Guarantor of, or the grant by such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such Swap Agreement (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation, or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation of any thereof) or any other applicable Governmental Requirement.

 

Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes imposed on or with respect to a Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to a Recipient, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of such Recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof), or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) in the case of a Lender, U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 5.05) or (ii) such Lender changes its lending office, except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 5.03, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (c) Taxes attributable to any Recipient’s failure to comply with Section 5.03(g), and (d) any United States federal withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA.

 

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the Effective Date (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to such intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among Governmental Authorities entered into in connection with the implementation of the foregoing.

 

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

 

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published on the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations for such day for such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it; provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement.

 

Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Website” means the website of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.

 

Fee Letter” means that certain fee letter dated as of the Effective Date between Borrower and the Administrative Agent, as such fee letter may be supplemented, modified or amended from time to time.

 

Financial Officer” means, for any Person, the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or controller of such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a Financial Officer means a Financial Officer of the Borrower.

 

 Page 14
 

 

fiscal quarter” means each fiscal quarter ending on the last day of each March, June, September and December.

 

fiscal year” means each fiscal year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for accounting and tax purposes, ending on December 31 of each year.

 

Flood Insurance Regulations” means (a) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (b) the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 as now or hereafter in effect or any successor statute thereto, (c) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (amending 42 USC § 4001, et seq.), as the same may be amended or recodified from time to time, (d) the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, and (e) the Biggert-Waters Flood Reform Act of 2012, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Foreign Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan, program, policy, arrangement or agreement maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any Subsidiary with respect to employees employed outside the United States (other than any governmental arrangement).

 

Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

 

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

 

Fund” means any Person (other than a natural Person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

 

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Section 1.05.

 

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

 

Governmental Requirement” means any law, statute, code, ordinance, order, determination, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, franchise, permit, certificate, license, rules of common law, authorization or other directive or requirement, whether now or hereinafter in effect, of any Governmental Authority.

 

Guarantors” means (a) Energy One LLC, New Horizon Resources LLC and BOG – Osage, LLC, and (b) each other Subsidiary that guarantees the Secured Obligations (including pursuant to Section 6.01, Section 8.14(b), or otherwise).

 

Guaranty Agreement” means an agreement executed by the Guarantors in the form and substance acceptable to Administrative Agent, unconditionally guaranteeing on a joint and several basis, payment of the Secured Obligations, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

 

 Page 15
 

 

Hazardous Material” means any substance regulated or as to which liability might arise under any applicable Environmental Law including: (a) any chemical, compound, material, product, byproduct, substance or waste defined as or included in the definition or meaning of “hazardous substance,” “hazardous material,” “hazardous waste,” “solid waste,” “toxic waste,” “extremely hazardous substance,” “toxic substance,” “contaminant,” “pollutant,” or words of similar meaning or import found in any applicable Environmental Law; (b) Hydrocarbons, petroleum products, petroleum substances, natural gas, oil, oil and gas waste (including drilling fluids and any produced water), crude oil, and any components, fractions, or derivatives thereof; and (c) radioactive materials, explosives, asbestos or asbestos containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon, infectious materials or medical wastes.

 

Highest Lawful Rate” means, with respect to each Lender, the maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Notes or on other Secured Obligations under laws applicable to such Lender which are presently in effect or, to the extent allowed by law, under such applicable laws which may hereafter be in effect and which allow a higher maximum nonusurious interest rate than applicable laws allow as of the date hereof.

 

Hydrocarbon Interests” means all rights, titles, interests and estates now or hereafter acquired in and to oil and gas leases, oil, gas and mineral leases, or other liquid or gaseous hydrocarbon leases, mineral fee interests, overriding royalty and royalty interests, net profit interests and production payment interests, including any reserved or residual interests of whatever nature. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each reference to the term “Hydrocarbon Interests” shall mean Hydrocarbon Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, as the context may require.

 

Hydrocarbons” means oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and all products refined or separated therefrom.

 

Immaterial Title Deficiencies” means (a) minor defects or deficiencies in title which do not diminish by more than 3% the total PV-10 of the Proved Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the Reserve Report or, (b) defects or deficiencies in title which relate to “Undeveloped Reserves” for which no value was assigned in calculation of the Borrowing Base.

 

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

 

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

 

Information” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.12.

 

Initial Acquisition” has the meaning given to such term in Section 6.02(u).

 

Initial Acquisition Assets” means the Oil and Gas Properties and other properties acquired by the Borrower or any Guarantor pursuant to the Initial Acquisition Documents.

 

 Page 16
 

 

Initial Acquisition Documents” means, collectively, (a) that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of October 4, 2021, among Lubbock Energy Partners, LLC, as the seller, and the Borrower, as the purchaser, covering the Initial Acquisition Assets described therein (the “Lubbock PSA”), (b) that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of October 4, 2021, among Banner Oil & Gas, LLC, Woodford Petroleum, LLC and Llano Energy LLC, as the sellers, and the Borrower, as the purchaser, covering the Initial Acquisition Assets described therein (the “Banner PSA”), (c) that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of October 4, 2021, among Synergy Offshore, LLC, as the seller, and the Borrower, as the purchaser, covering the Initial Acquisition Assets described therein (the “Synergy PSA”), (d) the First Amendment to Purchase and Sale Agreements dated as of October 25, 2021, between Borrower and Lubbock Energy Partners, LLC, Banner Oil & Gas, LLC, Woodford Petroleum, LLC and Llano Energy LLC, and Synergy Offshore, LLC, which amends the Lubbock PSA, the Banner PSA and the Synergy PSA, and (e) all conveyances, assignments, bills of sale, agreements, instruments and documents executed and delivered in connection therewith, as amended.

 

Initial Reserve Report” means, collectively, the report of the chief engineer of the Borrower with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Loan Parties dated as of December 21, 2021, including without limitation the Initial Acquisition Assets.

 

Intercreditor Agreement” means an intercreditor agreement among Borrower, one or more Approved Counterparties, and Administrative Agent, as contractual collateral representative for itself, the Lenders, the Swap Lenders and such Approved Counterparties, as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

Interest Payment Date” means with respect to any ABR Loan, the last day of each March, June, September and December.

 

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

 

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

 

Investment” means, for any Person: (a) the acquisition (whether for cash, Property, services or securities or otherwise) of Equity Interests of any other Person or any agreement to make any such acquisition (including any “short sale” or any sale of any securities at a time when such securities are not owned by the Person entering into such short sale); (b) the making of any deposit with, or advance, loan or capital contribution to, assumption of Debt of, purchase or other acquisition of any other Debt of or equity participation or interest in, or other extension of credit to, any other Person (including the purchase of Property from another Person subject to an understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to resell such Property to such Person, but excluding any such advance, loan or extension of credit having a term not exceeding ninety (90) days representing the purchase price of goods or services sold by such Person in the ordinary course of business); or (c) the purchase or acquisition (in one or a series of transactions) of Property of another Person that constitutes a business unit or any agreement to make any such acquisition.

 

Issuing Bank” means (a) FBSW and (b) and each Lender approved by the Administrative Agent and reasonably satisfactory to, or requested by, the Borrower that agrees to act as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, in each case, in its capacity as the issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Section 2.08(i). Any Issuing Bank may, in its discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by its Affiliates, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Affiliate.

 

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

 

Law” means any law(s) (including common law), constitution, statute, treaty, regulation, rule, ordinance, opinion, issued guidance, release, ruling, order, executive order, injunction, writ, decree, bond, judgment, authorization or approval, lien or award of or any settlement arrangement, by agreement, consent or otherwise, with any Governmental Authority, foreign or domestic.

 

 Page 17
 

 

LC Commitment” at any time means 10% of the Borrowing Base then in effect.

 

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

 

LC Exposure” means, at any time of determination, the sum of (a) the aggregate amount available to be drawn of all outstanding Letters of Credit at such time (if any Letter of Credit shall increase in amount automatically in the future, such aggregate amount available to be drawn shall currently give effect to any such future increase) plus (b) the aggregate amount of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of the Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.

 

Lenders” means the Persons listed on Annex I and any Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or other documentation contemplated hereby, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption or other documentation contemplated hereby. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Issuing Banks.

 

Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued pursuant to this Agreement.

 

Letter of Credit Agreements” means all letter of credit applications and other agreements (including any amendments, modifications or supplements thereto) submitted by the Borrower, or entered into by the Borrower, with an Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit.

 

Lien” means any interest in Property securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the Property, whether such interest is based on the common law, statute or contract, and whether such obligation or claim is fixed or contingent, and including but not limited to (a) the lien or security interest arising from a mortgage, encumbrance, pledge, security agreement, conditional sale or trust receipt or a lease, consignment or bailment for security purposes or (b) production payments and the like payable out of Oil and Gas Properties. The term “Lien” shall include easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations that burden Property to the extent they secure an obligation owed to a Person other than the owner of the Property. For the purposes of this Agreement, the Loan Parties shall be deemed to be the owner of any Property which they have acquired or hold subject to a conditional sale agreement, or leases under a financing lease or other arrangement pursuant to which title to the Property has been retained by or vested in some other Person in a transaction intended to create a financing.

 

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Notes, the Letter of Credit Agreements, the Letters of Credit, the Security Instruments, the Intercreditor Agreement, the Fee Letter and any other agreement entered into, now or in the future, in connection with this Agreement.

 

Loan Party” means the Borrower and each Guarantor.

 

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

 

Majority Lenders” means, at any time while no Loans or LC Exposure is outstanding, Lenders having greater than fifty percent (50%) of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts; and at any time while any Loans or LC Exposure is outstanding, Lenders holding greater than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans or participation interests in Letters of Credit (without regard to any sale by a Lender of a participation in any Loan under Section 12.04(c)); provided that the Maximum Credit Amounts and the principal amount of the Loans and participations interests in Letters of Credit of the Defaulting Lenders (if any) shall be excluded from the determination of Majority Lenders.

 

 Page 18
 

 

Material Adverse Effect” means any event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on (a) the business, operations, Property, assets, liabilities (actual or contingent), condition (financial or otherwise), prospects or material agreements of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to perform any of its material obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party, (c) the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document, or (d) the rights and remedies of or benefits available to the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender under any Loan Document.

 

Material Indebtedness” means Debt (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of any Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $500,000. For purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the obligations of any Loan Party in respect of any Swap Agreement at any time shall be the Swap Termination Value thereof.

 

Maturity Date” means January 5, 2026.

 

Maximum Credit Amount” means, as to each Lender, the amount set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Annex I under the caption “Maximum Credit Amounts”, as the same may be (a) reduced or terminated from time to time in connection with a reduction or termination of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts pursuant to Section 2.06 or (b) modified from time to time pursuant to any assignment permitted by Section 12.04(b). As of the Effective Date, the aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts of the Lenders are $100,000,000.

 

Minimum Collateral Amount” means, at any time, (i) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances, an amount equal to 105% of the Fronting Exposure of all Issuing Banks with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time and (ii) if the Borrower agrees to deliver Cash Collateral consisting of Property other than cash or deposit account balances, an amount determined by the relevant Issuing Bank in its sole discretion.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, during the preceding five plan years has made or been obligated to make contributions, or has any liability.

 

Multiple Employer Plan” means a Plan with respect to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is a contributing sponsor, and that has two or more contributing sponsors at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.

 

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

 

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

 

 Page 19
 

 

Notes” means the promissory notes, if any, of the Borrower described in Section 2.02(d) and being substantially in the form of Exhibit A, together with all amendments, modifications, replacements, extensions and rearrangements thereof.

 

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

 

Oil and Gas Properties” means (a) Hydrocarbon Interests; (b) the Properties now or hereafter pooled or unitized with Hydrocarbon Interests; (c) all presently existing or future unitization agreements, pooling agreements and declarations of pooled units and the units created thereby (including all units created under orders, regulations and rules of any Governmental Authority) which may affect all or any portion of the Hydrocarbon Interests; (d) all operating agreements, contracts and other agreements, including production sharing contracts and agreements, which relate to any of the Hydrocarbon Interests or the production, sale, transportation, purchase, exchange or processing of Hydrocarbons from or attributable to such Hydrocarbon Interests; (e) all Hydrocarbons in and under and which may be produced and saved or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests, including all oil in tanks, and all rents, issues, profits, proceeds, products, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests; (f) all tenements, hereditaments, appurtenances and Properties in any manner appertaining, belonging, affixed or incidental to the Hydrocarbon Interests and (g) all Properties, rights, titles, interests and estates described or referred to above, including any and all Property, real or personal, now owned or hereafter acquired and situated upon, used, held for use or useful in connection with the operating, working or development of any of such Hydrocarbon Interests or Property (excluding drilling rigs, automotive equipment, rental equipment or other personal Property which may be on such premises for the purpose of drilling a well or for other similar temporary uses) and including any and all oil wells, gas wells, injection wells or other wells, buildings, structures, fuel separators, liquid extraction plants, plant compressors, pumps, pumping units, field gathering systems, gas processing plants and pipeline systems and any related infrastructure to any thereof, tanks and tank batteries, fixtures, valves, fittings, machinery and parts, engines, boilers, meters, apparatus, equipment, appliances, tools, implements, cables, wires, towers, casing, tubing and rods, surface leases, rights-of-way, easements and servitudes together with all additions, substitutions, replacements, accessions and attachments to any and all of the foregoing; provided that the Oil and Gas Properties shall not include any “building” or “mobile home” (each as defined in Regulation H as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board under the Flood Insurance Regulations). Unless otherwise indicated herein, each reference to the term “Oil and Gas Properties” means Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, as the context may require.

 

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

 

Other Connection Taxes” means with respect to any Recipient, Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (other than connections arising from such Recipient having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to, or enforced, any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan, Letter of Credit or Loan Document).

 

 Page 20
 

 

Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp, court or documentary, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from any payment made under, from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document, except any such Taxes that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 5.05).

 

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

 

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

 

PATRIOT Act” means the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

 

Payment Recipient” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.12(a).

 

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

 

Pension Act” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

 

Pension Funding Rules” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum funding standards and minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and Multiemployer Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Sections 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.

 

Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan, but excluding a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.

 

Permitted EIDL” means one or more unsecured loans to one or more Loan Parties, in each case advanced by the SBA, pursuant to the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program of the CARES Act, provided that, with respect to any such loan incurred after the Closing Date, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of incurrence thereof.

 

Permitted PPP Loans” means one or more unsecured loans to one or more Loan Parties, in each case advanced by a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or another financial institution reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program of the CARES Act, provided that, with respect to any such loan incurred after the Closing Date, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of incurrence thereof.

 

Permitted Tax Distribution” means, with respect to any taxable period during which the Borrower is a pass-through entity for United States federal income tax purposes (including, for the avoidance of doubt, a disregarded entity not treated as separate from its owner) Restricted Payments to holders of equity in the Borrower such that each such equity holder receives an amount from such Restricted Payment necessary to enable such equity holder (or, to the extent such equity holder is a pass-through or disregarded entity, its direct and indirect equity holders) to pay its U.S. federal, state and/or local income taxes (as applicable) attributable to its direct or indirect ownership of the Borrower with respect to such taxable period (assuming that each such equity holder is subject to tax at the highest combined marginal federal, state, and/or local income tax rate applicable to any such equity holder for such taxable period and taking into account the deductibility of state and local income taxes for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and any limitations thereon), the alternative minimum tax, any cumulative net taxable loss of the Borrower for prior taxable periods to the extent such loss has not previously been utilized pursuant to this clause and is of a character that would allow such loss to be available to such equity holders to reduce such attributable taxes of such equity holders in the current taxable period (taking into account any limitations on the utilization of such loss by such equity holders to reduce such attributable taxes) and the character (e.g., long-term or short-term capital gain or ordinary or exempt) of the applicable income).

 

 Page 21
 

 

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

 

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

 

Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, maintained for employees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any such plan to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees or with respect to which the Borrower has any liability.

 

Platform” means Debt Domain, Intralinks, Syndtrak, DebtX or a substantially similar electronic transmission system.

 

Prime Rate” means the rate of interest per annum last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). Any change in the Prime Rate shall take effect at the opening of business on the day such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

PV-10” means, on any date of determination, with respect to any Proved Reserves expected to be produced from any Borrowing Base Properties, the net present value, discounted at 10% per annum, of the future net revenues expected to accrue to the Borrower’s and the Loan Parties’ collective interests in such Proved Reserves during the remaining expected economic lives of such reserves, calculated in accordance with the most recent bank price deck provided to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent.

 

QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

 

 Page 22
 

 

QFC Credit Support” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.19.

 

Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, in respect of any Swap Obligation, each Loan Party that has total assets exceeding $10,000,000 at the time the relevant guaranty agreement or the grant of the relevant Lien becomes effective or such other Person as constitutes an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

RCRA” has the meaning assigned to such term within the definition of “Environmental Laws.”

 

Recipient” means, as applicable, (a) the Administrative Agent, (b) any Lender, or (c) the Issuing Bank, or any combination thereof (as the context requires).

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Related Parties” means, with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors (including attorneys, accountants and experts) of such Person and such Person’s Affiliates.

 

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

 

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

 

Removal Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.06(b).

 

Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30-day notice period has been waived.

 

Required Lenders” means, at any time while no Loans or LC Exposure is outstanding, Lenders having at least sixty-six and two thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts; and at any time while any Loans or LC Exposure is outstanding, Lenders holding at least sixty-six and two thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans or participation interests in Letters of Credit (without regard to any sale by a Lender of a participation in any Loan under Section 12.04(c)); provided that the Maximum Credit Amounts and the principal amount of the Loans and participation interests in Letters of Credit of the Defaulting Lenders (if any) shall be excluded from the determination of Required Lenders.

 

Reserve Report” means a report, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth, as of the dates set forth in Section 8.12(a) (or such other date in the event of an Interim Redetermination), the Proved Reserves attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties located in the United States of America, together with a projection of the rate of production and future net income, taxes, operating expenses and capital expenditures with respect thereto as of such date, based upon economic assumptions consistent with the Administrative Agent’s lending requirements at the time.

 

 Page 23
 

 

Reserve Report Certificate” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.12(c).

 

Resignation Effective Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 11.06(a).

 

Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

 

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

 

Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution or return of capital (whether in cash, securities or other Property) with respect to any Equity Interests in any Person, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other Property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, conversion, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests.

 

Revolving Credit Exposure” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal amount of such Lender’s Loans and its LC Exposure at such time.

 

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto that is a nationally recognized rating agency.

 

Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (as of the Effective Date, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

 

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

 

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

 

SBA” means the U.S. Small Business Administration.

 

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

 

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

 

 Page 24
 

 

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

 

Secured Cash Management Agreement” means an agreement related to Cash Management Services between (x) any Loan Party and (y) a Secured Cash Management Provider.

 

Secured Cash Management Provider” means, with respect to any agreement related to Cash Management Services, a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Affiliate of the Administrative Agent who is the counterparty to any such agreement related to Cash Management Services.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Secured Swap Provider” means, with respect to any Swap Agreement, (a) each Swap Lender, and (b) each other Approved Counterparty party to the Intercreditor Agreement (with respect to the Mortgages) who is a counterparty to any such Swap Agreement with a Loan Party.

 

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Security Instruments” means the Guaranty Agreement, Mortgages and any security agreements, deeds of trust and other agreements, instruments or certificates described or referred to in Exhibit F, and any and all other agreements, instruments, consents or certificates now or hereafter executed and delivered by the Borrower, the other Loan Parties or any other Person (other than Swap Agreements with Secured Swap Providers or participation or similar agreements between any Lender and any other lender or creditor with respect to any Secured Obligations pursuant to this Agreement) in connection with, or as security for the payment or performance of the Secured Obligations, the Notes, this Agreement, or reimbursement obligations under the Letters of Credit, as such agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

 

Solvent” means, with respect to any Person as of any date, that (a) the value of the assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (both at fair value and present fair saleable value) is, on the date of determination, greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent and unliquidated liabilities) of such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, as of such date, (b) as of such date, such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are able to pay their liabilities as such liabilities mature, and (c) as of such date, such Person and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, do not have unreasonably small capital given the nature of their business. In computing the amount of contingent or unliquidated liabilities at any time, such liabilities shall be computed at the amount that, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

 Page 25
 

 

Specified Financial Covenants” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 10.03(a).

 

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

 

Supported QFC” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.19.

 

Swap Agreement” means any agreement with respect to any swap, cap, collar, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement, whether exchange traded, “over-the-counter” or otherwise, involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions (including any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act); provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of any Loan Party shall be a Swap Agreement.

 

Swap Lender” means, with respect to any Swap Agreement, (a) a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender who is the counterparty to any such Swap Agreement with a Loan Party, and (b) any Person who was a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender at time when such Person entered into any such Swap Agreement who is a counterparty to any such Swap Agreement with a Loan Party.

 

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

 

Swap Termination” means any Swap Agreement, which has been given value in the then effective Borrowing Base, (a) is terminated, unwound or monetized, or (b) is not fully performed for any reason by the counterparty thereto (unless such counterparty is a non-Defaulting Lender or an Affiliate of a non-Defaulting Lender).

 

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

 

Synthetic Leases” means, in respect of any Person, all leases which shall have been, or should have been, in accordance with GAAP, treated as operating leases on the financial statements of the Person liable (whether contingently or otherwise) for the payment of rent thereunder and which were properly treated as indebtedness for borrowed money for purposes of U.S. federal income taxes, if the lessee in respect thereof is obligated to either purchase for an amount in excess of, or pay upon early termination an amount in excess of, 80% of the residual value of the Property subject to such operating lease upon expiration or early termination of such lease.

 

 Page 26
 

 

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

 

Termination Date” means the earlier of the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Commitments.

 

Test Period” means, at any time, the four consecutive fiscal quarters of the Borrower then last ended (in each case taken as one accounting period) for which financial statements have been or are required to be delivered pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, for purposes of the calculation of the applicable components of the financial covenant calculations contained herein for the Test Period ending March 31, 2022, such amounts shall be annualized by taking the results of the fiscal quarter then ending, and multiplying them by four (4); for the Test Period ending June 30, 2022, such amounts shall be annualized by taking the results of the two (2) fiscal quarters then ending, and multiplying them by two (2); and for the Test Period ending September 30, 2022, such amounts shall be annualized by taking the results of the three (3) fiscal quarters then ending, and multiplying them by four (4) and dividing them by three (3).

 

Total Debt” means, at any date, all Debt described in clauses (a), (b), (d), and (e) of the definition thereof (and, to the extent relating to Debt of the types described in such clauses, Debt described in clause (g) of the definition thereof), in each case of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, less the LC Exposure.

 

Total Debt to Capitalization Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) total Debt of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date, to (b) the sum of (i) the total consolidated members’ equity of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP as of such date, plus (ii) total Debt of Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date.

 

Transactions” means, with respect to (a) the Borrower, the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this Agreement, each other Loan Document to which it is a party, the borrowing of Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of the Initial Acquisition, the Borrower’s grant of the security interests and provision of collateral under the Security Instruments, and Borrower’s grant of Liens on Mortgaged Properties (if applicable) and other Properties pursuant to the Security Instruments, and (b) each other Loan Party, the execution, delivery and performance by such Loan Party of each Loan Document to which it is a party, the guaranteeing of the Secured Obligations and the other obligations under the Guaranty Agreement by such Loan Party and such Loan Party’s grant of the security interests and provision of collateral under the Security Instruments, and the grant of Liens by such Guarantor on Mortgaged Properties (if applicable) and other Properties pursuant to the Security Instruments.

 

UK Financial Institution” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended form time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

 

 Page 27
 

 

UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.

 

U.S. Person” means a Person that is a “United States person” as defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

 

U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 12.19.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that person or any other person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.

 

Section 1.03 [Reserved].

 

Section 1.04 Terms Generally; Rules of Construction. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”, and the word “or” is not exclusive. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth in the Loan Documents), (b) any reference herein to any law shall be construed as referring to such law as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time, (c) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to the restrictions contained in the Loan Documents), (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (e) with respect to the determination of any time period, the word “from” means “from and including” and the word “to” and “until” means “to but excluding” and the word “through” means “to and including” and (f) any reference herein to Articles, Sections, Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement. No provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be interpreted or construed against any Person solely because such Person or its legal representative drafted such provision.

 

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Section 1.05 Accounting Terms; Changes in GAAP.

 

(a) Accounting Terms. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall be construed in conformity with GAAP. Financial statements and other information required to be delivered by the Borrower to the Lenders pursuant to Sections 8.01(a) and 8.01(b) shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect at the time of such preparation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded.

 

(b) Changes in GAAP. If the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith.

 

Section 1.06 Timing of Payment or Performance. When the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day.

 

Section 1.07 Rates. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission or any other matter related to any rate or replacement rate hereunder.

 

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

 

Section 1.09 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the amount of such Letter of Credit available to be drawn at such time; provided that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Letter of Credit Agreement related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the available amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum amount is available to be drawn at such time.

 

ARTICLE II
The Credits

 

Section 2.01 Commitments. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each Lender severally agrees to make Loans to the Borrower during the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result in (a) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding such Lender’s Commitment or (b) the total Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total Commitments. Within the foregoing limits and subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow the Loans.

 

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Section 2.02 Loans and Borrowings.

 

(a) Borrowings; Several Obligations. Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided that the Commitments are several and no Lender shall be responsible for any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.

 

(b) [Reserved].

 

(c) Minimum Amounts; Limitation on Number of Borrowings. At the time that each ABR Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $50,000 and not less than $100,000; provided that an ABR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the entire unused balance of the total Commitments or that is required to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.08(e).

 

(d) Notes. If requested by a Lender, the Loans made by such Lender shall be evidenced by a single Note of the Borrower, dated, in the case of (i) any Lender party hereto as of the date of this Agreement, or (ii) any Lender that becomes a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, as of the effective date of the Assignment and Assumption, payable to such Lender in a principal amount equal to its Maximum Credit Amount as in effect on such date, and otherwise duly completed. Upon request from a Lender, in the event that any such Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount increases or decreases for any reason (whether pursuant to Section 2.06, Section 12.04(b) or otherwise), the Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered on the effective date of such increase or decrease, a new Note payable to such Lender in a principal amount equal to its Maximum Credit Amount after giving effect to such increase or decrease, and otherwise duly completed. The date, amount, and interest rate of each Loan made by such Lender, and all payments made on account of the principal thereof, may be recorded by such Lender on its books for its Note, and, prior to any transfer, may be endorsed by such Lender on a schedule attached to such Note or any continuation thereof or on any separate record maintained by such Lender. Failure to make any such notation or to attach a schedule shall not affect any Lender’s or the Borrower’s rights or obligations in respect of such Loans or affect the validity of such transfer by any Lender of its Note.

 

Section 2.03 Requests for Borrowings. To request a Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of such request by telephone or by e-mail in the case of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., central standard time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing; provided that no such notice shall be required for any deemed request of an ABR Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.08(e). Each such telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand delivery, fax or other electronic communication to the Administrative Agent of a written Borrowing Request in substantially the form of Exhibit B and signed by the Borrower, it being understood that the Administrative Agent may rely on the authority of any individual making such a telephonic request without the necessity of receipt of such written confirmation. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:

 

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(i) the aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;

 

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

 

(iii) [reserved];

 

(iv) [reserved];

 

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

 

(vi) the location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section 2.05; and

 

(vii) the Consolidated Cash Balance (without regard to the requested Borrowing) and the pro forma Consolidated Cash Balance (giving pro forma effect to the requested Borrowing and any use of proceeds thereof on the date such requested Borrowing will be funded).

 

Each Borrowing Request shall constitute a representation (1) that the amount of the requested Borrowing shall not cause the total Revolving Credit Exposures to exceed the total Commitments (i.e., the lesser of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts and the then effective Borrowing Base) and (2) that after giving pro forma effect to the requested Borrowing and any use of proceeds thereof on the date such requested Borrowing will be funded, the Loan Parties shall not have any Excess Cash.

 

Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with this Section 2.03, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the requested Borrowing.

 

Section 2.04 [Reserved]

 

Section 2.05 Funding of Borrowings.

 

(a) Funding by the Lenders. Each Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by wire transfer of immediately available funds by 2:00 p.m., central standard time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders. The Administrative Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting the amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower maintained with the Administrative Agent and designated by the Borrower in the applicable Borrowing Request; provided that ABR Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.08(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to the applicable Issuing Bank. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any Lender to obtain the funds for its Loan in any particular place or manner or to constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain the funds for its Loan in any particular place or manner.

 

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(b) Presumption of Funding by the Lenders. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s share of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.05(a) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent has disbursed said amount to Borrower, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such Borrowing.

 

Section 2.06 Termination and Reduction of Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts.

 

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

 

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

 

(i) The Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts; provided that (A) each reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $50,000 and not less than $500,000 and (B) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts if, after giving effect to any concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 3.04(b), the total Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the total Commitments.

 

(ii) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate or reduce the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts under Section 2.06(b)(i) at least three Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction, specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Any election by the Borrower to terminate or reduce the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts pursuant to a notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.06(b)(ii) may be made to be contingent upon the consummation of a refinancing or effectiveness of other credit facilities and such notice may otherwise be extended or revoked. Any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts shall be permanent and may not be reinstated. Each reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts shall be made ratably among the Lenders in accordance with each Lender’s Applicable Percentage.

 

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Section 2.07 Borrowing Base.

 

(a) Initial Borrowing Base. For the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the first Redetermination Date, the amount of the Borrowing Base shall be $15,000,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrowing Base may be subject to further adjustments from time to time pursuant to the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions.

 

(b) Scheduled and Interim Redeterminations. The Borrowing Base shall be redetermined on a semi-annual basis in accordance with this Section 2.07 (each such redetermination, a “Scheduled Redetermination”). Subject to Section 2.07(d), such redetermined Borrowing Base shall become effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders on or about April 1st and October 1st of each year, as applicable, commencing April 1, 2022. In addition, (i) the Borrower may, by notifying the Administrative Agent thereof one time between any two successive Scheduled Redeterminations, and (ii) the Administrative Agent may, at the direction of the Required Lenders, by notifying the Borrower thereof one time between any two successive Scheduled Redeterminations, each elect to cause the Borrowing Base to be redetermined (an “Interim Redetermination”) in accordance with this Section 2.07.

 

(c) Scheduled and Interim Redetermination Procedure. Scheduled Redetermination and each Interim Redetermination shall be effectuated as follows:

 

(i) Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of (A) the applicable Reserve Report and related Reserve Report Certificate and (B) such other reports, data and supplemental information, including, without limitation, the information provided pursuant to Section 8.01 (as applicable) and Section 8.12, as may, from time to time, be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Majority Lenders (the Reserve Report, related Reserve Report Certificate and such other reports, data and supplemental information being the “Engineering Reports”), the Administrative Agent shall evaluate the information contained in the Engineering Reports and shall, in its sole discretion, propose a new Borrowing Base (the “Proposed Borrowing Base”) based upon any information and such other information (including, without limitation, the status of title information with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties as described in the Engineering Reports and the existence of any other Debt, the Loan Parties’ other assets, liabilities, fixed charges, cash flow, business properties, prospects, management and ownership, hedged and unhedged exposure to price, price and production scenarios, interest rate and operating cost changes) as the Administrative Agent deems appropriate in its sole discretion and consistent with its oil and gas lending criteria as it exists at the particular time. In no event shall the Proposed Borrowing Base exceed the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts.

 

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

 

(A) in the case of a Scheduled Redetermination (1) if the Administrative Agent shall have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.12(a) in a timely and complete manner, then on or before the fifteenth (15th) day following the date of delivery (or such later date, within 30 days thereof, to which the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree) or (2) if the Administrative Agent shall not have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.12(a) in a timely and complete manner, then promptly after the Administrative Agent has received complete Engineering Reports from the Borrower and has had a reasonable opportunity to determine the Proposed Borrowing Base in accordance with Section 2.07(c)(i); and

 

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(B) in the case of an Interim Redetermination, on or about the thirtieth (30th) day after the Administrative Agent has received the required Engineering Reports (unless otherwise agreed by the Borrower).

 

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

 

(d) Effectiveness of a Redetermined Borrowing Base. After a redetermined Borrowing Base is approved or is deemed to have been approved by all of the Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders) or the Required Lenders, as applicable, pursuant to Section 2.07(c)(iii), the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders in writing of the amount of the redetermined Borrowing Base (the “New Borrowing Base Notice”), and such amount shall become the new Borrowing Base, effective and applicable to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders:

 

(i) in the case of a Scheduled Redetermination, (A) if the Administrative Agent shall have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.12(a) and (c) in a timely and complete manner, then on or about April 1st or October 1st of each year, as applicable (or such later time as (x) the Borrower may agree upon request of the Administrative Agent or (y) the Majority Lenders may agree upon the request of the Borrower), following such notice, or (B) if the Administrative Agent shall not have received the Engineering Reports required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.12(a) and (c) in a timely and complete manner, then on the Business Day next succeeding delivery of such New Borrowing Base Notice; and

 

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

 

Such amount shall then become the Borrowing Base until the next Scheduled Redetermination Date, the next Interim Redetermination Date or the next adjustment to the Borrowing Base under the Borrowing Base Adjustment Provisions, whichever occurs first. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Scheduled Redetermination or Interim Redetermination shall become effective until the New Borrowing Base Notice related thereto is received by the Borrower.

 

(e) Borrowing Base Reductions.

 

(i) If the sum of (A) the Borrowing Base value of the aggregate of dispositions of Oil and Gas Properties and Equity Interests occurring in any period between Scheduled Redeterminations, plus (B) the Borrowing Base value of Swap Terminations occurring in the same period exceeds 5% of the then effective Borrowing Base, then the Borrowing Base shall be reduced in an amount determined by the Administrative Agent in its discretion in accordance with the standards set forth in Section 2.07(a) taking into account both Borrowing Base value or attributed value of such dispositions and the Borrowing Base value given to such Swap Agreements. Any redetermination of the Borrowing Base pursuant to this Section 2.07(e)(i) shall not be considered an Interim Redetermination requested by the Administrative Agent within the meaning of Section 2.07(b).

 

(ii) The Borrowing Base may be reduced as provided in Section 8.13(c).

 

Section 2.08 Letters of Credit.

 

(a) General. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the issuance of dollar denominated Letters of Credit for its own account or for the account of any other Loan Party, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Bank, at any time and from time to time during the period from the Effective Date until the day which is five (5) Business Days prior to the end of the Availability Period; provided that the Borrower may not request the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of Letters of Credit hereunder if a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists at such time or would exist as a result thereof. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the applicable Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall control.

 

(b) Notice of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions. To request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver or fax (or transmit by electronic communication, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the applicable Issuing Bank) to the applicable Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (not less than five (5) Business Days, or such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Issuing Bank, in advance of the requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice:

 

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(i) requesting the issuance of a Letter of Credit or identifying the Letter of Credit to be amended, renewed or extended;

 

(ii) specifying the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day);

 

(iii) specifying the date on which such Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with Section 2.08(c));

 

(iv) specifying the amount of such Letter of Credit;

 

(v) specifying the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter of Credit; and

 

(vi) specifying the amount of the then effective Borrowing Base and whether a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists at such time, the current total Revolving Credit Exposures (without regard to the requested Letter of Credit or the requested amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit) and the pro forma total Revolving Credit Exposures (giving effect to the requested Letter of Credit or the requested amendment, renewal or extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit).

 

Each notice shall constitute a representation that after giving effect to the requested issuance, amendment, renewal or extension, as applicable, (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed the LC Commitment and (ii) the total Revolving Credit Exposures shall not exceed the total Commitments (i.e. the lesser of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts and the then effective Borrowing Base).

 

If requested by the applicable Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on the Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit and shall guarantee the reimbursement of any Letter of Credit issued hereunder.

 

(c) Expiration Date. Each Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter of Credit or, if a Letter of Credit is issued in favor of the Texas Railroad Commission or any similar regulatory or governing agency of another state (the “Specified L/Cs”), the date fifteen months after the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension of a Letter of Credit, one year or, in the case of the Specified L/Cs, fifteen (15) months after such renewal or extension), in each case unless consented to by the relevant Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent, and (ii) the date that is five Business Days prior to the Maturity Date.

 

(d) Participations. By the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank or the Lenders, such Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender, and each Lender hereby acquires from such Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter of Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of such Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as provided in Section 2.08(e), or of any reimbursement payment required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this Section 2.08(d) in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance of a Default, the existence of a Borrowing Base Deficiency or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever.

 

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(e) Reimbursement. If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit, the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to such LC Disbursement not later than 2:00 p.m., central standard time, on the Business Day immediately following the later of the Business Day on which such LC Disbursement is made and the Business Day the Borrower receives notice thereof; provided that, unless the Borrower has notified the relevant Issuing Bank and Administrative Agent that it will, and does, reimburse such LC Disbursement by the required date and time, the Borrower shall, subject to the conditions to Borrowing set forth herein, be deemed to have requested, and the Borrower does hereby request under such circumstances, that such payment be financed with an ABR Borrowing in an equivalent amount and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR Borrowing. If the Borrower fails to make such payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following receipt of such notice, each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.05 with respect to Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.05 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly pay to the applicable Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Lenders. Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.08(e), the Administrative Agent shall distribute such payment to the applicable Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made payments pursuant to this Section 2.08(e) to reimburse the applicable Issuing Bank, then to such Lenders and the Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made by a Lender pursuant to this section to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any LC Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Loans as contemplated above) shall not constitute a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such LC Disbursement.

 

(f) Obligations Absolute. The Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in Section 2.08(e) shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit, any Letter of Credit Agreement or this Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment by an Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or any Letter of Credit Agreement, or (iv) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section 2.08(f), constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties shall have any liability or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to any Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder), any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of any Issuing Bank; provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the applicable Issuing Bank from liability to the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused by such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the applicable Issuing Bank (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Bank shall be deemed to have exercised all requisite care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, an Issuing Bank may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit.

 

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

 

(h) Interim Interest. If an Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, until the Borrower shall have reimbursed such Issuing Bank for such LC Disbursement (either with its own funds or a Borrowing under Section 2.08(e)), the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable to ABR Loans. Interest accrued pursuant to this Section 2.08(h) shall be for the account of such Issuing Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any Lender pursuant to Section 2.08(e) to reimburse such Issuing Bank shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such payment.

 

(i) Replacement of an Issuing Bank. An Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such replacement of the Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of the replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 3.05(b). From and after the effective date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all the rights and obligations of the replaced Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the term “Issuing Bank” shall also be deemed to refer to such successor. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder, the replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have all the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not be required to issue additional Letters of Credit.

 

(j) Cash Collateralization.

 

(i) If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing and the Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Majority Lenders demanding the deposit of Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.08(j), then the Borrower shall deposit, in an account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent and for the benefit of the Secured Parties, an amount in cash equal to the LC Exposure. If the Borrower is required to pay to the Administrative Agent the excess attributable to an LC Exposure in connection with any prepayment pursuant to Section 3.04(c), the Borrower shall deposit in such an account an amount equal to the amount of such excess as provided in Section 3.04(c), as of such date plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon. The obligation to deposit such Cash Collateral pursuant to the two preceding sentences shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become immediately due and payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect to the Borrower or any Subsidiary described in Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i).

 

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(ii) At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within one Business Day following the written request of the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender (determined after giving effect to Section 4.05(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by such Defaulting Lender) in an amount not less than the Minimum Collateral Amount.

 

(A) Grant of Security Interest. The Borrower, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Banks, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such Cash Collateral as security for the Defaulting Lenders’ LC Exposure, to be applied pursuant to clause (B) below. If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency (after giving effect to any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).

 

(B) Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under this Section 2.08(j) or Section 4.05 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein.

 

(C) Termination of Requirement. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce any Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure shall no longer be required to be held as Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.08(j) following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender) or (ii) the determination by the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided that, subject to Section 4.05 the Person providing Cash Collateral and each Issuing Bank may agree that Cash Collateral shall be held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations and provided further that to the extent that such Cash Collateral was provided by the Borrower, such Cash Collateral shall remain subject to the security interest granted pursuant to the Loan Documents.

 

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ARTICLE III
Payments of Principal and Interest; Prepayments; Fees

 

Section 3.01 Repayment of Loans. The Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each Loan on the Termination Date.

 

Section 3.02 Interest.

 

(a) ABR Loans. The Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing shall bear interest at the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.

 

(b) [Reserved].

 

(c) Post-Default Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if (i) an Event of Default specified in Sections 10.01(a), 10.01(b), 10.01(h) or 10.01(i) has occurred and is continuing, or (ii) the Required Lenders so elect (or direct the Administrative Agent to so elect) in connection with the occurrence and continuance of any other Event of Default, then in each case, all Loans outstanding at such time shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at the rate then applicable to such Loans (including the Applicable Margin) plus an additional two percent (2.0%), but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.

 

(d) Interest Payment Dates. Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date for such Loan and on the Termination Date; provided that interest accrued pursuant to Section 3.02(c) shall be payable on demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other than an optional prepayment of an ABR Loan prior to the Termination Date), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment.

 

(e) Interest Rate Computations. All interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days unless such computation would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, in which case interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), except that interest computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and in each case shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day). The Alternate Base Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and be binding upon the parties hereto.

 

Section 3.03 [Reserved].

 

Section 3.04 Prepayments.

 

(a) Optional Prepayments. The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with Section 3.04(b).

 

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(b) Notice and Terms of Optional Prepayment. The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent by telephone (confirmed by fax or other electronic transmission) of any prepayment hereunder in the case of prepayment of an ABR Borrowing, not later than 1:00 p.m., central standard time, at least one Business Day prior to the date of prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify (i) the prepayment date, and (ii) the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof to be prepaid, which shall not be less than the lesser of (x) the Revolving Credit Exposure or (y) $500,000 for any Loan; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection with a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by Section 2.06(b), then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice of termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.06(b). Promptly following receipt of any such notice relating to a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment of any Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in the case of an advance of a Borrowing as provided in Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Borrowing shall be applied ratably to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 3.02.

 

(c) Mandatory Prepayments.

 

(i) Upon Optional Terminations and Reductions. If, after giving effect to any termination or reduction of the Aggregate Maximum Credit Amounts pursuant to Section 2.06(b), there is a Borrowing Base Deficiency, then the Borrower shall (A) prepay the Borrowings on the date of such termination or reduction in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Borrowing Base Deficiency, and (B) if any Borrowing Base Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Borrowings as a result of LC Exposure, Cash Collateralize such remaining deficiency as provided in Section 2.08(j). The Borrower shall be obligated to make such prepayment and/or deposit of Cash Collateral substantially concurrently with the effectiveness of such termination or reduction.

 

(ii) Upon Redeterminations, Title Related Adjustments, Etc. Upon any redetermination of the Borrowing Base pursuant to Section 2.07(b), if there is a Borrowing Base Deficiency, then, after receiving notice from the Administrative Agent by means of (x) a New Borrowing Base Notice or (y) written notice of adjustment pursuant to Section 8.13(c), in each case, of such Borrowing Base Deficiency (such date of receipt of notice, the “Deficiency Notification Date”), the Borrower shall, within ten (10) Business Days of the Deficiency Notification Date, deliver written notice to the Administrative Agent indicating the Borrower’s election to take one of the following actions:

 

(A) within thirty (30) days of the date such election is made, (1) prepay the Loans in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Borrowing Base Deficiency and (2) if any Borrowing Base Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Loans as a result of any LC Exposure, Cash Collateralize such excess as provided in Section 2.08(j),

 

(B) prepay the Loans in six (6) equal monthly installments, commencing on the thirtieth (30th) day following the Deficiency Notification Date with each payment being equal to 1/6th of the aggregate principal amount of such excess (as such Borrowing Base Deficiency may be reduced during such six-month period as a result of a Borrowing Base re-determination or other adjustment of the Borrowing Base described herein),

 

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(C) within thirty (30) days (or such later date as may be approved by the Administrative Agent in writing) of the date such election is made, provide additional collateral in the form of additional Oil and Gas Properties not evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report or other collateral reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent having a Borrowing Base value (as proposed by the Administrative Agent and approved by the Required Lenders) sufficient, after giving effect to any other actions taken pursuant to this Section 3.04(c) to eliminate any such excess, or

 

(D) (1) combine the options provided in clauses (A), (B) and (C) above and specify (in the written notice delivered to the Administrative Agent electing such option) the amount to be prepaid pursuant to clauses (A) and/or (B) and the amount to be provided as additional Mortgaged Property pursuant to clause (C), and (2) make such payments, and deliver such additional Mortgaged Property, within the time periods required under clauses (A), (B) and (C) above, as applicable.

 

provided that, notwithstanding the options set forth above, in all cases, the Borrowing Base Deficiency must be eliminated on or prior to the Termination Date. If, because of LC Exposure, a Borrowing Base Deficiency remains after prepaying all of the Loans, the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize such remaining Borrowing Base Deficiency as provided in Section 2.08(j). In the event the Borrower fails to provide written notice to the Administrative Agent of its election under this Section 3.04(c)(ii) within the ten (10) Business Day period referred to above, the Borrower shall be deemed to have elected the option set forth in clause (A) above. The failure of the Borrower to comply with any of the options elected (including any deemed election) pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.04(c)(ii) and specified in such notice (or relating to such deemed election) shall constitute an Event of Default.

 

(iii) Upon Certain Adjustments. If there is a Borrowing Base Deficiency as a result of a Borrowing Base adjustment other than pursuant to Section 2.07(b) or Section 8.13(c), then on the next Business Day after the occurrence of such Borrowing Base adjustment, the Borrower shall prepay Borrowings in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Borrowing Base Deficiency and if any Borrowing Base Deficiency remains as a result of LC Exposure, pay to Administrative Agent an amount equal to such remaining Borrowing Base Deficiency to be held as Cash Collateral as provided in Section 2.08(j).

 

(iv) Upon Existence of Excess Cash. If, on any Consolidated Cash Balance Measurement Day, (A) the ratio of Total Debt (after giving pro forma effect to any Borrowing to be made on such date) to EBITDAX for the Test Period most recently ended, is not less than 2.0 to 1.0, (B) there are outstanding Borrowings or LC Exposure and (C) the Loan Parties have any Excess Cash, then the Borrower shall, on or before the end of the next Business Day, (x) prepay the Borrowings in an aggregate principal amount equal to such Excess Cash, and (y) if any Excess Cash remains after prepaying all of the Borrowings as a result of any LC Exposure, pay to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders an amount equal to such Excess Cash to be held as Cash Collateral as provided in Section 2.08(j). To the extent that there are funds on deposit in, or credited to, any deposit account or other account maintained with the Administrative Agent (or any Affiliate thereof) or any Lender (or any Affiliate thereof) on any date that the Borrower is required to prepay Loans (and/or cash collateralize LC Exposure, as applicable) pursuant to this Section 3.04(c)(iv), the Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes and instructs the Administrative Agent or such Lender to apply such funds to the prepayment of Loans (and/or cash collateralization of LC Exposure, as applicable).

 

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(v) Application of Prepayments to Borrowings. Each prepayment of Borrowings pursuant to this Section 3.04(c) shall be applied ratably to any ABR Borrowings then outstanding.

 

(vi) Interest to be Paid with Prepayments. Prepayments pursuant to this Section 3.04(c) shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 3.02.

 

(d) No Premium or Penalty. Prepayments permitted or required under this Section 3.04 shall be without premium or penalty.

 

Section 3.05 Fees.

 

(a) Commitment Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender to the extent set forth in Section 4.05) a commitment fee, which shall accrue at the applicable Commitment Fee Rate on the average daily unused amount of the Commitment of such Lender (determined taking into account both Loans and LC Exposure) during the period from and including the date of this Agreement to but excluding the Termination Date. Accrued commitment fees shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year and on the Termination Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof. All commitment fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, unless such computation would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, in which case interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

 

(b) Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender to the extent set forth in Section 4.05) a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Margin used to determine the interest rate applicable to ABR Loans (as such rate may be increased pursuant to Section 3.02(c)) on the average daily amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements that has been funded by such Lender) during the period from and including the date of this Agreement to but excluding the later of the date on which such Lender’s Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to have any LC Exposure, (ii) to each applicable Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall accrue at a rate of 0.125% per annum on the average daily amount of the LC Exposure attributable to such Issuing Bank (excluding any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and including the date of this Agreement to but excluding the later of the date of termination of the Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any LC Exposure and (iii) to each Issuing Bank, for its own account, its standard fees with respect to the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings thereunder. Participation fees and fronting fees accrued through and including the last Business Day of March, June, September and December of each year shall be payable on such last Business Day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date of this Agreement; provided that all such fees shall be payable on the Termination Date and any such fees accruing after the Termination Date shall be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to any Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 3.05(b) shall be payable within 10 days after demand. All participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, unless such computation would exceed the Highest Lawful Rate, in which case interest shall be computed on the basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year), and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including the first day but excluding the last day).

 

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(c) Administrative Agent Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent and Arranger, for their own account, agency and arranger fees payable in the amounts and at the times as set forth in the Fee Letter.

 

(d) Other Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent each of the other fees payable in the amounts and at the times as set forth in the Fee Letter.

 

ARTICLE IV
Payments; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs

 

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

 

(a) Payments by the Borrower. The Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether of principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts payable under Section 5.01, Section 5.03 or otherwise) prior to 2:00 p.m., central standard time, on the date when due, in immediately available funds, without defense, deduction, recoupment, set-off or counterclaim. Fees, once paid, shall be fully earned and shall not be refundable under any circumstances. Any amounts received after such time on any date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating interest thereon. All such payments shall be made to the Administrative Agent at its offices specified in Section 12.01, except payments to be made directly to the applicable Issuing Bank as expressly provided herein and except that payments pursuant to Section 5.01, Section 5.03 and Section 12.03 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such payments received by it for the account of any other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof. If any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the date for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in the case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for the period of such extension. All payments hereunder shall be made in dollars.

 

(b) Application of Insufficient Payments. If at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements, interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first, towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due to such parties.

 

(c) Sharing of Payments by Lenders. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and participations in LC Disbursements of other Lenders to the extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and participations in LC Disbursements; provided that (i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the provisions of this Section 4.01(c) shall not be construed to apply to any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section 4.01(c) shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

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Section 4.02 Presumption of Payment by the Borrower. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders and/or any applicable Issuing Bank that the Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption, distribute to the Lenders and/or any applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders and/or any applicable Issuing Bank, as the case may be, severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.

 

Section 4.03 Certain Deductions by the Administrative Agent. If any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(a), Section 2.08(d), Section 2.08(e) or Section 4.02 then the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully paid. If at any time prior to the acceleration or maturity of the Loans, the Administrative Agent shall receive any payment in respect of principal of a Loan or a reimbursement of an LC Disbursement while one or more Defaulting Lenders shall be party to this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall apply such payment first to the Borrowing(s) for which such Defaulting Lender(s) shall have failed to fund its pro rata share until such time as such Borrowing(s) are paid in full or each Lender (including each Defaulting Lender) is owed its Applicable Percentage of all Loans then outstanding. After acceleration or maturity of the Loans, all principal will be paid ratably as provided in Section 10.02(c).

 

Section 4.04 Disposition of Proceeds. The Security Instruments contain an assignment by the Borrower and/or the Guarantors unto and in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties of all of the Borrower’s or each Guarantor’s interest in and to production and all proceeds attributable thereto which may be produced from or allocated to the Mortgaged Property. The Security Instruments further provide in general for the application of such proceeds to the satisfaction of the Secured Obligations and other obligations described therein and secured thereby. Notwithstanding the assignment contained in such Security Instruments, until the occurrence of an Event of Default, (a) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that they will neither notify the purchaser or purchasers of such production nor take any other action to cause such proceeds to be remitted to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, but the Lenders will instead permit such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (b) the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to take such actions as may be necessary to cause such proceeds to be paid to the Borrower and/or such Subsidiaries.

 

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Section 4.05 Defaulting Lenders.

 

(a) Defaulting Lender Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

 

(i) Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of Required Lenders.

 

(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article X or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 12.08 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Bank hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.08(j); fourth, as the Borrower may request (so long as no Default or Event of Default exists), to the funding of any Loan in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Loans under this Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.08(j); sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender or the Issuing Banks against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; seventh, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrower as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by the Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Loans or LC Disbursements in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Loans were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 6.02 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and LC Disbursements owed to, all non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or LC Disbursements owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Loans and LC Exposure is held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments under the applicable facility without giving effect to Section 4.05(a)(iv). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 4.05(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto.

 

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(iii) Certain Fees.

 

(A) No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any commitment fee pursuant to Section 3.05(a) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).

 

(B) Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive letter of credit fees pursuant to Section 3.05(b) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its LC Exposure for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.08(j).

 

(C) With respect to any fee not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrower shall (x) pay to each non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure that has been reallocated to such non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to each Issuing Bank the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such Issuing Bank’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

 

(iv) Reallocation of Participations to Reduce Fronting Exposure. All or any part of such Defaulting Lender’s LC Exposure shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Applicable Percentages (calculated without regard to such Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) but only to the extent that (x) the conditions set forth in Section 6.02 are satisfied at the time of such reallocation (and, unless the Borrower shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, the Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time), and (y) such reallocation does not cause the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure of any non-Defaulting Lender to exceed such non-Defaulting Lender’s Commitment. Subject to Section 12.18, no reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

 

(v) Cash Collateral. If the reallocation described in clause (iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrower shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, Cash Collateralize the Issuing Banks’ Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.08(j).

 

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Bank agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the Commitments (without giving effect to Section 4.05(a)(iv), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

 

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(c) New Letters of Credit. So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, no Issuing Bank shall be required to issue, extend, renew or increase any Letter of Credit unless it is satisfied that it will have no Fronting Exposure after giving effect thereto.

 

ARTICLE V
Increased Costs; Break Funding Payments; Taxes

 

Section 5.01 Increased Costs.

 

(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

 

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, any Lender or any Issuing Bank;

 

(ii) subject any Recipient to any Taxes (other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clauses (b) through (d) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto; or

 

(iii) impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;

 

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender or such other Recipient of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan, or to increase the cost to such Lender, such Issuing Bank or other Recipient of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit) or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or such other Recipient (whether of principal, interest or any other amount), then, upon request of such Lender, Issuing Bank or other Recipient, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such other Recipient such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such other Recipient for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

(b) Capital and Liquidity Requirements. If any Lender or Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or Issuing Bank or any lending office of such Lender or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy or liquidity), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

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(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in Section 5.01(a) or (b) shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 10 days after receipt thereof.

 

(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 5.01 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 5.01 for any increased costs or reductions incurred more than nine months prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Bank’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

 

Section 5.02 [Reserved].

 

Section 5.03 Taxes.

 

(a) Defined Terms. For purposes of this Section 5.03, Section 5.04 and Section 5.05, the term “Lender” includes any Issuing Bank and the term “applicable law” includes FATCA.

 

(b) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document shall be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes, except as required by applicable law. If any applicable law (as determined in the good faith discretion of an applicable Withholding Agent) requires the deduction or withholding of any Tax from any such payment by a Withholding Agent, then the applicable Withholding Agent shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall timely pay the full amount deducted or withheld to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law and, if such Tax is an Indemnified Tax, then the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that, after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions and withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 5.03), the applicable Recipient receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

 

(c) Payment of Other Taxes by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Administrative Agent timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

 

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(d) Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties shall jointly and severally indemnify each Recipient, within 10 days after written demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section 5.03) payable or paid by such Recipient or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to such Recipient and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

 

(e) Indemnification by the Lenders. Each Lender shall severally indemnify the Administrative Agent, within 10 days after demand therefor, for (i) any Taxes attributable to such Lender (but only to the extent that any Loan Party has not already indemnified the Administrative Agent for such Taxes and without limiting the obligation of the Loan Parties to do so), (ii) any Taxes attributable to such Lender’s failure to comply with the provisions of Section 12.04(c) relating to the maintenance of a Participant Register, and (iii) any Excluded Taxes attributable to such Lender, in each case, that are payable or paid by the Administrative Agent in connection with any Loan Document, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such payment or liability delivered to any Lender by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Each Lender hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender under any Loan Document or otherwise payable by the Administrative Agent to the Lender from any other source against any amount due to the Administrative Agent under this paragraph (e).

 

(f) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes by any Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to this Section 5.03, such Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(g) Status of Lenders. (i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in Section 5.03(g)(ii)(A), (ii)(B) and (ii)(D) below) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

 

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(ii) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a U.S. Person:

 

(A) any Lender that is a U.S. Person shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 (or any successor form) certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax;

 

(B) any Non-U.S. Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Non-U.S. Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), whichever of the following is applicable:

 

(1) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming the benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party (x) with respect to payments of interest under any Loan Document, executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any successor form) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “interest” article of such tax treaty and (y) with respect to any other applicable payments under any Loan Document, IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any successor form) establishing an exemption from, or reduction of, U.S. federal withholding Tax pursuant to the “business profits” or “other income” article of such tax treaty;

 

(2) executed originals of IRS Form W-8ECI (or any successor form);

 

(3) in the case of a Non-U.S. Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-1 to the effect that such Non-U.S. Lender is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, a “10 percent shareholder” of the Borrower within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or a “controlled foreign corporation” described in Section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code (a “U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate”) and (y) executed originals of IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any successor form); or

 

(4) to the extent a Non-U.S. Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed originals of IRS Form W-8IMY(or any successor form), accompanied by IRS Form W-8ECI (or any successor form), IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or any successor form), a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-2 or Exhibit H-3, IRS Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Non-U.S. Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Non-U.S. Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Non-U.S. Lender may provide a U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit H-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner;

 

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(C) any Non-U.S. Lender shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Non-U.S. Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of any other form prescribed by applicable law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in U.S. federal withholding Tax, duly completed, together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by applicable law to permit the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made; and

 

(D) if a payment made to a Lender under any Loan Document would be subject to U.S. federal withholding Tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as may be necessary for the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to comply with their obligations under FATCA and to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. Solely for purposes of this clause (D), “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Agreement.

 

Each Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent in writing of its legal inability to do so.

 

(h) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If any party determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 5.03 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 5.03), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made under this Section 5.03 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses (including Taxes) of such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this paragraph (h) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (h), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (h) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-Tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This paragraph shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

 

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(i) Survival. Each party’s obligations under this Section 5.03 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any assignment of rights by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations under any Loan Documents.

 

Section 5.04 Designation of Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 5.01, or required the Borrower to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 5.03, then such Lender shall (at the request of the Borrower) use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 5.01 or Section 5.03, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

 

Section 5.05 Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 5.01, or if the Borrower is required to pay any Indemnified Taxes or additional amounts to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 5.03, and, in each case, such Lender has declined or is unable to designate a different lending office in accordance with Section 5.04, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 12.04(b)), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 5.01 or Section 5.03) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that (i) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 12.04, (ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in LC Disbursements, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder, and under the other Loan Documents, from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts), (iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 5.01 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 5.03, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments, and (iv) such assignment does not conflict with applicable law. A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply.

 

Section 5.06 [Reserved].

 

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ARTICLE VI
Conditions Precedent

 

Section 6.01 Effective Date. The obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 12.02):

 

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have received from each party hereto counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party and duly executed Notes payable to each Lender that requested a Note.

 

(b) The Administrative Agent shall have received from each party thereto duly executed counterparts (in such number as may be requested by the Administrative Agent) of the Security Instruments, including the Guaranty Agreement, and except in cases where no signature is required, the other Security Instruments described on Exhibit F. In connection with the execution and delivery of the Security Instruments, the Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied that the Security Instruments create first priority Liens that may be perfected upon recordation of properly completed financing statements and the Security Instruments in the appropriate filing offices therefor (except that Excepted Liens identified in clauses (a) to (d) and (f) and (k) of the definition thereof, but subject to the provisos at the end of such definition may exist) on at least a percentage acceptable to Administrative Agent of the PV-10 of the Borrowing Base Properties.

 

(c) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of each Loan Party setting forth (i) resolutions of its board of directors or other appropriate governing body with respect to the authorization of such Loan Party to execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to enter into the transactions contemplated in those documents, (ii) the officers of such Loan Party (y) who are authorized to sign the Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party and (z) who will, until replaced by another officer or officers duly authorized for that purpose, act as its representative for the purposes of signing documents and giving notices and other communications in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, (iii) specimen signatures of such authorized officers, and (iv) the articles or certificate of incorporation or formation and by-laws, company agreement or other applicable Organizational Documents of such Loan Party, certified as being true and complete. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders may conclusively rely on such certificate until the Administrative Agent receives notice in writing from such Loan Party to the contrary.

 

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received certificates of the appropriate State agencies, as requested by the Administrative Agent, with respect to the existence, qualification and good standing of each Loan Party in each jurisdiction where any such Loan Party is organized or owns Borrowing Base Properties.

 

(e) [Reserved].

 

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received a monthly budget and pro forma projections (including a pro forma closing balance sheet, pro forma statements of operations and cash flow) for the twelve month period commencing on the first day of the first month immediately following the Effective Date, including assumptions used in preparing the forecast financial statements, reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(g) The Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that adequate insurance, including flood insurance, if applicable, required to be maintained in accordance with Section 7.12 is in full force and effect, with additional insured and lender loss payable special endorsements attached thereto in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its counsel naming the Administrative Agent as additional insured and loss payee.

 

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(h) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit E certifying that, after giving effect to the Borrowings under this Agreement, each of the Borrower and each other Loan Party is solvent.

 

(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received the Initial Reserve Report accompanied by a certificate covering the matters described in Section 8.12(c)(i)-(iii).

 

(j) The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least five (5) days prior to the Effective Date, all documentation and other information previously requested and required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA Patriot Act.

 

(k) [Reserved].

 

(l) The Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders shall have received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including as set forth in the Fee Letter, and, to the extent invoiced, reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder.

 

(m) The Administrative Agent shall have received appropriate UCC search certificates reflecting no prior Liens encumbering the Properties of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties other than those being released on or prior to the Effective Date or Liens permitted by Section 9.03.

 

(n) The Administrative Agent shall have received title information as the Administrative Agent may reasonably require satisfactorily setting forth the status of title to at least a percentage acceptable to the Administrative Agent of the PV-10 of the Borrowing Base Properties.

 

(o) The corporate, capital and ownership structure of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries upon the Effective Date shall be satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 

(p) The Administrative Agent and Lenders shall have completed, and received satisfactory results of, their due diligence investigations of the business, assets, contracts, agreements, liabilities, operations, condition (financial and otherwise) of the Loan Parties.

 

(q) The Administrative Agent shall have received such environmental information regarding the Oil and Gas Properties of the Loan Parties as it has requested, and all such information shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(r) To the extent that Borrower qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, the Administrative Agent shall have received a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to Borrower, in form and of substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

(s) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from a Responsible Officer of Borrower in form and substance satisfactory to it, evidencing that the Borrower’s Total Debt to Capitalization Ratio, calculated on a pro forma basis, does not exceed 40% as of the Effective Date.

 

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(t) [Reserved].

 

(u) The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying: (A) that the copies of the material Initial Acquisition Documents it has previously delivered to Administrative Agent are true, accurate and complete and have not been further amended beyond any amendments previously delivered to Administrative Agent, (B) that on or prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower has or will have (I) consummated the Initial Acquisition in accordance with applicable law and substantially on the terms of the Initial Acquisition Documents without giving effect to any waiver, amendment, modification or consent with respect to any term thereof, and (II) acquired substantially all of the assets contemplated by the Initial Acquisition Documents (and setting forth a true and complete list of all Oil and Gas Properties which are being excluded from the Initial Acquisition and the basis therefor, if any) (such acquired assets, the “Initial Acquisition Assets”), and (C) as to the final purchase price for the Initial Acquisition Assets under each of the Lubbock PSA, the Banner PSA and the Synergy PSA, in each case, after giving effect to all adjustments as of the closing date contemplated by such Initial Acquisition Documents, (ii) evidence (including mortgage releases and UCC-3 financing statement terminations) that all Liens on the Initial Acquisition Assets to be acquired in the Initial Acquisition have been released or assigned to the Administrative Agent in a manner satisfactory to Administrative Agent; and (iii) such other related documents and information as the Administrative Agent shall have reasonably requested in connection therewith.

 

(v) The Administrative Agent shall have received such other certificates, documents, instruments and agreements as the Administrative Agent shall reasonably request in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing Banks to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective unless each of the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 12.02) at or prior to 4:00 p.m., central standard time, on January 5, 2022 (and, in the event such conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate at such time).

 

Section 6.02 Each Credit Event. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing (including the initial funding), and of the Issuing Banks to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit and the Effective Date, is subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:

 

(a) At the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

 

(b) The representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Guarantors set forth in this Agreement and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless already qualified by materiality in which case such applicable representation and warranty shall be true and correct) on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, except to the extent any such representations and warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date, in which case, on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as applicable, such representations and warranties shall continue to be true and correct in all material respects (unless already qualified by materiality in which case such applicable representation and warranty shall be true and correct) as of such specified earlier date.

 

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(c) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing and any application of the proceeds thereof on the date of such requested Borrowing, the Loan Parties shall not have any Excess Cash.

 

(d) The receipt by the Administrative Agent of a Borrowing Request in accordance with Section 2.03 or a request for a Letter of Credit (or an amendment, extension or renewal of a Letter of Credit) in accordance with Section 2.08(b), as applicable.

 

Each request for a Borrowing and each request for the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower and the other Loan Parties on the date thereof as to the matters specified in Section 6.02(a) through (d).

 

ARTICLE VII
Representations and Warranties

 

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

 

Section 7.01 Organization; Powers. Each Loan Party is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all requisite power and authority, and has all governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary, to own its assets and to carry on its business as now conducted, and is qualified to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such qualification is required, except where failure to have such licenses, authorizations, consents, approvals and foreign qualifications could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 7.02 Authority; Enforceability. The Transactions are within each Loan Party’s entity powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary entity and, if required, equity holder action. Each Loan Document to which a Loan Party is a party has been duly executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, as applicable, enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

 

Section 7.03 Approvals; No Conflicts. The Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority or any other third Person, nor is any such consent, approval, registration, filing or other action necessary for the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, except such as have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect other than (i) the recording and filing of financing statements and the Security Instruments as required by this Agreement and (ii) those third party approvals or consents which, if not made or obtained, would not cause an Event of Default hereunder, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or do not have an adverse effect on the enforceability of the Loan Documents, (b) will not violate (i) in any material respect, any applicable law or regulation or any order of any Governmental Authority or (ii) the Organizational Documents of any Loan Party, (c) will not violate or result in a default under any indenture, note, credit agreement or other similar instrument binding upon any Loan Party or its Properties, or give rise to a right thereunder to require any payment to be made by any Loan Party and (d) will not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any Property of any Loan Party (other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents).

 

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Section 7.04 Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change.

 

(a) Since September 30, 2021 and after giving effect to the Transactions (i) there has been no event, development or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) the business of the Borrower and the Loan Parties has been conducted only in the ordinary course consistent with past business practices.

 

(b) Neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party has on the date of this Agreement, after giving effect to the Transactions, any Material Indebtedness (including Disqualified Capital Stock) other than the Secured Obligations or any contingent liabilities, off-balance sheet liabilities or partnerships, liabilities for taxes, or unusual forward or long-term commitments or unrealized or anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments.

 

Section 7.05 Litigation.

 

(a) Except as set forth on Schedule 7.05, there are no actions, suits, investigations or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened in writing against any Loan Party that (i) are not fully covered by insurance (except for normal deductibles) as to which there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination that could reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) involve any Loan Document or the Transactions.

 

(b) Since the date of this Agreement, there has been no change in the status of the matters disclosed in Schedule 7.05 that, individually or in the aggregate, has resulted in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 7.06 Environmental Matters. Except for such matters as set forth on Schedule 7.06 or that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect:

 

(a) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and each of their respective Properties and operations thereon are, and within all applicable statute of limitation periods have been, in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws;

 

(b) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have obtained all Environmental Permits required for their respective operations and each of their Properties, with all such Environmental Permits being currently in full force and effect, and none of the Borrower or the Subsidiaries has received any written notice or otherwise has knowledge that any such existing Environmental Permit will be revoked or that any application for any new Environmental Permit or renewal of any existing Environmental Permit will be denied;

 

(c) there are no claims, demands, suits, orders, inquiries, or proceedings concerning any violation of, or any liability (including as a potentially responsible party) under, any applicable Environmental Laws that is pending or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened against the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of their respective Properties or as a result of any operations at the Properties;

 

(d) none of the Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries contain or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, have contained any: (i) underground storage tanks; (ii) asbestos-containing materials; (iii) landfills or dumps; (iv) hazardous waste management units as defined pursuant to RCRA or any comparable state law; or (v) sites on or nominated for the National Priority List promulgated pursuant to CERCLA or any state remedial priority list promulgated or published pursuant to any comparable state law;

 

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(e) there has been no Release or, to the Borrower’s knowledge, threatened Release, of Hazardous Materials at, on, under or from the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s Properties and there are no investigations, remediations, abatements, removals of Hazardous Materials required under applicable Environmental Laws relating to such Releases or threatened Releases or at such Properties and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, none of such Properties are adversely affected by any Release or threatened Release of a Hazardous Material originating or emanating from any other real property;

 

(f) none of the Borrower or any Subsidiary has received any written notice asserting an alleged liability or obligation under any Environmental Laws with respect to the investigation, remediation, abatement, removal, or monitoring of any Hazardous Materials, including at, under, or Released or threatened to be Released from any real properties offsite the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s Properties and there are no conditions or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in the receipt of such written notice;

 

(g) there has been no exposure of any Person or Property to any Hazardous Materials as a result of or in connection with the operations and businesses of the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s Properties that would reasonably be expected to form the basis for a claim for damages or compensation and, to the Borrower’s knowledge, there are no conditions or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to result in the receipt of notice regarding such exposure; and

 

(h) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have provided to the Lenders complete and correct copies of all environmental site assessment reports, investigations, studies, analyses, and correspondence on environmental matters (including matters relating to any alleged non-compliance with or liability under Environmental Laws) that are in the Borrower’s or any Subsidiary’s possession or control and relating to their respective Properties or operations thereon.

 

Section 7.07 Compliance with the Laws and Agreements; No Defaults.

 

(a) Each Loan Party is in compliance with all Governmental Requirements applicable to it or its Property and all agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its Property, and possesses all licenses, permits, franchises, exemptions, approvals and other governmental authorizations necessary for the ownership of its Property and the conduct of its business, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) No Loan Party is in default nor has any event or circumstance occurred which, but for the expiration of any applicable grace period or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default or would require such Loan Party to Redeem or make any offer to Redeem all or any portion of any Material Indebtedness outstanding under any indenture, note, credit agreement or other similar instrument pursuant to which any Material Indebtedness is outstanding or by which the Loan Parties or any of their Properties is bound.

 

(c) No Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

Section 7.08 Investment Company Act. No Loan Party is an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company,” within the meaning of, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

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Section 7.09 Taxes. Each Loan Party has timely filed or caused to be filed all Tax returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the applicable Loan Party has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP or (b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result, individually or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Effect. To the knowledge of Borrower, no material proposed tax assessment is being asserted with respect to any Loan Party.

 

Section 7.10 ERISA.

 

(a) Except as could not reasonably be expected, either individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect, (i) each Plan is in compliance with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other federal or state Laws and (ii) each Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter from the IRS to the effect that the form of such Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the IRS to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS, and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, nothing has occurred that would prevent or cause the loss of such tax-qualified status.

 

(b) There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened or contemplated claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that, either individually or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c) No ERISA Event has occurred, and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan that, either individually or in the aggregate, has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 7.11 Disclosure; No Material Misstatements. The Borrower has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which it or any Loan Party is subject, and all other existing facts and circumstances applicable to the Loan Parties known to the Borrower, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. None of the reports, financial statements, certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Loan Parties to the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any of their Affiliates in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contain any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial or other information, the Loan Parties represent only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time. There is no fact peculiar to the Borrower or any other Loan Party which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or in the future is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect and which has not been set forth in this Agreement or the Loan Documents or the other documents, certificates and statements furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party prior to, or on, the date hereof in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby. There are no statements or conclusions in any Reserve Report which are based upon or include misleading information or fail to take into account material information regarding the matters reported therein, it being understood that projections concerning volumes attributable to the Oil and Gas Properties and production and cost estimates contained in each Reserve Report are necessarily based upon professional opinions, estimates and projections and the Loan Parties do not warrant that such opinions, estimates and projections will ultimately prove to have been accurate. As of the Effective Date, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification is true and correct in all respects.

 

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Section 7.12 Insurance. For the benefit of each Loan Party, the Borrower has (a) all insurance policies sufficient for the compliance by the Loan Parties with all material Governmental Requirements and all material agreements and (b) insurance coverage, or self-insurance, in at least such amounts and against such risk (including public liability) that are usually insured against by companies similarly situated and engaged in the same or a similar business for the assets and operations of the Loan Parties. Schedule 7.12, as of the date hereof, sets forth a list of all insurance maintained by the Borrower. The Administrative Agent, as agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, has been named as additional insureds in respect of such liability insurance policies and the Administrative Agent, as agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, has been named as loss payee with respect to Property loss insurance.

 

Section 7.13 Restriction on Liens. Neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party is a party to any material agreement or arrangement (other than Capital Leases creating Liens permitted by Section 9.03(c), but then only on the Property subject of such Capital Lease), or subject to any order, judgment, writ or decree, which either restricts or purports to restrict its ability to grant Liens to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or in respect of their Properties to secure the Secured Obligations and the Loan Documents.

 

Section 7.14 Subsidiaries. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.14 or as disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly furnish a copy to the Lenders), which shall be a supplement to Schedule 7.14, there are no other Subsidiaries. Each Subsidiary is a wholly-owned Subsidiary. The Borrower has no Foreign Subsidiaries.

 

Section 7.15 Foreign Operations. The Borrower and the other Loan Parties do not own any Oil and Gas Properties not located within the geographical boundaries of the United States.

 

Section 7.16 Location of Business and Offices. The Borrower’s jurisdiction of organization is Wyoming; the name of the Borrower as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization is U.S. Energy Corp.; and the organizational identification number of the Borrower in its jurisdiction of organization is 1980-000097301 (or, in each case, as set forth in a notice delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.01(l) in accordance with Section 12.01). The Borrower’s principal place of business and chief executive offices are located at the address specified in Section 12.01 (or as set forth in a notice delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(i) and Section 12.01(c)). Each Subsidiary’s jurisdiction of organization, name as listed in the public records of its jurisdiction of organization, organizational identification number in its jurisdiction of organization, and the location of its principal place of business and chief executive office is stated on Schedule 7.14 (or as set forth in a notice delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(i)).

 

Section 7.17 Properties; Defensible Title, Etc.

 

(a) Except for Immaterial Title Deficiencies, each Loan Party has good and defensible title to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in the most recently delivered Reserve Report and good title to all its personal Properties other than Properties sold in compliance with Section 9.11 from time to time, in each case, free and clear of all Liens except Liens permitted by Section 9.03. After giving full effect to the Excepted Liens and any Immaterial Title Deficiencies, the Loan Party specified as the owner owns the net interests in production attributable to the Hydrocarbon Interests as reflected in the most recently delivered Reserve Report, and except as otherwise provided by statute, regulation or the standard and customary provisions of any applicable joint operating agreement, the ownership of such Properties shall not in any material respect obligate the Loan Party to bear the costs and expenses relating to the maintenance, development and operations of each such Property in an amount in excess of the working interest of each Property set forth in the most recently delivered Reserve Report that is not offset by a corresponding proportionate increase in the Loan Party’s net revenue interest in such Property.

 

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(b) To the knowledge of the Loan Parties, all material leases and agreements necessary for the conduct of the business of the Loan Parties are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect, and there exists no default or event or circumstance which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would give rise to a default under any such lease or leases, which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(c) The rights and Properties presently owned, leased or licensed by the Loan Parties including all easements and rights of way, include all rights and Properties necessary to permit the Loan Parties to conduct their business in all material respects in the same manner as their business is conducted on the date hereof, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d) Except for Properties being repaired, all of the Properties of the Loan Parties which are reasonably necessary for the operation of their businesses are in good working condition in all material respects and are maintained in accordance with prudent business standards.

 

(e) Each Loan Party owns, or is licensed to use, all trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual Property material to its business, and the use thereof by the Loan Party does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Loan Parties either own or have valid licenses or other rights to use all databases, geological data, geophysical data, engineering data, seismic data, maps, interpretations and other technical information used in their businesses as presently conducted, subject to the limitations contained in the agreements governing the use of the same, which limitations are customary for companies engaged in the business of the exploration and production of Hydrocarbons, with such exceptions as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 7.18 Maintenance of Properties. Except for such acts or failures to act as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or that occurred prior to the ownership of any of the Properties by any Loan Party, the Oil and Gas Properties (and Properties unitized therewith) of the Loan Parties have been maintained, operated and developed in a good and workmanlike manner and in conformity with all Governmental Requirements and in conformity with the provisions of all leases, subleases or other contracts comprising a part of the Hydrocarbon Interests and other contracts and agreements forming a part of the Oil and Gas Properties of the Loan Parties. Specifically in connection with the foregoing, except for those as could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or that occurred prior to the ownership of any of the Properties by any Loan Party, (i) no Oil and Gas Property of the Loan Parties is subject to having allowable production reduced below the full and regular allowable (including the maximum permissible tolerance) because of any overproduction (whether or not the same was permissible at the time) and (ii) none of the wells comprising a part of the Oil and Gas Properties (or Properties unitized therewith) of the Loan Parties is deviated from the vertical more than the maximum permitted by Governmental Requirements, and such wells are bottomed under and are producing from, and the well bores are wholly within, the Oil and Gas Properties (or in the case of wells located on Properties unitized therewith, such unitized Properties) of the Loan Parties. To the knoweldge of the Loan Parties, all pipelines, wells, gas processing plants, platforms and other material improvements, fixtures and equipment owned in whole or in part by the Loan Parties that are necessary to conduct normal operations are being maintained in a state adequate to conduct normal operations, and with respect to such of the foregoing which are operated by the Loan Parties, in a manner consistent with the Loan Parties’ past practices (other than those the failure of which to maintain in accordance with this Section 7.18 could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or occurred prior to the ownership of any of the Properties by any Loan Party).

 

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Section 7.19 Gas Imbalances; Prepayments. Except as set forth on Schedule 7.19 or on the most recent certificate delivered pursuant to Section 8.12(c), or which occurred prior to the ownership of any of the Properties by any Loan Party and was not previously disclosed to Borrower, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances take or pay or other prepayments which would require any Loan Party to deliver Hydrocarbons produced from their Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor exceeding three percent (3%) of the aggregate volumes of natural gas (on an Mcf basis) listed in the most recent Reserve Report.

 

Section 7.20 Marketing of Production. Except for contracts listed and in effect on the date hereof on Schedule 7.20, and thereafter either disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent or included in the most recently delivered Reserve Report, (a) the Loan Parties are receiving a price for all production sold thereunder which is computed substantially in accordance with the terms of the relevant contract and are not having deliveries curtailed substantially below the subject Property’s delivery capacity and (b) no material agreements exist which are not cancelable on 60 days’ notice or less without penalty or detriment for the sale of production from the Loan Parties’ Hydrocarbons (including calls on or other rights to purchase, production, whether or not the same are currently being exercised) that (i) pertain to the sale of production at a fixed price and (ii) have a maturity or expiry date of longer than six (6) months from the date hereof.

 

Section 7.21 Security Documents. The Security Instruments are effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a legal, valid and enforceable security interest in the Mortgaged Property and Collateral and proceeds thereof. The Secured Obligations are and shall be at all times secured by a legal, valid and enforceable perfected first priority Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent, covering and encumbering the Mortgaged Properties and other Collateral, to the extent perfection has occurred or will occur, by the recording of a mortgage, the filing of a UCC financing statement or, with respect to Equity Interests represented by certificates, by possession (in each case, to the extent available in the applicable jurisdiction); provided that, except in the case of pledged Equity Interests or as otherwise provided herein, Liens permitted by Section 9.03 may exist.

 

Section 7.22 Swap Agreements and Eligible Contract Participant. Schedule 7.22, as of the date hereof, and after the date hereof, each report required to be delivered by the Borrower pursuant to Section 8.01(d), sets forth, a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements of the Loan Parties, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the estimated net mark to market value thereof, all credit support agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied, but excluding the Security Instruments) and the counterparty to each such agreement. The Borrower is a Qualified ECP Guarantor.

 

Section 7.23 Use of Loans and Letters of Credit. The proceeds of the Loans and the Letters of Credit shall be used (i) to provide funds for working capital, (ii) to finance capital expenditures, (iii) for the acquisition and development by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries of Oil and Gas Properties permitted hereunder, (iv) to refinance existing debt, and (v) for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. No Loan Party is engaged principally, or as one of its or their important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation T, U or X of the Board). No part of the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit will be used for any purpose which violates the provisions of Regulations T, U or X of the Board.

 

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Section 7.24 Solvency. The Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, taken as a whole are Solvent. No Loan Party is planning to take any action described in ‎Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i).

 

Section 7.25 Anti-Corruption Laws; Sanctions; OFAC.

 

(a) The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

 

(b) The Borrower, its Subsidiaries, their respective officers and employees and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, its directors and agents are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions in all material respects and are not knowingly engaged in any activity that would reasonably be expected to result in the Borrower or any Subsidiary being designated as a Sanctioned Person.

 

(c) None of (i) the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (ii) to the knowledge of the Borrower, any agent of the Borrower that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. The Borrower will not directly or, to its knowledge, indirectly use the proceeds from the Loans or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any Subsidiary, joint venture partner or other Person, for the purpose of financing the activities of any Person currently subject to any applicable Sanctions.

 

Section 7.26 EEA Financial Institution. No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.

 

ARTICLE VIII
Affirmative Covenants

 

Until the Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents shall have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated (or are Cash Collateralized) and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

 

Section 8.01 Financial Statements; Other Information. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:

 

(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event in accordance with then applicable law and not later than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, commencing December 31, 2021, the audited consolidated balance sheet for the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries and related statements of operations, members’ equity, as applicable, and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting forth in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all reported on by independent public accountants of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied.

 

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(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event in accordance with then applicable law and not later than 60 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, commencing March 31, 2022, the unaudited consolidated balance sheet for the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries and related statements of operations, members’ equity, as applicable, and cash flows as of the end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal year, setting forth in comparative form the figures for the corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as of the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.

 

(c) Certificate of Financial Officer – Compliance. Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(a) or Section 8.01(b), a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower in substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto (a “Compliance Certificate”) (i) certifying as to whether an Event of Default has occurred and, if an Event of Default has occurred, specifying the details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating compliance with Section 9.01 and (iii) stating whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since the date of the most recently delivered financial statements referred to in Section 8.01(a) and (b) and, if any such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial statements accompanying such certificate.

 

(d) Certificate of Financial Officer – Swap Agreements. Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(b), a certificate of a Financial Officer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth as of the last Business Day of the period covered by such financial statements, a true and complete list of all Swap Agreements of each Loan Party, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), any new credit support agreements relating thereto (other than Security Instruments) not listed on Schedule 7.22, any margin required or supplied under any credit support document, and the counterparty to each such agreement.

 

(e) Certificate of Insurer — Insurance Coverage. Concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under Section 8.01(a), and within ten (10) Business Days following each change in the insurance maintained in accordance with Section 8.07, certificates of insurance coverage with respect to the insurance required by Section 8.07, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and, if requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, all copies of the applicable policies.

 

(f) Lists of Purchasers. Concurrently with the delivery of any Reserve Report to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.12, a list of all Persons purchasing Hydrocarbons from any Loan Party (or, with respect to Oil and Gas Properties that are not operated by a Loan Party, a list of the operators of such properties).

 

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(g) Notice of Sales of Oil and Gas Properties and Unwinds of Swap Agreements. In the event the Borrower or any other Loan Party intends to (i) sell, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of any Oil and Gas Properties (or any Equity Interests of any Loan Party that owns Oil and Gas Properties) or (ii) terminate, unwind, cancel or otherwise dispose of Swap Agreements which could result in an anticipated decline in the mark-to-market value thereof or net cash proceeds therefrom in excess of $250,000 (in a single transaction or in multiple transactions over any one-month period), in each case, in accordance with Section 9.11, prior written notice of the foregoing (of at least 5 Business Days or such shorter time as the Administrative Agent may agree), the price thereof, in the case of Oil and Gas Properties (or any Equity Interests of any Loan Party that owns Oil and Gas Properties), and the anticipated decline in the mark-to-market value thereof or net cash proceeds therefrom, in the case of Swap Agreements, and the anticipated date of closing and any other details thereof reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

(h) Notice of Casualty Events. Prompt written notice, and in any event within three Business Days, of the occurrence of any Casualty Event involving damages to a loss of Collateral in excess of $500,000 or the commencement of any action or proceeding that could reasonably be expected to result in a Casualty Event.

 

(i) Information Regarding Borrower and Guarantors. Prompt written notice of (and in any event within ten (10) days prior thereto or such other time as the Administrative Agent may agree) any change (i) in a Loan Party’s name, (ii) in the location of the Loan Party’s chief executive office or principal place of business, (iii) in the Loan Party’s entity type or in the jurisdiction in which such Person is incorporated or formed, (iv) in the Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization or such Person’s organizational identification number in such jurisdiction of organization, and (v) in the Loan Party’s federal taxpayer identification number.

 

(j) Production Report and Lease Operating Statements. Concurrently with the delivery of any financial statements pursuant to Section 8.01(a) or (b), a report setting forth, for each fiscal quarter during the then current fiscal year to date, the volume of production and sales attributable to production (and the prices at which such sales were made and the revenues derived from such sales) for each such fiscal quarter from the Oil and Gas Properties, and setting forth the related ad valorem, severance and production taxes and lease operating expenses attributable thereto and incurred for each such fiscal quarter.

 

(k) Patriot Act. Promptly upon request, all documentation and other information required by regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer”, the Beneficial Ownership Regulation and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the USA Patriot Act.

 

(l) Cash Flow Forecast. Not later than 60 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate of a Responsible Officer, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth an operating budget (including a cash flow and capital expenditure forecast) for the immediately succeeding twelve months in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

(m) Notices of Certain Changes. Promptly, but in any event within five (5) Business Days after the execution thereof, copies of any material amendment, modification or supplement to the Organizational Documents of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

 

(n) Other Requested Information. Promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (including any Plan or Multiemployer Plan and any reports or other information required to be filed under ERISA), or compliance with the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

 

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Section 8.02 Notices of Material Events. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written notice of the following:

 

(a) the occurrence of any Event of Default;

 

(b) the filing or commencement of, or the threat in writing of, any action, suit, proceeding, investigation or arbitration by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Borrower and its Subsidiaries thereof not previously disclosed in writing to the Lenders or any material adverse development in any action, suit, proceeding, investigation or arbitration (whether or not previously disclosed to the Lenders) that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

(c) the occurrence of any ERISA Event that, either individually or together with any other ERISA Events, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(d) the occurrence of any Material Adverse Effect.

 

Each notice delivered under this Section 8.02 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth the details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

 

Section 8.03 Existence; Conduct of Business. The Borrower will, and will cause each Loan Party to, do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business and maintain, if necessary, its qualification to do business in each other jurisdiction in which its Oil and Gas Properties are located or the ownership of its Properties requires such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution permitted under Section 9.10.

 

Section 8.04 Payment of Obligations. The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, pay its obligations, including tax liabilities of the Borrower and all of the other Loan Parties before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and the Borrower or such other Loan Party has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP or (b) the failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 8.05 Performance of Obligations under Loan Documents. The Borrower will pay the Loans according to the reading, tenor and effect thereof, and cause each other Loan Party to, do and perform every act and discharge all of the obligations to be performed and discharged by them under the Loan Documents, including this Agreement, at the time or times and in the manner specified.

 

Section 8.06 Operation and Maintenance of Properties. The Borrower, at its own expense, will, and will cause each other Loan Party to:

 

(a) operate its Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties or use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties to be operated in accordance with the practices of the industry and in compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance with all applicable Governmental Requirements, including applicable pro ration requirements and Environmental Laws, and all applicable laws, rules and regulations of every other Governmental Authority from time to time constituted to regulate the development and operation of its Oil and Gas Properties and the production and sale of Hydrocarbons and other minerals therefrom, except, in each case, where the failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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(b) maintain and keep in good repair, working order and efficiency (ordinary wear and tear excepted) all of its material Oil and Gas Properties and other Properties material to the conduct of its business, including all equipment, machinery and facilities.

 

(c) promptly pay and discharge, or use commercially reasonable efforts to cause to be paid and discharged, all material delay rentals, royalties, expenses and indebtedness accruing under the leases or other agreements affecting or pertaining to its Oil and Gas Properties and will do all other things necessary, in accordance with industry standards, to keep unimpaired their rights with respect thereto and prevent any forfeiture thereof or default thereunder.

 

(d) promptly perform or use commercially reasonable 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 Oil and Gas Properties and other material Properties.

 

Section 8.07 Insurance. The Borrower will maintain, with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance covering all Loan Parties, in such amounts and against such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations. The loss payable clauses or provisions in the applicable insurance policy or policies insuring any of the collateral for the Loans shall be endorsed in favor of and made payable to the Administrative Agent as a “loss payee” or other formulation acceptable to the Administrative Agent and such liability policies shall name the Administrative Agent, as agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as “additional insured”. Such policies will also provide that the insurer will endeavor to give at least 30 days (or, in the case of any non-payment of any premium, 10 days) prior notice of any cancellation to the Administrative Agent.

 

Section 8.08 Books and Records; Inspection Rights. The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, keep proper books of record and account in accordance with GAAP. The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, permit any representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon reasonable prior notice, to visit and inspect its Properties, to examine and make extracts from its books and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as reasonably requested and all at Borrower’s expense; provided that, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower shall not be required to reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for any inspection during any fiscal year.

 

Section 8.09 Compliance with Laws. The Borrower will, and will cause each Loan Party to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its Property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws and applicable Sanctions.

 

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Section 8.10 Environmental Matters.

 

(a) The Borrower shall use best efforts to: (i) comply, and shall cause its Properties and operations and each Subsidiary and each Subsidiary’s Properties and operations to comply, with all applicable Environmental Laws, except to the extent any breach thereof could not be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) not dispose of or otherwise Release, and shall cause each Subsidiary not to dispose of or otherwise Release, any Hazardous Material, or solid waste on, under, about or from any of the Borrower’s or its Subsidiaries’ Properties or any other Property to the extent caused by the Borrower’s or any of the Subsidiaries’ operations except in compliance with applicable Environmental Laws, the disposal or Release of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) timely obtain or file, and shall cause each Subsidiary to timely obtain or file, all notices, and Environmental Permits, if any, required under applicable Environmental Laws to be obtained or filed in connection with the operation or use of the Borrower’s or the Subsidiaries’ Properties, which failure to obtain or file could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) promptly commence and diligently prosecute to completion, and shall cause each Subsidiary to promptly commence and diligently prosecute to completion, any assessment, evaluation, investigation, monitoring, containment, cleanup, removal, repair, restoration, remediation or other remedial obligations (collectively, the “Remedial Work”) in the event any Remedial Work is required or reasonably necessary under applicable Environmental Laws because of or in connection with the actual or suspected past, present or future disposal or other Release of any Hazardous Materials on, under, about or from any of the Borrower’s or the its Subsidiaries’ Properties, which failure to commence and diligently prosecute to completion could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (v) conduct, and cause each Subsidiary to conduct, their respective operations and businesses in a manner that will not expose any Property or Person to Hazardous Materials that could reasonably be expected to form the basis for a claim for damages or compensation that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (vi) establish and implement, and shall cause each Subsidiary to establish and implement, such procedures as may be necessary to continuously determine and assure that the Borrower’s its Subsidiaries’ obligations under this Section 8.10(a) are timely and fully satisfied, which failure to establish and implement could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(b) The Borrower will promptly, but in no event later than five (5) Business Days of the Borrower becoming aware thereof, notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in writing of any threatened action, investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority or any demand or lawsuit by any landowner or other third party threatened in writing against the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or their Properties of which the Borrower has knowledge in connection with any Environmental Laws (excluding routine testing and corrective action) if the Borrower reasonably anticipates that such action will result in liability (whether individually or in the aggregate) in excess of $500,000, not fully covered by insurance, subject to normal deductibles.

 

(c) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), at the expense of the Borrower and to the extent that the Borrower has the right to do so, conduct such Remedial Work as it deems appropriate to determine the nature and extent of any noncompliance with applicable Environmental Laws, the nature and extent of the presence of any Hazardous Material and the nature and extent of any other environmental conditions that may exist at or affect any of the Mortgaged Properties, and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall cooperate with the Administrative Agent in conducting such Remedial Work. Such Remedial Work may include a detailed visual inspection of the Mortgaged Properties, including all storage areas, storage tanks, drains and dry wells and other structures and locations, as well as the taking of soil samples, surface water samples, and ground water samples and such other investigations or analyses as the Administrative Agent deems appropriate. The Administrative Agent and its officers, employees, agents and contractors shall have and are hereby granted the right to enter upon the Mortgaged Properties for the foregoing purposes.

 

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Section 8.11 Further Assurances.

 

(a) The Borrower at its sole expense will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent all such other documents, agreements and instruments reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to comply with, cure any defects or accomplish the conditions precedent, covenants and agreements of any Loan Party, as the case may be, in the Loan Documents or to further evidence and more fully describe the collateral intended as security for the Secured Obligations, or to correct any omissions in this Agreement or the Security Instruments, or to state more fully the obligations secured therein, or to perfect, protect or preserve any Liens created pursuant to this Agreement or any of the Security Instruments or the priority thereof, or to make any recordings, file any notices or obtain any consents, all as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate, in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent, in connection therewith.

 

(b) The Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to file one or more financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all or any part of the Mortgaged Property without the signature of the Borrower or any other Loan Party where permitted by law. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of the Security Instruments or any financing statement covering the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.

 

Section 8.12 Reserve Reports.

 

(a) On or about March 1st and September 1st of each year, commencing March 1, 2022, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a Reserve Report evaluating the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties as of the immediately preceding January 1st and July 1st, as applicable. The Reserve Report as of January 1st and delivered on or about March 1st of each year (the “January 1 Reserve Report”) shall be prepared by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers, and each other Reserve Report of each year may be prepared by one or more Approved Petroleum Engineers or internally under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower who shall certify such Reserve Report to be true and accurate in all material respects and, except as otherwise specified therein, to have been prepared in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding January 1 Reserve Report.

 

(b) In the event of an Interim Redetermination, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a Reserve Report prepared by or under the supervision of the chief engineer of the Borrower who shall certify such Reserve Report to be true and accurate in all material respects and, except as otherwise specified therein, to have been prepared in accordance with the procedures used in the immediately preceding January 1 Reserve Report. For any Interim Redetermination requested by the Administrative Agent or the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.07(b), the Borrower shall provide such Reserve Report with an “as of” date as required by the Administrative Agent as soon as possible, but in any event no later than thirty (30) days following the receipt of such request.

 

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(c) With the delivery of each Reserve Report, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a certificate from a Responsible Officer certifying that in all material respects: (i) the information contained in the Reserve Report and any other information delivered in connection therewith is true and correct in all material respects, (ii) the Borrower or the other Loan Parties own good and defensible title to the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report and such Properties are free of all Liens except for Liens permitted by Section 9.03, (iii) except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, on a net basis there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments in excess of the volume specified in Section 7.19 with respect to its Oil and Gas Properties evaluated in such Reserve Report which would require the Borrower or any other Loan Party to deliver Hydrocarbons either generally or produced from such Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor, (iv) none of their Oil and Gas Properties have been sold since the date of the last Borrowing Base determination except as set forth on an exhibit to the certificate, which exhibit shall list all of its Oil and Gas Properties sold and in such detail as reasonably required by the Administrative Agent, (v) attached to the certificate is a list of all marketing agreements entered into by a Loan Party subsequent to the later of the date hereof or the most recently delivered Reserve Report which the Borrower could reasonably be expected to have been obligated to list on Schedule 7.20 had such agreement been in effect on the date hereof and (vi) attached thereto is a schedule of the Oil and Gas Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that are Mortgaged Properties and demonstrating the percentage of the Oil and Gas Properties that the value of such Mortgaged Properties represent and that such percentage is in compliance with Section 8.14(a).

 

Section 8.13 Title Information.

 

(a) On or before the delivery to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of each Reserve Report required by Section 8.12(a), the Borrower will deliver title information in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent covering enough of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report that were not included in the immediately preceding Reserve Report, so that the Administrative Agent shall have had the opportunity to review (including title information previously delivered to the Administrative Agent), satisfactory title information on Hydrocarbon Interests constituting at least 90% of the PV-10 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report.

 

(b) If the Borrower has provided title information for additional Properties under Section 8.13(a), the Borrower shall, within 60 days of notice from the Administrative Agent that title defects or exceptions (excluding Permitted Liens and Immaterial Title Deficiencies) exist with respect to such additional Properties, either (i) cure any such title defects or exceptions (including defects or exceptions as to priority) which are not permitted by Section 9.03 raised by such information, (ii) substitute acceptable Mortgaged Properties with satisfactory title information having an equivalent value or (iii) deliver title information in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent so that the Administrative Agent shall have received, together with title information previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, satisfactory title information on Hydrocarbon Interests constituting at least 90% of the PV-10 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report.

 

(c) If the Borrower is unable to cure any title defect (excluding Permitted Liens and Immaterial Title Deficiencies) requested by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to be cured within the 60-day period or the Borrower does not comply with the requirements to provide acceptable title information covering 90% of the PV-10 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated in the most recent Reserve Report, such failure shall not be a Default or an Event of Default, but instead the Administrative Agent and/or the Majority Lenders shall have the right to exercise the following remedy in their sole discretion from time to time, and any failure to so exercise this remedy at any time shall not be a waiver as to future exercise of the remedy by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders. To the extent that the Administrative Agent or the Majority Lenders are not satisfied with title to any Mortgaged Property after the 60-day period has elapsed, such unacceptable Mortgaged Property shall not count towards the 90% requirement, and the Administrative Agent may send a written notice to the Borrower and the Lenders that the then outstanding Borrowing Base shall be reduced by an amount as determined by the Required Lenders to cause the Borrower to be in compliance with the requirement to provide acceptable title information on Hydrocarbon Interests constituting 90% of the PV-10 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated by such Reserve Report. This new Borrowing Base shall become effective immediately after receipt of such notice.

 

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Section 8.14 Additional Collateral; Additional Guarantors.

 

(a) In connection with each redetermination of the Borrowing Base, the Borrower shall review the Reserve Report and the list of current Mortgaged Properties (as described in Section 8.12(c)(vi)) to ascertain whether the Mortgaged Properties represent at least 90% of the PV-10 of the Borrowing Base Properties evaluated in the most recently completed Reserve Report after giving effect to exploration and production activities, acquisitions, dispositions and production. In the event that the Mortgaged Properties do not represent at least 90% of such PV-10, then the Borrower shall, and shall cause the other Loan Parties to, grant, within thirty (30) days of delivery of the certificate required under Section 8.12(c), to the Administrative Agent as security for the Secured Obligations a first-priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) on additional Oil and Gas Properties not already subject to a Lien of the Security Instruments such that after giving effect thereto, the Mortgaged Properties will represent at least 90% of such PV-10. All such Liens will be created and perfected by and in accordance with the provisions of deeds of trust, security agreements and financing statements or other Security Instruments, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and in sufficient executed (and acknowledged where necessary or appropriate) counterparts for recording purposes. In order to comply with the foregoing, if any Subsidiary grants a Lien on its Oil and Gas Properties pursuant to Section 8.14(a) and such Subsidiary is not a Guarantor, then it shall become a Guarantor and comply with Section 8.14(b).

 

(b) The Borrower shall promptly cause each newly created or acquired Subsidiary to guarantee the Secured Obligations pursuant to the Guaranty Agreement and to grant a lien and security interest in all of its Collateral (as defined in the security agreement) pursuant to a security agreement. In connection with any such guaranty, the Borrower shall, or shall promptly cause (i) such Subsidiary to execute and deliver the Guaranty Agreement (or a supplement thereto, as applicable) and a security agreement (or a supplement thereto, as applicable) and (ii) the owners of the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary to pledge all of the Equity Interests of such new Subsidiary (including, in the event such Equity Interests are certificated, delivery of original certificates evidencing the Equity Interests of such Subsidiary, together with an appropriate undated powers for each certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof) and to execute and deliver such other additional closing documents, legal opinions and certificates as shall reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent.

 

(c) The Borrower hereby guarantees the payment of all Secured Obligations of each Loan Party (other than the Borrower) and absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time to each Loan Party (other than the Borrower) in order for such Loan Party to honor its obligations under its respective Guaranty Agreement and other Security Instruments including obligations with respect to Swap Agreements (provided, however, that the Borrower shall only be liable under this Section 8.14(c) for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 8.14(c), or otherwise under this Agreement or any Loan Document, as it relates to such other Loan Parties, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of the Borrower under this Section 8.14(c) shall remain in full force and effect until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated (or are Cash Collateralized) and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed. The Borrower intends that this Section 8.14(c) constitute, and this Section 8.14(c) shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each Loan Party (other than the Borrower) for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

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Section 8.15 ERISA Compliance. The Borrower will promptly furnish and will cause each Subsidiary and any ERISA Affiliate to promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent (i) upon becoming aware of the occurrence of any ERISA Event or of any Prohibited Transaction, which could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower or such Subsidiary in an aggregate amount exceeding $500,000, in connection with any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or any trust created thereunder, a written notice of the Borrower or Subsidiary of the Borrower, as the case may be, specifying the nature thereof, what action such Person is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, and, when known, any action taken or proposed by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto, and (ii) upon receipt thereof, copies of any notice of the PBGC’s intention to terminate or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Plan. Promptly following receipt thereof, the Borrower will furnish and will cause each Subsidiary to promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent copies of any documents described in Section 101(k) or 101(l) of ERISA that Borrower or any Subsidiary may request with respect to any Multiemployer Plan for which the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any of their ERISA Affiliates may be subject to any current or future liability in excess of $500,000; provided, that if the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have not requested such documents or notices from the administrator or sponsor of the applicable Multiemployer Plan, then, upon reasonable request of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall promptly make a request for such documents or notices from such administrator or sponsor and the Borrower shall provide copies of such documents and notices to the Administrative Agent promptly after receipt thereof.

 

Section 8.16 Marketing Activities. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any of the other Loan Parties to, engage in marketing activities for any Hydrocarbons or enter into any contracts related thereto other than (i) contracts for the sale of Hydrocarbons scheduled or reasonably estimated to be produced from their proved Oil and Gas Properties during the period of such contract, (ii) contracts for the sale of Hydrocarbons scheduled or reasonably estimated to be produced from proved Oil and Gas Properties of third parties during the period of such contract associated with the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties that the Borrower or one of the other Loan Parties has the right to market pursuant to joint operating agreements, unitization agreements or other similar contracts that are usual and customary in the oil and gas business and (iii) other contracts for the purchase and/or sale of Hydrocarbons of third parties (A) which have generally offsetting provisions (i.e. corresponding pricing mechanics, delivery dates and points and volumes) such that no “position” is taken and (B) for which appropriate credit support has been taken to alleviate the material credit risks of the counterparty thereto.

 

Section 8.17 Account Control Agreements; Location of Proceeds of Loans.

 

(a) The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, establish, hold or maintain each of their primary deposit and securities accounts (other than Excluded Accounts) with one or more Lenders.

 

(b) The Borrower will, and will cause each other Loan Party to, in connection with any deposit account and/or any securities account (other than Excluded Accounts) established, held or maintained after the Effective Date promptly, but in any event within ten (10) Business Days after the establishment of such account (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion), cause such deposit account and/or securities account to be subject to a control agreement (except to the extent the Administrative Agent otherwise has control of such account).

 

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(c) The Borrower shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to deposit or cause to be deposited directly all Cash Receipts (except for amounts held in Excluded Accounts in accordance with the definition thereof) into one or more deposit accounts in which the Administrative Agent has been granted a first-priority Lien and that is subject to a control agreement.

 

Section 8.18 EEA Financial Institution. No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.

 

Section 8.19 Affirmative Hedging Covenant. The Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, (a) on or prior to the date that is thirty (30) days after the Effective Date, and (b) thereafter, on or prior to the date that is the earlier of (x) the delivery of financial statements for any fiscal quarter pursuant to Section 8.01(a) or (b) or (y) the date that is 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that the Borrower has entered into, or shall have caused another Loan Party to enter into, Swap Agreements with one or more Approved Counterparties with prices and terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent to hedge notional volumes covering:

 

(i) If the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage as of such measurement date is less than 25%, then for each month during the period consisting of months 1 through 12 following such measurement date, not less than fifteen percent (15%) of the reasonably anticipated projected production from the proved, developed producing Oil and Gas Properties of the Loan Parties of crude oil and natural gas for such calendar month as set forth in the most recently delivered Reserve Report;

 

(ii) If the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage as of such measurement date is equal to or greater than 25% and less than 50%, then for each month during the period consisting of months 1 through 12 following such measurement date, not less than thirty percent (30%) of the reasonably anticipated projected production from the proved, developed producing Oil and Gas Properties of the Loan Parties of crude oil and natural gas for such calendar month as set forth in the most recently delivered Reserve Report; and

 

(iii) If the Borrowing Base Utilization Percentage as of such measurement date is equal to or greater than 50%, then (A) for each month during the period consisting of months 1 through 12 following such measurement date, not less than fifty percent (50%), and (B) for each month during the period consisting of months 13 through 24 following such measurement date, not less than thirty percent (30%), in each case, of the reasonably anticipated projected production from the proved, developed producing Oil and Gas Properties of the Loan Parties of crude oil and natural gas for such calendar month as set forth in the most recently delivered Reserve Report.

 

Section 8.20 Excess Cash Information. On any Consolidated Cash Balance Measurement Day on which the Borrower has any Excess Cash, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent, (a) a certificate of a Responsible Officer in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, certifying as to the amount of the Consolidated Cash Balance and the amount of such Excess Cash, if any, as of such date, and (b) attaching thereto, summary and balance statements, in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, for each deposit account, securities account or other account in which any of the Consolidated Cash Balance is held, credited or carried.

 

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Section 8.21 Permitted PPP Loans and Permitted EIDL.

 

(a) To the extent that any Permitted PPP Loans are outstanding, each Loan Party will (i) comply with the requirements for the Paycheck Protection Program as set forth in Title I of the CARES Act and related guidance, (ii) use the proceeds of the Permitted PPP Loans only for allowable purposes under the CARES Act, (iii) use commercially reasonable efforts to conduct its business in a manner that maximizes the amount of the Permitted PPP Loans that is forgiven, (iv) keep necessary and appropriate records relating to the use of the Permitted PPP Loans (and promptly provide such records to the Administrative Agent upon the Administrative Agent’s reasonable request), (v) promptly apply for forgiveness of the Permitted PPP Loans in accordance with the regulations implementing Section 1106 of the CARES Act (and promptly provide documentation, and status, of such forgiveness to the Administrative Agent upon the Administrative Agent’s reasonable request and, in any event, within 5 Business Days of the final determination thereof), (vi) not directly or indirectly, agree to any amendment or modification of the Permitted PPP Loans that would be materially adverse to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, and (vii) not make any optional prepayment of any portion of the Permitted PPP Loans (whether by refinancing or otherwise).

 

(b) To the extent that any Permitted EIDL is outstanding, each Loan Party will (i) comply with the requirements for the EIDL set forth by the SBA, the CARES Act and related guidance, (ii) use the proceeds of the Permitted EIDL only for allowable purposes, (iii) keep necessary and appropriate records relating to the use of the Permitted EIDL (and promptly provide such records to the Administrative Agent upon the Administrative Agent’s reasonable request), (iv) not directly or indirectly, agree to any amendment or modification of the Permitted EIDL that would be materially adverse to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders, and (v) not make any optional prepayment of any portion of the Permitted EIDL (whether by refinancing or otherwise).

 

Section 8.22 Post Closing Obligations. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein,

 

(a) Accounts. Within thirty (30) days after the Effective Date (or such later date to which Administrative Agent shall agree in writing), each Loan Party shall have established its primary deposit and securities accounts with FBSW; and

 

(b) Minimum Hedging. Within the timeframe set forth in Section 8.19(a), Borrower shall comply with the hedging requirements specified therein.

 

(c) Legal Opinion. Within five Business Days after the Effective Date (or such later date to which Administrative Agent shall agree in writing), the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an opinion of R. Reese & Associates PLLC, special counsel for the Loan Parties, in form and of substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

(d) Mortgage and Title Requirements. Within forty-five (45) days after the Effective Date (or such later date to which Administrative Agent shall agree in writing), the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent:

 

(i) Security Instruments that create first priority Liens (except that Excepted Liens identified in clauses (a) to (d) and (f) and (k) of the definition thereof, but subject to the provisos at the end of such definition may exist) on at least 90% of the PV-10 of the Borrowing Base Properties;

 

(ii) Title information and data acceptable to the Administrative Agent satisfactorily setting forth the status of title to at least 90% of the PV-10 of the Borrowing Base Properties; and

 

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(iii) Customary legal opinions from local counsel for the Loan Parties in each jurisdiction where a Mortgage is or will be filed, in form and of substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

ARTICLE IX
Negative Covenants

 

Until the Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on each Loan and all fees payable hereunder and all other amounts payable under the Loan Documents have been paid in full and all Letters of Credit have expired or terminated (or are Cash Collateralized) and all LC Disbursements shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders that:

 

Section 9.01 Financial Covenants.

 

(a) Ratio of Total Debt to EBITDAX. The Borrower will not, as of the last day of any Test Period, commencing with the Test Period ending March 31, 2022, permit its ratio of Total Debt as of such time to EBITDAX for the Test Period then ended to be greater than 3.0 to 1.0.

 

(b) Current Ratio. The Borrower will not, as of the last day of any Test Period, commencing with the Test Period ending March 31, 2022, permit its ratio of (i) consolidated current assets (including the unused amount of the total Commitments, but excluding non-cash assets under ASC 815) to (ii) consolidated current liabilities (excluding non-cash obligations under ASC 815, reclamation obligations to the extent classified as current liabilities under GAAP, and current maturities under this Agreement) to be less than 1.0 to 1.0.

 

Section 9.02 Debt. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, incur, create, assume or suffer to exist any Debt, except:

 

(a) the Loans or other Secured Obligations arising under the Loan Documents or any Secured Swap Agreement or any guaranty of or suretyship arrangement for the Loans or other Secured Obligations arising under the Loan Documents or any Secured Swap Agreement;

 

(b) Debt of any Loan Party under Capital Leases and purchase money Debt not to exceed $250,000;

 

(c) Debt associated with worker’s compensation claims, bonds or surety obligations required by Governmental Requirements or by third parties in the ordinary course of business in connection with the operation of, or provision for the abandonment and remediation of, the Oil and Gas Properties;

 

(d) (i) Debt between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties, (ii) Debt between the Subsidiaries of the Borrower which are Loan Parties, and (iii) Debt extended to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which are Loan Parties by any other Loan Party; provided that (1) such Debt is not held, assigned, transferred, negotiated or pledged to any Person other than a Loan Party, and (2) any such Debt owed by either the Borrower or a Guarantor shall be subordinated to the Secured Obligations on terms set forth in the Guaranty Agreement;

 

(e) endorsements of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(f) the Permitted EIDL in the aggregate at any one time outstanding not to exceed $500,000;

 

(g) [reserved];

 

(h) other Debt not to exceed $250,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding; and

 

(i) any guarantee of any other Debt permitted to be incurred hereunder.

 

Section 9.03 Liens. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any Lien on any of its Properties (now owned or hereafter acquired), except:

 

(a) Liens securing the payment of any Secured Obligations;

 

(b) Excepted Liens;

 

(c) Liens securing Capital Leases permitted by Section 9.02(b) but only on the Property that is the subject of any such lease, accessions and improvements thereto, insurance thereon, and the proceeds of the foregoing; and

 

(d) other Liens on Property not constituting collateral for the Secured Obligations not to exceed $250,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding.

 

Section 9.04 Restricted Payments. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except

 

(a) the Borrower may make Restricted Payments with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Capital Stock);

 

(b) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends and other Restricted Payments to the Borrower and any other Loan Party;

 

(c) so long as no Event of Default exists or would result therefrom the Borrower may make Permitted Tax Distributions;

 

(d) so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of any Loan Party, whether upon the exercise or conversion of stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, unit options, restricted units, phantom units, warrants, incentives, rights to acquire Equity Interests or other derivative securities of such Equity Interests or otherwise, held by any current or former officer, director, member of management, consultant or employee (or their transferees, estates or beneficiaries under their estates) of any Loan Party pursuant to any equity subscription agreement, stock option agreement, shareholders’ agreement, employment agreement or similar agreement, collectively, not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year;

 

(e) so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, the repurchase of Equity Interests, that are deemed to occur upon the exercise or conversion of stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, unit options, restricted units, phantom units, warrants, incentives, rights to acquire Equity Interests or other derivative securities of such Equity Interests to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price thereof and any repurchase or other acquisition of any of the foregoing made in lieu of withholding Taxes in connection therewith not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year;

 

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(f) so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, payments of cash, dividends, distributions, advances or other Restricted Payments by any Loan Party to allow the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon (i) the exercise of options or warrants or (ii) the conversion or exchange of Equity Interests of any such Person, collectively, not to exceed $500,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year; and

 

(g) Borrower may declare and make Restricted Payments to the owners of its Equity Interests, so long as (i) no Default, Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, (ii) the ratio of Total Debt (after giving pro forma effect to any Borrowing to be made on the date of such Restricted Payment) to EBITDAX for the Test Period most recently ended is not greater than 2.5 to 1.0, and (iii) Availability (after giving pro forma effect to any Borrowing to be made on the date of such Restricted Payment) is greater than or equal to 20% of the then-existing Borrowing Base.

 

Section 9.05 Investments, Loans and Advances. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, make or permit to remain outstanding any Investments in or to any Person, except that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to:

 

(a) Investments which are disclosed to the Lenders in Schedule 9.05;

 

(b) accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

(c) cash and direct obligations of the United States or any agency thereof, or obligations guaranteed by the United States or any agency thereof, in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

 

(d) commercial paper maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof rated in one of the two highest grades by S&P or Moody’s;

 

(e) deposits maturing within one year from the date of creation thereof with, including certificates of deposit issued by, any Lender or any office located in the United States of any other bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the United States or any state thereof, has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating at least $100,000,000 (as of the date of such bank or trust company’s most recent financial reports) and has a short term deposit rating of no lower than A2 or P2, as such rating is set forth from time to time, by S&P or Moody’s, respectively;

 

(f) Investments in money market or similar funds with assets of at least $1,000,000,000 and rated Aaa by Moody’s or AAA by S&P;

 

(g) Investments (i) made by the Borrower in or to its Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties or (ii) made by Loan Parties in or to each other or in or to the Borrower;

 

(h) Investments in direct ownership interests in additional Oil and Gas Properties and gas gathering systems related thereto or related to farm-out, farm-in, joint operating, joint venture or area of mutual interest agreements, gathering systems, pipelines or other similar arrangements and transactions which are usual and customary in the oil and gas exploration and production business located within the geographic boundaries of the United States of America;

 

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(i) Investments pursuant to Swap Agreements or hedging agreements otherwise permitted under this Agreement;

 

(j) Investments in stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts arising from Investments permitted under this Section 9.05, or from accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business, or from litigation, arbitration, or other disputes which Investments are obtained by the Borrower or any other Loan Party as a result of a bankruptcy or other insolvency proceeding of, or difficulties in collecting from, the obligor in respect of such obligations;

 

(k) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate principal amount not to at any time exceed $50,000; and

 

(l) other Investments not otherwise permitted hereunder not to exceed $250,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding.

 

Section 9.06 Nature of Business; No International Operations. The Borrower will not allow any material change to be made in the character of its business as an independent oil and gas exploration and production company. The Loan Parties will not (i) acquire or make any other expenditures (whether such expenditure is capital, operating or otherwise) in or related to, any Oil and Gas Properties not located within the geographical boundaries of the United States or (ii) acquire or create any Foreign Subsidiary.

 

Section 9.07 Proceeds of Loans.

 

(a) The Borrower will not permit the proceeds of the Loans to be used for any purpose other than those permitted by Section 7.23.

 

(b) No Loan Party nor any Person acting on behalf of the Borrower has taken or will take any action which causes any of the Loan Documents to violate Regulations T, U or X or any other regulation of the Board or to violate Section 7 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any rule or regulation thereunder, in each case as now in effect or as the same may hereinafter be in effect. If requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender FR Form U-1 or such other form referred to in Regulation U, Regulation T or Regulation X of the Board, as the case may be.

 

(c) The Borrower will not request any Borrowing or Letter of Credit, and the Borrower shall not use, and shall procure that its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents shall not use, the proceeds of any Borrowing or Letter of Credit:

 

(i) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws;

 

(ii) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country to the extent such activities, businesses or transaction would be prohibited by Sanctions if conducted by a corporation incorporated in the United States; or

 

(iii) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

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Section 9.08 ERISA Compliance. Except as could not reasonably be expected to result in liability to the Borrower or any other Loan Party in an aggregate amount that would result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, at any time:

 

(a) allow any ERISA Event to occur;

 

(b) contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, or permit any Subsidiary to contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, any Multiemployer Plan; and

 

(c) acquire, or permit any Subsidiary to acquire, an interest in any Person that causes such Person to become an ERISA Affiliate with respect to any Subsidiary if such Person sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or at any time in the six-year period preceding such acquisition has sponsored, maintained, or contributed to, any Multiemployer Plan.

 

Section 9.09 Sale or Discount of Receivables. Except for receivables obtained by the Loan Parties out of the ordinary course of business or the settlement of joint interest billing accounts in the ordinary course of business or discounts granted to settle collection of accounts receivable or the sale of defaulted accounts arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the compromise or collection thereof and not in connection with any financing transaction, the Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, discount or sell (with or without recourse) any of its notes receivable or accounts receivable.

 

Section 9.10 Mergers, Etc. Neither the Borrower nor any other Loan Party will merge into or with or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it, or sell, lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its Property to any other Person, (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) (any such transaction, a “consolidation”), or liquidate or dissolve, except that (a) any Loan Party may consolidate with or into the Borrower (provided the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving entity) and (b) any Loan Party (other than the Borrower) may consolidate with any other Loan Party.

 

Section 9.11 Sale of Properties and Termination of Hedging Transactions. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, sell, assign, farm-out, convey or otherwise transfer any Property (subject to Section 9.10) except for:

 

(a) the sale of Hydrocarbons in the ordinary course of business;

 

(b) farmouts in the ordinary course of business of undeveloped acreage or undrilled depths and assignments in connection with such farmouts;

 

(c) the sale or transfer of equipment that is no longer necessary for the business of the Borrower or such other Loan Party or that is replaced by equipment of at least comparable value and use;

 

(d) the sale or other disposition of any Oil and Gas Property to which no Proved Reserves are attributed and the pooling or unitization of Oil and Gas Properties to which no material Proved Reserves are attributed;

 

(e) the sale or other disposition (including Casualty Events) of any Oil and Gas Property to which Proved Reserves are attributed or any interest therein (including any Equity Interest in any Loan Party that owns Oil and Gas Property to which Proved Reserves are attributed); provided that:

 

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(i) 75% of the consideration received in respect of such sale or other disposition of any such Oil and Gas Property (or such Equity Interest) shall be cash;

 

(ii) (other than in respect of Casualty Events) the consideration received in respect of a sale or other disposition of such Oil and Gas Property or interest therein (or such Equity Interest) shall be equal to or greater than the fair market value of such Oil and Gas Property or interest therein (or such Equity Interest) subject of such sale or other disposition (as reasonably determined by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall deliver a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying to the foregoing); and

 

(iii) if applicable, the Borrowing Base shall be adjusted in accordance with the terms of Section 2.07(e), and the Borrower shall make any required corresponding prepayment under Section 3.04(c)(iii).

 

(f) transfers of Properties from any Loan Party to the Borrower or any other Loan Party;

 

(g) Swap Terminations, provided that, if applicable, the Borrowing Base shall be adjusted in accordance with the terms of Section 2.07(e), and the Borrower shall make any required corresponding prepayment under Section 3.04(c)(iii);

 

(h) Casualty Events with respect to Properties that are not Oil and Gas Properties; and

 

(i) Other sales, assignments, conveyances, and other transfers of Properties other than Borrowing Base Properties, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000 in any fiscal year.

 

Section 9.12 Sales and Leasebacks. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to enter into any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by any Loan Party of real or personal property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by such Loan Party to such Person or to any other Person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or rental obligations of such Loan Party.

 

Section 9.13 Environmental Matters. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, (a) cause or knowingly permit any of its Property to be in violation of, or (b) do anything or knowingly permit anything to be done which will subject any such Property to any Remedial Work (other than Remedial Work done in the ordinary course of business) under, any Environmental Laws that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; it being understood that clause (b) above will not be deemed as limiting or otherwise restricting any obligation to disclose any relevant facts, conditions and circumstances pertaining to such Property to the appropriate Governmental Authority.

 

Section 9.14 Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, enter into any transaction, including any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of Property or the rendering of any service, with any Affiliate (other than between Borrower and Loan Parties) unless such transactions are otherwise permitted under this Agreement and are upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to it than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate.

 

Section 9.15 Negative Pledge Agreements; Dividend Restrictions. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any contract, agreement or understanding which in any way prohibits or restricts (a) the granting, conveying, creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its Property to secure the Secured Obligations or which requires the consent of other Persons in connection therewith or (b) the Borrower or any other Loan Party from paying dividends or making distributions to any Loan Party or receiving any money in respect of Debt or other obligations owed to it, or which requires the consent of or notice to other Persons in connection therewith; provided that (i) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions under the Loan Documents, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions contained in agreements relating to the sale of any asset or another Loan Party pending such sale; provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the asset or other Loan Party that is to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, and (iii) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to (A) restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to Capital Leases or purchase money Debt permitted by this Agreement if such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Capital Leases or Debt and (B) customary provisions in leases restricting the assignment thereof.

 

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Section 9.16 Take-or-Pay or Other Prepayments. The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, allow take-or-pay or other prepayments with respect to the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower or any other Loan Party that would require the Borrower or such other Loan Party to deliver Hydrocarbons at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor.

 

Section 9.17 Swap Agreements.

 

(a) The Borrower will not, and will not permit any other Loan Party to, enter into any Swap Agreements with any Person other than:

 

(i) puts or floors with respect to which neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has any payment obligation other than fixed premiums or other fixed charges;

 

(ii) Swap Agreements in respect of commodities (A) with an Approved Counterparty, (B) which have a term not greater than four years and (C) the notional volumes for which (when aggregated and netted with other commodity Swap Agreements then in effect other than basis differential swaps on volumes already hedged pursuant to other Swap Agreements) do not exceed, as of the date such Swap Agreement is executed and at any time thereafter (such notional volumes to be based upon the projections contained in the then-most recently delivered Reserve Report), 85% of the reasonably anticipated projected production from the proved, developed producing Oil and Gas Properties of the Loan Parties for each of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids, calculated separately, for each calendar month following such measurement date;

 

(iii) Swap Agreements in respect of interest rates with an Approved Counterparty, as follows: (A) Swap Agreements effectively converting interest rates from fixed to floating, the notional amounts of which (when aggregated with all other Swap Agreements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries then in effect effectively converting interest rates from fixed to floating) do not exceed 75% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Borrower’s Debt for borrowed money which bears interest at a fixed rate and (B) Swap Agreements effectively converting interest rates from floating to fixed, the notional amounts of which (when aggregated with all other Swap Agreements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries then in effect effectively converting interest rates from floating to fixed) do not exceed 75% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Borrower’s Debt for borrowed money which bears interest at a floating rate.

 

(b) (i) In no event shall any Swap Agreement contain any requirement, agreement or covenant for any Loan Party to post collateral or margin to secure their obligations under such Swap Agreement or to cover market exposures (other than under the Security Instruments), (ii) Swap Agreements shall only be entered into in the ordinary course of business (and not for speculative purposes), and (iii) no Swap Agreement in respect of commodities shall be terminated, unwound, cancelled or otherwise disposed of except to the extent that upon such disposition Borrower makes any required corresponding prepayment under Section 3.04(c)(iii).

 

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Section 9.18 Amendments to Organizational Documents and Material Contracts. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party to, (a) amend, supplement or otherwise modify (or permit to be amended, supplemented or modified) its Organizational Documents in any material respect that could reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the interests of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders without the consent of the Administrative Agent (not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), other than amendments that delete or reduce any fees payable by any Loan Party to a Person other than the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or (b) (A) amend, supplement or otherwise modify (or permit to be amended, supplemented or modified) any agreement to which it is a party, (B) terminate, replace or assign any of the Loan Party’s interests in any agreement or (C) permit any agreement not to be in full force and effect and binding upon and enforceable against the parties thereto, in each case if such occurrence could be reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

Section 9.19 Changes in Fiscal Periods. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party to have its fiscal year end on a date other than December 31 or change its method of determining fiscal quarters.

 

Section 9.20 No Subsidiaries. The Borrower shall not permit, and shall not permit the other Loan Parties to own or create directly or indirectly any Subsidiaries other than any Subsidiary formed after the Effective Date that joins this Agreement as a Guarantor in accordance with Section 8.14(b).

 

ARTICLE X
Events of Default; Remedies

 

Section 10.01 Events of Default. One or more of the following events shall constitute an “Event of Default”:

 

(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for prepayment thereof, by acceleration or otherwise;

 

(b) the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount (other than an amount referred to in Section 10.01(a)) payable under any Loan Document, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of three (3) Business Days;

 

(c) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party in or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification of any Loan Document or waiver under such Loan Document, or in any report, notice, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made (or, to the extent that any such representation and warranty is qualified by materiality, such representation and warranty (as so qualified) shall prove to have been incorrect in any respect when made or deemed made);

 

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(d) the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in Section 8.01, Section 8.02, Section 8.03, Section 8.14, Section 8.17, Section 8.19, Section 8.22 or in ARTICLE IX;

 

(e) the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those specified in Section 10.01(a), Section 10.01(b), Section 10.01(c) or Section 10.01(d)) or any other Loan Document, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after the earlier to occur of (A) notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower (which notice will be given at the request of any Lender) or (B) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or such other Loan Party otherwise becoming aware of such default;

 

(f) the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness, when and as the same shall become due and payable after giving effect to any grace periods applicable thereto;

 

(g) any event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming due prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without the giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of such Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause such Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the Redemption thereof or any offer to Redeem to be made in respect thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity or require the Borrower or any other Loan Party to make an offer in respect thereof;

 

(h) an involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall be filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of any Loan Party, or its or their debts, or of a substantial part of its or their assets, under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any other Loan Party or for a substantial part of its or their assets, and, in any such case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for sixty (60) days or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be entered;

 

(i) the Borrower or any other Loan Party shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law now or hereafter in effect, (other than in the capacity as a creditor) (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described in Section 10.01(h), (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower or any other Loan Party or for a substantial part of its or their assets, (iv) file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against it or them in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or (vii) become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;

 

(j) one or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $500,000 (to the extent not covered by independent third party insurance as to which the insurer does not dispute coverage and is not subject to an insolvency proceeding) shall be rendered against any Loan Party or any combination thereof and the same shall remain undischarged for a period of 45 consecutive days during which execution shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of any Loan Party to enforce any such judgment;

 

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(k) the Loan Documents after delivery thereof shall for any reason, except to the extent permitted by the terms thereof, cease to be in full force and effect and valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with their terms against the Borrower or a Loan Party thereto or shall be repudiated by any of them or cease to create valid and perfected Liens of the priority required thereby on the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, except to the extent permitted by the terms of this Agreement, or the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of their Affiliates shall so state in writing;

 

(l) an ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of the Borrower under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

 

(m) a Change in Control shall occur.

 

Section 10.02 Remedies.

 

(a) In the case of an Event of Default (other than one described in Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i)), at any time thereafter during the continuance of such Event of Default, the Administrative Agent may with the consent of the Majority Lenders or shall at the request of the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both of the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and (ii) by written notice to the Borrower, declare the Notes and the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part, in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans so declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Loan Parties accrued hereunder and under the Notes and the other Loan Documents (including the payment of cash collateral to secure the LC Exposure as provided in Section 2.08(j)), shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment, demand (other than written notice), protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by each Loan Party; and in case of an Event of Default described in Section 10.01(h) or Section 10.01(i), the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the Notes and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest thereon and all fees and the other obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties accrued hereunder and under the Notes and the other Loan Documents (including the payment of cash collateral to secure the LC Exposure as provided in Section 2.08(j)), shall automatically and immediately become due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration, or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by each Loan Party.

 

(b) In the case of the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders will have all other rights and remedies available at law and equity.

 

(c) All proceeds realized from the liquidation or other disposition of collateral or otherwise received after maturity of the Loans, whether by acceleration or otherwise, shall be applied, subject to the Intercreditor Agreement:

 

(i) first, to payment or reimbursement of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

 

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(ii) second, pro rata to payment or reimbursement of that portion of the Secured Obligations constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Lenders;

 

(iii) third, pro rata to payment of accrued interest on the Loans;

 

(iv) fourth, pro rata to payment of principal outstanding on the Loans and Secured Obligations referred to in clause (y) of the definition of Secured Obligations in respect of Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Swap Agreements;

 

(v) fifth, pro rata to any other Secured Obligations;

 

(vi) sixth, to serve as Cash Collateral to be held by the Administrative Agent to secure the LC Exposure; and

 

(vii) seventh, any excess, after all of the Secured Obligations shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, shall be paid to the Borrower or as otherwise required by any Governmental Requirement.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, amounts received from the Borrower or any Guarantor that is not an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act shall not be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligations (it being understood, that in the event that any amount is applied to Secured Obligations other than Excluded Swap Obligations as a result of this clause, the Administrative Agent shall make such adjustments as it determines are appropriate to distributions pursuant to clause fourth above from amounts received from “eligible contract participants” under the Commodity Exchange Act to ensure, as nearly as possible, that the proportional aggregate recoveries with respect to Secured Obligations described in clause fourth above by the holders of any Excluded Swap Obligations are the same as the proportional aggregate recoveries with respect to other Secured Obligations pursuant to clause fourth above).

 

Section 10.03 Right to Cure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement:

 

(a) in the event that the Borrower fails to comply with the requirements of the financial covenants set forth in Section 9.01(a) or Section 9.01(b) (collectively, the “Specified Financial Covenants”) as of the end of any fiscal quarter, then during the period commencing on the date that financial statements are delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(a) or (b) for such fiscal quarter until the expiration of the tenth Business Day subsequent to the date that such financial statements are required to be delivered pursuant to Section 8.01(a) or (b) for such fiscal quarter (in each case, the last day of such period being the “Anticipated Cure Deadline” and such ten Business Day period, the “Equity Cure Standstill Period”), the Borrower shall have the right to obtain cash contributions to its capital, other than proceeds from Disqualified Capital Stock (the “Cure Right”), and upon the receipt by the Borrower of such cash (a “Cure Amount”), the Specified Financial Covenants shall be recalculated giving effect to the following pro forma adjustments:

 

(i) EBITDAX and consolidated current assets for such fiscal quarter as of the last day of such fiscal quarter shall each be increased by an amount equal to such Cure Amount (or necessary portion thereof, as provided below) for purposes of calculating the Specified Financial Covenants as of such fiscal quarter end (and such increase to such fiscal quarter’s EBITDAX and consolidated current assets shall also apply to subsequent calculations of EBITDAX and consolidated current assets in connection with the Specified Financial Covenants for so long as such fiscal quarter’s EBITDAX and consolidated current assets are included in such subsequent calculations); provided that to the extent the Cure Amount is being applied to cure a failure to comply with both Specified Financial Covenants, the Cure Amount (or portion thereof) applied to each Specified Financial Covenant shall be the minimum amount required to remedy the respective failure to comply; and

 

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(ii) Total Debt as of the last day of such fiscal quarter shall not be deemed reduced by such Cure Amount, even if the proceeds of any Cure Amount are actually used to repay Debt.

 

(b) If, after giving effect to the foregoing recalculations, the Borrower shall then be in compliance with the Specified Financial Covenants, the Borrower shall be deemed to have satisfied the requirements of the Specified Financial Covenants as of the relevant date of determination with the same effect as though there had been no failure to comply therewith, and the applicable breach or default of the Specified Financial Covenants that had occurred shall be deemed cured for the purposes of this Agreement.

 

(c) Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of written notice, on or prior to the Anticipated Cure Deadline, that the Borrower intends to exercise the Cure Right in respect of a fiscal quarter, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall not be permitted to accelerate Loans held by them or to exercise remedies under the Loan Documents on the basis of a failure to comply with any Specified Financial Covenant until after the applicable Equity Cure Standstill Period; provided that no Lender or Issuing Bank shall be required to make any extension of credit hereunder during the Equity Cure Standstill Period, unless the Borrower shall have received the Cure Amount.

 

(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 10.03 to the contrary, (i) the Borrower may not exercise the Cure Right in more than four fiscal quarters during the term of this Agreement or in any two consecutive fiscal quarters, (ii) for purposes of this Section 10.03, the Cure Amount utilized shall be no greater than the minimum amount required to remedy all applicable failures to comply with the Specified Financial Covenants, (iii) all Cure Amounts shall be disregarded for the purposes of any financial ratio determination under the Loan Documents other than for determining compliance with the Specified Financial Covenants, and (iv) for the purpose of any calculation of EBITDAX on an annualized basis hereunder, if the Borrower elects to increase EBITDAX for the fiscal quarter most recently ended by an amount equal to a Cure Amount, then such increase shall be included in the calculation of EBITDAX for such fiscal quarter (and any period that includes such fiscal quarter) only after first calculating EBITDAX on an annualized basis without giving effect to such increase (i.e. the Cure Amount shall not be annualized), and (v) to the extent, if any, that EBITDAX or consolidated current assets is calculated under this Agreement for any purpose other than determining compliance with Specified Financial Covenants, the Cure Amount shall not be included in such calculation.

 

ARTICLE XI
The Administrative Agent

 

Section 11.01 Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.06(b), the provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third-party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any Applicable Law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties. Each of each Lender and the Issuing Bank hereby approves the terms and conditions of the Intercreditor Agreement and authorizes Administrative Agent to enter into the Intercreditor Agreement and amendments thereto from time to time.

 

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Section 11.02 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for, and generally engage in any kind of business with, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

 

Section 11.03 Exculpatory Provisions.

 

(a) The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:

 

(i) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing (the use of the term “agent” herein and in the other Loan Documents with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law; rather, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties);

 

(ii) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents); provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable Law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law, and in all cases the Administrative Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder or under any other Loan Documents unless it shall (A) receive written instructions from the Majority Lenders or the Lenders, as applicable, (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances as provided in Section 12.02), or other parties as set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement, specifying the action to be taken and (B) be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expenses which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action; and

 

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(iii) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

 

(b) The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 10.01 and 12.02), or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent in writing by the Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Bank. If a Default has occurred and is continuing, then the Administrative Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default as shall be directed by the requisite Lenders in the written instructions (with indemnities) described in this Section 11.03, provided that, unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Lenders. If a Default has occurred and is continuing, no Agent shall have any obligation to perform any act in respect thereof.

 

(c) The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article VI or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent, (vi) the existence, value, perfection or priority of any collateral security or the financial or other condition of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries or any other obligor or guarantor, or (vii) any failure by the Borrower or any other Person (other than itself) to perform any of its obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document or the performance or observance of any covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein.

 

Section 11.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, increase, reinstatement or renewal of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Bank prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

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Section 11.05 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the credit facility evidenced hereby as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and nonappealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub agents.

 

Section 11.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent.

 

(a) The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Majority Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower and, provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, with the Borrower’s prior written consent, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Majority Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above; provided that in no event shall any such successor Administrative Agent be a Defaulting Lender. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

 

(b) If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Majority Lenders may, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, by notice in writing to the Borrower and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with the Borrower, appoint a successor. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Majority Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

 

(c) With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (i) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and (ii) except for any indemnity payments owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and Issuing Bank directly, until such time, if any, as the Majority Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Administrative Agent (other than any rights to indemnity payments owed to the retiring or removed Administrative Agent), and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 12.03 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.

 

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Section 11.07 Non-Reliance on Agents and Other Lenders. Each Lender and Issuing Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder. The Agents shall not be required to keep themselves informed as to the performance or observance by the Borrower, or any Subsidiary of this Agreement, the Loan Documents or any other document referred to or provided for herein or to inspect the Properties or books of any such Person. Except for notices, reports and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder, no Agent nor any Arranger shall have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (or any of their Affiliates) which may come into the possession of such Agent or any of its Affiliates. In this regard, each Lender acknowledges that Winstead PC is acting in this transaction as special counsel to the Administrative Agent only, except to the extent otherwise expressly stated in any legal opinion or any Loan Document. Each other party hereto will consult with its own legal counsel to the extent that it deems necessary in connection with the Loan Documents and the matters contemplated therein.

 

Section 11.08 No Other Duties. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Arrangers or Agents listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Issuing Bank hereunder.

 

Section 11.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or any other judicial proceeding relative to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or LC Exposure shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered (but not obligated) by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:

 

(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, LC Exposure and all other Secured Obligations that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Administrative Agent under Section 12.03) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

 

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(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;

 

and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and Issuing Bank to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the Issuing Banks, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Section 12.03.

 

Section 11.10 Authority of Administrative Agent to Release Collateral and Liens. The Lenders and the Issuing Bank, and by accepting the benefits of the Collateral, each Secured Swap Provider and each Secured Cash Management Provider, each authorize the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver to the Loan Parties, at the Borrower’s sole cost and expense, any and all releases of Liens, termination statements, assignments or other documents as reasonably requested by such Loan Party in connection with any disposition of Property to the extent such disposition is permitted by the terms of Section 9.11 or is otherwise authorized by the terms of the Loan Documents. Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Majority Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement pursuant to this Section 11.10.

 

Section 11.11 Certain ERISA Matters.

 

(a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

 

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Agreement,

 

(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement,

 

(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement, or

 

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(iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

 

(b) In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower or any other Loan Party, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

 

Section 11.12 Erroneous Payments.

 

(a) If the Administrative Agent (x) notifies a Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party, or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party (any such Lender, Issuing Bank, Secured Party or other recipient (and each of their respective successors and assigns), a “Payment Recipient”) that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion (whether or not after receipt of any notice under immediately succeeding clause (b)) that any funds (as set forth in such notice from the Administrative Agent) received by such Payment Recipient from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates were erroneously or mistakenly transmitted to, or otherwise erroneously or mistakenly received by, such Payment Recipient (whether or not known to such Lender, Issuing Bank, Secured Party or other Payment Recipient on its behalf) (any such funds, whether transmitted or received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise, individually and collectively, an “Erroneous Payment”) and (y) demands in writing the return of such Erroneous Payment (or a portion thereof), such Erroneous Payment shall at all times remain the property of the Administrative Agent pending its return or repayment as contemplated below in this Section 11.12 and held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, and such Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party shall (or, with respect to any Payment Recipient who received such funds on its behalf, shall cause such Payment Recipient to) promptly, but in no event later than two Business Days thereafter (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, specify in writing), return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made, in same day funds (in the currency so received), together with interest thereon (except to the extent waived in writing by the Administrative Agent) in respect of each day from and including the date such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Payment Recipient to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent in same day funds at the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Payment Recipient under this clause (a) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

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(b) Without limiting immediately preceding clause (a), each Lender, Issuing Bank, Secured Party or any Person who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party (and each of their respective successors and assigns), agrees that if it receives a payment, prepayment or repayment (whether received as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees, distribution or otherwise) from the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in this Agreement or in a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment, (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a notice of payment, prepayment or repayment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates), or (z) that such Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party, or other such recipient, otherwise becomes aware was transmitted, or received, in error or by mistake (in whole or in part), then in each such case:

 

(i) it acknowledges and agrees that (A) in the case of immediately preceding clauses (x) or (y), an error and mistake shall be presumed to have been made (absent written confirmation from the Administrative Agent to the contrary) or (B) an error and mistake has been made (in the case of immediately preceding clause (z)), in each case, with respect to such payment, prepayment or repayment; and

 

(ii) such Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party shall (and shall cause any other recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf to) promptly (and, in all events, within one Business Day of its knowledge of the occurrence of any of the circumstances described in immediately preceding clauses (x), (y) and (z)) notify the Administrative Agent of its receipt of such payment, prepayment or repayment, the details thereof (in reasonable detail) and that it is so notifying the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 11.12(b).

 

For the avoidance of doubt, the failure to deliver a notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 11.12(b) shall not have any effect on a Payment Recipient’s obligations pursuant to Section 11.12(a) or on whether or not an Erroneous Payment has been made.

 

(c) Each Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to set off, net and apply any and all amounts at any time owing to such Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party under any Loan Document, or otherwise payable or distributable by the Administrative Agent to such Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party under any Loan Document with respect to any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts, against any amount that the Administrative Agent has demanded to be returned under immediately preceding clause (a).

 

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(d) (i) In the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered by the Administrative Agent for any reason, after demand therefor in accordance with immediately preceding clause (a), from any Lender that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) (and/or from any Payment Recipient who received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) on its respective behalf) (such unrecovered amount, an “Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency”), upon the Administrative Agent’s notice to such Lender at any time, then effective immediately (with the consideration therefor being acknowledged by the parties hereto), (A) such Lender shall be deemed to have assigned its Loans (but not its Commitments) with respect to which such Erroneous Payment was made (the “Erroneous Payment Impacted Class”) in an amount equal to the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency (or such lesser amount as the Administrative Agent may specify) (such assignment of the Loans (but not Commitments) of the Erroneous Payment Impacted Class, the “Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment”) (on a cashless basis and such amount calculated at par plus any accrued and unpaid interest (with the assignment fee to be waived by the Administrative Agent in such instance)), and is hereby (together with the Borrower) deemed to execute and deliver an Assignment and Assumption (or, to the extent applicable, an agreement incorporating an Assignment and Assumption by reference pursuant to a Platform as to which the Administrative Agent and such parties are participants) with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and such Lender shall deliver any Notes evidencing such Loans to the Borrower or the Administrative Agent (but the failure of such Person to deliver any such Notes shall not affect the effectiveness of the foregoing assignment), (B) the Administrative Agent as the assignee Lender shall be deemed to have acquired the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, (C) upon such deemed acquisition, the Administrative Agent as the assignee Lender shall become a Lender, as applicable, hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and the assigning Lender shall cease to be a Lender, as applicable, hereunder with respect to such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, its obligations under the indemnification provisions of this Agreement and its applicable Commitments which shall survive as to such assigning Lender, (D) the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall each be deemed to have waived any consents required under this Agreement to any such Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment, and (E) the Administrative Agent will reflect in the Register its ownership interest in the Loans subject to the Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment. For the avoidance of doubt, no Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment will reduce the Commitments of any Lender and such Commitments shall remain available in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 

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(ii) Subject to Section 11.12 (but excluding, in all events, any assignment consent or approval requirements (whether from the Borrower or otherwise)), the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion, sell any Loans acquired pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment and upon receipt of the proceeds of such sale, the Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Lender shall be reduced by the net proceeds of the sale of such Loan (or portion thereof), and the Administrative Agent shall retain all other rights, remedies and claims against such Lender (and/or against any recipient that receives funds on its respective behalf). In addition, an Erroneous Payment Return Deficiency owing by the applicable Lender (x) shall be reduced by the proceeds of prepayments or repayments of principal and interest, or other distribution in respect of principal and interest, received by the Administrative Agent on or with respect to any such Loans acquired from such Lender pursuant to an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment (to the extent that any such Loans are then owned by the Administrative Agent) and (y) may, in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent, be reduced by any amount specified by the Administrative Agent in writing to the applicable Lender from time to time.

 

(e) The parties hereto agree that (x) irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent may be equitably subrogated, in the event that an Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Payment Recipient that has received such Erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights and interests of such Payment Recipient (and, in the case of any Payment Recipient who has received funds on behalf of a Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party, to the rights and interests of such Lender, Issuing Bank or Secured Party, as the case may be) under the Loan Documents with respect to such amount (the “Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights”) (provided that the Loan Parties’ Secured Obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of the Erroneous Payment Subrogation Rights shall not be duplicative of such Secured Obligations in respect of Loans that have been assigned to the Administrative Agent under an Erroneous Payment Deficiency Assignment) and (y) an Erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Secured Obligations owed by the Borrower or any other Loan Party; provided that this Section 11.12 shall not be interpreted to increase (or accelerate the due date for), or have the effect of increasing (or accelerating the due date for), the Obligations of the Borrower relative to the amount (and/or timing for payment) of the Obligations that would have been payable had such Erroneous Payment not been made by the Administrative Agent; provided, further, that for the avoidance of doubt, immediately preceding clauses (x) and (y) shall not apply to the extent any such Erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such Erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower for the purpose of making such Erroneous Payment.

 

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(f) To the extent permitted by applicable law, no Payment Recipient shall assert any right or claim to an Erroneous Payment, and hereby waives, and is deemed to waive, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Erroneous Payment received, including, without limitation, any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine.

 

(g) Each party’s obligations, agreements and waivers under this Section 11.12 shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent, any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender or Issuing Bank, the termination of the Commitments and/or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Secured Obligations (or any portion thereof) under any Loan Document.

 

ARTICLE XII
Miscellaneous

 

Section 12.01 Notices.

 

(a) Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and subject to Section 12.01(b)), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax, as follows:

 

(i) if to the Borrower, to it at U.S. Energy Corp., 675 Bering Dr., Suite 390, Houston, Texas 77057, Attention: Ryan Smith (email: ryan@usnrg.com);

 

(ii) if to the Administrative Agent or FBSW as the Issuing Bank, to it at FirstBank Southwest, 2401 S. Georgia, P.O. Box 32552, Amarillo, Texas 79120-2552 Attention: Dustin Hansen (Facsimile No. (806) 354-5266; email: dustinhansen@fbsw.com); and

 

(iii) if to any other Lender or Issuing Bank, to it at its address (or fax number) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

 

(b) Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to ARTICLE II, ARTICLE III, ARTICLE IV and ARTICLE V unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

 

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Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

 

(c) Any party hereto may change its address or fax number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt.

 

(d) Platform.

 

(i) The Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make the Communications (as defined below) available to the Issuing Banks and the other Lenders by posting the Communications on the Platform.

 

(ii) The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available.” The Agent Parties (as defined below) do not warrant the adequacy of the Platform and expressly disclaim liability for errors or omissions in the Communications. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third-party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by any Agent Party in connection with the Communications or the Platform. In no event shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the “Agent Parties”) have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower’s or the Administrative Agent’s transmission of communications through the Platform. “Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein that is distributed to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank by means of electronic communications pursuant to this Section, including through the Platform.

 

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Section 12.02 Waivers; Amendments.

 

(a) No failure on the part of the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, the Issuing Bank or Lender to exercise and no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect to, any right, power or privilege, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right, power or privilege, under any of the Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege under any of the Loan Documents preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent, each other Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by Section 12.02(b), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall not be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have had notice or knowledge of such Default at the time.

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Borrower shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 10.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the Issuing Banks; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit (i) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (ii) each Issuing Bank from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as an Issuing Bank) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (iii) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 12.08 (subject to the terms of Section 4.01(c)) or (iv) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to the Borrower under any Debtor Relief Law; provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (x) the Majority Lenders shall have the rights otherwise provided to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.02 and (y) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 4.01(c), any Lender may, with the consent of the Majority Lenders, enforce any rights or remedies available to it and as authorized by the Majority Lenders.

 

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(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof nor any Loan Document nor any provision thereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and/or the other applicable Loan Parties and the Majority Lenders or by the Borrower and/or the other applicable Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Majority Lenders; provided that no such agreement shall (i) extend or increase the Commitment or Maximum Credit Amount of any Lender without the written consent of such Lender (it being understood that a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Article VI or the waiver of any Default shall not constitute an extension or increase of any Commitment or Maximum Credit Amount of any Lender), (ii) except as otherwise provided in Section 2.07, increase the Borrowing Base without the written consent of each non-Defaulting Lender, or decrease or maintain the Borrowing Base without the consent of the Required Lenders (other than Defaulting Lenders); provided that a Scheduled Redetermination may be postponed by the Required Lenders, (iii) reduce the principal of, or rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or any LC Disbursement, or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, (iv) postpone any date scheduled for any payment of principal of, or interest on, any Loan or any L/C Disbursement, or any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone or extend the Maturity Date or the Termination Date, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (but not any mandatory prepayment (other than a mandatory prepayment in connection with a Borrowing Base Deficiency), which mandatory prepayments shall require the consent of the Majority Lenders), (v) change Section 4.01(b) or Section 4.01(c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby, without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby, (vi) waive or amend Section 3.04(c) or Section 6.01 without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby (other than any Defaulting Lender), (vii) release any Guarantor (except as set forth in Section 11.10 or the Guaranty Agreement), release all or substantially all of the collateral (other than as provided in Section 11.10), or reduce the percentages set forth in Section 8.14(a), without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender), (viii) change any of the provisions of this Section 12.02(b) or the definitions of “Majority Lenders” or “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or under any other Loan Documents or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder or any other Loan Documents, without the written consent of each Lender (other than any Defaulting Lender); or (ix) change Section 10.02(c) without the consent of each Person to whom a Secured Obligation is owed; provided further that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent or Issuing Bank, as the case may be. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (w) no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent that by its terms requires the consent of all the Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders, except that (i) the Commitment of any Defaulting Lender may not be increased or extended, or the maturity of any of its Loan may not be extended, the rate of interest on any of its Loans may not be reduced and the principal amount of any of its Loans may not be forgiven, in each case without the consent of such Defaulting Lender and (ii) any amendment, waiver or consent requiring the consent of all the Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than the other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender, (x) any supplement to any Schedule shall be effective simply by delivering to the Administrative Agent a supplemental schedule clearly marked as such and, upon receipt, the Administrative Agent will promptly deliver a copy thereof to the Lenders, (y) if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall have jointly identified an obvious error or any error or omission of a technical nature, in each case, in any provision of the Loan Documents, then the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall be permitted to amend such provision, and, in each case, such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document if the same is not objected to in writing by the Required Lenders to the Administrative Agent within ten Business Days following receipt of notice thereof, and (z) the Intercreditor Agreement may be amended or modified with the consent of the parties so required pursuant to the terms thereof.

 

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Section 12.03 Expenses, Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

 

(a) The Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates and to the extent necessary as determined by the Administrative Agent, other outside consultants for the Administrative Agent, the reasonable travel, photocopy, mailing, courier, telephone and other similar expenses, and the cost of environmental invasive and non-invasive assessments and audits and surveys and appraisals, in connection with the syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration (both before and after the execution hereof and including advice of counsel to the Administrative Agent as to the rights and duties of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect thereto) of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendments, modifications or waivers of or consents related to the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all documented out-of-pocket costs, expenses, Taxes, assessments and other charges incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with any filing, registration, recording or perfection of any security interest contemplated by this Agreement or any Security Instrument or any other document referred to therein, (iii) all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder, (iv) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender, including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, including its rights under this Section 12.03, or in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

 

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(b) THE BORROWER SHALL INDEMNIFY EACH AGENT, THE ARRANGER, THE ISSUING BANK AND EACH LENDER, AND EACH RELATED PARTY OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING PERSONS (EACH SUCH PERSON BEING CALLED AN “INDEMNITEE”) AGAINST, AND DEFEND AND HOLD EACH INDEMNITEE HARMLESS FROM, ANY AND ALL LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, LIABILITIES AND RELATED EXPENSES, INCLUDING THE FEES, CHARGES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY OUTSIDE COUNSEL for ANY INDEMNITEE, INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST ANY INDEMNITEE ARISING OUT OF, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR AS A RESULT OF (i) THE EXECUTION OR DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY AGREEMENT OR INSTRUMENT CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY, (ii) THE PERFORMANCE BY THE PARTIES HERETO OR THE PARTIES TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER OR THE CONSUMMATION OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR BY ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, (iii) THE FAILURE OF THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY TO COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, INCLUDING THIS AGREEMENT, OR WITH ANY GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENT, (iv) ANY INACCURACY OF ANY REPRESENTATION OR ANY BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY OR COVENANT OF THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY SET FORTH IN ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY INSTRUMENTS, DOCUMENTS OR CERTIFICATIONS DELIVERED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, (v) ANY LOAN OR LETTER OF CREDIT OR THE USE OF THE PROCEEDS THEREFROM, INCLUDING (A) ANY REFUSAL BY THE ISSUING BANK TO HONOR A DEMAND FOR PAYMENT UNDER A LETTER OF CREDIT IF THE DOCUMENTS PRESENTED IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH DEMAND DO NOT STRICTLY COMPLY WITH THE TERMS OF SUCH LETTER OF CREDIT, OR (B) THE PAYMENT OF A DRAWING UNDER ANY LETTER OF CREDIT NOTWITHSTANDING THE NON-COMPLIANCE, NON-DELIVERY OR OTHER IMPROPER PRESENTATION OF THE DOCUMENTS PRESENTED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, (vi) ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, (vii) THE OPERATIONS OF THE BUSINESS OF THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY BY SUCH PERSONS, (viii) ANY ASSERTION THAT THE LENDERS WERE NOT ENTITLED TO RECEIVE THE PROCEEDS RECEIVED PURSUANT TO THE SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, (ix) ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OR ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES OR OPERATIONS, INCLUDING THE PRESENCE, GENERATION, STORAGE, RELEASE, THREATENED RELEASE, USE, TRANSPORT, DISPOSAL, ARRANGEMENT OF DISPOSAL OR TREATMENT OF OIL, OIL AND GAS WASTES, SOLID WASTES OR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON OR AT ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES, (x) THE BREACH OR NON-COMPLIANCE BY THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY WITH ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY, (xi) THE PAST OWNERSHIP BY THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OF ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES OR PAST ACTIVITY ON ANY OF THEIR PROPERTIES WHICH, THOUGH LAWFUL AND FULLY PERMISSIBLE AT THE TIME, COULD RESULT IN PRESENT LIABILITY, (xii) THE PRESENCE, USE, RELEASE, STORAGE, TREATMENT, DISPOSAL, GENERATION, THREATENED RELEASE, TRANSPORT, ARRANGEMENT FOR TRANSPORT OR ARRANGEMENT FOR DISPOSAL OF OIL, OIL AND GAS WASTES, SOLID WASTES OR HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON OR AT ANY OF THE PROPERTIES OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OR ANY ACTUAL OR ALLEGED PRESENCE OR RELEASE OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON OR FROM ANY PROPERTY OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY, (xiii) ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITY RELATED IN ANY WAY TO THE BORROWER OR ANY SUBSIDIARY, (xiv) ANY OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH OR SAFETY CONDITION IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR (xv) ANY ACTUAL OR PROSPECTIVE CLAIM, LITIGATION, INVESTIGATION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY, WHETHER BROUGHT BY A THIRD PARTY OR BY ANY LOAN PARTY, AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER ANY INDEMNITEE IS A PARTY THERETO, AND SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL EXTEND TO EACH INDEMNITEE NOTWITHSTANDING THE SOLE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF EVERY KIND OR CHARACTER WHATSOEVER, WHETHER ACTIVE OR PASSIVE, WHETHER AN AFFIRMATIVE ACT OR AN OMISSION, INCLUDING ALL TYPES OF NEGLIGENT CONDUCT IDENTIFIED IN THE RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS OF ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNITEES OR BY REASON OF STRICT LIABILITY IMPOSED WITHOUT FAULT ON ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE INDEMNITEES INCLUDING ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE; PROVIDED THAT SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL NOT, AS TO ANY INDEMNITEE, BE AVAILABLE TO THE EXTENT THAT SUCH LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES OR RELATED EXPENSES ARE DETERMINED BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY FINAL AND NONAPPEALABLE JUDGMENT TO (X) HAVE RESULTED FROM (1) THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF SUCH INDEMNITEE OR (2) THE MATERIAL BREACH IN BAD FAITH OF SUCH INDEMNITEE’S OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (Y) RELATE TO DISPUTES SOLEY AMONG INDEMNITEES (EXCLUDING ANY SUCH DISPUTE INVOLVING THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN ITS CAPACITY AS SUCH), OR (Z) RELATE TO TAXES, WHICH SHALL BE SUBJECT TO INDEMNIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 5.03.

 

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(c) To the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent, any Agent, any Arranger or any Issuing Bank under Section 12.03(a) or (b), each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, such Agent, such Arranger or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount; provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent, such Agent, such Arranger or such Issuing Bank in its capacity as such.

 

(d) To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not, and shall cause each Subsidiary not to, assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the Transactions, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof, provided that nothing contained in this Section 12.03(d) shall limit the indemnity and reimbursement obligations otherwise set forth in Section 12.03.

 

(e) All amounts due under this Section 12.03 shall be payable not later than 10 days after written demand therefor.

 

Section 12.04 Successors and Assigns.

 

(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer its rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section 12.04. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in Section 12.04(c)) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

(b) (i) Subject to the conditions set forth in Section 12.04(b)(ii), any Lender may assign to one or more assignees (each, an “Assignee”) (other than Disqualified Persons) all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it) with the prior written consent of:

 

(A) the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld), provided that no consent of the Borrower shall be required if (1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or (2) at any other time, such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided further, that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless the Borrower shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent with five (5) Business Days after having received written notice thereof; and

 

(B) the Administrative Agent, provided that no consent of the Administrative Agent shall be required for an assignment to an assignee that is a Lender immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment; and

 

(C) each Issuing Bank, provided that no consent of any Issuing Bank shall be required for an assignment to an assignee that is a Lender immediately prior to giving effect to such assignment.

 

(ii) Assignments shall be subject to the following additional conditions:

 

(A) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or Loans, the amount of the Commitment or Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided that no such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

 

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(B) each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement;

 

(C) the parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500, and the Borrower shall pay all actual costs and expenses in connection with each such assignment;

 

(D) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire; and

 

(E) the assignee must not be a natural person, a Defaulting Lender, an Affiliate or Subsidiary of the Borrower, or a Disqualified Person;

 

(iii) Subject to Section 12.04(b)(iv) and the acceptance and recording thereof, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption the Assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.01, Section 5.03 and Section 12.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 12.04 shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with Section 12.04(c).

 

(iv) The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Maximum Credit Amount of, and principal amount (and stated interest) of the Loans and LC Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, the Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice. In connection with any changes to the Register, if necessary, the Administrative Agent will reflect the revisions on Annex I and forward a copy of such revised Annex I to the Borrower, the Issuing Bank and each Lender.

 

(v) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the Assignee’s completed Administrative Questionnaire and, if required hereunder, applicable tax forms (unless the Assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in this Section 12.04(b) and any written consent to such assignment required by this Section 12.04(b), the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as provided in this Section 12.04(b).

 

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(vi) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no assignment or participation shall be made to any Loan Party or any Affiliate of a Loan Party.

 

(c) (i) Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank or any other Person, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural Person, the Borrower, any of the Borrower’s Affiliates or Subsidiaries, or any Disqualified Person) (a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it); provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, (C) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, and (D) the selling Lender shall maintain the Participant Register. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in the first proviso to Section 12.02(b) that affects such Participant. In addition such agreement must provide that the Participant be bound by the provisions of Section 12.03. Subject to Section 12.04(c)(ii), the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.01 and Section 5.03 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 12.04(b). To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 12.08 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 4.01(c) as though it were a Lender. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

(ii) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 5.01 or Section 5.03 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that would be a Non-U.S. Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 5.03 unless such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 5.03(g) as though it were a Lender (it being understood the documentation required under Section 5.03(g) shall be provided only to the selling Lender).

 

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(d) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or a central bank, and this Section 12.04(d) shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or Assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

 

(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 12.04, no transfer or assignment of the interests or obligations of any Lender or any grant of participations therein shall be permitted if such transfer, assignment or grant would require the Borrower and the other Loan Parties to file a registration statement with the SEC or to qualify the Loans under the “Blue Sky” laws of any state.

 

Section 12.05 Survival; Revival; Reinstatement.

 

(a) All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Loan Parties herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection with or pursuant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit, regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any other Agent, the Issuing Bank or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit or other Secured Obligations are outstanding and so long as the Commitments have not expired or been terminated. The provisions of Section 5.01, Section 5.03 and Section 12.03 and ARTICLE XI shall survive and remain in full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any provision hereof or thereof.

 

(b) To the extent that any payments on the Secured Obligations or proceeds of any collateral are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be repaid to a trustee, debtor in possession, receiver or other Person under any bankruptcy law, common law or equitable cause, then to such extent, the Secured Obligations shall be revived and continue as if such payment or proceeds had not been received and the Administrative Agent’s and the Lenders’ Liens, security interests, rights, powers and remedies under this Agreement and each Loan Document shall continue in full force and effect. In such event, each Loan Document shall be automatically reinstated and the Borrower shall, and shall cause each other Loan Party to, take such action as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to effect such reinstatement.

 

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Section 12.06 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.

 

(a) This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.

 

(b) This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

 

(c) Except as provided in Section 6.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by fax or other similar electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

(d) The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents including any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or electronic records, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.

 

Section 12.07 Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction. Without limiting the foregoing provisions of this Section, if and to the extent that the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement relating to Defaulting Lenders shall be limited by Debtor Relief Laws, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Bank, as applicable, then such provision shall be deemed to be in effect only to the extent not so limited.

 

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Section 12.08 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, each Issuing Bank, and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held, and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing, by such Lender, such Issuing Bank or any such Affiliate, to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender or such Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, Issuing Bank or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch office or Affiliate of such Lender or such Issuing Bank different from the branch office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.05 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks, and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Secured Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender, each Issuing Bank and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, such Issuing Bank or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender and Issuing Bank agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

Section 12.09 GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; ETC.

 

(a) Governing Law. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. CHAPTER 346 OF THE TEXAS FINANCE CODE (RELATING TO REVOLVING LOAN AND REVOLVING TRIPARTY ACCOUNTS), SHALL NOT APPLY TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY LOANS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

(b) Jurisdiction. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER, ANY ISSUING BANK, OR ANY RELATED PARTY OF THE FOREGOING IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS SITTING IN POTTER COUNTY, AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH TEXAS STATE COURT OR, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY ISSUING BANK MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

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(c) Waiver of Venue. THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

 

(d) Service of Process. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 12.01. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

 

Section 12.10 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

Section 12.11 Headings. Article and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 

Section 12.12 Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Banks agree to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential); (b) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners); (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or by any subpoena or similar legal process; (d) to any other party hereto; (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder; (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 12.12, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any Swap Agreement or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder; (g) on a confidential basis to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the credit facility evidenced hereby or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the credit facility evidenced hereby; (h) with the consent of the Borrower; or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 12.12, or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower who did not acquire such information as a result of a breach of this Section 12.12. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers to the Agents or any Lender in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the Commitments. For purposes of this Section 12.12, “Information” means all information received from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries relating to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that, in the case of information received from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 12.12 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.

 

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Section 12.13 USA Patriot Act Notice. Each Lender subject to the PATRIOT Act hereby notifies the Borrower that, pursuant to the requirements of the PATRIOT Act, it may be required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender to identify the Borrower in accordance with the PATRIOT Act.

 

Section 12.14 Interest Rate Limitation. It is the intention of the parties hereto that each Lender and each Issuing Bank shall conform strictly to usury laws applicable to it. Accordingly, if the transactions contemplated hereby would be usurious as to any Lender or any Issuing Bank under laws applicable to it (including the laws of the United States of America and the State of Texas or any other jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable to such Lender or such Issuing Bank notwithstanding the other provisions of this Agreement), then, in that event, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any of the Loan Documents or any agreement entered into in connection with or as security for the Notes, it is agreed as follows: (a) the aggregate of all consideration which constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender that is contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received by such Lender or such Issuing Bank under any of the Loan Documents or agreements or otherwise in connection with the Loans or Notes shall under no circumstances exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and any excess shall be canceled automatically and if theretofore paid shall be credited by such Lender on the principal amount of the Secured Obligations (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Secured Obligations shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender or such Issuing Bank to the Borrower); and (b) in the event that the maturity of the Loans or Notes is accelerated by reason of an election of the holder thereof resulting from any Event of Default under this Agreement or otherwise, or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration that constitutes interest under law applicable to any Lender or any Issuing Bank may never include more than the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise shall be canceled automatically by such Lender or such Issuing Bank as of the date of such acceleration or prepayment and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited by such Lender or such Issuing Bank on the principal amount of the Debt (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Debt shall have been or would thereby be paid in full, refunded by such Lender to the Borrower). All sums paid or agreed to be paid to any Lender for the use, forbearance or detention of sums due hereunder shall, to the extent permitted by law applicable to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, be amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the stated term of the Loans until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of any Loans hereunder does not exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law. If at any time and from time to time (i) the amount of interest payable to any Lender or any Issuing Bank on any date shall be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender or such Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section 12.14 and (ii) in respect of any subsequent interest computation period the amount of interest otherwise payable to such Lender or such Issuing Bank would be less than the amount of interest payable to such Lender computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, then the amount of interest payable to such Lender or such Issuing Bank in respect of such subsequent interest computation period shall continue to be computed at the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to such Lender or such Issuing Bank until the total amount of interest payable to such Lender shall equal the total amount of interest which would have been payable to such Lender or such Issuing Bank if the total amount of interest had been computed without giving effect to this Section 12.14. To the extent that Chapter 303 of the Texas Finance Code is relevant for the purpose of determining the Highest Lawful Rate applicable to any Lender or any Issuing Bank, such Lender or such Issuing Bank elects to determine the applicable rate ceiling under such Chapter by the weekly ceiling from time to time in effect. Chapter 346 of the Texas Finance Code does not apply to the Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

 

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Section 12.15 Collateral Matters; Swap Agreements. The benefit of the Security Instruments and of the provisions of this Agreement relating to any collateral securing the Secured Obligations shall also extend to and be available to the Secured Swap Providers in respect of the Secured Swap Agreements as set forth herein. Except as set forth in Section 12.02(b)(ix), no Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender shall have any voting rights under any Loan Document as a result of the existence of obligations owed to it under any such Swap Agreements.

 

Section 12.16 No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and the agreement of the Lenders to make Loans and any Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend Letters of Credit hereunder are solely for the benefit of the Borrower, and no other Person (including any other Loan Party of the Borrower, any obligor, contractor, subcontractor, supplier or materialsman) shall have any rights, claims, remedies or privileges hereunder or under any other Loan Document against the Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank or Lender for any reason whatsoever. There are no third party beneficiaries.

 

Section 12.17 EXCULPATION PROVISIONS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO SPECIFICALLY AGREES THAT IT HAS A DUTY TO READ THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND AGREES THAT IT IS CHARGED WITH NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; THAT IT HAS IN FACT READ THIS AGREEMENT AND IS FULLY INFORMED AND HAS FULL NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE TERMS, CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS OF THIS AGREEMENT; THAT IT HAS BEEN REPRESENTED BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL OF ITS CHOICE THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS PRECEDING ITS EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; AND HAS RECEIVED THE ADVICE OF ITS ATTORNEY IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS; AND THAT IT RECOGNIZES THAT CERTAIN OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS RESULT IN ONE PARTY ASSUMING THE LIABILITY INHERENT IN SOME ASPECTS OF THE TRANSACTION AND RELIEVING THE OTHER PARTY OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH LIABILITY. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT CONTEST THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY EXCULPATORY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS ON THE BASIS THAT THE PARTY HAD NO NOTICE OR KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH PROVISION OR THAT THE PROVISION IS NOT “CONSPICUOUS. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (a) (i) no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and any Arranger, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender is intended to be or has been created in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents, irrespective of whether the Arranger, the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender has advised or is advising the Borrower or any Subsidiary on other matters, (ii) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Arranger, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Arranger, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders, on the other hand, (iii) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent that it has deemed appropriate and (iv) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; and (b) (i) the Arranger, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person; (ii) none of the Arranger, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Arranger, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders and their respective Affiliates may be engaged, for their own accounts or the accounts of customers, in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and none of the Arranger, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against any of the Arranger, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

 

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Section 12.18 Flood Insurance Provisions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, in no event is any Building (as defined in the applicable Flood Insurance Regulation) or Manufactured (Mobile) Home (as defined in the applicable Flood Insurance Regulation) included in the definition of “Mortgaged Property” and no Building or Manufactured (Mobile) Home is hereby encumbered by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

Section 12.19 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

 

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and

 

(b) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

 

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

 

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.

 

Section 12.20 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs. To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Swap Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support, “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of Texas and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

 

In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

 

Section 12.21 Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of a conflict between the provisions of any of the Loan Documents and the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement shall control.

 

[SIGNATURES BEGIN NEXT PAGE]

 

 Page 112
 

 

The parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

  BORROWER:
   
  U.S. ENERGY CORP.
   
  By: /s/ Ryan Smith
    Ryan Smith
    Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page

 

 

  ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:
   
  FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST,
  as Administrative Agent
   
  By: /s/ Dustin Hansen
    Dustin Hansen
    Senior Vice President

 

  LENDER:
   
  FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST,
  as a Lender
   
  By: /s/ Dustin Hansen
    Dustin Hansen
    Senior Vice President

 

Signature Page

 

 

ANNEX I

 

LIST OF MAXIMUM CREDIT AMOUNTS

 

Name of Lender   Applicable Percentage     Maximum Credit Amount  
FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST     100 %   $ 100,000,000  
                 
TOTAL:     100.0 %   $ 100,000,000  

 

Annex I – Page 1  

 

 

.

 

Schedule 9.05 – Page 1

 

 

Exhibit 10.7

 

NOTE

January 5, 2022

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, U.S. ENERGY CORP., a Wyoming corporation (the “Borrower”), hereby promises to pay to FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST (the “Lender”), at the principal office of FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST (the “Administrative Agent”), or at such other place as from time to time may be designated by the holder of this Note, the principal sum equal to the amount of such Lender’s Maximum Credit Amount, or, if greater or less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans made by the Lender to the Borrower pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), together with interest on the unpaid principal balance thereof, at the rates per annum and on the dates provided in the Credit Agreement, in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds.

 

The date, amount, interest rate and maturity of each Loan made by the Lender to the Borrower, and each payment made on account of the principal thereof, shall be recorded by the Lender on its books and, prior to any transfer of this Note, may be endorsed by the Lender on a schedule attached hereto or on any separate record maintained by the Lender. Failure to make any such recordation shall not affect any Lender’s or the Borrower’s rights or obligations in respect of such Loans or affect the validity of such transfer by any Lender of this Note.

 

This Note is one of the Notes referred to in the Credit Agreement dated as of January 5, 2022, among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, and lenders signatory thereto (including the Lender), and evidences Loans made by the Lender thereunder (such Credit Agreement as the same may be amended, supplemented, restated, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Note have the respective meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement.

 

This Note is issued pursuant to, and is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in, the Credit Agreement and is secured by and entitled to the benefits provided for in the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents. The Credit Agreement provides for the acceleration of the maturity of this Note upon the occurrence of certain events, for prepayments of Loans upon the terms and conditions specified therein and for other provisions relevant to this Note.

 

[Signature page follows.]

 

Page 1

 

 
 

 

THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS.

 

  U.S. ENERGY CORP.
   
  By: /s/ Ryan Smith
    Ryan Smith
    Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.8

 

UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTY

 

THIS UNCONDITIONAL GUARANTY (this “Guaranty”) dated as of January 5, 2022, is made by each of the undersigned Subsidiaries and Affiliates of U.S. ENERGY CORP., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Wyoming (“Borrower”), whether as an original signatory hereto or as an Additional Guarantor pursuant to Section 20 hereof (together with each such Person’s respective heirs, executors, personal representatives, permitted successors and permitted assigns, collectively, “Guarantors” and individually, a “Guarantor”), in favor of FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST, as Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties as defined in the Agreement (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”), and is executed and delivered pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement of even date herewith (as same may be amended, restated or modified from time to time, the “Agreement”) among Administrative Agent, the Lenders party thereto and Borrower.

 

WHEREAS, Borrower has executed and delivered the Agreement, and to induce the Secured Parties to make the loans and other financial accommodations provided for in the Agreement, Secured Swap Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements, Guarantors have agreed to guarantee the payment and satisfaction of the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Agreement) and to execute and deliver this Guaranty; and

 

WHEREAS, each Guarantor is a Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower, and each Guarantor desires that the Lenders extend credit to Borrower as contemplated by the Agreement, and each Guarantor will directly or indirectly benefit from the use of the loan proceeds by Borrower for the purposes for which the credit is being extended pursuant to the Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, each Guarantor, by and through the action of its governing body, has determined that it may reasonably be expected to benefit, directly or indirectly, from guarantying the Secured Obligations, all as hereinafter provided;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, and intending to be legally bound hereby, Guarantors guarantee to the Lenders the prompt and full payment and performance of the Secured Obligations upon the following terms and conditions:

 

1. Definitions. Terms used herein which are defined in the Agreement have the meanings provided therefor in the Agreement unless the context hereof otherwise requires or provides. As used herein:

 

Release Date” means the date upon which all of the following shall have occurred: (i) termination of the Commitments, (ii) payment in full of all Secured Obligations (other than (x) contingent indemnification obligations and (y) any other obligations or liabilities, which by their terms expressly survive the termination of the Loan Documents), (iii) the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements satisfactory to Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall have been made) and (iv) the expiration or termination of all then existing Secured Swap Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements (other than those as to which other arrangements satisfactory to the applicable Secured Swap Provider or Secured Cash Management Provider have been made).

 

2. Guaranty. In consideration of loans, advances or other credit heretofore or hereafter granted by the Lenders to Borrower or any other Loan Party pursuant to the Agreement and in further consideration of any Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Swap Agreements, Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally, absolutely and irrevocably, guarantee to the Secured Parties, the due and punctual payment at maturity, whether by acceleration or otherwise, and the due fulfillment and performance of the Secured Obligations. Each Guarantor is jointly and severally liable for the full payment and performance of the Secured Obligations as a primary obligor.

 

 

 

 

3. Payment. If any of the Secured Obligations is not punctually paid when such indebtedness becomes due and payable, either by its terms or as a result of the exercise of any power to accelerate, Guarantors shall, immediately on demand and without presentment, protest, notice of protest, notice of nonpayment, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration or any other notice whatsoever (all of which are expressly waived in accordance with Section 4 hereof), pay the amount due and payable thereon to Administrative Agent, at its office specified in the Agreement. It is not necessary for Administrative Agent, in order to enforce such payment by Guarantors, first to institute suit or exhaust its remedies against Borrower or others liable on the indebtedness, or to enforce its rights against any security given to secure such indebtedness. Administrative Agent is not required to mitigate damages or take any other action to reduce, collect or enforce the Secured Obligations. No setoff, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any obligation, or any defense of any kind which any Guarantor has or may have against Borrower or any Secured Party shall be available hereunder to Guarantors. No payment by any Guarantor shall discharge the liability of Guarantors hereunder until the Secured Obligations have been fully satisfied and the Release Date shall have occurred. If Administrative Agent must rescind or restore any payment, or any part thereof, received by Administrative Agent on any part of the Secured Obligations, any prior release or discharge from the terms of this Guaranty given Guarantors by Administrative Agent or any reduction of any Guarantor’s liability hereunder shall be without effect, and this Guaranty shall remain in full force and effect.

 

4. Agreements and Waivers. Each Guarantor

 

(a) agrees to all terms and agreements heretofore or hereafter made by Borrower with Administrative Agent and/or any other Secured Party relating to the Transactions;

 

(b) agrees that Administrative Agent may without impairing its rights or the obligations of such Guarantor hereunder (i) waive or delay the exercise of any of its rights or remedies against or release Borrower or any other Person, including, without limitation, any other party who is personally or whose property is liable with respect to the Secured Obligations or any part thereof (Guarantors and any such other Person or Persons are hereafter collectively called the Sureties and individually called a Surety); (ii) take or accept any other security, collateral or guaranty, or other assurance of the payment of all or any part of the Secured Obligations; (iii) release, surrender, exchange, subordinate or permit or suffer to exist any deterioration, waste, loss or impairment (including without limitation negligent, willful, unreasonable or unjustified impairment) of any collateral, property or security, at any time existing in connection with, or assuring or securing payment of, all or any part of the Secured Obligations or the liability of such Guarantor or any other Surety; (iv) increase, renew, extend, or modify the terms of any of the Secured Obligations or any instrument or agreement evidencing the same; (v) apply payments by Borrower, any Surety, or any other Person, to any of the Secured Obligations; (vi) bring suit against any one or more Sureties without joining any other Surety or Borrower in such proceeding; (vii) compromise or settle with any one or more Sureties in whole or in part for such consideration or no consideration as Administrative Agent may deem appropriate; or (viii) partially or fully release any Guarantor or any other Surety from liability hereunder;

 

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(c) agrees that the obligations of such Guarantor under this Guaranty shall not be released, diminished, or adversely affected by any of the following: (i) the insolvency, bankruptcy, rearrangement, adjustment, composition, liquidation, disability, dissolution or lack of power of Borrower or any Surety; (ii) the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of all or any part of the Secured Obligations or any document or agreement executed in connection with the Secured Obligations, for any reason, or the fact that any debt included in the Secured Obligations exceeds the amount permitted by law; (iii) the failure of Administrative Agent or any other party to exercise diligence or reasonable care or to act in a commercially reasonable manner in the preservation, protection, enforcement, sale or other handling or treatment of all or any part of such collateral, property or security; (iv) the fact that any collateral, security, security interest or lien contemplated or intended to be given, created or granted as security for the repayment of the Secured Obligations is not properly perfected or created, or proves to be unenforceable or subordinate to any other security interest or lien; (v) the fact that Borrower has any defense to the payment of all or any part of the Secured Obligations; (vi) any payment by Borrower or any Surety to Administrative Agent and/or any other Secured Party is a preference under applicable bankruptcy laws, or for any reason Administrative Agent and/or any other Secured Party is required to refund such payment or pay such amounts to Borrower, any such Surety, or someone else; (vii) any defenses which Borrower could assert on the Secured Obligations, including but not limited to failure of consideration, breach of warranty, fraud, payment, accord and satisfaction, strict foreclosure, statute of frauds, bankruptcy, infancy, statute of limitations, lender liability and usury; or (viii) any other action taken or omitted to be taken with respect to the Agreement, the Loan Documents, the Secured Obligations, the security and collateral therefor whether or not such action or omission prejudices such Guarantor or any Surety, or increases the likelihood that such Guarantor will be required to pay the Secured Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof;

 

(d) agrees that such Guarantor is obligated to pay the Secured Obligations when due, notwithstanding any occurrence, circumstance, event, action or omission whatsoever, whether or not particularly described herein, except for the full and final payment and satisfaction of the Secured Obligations;

 

(e) to the extent allowed by applicable law, waives all rights and remedies now or hereafter accorded by applicable law to guarantors or sureties, including without limitation any defense, right of offset or other claim which such Guarantor may have against Borrower or which Borrower may have against Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders;

 

(f) waives all notices whatsoever with respect to this Guaranty or with respect to the Secured Obligations, including, but without limitation, notice of (i) Administrative Agent’s and/or the Lenders’ acceptance hereof or its intention to act, or its action, in reliance hereon; (ii) the present existence, future incurring, or any amendment of the provisions of any of the Secured Obligations or any terms or amounts thereof or any change therein in the rate of interest thereon; (iii) any default by Borrower or any Surety; (iv) the obtaining, enforcing, or releasing of any guaranty or surety agreement (in addition hereto), pledge, assignment, or other security for any of the Secured Obligations;

 

(g) waives notice of presentment for payment, notice of protest, protest, demand, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration and notice of nonpayment, protest in relation to any instrument evidencing any of the Secured Obligations, and any demands and notices required by law, except as such waiver may be expressly prohibited by law, and diligence in bringing suits against any Surety; and

 

(h) waives each right to which it may be entitled by virtue of the laws of the State of Texas governing or relating to suretyship and guaranties, including, without limitation, any rights under Rule 31, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Chapter 51 of the Texas Property Code, Section 17.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Section 3.605 of the Uniform Commercial Code, and Chapter 43 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, as any or all of the same may be amended or construed from time to time, or the common law of the State of Texas at all relevant times.

 

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5. Liability. The liability of each Guarantor under this Guaranty is irrevocable, absolute and unconditional, without regard to the liability of any other Person, and shall not in any manner be affected by reason of any action taken or not taken by Administrative Agent and/or any other Secured Party, which action or inaction is herein consented and agreed to, nor by the partial or complete unenforceability or invalidity of any other guaranty or surety agreement, pledge, assignment or other security for any of the Secured Obligations. No delay in making demand on Sureties or any of them for satisfaction of the liability hereunder shall prejudice Administrative Agent’s right to enforce such satisfaction. All of Administrative Agent’s rights and remedies shall be cumulative and any failure of Administrative Agent to exercise any right hereunder shall not be construed as a waiver of the right to exercise the same or any other right at any time, and from time to time, thereafter. This is a continuing guaranty of payment, not a guaranty of collection, and this Guaranty shall be binding upon Guarantors regardless of how long before or after the date hereof any of the Secured Obligations were or are incurred.

 

6. Subordination. If Borrower or any Guarantor is now or hereafter becomes indebted to one or more Guarantors (such indebtedness and all interest thereon is referred to as the “Affiliated Debt”), such Affiliated Debt shall be subordinate in all respects to the full payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, and no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive payment with respect to any Affiliated Debt until the Release Date. Each Guarantor agrees that any liens, mortgages, deeds of trust, security interests, judgment liens, charges or other encumbrances upon Borrower’s or any other Guarantor’s assets securing the payment of the Affiliated Debt shall be and remain subordinate and inferior to any liens, security interests, judgment liens, charges or other encumbrances upon Borrower’s or any other Guarantor’s assets securing the payment of the Secured Obligations, and without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent, no Guarantor shall exercise or enforce any creditor’s rights of any nature against Borrower or any other Guarantor to collect the Affiliated Debt (other than demand payment therefor). In the event of the receivership, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, debtor’s relief or other insolvency proceedings involving Borrower or any applicable Guarantor as a debtor, Administrative Agent has the right and authority, either in its own name or as attorney-in-fact for any applicable Guarantor, to file such proof of debt, claim, petition or other documents and to take such other steps as are necessary to prove its rights hereunder and receive directly from the receiver, trustee or other court custodian, payments, distributions or other dividends which would otherwise be payable upon the Affiliated Debt. Each Guarantor hereby assigns such payments, distributions and dividends to Administrative Agent, and irrevocably appoints Administrative Agent as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with authority to make and file in the name of such Guarantor any proof of debt, amendment of proof of debt, claim, petition or other document in such proceedings and to receive payment of any sums becoming distributable on account of the Affiliated Debt, and to execute such other documents and to give acquittances therefor and to do and perform all such other acts and things for and on behalf of such Guarantor as may be necessary in the opinion of Administrative Agent in order to have the Affiliated Debt allowed in any such proceeding and to receive payments, distributions or dividends of or on account of the Affiliated Debt.

 

7. Subrogation. No Guarantor waives or releases any rights of subrogation, reimbursement or contribution which such Guarantor may have, after full and final payment of the Secured Obligations, against others liable on the Secured Obligations. Each Guarantor’s rights of subrogation and reimbursement are subordinate in all respects to the rights and claims of Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties, and no Guarantor may exercise any rights it may acquire by way of subrogation under this Guaranty, by payment made hereunder or otherwise, until the Release Date. If any amount is paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights prior to the Release Date, such amount shall be held in trust for the benefit of Administrative Agent and/or the other Secured Parties to be credited and applied on the Secured Obligations, whether matured or unmatured.

 

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8. Other Indebtedness or Obligations of Guarantors. If any Guarantor is or becomes liable for any indebtedness owed by Borrower or any other Loan Party to the Lenders by endorsement or otherwise than under this Guaranty, such liability shall not be affected by this Guaranty, and the rights of Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereunder shall be cumulative of all other rights that Administrative Agent and the Lenders may have against such Guarantor. The exercise by Administrative Agent of any right or remedy hereunder or under any other instrument or at law or in equity shall not preclude the concurrent or subsequent exercise of any other instrument or remedy at law or in equity and shall not preclude the concurrent or subsequent exercise of any other right or remedy. Further, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this Guaranty is given by Guarantors as an additional guaranty to all guaranties heretofore or hereafter executed and delivered to Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders by Guarantors in favor of Administrative Agent and/or the Lenders relating to the indebtedness of Borrower and the other Loan Parties to the Secured Parties, and nothing herein shall be deemed to replace or be in lieu of any other of such previous or subsequent guarantees.

 

9. Representations. Each Guarantor represents as follows:

 

(a) such Guarantor has received, or will receive, direct or indirect benefit from the making of this Guaranty and the Secured Obligations;

 

(b) such Guarantor is familiar with, and has independently reviewed the books and records regarding, the financial condition of Borrower and is familiar with the value of any and all collateral intended to be created as security for the payment of the Secured Obligations, but such Guarantor is not relying on such financial condition, the collateral, or the agreement of any other party to become a Surety as an inducement to enter into this Guaranty; and

 

(c) neither Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Surety, nor any other party has made any representation, warranty or statement to such Guarantor in order to induce such Guarantor to execute this Guaranty.

 

10. Covenants of Guarantors. So long as the Agreement is in effect and until the Release Date, unless compliance has been waived in writing by Administrative Agent, each Guarantor will

 

(a) promptly give written notice to Administrative Agent of (i) any action, proceeding or claim, of which such Guarantor may have notice, which may be commenced or asserted against such Guarantor or relate to this Guaranty and (ii) any dispute which may exist between such Guarantor and any governmental regulatory body, which in either case may substantially affect the properties and assets of such Guarantor;

 

(b) duly pay and discharge (i) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon or against such Guarantor or such Guarantor’s property or assets, or upon any property leased by such Guarantor, prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, unless and to the extent only that such taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, and (ii) all lawful claims, whether for labor, materials, supplies, services or anything else, which might or could, if unpaid, become a lien or charge upon the property or assets of such Guarantor, unless and to the extent only that the validity thereof is being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

 

(c) deliver to Administrative Agent such information regarding the business and affairs and financial position of Guarantor as Administrative Agent may reasonably request;

 

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(d) allow any representative of Administrative Agent to visit and inspect any of its property, to examine such Guarantor’s books of record and account and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with any of its officers, employees and agents, all at such reasonable times and as often as Administrative Agent may request;

 

(e) not wind up, liquidate or dissolve its affairs or enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation; and

 

(f) not convey, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of (or agree to do any of the foregoing at any future time) all or substantially all or a materially substantial part of such Guarantor’s property or assets.

 

11. Right of Offset. In addition to any rights and remedies of the Secured Parties provided by law, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each Secured Party (after obtaining the written consent of Administrative Agent) is authorized at any time and from time to time, without prior notice to Guarantors, any such notice being waived by each Guarantor to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held by, and other indebtedness at any time owing by, such Secured Party to or for the credit or the account of any one or more Guarantors against any and all of the Secured Obligations owing to such Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document, now or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether or not such Secured Party shall have made demand under this Guaranty or any other Loan Document and although such Secured Obligations may be contingent or unmatured or denominated in a currency different from that of the applicable deposit or indebtedness. Each Secured Party agrees promptly to notify the affected Guarantor and Administrative Agent after any such set-off and application made by such Secured Party; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.

 

12. Costs and Expenses. Guarantors jointly and severally agree to pay to Administrative Agent and the Lenders, upon demand, all losses and costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees, that may be incurred by Administrative Agent and the Lenders in attempting to cause the Secured Obligations to be satisfied or in attempting to cause satisfaction of Guarantors’ liability under this Guaranty.

 

13. Exercising Rights, Etc. No notice to or demand upon any Guarantor in any case shall, of itself, entitle such Guarantor or any other Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances. No delay or omission by Administrative Agent in exercising any power or right hereunder shall impair such right or power or be construed as a waiver thereof or any acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such power preclude other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right or power hereunder.

 

14. Reference to Agreement; Incorporation of Certain Provisions by Reference. Reference is hereby made to the representations, warranties and covenants of the Borrower set forth in Articles VII, VIII and IX of the Agreement which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Each Guarantor (i) reaffirms that each such representation and warranty is true and correct in every material respect with respect to such Guarantor to the extent that such representation and warranty refers to such Guarantor, and (ii) agrees, with respect to the covenants, to take, or refrain from taking, as the case may be, each action that is necessary to be taken or not taken, as the case may be, so that no Default or Event of Default is caused by the failure to take such action or to refrain from taking such action by such Guarantor or any of its Subsidiaries. Further, the provisions of Section 12.09 of the Agreement captioned “Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.” are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. If the Agreement shall cease to remain in effect for any reason whatsoever during any period and any part of the Secured Obligations remain unpaid, then the terms, covenants, and agreements set forth therein applicable to the Guarantors shall nevertheless continue in full force and effect as obligations of each Guarantor under this Guaranty.

 

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15. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile or delivered by electronic mail to the electronic mail address, to as follows:

 

(a) If to Guarantors, c/o Borrower, as provided in Section 12.01 of the Agreement; and

 

(b) If to Administrative Agent, as provided in Section 12.01 of the Agreement.

 

Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement) provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient. Any party may change its address, facsimile or email address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

 

16. Benefit; Binding Effect. This Guaranty shall inure to the benefit of Administrative Agent and each other Secured Party and their respective successors and assigns, and to any interest in any of the Secured Obligations. All of the obligations of Guarantors arising hereunder shall be jointly and severally binding on each of the Persons signing this Guaranty, and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, and personal representatives (provided, however, that no Guarantor may, without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent in each instance, assign or delegate any of its rights, powers, duties or obligations hereunder, and any attempted assignment or delegation made without Administrative Agent’s prior written consent shall be void ab initio and of no force or effect).

 

17. Entirety and Amendments. This Guaranty embodies the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior agreements, conditions, and understandings, if any, relating to the subject matter hereof and thereof, and this Guaranty may be amended only by an instrument in writing executed by Guarantors, Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders.

 

18. Counterparts. This Guaranty may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original copy of this Guaranty and all of which, when taken together, will be deemed to constitute one and the same Guaranty. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Guaranty by facsimile or other electronic imaging means (including pdf) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Guaranty.

 

19. Multiple Guarantors. It is specifically agreed that Administrative Agent may enforce the provisions hereof with respect to one or more Guarantors without seeking to enforce the same as to all or any Guarantors. If one or more additional guaranty agreements (“Other Guaranties”) are executed by one or more additional guarantors (“Other Guarantors”), which guarantee, in whole or in part, any of the Secured Obligations, it is specifically agreed that Administrative Agent may enforce the provisions of this Guaranty or of the Other Guaranties with respect to one or more of the Guarantors or any one or more of the Other Guarantors under the Other Guaranties without seeking to enforce the provisions of this Guaranty or the Other Guaranties as to all or any of the Guarantors or the Other Guarantors. Each Guarantor hereby waives any requirement of joinder of all or any other Guarantor or all or any of the Other Guarantors in any suit or proceeding to enforce the provisions of this Guaranty or of the Other Guaranties. The liability hereunder of all Guarantors hereunder shall be joint and several.

 

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20. Additional Guarantors. From time to time subsequent to the date hereof, additional Persons may become parties hereto as additional Guarantors (each, an “Additional Guarantor”), by executing a Joinder Agreement in the form of Exhibit A hereto. Upon delivery of any such Joinder Agreement to Administrative Agent, notice of which is hereby waived by Guarantors, each Additional Guarantor shall be a Guarantor and shall be as fully a party hereto as if Additional Guarantor were an original signatory hereto. Each Guarantor expressly agrees that its obligations arising hereunder shall not be affected or diminished by the addition or release of any other Guarantor hereunder, nor by any election of Administrative Agent not to cause any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower to become an Additional Guarantor hereunder. This Guaranty shall be fully effective as to any Guarantor that is or becomes a party hereto regardless of whether any other Person becomes or fails to become or ceases to be a Guarantor hereunder.

 

21. Commodity Exchange Act Keepwell Provisions. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor party hereto hereby jointly and severally absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each other Loan Party to honor all of its (a) Swap Obligations and (b) obligations under the Guaranty including those with respect to Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Qualified ECP Guarantor shall only be liable under this Section for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section, or otherwise under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section shall remain in full force and effect until the Release Date. Each Qualified ECP Guarantor intends that this Section constitute, and this Section shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each other Loan Party for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

22. Limitation on Liability. The liability of each Guarantor with respect to the Secured Obligations shall not exceed the Maximum Amount for such Guarantor. As used herein, “Maximum Amount” means the greater of (a) the amount of the economic benefit received by such Guarantor from the Secured Obligations whether by loan proceeds to purchase assets or perform contracts for such Guarantor or by loan proceeds being otherwise available to such Guarantor through intercompany loans, advances, capital contributions or otherwise, or (b) the largest amount that would not render such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code (Title 11, United States Code) or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law.

 

[The rest of this page is intentionally left blank. The signature pages follow.]

 

Page 8

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantors, intending to be jointly and severally legally bound hereby, have executed this Guaranty as of the date and year first above written.

 

  ENERGY ONE LLC,
  a Wyoming limited liability company
     
  By: /s/ Ryan Smith
    Ryan Smith
    Chief Executive Officer
     
  NEW HORIZON RESOURCES LLC,
  a North Dakota limited liability company
     
  By: /s/ Ryan Smith
    Ryan Smith
    Chief Executive Officer
     
  BOG – OSAGE, LLC,
  an Oklahoma limited liability company
     
  By: /s/ Ryan Smith
    Ryan Smith
    Chief Executive Officer

 

Signature Page

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

Form of Joinder Agreement

 

JOINDER AGREEMENT

 

THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (this “Joinder Agreement”) is entered into as of ______________, 20__, by the undersigned (“Additional Guarantor”), in favor of FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders as defined in the Agreement referred to below (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”).

 

WHEREAS, U.S. ENERGY CORP., a Wyoming corporation (“Borrower”), Administrative Agent and the Lenders party thereto have entered into that certain Credit Agreement dated as of January 5, 2022 (as same may be amended, restated or modified from time to time, the “Agreement”); and

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Agreement and as an inducement to the Secured Parties to enter into the Agreement and to make the loans and other financial accommodations provided for in the Agreement, Secured Swap Agreements and Secured Cash Management Agreements, certain Subsidiaries and Affiliates of Borrower entered into that certain Unconditional Guaranty dated as of January 5, 2022, in favor of Administrative Agent (as same may be amended, restated or modified from time to time, and together with any other joinders thereto, the “Guaranty”) in order to guarantee the payment and satisfaction of the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, Additional Guarantor is a Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower, and Additional Guarantor desires that the Lenders extend credit to Borrower as contemplated by the Agreement, and Additional Guarantor will directly or indirectly benefit from the use of the loan proceeds by Borrower for the purposes for which the credit is being extended pursuant to the Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, Additional Guarantor, by and through the action of its governing body, has determined that it may reasonably be expected to benefit, directly or indirectly, from guarantying the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Agreement), all as provided therein;

 

ACCORDINGLY, Additional Guarantor hereby agrees with Administrative Agent as follows:

 

1.       Definitions. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Guaranty.

 

2.       Party to Guaranty. Additional Guarantor hereby acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Joinder Agreement, Additional Guarantor will be deemed to be a party to the Guaranty and a “Guarantor” for all purposes of the Guaranty, and shall have all of the obligations of a Guarantor thereunder as if it had executed the Guaranty. Additional Guarantor hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions applicable to Guarantors contained in the Guaranty. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing terms of this Section 2, Additional Guarantor hereby, jointly and severally with the other Guarantors, unconditionally, absolutely and irrevocably guarantees to the Guaranteed Parties, as provided in the Guaranty, the due and punctual payment at maturity, whether by acceleration or otherwise, and the due fulfillment and performance of the Secured Obligations. Additional Guarantor is jointly and severally liable for the full payment and performance of the Secured Obligations as a primary obligor.

 

3.       Address for Notice Purposes. The address of Additional Guarantor for purposes of all notices and other communications is set forth on the signature page hereof.

 

JOINDER AGREEMENT - Page 1

 

 

4.       Waiver of Acceptance. Additional Guarantor hereby waives acceptance by Administrative Agent and the Lenders of the guaranty by Additional Guarantor under the Guaranty upon the execution of this Joinder Agreement by Additional Guarantor.

 

5.       Representations and Warranties. Additional Guarantor hereby represents and confirms that the representations and warranties set forth in the Guaranty Agreement and in the Agreement which are applicable to Guarantors are true and correct with respect to Additional Guarantor on and as of the date hereof (and after giving effect hereto), as if set forth herein in their entirety.

 

6.       Counterparts. This Joinder Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all of which when taken together shall constitute one contract.

 

7.       Governing Law. This Joinder Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the Laws of the State of Texas.

 

8.       Loan Document. This Joinder Agreement is a Loan Document for all purposes and each reference in any Loan Document to the Guaranty shall mean the Guaranty as supplemented by this Joinder Agreement.

 

[The remainder of this page is left intentionally blank. The signature pages follow.]

 

JOINDER AGREEMENT - Page 2

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned Additional Guarantor and Administrative Agent have executed this Joinder Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

  ADDITIONAL GUARANTOR:
   
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  Address:  
     
     
     
  Facsimile:  

 

JOINDER AGREEMENT - Page 3

 

 

  ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
   
  FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST,
  as Administrative Agent
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  Address:  
    2401 S. Georgia
    P.O. Box 32552
    Amarillo, Texas 79120-2552
  Facsimile: (806) 354-5266

 

JOINDER AGREEMENT - Page 4

 

 

Exhibit 10.9

 

SECURITY AGREEMENT

 

THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT (this “Security Agreement”) is entered into as of January 5, 2022, by and among U.S. ENERGY CORP., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Wyoming (“Borrower”), each of the undersigned Subsidiaries and Affiliates of Borrower, whether as an original signatory hereto or as an Additional Debtor (together with each such Person’s respective permitted successors and permitted assigns, collectively, “Debtors” and individually, a “Debtor”), in favor of FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST, as Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties as defined in the Agreement referred to below (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”), and is executed and delivered pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement of even date herewith (as same may be amended, restated or modified from time to time, the “Agreement”) among Borrower, the Lenders party thereto, and Administrative Agent.

 

WHEREAS, Borrower has executed and delivered the Agreement and to induce the Secured Parties to make the loans and other financial accommodations provided for in the Agreement, the Secured Swap Agreements, and the Secured Cash Management Agreements, Debtors have agreed to grant a security interest in certain collateral as hereinafter described as security for the repayment of the Secured Obligations (as defined in the Agreement) and to execute and deliver this Security Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, each Debtor other than Borrower is a Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower, and each Debtor desires that the Lenders extend credit to Borrower as contemplated by the Agreement, and each Debtor will directly or indirectly benefit from the use of the loan proceeds by Borrower for the purposes for which the credit is being extended pursuant to the Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, each Debtor, by and through the action of its governing body, has determined that it may reasonably be expected to benefit, directly or indirectly, from granting a lien upon the collateral hereinafter described in order to secure the Secured Obligations, all as hereinafter provided;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged and to extend such additional credit as the Secured Parties may from time to time agree to extend, the parties do hereby agree as follows:

 

1.0 Terms. Terms defined in the Agreement have the same meanings when used herein unless otherwise defined herein or the context hereof otherwise requires. Certain terms used herein are defined in Appendix I hereto, which is incorporated herein. Terms not defined herein (including Appendix I) or in the Agreement which are defined in the Texas Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect on the date hereof (the “UCC”), have the meanings specified in the UCC, and the definitions specified in Article 9 of the UCC control in the case of any conflicting definitions in the UCC. The singular number includes the plural and vice versa. Captions of Sections do not limit the terms of such Sections.

 

2.0 Security.

 

2.1 Security Interest. To secure the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations, each Debtor grants to Administrative Agent for the benefit of Secured Parties a security interest in all of the personal property of such Debtor (the “Collateral”), wherever located, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, including:

 

(a) Accounts;

 

(b) Chattel Paper;

 

 

 

 

(c) Deposit Accounts;

 

(d) Documents;

 

(e) Equipment;

 

(f) Equity Interests;

 

(g) Financial Assets;

 

(h) General Intangibles;

 

(i) Instruments;

 

(j) Inventory;

 

(k) Investment Property;

 

(l) Letter of Credit Rights;

 

(m) all amounts owing from time to time by any of the Secured Parties to such Debtor in any capacity including without limitation, any balance belonging to such Debtor of any deposit or other account with any Secured Party, all investments thereof and any other claim of such Debtor against any Secured Party, now or hereafter existing, liquidated or unliquidated, and all properties of such Debtor which are at any time in the possession, custody, or control of any Secured Party or any of its agents, affiliates, or correspondents;

 

(n) all dividends, distributions, and income attributable to proceeds, products, additions to, substitutions, replacements and supporting obligations for, model conversions, and accessions of, any and all Collateral described in this Section 2.1; “proceeds” includes, without limitation, all proceeds of any insurance (including any surrender value therefor, any right to return, or unearned premiums), causes and rights of action, remedies, privileges, settlements, judicial and arbitration judgments and awards, indemnities, liens, warranties, or guaranties payable from time to time with respect to or security for any of the Collateral; and

 

(o) all ledgers, files, writings, records, books, data bases, plans, drawings, and information relating to any of the foregoing.

 

2.2 Debtors to Remain Liable. Each Debtor shall remain liable under and shall preserve the liability of all other parties to each agreement constituting part of the Collateral and shall perform all of its obligations thereunder. The exercise by Administrative Agent of any of its rights hereunder shall not release any Debtor from any duties under any agreement. Administrative Agent has no obligation or liability with respect to any of the Collateral under any agreement by reason or arising out of the assignment thereof to Administrative Agent or the granting to Administrative Agent of a security interest therein or the receipt by Administrative Agent of any payment relating to any such agreement.

 

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3.0 Representations. Each Debtor makes the following representations to Administrative Agent:

 

3.1 Enforceability. Such Debtor has all requisite authority to execute, deliver, and perform its duties under, and has duly authorized, executed, and delivered, this Security Agreement; and this Security Agreement is enforceable against such Debtor in accordance with its terms. The execution, delivery, and performance hereof by such Debtor do not violate, and do not require any authorization, notice, or filing under, any agreement, judgment, injunction, decree, determination, award, rule, regulation, order, or writ of any Person or Governmental Authority. This Security Agreement creates in favor of Administrative Agent an enforceable security interest; prior to or contemporaneous with the execution hereof, all filings necessary or appropriate to create, preserve, and perfect the Security Interest have been accomplished; and the Security Interests in the Collateral constitute perfected security interests therein free of all other Liens other than Permitted Liens.

 

3.2 Title to Collateral and Related Matters.

 

(a) Such Debtor has rights in or power to transfer the Collateral and its title to the Collateral free of any dispute, counterclaim, or defense.

 

(b) Schedule 3.2(b) lists all trade names by which such Debtor is now known or has been previously known.

 

(c) None of the Collateral is an accession to goods other than goods constituting part of the Collateral.

 

3.3 Address and Place of Business. The address for such Debtor specified on the signature page of this Security Agreement is such Debtor’s correct mailing address and the location of its chief executive office. All of such Debtor’s records or copies thereof pertaining to the Collateral and the proceeds thereof are now maintained at its chief executive office. Within the past four (4) months, such Debtor has not changed the location of its chief executive office or where it keeps its records concerning the Collateral. Such Debtor has no place of business other than the locations shown in Schedule 3.3.

 

3.4 Name and Organization of Debtor. Such Debtor’s exact legal name, type of organization, the jurisdiction under which such Debtor is organized, and such Debtor’s organizational identification number are set forth on Schedule 3.4 hereto. Such Debtor has not changed its name within the five (5) years immediately preceding the date of this Security Agreement, and such Debtor conducts no business under any other name, whether or not registered as an assumed name, except as specified in Schedule 3.2(b).

 

3.5 Deposit Accounts. Each Deposit Account maintained by or in which such Debtor has any interest is set forth on Schedule 3.5 hereto, including for each Deposit Account, the bank in which such account is maintained, ABA number of such bank, the account number of such Deposit Account, and account type.

 

4.0 Covenants. Each Debtor covenants as follows:

 

4.1 In General. Such Debtor will (a) maintain good and marketable title to all Collateral free of any Lien (other than Permitted Liens), dispute, counterclaim, or defense; (b) at its cost and expense, defend any action which may affect the Security Interest or such Debtor’s title to the Collateral; (c) obtain an acknowledgment from any third party which holds possession of any Collateral that the third party holds the Collateral for the benefit of Administrative Agent; and (d) cooperate with Administrative Agent so that Administrative Agent is allowed to obtain a control agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent with respect to Collateral which consists of Deposit Accounts, Investment Property, Letter-of-Credit Rights, or Electronic Chattel Paper.

 

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4.2 Notices. Such Debtor promptly will notify Administrative Agent of any claim, action, or proceeding which could materially and adversely affect the value of, or such Debtor’s title to, any of the Collateral, or the effectiveness of the Security Interest.

 

4.3 Processing, Etc.

 

(a) Such Debtor will keep all tangible Collateral in good order and repair.

 

(b) Such Debtor will dispose of Collateral only in compliance with the terms and provisions of the Loan Documents.

 

(c) Any Equipment constituting Collateral which is worn out, destroyed, or damaged beyond repair may be disposed of but will promptly be replaced by Equipment, free of any Lien except for Permitted Liens, which has a value or utility at least equal as of the date of replacement to the value or utility of the replaced Equipment as of the date hereof, except when a failure on the part of Debtor to replace such Equipment would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

(d) Such Debtor will place a legend on all Chattel Paper constituting part of the Collateral that Administrative Agent has a security interest in such Chattel Paper.

 

4.4 Change of Name or Location. Such Debtor will not change its state of organization, name, or form of organization or conduct any of its business under any name except its legal name or those identified on Schedule 3.2(b) without the prior, written consent of Administrative Agent, which consent is conditioned on such Debtor’s delivery of all documents necessary or desirable to preserve the Security Interest. Such Debtor will not establish a new location for its chief executive office or for maintaining its books and records nor the location of any Collateral until it has given to Administrative Agent not less than thirty (30) days’ prior written notice of its intention to do so which identifies such new location and provides such other information and documents in connection therewith as Administrative Agent may request.

 

4.5 Books and Records. Such Debtor will maintain a current, complete, and accurate set of books and records in which such Debtor will make clear and suitable entries and notations which reflect, among other things, all facts giving rise to each portion of the Intangible Collateral, and all payments, credits, and adjustments applicable to such Intangible Collateral. Such Debtor will deliver to Administrative Agent as Administrative Agent may require any bills, statements, and letters to be directed to Account Debtors, and all instruments determined by Administrative Agent to be necessary or convenient to carry into effect the terms of this Security Agreement, to perfect the Security Interest, and to facilitate collection of sums owed in connection herewith. Such Debtor will, if requested by Administrative Agent, mark its books and records concerning the Collateral in such a manner satisfactory to Administrative Agent to show the Security Interest in the Collateral.

 

4.6 Financial Statements and Reports. Such Debtor will furnish Administrative Agent with any financial statements of such Debtor or reports as such Debtor is required to furnish pursuant to the Agreement. Such Debtor will promptly advise Administrative Agent of the existence of any dispute with respect to any Intangible Collateral.

 

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4.7 Indemnity. Such Debtor indemnifies and agrees to hold Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties harmless from and against any loss, claim, demand, or expense (including attorneys’ fees) (individually, a “Claim”) arising by reason, or in any manner related to, this Security Agreement or the Collateral or the failure of such Debtor to comply with any state or federal statute, rule, regulation, order, or decree but excluding any Claim arising by reason of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Administrative Agent or any of the other Secured Parties. Administrative Agent shall control the defense of any Claim, but such Debtor will pay the cost thereof.

 

4.8 Taxes. Such Debtor will pay all taxes and assessments on the Collateral or on its use or operation prior to the time such taxes become past due, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP.

 

4.9 Equity Interests. Such Debtor will deliver to Administrative Agent such Debtor’s original of any certificates or instruments which represent such Debtor’s Equity Interests, together with such instruments of assignment and transfer duly executed in blank by such Debtor as Administrative Agent may request, and do all other acts and things as Administrative Agent may request in order to evidence, perfect, and enforce the Security Interest in the Equity Interests and to ensure Administrative Agent has control of the Equity Interests.

 

4.10 Mortgagees’ and Landlords’ Waivers for Collateral Other Than As-Extracted Collateral. For Collateral other than “as-extracted” Collateral, if requested by Administrative Agent, such Debtor will cause each mortgagee of all real estate owned by Debtor and each landlord of all premises leased by such Debtor (except for any office lease) to execute and deliver to Administrative Agent instruments, in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, by which such mortgagee or landlord waives or subordinates all of its rights, if any, to all of the Collateral. This Section shall not apply to “as-extracted” Collateral.

 

4.11 Insurance. Such Debtor will maintain insurance at all times with respect to all Collateral in such amounts and against such risks and meeting such requirements as is specified in the Agreement and the Mortgages.

 

4.12 Assurances. Such Debtor authorizes Administrative Agent to file a financing statement describing the Collateral. Administrative Agent may use a description of the Collateral in any financing statement as “all assets” or similar wording or any more specific wording. Such Debtor will at its own expense take all action as Administrative Agent may at any time request to protect, assure or enforce Administrative Agent’s interests, rights and remedies created by, provided in or emanating from this Security Agreement. Such Debtor will (a) immediately deliver to Administrative Agent, in due form for transfer (endorsed in blank or accompanied by duly executed, undated, appropriate blank stock or bond powers) all Certificated Securities, tangible Chattel Paper, Instruments, Documents, and writings evidencing General Intangibles which are interests in or obligations of the issuer of such writings constituting part of the Collateral; (b) upon request of Administrative Agent, cause the Security Interest to be duly noted on any certificate of title issuable with respect to any of the Collateral and forthwith deliver to Administrative Agent each such certificate of title; (c) take such steps as Administrative Agent may request to ensure Administrative Agent obtains control with respect to all Collateral in which a security interest may be perfected by control, and to cause any bailee in possession of any Collateral to acknowledge that such bailee will act with respect to such Collateral on the instructions of Administrative Agent without consent by such Debtor; (d) promptly advise Administrative Agent of the assignment to such Debtor of any organizational identification number (if such Debtor does not currently have one) or of any change in such Debtor’s current organizational identification number; and (e) execute and deliver to Administrative Agent, in due form for filing or recording (and pay the cost of filing or recording the same in all public offices deemed necessary or advisable by Administrative Agent) such assignments (including assignments of life insurance), security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, pledge agreements, consents, waivers, financing statements (and amendments thereof), stock or bond powers, and other documents, and do such other acts and things, all as may from time to time in the opinion of Administrative Agent be necessary or desirable to establish and maintain a valid perfected first priority security interest in the Collateral free of all Liens other than Permitted Liens.

 

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5.0 Administrative Agent’s Rights. Administrative Agent has the following rights without regard to the occurrence of an Event of Default:

 

5.1 Information. Administrative Agent may at any time obtain from any Person any information concerning any Debtor, any Debtor’s business or affairs, or the Collateral, and neither Administrative Agent nor the Person furnishing such information shall be liable to any Debtor in respect thereof. At any reasonable time and from time to time, Administrative Agent or any of its representatives may at Debtors’ expense to the extent permitted by applicable law inspect the Collateral and examine, audit, inspect, verify, and make copies of and abstracts from the books and records, and visit the properties of Debtors, discuss the affairs, finances, and accounts of each Debtor with any of its officers or directors and discuss the affairs, finances, and accounts of each Debtor with its independent public accountants, and each Debtor will permit such accountants to disclose to Administrative Agent all financial statements and other information they may have with respect to such Debtor.

 

5.2 Performance by Administrative Agent. Administrative Agent may, but is not obligated to, perform or attempt to perform any agreement of Debtors contained herein. If any material part of the Collateral becomes the subject of any proceeding and Debtors fail to defend fully such proceeding and to protect Debtors’ and Administrative Agent’s rights in such Collateral in good faith, Administrative Agent may, at its option but at Debtors’ cost, elect to defend and control the defense of such litigation or other proceeding, and may (a) select and retain counsel, (b) determine whether settlement shall be offered or accepted, and (c) determine and negotiate all settlement terms.

 

5.3 Preservation. Debtors have the risk of loss of the Collateral. Administrative Agent’s duty with respect to any Collateral in the possession of Administrative Agent is solely to use reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Collateral. Administrative Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any Collateral in its possession if it takes such action for that purpose as Debtors may request in writing, but failure by Administrative Agent to comply with any such request shall not of itself be deemed a failure to exercise such reasonable care. Administrative Agent is not responsible for, nor are the Secured Obligations (or Debtors’ liability with respect thereto) subject to setoff or reduction by reason of, any shortage, discrepancy, damage, loss, or destruction in or to the Collateral unless caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Administrative Agent nor, in any event, any depreciation in the value of the Collateral. Administrative Agent is not required to fulfill any of the obligations of Debtors with respect to any of the Collateral, or to make any payment, or to make any inquiry as to the nature or sufficiency of any payment received by it or the sufficiency of any performance of any party under any of the Collateral, or to present or file any claim, or to take any action to enforce any performance or the payment of any amounts which have been assigned to it, in which it has been granted a security interest, or to which it may be entitled at any time. Administrative Agent has no duty to maintain in force, to prevent lapse or impairment of, or to exercise any rights with respect to any of the Collateral or any insurance thereon, or to exercise any rights, options or privileges respecting any of the Collateral or to take any steps necessary to preserve rights against prior or other parties or to enforce collection of the Collateral or any part thereof by legal proceedings or otherwise. The duties of Administrative Agent are to account to Debtors for Collateral actually received by Administrative Agent and to receive collections, remittances and payments on such Collateral as and when made and received by Administrative Agent and hold same as Collateral or apply same to the Secured Obligations pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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6.0 Default. Debtors are in default under this Security Agreement upon the happening of any of the following events or conditions (each an “Event of Default”): (a) the occurrence of an Event of Default as defined in the Agreement; (b) the sale, assignment, distribution, transfer or granting of a Lien on any of the Collateral to or in favor of any party other than Administrative Agent, unless otherwise expressly permitted by this Security Agreement or in writing by Administrative Agent; (c) the entry of a judgment or levy against any part of the Collateral or any execution, attachment, sequestration, distraint warrant or other like or similar writ is issued with respect to any of the Collateral; (d) the title of Debtors to any substantial part of the Collateral becomes the subject of litigation which would or might, in Administrative Agent’s reasonable opinion, upon final determination result in substantial impairment or loss of the security provided by this Security Agreement and upon notice by Administrative Agent to Debtors such litigation is not dismissed within thirty (30) days of such notice or the value thereof replaced with sufficient substitute collateral; or (e) the loss, theft, substantial damage to or destruction of any material portion of the Collateral.

 

7.0 Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, and at any time thereafter, if any Event of Default is continuing, Administrative Agent has the following rights and remedies to the full extent permitted by applicable law:

 

7.1 Acceleration. Administrative Agent may declare the Secured Obligations secured hereby, or any part thereof, immediately due and payable, whereupon same shall be due and payable without demand, presentment for payment, notice of non-payment, protest, notice of protest, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration and all other notices or without further action of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by Debtors; and Administrative Agent may proceed to enforce payment of same and exercise all of the rights and remedies provided by the UCC as well as all other rights and remedies possessed by Administrative Agent under this Security Agreement, any other Loan Document or otherwise.

 

7.2 Removal and Possession. Administrative Agent may require Debtors to assemble the Collateral and make it available to Administrative Agent at any place designated by Administrative Agent which is reasonably convenient to the parties. Administrative Agent is entitled to immediate possession of all books and records pertaining to any of the Collateral. Administrative Agent may leave the Collateral on any Debtor’s or any other party’s premises but under Administrative Agent’s control or may remove the Collateral from the premises of Debtors or from wherever located, and, for purposes of removal and possession, Administrative Agent or its representatives may enter any premises of Debtors without legal process and thereafter hold or store same, and each Debtor waives and releases Administrative Agent from all claims in connection therewith or arising therefrom, and Administrative Agent may maintain at Debtors’ expense on any Debtor’s premises a custodian who may exercise Administrative Agent’s rights to protect the Collateral.

 

7.3 Sale of Collateral.

 

(a) Administrative Agent may sell the Collateral, in one or more sales or parcels, at such price as Administrative Agent deems adequate and for cash or on credit or for future delivery, without assumption of any credit risk, any portion of the Collateral, at any broker’s board or at public or private sale, without demand of performance or notice of intention to sell. The purchaser of any Collateral sold shall thereafter hold the same free from any claim or right, including any equity of redemption, of any Debtor. Administrative Agent may make any such sale subject to any limitation or restriction, including but not limited to a limitation in the method of offering the Collateral or in the number or identity of prospective bidders, which Administrative Agent may believe to be necessary to comply with any requirement of applicable law or in order to obtain any required approval of the purchase or the purchaser by any Governmental Authority or officer. No such limitation or restriction shall cause such sale not to be considered a commercially reasonable sale, nor shall Administrative Agent be liable or accountable to Debtors, nor shall the Secured Obligations be subject to any reduction, by reason of the fact that the proceeds of a sale subject to any such limitation or restriction are less than otherwise might have been obtained. Without notice to or consent by Debtors, Administrative Agent may exercise all rights as the insured, beneficiary, or owner of any insurance policy and may surrender same and receive the surrender value thereof or sell same pursuant to the terms thereof.

 

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(b) Unless the Collateral is perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value or is of a type customarily sold on a recognized market, Administrative Agent will give Debtors commercially reasonable notice of the time and place of any public sale thereof or of the time after which any private sale or any other intended disposition thereof is to be made. The requirements of commercially reasonable notice are met if such notice is given in accordance with Section 12.1 at least ten (10) days before the time of the sale or disposition. Expenses of retaking, holding, preparing for sale, selling, leasing or the like shall include Administrative Agent’s attorneys’ fees and legal expenses, and all such expenses shall be borne by Debtors. Public or private sales, for cash or on credit, to a wholesaler or retailer or investor, or use of Collateral of the types subject to this Security Agreement, or public auction, are commercially reasonable since differences in the sales prices generally realized in the different kinds of sales are ordinarily offset by the differences in the costs and the credit risks of such sales.

 

(c) At any sale, Administrative Agent may sell any part of the Collateral without warranty of any kind and may specifically disclaim any warranty of title or the like, and none of the foregoing will be considered to make the sale not commercially reasonable.

 

7.4 Other Rights.

 

(a) Administrative Agent may exercise all other rights it may have under any of the other agreements between Debtors and Administrative Agent, or under applicable law. Administrative Agent is entitled to the appointment of a receiver to take possession of all or any portion of the Collateral and to exercise any such powers as the court confers upon the receiver.

 

(b) Administrative Agent may accept all or part of the Collateral in full or, if Debtors so agree in writing, partial satisfaction of the Secured Obligations.

 

7.5 Exercise of Rights. Administrative Agent may exercise its rights with respect to the Collateral in such manner and in such order as Administrative Agent determines, and Administrative Agent is not required to license, sell, or dispose of any part of the Collateral or to collect, or attempt to collect, any sum payable by reason of the Collateral before Administrative Agent may collect the Secured Obligations, nor is Administrative Agent obligated to attempt to collect the Secured Obligations before licensing, selling, or disposing of any part of the Collateral. Administrative Agent may, without foreclosing thereon, license, collect and otherwise enforce all amounts owing on the Collateral or any proceeds or otherwise enforce all of Debtors’ or Administrative Agent’s rights in any of the Collateral. No Debtor or any other party liable in respect of the Secured Obligations may direct the application of any proceeds received by Administrative Agent, and Administrative Agent may apply any such proceeds as herein provided.

 

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7.6 Proceeds of Sale.

 

(a) All proceeds of sale or other disposition or collection of the Collateral (whether before or after default), shall be applied as provided in the Agreement.

 

(b) If Administrative Agent sells any of the Collateral on credit, Debtors are entitled to credit on the Secured Obligations for those payments actually made by the purchaser received by Administrative Agent and applied to the debt of the purchaser for such purchase.

 

8.0 Attorney-In-Fact. Each Debtor appoints Administrative Agent as such Debtor’s attorney-in-fact (without requiring it to act as such) with full power of substitution to do any act which such Debtor is obligated by this Security Agreement to do, including, without limitation, (a) to receive cash and to receive and to endorse the name of such Debtor on all checks, drafts, money orders, or other instruments for the payment of monies that are payable to such Debtor and constitute collections of the Collateral, (b) to execute in the name of such Debtor schedules, assignments, documents, financing statements, amendments of financing statements, and other papers deemed necessary or appropriate by Administrative Agent to perfect, preserve, or enforce the Security Interest, (c) to exercise all rights of such Debtor in the Collateral, (d) to make withdrawals from and to close deposit accounts and other accounts with any financial institution into which proceeds may have been deposited and to apply funds so withdrawn as provided herein, (e) to receive, open, and read mail addressed to such Debtor, and (f) to prepare, adjust, execute, deliver, and receive payment under insurance claims and to collect and receive payment of and endorse any instrument in payment of loss or return premiums on any other insurance refund or return and to apply such amounts as received by Administrative Agent, at Administrative Agent’s sole option, toward repayment of the Secured Obligations or replacement of the Collateral. The power of attorney herein conferred is granted for valuable consideration, is coupled with an interest, and is irrevocable so long as any part of the Secured Obligations is unpaid. Administrative Agent agrees it will not exercise its powers as attorney-in-fact until the occurrence of an Event of Default.

 

9.0 Right of Setoff. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Administrative Agent and its Affiliates are hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by Administrative Agent or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of any Debtor or any other Loan Party against any and all of the Secured Obligations, irrespective of whether or not Administrative Agent shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of such Debtor or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured or are owed to a branch or office of Administrative Agent different from the branch or office holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of Administrative Agent and its Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that Administrative Agent or its Affiliates may have. Administrative Agent agrees to notify Debtors promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

10.0 Security Interest Absolute. All rights of Administrative Agent and the Security Interest, and all obligations of Debtors hereunder, are absolute and unconditional in all respects and shall not be released, diminished, impaired, or affected for any reason, including, without limitation, the occurrence of any one or more of the following events:

 

(a) the taking or acceptance of any other security or assurance for any or all of the Secured Obligations;

 

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(b) the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof, or any of the Loan Documents for any reason;

 

(c) any change in the time, manner, place of payment or other term of any of the Secured Obligations, or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to any departure from the terms hereof or any of the Loan Documents;

 

(d) any exchange, release, subordination, surrender, loss, or non-perfection of any other collateral at any time existing in connection with any or all of the Secured Obligations or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any guaranty, or other security, for all or any of the Secured Obligations;

 

(e) any neglect, delay, omission, failure, or refusal of Administrative Agent to take or prosecute any action in connection with the Collateral or this Security Agreement or any of the Loan Documents;

 

(f) the insolvency, bankruptcy, or lack of power of any party obligated with respect to the Secured Obligations; or

 

(g) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to a discharge of a Debtor in respect of the Secured Obligations or in respect of this Security Agreement; or

 

(h) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to a discharge of a Debtor in respect of the Secured Obligations or in respect of this Security Agreement.

 

11.0 Additional Debtors. From time to time subsequent to the date hereof, additional Persons may become parties hereto as additional Debtors (each, an “Additional Debtor”), by executing a Joinder Agreement in the form of Exhibit A hereto. Upon delivery of any such Joinder Agreement to Administrative Agent, notice of which is hereby waived by Debtors, each Additional Debtor shall be a Debtor and shall be as fully a party hereto as if Additional Debtor were an original signatory hereto. Each Debtor expressly agrees that its obligations arising hereunder shall not be affected or diminished by the addition or release of any other Debtor hereunder, nor by any election of Administrative Agent not to cause any Subsidiary or Affiliate of Borrower to become an Additional Debtor hereunder. This Security Agreement shall be fully effective as to any Debtor that is or becomes a party hereto regardless of whether any other Person becomes or fails to become or ceases to be a Debtor hereunder.

 

12.0 Miscellaneous.

 

12.1 Notices. All notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile or delivered by electronic mail to the electronic mail address, to as follows:

 

(a) If to Debtors, c/o Borrower, as provided in Section 12.01 of the Agreement; and

 

(b) If to Administrative Agent, as provided in Section 12.01 of the Agreement.

 

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Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement) provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient. Any party may change its address, facsimile or email address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

 

12.2 Assignment of Collateral. Administrative Agent may assign all or any part of the Secured Obligations and may assign, transfer, or deliver to any transferee of any of the Secured Obligations any or all of the rights of Administrative Agent in the Collateral, and thereafter Administrative Agent shall be fully discharged from all responsibility with respect to the Collateral so assigned, transferred, or delivered. Such transferee shall be vested with all the powers and rights of Administrative Agent hereunder with respect to such Collateral, but Administrative Agent shall retain all rights and powers hereby given with respect to any of the Collateral not so assigned or transferred.

 

12.3 Alteration, Etc. No waiver, amendment, modification, or alteration of any provision of this Security Agreement (individually, an “Alteration”), nor consent to any departure by any Debtor from the terms hereof, or from the terms of any other document, is effective unless such is in writing and signed by Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders; and any such Alteration is effective only for the specific purpose and in the specific instance given. No waiver by Administrative Agent of any Event of Default shall be deemed to be a waiver of any other or subsequent Event of Default; nor shall such waiver be deemed to be a continuing waiver. No delay of Administrative Agent in exercising any right shall be deemed to be a waiver thereof, nor shall one exercise of any right affect or impair the exercise of any other right. Time is of the essence in Debtors’ performance hereof.

 

12.4 Expenses. To the extent permitted by applicable law Debtors promptly will pay, upon demand, any out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Administrative Agent in connection herewith, including all costs, expenses, taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, repairs (including repairs to realty or other property to which any Collateral may have been attached), court costs, reasonable attorneys’ fees, rent, storage costs, and expenses of sales incurred in connection with the administration of this Security Agreement, the enforcement of the rights of Administrative Agent hereunder, whether incurred before or after the occurrence of an Event of Default or incurred in connection with the perfection, preservation, or defense of the Security Interest, or the custody, protection, collection, repossession, enforcement or sale of the Collateral. All such expenses shall become part of the Secured Obligations and shall bear interest at the post-default rate of interest specified in the Agreement from the date paid or incurred by Administrative Agent until paid by Debtors.

 

12.5 Parties Bound. The rights of Administrative Agent hereunder inure to the benefit of its successors and assigns. The terms of this Security Agreement bind the successors and assigns of the parties hereto, but no Debtor may assign any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of Administrative Agent. All representations, warranties, and covenants of Debtors survive the execution and delivery hereof. All indemnities by Debtors in favor of Administrative Agent and the Lenders survive termination or release of this Security Agreement. This Security Agreement constitutes a continuing agreement, and applies to all future transactions, whether or not contemplated at the date hereof, and all renewals, modifications, and extensions thereof.

 

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12.6 Remedies Cumulative, Etc. All rights and remedies of Administrative Agent hereunder are cumulative of each other and of every other right or remedy which Administrative Agent may otherwise have at law or in equity or under any other document for the enforcement of the Security Interest or the enforcement of any duties of any Debtor or any other party liable in respect of the Secured Obligations. The exercise by Administrative Agent of one or more rights or remedies shall not prejudice or impair the concurrent or subsequent exercise of other rights or remedies.

 

12.7 Financing Statement. Each Debtor authorizes Administrative Agent to file one or more financing statements describing the Collateral. A carbon, photographic, or other reproduction of this Security Agreement or a financing statement describing the Collateral is sufficient as a financing statement.

 

12.8 Severability. If any portion of the Secured Obligations or if any provision of this Security Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such holding shall not affect any other portion of the Secured Obligations or any other provision contained herein or contained in any other agreement between Debtors and Administrative Agent, and the same shall continue in full force and effect according to their terms.

 

12.9 Reference to Agreement; Incorporation of Certain Provisions by Reference. Reference is hereby made to the representations, warranties and covenants of the Borrowers set forth in Articles VII, VIII and IX of the Agreement which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Each Debtor (a) reaffirms that each such representation and warranty is true and correct in every material respect with respect to such Debtor to the extent that such representation and warranty refers to such Debtor, and (b) agrees, with respect to the covenants, to take, or refrain from taking, as the case may be, each action that is necessary to be taken or not taken, as the case may be, so that no Default or Event of Default is caused by the failure to take such action or to refrain from taking such action by such Debtor or any of its Subsidiaries. Further, the provisions of Section 12.09 of the Agreement captioned “GOVERNING LAW; JURISDICTION; ETC.” are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. If the Agreement shall cease to remain in effect for any reason whatsoever during any period and any part of the Secured Obligations remain unpaid, then the terms, covenants, and agreements set forth therein applicable to the Debtors shall nevertheless continue in full force and effect as obligations of each Debtor under this Security Agreement.

 

12.10 Entire Agreement. This Security Agreement together with the other Loan Documents embodies the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.

 

12.11 Reinstatement. If any payment received by any Secured Party is or must be rescinded or returned, the Secured Obligations shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence, notwithstanding such payment, and the Security Interest shall continue to be effective or be reinstated.

 

12.12 Waiver of Jury Trial. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH DEBTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND EXPRESSLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT, OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY OR THE ACTIONS OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

 

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12.13 Limitation on Liability. The liability of each Debtor (other than Borrower) with respect to the Secured Obligations shall not exceed the Maximum Amount (as defined below) for such Debtor. “Maximum Amount” means the greater of (a) the amount of the economic benefit received by a Debtor from the Secured Obligations whether by loan proceeds to purchase assets or perform contracts for such Debtor or by loan proceeds being otherwise available to such Debtor through intercompany loans, advances, capital contributions or otherwise, or (b) the largest amount that would not render such Debtor’s obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code (Title 11, United States Code) or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law.

 

12.14 Conflicts. If any term hereof conflicts with any provision of the Agreement, the terms of the Agreement shall control. If any item of Collateral hereunder also constitutes Collateral granted to Administrative Agent under any other Loan Document executed by Debtors, in the event of any conflict between the provisions under this Security Agreement and those under such other Loan Document, the provision or provisions selected by Administrative Agent shall control with respect to such Collateral.

 

[This space is left intentionally blank. The signature pages follow.]

 

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EXECUTED as of the day, month and year first above written.

 

  DEBTORS:
   
  U.S. ENERGY CORP.
   
  By: /s/ Ryan Smith
    Ryan Smith
    Chief Executive Officer
     
  ENERGY ONE LLC,
  a Wyoming limited liability company
   
  By: /s/ Ryan Smith
    Ryan Smith
    Chief Executive Officer
     
  NEW HORIZON RESOURCES LLC,
  a North Dakota limited liability company
   
  By: /s/ Ryan Smith
    Ryan Smith
    Chief Executive Officer
     
  BOG – OSAGE, LLC,
  an Oklahoma limited liability company
   
  By: /s/ Ryan Smith
    Ryan Smith
    Chief Executive Officer
     
  ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:
   
  FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST,
  as Administrative Agent
   
  By: /s/ Dustin Hansen
    Dustin Hansen
    Senior Vice President

 

Signature Page

 

 

APPENDIX I

 

Accounts” means, as to a particular Debtor, all of such Debtor’s now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising accounts and includes all of such Debtor’s rights to payment arising out of the transfer of rights in such Debtor’s tangible or intangible personal property.

 

Account Debtor” means each Person who is obligated on, under, or with respect to any Payment Rights Collateral.

 

Certificated Securities” means, as to a particular Debtor, all of such Debtor’s now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising certificated securities.

 

Chattel Paper” means, as to a particular Debtor, all of such Debtor’s now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising, tangible and intangible chattel paper.

 

Collateral” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1.

 

Deposit Accounts” means, as to a particular Debtor, all of such Debtor’s now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising deposit accounts.

 

Documents” means, as to a particular Debtor, all of such Debtor’s now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising documents.

 

Equipment” means, as to a particular Debtor, all of such Debtor’s now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising equipment of every description used or useful in the conduct of such Debtor’s business, and all accessories, accessions, additions, attachments, substitutions, replacements, improvements, parts, and other property now or hereafter affixed thereto or used in connection therewith.

 

Equity Interests” means, as to a particular Debtor, all of such Debtor’s now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such Equity Interest, together with (a) such Debtor’s revenues from, and undivided percentage interest in, the assets of, such Person, and all of the rights, but none of the obligations, of such Debtor under the Organizational Documents of such Person, (b) all investment property and other property, rights or interests of any description at any time issued or issuable to such Debtor or held in any securities account as an addition to, in substitution or exchange for or with respect to such Equity Interest, including without limitation additional percentages or interests issued or given as a result of any amendment, reclassification, split-up, dissolution or other entity reorganization or property distributed pursuant thereto, and (c) all distributions, proceeds, monies, income and benefits arising from, by virtue of, or payable with respect to, the foregoing.

 

Financial Assets” means, as to a particular Debtor, any “financial asset”, as such term is defined in Section 8.102(a)(9) of the UCC, now owned or hereafter acquired by such Debtor.

 

General Intangibles” means, as to a particular Debtor, all of such Debtor’s now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising general intangibles (including all payment intangibles) and in any event includes all rights to tax refunds, all copyrights, patents, trademarks, trade secrets, service marks, formulae, blueprints, technology, trade dress, logotypes, rights arising out of leases, licenses, and contracts which are not accounts, chattel paper, or instruments (including, without limitation, dividends and rights to payment arising out of partnership agreements and management contracts), computer software, options, warranties, service contracts, program services, rights to refund, reimbursement, indemnification, and subrogation, goodwill, licenses, royalties, franchises, customer lists, reversions from any retirement plan or arrangement, and all other choses in action and causes of action.

 

APPENDIX I – Page 1

 

 

Instruments” means, as to a particular Debtor, all of such Debtor’s now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising instruments, including all of such Debtor’s promissory notes.

 

Intangible Collateral” means all Collateral other than Equipment and Inventory.

 

Inventory” means, as to a particular Debtor, all of such Debtor’s now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising goods, merchandise, and other personal property furnished under any contract of service or intended for sale or lease, including all raw materials, work in process, finished goods and materials and supplies, of any kind, nature, or description, that are used or consumed by such Debtor’s business, or are or might be used in connection with the manufacture, packing, shipping, advertising, selling, or finishing of such goods, merchandise, and other personal property, all goods consigned by or to such Debtor, all goods previously constituting Equipment which are at any time in question being held for sale or lease in the ordinary course of such Debtor’s business, and all returned or repossessed goods now or at any time or times hereafter in the possession or under the control of such Debtor.

 

Investment Property” means, as to a particular Debtor, all of such Debtor’s now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising investment property.

 

Letter of Credit Rights” means, as to a particular Debtor, all of such Debtor’s now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or arising rights to payment and performance under any letter of credit.

 

Lien” means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, security interest, lien, conditional sale or other title retention agreement, or any financing statement or any distraint, writ of attachment, writ of garnishment, writ of sequestration, or similar writ or any other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever, whether voluntary or not.

 

Payment Rights Collateral” means all Collateral consisting of (a) General Intangibles which constitute payment intangibles, (b) Accounts, and (c) Chattel Paper.

 

Permitted Liens” means Excepted Liens, as defined in the Agreement.

 

Security Agreement” means this Security Agreement and all amendment hereof or supplements hereto.

 

Security Interest” means, as to a particular Debtor, the security interest granted by such Debtor to Administrative Agent under this Security Agreement.

 

APPENDIX I – Page 2

 

 

Exhibit 10.10

 

INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

 

THIS INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT (as the same has been or may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”) is entered into as of January 5, 2022 by and among NEXTERA ENERGY MARKETING, LLC, a Delware limited liability company (“Nextera”, and together with each other Person that becomes a Swap Counterparty pursuant to a Joinder Supplement, collectively, the “Swap Counterparties”, and each, a “Swap Counterparty”), U.S. ENERGY CORP., a Wyoming corporation (the “Borrower”), and FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST (“FBSW”), with FBSW acting: (i) as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders and certain other secured parties from time to time under the Credit Agreement (defined below), and (ii) as the Collateral Agent (defined below) for the benefit of the Creditors hereunder. Definitions for other terms related to this Agreement are set forth following the recitals found below.

 

RECITALS:

 

A. The Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank and the Lenders (together with any Secured Cash Management Providers, collectively, the “Bank Group”) and Borrower are parties to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of January 5, 2022 (as amended, supplemented, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”).

 

B. References in this Agreement to the Administrative Agent are to FBSW in its capacity as contractual representative of the Bank Group. References in this Agreement to the Collateral Agent are to FBSW in its capacity as the contractual representative holding and enforcing certain Liens granted under the Security Instruments (as hereinafter defined), for the benefit of the Creditors.

 

C. Borrower has entered into or will enter into with Nextera, that certain ISDA Master Agreement dated on or about the date hereof (together with the Schedule and annexes thereto, the “Nextera ISDA Agreement” and together with each other ISDA Master Agreement between a Loan Party and any other Swap Counterparty, together with the Schedule and annexes thereto, collectively, the “Swap Counterparty Master Agreements”) and has entered into or will enter into one or more transactions thereunder;

 

D. To secure the Total Obligations of Borrower to the Creditors, Borrower and its Subsidiaries have executed the Security Instruments pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

 

E. FBSW, acting as Administrative Agent and as Collateral Agent, the Swap Counterparties and the Borrower desire to enter into this Agreement in order to (i) establish the relative priorities with respect to payment of the Loan Obligations and the Swap Obligations, and (ii) confirm the Creditors’ appointment of FBSW, and FBSW’s agreement to serve, as Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Creditors and for the purposes of holding and enforcing those Liens granted under the Security Instruments.

 

In consideration of the recitals and the covenants and promises of this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, FBSW, Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swap Counterparties and the Borrower agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I
definitions

 

Section 1.01. Credit Agreement Definitions. Each term defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the same meaning when used herein unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires.

 

1

 

 

Section 1.02. Other Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the terms defined above shall have the meanings assigned to those terms above, and the following terms shall have the meanings assigned as follows:

 

Acceptable Swap Agreements” means transactions not prohibited by Section 9.17 of the Credit Agreement.

 

Approved Swap Counterparty” means an “Approved Counterparty,” as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement.

 

Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Dallas, Texas are authorized or required by law to remain closed.

 

Collateral” means, collectively, all Oil and Gas Properties and rights of the Loan Parties therein that have been subjected to the Lien created by the Security Instruments.

 

Collateral Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 3.01.

 

Collateral Value” means, with respect to any Oil and Gas Property, the positive dollar amount which such Oil and Gas Property contributed to the most recently determined Borrowing Base.

 

Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Credit Agreement Modifications” has the meaning given such term in Section 2.03(f).

 

Creditors” means the Bank Group and the Swap Counterparties, collectively, and “Creditor” means any of them.

 

Debtor Relief Law” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States of America, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

 

Deeds of Trust” means, collectively, (i) the mortgages, deeds of trust and acts of mortgage executed by the applicable Loan Parties as of January 5, 2022 to secure, Ratably, the Loan Obligations and the Swap Obligations, including, as the context requires, amendments and supplements to and restatements of such mortgages, deeds of trust and acts of mortgage, and (ii) any additional mortgages, deeds of trust and acts of mortgage that Borrower and/or any other Loan Party executes subsequent to the execution of this Agreement in order to add Oil and Gas Properties to the Collateral.

 

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

 

ECP” means an “eligible contract participant,” as such term is defined from time to time in the Commodity Exchange Act.

 

2

 

 

Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to Borrower or any Guarantor, (a) any DF Swap Obligation that is illegal because Borrower was not an ECP at the time of such entry, and (b) any DF Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the guarantee of such Guarantor of, or the grant by Borrower or such Guarantor of a security interest to secure, such DF Swap Obligation (or any guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act by virtue of such Guarantor’s or Borrower’s failure for any reason to constitute an ECP at the time the guarantee of such Guarantor or the grant of such security interest by such Guarantor or Borrower becomes effective with respect to such DF Swap Obligation. If a DF Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such DF Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such guarantee or security interest is or becomes illegal.

 

Hydrocarbons” means oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all constituents, elements or compounds thereof and all products refined or separated therefrom.

 

Joinder Supplement” means a supplement to this Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit A, pursuant to which an Approved Swap Counterparty becomes a Swap Counterparty under this Agreement.

 

Lien” means, as to any property of any Person, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge, hypothecation, or security interest in, on or of such property, or any other charge or encumbrance on any such asset to secure debt or liabilities, but excluding any right to netting or setoff, (b) the interest of a vendor under any conditional sale agreement or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such property, (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities and (d) the signing or filing of a financing statement which names the Person as debtor, or the signing of any security agreement authorizing any other Person as the secured party thereunder to file any financing statement which names such Person as debtor.

 

Loan Obligations” means the “Secured Obligations” as defined in the Credit Agreement, whether now existing or hereafter incurred, whether direct, indirect, fixed, contingent, liquidated, unliquidated, joint, several, or joint and several, now or hereafter existing, due or to become due, whether evidenced in writing or not, together with all costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees incurred in the enforcement or collection thereof, and including interest thereon after the commencement of any proceedings under any Debtor Relief Laws; provided, however, that for purposes of the definition of “Ratable” and “Ratably” and for purposes of Section 4.02(b), “Loan Obligations” means the Loan Obligations then due and owing or then outstanding.

 

Notice of Default” refers to a notice given by Administrative Agent to Borrower or Swap Counterparties described in clause (b) of the definition of Triggering Event.

 

Permitted Liens” means Liens permitted under Section 9.03 of the Credit Agreement.

 

Principal Agreements” means the Loan Documents and the Swap Documents, collectively.

 

Proceeds” means any and all proceeds from any sale, exchange, destruction, condemnation, foreclosure, liquidation under any Debtor Relief Law or other disposition of any of the Collateral (each, a “Disposition”); provided, however, prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event, such term will not include (i) sales of any Hydrocarbons produced from or attributable to the Collateral in the ordinary course of the Loan Parties’ business or (ii) Dispositions made with each Creditor’s written consent unless a Creditor’s consent is conditioned by a requirement that the proceeds thereof continue to be held as Collateral.

 

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Ratably” or “Ratable” means, with respect to any amount to be allocated among Bank Group and each of the Swap Counterparties, the allocation of a portion of such amount to (a) Bank Group such that the ratio of the amount allocated to Bank Group bears to the total amount to be so allocated equals the ratio of the Loan Obligations to the Total Obligations, (b) Nextera such that the ratio of the amount allocated to Nextera bears to the total amount to be so allocated equals the ratio of the Swap Obligations owing to Nextera to the Total Obligations, and (c) any other Swap Counterparty such that the ratio that the amount allocated to such Swap Counterparty bears to the total amount to be so allocated equals the ratio of the Swap Obligations owing to such Swap Counterparty to the Total Obligations.

 

Security Instruments” means the Deeds of Trust.

 

Swap Documents” means the Swap Counterparty Master Agreements, including each confirmation now or hereafter entered into thereunder for Acceptable Swap Agreements.

 

Swap Obligations” means all obligations of the Borrower or any other Loan Party to the Swap Counterparties under the Swap Documents for Acceptable Swap Agreements, following the netting of such Swap Agreements, whether now existing or hereafter incurred, whether direct, indirect, fixed, contingent, liquidated, unliquidated, joint, several, or joint and several, now or hereafter existing, due or to become due, whether evidenced in writing or not, together with all costs, expenses, and attorneys’ fees incurred in the enforcement or collection thereof, and including interest thereon after the commencement of any proceedings under any Debtor Relief Laws, in each case, other than Excluded Swap Obligations; provided, however, that (i) if the Administrative Agent notifies Borrower and any Swap Counterparty pursuant to Section 2.01(c) that such Swap Counterparty’s status as an Approved Swap Counterparty has been revoked, any Swap Agreements entered into thereafter between Borrower (or a Subsidiary) and such Swap Counterparty and any interest, costs or expenses associated with such new Swap Agreements shall be excluded from the scope of “Swap Obligations,” and (ii) for purposes of the definition of “Ratable” and “Ratably” and for purposes of Section 4.02(b), “Swap Obligations”, for any Swap Counterparty, means the Swap Obligations then due and owing to that Swap Counterparty.

 

Total Obligations” means, as of the date of determination, an amount equal to the Loan Obligations plus the Swap Obligations.

 

Triggering Event” shall mean either of the following:

 

(a) Collateral Agent shall have received from a Swap Counterparty written notice that (i) either an event of default or a termination event has occurred and is continuing under one or more of the Swap Documents of such Swap Counterparty, (ii) an early termination date has been designated as a result thereof, (iii) specifies the sum of all unpaid amounts and settlement payments then due to such Swap Counterparty as the result of the designation of such early termination date and the amount of interest and other amounts then due and payable by Borrower in respect thereof, and (iv) the amount set forth in clause (iii) preceding has not been paid in full or discharged to the satisfaction of such Swap Counterparty; or

 

(b) the Swap Counterparties or Borrower shall have received from Administrative Agent written notice that (i)(x) an Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) has occurred and is continuing and (y) the unpaid principal amount of the Notes under the Credit Agreement has been declared to be then due and payable, or (ii)(x) an “event of default” or similar event has occurred under any promissory note or related agreements governing any other indebtedness of Borrower to the Lenders and is continuing and (y) the principal of such other indebtedness has been declared to be then due and payable.

 

Borrower acknowledges that any Triggering Event will constitute an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement and an event of default under the Swap Counterparty Master Agreements.

 

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Section 1.03. Headings. Article and section headings of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not govern the interpretation of any of the provisions of this Agreement.

 

Section 1.04. Joint Preparation; Construction of Indemnities and Releases. This Agreement, the Loan Documents and the Swap Documents have been reviewed and negotiated by sophisticated parties with access to legal counsel, and no rule of construction shall apply hereto or thereto which would require or allow this Agreement, any Loan Document or any Swap Document to be construed against any party because of its role in drafting such document.

 

Section 1.05. Terms Generally. References in this Agreement to Exhibits, Schedules, Annexes, Appendixes, Attachments, Articles, Sections, Recitals or clauses shall be to exhibits, schedules, annexes, appendixes, attachments, articles, sections, recitals or clauses of this Agreement, unless expressly stated to the contrary. References in this Agreement to “hereby,” “herein,” “hereinafter,” “hereinabove,” “hereinbelow,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and words of similar import shall be to this Agreement in its entirety and not only to the particular Exhibit, Schedule, Annex, Appendix, Attachment, Article, or Section in which such reference appears unless specifically stated otherwise. Exhibits and Schedules to any Loan Document shall be deemed incorporated by reference in such Loan Document. References to any document, instrument, or agreement (a) shall include all exhibits, schedules, and other attachments thereto, (b) shall include all documents, instruments, or agreements issued or executed in replacement thereof. This Agreement, for convenience only, has been divided into Articles and Sections; and it is understood that the rights and other legal relations of the parties hereto shall be determined from this instrument as an entirety and without regard to the aforesaid division into Articles and Sections and without regard to headings prefixed to such Articles or Sections. The phrases “this Section” and “this clause” and similar phrases refer only to the sections or clauses hereof in which such phrases occur. Whenever the context requires, reference herein made to the single number shall be understood to include the plural; and likewise, the plural shall be understood to include the singular. Definitions of terms defined in the singular or plural shall be equally applicable to the plural or singular, as the case may be, unless otherwise indicated. Words denoting sex shall be construed to include the masculine, feminine and neuter, when such construction is appropriate; and specific enumeration shall not exclude the general but shall be construed as cumulative; the word “or” is not exclusive; the word “including” (in its various forms) shall mean “including, without limitation”; in the computation of periods of time, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” mean “to but excluding”; and all references to money refer to the legal currency of the United States of America. The Exhibits, Schedules, Annexes, Appendixes and Attachments attached to this Agreement and items referenced as being attached to this Agreement are incorporated herein and shall be considered a part of this Agreement for all purposes and (c) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, real property, securities, accounts and general intangibles.

 

ARTICLE II
nature of obligations and liens

 

Section 2.01. Obligations and Liens Pari Passu.

 

(a) Subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Loan Obligations shall be pari passu with the Swap Obligations, and the Loan Obligations and the Swap Obligations shall be secured, Ratably, by the Liens granted to or for the benefit of Collateral Agent under the Security Instruments. Substantially contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement, Borrower or the other applicable Loan Parties shall execute Security Instruments causing the Liens granted under such instruments to be in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Creditors, to secure, Ratably, the Loan Obligations and the Swap Obligations. Each Swap Counterparty acknowledges and agrees that such instruments being executed by Borrower or the other applicable Loan Parties contemporaneously with the execution of this Agreement shall be in all substantive respects in the form approved by the Swap Counterparties.

 

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(b) The Liens under the Security Instruments shall be Permitted Liens.

 

(c) Bank Group consents to the Borrower’s or any other Loan Party’s entering into Swap Agreements with the Swap Counterparties, subject, however, to the limitations set forth herein or in the Credit Agreement. The Administrative Agent agrees and consents to each Swap Counterparty being an Approved Swap Counterparty with respect to Swap Agreements; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, by giving written notice to the Borrower and to any Swap Counterparty, elect to revoke such Swap Counterparty’s status as an Approved Swap Counterparty for purposes of any Swap Agreements entered into beginning on the Business Day following the Borrower’s and such Swap Counterparty’s receipt (or deemed receipt pursuant to Section 5.08) of such notice.

 

(d) Without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party and the Swap Counterparties shall not amend, supplement, delete or otherwise modify the Swap Counterparty Master Agreements or any provision thereof from the form presented to the Administrative Agent for its review prior to execution of this Agreement:

 

(i) if such action would result in a violation, or the creation of an obligation on the part of the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party to violate, the limitations on credit support set forth in Section 2.02 hereof;

 

(ii) such that the Threshold Amount (as defined in the applicable Swap Counterparty Master Agreement) that is applicable to the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party would be anything other than a fixed dollar amount equal to or greater than $500,000; or

 

(iii) in a manner that changes or expands the events that constitute Events of Default or Additional Termination Events (each as defined in the applicable Swap Counterparty Master Agreement) or otherwise has the effect of causing an event to have consequences similar to an Event of Default or Additional Termination Event under such Swap Counterparty Master Agreement.

 

Notwithstanding clauses (i) through (iii) preceding, if (1) a Swap Counterparty notifies the Administrative Agent that it and the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party propose an amendment, supplement, deletion or modification to its applicable Swap Counterparty Master Agreement mandated by the regulatory requirements imposed by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and (2) the Borrower’s or the applicable Loan Party’s request for the Administrative Agent’s consent to the proposed amendment, supplement, deletion or modification is accompanied by a legal opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent confirming to the Administrative Agent that such amendment, supplement, deletion or modification is legally required, then the Administrative Agent will not unreasonably withhold or delay its consent to any such amendment, supplement, deletion or modification.

 

(e) The amounts payable by the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party to each Creditor at any time under any of the Principal Agreements to which such Creditor is a party shall be separate and independent debts, and each Creditor shall be entitled to enforce any right arising out of the applicable Principal Agreement to which it is a party, subject to the terms thereof and of this Agreement; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to impair the right of any Swap Counterparty to exercise its rights as an unsecured creditor in accordance with the terms of any Swap Document and applicable law.

 

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(f) Each Creditor hereby agrees that no Creditor shall have any right individually to realize upon any Liens granted under the Security Instruments, it being understood and agreed that such rights may be exercised only by Collateral Agent or the trustee under the Security Instruments for the Ratable benefit of the Creditors.

 

(g) Each Swap Agreement that satisfies the criteria and limitations set forth in the Credit Agreement at the time such Swap Agreement is entered into shall be deemed to be acceptable under this Agreement and under the Credit Agreement. Any such transaction that does not comply with such limitations will not be secured by the Collateral, unless the Administrative Agent consents in writing to any such Swap Agreement being secured by the Collateral.

 

(h) Each Creditor hereby agrees that it shall not (and hereby waives any right to) contest, or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceedings (including any insolvency or liquidation proceedings), the priority, validity or enforceability of a Lien held by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent in any Collateral; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of the Collateral Agent or any Creditor to enforce this Agreement as provided herein.

 

Section 2.02. Limitations on Separate Credit Support. Each Swap Counterparty agrees that, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such Swap Counterparty will not seek or accept credit support for any Swap Obligation or any other Swap Agreement between the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and such Swap Counterparty, including without limitation letters of credit, guarantees from any owner of Borrower or any other Person, or Liens on any Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, other than the rights of such Swap Counterparty under the Security Instruments until after the full and indefeasible payment and cancellation of the Loan Obligations.

 

Section 2.03. Release of Collateral; Authorization; Amendments to Loan Documents; Notice of Releases.

 

(a) Subject to the terms hereof, Collateral Agent may permit the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to remain in possession and control of the Collateral, to operate the Collateral, and to collect, invest and dispose of any income thereon or therefrom.

 

(b) Collateral Agent shall have the right from time to time to release Collateral from the Liens created by the Security Instruments, provided that the written consent of each Swap Counterparty shall be required for any release of Collateral during any period between successive scheduled redeterminations of the Borrowing Base if the aggregate Collateral Value of Collateral released during such period is in excess of 10% of the aggregate Collateral Value of the Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries included in the determination of the Borrowing Base as of the beginning of such period. Collateral Agent shall not release any Collateral from the Liens created by the Security Instruments (i) if, at the time of such release, Collateral Agent is aware of the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement or any Swap Counterparty has notified Collateral Agent that an event of default or termination event has occurred and is continuing under its applicable Swap Counterparty Master Agreement or (ii) if, at the time of such release, Collateral Agent is aware that the release of any Collateral would result in an Event of Default under the Credit Agreement or any Swap Counterparty has notified Collateral Agent that such release of such Collateral will result in an event of default or termination event under its applicable Swap Counterparty Master Agreement.

 

(c) Subject to the provisions of the applicable Security Instruments, (i) Collateral Agent may, in its sole discretion and without the consent of the Creditors, take all actions it deems necessary or appropriate in order to enforce any of the terms of the Security Instruments and (ii) Collateral Agent shall have power to institute and to maintain such suits and proceedings as it may deem expedient (A) to prevent any impairment of the Collateral by any act that may be unlawful or in violation of the Principal Agreements, and (B) to preserve or protect its interests and the interests of the Creditors in the Collateral. Notwithstanding the above, Collateral Agent may choose not to take any action authorized by this Section until it receives written direction from a Creditor.

 

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(d) The Collateral Agent is authorized to receive any Proceeds for the Ratable benefit of the Creditors and to distribute such Proceeds to the Creditors in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement.

 

(e) The Collateral Agent shall, after any release of the Collateral permitted by Section 2.03(b), notify each Swap Counterparty of such release giving full particulars with respect thereto.

 

(f) Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Bank Group may enter into any amendment, modification or supplement to any Loan Document (other than the Security Instruments, unless permitted by Section 2.03(g) below), enter into new, additional or increased credit facilities with Borrower, or grant any waiver, consent, release, indulgence, extension or renewal with respect to any Loan Document (other than the Security Instruments, unless permitted by Section 2.03(g) below) or such new, additional or increased credit facilities (“Credit Agreement Modifications”), and such Credit Agreement Modifications shall be deemed accepted by each Swap Counterparty and the Borrower for the purposes of each Swap Counterparty Master Agreement with respect to those provisions of the Loan Documents (other than the Security Instruments, unless permitted by Section 2.03(g) below) incorporated by reference in such Swap Counterparty Master Agreement. Administrative Agent, shall, after entering into any amendment, modification or supplement to any Loan Document (other than any amendment, modification or supplement to any Loan Document that does not constitute a Security Instrument), notify the Swap Counterparties and provide each Swap Counterparty with a copy of such amendment, modification or supplement; provided, however, that any failure of the Administrative Agent to comply with the requirements of this sentence shall not impact the validity of such amendment, modification or supplement, give rise to any breach of contract claim against the Administrative Agent or any Lender or result, directly or indirectly, in any liability being imposed on the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection therewith.

 

(g) Collateral Agent may enter into any amendment, modification or supplement to any of the Security Instruments (i) to properly document a release of Collateral permitted under Section 2.03(b), (ii) to extend the maturity date of the indebtedness owed by the Borrower to Lenders secured by the Security Instruments, (iii) to add additional properties as Collateral thereunder or (iv) in the event of any ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error, inconsistency or other defect in any provision of any Security Instrument, to amend, modify or supplement such provision to cure such ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error, inconsistency or other defect, but Collateral Agent may not enter into any other amendment to any of the Security Instruments without the prior written consent of each Swap Counterparty.

 

ARTICLE III
COLLATERAL AGENT

 

Section 3.01. Appointment of the Collateral Agent. Each Creditor hereby designates FBSW to act as the contractual representative for the Creditors (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent”) to hold and enforce the Liens under the Security Instruments for the benefit of the Creditors and take certain other actions as permitted by the Security Instruments and this Agreement. Each Creditor hereby authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the Security Instruments and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to it hereunder or under any Security Instrument or required of the Collateral Agent by the terms hereof or thereof and such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Collateral Agent may perform any of its duties hereunder by or through its agents or employees. The Collateral Agent agrees to act as the Collateral Agent upon the express terms and conditions contained herein.

 

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Section 3.02. Nature of Duties of the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Credit Agreement or the Security Instruments. The Collateral Agent shall have and may exercise such powers hereunder and under the Security Instruments as are specifically delegated to Collateral Agent by the terms hereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The Collateral Agent and its Related Parties (each, a “Protected Party”) shall not be liable to the Creditors for any damages caused by any action taken or omitted by any Protected Party hereunder or under the Security Instruments (INCLUDING THOSE DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE SOLE NEGLIGENCE, COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE, CONTRIBUTORY NEGLIGENCE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE OF ANY PROTECTED PARTY), except, with respect to any Protected Party, to the extent caused solely by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Protected Party, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment. The duties of the Collateral Agent shall be mechanical and administrative in nature. The Collateral Agent, in its capacity as such, shall not have by reason of this Agreement or the Security Instruments a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Creditor. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon Collateral Agent any duties or obligations in respect of this Agreement and the Security Instruments except as expressly set forth herein.

 

Section 3.03. Lack of Reliance on the Collateral Agent.

 

(a) Independently and without reliance upon the Collateral Agent or any other Creditor, each Creditor represents to the Collateral Agent and each of the other Creditors that, as of the date of this Agreement, such Creditor has made (i) its own independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate in connection with the taking or not taking of any action in connection herewith, and (ii) its own appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. Each Creditor also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Collateral Agent or any other Person and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under this Agreement or the Security Instruments. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall have no duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Creditor with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition or business of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which may come into the possession of the Collateral Agent or any of its affiliates whether now in its possession or in its possession at any time or times hereafter; and the Collateral Agent shall not be required to keep itself informed as to the performance or observance by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries of this Agreement, any Security Instrument or any other document referred to or provided for herein or to inspect the Properties or books of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding foregoing, Borrower expressly agrees that Collateral Agent and any Creditor shall have the right, but not the obligation, to provide to any other party to this Agreement any information whatsoever concerning Borrower, either provided by Borrower, or otherwise obtained. Borrower releases Collateral Agent and the Creditors from any liability arising from the release or disclosure of information pertaining to Borrower by any of those parties to the other parties hereto.

 

(b) The Collateral Agent shall not (i) be responsible to any Creditor for any recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties herein, in any Security Instrument, or in any document, certificate or other writing delivered in connection herewith or therewith or for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectability, priority or sufficiency of this Agreement or the Security Instruments or the financial condition of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; or (ii) be required to make any inquiry concerning (A) the performance or observance by others of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Agreement or the Security Instruments, including the content of notices, opinions, certificates and directions given under this Agreement or the Security Instruments, (B) the financial condition of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (C) the existence or possible existence of any “default” or “event of default” under the Principal Agreements, provided that Collateral Agent will promptly notify the Swap Counterparties of any Notice of Default given by Administrative Agent to the Borrower; provided further that any failure by Collateral Agent to provide such notice under this clause (b) shall not limit or affect the rights and obligations of the parties hereunder.

 

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Section 3.04. Certain Rights of the Collateral Agent. If the Collateral Agent shall request instructions from the Creditors with respect to any act or action (including the failure to act) in connection with this Agreement or the Security Instruments, the Collateral Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such action unless and until the Collateral Agent shall have received written instructions from any Creditor or Creditors pursuant to the terms hereof; and the Collateral Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing, no Creditor shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Collateral Agent as a result of the Collateral Agent acting or refraining from acting under this Agreement or the Security Instruments in accordance with the written instructions given in accordance with this Agreement, and such instructions and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding on all the Creditors. The Collateral Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action hereunder or under the Security Instruments unless it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Creditors against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by the Collateral Agent by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article III or any indemnity or instructions provided by any or all of the Creditors, the Collateral Agent shall not be required to take any action which, in the reasonable belief of the Collateral Agent, exposes the Collateral Agent to personal liability or which, in the reasonable belief of the Collateral Agent, is contrary to this Agreement, the Security Instruments or applicable law.

 

Section 3.05. Reliance by the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, statement, certificate or telecopier message, cablegram, radiogram, facsimile transmission, e-mail, order or other documentary, teletransmission or telephone message believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person. The Collateral Agent may consult with legal counsel, accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.

 

Section 3.06. The Collateral Agent in its Individual Capacity. FBSW shall have the same rights hereunder as any other Creditor and may exercise the same as though it were not performing the duties of the Collateral Agent specified herein; and the term “Creditors” or any similar term shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include FBSW in its individual capacity as a Lender and not in its capacity as the Collateral Agent. FBSW may accept deposits from, lend money to, take collateral from and generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory or other business with Borrower or any Subsidiary as if it were not performing the duties as the Collateral Agent specified herein, and may accept fees and other consideration from Borrower or any Subsidiary for services in connection with this Agreement and otherwise without having to account for the same to the Creditors except as specified herein.

 

Section 3.07. Creditors as Owners. The Collateral Agent may deem and treat each Creditor as the owner of its portion of the Total Obligations as described herein for all purposes hereof unless and until the Collateral Agent is notified of a change in Creditors.

 

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Section 3.08. Successor Collateral Agent.

 

(a) The Collateral Agent may resign at any time by giving prior written notice thereof to the Creditors and Borrower, which resignation shall be effective upon the earlier to occur of (i) the appointment of a successor to Collateral Agent in accordance with this Section 3.08(a) and (ii) 30 days after the resigning Collateral Agent gives notice of its resignation (the “Resignation Effective Date”). Following any such notice of resignation, the resigning Collateral Agent shall have the right to appoint a successor Collateral Agent, subject to the consent of the Borrower and the Swap Counterparties to the appointee (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed); provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Triggering Event has occurred at the time of the Collateral Agent’s notice of resignation, the Swap Counterparties shall have the right to unanimously appoint a successor Collateral Agent. If, at the time of Collateral Agent’s notice of resignation, a Triggering Event has not occurred and within 30 days after the retiring Collateral Agent’s giving of notice of resignation, no successor Collateral Agent shall have been so appointed by the resigning Collateral Agent which has accepted such appointment, then the Swap Counterparties may unanimously appoint a successor Collateral Agent. Whether or not a successor to Collateral Agent has been appointed, such resignation of the Collateral Agent shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

 

(b) Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Collateral Agent hereunder by a successor Collateral Agent, such successor Collateral Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights and duties of the retiring Collateral Agent, and on the Resignation Effective Date, the retiring Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties under this Agreement. After any retiring Collateral Agent’s resignation hereunder as Collateral Agent, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Collateral Agent under this Agreement.

 

Section 3.09. Employment of Collateral Agent and Counsel. The Collateral Agent may execute any of its duties as Collateral Agent hereunder or under the Security Instruments by or through employees, agents, and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be answerable to the Creditors for the default or misconduct of any such employees, agents or attorneys-in-fact reasonably selected by it in good faith unless such default or misconduct is a direct result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment) of the Collateral Agent in monitoring the activities of such employees, agents or attorneys-in-fact, provided that the Collateral Agent shall always be obligated to account for moneys or securities received by it or its authorized agents. The Collateral Agent shall be entitled to advice of independent legal counsel concerning all matters pertaining to the collateral agency hereby created and its duties hereunder or under the Security Instruments.

 

Section 3.10. Limitation on Liability of the Creditors and the Collateral Agent. The Creditors and the Collateral Agent shall not be deemed, as a result of the execution and delivery of the Security Instruments or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Security Instruments, to have assumed any obligation of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Collateral or any liability under or with respect to any of the contracts, agreements, leases, instruments or documents which are, or which may hereafter be, assigned to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Creditors.

 

ARTICLE IV
election to pursue remedies; proceeds

 

Section 4.01. Procedures Regarding Remedies.

 

(a) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Triggering Event, the Collateral Agent shall, within 30 days after written request from any Creditor specifying the particular actions being requested by such Creditor, and subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, commence to take, or direct the appropriate trustee or agent to take, those requested actions provided for in the Security Instruments relating to the pursuit of remedies which the Collateral Agent deems appropriate in its reasonable judgment to realize the value and benefits of the Collateral, including, but not limited to, the foreclosure of the Liens or other disposition of the Collateral.

 

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(b) The Borrower and the Creditors agree that upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event, all payments made to any Creditor by Borrower shall be shared by all Creditors in accordance with Section 4.02.

 

(c) Each Creditor agrees: (i) to deliver to each other Creditor, as applicable, at the same time it makes delivery to the Borrower, a copy of any (A) notice declaring the occurrence of an Event of Default under any Loan Documents or an event of default or termination event under any Swap Documents, as applicable, (B) notice of intent to accelerate or notice of acceleration of the Borrower’s obligations, or (C) notice of the designation of an early termination date with respect to any Swap Obligation and (ii) to deliver to each other Creditor, at the same time it makes delivery to any other Person, a copy of any notice of the commencement of any judicial proceeding and a copy of any other notice with respect to the exercise of remedies with respect to any of the Total Obligations. Any failure by a party hereto to furnish a copy under this clause (c) shall not limit or affect the rights and obligations hereunder.

 

(d) Each of the Swap Counterparties and the Collateral Agent hereby agrees that it shall endeavor to furnish the Borrower with a copy of any notice provided or received, as applicable, by it pursuant to clause (a) of the definition of Triggering Event. Each of the Borrower and Administrative Agent hereby agrees that it shall endeavor to furnish the Swap Counterparties with a copy of any notice received or provided, as applicable, by it pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of Triggering Event. Any failure by a party hereto to furnish a copy under this clause (d) shall not limit or affect the rights and obligations hereunder.

 

(e) Borrower hereby agrees that each Swap Counterparty may provide to Administrative Agent from time to time, and each Swap Counterparty hereby agrees to provide or otherwise make available (which may be via access to an online portal containing the daily mark to market information of Borrower) to Administrative Agent within three (3) Business Days following such Swap Counterparty’s receipt of a written request therefor from Administrative Agent, a report of the marked-to-market positions of the various transactions in effect from time to time under the applicable Swap Documents. Borrower hereby irrevocably consents and agrees that each Swap Counterparty may provide or otherwise make available to Administrative Agent, its successors and assigns such reports and mark to market information as contemplated above, including, without limitation, by granting Administrative Agent access to an online portal that reflects the daily mark to market information of Borrower. Any unintentional failure by a Swap Counterparty to timely furnish information required under this clause (e) shall not limit or affect the parties’ rights and obligations hereunder.

 

(f) In the event that the Liens created under the Security Instruments conflict with the Liens created under other security documents in favor of or for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Liens created under the Security Instruments shall have priority.

 

(g) In the event that the Liens created under the Security Instruments conflict with the Liens created under other security documents in favor of or for the benefit of Bank Group, the Liens created under the Security Instruments shall have priority.

 

(h) If the Collateral Agent fails to take any reasonably requested action under the Security Instruments following the occurrence and during the continuance of a Triggering Event, after being requested to do so by a Swap Counterparty or Bank Group, or if the Collateral Agent fails to diligently pursue such action, such Swap Counterparty or Bank Group, as applicable, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief, including one or more injunctions, from any court having jurisdiction, compelling the Collateral Agent, in its capacity as collateral agent, to perform such tasks and take such action as requested by such Swap Counterparty or Bank Group hereunder. Each Swap Counterparty and Bank Group may also, without waiving any remedy herein, obtain from any court having jurisdiction any interim or provisional relief that is necessary to protect their respective rights under the Security Instruments.

 

12

 

 

Section 4.02. Proceeds.

 

(a) The Creditors hereby agree between themselves that (i) prior to the occurrence of a Triggering Event, each Creditor shall be entitled to receive and retain for its own account, and shall never be required to disgorge to Collateral Agent or any other Creditor hereunder or acquire direct or participating interests in the Loan Obligations or the Swap Obligations, as the case may be, owing to such Creditor, scheduled payments or voluntary prepayments, payments for the redemption or purchase of principal, interest, fees and premium, if any, settlement payments and any other payments in respect of the Principal Agreements or Credit Agreement Modifications, all in compliance with the terms thereof, and (ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a Triggering Event, all such amounts received by any Creditor after such Triggering Event (other than amounts received by the Bank Group from a Guarantor or from realization on collateral pledged to the Bank Group that does not constitute Collateral, or any netting or setoff rights exercised by any Swap Counterparty, which are acknowledged to be for the sole benefit of the relevant Swap Counterparty) shall constitute Proceeds, shall be turned over to Collateral Agent, and shall be shared by the Creditors, Ratably, and in accordance with Section 4.02(b) below.

 

(b) All Proceeds received by the Collateral Agent after the occurrence of a Triggering Event shall be applied in accordance with this Section 4.02. To the extent any Creditor ever receives any portion of such Proceeds in excess of its Ratable share (or to the extent the Collateral Agent receives reimbursement in excess of expenses actually incurred), the party receiving those excess Proceeds agrees to promptly make all necessary transfers so as to give full effect to this Section 4.02. All Proceeds received by the Collateral Agent after the occurrence of a Triggering Event shall be applied in the following order:

 

(i) First, to reimburse the Collateral Agent for expenses in accordance with Section 5.01;

 

(ii) Second, to Administrative Agent in respect of amounts owing to the Administrative Agent for that portion of the Loan Obligations constituting fees, expenses and indemnities payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such under the Credit Agreement;

 

(iii) Third, to Administrative Agent in respect of amounts owing to the Bank Group constituting accrued and unpaid interest of the Loan Obligations;

 

(iv) Fourth, Ratably to (A) Administrative Agent in respect of amounts owing to the Bank Group constituting unpaid principal of the Loan Obligations and (B) Swap Counterparties in respect of amounts owing to the Swap Counterparties constituting the Swap Obligations, in each case, until the Total Obligations are fully satisfied;

 

(v) Fifth, to FBSW in satisfaction of any additional indebtedness of the Borrower to it; and

 

(vi) Sixth, to the extent that any Proceeds remain, to the Borrower, or as otherwise required by applicable law.

 

13

 

 

Section 4.03. Notice of Amount of Indebtedness. Upon receipt of any Proceeds to be distributed pursuant to Section 4.02, the Collateral Agent shall give the Creditors notice thereof, and each Creditor (or its representative) shall, within 3 Business Days, notify the Collateral Agent of the amount of the Total Obligations owing to it. Such notification shall state the amount of the Total Obligations owing to it and how much is then due and owing. If requested by the Collateral Agent, each Creditor (or its representative) shall demonstrate that the amounts set forth in its notice are actually owing to such Creditor to the reasonable satisfaction of the Collateral Agent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Collateral Agent may conclusively rely on information in such notices without any investigation. In the event that any Creditor fails to timely notify the Collateral Agent of the amount of the Total Obligations owed to it, the Collateral Agent shall distribute such Proceeds on any basis deemed reasonable by it and not in bad faith.

 

Section 4.04. Additional Swap Counterparties. As a condition to the Swap Agreements entered into by Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with any other Approved Swap Counterparty being secured obligations under the Security Instruments (other than those entered into between the Borrower and FBSW or any other Lender or Secured Cash Management Provider), each such other Approved Swap Counterparty will be required to become a party to this Agreement by executing a Joinder Supplement on terms reasonably acceptable to the Creditors.

 

ARTICLE V
miscellaneous

 

Section 5.01. Expenses. The Creditors shall each bear their Ratable share of any reasonable expenses incurred by the Collateral Agent in taking action on behalf of the Creditors in connection with its investigation, evaluation or enforcement of any rights under the Security Instruments, but only to the extent the Collateral Agent does not receive reimbursement for such expenses from the Borrower within a reasonable time after such expenses are incurred; provided that, to the extent a Creditor reimburses the Collateral Agent for such expenses, such Creditor will be entitled to receive its ratable share of any reimbursement subsequently received by the Collateral Agent from an Loan Party.

 

Section 5.02. Limitation of Liability; Indemnification of the Collateral Agent. Neither the Collateral Agent nor any of the other Protected Parties shall (i) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them hereunder or under the Security Instruments in good faith and reasonably believed by it or them to be within the discretion or power conferred upon it or them by this Agreement and the Security Instruments or (ii) be responsible for the consequences of any error of judgment, except, with respect to any Protected Party, to the extent arising solely from such Protected Party’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment. The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible in any manner to any other party for the effectiveness, enforceability, genuineness, validity or the due execution of the Security Instruments or for any representation, warranty, document, certificate, report or statement made in or in connection with the Security Instruments or be under any obligation to any other party to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observation of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of any of the Loan Documents or the Swap Documents on the part of Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries. Each of the Creditors agrees to Ratably reimburse and indemnify the Collateral Agent and its Related Parties (each an “Indemnified Party”) on a current basis and hold the Indemnified Parties harmless on a current basis from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, reasonable expenses, and reasonable disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, asserted against or incurred by any Indemnified Party in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or the Security Instruments or any action taken or omitted by an Indemnified Party under this Agreement or the Security Instruments, INCLUDING ANY SUCH LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, REASONABLE EXPENSES AND REASONABLE DISBURSEMENTS ARISING OUT OF THE SOLE, CONCURRENT, CONTRIBUTORY OR COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE OF ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY, except, with respect to any Indemnified Party, to the extent the same results solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Party, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and non-appealable judgment. The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement, whether in whole or in part.

 

14

 

 

Section 5.03. Term. This Agreement shall terminate upon (a) the full and indefeasible payment, and cancellation or termination, as applicable, of the Loan Obligations and the Swap Obligations or (b) the execution and delivery of a written termination notice signed by each of the parties; provided that if at any time any payment of the Total Obligations is rescinded or must be restored or returned upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of Borrower or any Subsidiary or otherwise, the obligations of the Borrower and the rights of the Creditors under this Agreement, with respect to that payment, shall be reinstated as though the payment had been due but not made at that time.

 

Section 5.04. Survival of Rights. All of the respective rights and interests of the Creditors under this Agreement (and the respective obligations and agreements of the Creditors under this Agreement), shall remain in full force and effect regardless of:

 

(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents, the Swap Documents or any other agreement or instrument related thereto; or

 

(b) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or discharge of, Borrower or any Subsidiary with respect to the Loan Obligations or the Swap Obligations (other than the defense that such obligations have been fully satisfied).

 

Section 5.05. Representations and Warranties. Each of the Borrower and the Swap Counterparties represents to each other and to the Collateral Agent that as of the date of this Agreement it is, and covenants that as of the date of its entry into any Swap Agreements it will be, an ECP. FBSW, as the Administrative Agent and as the Collateral Agent, and the Swap Counterparties each represent and warrant to one another that:

 

(a) neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor its performance of or compliance with the terms and provisions hereof will conflict with, or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement to which it is now subject;

 

(b) it has all requisite authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement; and

 

(c) this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid, and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject only to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws and general principles of equity.

 

Section 5.06. Further Assurances. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Swap Counterparties covenants that, as long as this Agreement remains in effect, such Person will execute and deliver any and all other instruments reasonably requested by the other to give effect to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, Administrative Agent will endeavor to furnish the Swap Counterparties with copies of all statements, engineering reserve reports or other information that Administrative Agent furnishes to the Borrower that summarizes projected volumes of production from Oil and Gas Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries utilized by Administrative Agent in setting or redetermining the Borrowing Base, the projected value of such properties as determined by Administrative Agent utilizing its standard methods for determination at such time and any projected net revenues or cash flows from such properties, and Borrower hereby consents to Administrative Agent’s disclosure of any and all such information; provided, however, that Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any damages, expenses or losses that may be directly or indirectly attributable to any failure by Administrative Agent to furnish any such information.

 

15

 

 

Section 5.07. Assignment; Agreement Binding on Successors and Assigns. The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each Creditor and its respective successors and assigns. The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall not inure to the benefit of, nor be relied upon by, Borrower or its successors or assigns. No Swap Counterparty shall assign, transfer or sell any part of its portion of the Total Obligations without the prior consent of the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, except as otherwise permitted under the applicable Swap Document. For the avoidance of doubt, any assignee, transferee or purchaser, as applicable, of any Swap Counterparty, shall not be deemed as a “Swap Counterparty” hereunder nor as a “Secured Swap Provider” under the Credit Agreement until such assignee, transferee or purchaser, as applicable, satisfies the criteria of being an Approved Swap Counterparty and has executed a Joinder Supplement on terms reasonably acceptable to the Creditors.

 

Section 5.08. Notice. Unless otherwise provided, any consent, request, notice, or other communication under or in connection with this Agreement must be in writing to be effective and shall be deemed to have been given (a) if by mail, on the third Business Day after it is enclosed in an envelope and properly addressed, stamped, sealed, certified return receipt requested, and deposited in the appropriate official postal service, or (b) if by courier, electronic transmissions, or facsimile transmission, when actually delivered. Until changed by a subsequent notice delivered in accordance with this Section, notices for each party are to be directed to:

 

For delivery to Nextera:

Nextera Energy Marketing, LLC

700 Universe Blvd.

June Beach, FL 33408

Attention: Contracts/Legal Department

Facsimile: (561) 625-7504

 

For delivery to Borrower:

U.S. Energy Corp.

675 Bering, Suite 390

Houston, Texas 77057

Attention: Ryan Smith

Email: ryan@usnrg.com

 

For delivery to FBSW, Administrative Agent or Collateral Agent:

FirstBank Southwest
2401 S. Georgia, P.O. Box 32552

Amarillo, Texas 79120-2552
Attention: Dustin Hansen

Facsimile: (806) 354-5266

Email: dustinhansen@fbsw.com

 

Section 5.09. Amendment. This Agreement may only be waived, amended, modified, or terminated by a written agreement signed by all the parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of such written instrument by telecopy, e-mail, facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective delivery of a manually executed counterpart of such written instrument.

 

16

 

 

Section 5.10. Governing Law; Venue.

 

(a) This Agreement, the entire relationship of the parties to the extent related hereto, and any litigation between the parties (whether grounded in contract, tort, statute, law or equity) to the extent related hereto shall be governed by, construed in accordance with, and interpreted pursuant to the laws of the State of Texas, without giving effect to its choice of laws principles.

 

(b) The parties hereto hereby irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any United States federal or Texas state court sitting in Potter County, Texas in any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement. The parties hereto hereby irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of such action, suit or proceeding may be heard and determined in any such court and irrevocably waive any objection any of them may now or hereafter have as to venue of any such action, suit or proceeding brought in such a court, or that such court is an inconvenient forum. Nothing herein shall limit the right of Collateral Agent or Administrative Agent to bring proceedings against Borrower or a Swap Counterparty in the courts of any other jurisdiction. Any judicial proceeding by the Borrower or a Swap Counterparty against the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent, any Lender, FBSW or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing involving any matter arising out of this Agreement shall be brought only in a federal or state court in Potter County, Texas.

 

Section 5.11. Invalid Provisions. If any part of this Agreement is for any reason found to be unenforceable, all other portions nevertheless remain enforceable. However, if the provision held to be unenforceable is a material part of the Agreement, such unenforceable provision may, to the extent permitted by law, be replaced by a clause or provision judicially construed and interpreted to be as similar in substance and content to the original terms of such provision as the context would reasonably allow, so that such clause or provision would thereafter be enforceable.

 

Section 5.12. Multiple Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts with the same effect as if all signatories had signed the same document, and will be effective upon the execution of one or more counterparts hereof by each of the parties hereto. In this regard, each of the parties hereto acknowledges that a counterpart of this Agreement containing a set of counterpart execution pages reflecting the execution of each party hereto shall be sufficient to reflect the execution of this Agreement by each party hereto. All counterparts will, taken together, constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, e-mail, facsimile or other electronic means shall be effective as a delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.

 

Section 5.13. Jury Waiver. EACH OF FBSW, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT (FOR ITSELF AND ON BEHALF OF THE BANK GROUP), THE COLLATERAL AGENT, THE SWAP COUNTERPARTIES, AND THE BORROWER HEREBY VOLUNTARILY, KNOWINGLY, IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO HAVE A JURY PARTICIPATE IN RESOLVING ANY DISPUTE (WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) AMONG FBSW, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE BANK GROUP, THE COLLATERAL AGENT, THE SWAP COUNTERPARTIES AND THE BORROWER (OR ANY OF THEM) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, AND EACH IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO RECOVER ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN ANY DISPUTE ARISING IN CONNECTION HEREWITH.

 

Section 5.14. Controlling Agreement. To the extent the terms of this Agreement directly conflict with a provision in either the Loan Documents or the Swap Documents, the terms of this Agreement shall control.

 

Section 5.15. Integration. This Agreement and all documents and instruments referenced herein represent the final agreement AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and may not be contradicted by evidence of prior, contemporaneous, or subsequent oral agreements by the parties. There are no unwritten oral agreements among the parties.

 

[SIGNATURES appear ON FOLLOWING PAGEs]

 

17

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first hereinabove written.

 

  SWAP COUNTERPARTIES:
     
  NEXTERA ENERGY MARKETING, LLC
     
  By: /s/ Craig Shapiro
  Name: Craig Shapiro
  Title: Vice President

 

[Signatures continue on following pages]

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  BORROWER:
   
  U.S. ENERGY CORP.
     
  By: /s/ Ryan Smith
    Ryan Smith
    Chief Executive Officer

 

[Signatures continue on following pages]

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]

 

 

 

 

  FBSW, in its capacity as Administrative Agent for the Lenders:
     
  FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST
     
  By: /s/ Dustin Hansen
    Dustin Hansen
    Senior Vice President
     
  FBSW, in acceptance of its appointment as Collateral Agent:
     
  FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST
     
  By: /s/ Dustin Hansen
    Dustin Hansen
    Senior Vice President

 

[Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement]

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT A

 

JOINDER SUPPLEMENT

 

This Joinder Supplement (this “Supplement”) dated as of __________ is executed by __________ (the “New Swap Counterparty”), U.S. ENERGY CORP. (the “Borrower”), and FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST, as Administrative Agent (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”) and as Collateral Agent (in such capacity, “Collateral Agent”).

 

All capitalized terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement (as defined below).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, and Nextera Energy Marketing, LLC, have heretofore entered into that certain Intercreditor Agreement dated as of January 5, 2022 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”), providing for, among other matters, the relative rights and obligations and apportionment of certain collections among the Creditors and the exercise of certain remedies under the Security Instruments;

 

WHEREAS, the Agreement provides that one or more additional Persons may become Swap Counterparties thereunder if each such Person is approved by the Administrative Agent and becomes a Swap Counterparty for the purposes of the Agreement and the Security Instruments by executing and delivering a Joinder Supplement; and

 

WHEREAS, the New Swap Counterparty desires to become a “Swap Counterparty” under the Agreement;

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

 

A. Recognition. The Administrative Agent hereby recognizes the New Swap Counterparty as a “Swap Counterparty” under the Agreement and the Security Instruments.

 

B. Agreement to be Bound. The New Swap Counterparty hereby agrees to be bound by all of the terms and provisions of the Agreement as, and assumes all of the obligations of, a Swap Counterparty thereunder. The New Swap Counterparty acknowledges and agrees that the terms of the Agreement shall control over the terms of any ISDA master agreement, including each confirmation now or hereafter entered into thereunder, between the Borrower and the New Swap Counterparty to the extent any conflict exists between the Agreement and any such agreement or confirmation.

 

C. Ratification of Agreement; Joinder Supplement Part of Agreement. This Supplement shall form a part of the Agreement for all purposes. As expressly supplemented hereby, the Agreement is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect.

 

D. No Representation by the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of the Security Instruments, and the New Swap Counterparty acknowledges, consents to and accepts the disclaimers by, and limitations on the liability of, the Collateral Agent that are provided in the Agreement.

 

Joinder Supplement Page 1  

 

 

E. Representations and Warranties of the New Swap Counterparty. The New Swap Counterparty represents and warrants to the other Creditors that:

 

  1. it is an “Approved Counterparty”, as such term is defined in the Credit Agreement;
     
  2. neither the execution and delivery of this Supplement or the Agreement nor its performance of or compliance with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof will conflict with, or result in a breach of the terms, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement to which it is now subject;
     
  3. it has all requisite authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Supplement and the Agreement; and
     
  4. each of this Supplement and the Agreement constitutes its legal, valid, and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, subject only to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws and general principles of equity.

 

F. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of counterparts of this Joinder Supplement, and different parties may sign on different signature pages. Each signed counterpart shall be an original, but all of them together shall represent the same Joinder Supplement. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Joinder Supplement by facsimile transmission or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

 

[SIGNATURES appear ON FOLLOWING PAGEs]

 

Joinder Supplement Page 2  

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Joinder Supplement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

NEW SWAP COUNTERPARTY: [                                                                                                             ]
     
  By:                                                                                                   
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
  Address for notices under the Agreement:
   
   
   

 

Joinder Supplement Page 3  

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT: FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST,
  as the Administrative Agent
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  
     
COLLATERAL AGENT: FIRSTBANK SOUTHWEST,
  as the Collateral Agent
   
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Joinder Supplement Page 4  

 

 

ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED    
as of the date first above written:    
     
BORROWER: U.S. ENERGY CORP.
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

Joinder Supplement Page 5  

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.11

 

ISDA ®

International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.

 

2002 MASTER AGREEMENT

 

dated as of January 5, 2022

 

NextERa Energy Marketing, llc and U.S. ENERGY CORP.
(“Party A”)   (“Party B”)

  

have entered and/or anticipate entering into one or more transactions (each a “Transaction”) that are or will be governed by this 2002 Master Agreement, which includes the schedule (the “Schedule”), and the documents and other confirming evidence (each a “Confirmation”) exchanged between the parties or otherwise effective for the purpose of confirming or evidencing those Transactions. This 2002 Master Agreement and the Schedule are together referred to as this “Master Agreement”.

 

Accordingly, the parties agree as follows:—

 

1. Interpretation

 

(a) Definitions. The terms defined in Section 14 and elsewhere in this Master Agreement will have the meanings therein specified for the purpose of this Master Agreement.

 

(b) Inconsistency. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Schedule and the other provisions of this Master Agreement, the Schedule will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Confirmation and this Master Agreement, such Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

 

(c) Single Agreement. All Transactions are entered into in reliance on the fact that this Master Agreement and all Confirmations form a single agreement between the parties (collectively referred to as this “Agreement”), and the parties would not otherwise enter into any Transactions.

 

2. Obligations

 

(a) General Conditions.

 

(i) Each party will make each payment or delivery specified in each Confirmation to be made by it, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement.

 

(ii) Payments under this Agreement will be made on the due date for value on that date in the place of the account specified in the relevant Confirmation or otherwise pursuant to this Agreement, in freely transferable funds and in the manner customary for payments in the required currency. Where settlement is by delivery (that is, other than by payment), such delivery will be made for receipt on the due date in the manner customary for the relevant obligation unless otherwise specified in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement.

 

Copyright © 2002 by International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.
 

 

(iii) Each obligation of each party under Section 2(a)(i) is subject to (1) the condition precedent that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to the other party has occurred and is continuing (2) the condition precedent that no Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction has occurred or been effectively designated and (3) each other condition specified in this Agreement to be a condition precedent for the purpose of this Section 2(a)(iii).

 

(b) Change of Account. Either party may change its account for receiving a payment or delivery by giving notice to the other party at least five Local Business Days prior to the Scheduled Settlement Date for the payment or delivery to which such change applies unless such other party gives timely notice of a reasonable objection to such change.

 

(c) Netting of Payments. If on any date amounts would otherwise be payable:—

 

(i) in the same currency; and

 

(ii) in respect of the same Transaction,

 

by each party to the other, then, on such date, each party’s obligation to make payment of any such amount will be automatically satisfied and discharged and, if the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by one party exceeds the aggregate amount that would otherwise have been payable by the other party, replaced by an obligation upon the party by which the larger aggregate amount would have been payable to pay to the other party the excess of the larger aggregate amount over the smaller aggregate amount.

 

The parties may elect in respect of two or more Transactions that a net amount and payment obligation will be determined in respect of all amounts payable on the same date in the same currency in respect of those Transactions, regardless of whether such amounts are payable in respect of the same Transaction. The election may be made in the Schedule or any Confirmation by specifying that “Multiple Transaction Payment Netting” applies to the Transactions identified as being subject to the election (in which case clause (ii) above will not apply to such Transactions). If Multiple Transaction Payment Netting is applicable to Transactions, it will apply to those Transactions with effect from the starting date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation, or, if a starting date is not specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation, the starting date otherwise agreed by the parties in writing. This election may be made separately for different groups of Transactions and will apply separately to each pairing of Offices through which the parties make and receive payments or deliveries.

 

(d) Deduction or Withholding for Tax.

 

(i) Gross-Up. All payments under this Agreement will be made without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax unless such deduction or withholding is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, then in effect. If a party is so required to deduct or withhold, then that party (“X”) will:—

 

(1) promptly notify the other party (“Y”) of such requirement;

 

(2) pay to the relevant authorities the full amount required to be deducted or withheld (including the full amount required to be deducted or withheld from any additional amount paid by X to Y under this Section 2(d)) promptly upon the earlier of determining that such deduction or withholding is required or receiving notice that such amount has been assessed against Y;

 

(3) promptly forward to Y an official receipt (or a certified copy), or other documentation reasonably acceptable to Y, evidencing such payment to such authorities; and

 

   2 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(4) if such Tax is an Indemnifiable Tax, pay to Y, in addition to the payment to which Y is otherwise entitled under this Agreement, such additional amount as is necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by Y (free and clear of Indemnifiable Taxes, whether assessed against X or Y) will equal the full amount Y would have received had no such deduction or withholding been required. However, X will not be required to pay any additional amount to Y to the extent that it would not be required to be paid but for:—

 

(A) the failure by Y to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d); or

 

(B) the failure of a representation made by Y pursuant to Section 3(f) to be accurate and true unless such failure would not have occurred but for (I) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, after a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (II) a Change in Tax Law.

 

(ii) Liability. If:—

 

(1) X is required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, to make any deduction or withholding in respect of which X would not be required to pay an additional amount to Y under Section 2(d)(i)(4);

 

(2) X does not so deduct or withhold; and

 

(3) a liability resulting from such Tax is assessed directly against X,

 

then, except to the extent Y has satisfied or then satisfies the liability resulting from such Tax, Y will promptly pay to X the amount of such liability (including any related liability for interest, but including any related liability for penalties only if Y has failed to comply with or perform any agreement contained in Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)).

 

3. Representations

 

Each party makes the representations contained in Sections 3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e) and 3(f) and, if specified in the Schedule as applying, 3(g) to the other party (which representations will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which a Transaction is entered into and, in the case of the representations in Section 3(f), at all times until the termination of this Agreement). If any “Additional Representation” is specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the party or parties specified for such Additional Representation will make and, if applicable, be deemed to repeat such Additional Representation at the time or times specified for such Additional Representation.

 

(a) Basic Representations.

 

(i) Status. It is duly organised and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organisation or incorporation and, if relevant under such laws, in good standing;

 

(ii) Powers. It has the power to execute this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement to which it is a party, to deliver this Agreement and any other documentation relating to this Agreement that it is required by this Agreement to deliver and to perform its obligations under this Agreement and any obligations it has under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and has taken all necessary action to authorise such execution, delivery and performance;

 

   3 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(iii) No Violation or Conflict. Such execution, delivery and performance do not violate or conflict with any law applicable to it, any provision of its constitutional documents, any order or judgment of any court or other agency of government applicable to it or any of its assets or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting it or any of its assets;

 

(iv) Consents. All governmental and other consents that are required to have been obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party have been obtained and are in full force and effect and all conditions of any such consents have been complied with; and

 

(v) Obligations Binding. Its obligations under this Agreement and any Credit Support Document to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms (subject to applicable bankruptcy, reorganisation, insolvency, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject, as to enforceability, to equitable principles of general application (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law)).

 

(b) Absence of Certain Events. No Event of Default or Potential Event of Default or, to its knowledge, Termination Event with respect to it has occurred and is continuing and no such event or circumstance would occur as a result of its entering into or performing its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(c) Absence of Litigation. There is not pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against it or any of its Credit Support Providers or any of its applicable Specified Entities any action, suit or proceeding at law or in equity or before any court, tribunal, governmental body, agency or official or any arbitrator that is likely to affect the legality, validity or enforceability against it of this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party or its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or such Credit Support Document.

 

(d) Accuracy of Specified Information. All applicable information that is furnished in writing by or on behalf of it to the other party and is identified for the purpose of this Section 3(d) in the Schedule is, as of the date of the information, true, accurate and complete in every material respect.

 

(e) Payer Tax Representation. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(e) is accurate and true.

 

(f) Payee Tax Representations. Each representation specified in the Schedule as being made by it for the purpose of this Section 3(f) is accurate and true.

 

(g) No Agency. It is entering into this Agreement, including each Transaction, as principal and not as agent of any person or entity.

 

4. Agreements

 

Each party agrees with the other that, so long as either party has or may have any obligation under this Agreement or under any Credit Support Document to which it is a party:—

 

(a) Furnish Specified Information. It will deliver to the other party or, in certain cases under clause (iii) below, to such government or taxing authority as the other party reasonably directs:—

 

(i) any forms, documents or certificates relating to taxation specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation;

 

(ii) any other documents specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation; and

 

   4 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(iii) upon reasonable demand by such other party, any form or document that may be required or reasonably requested in writing in order to allow such other party or its Credit Support Provider to make a payment under this Agreement or any applicable Credit Support Document without any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax or with such deduction or withholding at a reduced rate (so long as the completion, execution or submission of such form or document would not materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the party in receipt of such demand), with any such form or document to be accurate and completed in a manner reasonably satisfactory to such other party and to be executed and to be delivered with any reasonably required certification,

 

in each case by the date specified in the Schedule or such Confirmation or, if none is specified, as soon as reasonably practicable.

 

(b) Maintain Authorisations. It will use all reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect all consents of any governmental or other authority that are required to be obtained by it with respect to this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party and will use all reasonable efforts to obtain any that may become necessary in the future.

 

(c) Comply with Laws. It will comply in all material respects with all applicable laws and orders to which it may be subject if failure so to comply would materially impair its ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it is a party.

 

(d) Tax Agreement. It will give notice of any failure of a representation made by it under Section 3(f) to be accurate and true promptly upon learning of such failure.

 

(e) Payment of Stamp Tax. Subject to Section 11, it will pay any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon it or in respect of its execution or performance of this Agreement by a jurisdiction in which it is incorporated, organised, managed and controlled, or considered to have its seat, or where an Office through which it is acting for the purpose of this Agreement is located (“Stamp Tax Jurisdiction”), and will indemnify the other party against any Stamp Tax levied or imposed upon the other party or in respect of the other party’s execution or performance of this Agreement by any such Stamp Tax Jurisdiction which is not also a Stamp Tax Jurisdiction with respect to the other party.

 

5. Events of Default and Termination Events

 

(a) Events of Default. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any of the following events constitutes (subject to Sections 5(c) and 6(e)(iv)) an event of default (an “Event of Default”) with respect to such party:—

 

(i) Failure to Pay or Deliver. Failure by the party to make, when due, any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 9(h)(i)(2) or (4) required to be made by it if such failure is not remedied on or before the first Local Business Day in the case of any such payment or the first Local Delivery Day in the case of any such delivery after, in each case, notice of such failure is given to the party;

 

(ii) Breach of Agreement; Repudiation of Agreement..

 

(1) Failure by the party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation (other than an obligation to make any payment under this Agreement or delivery under Section 2(a)(i) or 9(h)(i)(2) or (4) or to give notice of a Termination Event or any agreement or obligation under Section 4(a)(i), 4(a)(iii) or 4(d)) to be complied with or performed by the party in accordance with this Agreement if such failure is not remedied within 30 days after notice of such failure is given to the party; or

 

(2) the party disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, this Master Agreement, any Confirmation executed and delivered by that party or any Transaction evidenced by such a Confirmation (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

   5 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(iii) Credit Support Default.

 

(1) Failure by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party to comply with or perform any agreement or obligation to be complied with or performed by it in accordance with any Credit Support Document if such failure is continuing after any applicable grace period has elapsed;

 

(2) the expiration or termination of such Credit Support Document or the failing or ceasing of such Credit Support Document, or any security interest granted by such party or such Credit Support Provider to the other party pursuant to any such Credit Support Document, to be in full force and effect for the purpose of this Agreement (in either case other than in accordance with its terms) prior to the satisfaction of all obligations of such party under each Transaction to which such Credit Support Document relates without the written consent of the other party; or

 

(3) the party or such Credit Support Provider disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, such Credit Support Document (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

 

(iv) Misrepresentation. A representation (other than a representation under Section 3(e) or 3(f)) made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated by the party or any Credit Support Provider of such party in this Agreement or any Credit Support Document proves to have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made or repeated or deemed to have been made or repeated;

 

(v) Default under Specified Transaction. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party:—

 

(1) defaults (other than by failing to make a delivery) under a Specified Transaction or any credit support arrangement relating to a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, such default results in a liquidation of, an acceleration of obligations under, or an early termination of, that Specified Transaction;

 

(2) defaults, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, in making any payment due on the last payment or exchange date of, or any payment on early termination of, a Specified Transaction (or, if there is no applicable notice requirement or grace period, such default continues for at least one Local Business Day);

 

(3) defaults in making any delivery due under (including any delivery due on the last delivery or exchange date of) a Specified Transaction or any credit support arrangement relating to a Specified Transaction and, after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period, such defaults result in a liquidation of, an acceleration of obligations under, or any early termination of, all transactions outstanding under the documentation applicable to that Specified Transaction; or

 

(4) disaffirms, disclaims, repudiates or rejects, in whole or in part, or challenges the validity of, a Specified Transaction or any credit support arrangement relating to a Specified Transaction that is, in either case, confirmed or evidenced by a document or other confirming evidence executed and delivered by that party, Credit Support Provider or Specified Entity (or such action is taken by any person or entity appointed or empowered to operate it or act on its behalf);

 

   6 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(vi) Cross Default. If “Cross Default” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, the occurrence or existence of:—

 

(1) a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however described) in respect of such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party under one or more agreements or instruments relating to Specified Indebtedness of any of them (individually or collectively) where the aggregate principal amount of such agreements or instruments, either alone or together with the amount, if any, referred to in clause (2) below is not less than the applicable Threshold Amount (as specified in the Schedule) which has resulted in such Specified Indebtedness becoming, or becoming capable at such time of being declared, due and payable under such agreements or instruments before it would otherwise have been due and payable; or

 

(2) a default by such party, such Credit Support Provider or such Specified Entity (individually or collectively) in making one or more payments under such agreements or instruments on the due date for payment (after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace period) in an aggregate amount, either alone or together with the amount, if any, referred to in clause (1) above, of not less than the applicable Threshold Amount;

 

(vii) Bankruptcy. The party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party:—

 

(1) is dissolved (other than pursuant to a consolidation, amalgamation or merger); (2) becomes insolvent or is unable to pay its debts or fails or admits in writing its inability generally to pay its debts as they become due; (3) makes a general assignment, arrangement or composition with or for the benefit of its creditors; (4)(A) institutes or has instituted against it, by a regulator, supervisor or any similar official with primary insolvency, rehabilitative or regulatory jurisdiction over it in the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organisation or the jurisdiction of its head or home office, a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, by it or such regulator, supervisor or similar official, or (B) has instituted against it a proceeding seeking a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or any other relief under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or other similar law affecting creditors’ rights, or a petition is presented for its winding-up or liquidation, and such proceeding or petition is instituted or presented by a person or entity not described in clause (A) above and either (I) results in a judgment of insolvency or bankruptcy or the entry of an order for relief or the making of an order for its winding-up or liquidation or (II) is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained in each case within 15 days of the institution or presentation thereof; (5) has a resolution passed for its winding-up, official management or liquidation (other than pursuant to a consolidation amalgamation or merger); (6) seeks or becomes subject to the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for all or substantially all its assets; (7) has a secured party take possession of all or substantially all its assets or has a distress, execution, attachment, sequestration or other legal process levied, enforced or sued on or against all or substantially all its assets and such secured party maintains possession, or any such process is not dismissed, discharged, stayed or restrained, in each case within 15 days thereafter; (8) causes or is subject to any event with respect to it which, under the applicable laws of any jurisdiction, has an analogous effect to any of the events specified in clauses (1) to (7) above (inclusive); or (9) takes any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in, any of the foregoing acts; or

 

   7 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(viii) Merger Without Assumption. The party or any Credit Support Provider of such party consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, or reorganises, reincorporates or reconstitutes into or as, another entity and, at the time of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, transfer, reorganisation, reincorporation or reconstitution:—

 

(1) the resulting, surviving or transferee entity fails to assume all the obligations of such party or such Credit Support Provider under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which it or its predecessor was a party; or

 

(2) the benefits of any Credit Support Document fail to extend (without the consent of the other party) to the performance by such resulting, surviving or transferee entity of its obligations under this Agreement.

 

(b) Termination Events. The occurrence at any time with respect to a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any Specified Entity of such party of any event specified below constitutes (subject to Section 5(c)) an Illegality if the event is specified in clause (i) below, a Force Majeure Event if the event is specified in clause (ii) below, a Tax Event if the event is specified in clause (iii) below, a Tax Event Upon Merger if the event is specified in clause (iv) below, and, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger if the event is specified pursuant to clause (v) below or an Additional Termination Event if the event is specified pursuant to clause (vi) below:—

 

(i) Illegality. After giving effect to any applicable provision, disruption fallback or remedy specified in, or pursuant to, the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement, due to an event or circumstance (other than any action taken by a party or, if applicable, any Credit Support Provider of such party) occurring after a Transaction is entered into, it becomes unlawful under any applicable law (including without limitation the laws of any country in which payment, delivery or compliance is required by either party or any Credit Support Provider, as the case may be), on any day, or it would be unlawful if the relevant payment, delivery or compliance were required on that day (in each case, other than as a result of a breach by the party of Section 4(b)):—

 

(1) for the Office through which such party (which will be the Affected Party) makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to such Transaction to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery or in respect of such Transaction, to receive a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction or to comply with any other material provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction; or

 

(2) for such party or any Credit Support Provider of such party (which will be the Affected Party) to perform any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery which such party or Credit Support Provider has under any Credit Support Document relating to such Transaction, to receive a payment or delivery under such Credit Support Document or to comply with any other material provision of such Credit Support Document;

 

(ii) Force Majeure Event. After giving effect to any applicable provision, disruption fallback or remedy specified in, or pursuant to, the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement, by reason of force majeure or act of state occurring after a Transaction is entered into, on any day:—

 

(1) the Office through which such party (which will be the Affected Party) makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to such Transaction is prevented from performing any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction, from receiving a payment or delivery in respect of such Transaction or from complying with any other material provision of this Agreement relating to such Transaction (or would be so prevented if such payment, delivery or compliance were required on that day), or it becomes impossible or impracticable for such Office so to perform, receive or comply (or it would be impossible or impracticable for such Office so to perform, receive or comply if such payment, delivery or compliance were required on that day); or

 

   8 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(2) such party or any Credit Support Provider of such party (which will be the Affected Party) is prevented from performing any absolute or contingent obligation to make a payment or delivery which such party or Credit Support Provider has under any Credit Support Document relating to such Transaction, from receiving a payment or delivery under such Credit Support Document or from complying with any other material provision of such Credit Support Document (or would be so prevented if such payment, delivery or compliance were required on that day), or it becomes impossible or impracticable for such party or Credit Support Provider so to perform, receive or comply (or it would be impossible or impracticable for such party or Credit Support Provider so to perform, receive or comply if such payment, delivery or compliance were required on that day),

 

so long as the force majeure or act of state is beyond the control of such Office, such party or such Credit Support Provider, as appropriate, and such Office, party or Credit Support Provider could not, after using all reasonable efforts (which will not require such party or Credit Support Provider to incur a loss, other than immaterial, incidental expenses), overcome such prevention, impossibility or impracticability;

 

(iii) Tax Event. Due to (1) any action taken by a taxing authority, or brought in a court of competent jurisdiction, after a Transaction is entered into (regardless of whether such action is taken or brought with respect to a party to this Agreement) or (2) a Change in Tax Law, the party (which will be the Affected Party) will, or there is a substantial likelihood that it will, on the next succeeding Scheduled Settlement Date (A) be required to pay to the other party an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 9(h) or (B) receive a payment from which an amount is required to be deducted or withheld for or on account of a Tax (except in respect of interest under Section 9(h) and no additional amount is required to be paid in respect of such Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B));

 

(iv) Tax Event Upon Merger. The party (the “Burdened Party”) on the next succeeding Scheduled Settlement Date will either (1) be required to pay an additional amount in respect of an Indemnifiable Tax under Section 2(d)(i)(4) (except in respect of interest under Section 9(h)) or 2 receive a payment from which an amount has been deducted or withheld for or on account of any Tax in respect of which the other party is not required to pay an additional amount (other than by reason of Section 2(d)(i)(4)(A) or (B)), in either case as a result of a party consolidating or amalgamating with, or merging with or into, or transferring all or substantially all its assets (or any substantial part of the assets comprising the business conducted by it as of the date of this Master Agreement) to or reorganising, reincorporating or reconstituting into or as, another entity (which will be the Affected Party) where such action does not constitute a Merger Without Assumption;

 

(v) Credit Event Upon Merger. If “Credit Event Upon Merger” is specified in the Schedule as applying to the party, a Designated Event (as defined below) occurs with respect to such party, any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party (in each case, “X”) and such Designated Event does not constitute a Merger Without Assumption, and the creditworthiness of X or, if applicable, the successor, surviving or transferee entity of X, after taking into account any applicable Credit Support Document, is materially weaker immediately after the occurrence of such Designated Event than that of X immediately prior to the occurrence of such Designated Event (and, in any such event, such party or its successor, surviving or transferee entity, as appropriate, will be the Affected Party). A “Designated Event” with respect to X means that:—

 

(1) X consolidates or amalgamates with, or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets (or any substantial part of the assets comprising the business conducted by X as of the date of this Master Agreement) to, or reorganises, reincorporates or reconstitutes into or as, another entity;

 

   9 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(2) any person, related group of persons or entity acquires directly or indirectly the beneficial ownership of (A) equity securities having the power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or its equivalent) of X or (B) any other ownership interest enabling it to exercise control of X; or

 

(3) X effects any substantial change in its capital structure by means of the issuance, incurrence or guarantee of debt or the issuance of (A) preferred stock or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for debt or preferred stock or (B) in the case of entities other than corporations, any other form of ownership interest; or

 

(vi) Additional Termination Event. If any “Additional Termination Event” is specified in the Schedule or any Confirmation as applying, the occurrence of such event (and, in such event, the Affected Party or Affected Parties will be as specified for such Additional Termination Event in the Schedule or such Confirmation).

 

(c) Hierarchy of Events..

 

(i) An event or circumstance that constitutes or gives rise to an Illegality or a Force Majeure Event will not , for so long as that is the case, also constitute or give rise to an Event of Default under Section 5(a)(i), 5(a)(ii)(1) or 5(a)(iii)(1) insofar as such event or circumstance relates to the failure to make any payment or delivery or a failure to comply with any other material provision of this Agreement or a Credit Support Document, as the case may be.

 

(ii) Except in circumstances contemplated by clause (i) above, if an event or circumstance which would otherwise constitute or give rise to an Illegality or a Force Majeure Event also constitutes an Event of Default or any other Termination Event, it will be treated as an Event of Default or such other Termination Event, as the case may be, and will not constitute or give rise to an Illegality or a Force Majeure Event.

 

(iii) If an event or circumstance which would otherwise constitute or give rise to a Force Majeure Event also constitutes an Illegality, it will be treated as an Illegality, except as described in clause (ii) above, and not a Force Majeure Event.

 

(d) Deferral of Payments and Deliveries During Waiting Period. If an Illegality or a Force Majeure Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to a Transaction, each payment or delivery which would otherwise be required to be made under that Transaction will be deferred to, and will not be due until:—

 

(i) the first Local Business Day or, in the case of a delivery, the first Local Delivery Day (or the first day that would have been a Local Business Day or Local Delivery Day, as appropriate, but for the occurrence of the event or circumstance constituting or giving rise to that Illegality or Force Majeure Event) following the end of any applicable Waiting Period in respect of that Illegality or Force Majeure Event, as the case may be; or

 

(ii) if earlier, the date on which the event or circumstance constituting or giving rise to that Illegality or Force Majeure Event ceases to exist or, if such date is not a Local Business Day or, in the case of a delivery, a Local Delivery Day, the first following day that is a Local Business Day or Local Delivery Day, as appropriate.

 

(e) Inability of Head or Home Office to Perform Obligations of Branch. If (i) an Illegality or a Force Majeure Event occurs under Section 5(b)(i)(1) or 5(b)(ii)(1) and the relevant Office is not the Affected Party’s head or home office, (ii) Section 10(a) applies, (iii) the other party seeks performance of the relevant obligation or compliance with the relevant provision by the Affected Party’s head or home office and (iv) the Affected Party’s head or home office fails so to perform or comply due to the occurrence of an event or circumstance which would, if that head or home office were the Office through which the Affected Party makes and receives payments and deliveries with respect to the relevant Transaction, constitute or give rise to an Illegality or a Force Majeure Event, and such failure would otherwise constitute an Event of Default under Section 5(a)(i) or 5(a)(iii)(1) with respect to such party then, for so long as the relevant event or circumstance continues to exist with respect to both the Office referred to in Section 5(b)(i)(1) or 5(b)(ii)(1), as the case may be, and the Affected Party’s head or home office, such failure will not constitute an Event of Default under Section 5(a)(i) or 5(a)(iii)(1).

 

   10 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

6. Early Termination; Close-Out Netting

 

(a) Right to Terminate Following Event of Default. If at any time an Event of Default with respect to a party (the “Defaulting Party”) has occurred and is then continuing, the other party (the “Non-defaulting Party”) may, by not more than 20 days notice to the Defaulting Party specifying the relevant Event of Default, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions. If, however, “Automatic Early Termination” is specified in the Schedule as applying to a party, then an Early Termination Date in respect of all outstanding Transactions will occur immediately upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(1), (3), (5), (6) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8), and as of the time immediately preceding the institution of the relevant proceeding or the presentation of the relevant petition upon the occurrence with respect to such party of an Event of Default specified in Section 5(a)(vii)(4) or, to the extent analogous thereto, (8).

 

(b) Right to Terminate Following Termination Event.

 

(i) Notice. If a Termination Event other than a Force Majeure Event occurs, an Affected Party will, promptly upon becoming aware of it, notify the other party, specifying the nature of that Termination Event and each Affected Transaction, and will also give the other party such other information about that Termination Event as the other party may reasonably require. If a Force Majeure Event occurs, each party will, promptly upon becoming aware of it, use all reasonable efforts to notify the other party, specifying the nature of that Force Majeure Event, and will also give the other party such other information about that Force Majeure Event as the other party may reasonably require.

 

(ii) Transfer to Avoid Termination Event. If a Tax Event occurs and there is only one Affected Party or if a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is the Affected Party, the Affected Party will, as a condition to its right to designate an Early Termination Date under Section 6(b)(iv), use all reasonable efforts (which will not require such party to incur a loss, other than immaterial, incidental expenses) to transfer within 20 days after it gives notice under Section 6(b)(i) all its rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of the Affected Transactions to another of its Offices or Affiliates so that such Termination Event ceases to exist.

 

If the Affected Party is not able to make such a transfer it will give notice to the other party to that effect within such 20 day period, whereupon the other party may effect such a transfer within 30 days after the notice is given under Section 6(b)(i).

 

Any such transfer by a party under this Section 6(b)(ii) will be subject to and conditional upon the prior written consent of the other party, which consent will not be withheld if such other party’s policies in effect at such time would permit it to enter into Transactions with the transferee on the terms proposed.

 

(iii) Two Affected Parties. If a Tax Event occurs and there are two Affected Parties, each party will use all reasonable efforts to reach agreement within 30 days after notice of such occurrence is given under Section 6(b)(i) to avoid that Termination Event.

 

   11 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(iv) Right to Terminate.

 

(1) If:—

 

(A) a transfer under Section 6(b)(ii) or an agreement under Section 6(b)(iii), as the case may be, has not been effected with respect to all Affected Transactions within 30 days after an Affected Party gives notice under Section 6(b)(i); or

 

(B) a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event occurs, or a Tax Event Upon Merger occurs and the Burdened Party is not the Affected Party,

 

the Burdened Party in the case of a Tax Event Upon Merger, any Affected Party in the case of a Tax Event or an Additional Termination Event if there are two Affected Parties, or the Non- affected Party in the case of a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event if there is only one Affected Party may, if the relevant Termination Event is then continuing, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party, designate a day not earlier than the day such notice is effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all Affected Transactions.

 

(2) If at any time an Illegality or Force Majeure Event has occurred and is then continuing and any applicable Waiting Period has expired:—

 

(A) Subject to clause (B) below, either party may, by not more than 20 days notice to the other party, designate (I) a day not earlier than the day on which such notice becomes effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of all Affected Transactions or (II) by specifying in that notice the Affected Transactions in respect of which it is designating the relevant day as an Early Termination Date, a day not earlier than two Local Business Days following the day on which such notice becomes effective as an Early Termination Date in respect of less than all Affected Transactions. Upon receipt of a notice designating an Early Termination Date in respect of less than all Affected Transactions, the other party may, by notice to the designating party, if such notice is effective on or before the day so designated, designate that same day as an Early Termination Date in respect of any or all other Affected Transactions.

 

(b) An Affected Party (if the Illegality or Force Majeure Event relates to performance by such party or any Credit Support Provider of such party of an obligation to make any payment or delivery under, or to compliance with any other material provision of, the relevant Credit Support Document) will only have the right to designate an Early Termination Date under Section 6(b)(iv)(2)(A) as a result of an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(2) or a Force Majeure Event under Section 5(b)(ii)(2) following the prior designation by the other party of an Early Termination Date, pursuant to Section 6(b)(iv)(2)(A), in respect of less than all Affected Transactions.

 

(c) Effect of Designation.

 

(i) If notice designating an Early Termination Date is given under Section 6(a) or (b), the Early Termination Date will occur on the date so designated, whether or not the relevant Event of Default or Termination Event is then continuing.

 

(ii) Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date, no further payments or deliveries under Section 2(a)(i) or 9(h)(i) in respect of the Terminated Transactions will be required to be made, but without prejudice to the other provisions of this Agreement. The amount, if any, payable in respect of an Early Termination Date shall be determined pursuant to Sections 6(e) and 9(h)(ii).

 

   12 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(d) Calculations; Payment Date.

 

(i) Statement. On or as soon as reasonably practicable following the occurrence of an Early Termination Date, each party will make the calculations on its part, if any, contemplated by Section 6(e) and will provide to the other party a statement (1) showing, in reasonable detail, such calculations (including any quotations, market data or information from internal sources used in making such calculations), (2) specifying (except where there are two Affected Parties) any Early Termination Amount payable and (3) giving details of the relevant account to which any amount payable to it is to be paid. In the absence of written confirmation from the source of a quotation or market data obtained in determining a Close-out Amount, the records of the party obtaining such quotation or market data will be conclusive evidence of the existence and accuracy of such quotation or market data.

 

(ii) Payment Date. An Early Termination Amount due in respect of any Early Termination Date will, together with any amount of interest payable pursuant to Section 9(h)(ii)(2), be payable (1) on the day on which notice of the amount payable is effective in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated or occurs as a result of an Event of Default and (2) on the day which is two Local Business Days after the day on which notice of the amount payable is effective (or if there are two Affected Parties, after the day on which the statement provided pursuant to clause (i) above by the second party to provide such a statement is effective) in the case of an Early Termination Date which is designated as a result of a Termination Event.

 

(e) Payments on Early Termination. If an Early Termination Date occurs, the amount, if any, payable in respect of that Early Termination Date (the “Early Termination Amount”) will be determined pursuant to this Section 6(e) and will be subject to Section 6(f).

 

(i) Events of Default. If the Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default, the Early Termination Amount will be an amount equal to (1) the sum of (A) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Close-out Amount or Close-out Amounts (whether positive or negative) determined by the Non- defaulting Party for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, and (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Non-defaulting Party less (2) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to the Defaulting Party. If the Early Termination Amount is a positive number, the Defaulting Party will pay it to the Non-defaulting Party; if it is a negative number, the Non-defaulting Party will pay the absolute value of the Early Termination Amount to the Defaulting Party.

 

(ii) Termination Events. If the Early Termination Date results from a Termination Event:—

 

(1) One Affected Party. Subject to clause (3) below, if there is one Affected Party, the Early Termination Amount will be determined in accordance with Section 6(e)(i), except that references to the Defaulting Party and to the Non-defaulting Party will be deemed to be references to the Affected Party and to the Non-affected Party, respectively.

 

(2) Two Affected Parties. Subject to clause (3) below, if there are two Affected Parties, each party will determine an amount equal to the Termination Currency Equivalent of the sum of the Close-out Amount or Close-out Amounts (whether positive or negative) for each Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, as the case may be, and the Early Termination Amount will be an amount equal to (A) the sum of (I) one-half of the difference between the higher amount so determined (by party “X”) and the lower amount so determined (by party “Y”) and (II) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to X less (B) the Termination Currency Equivalent of the Unpaid Amounts owing to Y. If the Early Termination Amount is a positive number, Y will pay it to X, if it is a negative number, X will pay the absolute value of the Early Termination Amount to Y.

 

   13 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(3) Mid-Market Events. If that Termination Event is an Illegality or a Force Majeure Event, then the Early Termination Amount will be determined in accordance with clause (1) or (2) above, as appropriate, except that, for the purpose of determining a Close-out Amount or Close-out Amounts, the Determining Party will:—

 

(A) if obtaining quotations from one or more third parties (or from any of the Determining Party’s Affiliates), ask each third party or Affiliate (I) not to take account of the current creditworthiness of the Determining Party or any existing Credit Support Document and (II) to provide mid-market quotations; and

 

(B) in any other case, use mid market values without regard to the creditworthiness of the Determining Party.

 

(iii) Adjustment for Bankruptcy. In circumstances where an Early Termination Date occurs because “Automatic Early Termination” applies in respect of a party, the Early Termination Amount will be subject to such adjustments as are appropriate and permitted by law to reflect any payments or deliveries made by one party to the other under this Agreement (and retained by such other party) during the period from the relevant Early Termination Date to the date for payment determined under Section 6(d)(ii).

 

(iv) Adjustment for Illegality or Force Majeure Event. The failure by a party or any Credit Support Provider of such party to pay, when due, any Early Termination Amount will not constitute an Event of Default under Section 5(a)(i) or 5(a)(iii)(1) if such failure is due to the occurrence of an event or circumstance which would, if it occurred with respect to payment, delivery or compliance related to a Transaction, constitute or give rise to an Illegality or a Force Majeure Event. Such amount will (1) accrue interest and otherwise be treated as an Unpaid Amount owing to the other party if subsequently an Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event in respect of which all outstanding Transactions are Affected Transactions and (2) otherwise accrue interest in accordance with Section 9(h)(ii)(2).

 

(v) Pre-Estimate. The parties agree that an amount recoverable under this Section 6(e) is a reasonable pre-estimate of loss and not a penalty. Such amount is payable for the loss of bargain and the loss of protection against future risks and except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, neither party will be entitled to recover any additional damages as a consequence of the termination of the Terminated Transactions.

 

(f) Set-Off. Any Early Termination Amount payable to one party (the “Payee”) by the other party (the “Payer”), in circumstances where there is a Defaulting Party or where there is one Affected Party in the case where either a Credit Event Upon Merger has occurred or any other Termination Event in respect of which all outstanding Transactions are Affected Transactions has occurred, will, at the option of the Non-defaulting Party or the Non- affected Party, as the case may be (“X”) (and without prior notice to the Defaulting Party or the Affected Party, as the case may be), be reduced by its set-off against any other amounts (“Other Amounts”) payable by the Payee to the Payer (whether or not arising under this Agreement, matured or contingent and irrespective of the currency, place of payment or place of booking of the obligation). To the extent that any Other Amounts are so set off, those Other Amounts will be discharged promptly and in all respects. X will give notice to the other party of any set-off effected under this Section 6(f).

 

For this purpose, either the Early Termination Amount or the Other Amounts (or the relevant portion of such amounts) may be converted by X into the currency in which the other is denominated at the rate of exchange at which such party would be able, in good faith and using commercially reasonable procedures, to purchase the relevant amount of such currency.

 

   14 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

If an obligation is unascertained, X may in good faith estimate that obligation and set off in respect of the estimate, subject to the relevant party accounting to the other when the obligation is ascertained.

 

Nothing in this Section 6(f) will be effective to create a charge or other security interest. This Section 6(f) will be without prejudice and in addition to any right of set-off, offset, combination of accounts, lien, right of retention or withholding or similar right or requirement to which any party is at any time otherwise entitled or subject (whether by operation of law, contract or otherwise).

 

7. Transfer

 

Subject to Section 6(b)(ii), and to the extent permitted by applicable law, neither this Agreement nor any interest or obligation in or under this Agreement may be transferred (whether by way of security or otherwise) by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, except that:—

 

(a) a party may make such a transfer of this Agreement pursuant to a consolidation or amalgamation with, or merger with or into, or transfer of all or substantially all its assets to, another entity (but without prejudice to any other right or remedy under this Agreement); and

 

(b) a party may make such a transfer of all or any part of its interest in any Early Termination Amount payable to it by a Defaulting Party, together with any amounts payable on or with respect to that interest and any other rights associated with that interest pursuant to Sections 8, 9(h) and 11.

 

Any purported transfer that is not in compliance with this Section 7 will be void.

 

8. Contractual Currency

 

(a) Payment in the Contractual Currency. Each payment under this Agreement will be made in the relevant currency specified in this Agreement for that payment (the “Contractual Currency”). To the extent permitted by applicable law, any obligation to make payments under this Agreement in the Contractual Currency will not be discharged or satisfied by any tender in any currency other than the Contractual Currency, except to the extent such tender results in the actual receipt by the party to which payment is owed, acting in good faith and using commercially reasonable procedures in converting the currency so tendered into the Contractual Currency, of the full amount in the Contractual Currency of all amounts payable in respect of this Agreement. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received falls short of the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party required to make the payment will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, immediately pay such additional amount in the Contractual Currency as may be necessary to compensate for the shortfall. If for any reason the amount in the Contractual Currency so received exceeds the amount in the Contractual Currency payable in respect of this Agreement, the party receiving the payment will refund promptly the amount of such excess.

 

(b) Judgments. To the extent permitted by applicable law, if any judgment or order expressed in a currency other than the Contractual Currency is rendered (i) for the payment of any amount owing in respect of this Agreement, (ii) for the payment of any amount relating to any early termination in respect of this Agreement or (iii) in respect of a judgment or order of another court for the payment of any amount described in (i) or (ii) above, the party seeking recovery, after recovery in full of the aggregate amount to which such party is entitled pursuant to the judgment or order, will be entitled to receive immediately from the other party the amount of any shortfall of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency and will refund promptly to the other party any excess of the Contractual Currency received by such party as a consequence of sums paid in such other currency if such shortfall or such excess arises or results from any variation between the rate of exchange at which the Contractual Currency is converted into the currency of the judgment or order for the purpose of such judgment or order and the rate of exchange at which such party is able, acting in good faith and using commercially reasonable procedures in converting the currency received into the Contractual Currency, to purchase the Contractual Currency with the amount of the currency of the judgment or order actually received by such party.

 

   15 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(c) Separate Indemnities. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the indemnities in this Section 8 constitute separate and independent obligations from the other obligations in this Agreement, will be enforceable as separate and independent causes of action, will apply notwithstanding any indulgence granted by the party to which any payment is owed and will not be affected by judgment being obtained or claim or proof being made for any other sums payable in respect of this Agreement.

 

(d) Evidence of Loss. For the purpose of this Section 8, it will be sufficient for a party to demonstrate that it would have suffered a loss had an actual exchange or purchase been made.

 

9. Miscellaneous

 

(a) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter. Each of the parties acknowledges that in entering into this Agreement it has not relied on any oral or written representation, warranty or other assurance (except as provided for or referred to in this Agreement) and waives all rights and remedies which might otherwise be available to it in respect thereof, except that nothing in this Agreement will limit or exclude any liability of a party for fraud.

 

(b) Amendments. An amendment, modification or waiver in respect of this Agreement will only be effective if in writing (including a writing evidenced by a facsimile transmission) and executed by each of the parties or confirmed by an exchange of telexes or electronic messages on an electronic messaging system.

 

(c) Survival of Obligations. Without prejudice to Sections 2(a)(iii) and 6(c)(ii), the obligations of the parties under this Agreement will survive the termination of any Transaction.

 

(d) Remedies Cumulative. Except as provided in this Agreement, the rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided in this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers, remedies and privileges provided by law.

 

(e) Counterparts and Confirmations.

 

(i) This Agreement (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission and by electronic messaging system), each of which will be deemed an original.

 

(ii) The parties intend that they are legally bound by the terms of each Transaction from the moment they agree to those terms (whether orally or otherwise). A Confirmation shall be entered into as soon as practicable and may be executed and delivered in counterparts (including by facsimile transmission) or be created by an exchange of telexes, or by an exchange of electronic messages on an electronic messaging system or by an exchange of e-mails, which in each case will be sufficient for all purposes to evidence a binding supplement to this Agreement. The parties will specify therein or through another effective means that any such counterpart, telex or electronic message or e-mail constitutes a Confirmation.

 

(f) No Waiver of Rights. A failure or delay in exercising any right, power or privilege in respect of this Agreement will not be presumed to operate as a waiver, and a single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege will not be presumed to preclude any subsequent or further exercise, of that right, power or privilege or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.

 

(g) Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to affect the construction of or to be taken into consideration in interpreting this Agreement.

 

   16 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(h) Interest and Compensation.

 

(i) Prior to Early Termination. Prior to the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of the relevant Transaction:—

 

(1) Interest on Defaulted Payments. If a party defaults in the performance of any payment obligation, it will, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to Section 6(c), pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on demand in the same currency as the overdue amount, for the period from (and including) the original due date for payment to (but excluding) the date of actual payment (and excluding any period in respect of which interest or compensation in respect of the overdue amount is due pursuant to clause (3)(B) or (C) below), at the Default Rate.

 

(2) Compensation for Defaulted Deliveries. If a party defaults in the performance of any obligation required to be settled by delivery, it will on demand (A) compensate the other party to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement and (B) unless otherwise provided in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to Section 6(c), pay to the other party interest (before as well as after judgment) on an amount equal to the fair market value of that which was required to be delivered in the same currency as that amount, for the period from (and including) the originally scheduled date for delivery to (but excluding) the date of actual delivery (and excluding any period in respect of which interest or compensation in respect of that amount is due pursuant to clause (4) below), at the Default Rate. The fair market value of any obligation referred to above will be determined as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in good faith and using commercially reasonable procedures, by the party that was entitled to take delivery.

 

(3) Interest on Deferred Payment. If:—

 

(A) a party does not pay any amount that, but for Section 2(a)(iii), would have been payable, it will, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to Section 6(c) and clauses (B) and (C) below, pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on that amount to the other party on demand (after such amount becomes payable) in the same currency as that amount, for the period from (and including) the date the amount would, but for Section 2(a)(iii), have been payable to (but excluding) the date the amount actually becomes payable, at the Applicable Deferral Rate;

 

(B) a payment is deferred pursuant to Section 5(d), the party which would otherwise have been required to make that payment will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, subject to Section 6(c) and for so long as no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to that party has occurred and is continuing, pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the amount of the deferred payment to the other party on demand (after such amount becomes payable) in the same currency as the deferred payment, for the period from (and including) the date the amount would, but for Section 5(d), have been payable to (but excluding) the earlier of the date the payment is no longer deferred pursuant to Section 5(d) and the date during the deferral period upon which an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to that party occurs, at the Applicable Deferral Rate; or

 

(C) a party fails to make any payment due to the occurrence of an Illegality or a Force Majeure Event (after giving effect to any deferral period contemplated by clause (B) above), it will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, subject to Section 6(c) and for so long as the event or circumstance giving rise to that Illegality or Force Majeure Event continues and no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to that party has occurred and is continuing, pay interest (before as well as after judgment) on the overdue amount to the other party on demand in the same currency as the overdue amount, for the period from (and including) the date the party fails to make the payment due to the occurrence of the relevant Illegality or Force Majeure Event (or, if later, the date the payment is no longer deferred pursuant to Section 5(d)) to (but excluding) the earlier of the date the event or circumstance giving rise to that Illegality or Force Majeure Event ceases to exist and the date during the period upon which an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default with respect to that party occurs (and excluding any period in respect of which interest or compensation in respect of the overdue amount is due pursuant to clause (B) above), at the Applicable Deferral Rate.

 

   17 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(4) Compensation for Deferred Deliveries. If:—

 

(A) a party does not perform any obligation that, but for Section 2(a)(iii), would have been required to be settled by delivery;

 

(B) a delivery is deferred pursuant to Section 5(d); or

 

(C) a party fails to make a delivery due to the occurrence of an Illegality or a Force Majeure Event at a time when any applicable Waiting Period has expired,

 

the party required (or that would otherwise have been required) to make the delivery will, to the extent permitted by applicable law and subject to Section 6(c), compensate and pay interest to the other party on demand (after, in the case of clauses (A) and (B) above, such delivery is required) if and to the extent provided for in the relevant Confirmation or elsewhere in this Agreement

 

(ii) Early Termination. Upon the occurrence or effective designation of an Early Termination Date in respect of a Transaction:—

 

(1) Unpaid Amounts. For the purpose of determining an Unpaid Amount in respect of the relevant Transaction, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, interest will accrue on the amount of any payment obligation or the amount equal to the fair market value of any obligation required to be settled by delivery included in such determination the same currency as that amount, for the period from (and including) the date the relevant obligation was (or would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii) or 5(d)) required to have been performed to (but excluding) the relevant Early Termination Date, at the Applicable Close-out Rate.

 

(2) Interest on Early Termination Amounts. If an Early Termination Amount is due in respect of such Early Termination Date, that amount will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, be paid together with interest (before as well as after judgment) on that amount in the Termination Currency, for the period from (and including) such Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date the amount is paid, at the Applicable Close-out Rate.

 

(iii) Interest Calculation. Any interest pursuant to this Section 9(h) will be calculated on the basis of daily compounding and the actual number of days elapsed.

 

   18 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

10. Offices; Multibranch Parties

 

(a) If Section 10(a) is specified in the Schedule as applying, each party that enters into a Transaction through an Office other than its head or home office represents to and agrees with the other party that, notwithstanding the place of booking office or its jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation, its obligations are the same in terms of recourse against it as if it had entered into the Transaction through its head or home office, except that a party will not have recourse to the head or home office of the other party in respect of any payment or delivery deferred pursuant to Section 5(d) for so long as the payment or delivery is so deferred. This representation and agreement will be deemed to be repeated by each party on each date on which the parties enter into a Transaction.

 

(b) If a party is specified as a Multibranch Party in the Schedule, such party may, subject to clause (c) below, enter into a Transaction through, book a Transaction in and make and receive payments and deliveries with respect to a Transaction through any Office listed in respect of that party in the Schedule (but not any other Office unless otherwise agreed by the parties in writing).

 

(c) The Office through which a party enters into a Transaction will be the Office specified for that party in the relevant Confirmation or as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing, and, if an Office for that party is not specified in the Confirmation or otherwise agreed by the parties in writing, its head or home office. Unless the parties otherwise agree in writing, the Office through which a party enters into a Transaction will also be the Office in which it books the Transaction and the Office through which it makes and receives payments and deliveries with respect to the Transaction. Subject to Section 6(b)(ii), neither party may change the Office in which it books the Transaction or the Office through which it makes and receives payments or deliveries with respect to a Transaction without the prior written consent of the other party.

 

11. Expenses

 

A Defaulting Party will on demand indemnify and hold harmless the other party for and against all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including legal fees, execution fees and Stamp Tax, incurred by such other party by reason of the enforcement and protection of its rights under this Agreement or any Credit Support Document to which the Defaulting Party is a party or by reason of the early termination of any Transaction, including, but not limited to, costs of collection.

 

12. Notices

 

(a) Effectiveness. Any notice or other communication in respect of this Agreement may be given in any manner described below (except that a notice or other communication under Section 5 or 6 may not be given by electronic messaging system or e-mail) to the address or number or in accordance with the electronic messaging system or e-mail details provided (see the Schedule) and will be deemed effective as indicated:—

 

(i) if in writing and delivered in person or by courier, on the date it is delivered;

 

(ii) if sent by telex, on the date the recipient’s answerback is received;

 

(iii) if sent by facsimile transmission, on the date it is received by a responsible employee of the recipient in legible form (it being agreed that the burden of proving receipt will be on the sender and will not be met by a transmission report generated by the sender’s facsimile machine);

 

(iv) if sent by certified or registered mail (airmail, if overseas) or the equivalent (return receipt requested), on the date it is delivered or its delivery is attempted;

 

(v) if sent by electronic messaging system, on the date it is received, or

 

   19 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(vi) if sent by e-mail, on the date it is delivered,

 

unless the date of that delivery (or attempted delivery) or that receipt, as applicable, is not a Local Business Day or that communication is delivered (or attempted) or received, as applicable, after the close of business on a Local Business Day, in which case that communication will be deemed given and effective on the first following day that is a Local Business Day.

 

(b) Change of Details. Either party may by notice to the other change the address, telex or facsimile number or electronic messaging system or e-mail details at which notices or other communications are to be given to it.

 

13. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

 

(a) Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the law specified in the Schedule.

 

(b) Jurisdiction. With respect to any suit, action or proceedings relating to any dispute arising out of or in connection with this Agreement (“Proceedings”), each party irrevocably:—

 

(i) submits:—

 

(1) if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law, to (A) the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts if the Proceedings do not involve a Convention Court and (B) the exclusive jurisdiction of the English courts if the Proceedings do involve a Convention Court; or

 

(2) if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York, to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York and the United States District Court located in the Borough of Manhattan in New York City.

 

(ii) waives any objection which it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any Proceedings brought in any such court, waives any claim that such Proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum and further waives the right to object, with respect to such Proceedings, that such court does not have any jurisdiction over such party; and

 

(iii) agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that the bringing of Proceedings in any one or more jurisdictions will not preclude the bringing of Proceedings in any other jurisdiction.

 

(c) Service of Process. Each party irrevocably appoints the Process Agent (if any) specified opposite its name in the Schedule to receive, for it and on its behalf, service of process in any Proceedings. If for any reason any party’s Process Agent is unable to act as such, such party will promptly notify the other party and within 30 days appoint a substitute process agent acceptable to the other party. The parties irrevocably consent to service of process given in the manner provided for notices in Section 12(a)(i), 12(a)(iii) or 12(a)(iv). Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of either party to serve process in any other manner permitted by applicable law.

 

(d) Waiver of Immunities. Each party irrevocably waives, to the extent permitted by applicable law, with respect to itself and its revenues and assets (irrespective of their use or intended use), all immunity on the grounds of sovereignty or other similar grounds from (i) suit, (ii) jurisdiction of any court, (iii) relief by way of injunction, or order for specific performance or recovery of property, (iv) attachment of its assets (whether before or after judgment) and (v) execution or enforcement of any judgment to which it or its revenues or assets might otherwise be entitled in any Proceedings in the courts of any jurisdiction and irrevocably agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that it will not claim any such immunity in any Proceedings.

 

   20 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

14. Definitions

 

As used in this Agreement:—

 

“Additional Representation” has the meaning specified in Section 3.

 

“Additional Termination Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Affected Transactions” means (a) with respect to any Termination Event consisting of an Illegality, Force Majeure Event Tax Event or Tax Event Upon Merger, all Transactions affected by the occurrence of such Termination Event (which, in the case of an Illegality under Section 5(b)(i)(2) or a Force Majeure Event under Section 5(b)(ii)(2), means all Transactions unless the relevant Credit Support Document references only certain Transactions, in which case those Transactions and, if the relevant Credit Support Document constitutes a Confirmation for a Transaction, that Transaction) and (b) with respect to any other Termination Event, all Transactions.

 

“Affiliate” means, subject to the Schedule, in relation to any person, any entity controlled, directly or indirectly, by the person, any entity that controls, directly or indirectly, the person or any entity directly or indirectly under common control with the person. For this purpose, “control” of any entity or person means ownership of a majority of the voting power of the entity or person.

 

“Agreement” has the meaning specified in Section 1(c).

 

“Applicable Close-out Rate” means:—

 

(a) in respect of the determination of an Unpaid Amount:—

 

(i) in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

 

(ii) in respect of obligations payable or deliverable (or which would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default Rate;

 

(iii) in respect of obligations deferred pursuant to Section 5(d), if there is no Defaulting Party and for so long as the deferral period continues, the Applicable Deferral Rate; and

 

(iv) in all other cases following the occurrence of a Termination Event (except where interest accrues pursuant to clause (iii) above), the Applicable Deferral Rate; and

 

(b) in respect of an Early Termination Amount:—

 

(i) for the period from (and including) the relevant Early Termination Date to (but excluding) the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii)) on which that amount is payable:—

 

(1) if the Early Termination Amount is payable by a Defaulting Party, the Default Rate;

 

(2) if the Early Termination Amount is payable by a Non-defaulting Party, the Non-default Rate; and

 

(3) in all other cases, the Applicable Deferral Rate; and

 

   21 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(ii) for the period from (and including) the date (determined in accordance with Section 6(d)(ii) on which that amount is payable to (but excluding) the date of actual payment:—

 

(1) if a party fails to pay the Early Termination Amount due to the occurrence of an event or circumstance which would, if it occurred with respect to a payment or delivery under a Transaction, constitute or give rise to an Illegality or a Force Majeure Event, and for so long as the Early Termination Amount remains unpaid due to the continuing existence of such event or circumstance, the Applicable Deferral Rate;

 

(2) if the Early Termination Amount is payable by a Defaulting Party (but excluding any period in respect of which clause (1) above applies), the Default Rate;

 

(3) if the Early Termination Amount is payable by a Non-defaulting Party (but excluding any period in respect of which clause (1) above applies), the Non-default Rate; and

 

(4) in all other cases, the Termination Rate.

 

Applicable Deferral Rate” means:—

 

(a) for the purpose of Section 9(h)(i)(3)(A), the rate certified by the relevant payer to be a rate offered to the payer by a major bank in a relevant interbank market for overnight deposits in the applicable currency, such bank to be selected in good faith by the payer for the purpose of obtaining a representative rate that will reasonably reflect conditions prevailing at the time in that relevant market;

 

(b) for purposes of Section 9(h)(i)(3)(B) and clause (a)(iii) of the definition of Applicable Close-out Rate, the rate certified by the relevant payer to be a rate offered to prime banks by a major bank in a relevant interbank market for overnight deposits in the applicable currency, such bank to be selected in good faith by the payer after consultation with the other party, if practicable, for the purpose of obtaining a representative rate that will reasonably reflect conditions prevailing at the time in that relevant market; and

 

(c) for purposes of Section 9(h)(i)(3)(C) and clauses (a)(iv), (b)(i)(3) and (b)(ii)(1) of the definition of Applicable Close-out Rate, a rate equal to the arithmetic mean of the rate determined pursuant to clause (a) above and a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it were to fund or of funding the relevant amount.

 

“Automatic Early Termination” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Burdened Party” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b)(iv).

 

“Change in Tax Law” means the enactment, promulgation, execution or ratification of, or any change in or amendment to, any law (or in the application or official interpretation of any law) that occurs after the parties enter into the relevant Transaction.

 

“Close-out Amount” means, with respect to each Terminated Transaction or each group of Terminated Transactions and a Determining Party, the amount of the losses or costs of the Determining Party that are or would be incurred under then prevailing circumstances (expressed as a positive number) or gains of the Determining Party that are or would be realised under then prevailing circumstances (expressed as a negative number) in replacing, or in providing for the Determining Party the economic equivalent of, (a) the material terms of that Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions, including the payments and deliveries by the parties under Section 2(a)(i) in respect of that Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions that would, but for the occurrence of the relevant Early Termination Date, have been required after that date (assuming satisfaction of the conditions precedent in Section 2(a)(iii) and (b) the option rights of the parties in respect of that Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions.

 

   22 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

Any Close-out Amount will be determined by the Determining Party (or its agent), which will act in good faith and use commercially reasonable procedures in order to produce a commercially reasonable result. The Determining Party may determine a Close-out Amount for any group of Terminated Transactions or any individual Terminated Transaction but, in the aggregate, for not less than all Terminated Transactions. Each Close-out Amount will be determined as of the Early Termination Date or, if that would not be commercially reasonable, as of the date or dates following the Early Termination Date as would be commercially reasonable.

 

Unpaid Amounts in respect of a Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions and legal fees and out- of-pocket expenses referred to in Section 11 are to be excluded in all determinations of Close-out Amounts.

 

In determining a Close-out Amount, the Determining Party may consider any relevant information, including, without limitation, one or more of the following types of information:—

 

(i) quotations (either firm or indicative) for replacement transactions supplied by one or more third parties that may take into account the creditworthiness of the Determining Party at the time the quotation is provided and the terms of any relevant documentation, including credit support documentation, between the Determining Party and the third party providing the quotation;

 

(ii) information consisting of relevant market data in the relevant market supplied by one or more third parties including, without limitation, relevant rates, prices, yields, yield curves, volatilities, spreads, correlations or other relevant market data in the relevant market; or

 

(iii) information of the types described in clause (i) or (ii) above from internal sources (including any of the Determining Party’s Affiliates) if that information is of the same type used by the Determining Party in the regular course of its business for the valuation of similar transactions.

 

The Determining Party will consider, taking into account the standards and procedures described in this definition, quotations pursuant to clause (i) above or relevant market data pursuant to clause (ii) above unless the Determining Party reasonably believes in good faith that such quotations or relevant market data are not readily available or would produce a result that would not satisfy those standards. When considering information described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Determining Party may include costs of funding, to the extent costs of funding are not and would not be a component of the other information being utilised. Third parties supplying quotations pursuant to clause (i) above or market data pursuant to clause (ii) above may include, without limitation, dealers in the relevant markets, end-users of the relevant product, information vendors, brokers and other sources of market information.

 

Without duplication of amounts calculated based on information described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, or other relevant information, and when it is commercially reasonable to do so, the Determining Party may in addition consider in calculating a Close-out Amount any loss or cost incurred in connection with its terminating, liquidating or re-establishing any hedge related to a Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions (or any gain resulting from any of them).

 

Commercially reasonable procedures used in determining a Close-out Amount may include the following:—

 

(1) application to relevant market data from third parties pursuant to clause (ii) above or information from internal sources pursuant to clause (iii) above of pricing or other valuation models that are, at the time of the determination of the Close-out Amount, used by the Determining Party in the regular course of its business in pricing or valuing transactions between the Determining Party and unrelated third parties that are similar to the Terminated Transaction or group of Terminated Transactions; and

 

   23 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

(2) application of different valuation methods to Terminated Transactions or groups of Terminated Transactions depending on the type, complexity, size or number of the Terminated Transactions or group of Terminated Transactions.

 

“Confirmation” has the meaning specified in the preamble.

 

“consent” includes a consent, approval, action, authorisation, exemption, notice, filing, registration or exchange control consent.

 

“Contractual Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 8(a).

 

“Convention Court” means any court which is bound to apply to the Proceedings either Article 17 of the 1968 Brussels Convention on Jurisdiction and the Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters or Article 17 of the 1988 Lugano Convention on Jurisdiction and the Enforcement of Judgments in Civil and Commercial matters.

 

“Credit Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Credit Support Document” means any agreement or instrument that is specified as such in this Agreement.

 

“Credit Support Provider” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Cross-Default” means the event specified in Section 5(a)(vi).

 

“Default Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to the relevant payee (as certified by it) if it were to fund or of funding the relevant amount plus 1% per annum.

 

“Defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Designated Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b)(v).

 

“Determining Party” means the party determining a Close-out Amount.

 

“Early Termination Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 6(e).

 

“Early Termination Date” means the date determined in accordance with Section 6(a) or 6(b)(iv).

 

“electronic messages” does not include e-mails but does include documents expressed in markup languages, and “electronic messaging system” will be construed accordingly.

 

“English Law” means the law of England and Wales, and “English” will be construed accordingly.

 

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) and, if applicable, in the Schedule.

 

“Force Majeure Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“General Business Day” means a day on which commercial banks are open for general business (including dealings in foreign exchange and foreign currency deposits).

 

“Illegality” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

   24 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

“Indemnifiable Tax” means any Tax other than a Tax that would not be imposed in respect of a payment under this Agreement but for a present or former connection between the jurisdiction of the government or taxation authority imposing such Tax and the recipient of such payment or a person related to such recipient (including, without limitation, a connection arising from such recipient or related person being or having been a citizen or resident of such jurisdiction, or being or having been organised, present or engaged in a trade or business in such jurisdiction, or having or having had a permanent establishment or fixed place of business in such jurisdiction, but excluding a connection arising solely from such recipient or related person having executed, delivered, performed its obligations or received a payment under, or enforced, this Agreement or a Credit Support Document).

 

“Law” includes any treaty, law, rule or regulation (as modified, in the case of tax matters, by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority) and “unlawful” will be construed accordingly.

 

“Local Business Day” means, (a) in relation to any obligation under Section 2(a)(i), a General Business Day in the place or places specified in the relevant Confirmation and a day on which a relevant settlement system is open or operating as specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if a place or a settlement system is not so specified, as otherwise agreed by the parties in writing or determined pursuant to provisions contained, or incorporated by reference, in this Agreement, (b) for the purpose of determining when a Waiting Period expires, a General Business Day in the place where the event or circumstance that constitutes or gives rise to the Illegality or Force Majeure Event, as the case may be, occurs, (c) in relation to any other payment, a General Business Day in the place where the relevant account is located and, if different, in the principal financial centre, if any, of the currency of such payment, and, if that currency does not have a single recognised principal financial centre, a day on which the settlement system necessary to accomplish such payment is open, (d) in relation to any notice or other communication, including notice contemplated under Section 5(a)(i), a General Business Day (or a day that would have been a General Business Day but for the occurrence of an event or circumstance which would, if it occurred with respect to payment, delivery or compliance related to a Transaction, constitute or give rise to an Illegality or a Force Majeure Event) in the place specified in the address for notice provided by the recipient and, in the case of a notice contemplated by Section 2(b), in the place where the relevant new account is to be located and (e) in relation to Section 5(a)(v)(2), a General Business Day in the relevant locations for performance with respect to such Specified Transaction.

 

“Local Delivery Day” means, for purposes of Sections 5(a)(i) and 5(d), a day on which settlement systems necessary to accomplish the relevant delivery are generally open for business so that the delivery is capable of being accomplished in accordance with customary market practice, in the place specified in the relevant Confirmation or, if not so specified, in a location as determined in accordance with customary market practice for the relevant delivery.

 

“Master Agreement” has the meaning specified in the preamble.

 

“Merger Without Assumption” means the event specified in Section 5(a)(viii).

 

“Multiple Transaction Payment Netting” has the meaning specified in Section 2(c).

 

“Non-affected Party” means, so long as there is only one Affected Party, the other party.

 

“Non-default Rate” means the rate certified by the Non-defaulting Party to be rate offered to the Non-defaulting Party by a major bank in a relevant interbank market for overnight deposits in the applicable currency, such bank to be selected in good faith by the Non-defaulting Party for the purpose of obtaining a representative rate that will reasonably reflect conditions prevailing at the time in that relevant market.

 

“Non-defaulting Party” has the meaning specified in Section 6(a).

 

“Office” means a branch or office of a party, which may be such party’s head or home office.

 

“Other Amounts” has the meaning specified in Section 6(f).

 

   25 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

“Payee” has the meaning specified in Section 6(f).

 

“Payer” has the meaning specified in Section 6(f).

 

“Potential Event of Default” means any event which, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

 

“Proceedings” has the meaning specified in Section 13(b).

 

“Process Agent” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“rate of exchange” includes, without limitation, any premiums and costs of exchange payable in connection with the purchase of or conversion into the Contractual Currency.

 

“Relevant Jurisdiction” means, with respect to a party, the jurisdictions (a) in which the party is incorporated, organised, managed and controlled or considered to have its seat, (b) where an Office through which the party is acting for purposes of this Agreement is located, (c) in which the party executes this Agreement and (d) in relation to any payment, from or through which such payment is made.

 

“Schedule” has the meaning specified in the preamble.

 

“Scheduled Settlement Date” means a date on which a payment or delivery is to be made under Section 2(a)(i) with respect to a Transaction.

 

“Specified Entity” has the meaning specified in the Schedule.

 

“Specified Indebtedness” means, subject to the Schedule, any obligation (whether present or future, contingent or otherwise, as principal or surety or otherwise) in respect of borrowed money.

 

“Specified Transaction” means, subject to the Schedule, (a) any transaction (including an agreement with respect to any such transaction) now existing or hereafter entered into between one party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such party or any applicable Specified Entity of such party) and the other party to this Agreement (or any Credit Support Provider of such other party or any applicable Specified Entity of such other party) which is not a Transaction under this Agreement but (i) which is a rate swap transaction, swap option, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option, credit protection transaction, credit swap, credit default swap, credit default option, total return swap, credit spread transaction, repurchase transaction, reverse repurchase transaction, buy/sell-back transaction, securities lending transaction, weather index transaction or forward purchase or sale of a security, commodity or other financial instrument or interest (including any option with respect to any of these transactions) or (ii) which is a type of transaction that is similar to any transaction referred to in clause (i) above that is currently, or in the future becomes, recurrently entered into in the financial markets (including terms and conditions incorporated by reference in such agreement) and which is a forward, swap, future, option or other derivative on one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity securities or other equity instruments, debt securities or other debt instruments, economic indices or measures of economic risk or value, or other benchmarks against which payments or deliveries are to be made, (b) any combination of these transactions and (c) any other transaction identified as a Specified Transaction in this Agreement or the relevant confirmation.

 

“Stamp Tax” means any stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Stamp Tax Jurisdiction” has the meaning specified in Section 4(e).

 

   26 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

“Tax” means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty, charge, assessment or fee of any nature (including interest, penalties and additions thereto) that is imposed by any government or other taxing authority in respect of any payment under this Agreement other than a stamp, registration, documentation or similar tax.

 

“Tax Event” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Tax Event Upon Merger” has the meaning specified in Section 5(b).

 

“Terminated Transactions” means with respect to any Early Termination Date (a) if resulting from an Illegality or a Force Majeure Event, all Affected Transactions specified in the notice given pursuant to Section 6(b)(iv), (b) if resulting from any other Termination Event, all Affected Transactions and (c) if resulting from an Event of Default, all Transactions in effect either immediately before the effectiveness of the notice designating that Early Termination Date or, if “Automatic Early Termination” applies, immediately before that Early Termination Date).

 

“Termination Currency” means (a) if a Termination Currency is specified in the Schedule and that currency is freely available, that currency, and (b) otherwise, euro if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by English law or United States Dollars if this Agreement is expressed to be governed by the laws of the State of New York.

 

“Termination Currency Equivalent” means, in respect of any amount denominated in the Termination Currency, such Termination Currency amount and, in respect of any amount denominated in a currency other than the Termination Currency (the “Other Currency”), the amount in the Termination Currency determined by the party making the relevant determination as being required to purchase such amount of such Other Currency as at the relevant Early Termination Date, or, if the relevant Close-out Amount is determined as of a later date, that later date, with the Termination Currency at the rate equal to the spot exchange rate of the foreign exchange agent (selected as provided below) for the purchase of such Other Currency with the Termination Currency at or about 11:00 a.m. (in the city in which such foreign exchange agent is located) on such date as would be customary for the determination of such a rate for the purchase of such Other Currency for value on the relevant Early Termination Date or that later date. The foreign exchange agent will, if only one party is obliged to make a determination under Section 6(e), be selected in good faith by that party and otherwise will be agreed by the parties.

 

“Termination Event” means an Illegality, a Force Majeure Event, a Tax Event, a Tax Event Upon Merger or, if specified to be applicable, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event.

 

“Termination Rate” means a rate per annum equal to the arithmetic mean of the cost (without proof or evidence of any actual cost) to each party (as certified by such party) if it were to fund or of funding such amounts.

 

“Threshold Amount” means the amount, if any, specified as such in the Schedule.

 

“Transaction” has the meaning specified in the preamble.

 

“Unpaid Amounts” owing to any party means, with respect to an Early Termination Date, the aggregate of (a) in respect of all Terminated Transactions, the amounts that became payable (or that would have become payable but for Section 2(a)(iii)) or due but for Section 5(d)) to such party under Section 2(a)(i) or 2(d)(i)(4) on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which remain unpaid as at such Early Termination Date, and (b) in respect of each Terminated Transaction, for each obligation under Section 2(a)(i) which was (or would have been but for Section 2(a)(iii)) or 5(d)) required to be settled by delivery to such party on or prior to such Early Termination Date and which has not been so settled as at such Early Termination Date, an amount equal to the fair market value of that which was (or would have been) required to be delivered and (c) if the Early Termination Date results from an Event of Default, a Credit Event Upon Merger or an Additional Termination Event in respect of which all outstanding Transactions are Affected Transactions, any Early Termination Amount due prior to such Early Termination Date and which remains unpaid as of such Early Termination Date, in each case together with any amount of interest accrued or other compensation in respect of that obligation or deferred obligation, as the case may be, pursuant to Section 9(h)(ii)(1) or (2), as appropriate. The fair market value of any obligation referred to in clause (b) above will be determined as of the originally scheduled date for delivery, in good faith and using commercially reasonable procedures, by the party obliged to make the determination under section 6(e) or, if each party is so obliged, it will be the average of the Termination Currency Equivalents of the fair market values so determined by both parties.

 

   27 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

“Waiting Period” means:—

 

(a) in respect of an event or circumstance under Section 5(b)(i), other than in the case of Section 5(b)(i)(2) where the relevant payment, delivery or compliance is actually required on the relevant day (in which case no Waiting period will apply), a period of three Local Business Days (or days that would have been Local Business Days but for the occurrence of that event or circumstance) following the occurrence of that event or circumstance; and

 

(b) in respect of an event or circumstance under Section 5(b)(ii), other than in the case of Section 5(b)(ii)(2) where the relevant payment, delivery or compliance is actually required on the relevant day (in which case no Waiting Period will apply), a period of eight Local Business Days (or days that would have been Local Business Days but for the occurrence of that event or circumstance) following the occurrence of that event or circumstance.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this document on the respective dates specified below with effect from the date specified on the first page of this document.

 

NextERa Energy Marketing, llc   U.S. ENERGY CORP.
         
By: /s/ Craig Shapiro   By: /s/ Ryan Smith
Name: Craig Shapiro Title: Vice President   Name: Ryan Smith Title: CEO
Date: 1/5/22   Date: January 5, 2022

 

   28 ISDA ® 2002
 

 

SCHEDULE

to the

ISDA® 2002 MASTER AGREEMENT

 

dated as of January 5, 2022

  

between NextEra Energy Marketing, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, (“Party A”) and U.S. Energy Corp. a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Wyoming (“Party B”).

 

PART 1

 

Termination Provisions

 

In this Agreement:

 

(1) “Specified Entity” means for purposes of Section 5(a)(v), Section 5(a)(vi), Section 5(a)(vii) and Section 5(b)(v):

 

(i) With respect to Party A, Not Applicable; and

 

(ii) With respect to Party B, Not Applicable.

 

(2) “Specified Transaction” will have the meaning specified in Section 14 of this Agreement except that such term is amended by adding on the eleventh line after “or sale” the words “, or transfer”. Furthermore, the word “commodity” referred to throughout Section 14, shall be replaced by the word “Commodity” and the word “commodities” in the fifteenth line shall be replaced by the word “Commodities”. For this purpose, the term “Commodity” means any tangible or intangible commodity of any type or description (including, without limitation, electric power, electric power capacity, physical transmission of electric energy or transportation of natural gas, financial transmission rights, petroleum, natural gas, and byproducts thereof, as well as renewable energy credits, emission allowances, and any other similar types of products).

 

(3) The “Cross-Default” provisions of Section 5(a)(vi) will apply to Party A and Party B; however, Section 5(a)(vi) shall be amended by:

 

(a) deleting in the seventh line of Section 5(a)(vi)(1) the words “, or becoming capable at such time of being declared,”;

 

(b) adding the following at the end of Section 5(a)(vi)(1) following the word “payable” and before “; or”: “after giving effect to any applicable notice requirement or grace and/or cure period)”;

 

(c) adding in Section 5(a)(vi)(2) the words “and/or cure” after the word “grace” in the fourth line thereof;

 

(d) adding at the end of Section 5(a)(vi): “provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, an Event of Default shall not occur with respect to either (1) or (2) above if, as demonstrated to the reasonable satisfaction of the other party, (a) the event or condition referred to in (1) or the failure to pay or deliver referred to in (2) is a failure to pay or deliver caused by an error or omission of an administrative or operational nature; and (b) funds were available to such party to enable it to make the relevant payment when due; and (c) such relevant payment is made within three (3) Business Days following receipt of written notice from an interested party of such failure to pay; and

 

 29
 

 

(e) adding as a second proviso at the end of Section 5(a)(vi): “provided, further, that with respect to Specified Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement (i) Section 5(a)(vi)(2) shall not apply, (ii) the phrase “a default, event of default or other similar condition or event (however described)” in Section 5(a)(vi)(1) is hereby replaced with the phrase “an Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement)” and (iii) the following language is hereby added to the end of Section 5(a)(vi)(1): “and at least one of the following shall have occurred: (x) Administrative Agent has accelerated the Specified Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement or (y) Administrative Agent has taken affirmative steps to begin realizing on collateral granted by Party B, as Borrower, under the Credit Agreement.”

 

(4) The “Bankruptcy” provisions of Section 5(a)(vii) are amended to replace each reference to “15 days” in Section 5(a)(vii)(1) with “30 days”.

 

(5) “Threshold Amount” means, with respect to Party A, three percent (3%) of the Stockholders’ Equity of NextEra Energy, Inc. and with respect to Party B, $500,000 (or the equivalent in another currency, currency unit or combination thereof). Stockholders’ Equity shall be as stated in the applicable entity’s most recently published annual audited financial statements.

 

(6) The “Credit Event Upon Merger” provisions of Section 5(b)(v) will apply to Party A and Party B, amended as follows:

 

“‘Credit Event Upon Merger’ shall mean that a Designated Event (as defined below) occurs with respect to a party, any Credit Support Provider of the party or any applicable Specified Entity (any such party or entity, “X”), and such Designated Event does not constitute an event described in Section 5(a)(viii) but the creditworthiness of X, or, if applicable, the successor, surviving or transferee entity of X, is materially weaker than that of X immediately prior to such event. In such case the Affected Party shall be the party with respect to which, or with respect to the Credit Support Provider or Specified Entity of which, the Designated Event occurred, or, if applicable, the successor, surviving or transferee entity of such party. The occurrence of a Designated Event with respect to Party A will not be deemed a “Credit Event Upon Merger” provided that Party A continues to be owned directly or indirectly by NextEra Energy, Inc., and the Credit Support Documents supporting Party A’s obligations hereunder remain in effect. For purposes hereof, a “Designated Event” means that, after the date hereof:

 

(i) X consolidates, amalgamates with or merges with or into, or transfers all or substantially all its assets to, or receives all or substantially all the assets or obligations of, another entity; or

 

(ii) Any person or entity acquires directly or indirectly the beneficial ownership of equity securities having the power to elect a majority of the board of directors of X or otherwise acquires directly or indirectly the power to control the policy-making decisions of X.”

 

In addition, Section 5(b)(v)(3) will be deemed deleted from this Agreement.

 

(7) The “Automatic Early Termination” provision of Section 6(a) will not apply to Party A or to Party B.

 

(8) “Termination Currency” means United States Dollars.

 

(9) “Contractual Currency” unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation, shall mean United States Dollars.

 

(10) Change to “Mid-Market Events.” Section 6(e)(ii)(3)(A) of the Master Agreement is replaced in its entirety with the following, “if obtaining quotations from one or more third parties, ask each third party (I) not to take account of the current creditworthiness of the Determining Party or any existing Credit Support Document; and (II) to provide mid-market quotations, but in no event may the Determining Party obtain quotations from an Affiliate or Specified Entity of either party for purposes of this determination; and”.

 

 30
 

 

(11) Additional Termination Event will apply. Each of the following will constitute an Additional Termination Event pursuant to Section 5(b)(vi) of this Agreement and Party B shall be the sole Affected Party and, except as otherwise provided below, all Transactions shall be Affected Transactions:

 

(i) Creditor and Swap Counterparty Status; Pari Passu Secured Swap Obligations. (A) Party A ceases to be a Creditor or Swap Counterparty, each as defined in, and with the rights afforded under, the Intercreditor Agreement, or (B) Party B’s obligations to Party A under this Agreement cease, for any reason, to be secured by a valid and perfected lien on the Collateral ranking pari passu and payable Ratably with the Loan Obligations (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement).

 

(ii) Collateral; Liens. (A) All or substantially all of the Collateral is released, or the liens of the Collateral Agent on the Collateral are released, without Party B delivering replacement security to Party A acceptable to Party A in its reasonable discretion or (B) any Collateral is disposed of in violation of the terms of the Credit Agreement or released in violation of Section 2.03(b) of the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

(iii) Multiple Intercreditor Agreements. There shall be any other intercreditor or similar agreement with any party, other than the Intercreditor Agreement, pursuant to which Party B grants such party a Lien (as defined in the Credit Agreement) on any material portion of the Collateral that has the same priority as the Swap Obligations, other than any Permitted Liens (as defined in the Credit Agreement.

 

(iv) Acceptable Commodity Hedging Transactions. Party B enters into a Transaction with Party A in violation of Section 8.19, Section 8.22 or Section 9.17 of the Credit Agreement, in which case such Transaction shall be the sole Affected Transaction.

 

After any Additional Termination Event has occurred pursuant to subsection (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) above, Party A shall not unreasonably withhold, condition or delay its consent to any request by Party B for Party A or Party B to transfer, novate or assign a Transaction hereunder; provided, that if Party B proposes to be the transferor of a Transaction hereunder, the Transferee of Party B shall be an entity that is rated (or whose credit support provider is rated) at least investment grade by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group (a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.) or its successor or Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or its successor or, if not rated by either agency, is deemed to be of equal or better credit quality relative to Party B, in Party A’s sole discretion.

 

Administrative Agent” has the meaning given such term in the Credit Agreement.

 

Collateral” has the meaning given such term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Collateral Agent” has the meaning given such term in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement dated as of January 5, 2022 among Party B, as the Borrower, Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the other parties thereto from time to time, as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, extended, renewed, refinanced, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings attributed to them in the Credit Agreement, or if not defined therein, in the Intercreditor Agreement.

 

Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Intercreditor Agreement dated as of January 5, 2022 among Party B, as the Borrower, Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, the Lenders thereunder and the other parties thereto from time to time, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

 31
 

 

PART 2

 

Tax Representations

 

(1) Payer Representations. For the purposes of Section 3(e), each of Party A and Party B makes the following representation:

 

It is not required by any applicable law, as modified by the practice of any relevant governmental revenue authority, of any Relevant Jurisdiction to make any deduction or withholding for or on account of any Tax from any payment (other than interest under Section 9(h) of this Agreement) to be made by it to the other party under this Agreement. In making this representation, it may rely on (i) the accuracy of any representation made by the other party pursuant to Section 3(f) of this Agreement; (ii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement and the accuracy and effectiveness of any document provided by the other party pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or 4(a)(iii) of this Agreement; and (iii) the satisfaction of the agreement of the other party contained in Section 4(d) of this Agreement; except that it shall not be a breach of this representation where reliance is placed on Clause (ii) above and the other party does not deliver a form, document or certificate under Section 4(a)(iii) by reason of material prejudice to its legal or commercial position.

 

(2) Payee Representations. For the purposes of Section 3(f), each of Party A and Party B makes the representations specified below, if any:

 

(i) The following representation will apply to Party A:

 

It is a disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes. The entity that is treated as the owner of NextEra Energy Marketing, LLC’s assets for federal income tax purposes is a United States person within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

(ii) The following representation will apply to Party B:

 

It is a corporation created or organized in the United States under the laws of the State of Wyoming.

 

PART 3

 

Documents to be Delivered

 

For the purposes of Section 4(a)(i) and (ii), each party agrees to deliver the following documents, as applicable:

 

Party Required To Deliver Document  

Form/Document/

Certificate

 

Date By Which

To Be Delivered

Party A and Party B  

Each party agrees to complete, execute and deliver to the other party, United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or any successor of such form.

 

  Upon execution of this Agreement and thereafter promptly upon reasonable demand and promptly upon learning that any such forms previously provided to the other party have become obsolete, incorrect or ineffective.

 

 32
 

 

Other documents to be delivered are:

 

Party Required to Deliver Document   Form/Document/
Certificate
  Date By Which
To Be
Delivered
  Covered By
Section 3(d)
Representation
Each party and its Credit Support Provider, as applicable.   Certified copies of all documents evidencing necessary corporate or equivalent authorizations and approvals regarding execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, any Credit Support Document and any Confirmation.   Upon execution of this Agreement.   Yes.
Each party and its Credit Support Provider, as applicable.   Certificate of Authority and specimen signatures of individuals executing this Agreement and any Credit Support Document.   Upon execution of this Agreement.   Yes.
Each party and its Credit Support Provider, as applicable.   A duly executed copy of each Credit Support Document.   Within 10 Local Business Days after the execution of this Agreement with respect to a Guaranty to be provided by a party.   Yes.
Each party.   Audited annual financial statements of NextEra Energy, Inc. in the case of Party A and Party B in the case of Party B, for each fiscal year.   For Party A, so long as any Transaction remains outstanding hereunder, as soon as practicable after demand but in no event later than 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of such party if such financial statement is not available on “EDGAR” or such party’s internet home page. For Party B, concurrently with delivery to the Lenders.   Yes.
Each party.   Unaudited financial statements of NextEra Energy, Inc. in the case of Party A and of Party B in the case of Party B, for each quarter.   For Party A, so long as any Transaction remains outstanding hereunder, as soon as practicable after demand but in no event later than 60 days after the end of the first 3 fiscal quarters of such party if such financial statement is not available on “EDGAR” or such party’s internet home page. For Party B, concurrently with delivery to the Lenders.   Yes.
Party B   All material reports and statements as delivered pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement including reserve reports, compliance certificates, notices of default and proposed and executed amendments to the Credit Agreement and Intercreditor Agreement.   Concurrently with delivery to the Lenders.   Yes.

 

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PART 4

 

Miscellaneous

 

(1) Payments.

 

(i) ACH. Section 2(a)(ii) shall be amended by adding the following after the end of the second sentence:

 

“The Parties hereby acknowledge that Automated Clearinghouse Credit (“ACH”) is an acceptable method of payment between the Parties. The Parties also acknowledge that all undisputed unpaid full or partial payment amounts not immediately available to the receiving Party on the due date will be considered past due and are subject to interest as stipulated in Section 9(h) of this Agreement.”

 

(ii) Calculation Agent. The Calculation Agent is Party A unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation to the relevant Transaction or unless an Event of Default in respect of Party A has occurred and is then continuing in which case the Calculation Agent shall be Party B or a recognized dealer designated in good faith by Party B to be the Calculation Agent. All calculations made by the Calculation Agent may be independently confirmed by the other party. In the event that the amount owed is disputed, the undisputed amount will be used to determine payment obligations and, if then due, paid by the relevant party. The parties will resolve any calculation dispute in good faith. The failure of either party to perform its obligations as Calculation Agent hereunder shall not be construed as an Event of Default or Termination Event.

 

(iii) Disputes and Adjustments of Invoices. With respect to all Transactions entered into under this Agreement, a Party may, in good faith, dispute the correctness of any invoice or any adjustment to an invoice, rendered under this Agreement or adjust any invoice for any arithmetic or computational error within twelve (12) months of the date the invoice, or adjustment to an invoice, was rendered. In the event an invoice or portion thereof, or any other claim or adjustment arising hereunder, is disputed, payment of the undisputed portion of the invoice shall be required to be made when due, with notice of the objection given to the other Party. Any invoice dispute or invoice adjustment shall be in writing and shall state the basis for the dispute or adjustment. Payment of the disputed amount shall not be required until the dispute is resolved. Upon resolution of the dispute, any required payment shall be made within two (2) Local Business Days of such resolution along with interest accrued at the Default Rate from and including the due date to but excluding the date paid. Inadvertent overpayments shall be returned upon request or deducted by the Party receiving such overpayment from subsequent payments, with interest accrued at the Default Rate from and including the date of such overpayment to but excluding the date repaid or deducted by the Party receiving such overpayment. Any dispute with respect to an invoice is waived unless the other Party is notified in accordance with this Part 4(1)(iii) within twelve (12) months after the invoice is rendered or any specific adjustment to the invoice is made. If an invoice is not rendered within twelve (12) months after the close of the month during which performance of a Transaction occurred, the right to payment for such performance is waived.

 

(iv) Netting of Payments. “Multiple Transaction Payment Netting” will apply for the purpose of Section 2(c) of this Agreement to all Transactions.

 

 34
 

 

(2) Transfer. In the first line of Section 7, after the words “Subject to”, add the words “the last sentence of”.

 

(3) Offices. The provisions of Section 10(a) will apply to this Agreement.

 

(4) Multibranch Party. For the purpose of Section 10:

 

(i) Party A is not a Multibranch Party.

 

(ii) Party B is not a Multibranch Party.

 

(5) Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to any otherwise applicable principles of conflicts of laws (other than SectionS 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the New York General Obligations Law, which will apply).

 

(6) Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH PARTY HERETO EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION (AS DEFINED IN THIS AGREEMENT) AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO THE OTHER PARTY’S ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT.

 

(7) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. NO PARTY SHALL BE REQUIRED TO PAY OR BE LIABLE FOR PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES (WHETHER OR NOT ARISING FROM ITS NEGLIGENCE OR STRICT LIABILITY) TO ANY OTHER PARTY; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NOTHING IN THIS PROVISION SHALL AFFECT THE ENFORCEABILITY OF SECTION 6(e) OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OBLIGATION TO PAY ANY AMOUNT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 6(e) OF THIS AGREEMENT. IF AND TO THE EXTENT ANY PAYMENT REQUIRED TO BE MADE PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT IS DEEMED TO CONSTITUTE LIQUIDATED DAMAGES, THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT SUCH DAMAGES ARE DIFFICULT OR IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE AND THAT SUCH PAYMENT IS INTENDED TO BE A REASONABLE APPROXIMATION OF THE AMOUNT OF SUCH DAMAGES AND NOT A PENALTY.

 

(8) Confidentiality. The contents of this Agreement and all other documents relating to this Agreement, and any information made available by one party or its Credit Support Provider to the other party or its Credit Support Provider with respect to this Agreement is confidential and shall not be disclosed to any third party (nor shall any public announcement relating to this Agreement be made by either party), except for such information (i) as may become generally available to the public, (ii) as may be required or appropriate in response to any summons, subpoena, or otherwise in connection with any litigation or to comply with any applicable law, order, regulation, ruling, or accounting disclosure rule or standard, (iii) as may be obtained from a non-confidential source that disclosed such information in a manner that did not violate its obligations to the non-disclosing party or its Credit Support Provider in making such disclosure, or (iv) as may be furnished to the disclosing party’s Affiliates, and to each of such person’s auditors, attorneys, advisors or lenders which are required to keep the information that is disclosed in confidence, and provided, further, that a party may disclose any one or more of the commercial terms of a Transaction (other than the name of the other party unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the parties) to any industry price source for the purpose of aggregating and reporting such information in the form of a published energy price index. With respect to information provided with respect to a Transaction, this obligation shall survive for a period of one (1) year following the expiration or termination of such Transaction. With respect to information provided with respect to this Agreement, this obligation shall survive for a period of one (1) year following the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

 

(9) Process Agent. The provisions of Section 13(c) of the Agreement, with respect to the appointment of a Process Agent, shall not apply to either party.

 

 35
 

 

(10) Addresses for Notices. For the purpose of Section 12(a) of this Agreement:

 

The address for notices or other communications to Party A is:   The address for notices or other communications to Party B is:
     
Name: NextEra Energy Marketing, LLC   Name: U.S. Energy Corp.
     
All Notices:   All Notices:
     
Street: 700 Universe Blvd.   Street: 12081 W. Alameda Pkwy, Ste. 440
City: Juno Beach, FL Zip: 33408   City: Lakewood, Colorado Zip: 80228
     
Attn: Contracts/Legal Department   Attn: Reid Bundgard
Phone: n/a/   Phone: 303-489-3110
Facsimile: (561) 625-7504   Facsimile: n/a
Duns: NEM : 05-448-1341   Duns: n/a
Federal Tax ID Number: 65-0851428   Federal Tax ID Number: 83-0205516
    Email: reid@usnrg.com
     
Invoices:   Invoices:
Attn: Manager, NEM Accounting   Attn: Reid Bundgard
Phone: (561) 304-5820   Phone: 303-489-3110
Facsimile: (561) 625-7651   Facsimile: n/a
    Email: reid@usnrg.com
     
Confirmations:   Confirmations:
Attn: Confirmation Desk   Attn: Reid Bundgard
Phone: (561) 691-2488   Phone: 303-489-3110
Facsimile: (561) 625-7517   Facsimile: n/a
Email: NextEra.Confirmations@   Email: reid@usnrg.com
NextEraEnergy.com    
     
Scheduling:   Scheduling:
Attn: Scheduling Desk   Attn: Reid Bundgard
Phone: (561) 625-7100   Phone: 303-489-3110
Facsimile: (561) 625-7604   Facsimile: n/a
     Email: reid@usnrg.com
     
Payments:   Payments:
Attn: Manager, NEM Accounting   Attn: Reid Bundgard
Phone: (561) 304-5820   Phone: 303-489-3110
Facsimile: (561) 625-7663   Facsimile: n/a
     Email: reid@usnrg.com
     
Credit and Collections:   Credit and Collections:
Attn: Credit Manager   Attn: Reid Bundgard
Phone: (561) 694-3440   Phone: 303-489-3110
Facsimile: n/a   Facsimile: n/a
Email: DL-CREDITRISK@nee.com    Email: reid@usnrg.com
     

 

 36
 

 

Wire Transfer:   Wire Transfer:
Pay: Bank of America   Pay: First Interstate Bank
For the Account of: NextEra Energy Marketing, LLC   For the Account of: U.S. Energy Corp.
Account No./CHIPS UID: 3751227650   Account No.: 700564545
Fed. ABA No.: 026-00-9593   Fed. ABA No.: 092901683
     
ACH Transfer:    
Pay: Bank of America    
For the Account of: NextEra Energy Marketing, LLC    
Account No.: 3751227650    
Fed. ABA No.: 111-00-0012    
     
With additional Notices of an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default to:   With additional Notices of an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default to:
Attn: Contracts/Legal Department   Attn: Ryan Smith
Facsimile: (561) 625-7504   Phone: (832) 312- 0720
Email: NEMLEGAL@nee.com   Facsimile: n/a
    Email: ryan@usnrg.com

 

(11) Credit Support Document. Details of any Credit Support Document, each of which is otherwise incorporated by reference in, and made part of, this Agreement and each Confirmation (unless provided otherwise in a Confirmation) as if set forth in full in this Agreement or such Confirmation:

 

(i) In respect of Party A: A Guaranty dated as of the date hereof by NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc. in favor of Party B as beneficiary thereof in the form attached hereto as Exhibit I.

 

(ii) In respect of Party B: The Security Instruments (as defined in the Credit Agreement).

 

(12) Credit Support Provider. Credit Support Provider shall mean:

 

(i) In respect of Party A: NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc.

 

(ii) In respect of Party B: The Guarantors under the Credit Agreement.

 

(13) Absence of Litigation. Section 3(c) of this Agreement is hereby amended by adding the words “in any material respect” to the end of the section.

 

(14) No Agency. The provisions of Section 3(g) will apply to this Agreement.

 

(15) ISDA Definitions. This Agreement, each Confirmation, and each Transaction are subject to, and will be governed in all respects by, the 2006 ISDA Definitions (the “Swap Definitions”), the 2005 ISDA Commodity Definitions (the “Commodity Definitions”), as such definitions may otherwise be amended, supplemented, replaced or modified from time to time, each as published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (collectively the “ISDA Definitions”). The ISDA Definitions are incorporated by reference herein, and made part of, this Agreement and each Confirmation as if set forth in full in this Agreement and such Confirmations. Unless otherwise specified in a Confirmation, any capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to them in the Swap Definitions, and the Commodity Definitions (except that references to “Swap Transactions” in the definitions will be deemed to be references to “Transactions”).

 

 37
 

 

(16) Inconsistency. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Swap Definitions and the Commodity Definitions, the Commodity Definitions will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the ISDA Definitions, this Agreement will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of the Credit Support Documents, if any, and the ISDA Definitions, the Credit Support Documents will prevail. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions of any Confirmation and this Agreement or the ISDA Definitions, the Confirmation will prevail for the purpose of the relevant Transaction.

 

PART 5

 

Other Provisions

 

(1) Consent to Telephone Recording. Each party hereby agrees (i) that the other party or its agents may electronically record all telephone conversations between officers or employees of the consenting party and the officers or employees of the other party who quote on, agree to, or otherwise discuss terms of Transactions or potential Transactions on behalf of the party and (ii) agrees, to the extent permitted by applicable law, that recordings may be submitted in evidence in any Proceedings, subject to applicable rules of discovery and evidence. The parties shall be legally bound from the time they so agree to terms of a Transaction and may each rely thereon. Failure by any party to send, or the other party to return, an executed Confirmation shall not invalidate any Transaction agreed to by the parties in a telephone conversation. Provided, however, that any discrepancy between the terms set forth on a fully executed Confirmation and those on a recording shall be resolved in favor of the terms on the fully executed Confirmation.

 

(2) Statute of Frauds. The parties agree not to contest, or to enter any defense concerning the validity or enforceability of any Transaction on the grounds that the documentation for such Transaction fails to comply with the requirements of any jurisdiction’s (of whatever country, province, or state) statute of frauds or any other statute, regulation or judicial decision that agreements be written or signed.

 

(3) Counterparts. The parties hereby amend Section 9(e) by revising the header to read “Counterparts, Copies and Confirmations” and adding the following as a new subsection (iii): “(iii) Copies of this Agreement and any Confirmation (and each amendment, modification and waiver in respect of it) are deemed acceptable and may be used in lieu of originals for all purposes, including, but not limited to admissibility, authenticity or other purposes related to legal proof.”

 

(4) Confirmation of a Transaction. The parties hereby amend Section 9(e)(ii) by adding the following sentences at the end thereof:

 

“Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Parties may agree to use the ICE eConfirm Service provided by the Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (“ICE”) in accordance with the procedures published by ICE. If either party has a dispute about any contents of a Confirmation received from the other party, it shall notify the other party within two (2) Local Business Days after the receipt of such Confirmation and the parties shall in good faith make reasonable efforts to resolve the dispute. A failure by a party to issue a Confirmation shall not prejudice or invalidate the terms of the relevant transaction governed by the Agreement. If the ICE eConfirm Service is not used Party A shall send a Confirmation to Party B within three (3) Local Business Days after the relevant Trade Date. Party B will promptly thereafter confirm the accuracy of or request the correction of such Confirmation. If Party B fails to accept or dispute the Confirmation in the manner set forth above within two (2) Local Business Days after it was effectively sent to Party B the Confirmation will be deemed to correctly reflect the parties’ agreement on the terms of the Transaction referred to therein, absent manifest error. The requirement of this Section and elsewhere in this Agreement that the parties exchange Confirmations shall for all purposes be deemed satisfied by a Confirmation sent and an acknowledgment deemed given as provided herein. Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing to the contrary, if a Confirmation contains provisions purporting to modify the general terms and conditions of this Master Agreement (e.g. Events of Default, representations and warranties, set-off, etc.) in addition to provisions setting forth the commercial terms for the Transaction documented by such Confirmation (e.g., the notional volume, Fixed Price, Floating Price, etc.), no such Confirmation shall be deemed to effectively modify such general terms and conditions of this Master Agreement (with respect to the applicable Transaction or otherwise) unless it has been duly executed by both Parties hereto.”

 

 38
 

 

(5) GAAP. Section 3(d) of the Agreement is amended by adding in the last printed line thereof after the word “respect” and before the period following:

 

“or, in the case of audited or unaudited financial statements, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the relevant party in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the country in which such entity is organized and, unless otherwise stated therein, on a basis consistent with that of the audited annual financial statements of such entity for its prior fiscal year.”

 

(6) Additional Representation: will apply. For the purpose of Section 3 of this Agreement the following will constitute Additional Representations:

 

“(g) Relationship between Parties. Each party will be deemed to represent to the other party on the date on which it enters into a Transaction that:

 

(i) Non-Reliance. It is acting for its own account, and it has made its own independent decisions to enter into that Transaction and as to whether that Transaction is appropriate or proper for it based upon its own judgment and upon advice from such advisers as it has deemed necessary. It is not relying on any communication (written or oral) of the other party as investment advice or as a recommendation to enter into that Transaction; it being understood that information and explanations related to the terms and conditions of a Transaction shall not be considered investment advice or a recommendation to enter into that Transaction. No communication (written or oral) received from the other party shall be deemed to be an assurance or guarantee as to the expected results of that Transaction.

 

(ii) Assessment and Understanding. It is capable of assessing the merits of and understanding (on its own behalf or through independent professional advice), and understands and accepts, the terms, conditions and risks of that Transaction. It is also capable of assuming, and assumes, the risks of that Transaction.

 

(iii) Status of Parties. The other party is not acting as a fiduciary for or an adviser to it in respect of that Transaction.

 

(h) Eligible Contract Participant. (1) It, and its Credit Support Provider, if any, constitutes an “eligible contract participant” as such term is defined in the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (7 U.S.C.A. Section 1a), and (2) it does not constitute a “Special Entity” as such term is defined in the Commodity Exchange Act, as amended (7 U.S.C.A. Section 4s(h)(2)(C)).

 

(i) Bankruptcy Issues. The parties intend that (i) all Transactions constitute a ‘forward contract’ within the meaning of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the ‘Bankruptcy Code’) or a ‘swap agreement’ within the meaning of the Bankruptcy Code; (ii) all payments made or to be made by one party to the other party pursuant to this Agreement constitute ‘settlement payments’ within the meaning of the Bankruptcy Code; (iii) all transfers of Posted Credit Support by one party to the other party under this Agreement constitute ‘margin payments’ within the meaning of the Bankruptcy Code; and (iv) this Agreement constitutes a ‘master netting agreement’ within the meaning of the Bankruptcy Code.

 

Each party further agrees that, for purposes of this Agreement, the other party is not a ‘utility’ as such term is used in 11 U.S.C. Section 366, and each party waives and agrees not to assert the applicability of the provisions of 11 U.S.C. Section 366 in any bankruptcy proceeding wherein such party is a debtor. In any such proceeding, each party further waives the right to assert that the other party is a provider of last resort to the extent such term relates to 11 U.S.C. Section 366 or another provision of 11 U.S.C. Section 101-1532.

 

(j) GMEI/LEI Maintenance State. So long as there are any outstanding Transactions between the parties, each party agrees to obtain a GMEI/LEI number (or any successor number thereto) and keep its’ maintenance state current at all times.”

 

 39
 

 

(7) Existing Transactions. In the event that the parties have entered into Transactions prior to the date of this Agreement (as amended on August 14, 2020) (collectively, the “Prior Transactions”), the parties agree that all such Prior Transactions shall constitute Transactions under and be governed by this Agreement and subject to the security under the Intercreditor Agreement. To the extent of any conflict between the terms and provisions of the Prior Transactions and the terms and provisions of this Agreement, the terms and provisions of this Agreement shall control.

 

(8) Expenses. Each of Party A and Party B shall be responsible for its own costs and expenses (including the fees and expenses of its legal counsel) incurred in the preparation, review, execution and delivery of the Agreement, any Credit Support Document, any Confirmation and all other related documents.

 

(9) Termination. If no Transactions (or any present or future payments obligations, contingent or otherwise, thereunder) are outstanding under this Agreement, either party may terminate this Agreement upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the other party.

 

(10) Limitation of Rate. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, in no event shall the Default Rate, Non-default Rate, Termination Rate, or Applicable Deferral Rate exceed the Highest Lawful Rate. For purposes hereof, “Highest Lawful Rate” shall mean, with respect to each party, the maximum non-usurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged, or received on the subject indebtedness under the law applicable to such party.

 

(11) Severability. If any term, provision, covenant or condition of this Agreement, or the application thereof to any party or circumstance, shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable (in whole or in part) for any reason, the remaining terms, provisions, covenants, and conditions hereof will continue in full force and effect as if this Agreement had been executed with the invalid or unenforceable portion eliminated, so long as this Agreement as so modified continues to express, without material change, the original intentions of the parties as to the subject matter of this Agreement and the deletion of such portion of this Agreement will not substantially impair the respective benefits or expectations of the parties to this Agreement; provided, however, that this severability provision shall not be applicable if any provision of Section 1, 2, 5 or 6 (or any definition or provision in Section 14 to the extent it relates to, or is used in connection with any such Section) shall be so held to be invalid or unenforceable. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the prohibited or unenforceable provision with a valid provision, the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the prohibited or unenforceable provision.

 

(12) Reporting.

 

(i) Designation of Reporting Party.

 

Reporting Counterparty” means in respect of any Swap subject to the CFTC Regulations: Party A.

 

Non-Reporting Counterparty” means in respect of any Swap subject to the CFTC Regulations: Party B.

 

Party A’s GMEI/LEI number is TWQ1WATU9P8ZBX9T3I54.

 

Party B’s GMEI/LEI number is 549300MS9QJ0KPN83B63.

 

(ii) Reporting Requirements.

 

(a) In accordance with CFTC Regulation 43.3 and 45.8, the Reporting Counterparty will report all Swaps under this Agreement in accordance with Parts 43 and 45 of the CFTC Regulation. The Reporting Counterparty will provide and report to a registered SDR all of the information and data required to be reported under the CFTC Regulations with respect to the Swap and Swap Transaction Events under this Agreement.

 

 40
 

 

(b) Each party agrees that if it is the Non-Reporting Counterparty with respect to a Swap under the Agreement that is an “international swap” (as that term is defined in CFTC Regulation 45.1), it shall notify the Reporting Counterparty to such international swap, as soon as practicable and in accordance with the notice procedures set forth in this Agreement, of the (i) identity of each non-U.S. trade repository not registered with the CFTC to which the Non-Reporting Counterparty or its agent has reported the Swap, and (ii) swap identifier used by such non-U.S. trade repository to identify the Swap.

 

(c) Each party agrees that if it is the Non-Reporting Counterparty with respect to a Swap under the Agreement, then upon the occurrence of any corporate event (the meaning of “corporate event” as used in CFTC Regulation 45.1 to be reasonably determined by the Non-Reporting Counterparty unless and until the CFTC issues a specific definition of such term) with respect to the Non-Reporting Counterparty that is also a “life cycle event” (as that term is defined in CFTC Regulation 45.1) in respect of that Swap, the Non-Reporting Counterparty will as soon as practicable, but not later than 10:00 a.m. on the second “business day” (as that term is defined in CFTC Regulation 45.1) following the day on which such life cycle event occurs, notify the Reporting Counterparty of the occurrence of such life cycle event with sufficient detail regarding such life cycle event to allow the Reporting Counterparty to comply with any reporting requirements imposed by the CFTC Regulations.

 

(d) The Non-Reporting Party agrees to timely provide the Reporting Party with all necessary information as may be reasonably requested by the Reporting Party to comply with CFTC Regulations. Both parties agree that, notwithstanding any confidentiality or similar agreement or requirement, the Reporting Party may provide any and all information required by the CFTC or as required by an SDR. Notwithstanding anything herein, both parties waive any right of confidentiality that would otherwise bar such disclosure to the CFTC or an SDR.

 

(e) If the Non-Reporting Party elects the exception to the clearing requirement under Section 2(h)(7)(A) of the Commodity Exchange Act, the Non-Reporting Party shall make an annual filing with the CFTC of all information required to be reported under CFTC Regulation 50.50(b)(1)(iii), as permitted by CFTC Regulation 50.50(b)(2). The Non-Reporting Party shall provide the Reporting Party with a copy of such annual report promptly upon request.

 

(f) In the event that either party is required to register as a Swap Dealer as defined in CFTC Regulation 1.3(ggg) or Major Swap Participant as defined in CFTC Regulation 1.3(hhh), or becomes a Financial Entity as defined Section 2(h)(7)(C)(i)(VIII) of the Commodity Exchange Act, such party shall promptly inform the other of the status change and shall automatically become the Reporting Party.

 

(iii) For purposes of this Part 5(12):

 

CFTC Regulations” means the rules, regulations, orders and interpretations published or issued by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”).

 

GMEI/LEI” means a “legal entity identifier” satisfying the requirements of CFTC Regulation 45.6 or such other entity identifier as shall be provided by the CFTC pending the availability of such legal entity identifiers.

 

SDR” means a “swap data repository” as defined in Section 1a(48) of the CEA and the CFTC Regulations.

 

Swap” means a “swap” as defined in the Section 1a(47) of the CEA and CFTC Regulation 1.3(xxx). The term “Swap” also includes any foreign exchange swaps and foreign exchange forwards that may be exempted from regulation as “swaps” by the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury pursuant to authority granted by Section 1a(47)(E) of the CEA.

 

 41
 

 

Swap Transaction Event” means the execution of a new Swap Transaction between the parties or any material amendment, mutual unwind or novation of an existing Swap Transaction between the parties under this Agreement (including, without limitation, any “life cycle event” (as that term is defined in CFTC Regulation 45.1) relating to a Swap Transaction).

 

(13) Party B Intercreditor Representations. Party B represents and warrants to Party A, at all times during the term of this Agreement, that (i) payment of all obligations owed by Party B to Party A under this Agreement (including all Transactions hereunder, including all Transactions entered into on or prior to the date of this Amendment), to the extent such payment constitutes “Debt” (as defined in the Credit Agreement), is permitted Indebtedness under Section 9.02 of the Credit Agreement, (ii) Party A is an Approved Counterparty and Secured Swap Provider under the Credit Agreement, (iii) this Agreement is a Secured Swap Agreement under the Credit Agreement, (iv) Party A is a Secured Party under the Security Instruments and (v) this Agreement and all Transactions are Acceptable Swap Agreements under the Intercreditor Agreement and meet the requirements of Section 9.17 of the Credit Agreement.

 

PART 6

 

Commodity Derivatives Transactions

Market Disruption Events and Disruption Fallbacks

 

(1) Disruption Fallback. The definition of “Fallback Reference Dealers” in the Commodity Definitions shall be deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

 

““Fallback Reference Dealers” means that: the Relevant Price will be determined and calculated as set forth in the definition “Commodity-Reference Dealers” (provided that, if the basis that the Specified Price for a Transaction is determined on an hourly basis, all references to Pricing Date shall be read as Pricing Hour) except that each party shall select, in good faith, a price quote from at least two (2) independent, impartial and unaffiliated Reference Dealers in the relevant market which satisfy all the criteria that a party applies generally at the time in deciding whether to offer or to make an extension of credit or to enter into a transaction comparable to the Transaction that is affected by the Market Disruption Event, and shall obtain such quotes within six (6) Business Days of the Market Disruption Event. The Relevant Price shall be the arithmetic mean of the prices so obtained, and such calculation shall be binding and conclusive absent manifest error even if one party was able to obtain only one quote or no quotes within the time provided. However, if the parties have not obtained at least two (2) prices in total on or before the sixth Business Day following the first Pricing Date on which the Market Disruption Event occurred or existed, the next applicable Disruption Fallback will apply to the Transaction.”

 

Subject to the change in paragraph above, Section 7.5(d)(i) of the 2005 Commodity Definitions shall be applicable to all Transactions unless specified in a confirmation.

 

 42
 

  

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the parties have executed this Agreement through their authorized representatives with effect from the date specified on the first page of this Schedule.

 

NextEra Energy Marketing, LLC   U.S. Energy Corp.
         
         
By: /s/ Craig Shapiro   By: /s/ Ryan Smith
         
Name: Craig Shapiro   Name: Ryan Smith
         
Title: Vice President   Title: CEO
         
Date: January 5, 2022   Date: January 5, 2022

 

EXHIBIT I FORM OF NEXTERA ENERGY CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC. GUARANTY

 

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EXHIBIT I

 

GUARANTY

 

THIS GUARANTY (this “Guaranty”), dated as of January 5, 2022 (the “Effective Date”), is made by NEXTERA ENERGY CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC. (“Guarantor”), in favor of U.S. ENERGY CORP. (“Counterparty”).

 

RECITALS:

 

A. WHEREAS, Counterparty and Guarantor’s indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary NEXTERA ENERGY MARKETING, LLC (“Obligor”) have entered into, or concurrently herewith are entering into, that certain ISDA Master Agreement dated as of January 5, 2022 (the “Underlying Agreement”); and
   
B. WHEREAS, Counterparty and Obligor may from time to time enter into one or more transactions pursuant and subject to the terms of the Underlying Agreement (the “Transactions”), which Transactions would be evidenced by one or more confirmations entered into by Obligor and Counterparty in accordance with the Underlying Agreement (which documentation shall, together with the Underlying Agreement, collectively be referred to hereinafter as the “Agreement”); and
   
C. WHEREAS, Guarantor will directly or indirectly benefit from the Transactions to be entered into between Obligor and Counterparty pursuant to the Agreement.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and as an inducement for Counterparty’s execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, Guarantor hereby agrees for the benefit of Counterparty as follows:

 

1. GUARANTY. Subject to the terms and provisions hereof, Guarantor hereby absolutely and irrevocably guarantees the timely payment when due of all obligations owing by Obligor to Counterparty arising pursuant to the Agreement on or after the Effective Date (the “Obligations”). This Guaranty shall constitute a guarantee of payment and not of collection. The liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be subject to the following limitations:

 

(a) Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Agreement to the contrary, the maximum aggregate obligation and liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty, and the maximum recovery from Guarantor under this Guaranty, shall in no event exceed __________________ U.S. Dollars (U.S. $__________) (the “Maximum Recovery Amount”).
   
(b) The obligation and liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty is specifically limited to payments expressly required to be made under the Agreement, as well as costs of collection and enforcement of this Guaranty (including attorney’s fees) to the extent reasonably and actually incurred by the Counterparty (subject in all instances, to the limitations imposed by the Maximum Recovery Amount as specified in Section 1(a) above). In no event, however, shall Guarantor be liable for or obligated to pay any consequential, indirect, incidental, lost profit, special, exemplary, punitive, equitable or tort damages.

 

2. DEMANDS AND PAYMENT.

 

(a) If Obligor fails to pay any Obligation to Counterparty when such Obligation is due and owing under the Agreement (an “Overdue Obligation”), Counterparty may present a written demand to Guarantor calling for Guarantor’s payment of such Overdue Obligation pursuant to this Guaranty (a “Payment Demand”).
   
(b)

Guarantor’s obligation hereunder to pay any particular Overdue Obligation(s) to Counterparty is conditioned upon Guarantor’s receipt of a Payment Demand from Counterparty satisfying the following requirements: (i) such Payment Demand must identify the specific Overdue Obligation(s) covered by such demand, the specific date(s) upon which such Overdue Obligation(s) became due and owing under the Agreement, and the specific provision(s) of the Agreement pursuant to which such Overdue Obligation(s) became due and owing; (ii) such Payment Demand must be delivered to Guarantor in accordance with Section 9 below; and (iii) the specific Overdue Obligation(s) addressed by such Payment Demand must remain due and unpaid at the time of such delivery to Guarantor.

 

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(c) After issuing a Payment Demand in accordance with the requirements specified in Section 2(b) above, Counterparty shall not be required to issue any further notices or make any further demands with respect to the Overdue Obligation(s) specified in that Payment Demand, and Guarantor shall be required to make payment with respect to the Overdue Obligation(s) specified in that Payment Demand within five (5) Business Days after Guarantor receives such demand. As used herein, the term “Business Day” shall mean all weekdays (i.e., Monday through Friday) other than any weekdays during which commercial banks or financial institutions are authorized to be closed to the public in the State of Florida or the State of New York.

 

3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Guarantor represents and warrants that:

 

(a) it is a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of Florida and has the corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and carry out the terms and provisions of the Guaranty;
   
(b) no authorization, approval, consent or order of, or registration or filing with, any court or other governmental body having jurisdiction over Guarantor is required on the part of Guarantor for the execution and delivery of this Guaranty; and
   
(c) this Guaranty constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of Guarantor, enforceable against Guarantor in accordance with the terms hereof, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity.

 

4. RESERVATION OF CERTAIN DEFENSES. Without limiting Guarantor’s own defenses and rights hereunder, Guarantor reserves to itself all rights, setoffs, counterclaims and other defenses to which Obligor is or may be entitled arising from or out of the Agreement, except for defenses (if any) based upon the bankruptcy, insolvency, dissolution or liquidation of Obligor or any lack of power or authority of Obligor to enter into and/or perform the Agreement.

 

If and to the extent that, as of any particular time, there are Obligations which are then due and payable but unpaid, Guarantor shall postpone and subordinate in favor of Counterparty any and all subrogation rights which Guarantor may then have arising from any payments made by Guarantor hereunder to (a) assert any claim against Obligor or (b) proceed against any property of Obligor. Upon payment of such due and unpaid Obligations, Counterparty agrees that Guarantor shall be subrogated to the rights of Counterparty against Obligor to the extent of Guarantor’s payment to Counterparty.

 

5. AMENDMENT OF GUARANTY. No term or provision of this Guaranty shall be amended, modified, altered, waived or supplemented except in a writing signed by Guarantor and Counterparty.

 

6. WAIVERS AND CONSENTS. Subject to and in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Guaranty:

 

(a) Except as required in Section 2 above, Guarantor hereby waives (i) notice of acceptance of this Guaranty; (ii) presentment and demand concerning the liabilities of Guarantor; and (iii) any right to require that any action or proceeding be brought against Obligor or any other person, or to require that Counterparty seek enforcement of any performance against Obligor or any other person, prior to any action against Guarantor under the terms hereof.

 

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(b) No delay by Counterparty in the exercise of (or failure by Counterparty to exercise) any rights hereunder shall operate as a waiver of such rights, a waiver of any other rights or a release of Guarantor from its obligations hereunder (with the understanding, however, that the foregoing shall not be deemed to constitute a waiver by Guarantor of any rights or defenses which Guarantor may at any time have pursuant to or in connection with any applicable statutes of limitation).
   
(c) Subject to Section 4 above, the liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty shall be absolute, irrevocable and (except as required in Section 2 above) unconditional irrespective of: (i) with respect to Obligor, any defect or deficiency in the Agreement or any other documents executed in connection with the Agreement; (ii) any modification, extension or waiver of any of the terms of the Agreement; (iii) any change in the manner, place or terms for payment of all or any of the Obligations (including renewals, extensions or other alterations of the Obligations) or any other amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from the Agreement or any other agreement or instrument executed in connection therewith; (iv) any release of any person (other than Obligor or Guarantor) from liability for payment of all or any of the Obligations, or any sale, exchange release or non-perfection of any property standing as security for the liabilities hereby guaranteed or any liabilities incurred directly or indirectly hereunder or any setoff against any of said liabilities, or any release or amendment or waiver of or consent to departure from any other guaranty, for all or any of the Obligations; (v) except as to applicable statutes of limitation, the failure, omission, delay, waiver or refusal by Counterparty to exercise, in whole or in part, any right or remedy held by Counterparty with respect to the Agreement or any transaction under the Agreement; or (vi) any change in the existence, structure or ownership of Guarantor or Obligor, or any bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, receivership, or similar proceeding affecting Obligor or its assets.

 

7. REINSTATEMENT. Guarantor agrees that this Guaranty shall continue to be effective or shall be reinstated, as the case may be, if all or any part of any payment made hereunder is at any time avoided or rescinded or must otherwise be restored or repaid by Counterparty as a result of the bankruptcy or insolvency of Obligor, all as though such payments had not been made.

 

8. TERMINATION. Guarantor may terminate this Guaranty by providing a written termination notice to Counterparty specifying the date upon which such termination will take effect (provided that no such termination shall take effect prior to 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Prevailing Time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the termination notice has been delivered to Counterparty in accordance with Section 9 hereof). Upon the effectiveness of such termination, Guarantor shall have no further liability hereunder, except as may pertain pursuant to the last sentence of this paragraph. No such termination shall affect Guarantor’s liability with respect to any Obligations arising under any Transactions entered into prior to the time such termination is effective, which Obligations shall remain subject to this Guaranty.

 

Unless terminated earlier, this Guaranty and the Guarantor’s obligations hereunder will terminate automatically and immediately at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Prevailing Time on _____________, 20__; provided, however, that no such termination shall affect Guarantor’s liability with respect to any Obligations arising under any Transactions entered into prior to the time the termination is effective, which Obligations shall remain subject to this Guaranty.

 

9. NOTICE. Any Payment Demand, notice, request, instruction, correspondence or other document to be given hereunder (herein collectively called “Notice”) by Counterparty to Guarantor, or by Guarantor to Counterparty, as applicable, shall be in writing and may be delivered either by (i) U.S. certified mail with postage prepaid and return receipt requested, or (ii) recognized nationwide courier service with delivery receipt requested, in either case to be delivered to the following address (or to such other U.S. address as may be specified via Notice provided by Guarantor or Counterparty, as applicable, to the other in accordance with the requirements of this Section 9):

 

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TO GUARANTOR: *   TO COUNTERPARTY:

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc.

700 Universe Blvd.

Juno Beach, Florida 33408

Attn: Treasurer

 

U.S. Energy Corp.

12081 W. Alameda Pkwy, Ste. 440

Lakewood, Colorado 80228

Attn: Reid Bundgard

[Tel: (561) 694-6204 — for use in connection with courier deliveries]   [Tel 303-489-3110 for use in connection with courier deliveries]

 

* (NOTE: Copies of any Notices to Guarantor under this Guaranty shall also be sent via facsimile to ATTN: Contracts Group, Legal, Fax No. (561) 625-7504 and ATTN: Credit Department, Fax No. (561) 625-7642. However, such facsimile transmissions shall not be deemed effective for delivery purposes under this Guaranty.)

 

Any Notice given in accordance with this Section 9 will (i) if delivered during the recipient’s normal business hours on any given Business Day, be deemed received by the designated recipient on such date, and (ii) if not delivered during the recipient’s normal business hours on any given Business Day, be deemed received by the designated recipient at the start of the recipient’s normal business hours on the next Business Day after such delivery.

 

10. MISCELLANEOUS.
   
(a) This Guaranty shall in all respects be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York, without regard to principles of conflicts of laws thereunder (other than Sections 5-1401 and 5-1402 of the New York General Obligations Law).
   
(b) This Guaranty shall be binding upon Guarantor and its successors and permitted assigns and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Counterparty and its successors and permitted assigns. Guarantor may not assign this Guaranty in part or in whole without the prior written consent of Counterparty. Counterparty may not assign its rights or benefits under this Guaranty in part or in whole without the prior written consent of Guarantor.
   
(c) This Guaranty embodies the entire agreement and understanding between Guarantor and Counterparty and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
   
(d) The headings in this Guaranty are for purposes of reference only, and shall not affect the meaning hereof. Words importing the singular number hereunder shall include the plural number and vice versa, and any pronouns used herein shall be deemed to cover all genders. The term “person” as used herein means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated association, or government (or any agency or political subdivision thereof).
   
(e) Wherever possible, any provision in this Guaranty which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any one jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
   
(f) Counterparty (by its acceptance of this Guaranty) and Guarantor each hereby irrevocably: (i) consents and submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, or if that court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County (without prejudice to the right of any party to remove to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York) for the purposes of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of this Guaranty or the subject matter hereof or any of the transactions contemplated hereby brought by Counterparty, Guarantor or their respective successors or assigns; and (ii) waives (to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law) and agrees not to assert any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that this Guaranty or the subject matter hereof may not be enforced in or by such court; provided that nothing in this Section 10(f) shall prohibit Counterparty from bringing an action to enforce a money judgment in any other jurisdiction.

 

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(g) COUNTERPARTY (BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF THIS GUARANTY) AND GUARANTOR EACH HEREBY IRREVOCABLY, INTENTIONALLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING BASED ON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS GUARANTY OR THE AGREEMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF ANY PERSON RELATING HERETO OR THERETO. THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO GUARANTOR’S EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS GUARANTY.
   
(h) Delivery of an executed signature page of this Guaranty, and any subsequent amendment(s), by facsimile transmission or other electronic transmission (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed signature page hereof.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Guarantor has executed this Guaranty on __________, 2022, but it is effective as of the Effective Date.

 

  NEXTERA ENERGY CAPITAL HOLDINGS, INC.
     
  By:  
  Name:  
  Title:  

 

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Exhibit 99.1

 

 

U.S. Energy Corp. Announces Closing of Transformative Acquisitions

 

HOUSTON, TX – January 10, 2022 — U.S. Energy Corp. (NASDAQCM: USEG) (“U.S. Energy” or the “Company”) today announced the successful closing, on January 5, 2022, of the previously announced transactions to purchase certain oil and gas assets (the “Acquired Assets”) from Lubbock Energy Partners LLC, Synergy Offshore LLC, and certain entities controlled by Sage Road Capital, LLC (collectively, the “Sellers” and the “Transactions”). The Acquired Assets represent an operated portfolio of low decline, oil weighted assets across the Rockies, West Texas, Eagle Ford, and Mid-Continent. The acquisitions create a diversified, low leverage, free cash flow generating U.S. independent oil and natural gas company focused on continued consolidation.

 

U.S. Energy issued an aggregate of 19,905,736 shares of common stock (representing 81.0% of the Company’s post-transaction outstanding common stock), paid $1.25 million of cash, and assumed $3.5 million of indebtedness from the Sellers as part of the Transactions, equating to total consideration of $72.4 million. The issuance of the shares of common stock in connection with the Transactions was approved by the shareholders of the Company at the special meeting of shareholders held on January 4, 2022.

 

John Weinzierl, Chairman of U.S. Energy, said, “The successful completion of the Transactions creates a Company well positioned to be a primary platform for industry consolidation. Going forward, U.S. Energy is expected to experience a lower cost of capital, a strengthened balance sheet, and enhanced ESG capabilities, all while continuing to grow our consolidation model. We believe that this combination puts the Company on the path of sustainable free cash flow and capital returns, and I look forward to working with our Board, senior management, and talented team members as we execute our plan going forward to maximize value for all U.S. Energy shareholders.”

 

Ryan Smith, Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Energy, said, “We appreciate the strong approval of U.S. Energy’s shareholders, which we view as confirmation of the strategic advantages of the Transactions. The Transactions will drive immediate significant cash flow and create a diversified platform with scale to continue consolidating assets in the current market environment. As we begin 2022, we have made great strides in building a diversified, low leverage platform and remain committed to providing strong capital returns for all shareholders.”

 

Combined Company Overview:

 

Positions U.S. Energy to be a low-cost consolidator through increased scale, a strong balance sheet, improved access to lower cost capital, a proven management team, and a bolstered Board.
   
October 1, 2021 estimated internal Proved Developed Producing (“PDP”) PV-10 reserves of $132.6 million at strip pricing as of January 6, 2022.
   
October 1, 2021 estimated internal PDP reserves of 6,305 Mboe (80% oil).
   
Company expected to immediately generate meaningful free cash flow.
   
Strong liquidity position of approximately $15.0 million and zero net debt.

 

 

 

 

U.S. Energy Senior Leadership and Board of Directors

 

As previously announced, Company management will be led by Ryan Smith who will continue to serve as Chief Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors. John Weinzierl will serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors. As part of the transaction, the U.S. Energy Board of Directors increased from five to seven members, including Mr. Weinzierl as Chairman, Mr. Duane King, and Mr. Joshua Batchelor, and four legacy Directors from U.S. Energy, including Mr. Smith.

 

New Revolving Credit Facility

 

Concurrent with the closing of the Transactions, the Company entered into a new four-year $100 million senior secured credit facility with an initial borrowing base of $15.0 million (the “New Credit Facility”). The Company will initially have $3.5 million outstanding on the New Credit Facility, representing the assumed indebtedness from the Transactions. The New Credit Facility’s opening effective interest rate is expected to be 3.75% per annum. Further details on the New Credit Facility and the Transactions can be found in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K which the Company filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2022 Guidance

 

The Company plans to release its 2022 guidance forecast in the first quarter of 2022.

 

About U.S. Energy Corp.

 

We are a growth focused energy company engaged in operating a portfolio of mature, low decline assets that is expected to allow us to execute on a peer-leading capital returns program to shareholders. More information about U.S. Energy Corp. can be found at www.usnrg.com.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain of the matters discussed in this communication which are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “strategy,” “expects,” “continues,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “would,” “will,” “estimates,” “intends,” “projects,” “goals,” “targets” and other words of similar meaning are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements.

 

Important factors that may cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, risks associated with the integration of the Acquired Assets; the Company’s ability to recognize the expected benefits of the acquisitions and the risk that the expected benefits and synergies of the acquisition may not be fully achieved in a timely manner, or at all; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the acquisitions; the Company’s ability to comply with the terms of its senior credit facilities; potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement of the purchase and sale agreements; the ability of the Company to retain and hire key personnel; uncertainty as to the long-term value of the common stock of the Company following the closing of the purchase and sale agreements; the business, economic and political conditions in the markets in which the Company operates; fluctuations in oil and natural gas prices, uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of oil and natural gas reserves and projecting future rates of production and timing of development activities; competition; operating risks; acquisition risks; liquidity and capital requirements; the effects of governmental regulation; adverse changes in the market for the Company’s oil and natural gas production; dependence upon third-party vendors; risks associated with COVID-19, the global efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, potential downturns in the U.S. and global economies due to COVID-19 and the efforts to stop the spread of the virus, and COVID-19 in general; the lack of capital available on acceptable terms to finance the Company’s continued growth; and other risk factors included from time to time in documents U.S. Energy files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, its Form 10-Ks, Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks. Other important factors that may cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements included in this communication are described in the Company’s publicly filed reports, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 and the definitive proxy statement relating to the Transactions as filed with the SEC on November 9, 2021. These reports and filings are available at www.sec.gov.

 

 

 

 

The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not complete. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or any person acting on behalf of any Sale Agreement Parties are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements referenced above. Other unknown or unpredictable factors also could have material adverse effects on U.S. Energy’s future results. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. U.S. Energy cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Finally, U.S. Energy undertakes no obligation to update these statements after the date of this release, except as required by law, and takes no obligation to update or correct information prepared by third parties that are not paid for by U.S. Energy. If we update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be drawn that we will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

 

Reserve Information

 

Reserve engineering is a process of estimating underground accumulations of oil and natural gas that cannot be measured in an exact way. The accuracy of any reserve estimate depends on the quality of available data, the interpretation of such data and price and cost assumptions made by reservoir engineers. In addition, the results of drilling, testing and production activities may justify revisions of estimates that were made previously. If significant, such revisions would change the schedule of any further production and development drilling. In addition, the results of drilling, testing and production activities may justify revisions of estimates that were made previously. If significant, such revisions could impact the Company’s strategy and change the schedule of any further production and development drilling. Accordingly, reserve estimates may differ significantly from the quantities of oil and natural gas that are ultimately recovered and/or as disclosed herein.

 

The reserves and PV-10 estimates discussed herein are based on an internal reserves report prepared on October 1, 2021, with estimated valuation information based on “Strip Pricing” (commodity prices based on NYMEX, Henry Hub and WTI futures prices) as of January 6, 2022. We believe that the use of Strip Pricing provides useful information about our reserves, as the forward prices are based on the market’s forward-looking expectations of oil and natural gas prices as of a certain date. Strip prices are not necessarily a projection of future oil and natural gas prices or the values we may receive for the sale of oil and gas. PV-10 is also not a substitute for the Standardized Measure of discounted future net cash flows. Neither PV-10 nor the Standardized Measure purport to represent the fair value of our oil and natural gas reserves.

 

Corporate Contact:

 

U.S. Energy Corp.

Ryan Smith

Chief Executive Officer

(303) 993-3200

www.usnrg.com

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.2