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): June 20, 2017
NBLXUPDATEDLOGOA04.JPG  

NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Delaware
 
001-37640
 
47-3011449
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
Commission
File Number
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
1001 Noble Energy Way,
Houston, Texas
 
 
 
77070
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
 
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (281) 872-3100
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in 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 ý
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.
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Item 1.01. Entry Into a Material Definitive Agreement.
Contribution Agreement
On June 20, 2017, Noble Midstream Partners LP (the “Partnership”) entered into a Contribution Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”) by and among the Partnership, Noble Midstream GP LLC, the general partner of the Partnership (the “General Partner”), Noble Midstream Services, LLC (“Midstream Services”), NBL Midstream, LLC (“NBL Midstream”), a subsidiary of Noble Energy, Inc. (“Noble”) and Blanco River DevCo GP LLC (“Blanco River DevCo GP”). Pursuant to the terms of the Contribution Agreement, the Partnership agreed to acquire from NBL Midstream (i) the remaining 20% limited partner interest in Colorado River DevCo LP and (ii) a 15% limited partner interest in Blanco River DevCo LP (collectively, (i) and (ii) are referred to herein as the “Contributed Assets”). In consideration for the acquisition of the Contributed Assets, the Partnership agreed to pay NBL Midstream total aggregate consideration of $270 million, consisting of (i) consideration of $245 million in cash and (ii) 562,430 common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“Common Units”) issued to NBL Midstream (the “Transaction”). The Transaction closed on June 26, 2017. The Partnership funded the cash component of the consideration with a combination of borrowings under the Partnership’s existing credit facility and cash proceeds from the private placement described below. The Partnership now owns 100% of the interests in Colorado River DevCo LP and a 40% general partner interest in Blanco River DevCo LP.
The Contribution Agreement includes customary representations and warranties regarding the Partnership, the General Partner, Midstream Services, Blanco River DevCo GP and the Transaction, as well as customary covenants and indemnity provisions. The parties have agreed to indemnify each other for any breaches of their respective representations, warranties and covenants set forth in the Contribution Agreement.
The terms of the Transaction were approved on behalf of the Partnership by the Board of Directors of the General Partner, after the Conflicts Committee of the Board of Directors of the General Partner (the “Conflicts Committee”) unanimously recommended that the Board of Directors of the General Partner approve the Transaction. The Conflicts Committee, composed of independent members of the Board of Directors of the General Partner, retained legal and financial advisors to assist it in evaluating and negotiating the Transaction. In approving the Transaction, the Conflicts Committee based its decisions in part on an opinion from its independent financial advisor that the total consideration to be paid by the Partnership in connection with the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Partnership and to holders of the Partnership’s Common Units other than Noble Energy, Inc. and its affiliates.    
Unit Purchase Agreement
On June 20, 2017, the Partnership entered into a Common Unit Purchase Agreement (the “Unit Purchase Agreement”) with certain institutional investors (the “Investors”) to sell 3,525,000 Common Units in a private placement for gross proceeds of approximately $143 million (the “Private Placement”). The closing of the Private Placement occurred on June 26, 2017. The Common Units were issued in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), for an exemption from the registration requirements of Section 5 of the Securities Act. The net proceeds of the Private Placement were used to fund a portion of the cash consideration paid to NBL Midstream in connection with the Transaction described above.
Barclays Capital Inc., BofA Merrill Lynch and Mizuho Securities USA LLC acted as lead placement agents in connection with the Private Placement. Citigroup Global Markets Inc., DNB Markets, Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and MUFG Securities Americas Inc. also acted as placement agents in connection with the Private Placement.
The Unit Purchase Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants of the Partnership and the Investors. The Partnership, on the one hand, and each of the Investors (severally and not jointly), on the other hand, have agreed to indemnify each other and their respective affiliates, officers, directors and other representatives against certain losses resulting from any breach of their representations, warranties or covenants contained in the Unit Purchase Agreement, subject to certain limitations and survival periods.
Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the closing of the Private Placement, the Partnership and the Investors entered into a Registration Rights Agreement on June 26, 2017. Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Partnership is required to file a registration statement (the “Registration Statement”) to register for public resale the 3,525,000 Common Units sold to the Investors under the Unit Purchase Agreement, as well as any Common Units issued in lieu of cash as liquidated damages as described below, no later than July 26, 2017, and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become effective on the filing date or as soon as practicable thereafter. If the Registration Statement is not declared effective by September 24, 2017, the Partnership will be liable to each Investor for liquidated damages as calculated in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement.





In addition, if the Partnership sells any Common Units in a registered underwritten offering, each Investor that holds $30 million or more of Common Units purchased in the Private Placement will have the right, subject to specified limitations, to include its Common Units in that offering. Investors that participate in the underwritten offering are subject to a pro rata cutback of registrable Common Units to be included in the offering if the managing underwriters determine that a limitation is needed on the total number of shares offered.
The Partnership has also agreed to indemnify each Investor for certain violations of federal or state securities laws in connection with any registration statement in which such Investor sells its Common Units pursuant to these registration rights. Each Investor has, in turn, agreed to indemnify the Partnership for federal or state securities law violations that occur in reliance upon written information it provides to the Partnership for inclusion in the registration statement.
The above descriptions of the Contribution Agreement, the Unit Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement are summaries only and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of those agreements, which are filed as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 4.1, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference. The Contribution Agreement, the Unit Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement are filed herewith to provide investors with information regarding their respective terms. They are not intended to provide any other factual information about the parties. In particular, the assertions embodied in the representations and warranties contained in each agreement were made as of the date of such agreement. Moreover, certain representations and warranties in each agreement may have been used for the purpose of allocating risk between the parties rather than establishing matters of fact. Accordingly, you should not rely on the representations and warranties in any of the Contribution Agreement, the Unit Purchase Agreement or the Registration Rights Agreement as characterizations of the actual statements of fact about the parties.
Relationships
Each of the parties to the Contribution Agreement is a direct or indirect subsidiary of Noble. As a result, certain individuals, including officers of Noble and officers and directors of the General Partner, serve as officers and/or directors of one or more of such entities. As of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K, after giving effect to the transactions described herein, NBL Midstream owns 2,090,014 Common Units and 15,902,584 subordinated units of the Partnership (“Subordinated Units”), collectively representing a 50.1% limited partner interest in the Partnership based on the number of Common Units and Subordinated Units outstanding as the date hereof. NBL Midstream also owns a noneconomic general partner interest in the Partnership and all of the Partnership’s incentive distribution rights through its ownership of the General Partner.
Noble or its subsidiaries are party to various gathering, service and revenue agreements with the Partnership or its subsidiaries for the provision of midstream services. In addition, Noble is our largest customer and we derive substantially all of our revenue from Noble.
Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
To the extent required, the information regarding the Transaction set forth under Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.02 Sale of Unregistered Units.
The information regarding the Transaction and the Private Placement set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing transactions were undertaken in reliance upon the exemption from the registration requirements in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The Partnership believes that exemptions other than the foregoing exemption may exist for these transactions.
Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
On June 21, 2017, the Partnership issued two press releases relating to the Transaction and the Private Placement, which are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated herein by reference.
The information included in Item 7.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or otherwise subject to liabilities of that section.





Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits.
 
2.1
Contribution Agreement, dated June 20, 2017, by and among the Partnership, Noble Midstream GP LLC, Noble Midstream Services, LLC, NBL Midstream, LLC and Blanco River DevCo GP LLC.
 
4.1
Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 26, 2017, by and among the Partnership and the Purchasers named therein.
 
10.1
Common Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2017, by and among the Partnership and the Purchasers named therein.
 
99.1
Press Release dated June 21, 2017 relating to the Private Placement.
 
99.2
Press Release dated June 21, 2017 relating to the Transaction.






SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Partnership has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP
 
 
 
 
By: Noble Midstream GP, LLC,
       Its General Partner
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
June 26, 2017
 
 
By: 
 
/s/ John F. Bookout, IV
 
 
 
 
 
 
John F. Bookout, IV
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer





INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
 
 
 
Exhibit No.
  
Description
 
 
2.1
  
Contribution Agreement, dated June 20, 2017, by and among the Partnership, Noble Midstream GP LLC, Noble Midstream Services, LLC, NBL Midstream, LLC and Blanco River DevCo GP LLC.
4.1
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated June 26, 2017, by and among the Partnership and the Purchasers named therein.
10.1
 
Common Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2017, by and among the Partnership and the Purchasers named therein.
99.1
 
Press Release dated June 21, 2017 relating to the Private Placement.
99.2
 
Press Release dated June 21, 2017 relating to the Transaction.





Exhibit 2.1
CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
This CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT , dated as of June 20, 2017 (this “ Agreement ”), is by and among NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP , a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), NOBLE MIDSTREAM GP LLC , a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Partnership (the “ General Partner ”), NOBLE MIDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“ Midstream Services ”), NBL MIDSTREAM, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (“ NBL Midstream ”), and BLANCO RIVER DEVCO GP LLC , a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Midstream Services (“ Blanco River DevCo GP ”) (each, a “ Party ” and collectively, the “ Parties ”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS , Colorado River DevCo GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Midstream Services (“ Colorado River DevCo GP ”), owns an 80% general partner interest in Colorado River DevCo LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Colorado River DevCo ”), and NBL Midstream owns a 20% limited partner interest in Colorado River DevCo;
WHEREAS , Blanco River DevCo GP owns a 25% general partner interest in Blanco River DevCo LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Blanco River DevCo ”), and NBL Midstream owns a 75% limited partner interest in Blanco River DevCo;
WHEREAS , in connection with the Closing (as defined below), NBL Midstream desires to contribute, assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Midstream Services, and Midstream Services desires to receive, accept and acquire from NBL Midstream, (i) a 20% limited partner interest in Colorado River DevCo (the “ Colorado River Interest ”) and (ii) a 15% limited partner interest in Blanco River DevCo (the “ Blanco River Interest ”), and in exchange, the Partnership desires to deliver, or cause to be delivered, to NBL Midstream or its designee(s) the Total Consideration (as defined below), all in accordance with the terms of this Agreement (the “ Transaction ”);
WHEREAS ,
(a)
the Conflicts Committee (the “ Conflicts Committee ”) of the Board of Directors of the General Partner (the “ Board of Directors ”) has previously:
i.
received an opinion (the “ Fairness Opinion ”) of Evercore Group L.L.C., the financial advisor to the Conflicts Committee (the “ Financial Advisor ”), that the Total Consideration to be paid by the Partnership in connection with the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Partnership and to the holders of the Partnership’s Common Units other than Noble Energy, Inc., and its Affiliates (collectively, the “ Public Unitholders ”);




ii.
after an evaluation of, among other things, the Transaction, the Fairness Opinion and the proposed terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents (as defined below), determined in good faith that the Transaction is not adverse to the interests of the Partnership and the Public Unitholders;
iii.
unanimously approved the Transaction and the Transaction Documents upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Transaction Documents, such approval constituting “ Special Approval ” for purposes of the Partnership Agreement (as defined below); and
iv.
unanimously recommended that the Board of Directors (A) approve the Transaction and the Transaction Documents upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Transaction Documents and (B) cause the Partnership or its designee(s) to enter into the Transaction Documents and consummate the Transaction upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Transaction Documents; and
(b)
subsequently, the Board of Directors approved the Transaction, the Transaction Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Transaction Documents; and
WHEREAS , the Parties have taken or caused to be taken all limited liability company or limited partnership action, as applicable, required to approve the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and the covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms below:
Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, Controls, is Controlled by or is under common Control with such specified Person through one or more intermediaries or otherwise; provided, however , that (a) with respect to NBL Midstream and the General Partner, the term “Affiliate” shall not include any Group Member and (b) with respect to the Partnership Group, the term “Affiliate” shall not include NBL Midstream, the General Partner or any of their Subsidiaries (other than a Group Member).
Agreement ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.

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Assignment Agreement ” means that certain Limited Partner Interest Assignment Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto.
Assumed Liabilities ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3 .
Blanco River DevCo ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Blanco River DevCo GP ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Blanco River Interest ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Blanco River Partnership Agreement ” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Blanco River DevCo, dated as of September 20, 2016.
Board of Directors ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Business Day ” means a day other than Saturday, Sunday or any day on which banks located in the State of New York are authorized or obligated to close.
Cap ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.8(a) .
Cash Consideration ” means an amount of cash equal to $245,000,000.
Closing ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 .
Closing Date ” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1 .
Code ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(c) .
Colorado River DevCo ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Colorado River DevCo GP ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Colorado River Interest ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Colorado River Partnership Agreement ” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Colorado River DevCo, dated as of September 20, 2016.
Common Unit ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.
Conflicts Committee ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Conflicts Committee Information ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.6 .
Consent ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.4 .
Control ” means, where used with respect to any Person, the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such

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Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “Controlling” and “Controlled” have correlative meanings.
Damages ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1 .
Deductible ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.8 .
DRULPA ” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, 6 Del C. Section 17-101, et seq ., as amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, and any successor to such statute.
Effective Time ” means 12:01 a.m. local time in Houston, Texas on the Closing Date, or such other time and date mutually agreed to by the Parties in writing.
Fairness Opinion ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Financial Advisor ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Financing ” means the arrangement of any capital markets debt or equity financing, any bank debt, or any other financing arrangement necessary or desirable to fund the Cash Consideration and any other amounts required to be paid in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including any necessary offering documents related thereto.
General Partner ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Governmental Authority ” means (a) the United States of America or any state or political subdivision thereof within the United States of America and (b) any court or any governmental or administrative department, commission, board, bureau or agency of the United States of America or of any state or political subdivision thereof within the United States of America.
Group Member ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.
Indemnity Claim ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.3 .
Liability ” or “ Liabilities ” means any direct or indirect liability, indebtedness, obligation, cost, expense, claim, loss, damage, deficiency, guaranty or endorsement of or by any Person, absolute or contingent, matured or unmatured, asserted or unasserted, accrued or unaccrued, due or to become due, liquidated or unliquidated.
Lien ” means any security interest, lien, deed of trust, mortgage, pledge, charge, claim, restriction, easement, encumbrance or other similar interest or right.
Midstream Services ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
NBL Midstream ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
NBL Midstream Closing Certificate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(b) .

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NBL Indemnitees ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.1 .
New Common Units ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 .
Partnership ” has the meaning set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Partnership Agreement ” means that certain First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, dated as of September 20, 2016, as the same may be amended from time to time.
Partnership Closing Certificate ” has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3(c) .
Partnership Fundamental Representations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.9(b) .
Partnership Group ” has the meaning set forth in the Partnership Agreement.
Partnership Indemnitees ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.2 .
Partnership Material Adverse Effect ” means any change, circumstance, effect or condition that materially adversely affects, delays or prohibits, or could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect, delay or prohibit, (a) the business, financial condition, assets, liabilities or results of operations of the Partnership Group, taken as a whole, or (b) a Partnership Party’s ability to satisfy its obligations under the Transaction Documents or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.
Partnership Parties ” means the Partnership, Midstream Services and Blanco River DevCo GP.
Party ” and “ Parties ” have the meanings set forth in the preamble to this Agreement.
Person ” means an individual or a corporation, firm, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
Proceedings ” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5 .
Public Unitholders ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Sponsor Fundamental Representations ” has the meaning set forth in Section 8.9(a) .
Sponsor Material Adverse Effect ” means any change, circumstance, effect or condition that materially adversely affects, delays or prohibits, or could reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect, delay or prohibit, NBL Midstream’s ability to satisfy its obligations under the Transaction Documents or to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Transaction Documents.

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Subject Interests ” means the Blanco River Interest and the Colorado River Interest.
Tax ” or “ Taxes ” means any federal, state, local or foreign income tax, ad valorem tax, excise tax, sales tax, use tax, franchise tax, real or personal property tax, transfer tax, gross receipts tax or other tax, assessment, duty, fee, levy or other governmental charge, together with and including, any and all interest, fines, penalties, assessments, and additions to Tax resulting from, relating to, or incurred in connection with any of those or any contest or dispute thereof.
Tax Authority ” means any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the payment or reporting of any Tax.
Tax Proceeding ” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(b) .
Tax Return ” means any report, statement, form, return or other document or information required to be supplied to a Tax Authority in connection with Taxes.
Total Consideration ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2 .
Transaction ” has the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Agreement.
Transaction Documents ” means this Agreement, the Assignment Agreement and any other document delivered pursuant to Section 7.2 or Section 7.3 of this Agreement.
Transaction Taxes ” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4 .
ARTICLE II
CONTRIBUTION OF SUBJECT INTERESTS; CONSIDERATION; ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Section 2.1      Contribution of Colorado River Interest and Blanco River Interest . Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement and in the Assignment Agreement, at the Closing:
(a)      NBL Midstream shall contribute, transfer, assign, convey and deliver both the Colorado River Interest and the Blanco River Interest to the Partnership, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions under applicable federal and state securities laws) in exchange for the consideration set forth in Section 2.2 , and the Partnership shall receive, accept and acquire the Colorado River Interest and the Blanco River Interest from NBL Midstream;
(b)      the Partnership shall contribute, transfer, assign, convey and deliver, as a capital contribution, the Colorado River Interest to Midstream Services, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions under applicable federal and state securities laws), and Midstream Services shall receive, accept and acquire the Colorado River Interest, such that after giving effect to this Section 2.1 , Colorado River DevCo GP will hold an 80% general partner interest and Midstream Services will hold a 20% limited partner interest in Colorado River DevCo;

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(c)      the Partnership shall contribute, transfer, assign, convey and deliver, as a capital contribution, the Blanco River Interest to Midstream Services, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions under applicable federal and state securities laws), and Midstream Services shall receive, accept and acquire the Blanco River Interest; and
(d)      Midstream Services shall contribute, transfer, assign, convey and deliver, as a capital contribution, the Blanco River Interest to Blanco River DevCo GP, free and clear of all Liens (other than restrictions under applicable federal and state securities laws), and Blanco River DevCo GP shall receive, accept and acquire the Blanco River Interest, which notwithstanding any provision of the Blanco River Partnership Agreement to the contrary, shall be converted to a general partner interest in Blanco River DevCo such that after giving effect to this Section 2.1 , Blanco River DevCo GP will hold a 40% general partner interest and NBL Midstream will hold a 60% limited partner interest in Blanco River DevCo.
Section 2.2      Consideration . At the Closing, in consideration (the “ Total Consideration ”) for the contribution of the Subject Interests, the Partnership shall: (a) pay to NBL Midstream (or its designee(s)) an aggregate amount of cash equal to the Cash Consideration and (b) issue to NBL Midstream (or its designee(s)) 562,430 Common Units (the “ New Common Units ”).
Section 2.3      Assumed Liabilities . Subject to the indemnification rights provided in Section 8.2 , at the Effective Time, Midstream Services, with respect to the Colorado River Interest, and Blanco River DevCo GP, with respect to the Blanco River Interest, agree to assume and to pay, discharge and perform as and when due, all Liabilities that first accrue, are caused by, arise out of, are associated with, are in respect of, or are incurred, in each case, at any time prior to, on or after the Effective Time, in connection with the ownership of the Colorado River Interest or the Blanco River Interest, respectively, or other activities occurring in connection with and attributable to the ownership of such respective interests (collectively, the “ Assumed Liabilities ”).
Section 2.4      Transaction Taxes . All sales, use, transfer, filing, registration, business and occupation and similar Taxes arising from or associated with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement other than Taxes based on income (“ Transaction Taxes ”) shall be borne 50% by NBL Midstream and 50% by the Partnership. To the extent under applicable law the transferee is responsible for filing Tax Returns in respect of Transaction Taxes, the Partnership shall prepare and file all such Tax Returns. The Parties shall provide such certificates and other information and otherwise cooperate to the extent reasonably required to minimize Transaction Taxes. The Party that is not responsible under applicable law for paying the Transaction Taxes shall pay its share of the Transaction Taxes to the responsible Party prior to the due date of such Taxes.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF NBL MIDSTREAM
NBL Midstream hereby represents and warrants to the Partnership Parties that, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing:
Section 3.1      Organization and Existence . NBL Midstream has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company and is in good standing under the laws of its state of

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formation, with full limited liability company power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as and where such properties are owned, leased and operated and such business is conducted as of the date of this Agreement. NBL Midstream is duly qualified as a foreign limited liability company to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.2      Authority and Approval; Enforceability . NBL Midstream has the limited liability company power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and to perform all the terms and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed by it. The execution and delivery by NBL Midstream of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party, the performance by it of all the terms and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed by it and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized and approved by all requisite limited liability company action of NBL Midstream. Each of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which NBL Midstream is or will be a party constitutes or will constitute, upon execution and delivery by NBL Midstream, the valid and binding obligation of NBL Midstream, enforceable against NBL Midstream in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (whether applied in a proceeding at law or in equity).
Section 3.3      No Conflict . Each of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents to which NBL Midstream is or will be a party and the execution and delivery hereof and thereof by NBL Midstream do not, and the fulfilment and compliance with the terms and conditions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not:
(a)      conflict with any of the provisions of the certificate of formation or limited liability company agreement of NBL Midstream;
(b)      conflict with any provision of any law or administrative regulation or any judicial, administrative or arbitration order, award, judgment, writ, injunction or decree applicable to NBL Midstream;
(c)      conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under (whether with notice or the lapse of time or both), or accelerate or permit the acceleration of the performance required by, or require any consent, authorization or approval under, or result in the suspension, termination or cancellation of, or in a right of suspension, termination or cancellation of, any indenture, mortgage, agreement, contract, commitment, license, concession, permit, lease, joint venture or other instrument to which NBL Midstream is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of the Subject Interests are subject;
(d)      result in the creation of, or afford any Person the right to obtain, any Lien on the Subject Interests under any indenture, mortgage, agreement, contract, commitment, license,

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concession, permit, lease, joint venture or other instrument to which NBL Midstream is a party or by which it is bound or to which any of the Subject Interests are subject; or
(e)      result in the revocation, cancellation, suspension or modification of any Consent possessed by NBL Midstream that is necessary or desirable for the ownership, lease or operation of its properties and other assets in the conduct of its business as now conducted;
except, in the case of clauses (b) , (c) , (d) and (e) , as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.4      Consents . No consent, approval, license, permit, order, waiver, or authorization of, or registration, declaration, or filing with any Governmental Authority or other Person (each a “ Consent ”) is required to be obtained or made by or with respect to NBL Midstream or the Subject Interests in connection with:
(a)      the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; or
(b)      the enforcement against NBL Midstream of its obligations hereunder and thereunder;
except, in each case, as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.5      Laws and Regulations; Litigation . There are no pending or, to the knowledge of NBL Midstream, threatened claims, fines, actions, suits, demands, investigations or proceedings or any arbitration or binding dispute resolution proceeding (collectively, “ Proceedings ”) to which NBL Midstream is a party or against or affecting the Subject Interests or the ownership of the Subject Interests that (i) question or involve the validity or enforceability of any of its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) seek to prevent or delay, or seek damages in connection with, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or (iii) would individually, or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect or a material and adverse effect on the Subject Interests or on the Partnership as assignee of the Subject Interests. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect, (x) NBL Midstream is not the subject of any violation of or default under any law or regulation or under any order of any Governmental Authority, and (y) there are no Proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of NBL Midstream, threatened against or affecting the ownership of the Subject Interests, at law or in equity, by or before any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over NBL Midstream.
Section 3.6      Management Projections and Budgets . Over the course of the negotiation and review of the Transaction, NBL Midstream and representatives of certain of its Affiliates have provided various materials to the Conflicts Committee (including those provided to the Financial Advisor) as part of the Conflicts Committee’s review of the Transaction and the Subject Interests, including various presentations, budgets and financial models and including all updates and revisions to such materials (all such materials, collectively, the “ Conflicts Committee Information ”). With respect to the Conflicts Committee Information:

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(a)      the projections, budgets and other forward-looking information included in the Conflicts Committee Information, when considering all updates and revisions provided as a part thereof, have a reasonable basis, were prepared in good faith and are consistent with the current expectations of the management of NBL Midstream and its Affiliates; and
(b)      to the knowledge of NBL Midstream, the Conflicts Committee Information (considering all updates and revisions provided as a part thereof) does not contain any misstatement of a material fact or any omission of a material fact necessary to make the Conflicts Committee Information, taken as a whole and in the light of the circumstances under which it was made, not misleading.
Section 3.7      Title to Subject Interests .
(a)      The Colorado River Interest (i) represents a 20% limited partner interest in Colorado River DevCo and (ii) was duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the DRULPA). The Blanco River Interest (i) represents a 15% limited partner interest in Blanco River DevCo and (ii) was duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and non-assessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the DRULPA). The Subject Interests are not subject to and were not issued in violation of any purchase option, call option, right of first refusal, preemptive right, subscription right or any similar right under any provision of local or state law applicable to the Subject Interests, the Colorado River Partnership Agreement, the Blanco River Partnership Agreement or any contract, arrangement or agreement to which NBL Midstream or any of its Affiliates is a party or to which it or any of their respective properties or assets is otherwise bound.
(b)      NBL Midstream has good and valid record and beneficial title to the Subject Interests, free and clear of any and all Liens (other than restrictions on transfer under applicable federal and state securities laws), and, except as provided or created by the Colorado River Partnership Agreement, the Blanco River Partnership Agreement, the Securities Act or applicable securities laws, the Subject Interests are free and clear of any restrictions on transfer, Taxes or claims. There are no options, warrants, purchase rights, contracts, commitments or other securities exercisable or exchangeable for the Subject Interests, or for the repurchase or redemption of the Subject Interests. Immediately after the Closing, the Partnership will have good and valid record ownership and beneficial title to the Subject Interests, free and clear of any Liens (other than restrictions on transfer under applicable federal and state securities laws).
Section 3.8      Brokerage Arrangements . None of NBL Midstream or any of its Affiliates has entered, directly or indirectly, into any agreement with any person, firm or corporation that would obligate any Group Member to pay any commission, brokerage or “finder’s fee” or other fee in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 3.9      No Preferential Rights . The Subject Interests are not subject to any right or agreement that enables any Person to purchase or acquire, including by way of a right of first refusal, right of first offer, or similar right, the Subject Interests or any portion of or interest in the Subject Interests as a result of or in connection with (a) the contribution, assignment or other transfer of the

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Subject Interests, (b) the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement or (c) the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 3.10      Accredited Investor . NBL Midstream (or its designees that receive the New Common Units) is an “accredited investor,” as such term is defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act, and will acquire the New Common Units for its own account and not with a view to a sale or distribution thereof in violation of the Securities Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, any applicable state blue sky laws or any other applicable securities laws. NBL Midstream (or its designees that receive the New Common Units) has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the New Common Units to be acquired hereby. NBL Midstream (or its designees that receive the New Common Units) acknowledges that the New Common Units have not been registered under applicable federal and state securities laws and that the New Common Units may not be sold, transferred, offered for sale, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of unless such transfer, sale, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition is registered under applicable federal and state securities laws or is made pursuant to an exemption from registration under any federal or state securities laws.
Section 3.11      Regulation . Neither Blanco River DevCo nor Colorado River DevCo is, nor will be following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, an “investment company” or a company “controlled by” an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section 3.12      No Other Representations or Warranties . Except for the representations and warranties made in this ARTICLE III , NBL Midstream makes no other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the Subject Interests or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and disclaims any other representations or warranties.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTNERSHIP PARTIES
The Partnership Parties hereby, jointly and severally, represent and warrant to NBL Midstream that, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing:
Section 4.1      Organization and Existence . Each Partnership Party has been duly formed and is validly existing as a limited liability company or limited partnership, as the case may be, and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full limited liability company power or limited partnership power, as the case may be, and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as and where such properties are owned, leased and operated and such business is conducted as of the date of this Agreement. Each Partnership Party is duly qualified as a foreign limited liability company or limited partnership, as the case may be, to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure so to qualify or to be in good standing would not, individually or in the aggregate, result in a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

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Section 4.2      Authority and Approval; Enforceability . Each Partnership Party has the limited liability company power or limited partnership power, as the case may be, and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party, to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby and to perform all the terms and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed by it. The execution and delivery by each Partnership Party of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which it is or will be a party, the performance by it of all the terms and conditions hereof and thereof to be performed by it and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby have been duly authorized and approved by all requisite limited liability company or limited partnership, as the case may be, action of such Partnership Party. Each of this Agreement and any other Transaction Document to which each Partnership Party is or will be a party constitutes or will constitute, upon execution and delivery by such Partnership Party, the valid and binding obligation of such Partnership Party, enforceable against such Partnership Party in accordance with its terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (whether applied in a proceeding at law or in equity).
Section 4.3      No Conflict . Each of this Agreement, the other Transaction Documents to which each Partnership Party is or will be a party and the execution and delivery hereof and thereof by such Partnership Party do not, and the fulfilment and compliance with the terms and conditions hereof and thereof and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not:
(a)      conflict with any of the provisions of the certificate of formation, limited liability company agreement, certificate of limited partnership, partnership agreement or other organizational document of such Partnership Party;
(b)      conflict with any provision of any law or administrative regulation or any judicial, administrative or arbitration order, award, judgment, writ, injunction or decree applicable to such Partnership Party;
(c)      conflict with, result in a breach of, constitute a default under (whether with notice or the lapse of time or both), or accelerate or permit the acceleration of the performance required by, or require any consent, authorization or approval under, or result in the suspension, termination or cancellation of, or in a right of suspension, termination or cancellation of, any indenture, mortgage, agreement, contract, commitment, license, concession, permit, lease, joint venture or other instrument to which such Partnership Party is a party or by which it is bound; or
(d)      result in the revocation, cancellation, suspension or modification of any Consent possessed by such Partnership Party that is necessary or desirable for the ownership, lease or operation of its properties and other assets in the conduct of its business as now conducted;
except, in the case of clauses (b) , (c) , and (d) , as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

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Section 4.4      Consents . No Consent is required to be obtained or made by or with respect to any Partnership Party in connection with:
(a)      the execution, delivery, and performance of this Agreement or the other Transaction Documents, or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby; or
(b)      the enforcement against such Partnership Party of its obligations hereunder and thereunder;
except, in each case, as would not have, individually or in the aggregate, a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.5      Laws and Regulations; Litigation . There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Partnership Parties, threatened Proceedings to which any Partnership Party is a party that (i) question or involve the validity or enforceability of any of its obligations under this Agreement, (ii) seek to prevent or delay, or seek damages in connection with, the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or (iii) would individually, or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Partnership Material Adverse Effect, no Partnership Party is the subject of any violation of or default under any law or regulation or under any order of any Governmental Authority.
Section 4.6      Delivery of Fairness Opinion . The Financial Advisor has delivered an opinion to the Conflicts Committee that the Total Consideration to be paid by the Partnership in connection with the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to the Partnership and to the Public Unitholders .
Section 4.7      Issuance of New Common Units . Prior to Closing, the New Common Units to be issued by the Partnership under this Agreement, and the limited partner interests represented thereby, will have been duly authorized for issuance in accordance with this Agreement and the Partnership Agreement and, when issued and delivered by the Partnership pursuant to this Agreement against payment of the consideration set forth herein, will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 or 17-804 of the DRULPA).
Section 4.8      Brokerage Arrangements . None of the Partnership or any of its Affiliates has entered, directly or indirectly, into any agreement with any person, firm or corporation that would obligate NBL Midstream or its Affiliates to pay any commission, brokerage or “finder’s fee” or other fee in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 4.9      No Other Representations or Warranties . Except for the representations and warranties made in this ARTICLE IV , the Partnership Parties make no other express or implied representation or warranty with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and disclaim any other representations or warranties.
ARTICLE V
ADDITIONAL COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

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Section 5.1      Conduct of the Business .
(a)      Except as provided by this Agreement or consented to by the Partnership, NBL Midstream covenants and agrees that from and after the execution of this Agreement and until the Closing:
(i)      NBL Midstream will not sell, transfer, assign, convey or otherwise dispose of the Subject Interests; and
(ii)      NBL Midstream will not permit any Lien to be imposed on the Subject Interests.
(b)      Except as provided by this Agreement or consented to by the Partnership, NBL Midstream shall cause Colorado River DevCo and Blanco River DevCo to:
(i)      conduct its business and operations in the usual and ordinary course thereof; and
(ii)      preserve, maintain and protect the assets and operations of Colorado River DevCo and Blanco River DevCo as are conducted as of the date of this Agreement.
Section 5.2      Further Assurances . On and after the Closing Date, the Parties shall cooperate and use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to take or cause to be taken all appropriate actions and do, or cause to be done, all things necessary or appropriate to make effective the transactions contemplated hereby, including the execution of any additional assignment or similar documents or instruments of transfer of any kind, the obtaining of consents which may be reasonably necessary or appropriate to carry out any of the provisions hereof and the taking of all such other actions as such Party may reasonably be requested to take by the other Party from to time to time, consistent with the terms of this Agreement, in order to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Agreement and transactions contemplated hereby.
Section 5.3      Tax Covenants .
(a)      The Parties agree that the income related to the Subject Interests for the period up to and including the Closing Date will be reflected on the federal income Tax Return of NBL Midstream and that the members of NBL Midstream shall bear the liability for any Taxes associated with such income. The Parties further agree that the income related to the Subject Interests for the period after the Closing Date will be reflected on the federal income Tax Return of the Partnership and that the partners of the Partnership shall bear the liability for any Taxes associated with such income.
(b)      The Parties shall cooperate fully, and cause their Affiliates to cooperate fully, as and to the extent reasonably requested by the other Party, to accomplish the purposes of this Section 5.3 , requests for the provision of any information or documentation within the knowledge or possession of the other Party as reasonably necessary to facilitate compliance with financial reporting obligations arising under ASC 740 (formerly FASB Statement No. 109) (including

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compliance with FIN 48) promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, and any audit, litigation or other proceeding (each a “ Tax Proceeding ”) with respect to Taxes. Such cooperation shall include access to, the retention and (upon the other Party’s request) the provision of records and information which are reasonably relevant to any Tax Return or Tax Proceeding, and making employees available on a mutually convenient basis to provide additional information and explanation of any material provided hereunder. The Partnership and NBL Midstream will use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to retain all books and records with respect to Tax matters pertinent to the Subject Interests relating to any taxable period beginning before the Closing Date until the later of six years after the Closing Date or the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations of the respective taxable periods (including any extensions thereof), and to abide by all record retention agreements entered into with any Tax Authority. The Partnership and NBL Midstream each agree, upon request, to use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to obtain any certificate or other document from any Tax Authority or any other Person as may be necessary to mitigate, reduce or eliminate any Tax that could be imposed with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
(c)      To the extent an election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) is not already in effect for each of Colorado River DevCo and Blanco River DevCo, the Parties shall provide all necessary consents (and evidence thereof) to cause the election provided by Code Section 754 in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.754-1(b) to be made effective for the taxable period of each of Colorado River DevCo and Blanco River DevCo that includes the Closing Date.
(d)      The Parties will use their respective commercially reasonable efforts to agree upon an allocation of the Cash Consideration to the Subject Interests and further among the assets of Colorado River DevCo and Blanco River DevCo for U.S. federal income tax purposes in compliance with the principles of Section 1060 of the Code, and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, and Treasury Regulation Section 1.755-1, as applicable.
(e)      The Parties acknowledge and agree that for all U.S. federal income tax purposes, the transactions consummated pursuant to this Agreement will qualify in part for nonrecognition of gain or loss pursuant to Section 721(a) of the Code and will be characterized in part as a disguised sale transaction described in Section 707(a)(2)(B) of the Code and its implementing Treasury Regulations with respect to any amounts treated as a transfer of consideration pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.707-3(a)(1). NBL Midstream will be deemed to have consented for U.S. federal income tax purposes (and to the extent applicable, state or local income tax purposes) to report any portion of the Cash Consideration allocable to the Colorado River Interest as proceeds from the sale of all or a part of the Colorado River Interest consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.708-1(c)(4).
Section 5.4      Post-Closing Distributions . The Parties acknowledge that NBL Midstream is assigning to the Partnership all of NBL Midstream’s right, title and interest in the Subject Interests and that, notwithstanding anything in the Colorado River Partnership Agreement, the Blanco River Partnership Agreement or herein to the contrary, the Partnership is entitled to any distributions by or payments from Colorado River DevCo and Blanco River DevCo (or any predecessor holders of

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the Subject Interests) in respect of the Subject Interests made on or after the Closing Date. NBL Midstream covenants and agrees that, should NBL Midstream or its Affiliates receive any distribution or payment in respect of the Subject Interests from Colorado River DevCo or Blanco River DevCo (or any predecessor holder of the Subject Interests) on or after the Closing Date, whether pursuant to the terms of the Colorado River Partnership Agreement, the Blanco River Partnership Agreement or otherwise, NBL Midstream shall promptly remit such amounts to the Partnership.
ARTICLE VI
CONDITIONS TO CLOSING
Section 6.1      Conditions to the Obligations of Each Party . The respective obligations of each Party to proceed with the Closing are subject to the satisfaction or waiver by each of the Parties (subject to applicable laws) on or prior to the Closing Date of all of the following conditions:
(a)      all necessary filings with and consents of any Governmental Authority required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall have been made and obtained; provided, however , that, prior to invoking this condition, the invoking Party shall have used commercially reasonable efforts to make or obtain such filings and consents; and
(b)      no Party shall be subject to any decree, order or injunction of a court of competent jurisdiction that prohibits the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and no statute, rule, regulation, order, decree or injunction enacted, entered, or issued by any Governmental Authority, or other legal restraint or prohibition preventing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, shall be in effect.
Section 6.2      Conditions to the Obligations of the Partnership Parties . The obligations of the Partnership Parties to proceed with the Closing is subject to the satisfaction or waiver by the Partnership Parties on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a)      NBL Midstream shall have performed in all material respects the covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement required to be performed by it on or prior to the Closing Date;
(b)      (i) the Sponsor Fundamental Representations shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), and (ii) the other representations and warranties of NBL Midstream made in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects (without regard to qualifications as to materiality or Sponsor Material Adverse Effect contained therein) as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), except in the case of clause (ii) where the failure of the representations and warranties to be true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect;

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(c)      NBL Midstream shall have delivered to the Partnership a certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by an authorized officer of NBL Midstream confirming the foregoing matters set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 6.2 (the “ NBL Midstream Closing Certificate ”);
(d)      NBL Midstream shall have delivered or caused the delivery of the Closing deliverables set forth in Section 7.2 ;
(e)      between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, there shall not have been (i) a Sponsor Material Adverse Effect or (ii) any change, circumstance, effect or condition that is, or could reasonably be expected to be, materially adverse to the business, financial condition, assets, liabilities or results of operations, as applicable, of each of Colorado River DevCo and Blanco River DevCo; and
(f)      the Partnership shall have received sufficient proceeds in the Financing, on terms and conditions that are reasonably satisfactory to the Partnership, to fulfill its obligations required for funding the Cash Consideration.
Section 6.3      Conditions to the Obligations of NBL Midstream . The obligations of NBL Midstream to proceed with the Closing are subject to the satisfaction or waiver by NBL Midstream on or prior to the Closing Date of the following conditions:
(a)      the Partnership Parties shall have performed in all material respects the covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement required to be performed by them on or prior to the Closing Date;
(b)      (i) the Partnership Fundamental Representations shall be true and correct in all respects as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), and (ii) the other representations and warranties of the Partnership Parties made in this Agreement shall be true and correct in all respects (without regard to qualifications as to materiality or Partnership Material Adverse Effect contained therein) as of the Closing Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case as of such earlier date), except in the case of clause (ii) where the failure of the representations and warranties to be true and correct, individually or in the aggregate, has not had a Partnership Material Adverse Effect;
(c)      the Partnership shall have delivered to NBL Midstream a certificate dated the Closing Date and signed by an authorized officer of the General Partner confirming the foregoing matters set forth in clauses (a) and (b) of this Section 6.3 (the “ Partnership Closing Certificate ”);
(d)      the Partnership Parties shall have delivered or caused the delivery of the Closing deliverables set forth in Section 7.3 ; and
(e)      between the date of this Agreement and the Closing Date, there shall not have been a Partnership Material Adverse Effect.

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ARTICLE VII
CLOSING
Section 7.1      Closing . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Parties, the closing (the “ Closing ”) of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will be held at the offices of Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP, 600 Travis Street, Suite 4200, Houston, Texas at 9:00 a.m., Houston, Texas time on the second Business Day following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to Closing set forth in ARTICLE VI (other than those conditions that, by their nature, are not capable of being satisfied until the Closing), or such other time and date mutually agreed to by the Parties in writing. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to as the “ Closing Date. ” The Closing will be deemed effective as of the Effective Time.
Section 7.2      Deliveries by NBL Midstream . At the Closing, NBL Midstream will deliver (or cause to be delivered) the following:
(a)      a counterpart to the Assignment Agreement, duly executed by NBL Midstream; and
(b)      the NBL Midstream Closing Certificate, duly executed by an officer of NBL Midstream.
Section 7.3      Deliveries by the Partnership Parties . At the Closing, the Partnership Parties will deliver (or cause to be delivered) the following:
(a)      the Cash Consideration, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account specified by NBL Midstream (or one or more of its designees);
(b)      the New Common Units to NBL Midstream (or one or more of its designees);
(c)      a counterpart to the Assignment Agreement, duly executed by the Partnership Parties; and
(d)      the Partnership Closing Certificate, duly executed by an officer of the General Partner.
ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 8.1      Indemnification of NBL Midstream . Solely for the purpose of indemnification in this Section 8.1 , the representations and warranties of the Partnership Parties in this Agreement shall be deemed to have been made without regard to any materiality or Partnership Material Adverse Effect or knowledge qualifiers. From and after the Closing Date, subject to the other provisions of this ARTICLE VIII , the Partnership Parties shall, jointly and severally, indemnify and hold NBL Midstream and its Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives (together with NBL Midstream, the “ NBL Indemnitees ”) harmless from and against any and all damages (including exemplary damages and penalties), losses, deficiencies, costs, expenses, obligations, fines, expenditures, claims and liabilities, including reasonable counsel fees and

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reasonable expenses of investigation, defending and prosecuting litigation (collectively, the “ Damages ”), suffered by the NBL Indemnitees as a result of, caused by, arising out of, or in any way relating to (a) any material breach of a representation or warranty of the Partnership Parties contained in this Agreement, (b) any material breach of any agreement or covenant contained in this Agreement on the part of the Partnership Parties or (c) any of the Assumed Liabilities.
Section 8.2      Indemnification of the Partnership Parties . Solely for the purpose of indemnification in this Section 8.2 , the representations and warranties of NBL Midstream in this Agreement shall be deemed to have been made without regard to any materiality or Sponsor Material Adverse Effect or knowledge qualifiers. From and after the Closing Date, subject to the other provisions of this ARTICLE VIII , NBL Midstream shall indemnify and hold the Partnership Parties and their respective Affiliates, directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives, and the directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives of the General Partner (together with the Partnership Parties, the “ Partnership Indemnitees ”) harmless from and against any and all Damages suffered by the Partnership Indemnitees as a result of, caused by, arising out of, or in any way relating to (a) any material breach of a representation or warranty of NBL Midstream contained in this Agreement or (b) any material breach of any agreement or covenant contained in this Agreement on the part of NBL Midstream.
Section 8.3      Demands . Each indemnified party agrees that promptly upon its discovery of facts giving rise to a claim for indemnity under the provisions of this Agreement, including receipt by it of notice of any demand, assertion, claim, action or proceeding, judicial or otherwise, by any third party (such third party actions being collectively referred to herein as the “ Indemnity Claim ”), with respect to any matter as to which it claims to be entitled to indemnity under the provisions of this Agreement, it will give prompt notice thereof in writing to the indemnifying party, together with a statement of such information respecting any of the foregoing as it shall have. Such notice shall include a formal demand for indemnification under this Agreement. The indemnifying party shall not be obligated to indemnify the indemnified party with respect to any Indemnity Claim if the indemnified party knowingly failed to notify the indemnifying party thereof in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement to the extent that knowing failure to notify actually results in material prejudice or damage to the indemnifying party.
Section 8.4      Right to Contest and Defend .
(a)      The indemnifying party shall be entitled at its cost and expense to contest and defend by all appropriate legal proceedings any Indemnity Claim with respect to which it is called upon to indemnify the indemnified party under the provisions of this Agreement; provided, however , that notice of the intention to so contest shall be delivered by the indemnifying party to the indemnified party within 20 days from the date of receipt by the indemnifying party of notice by the indemnified party of the assertion of the Indemnity Claim. Any such contest may be conducted in the name and on behalf of the indemnifying party or the indemnified party as may be appropriate. Such contest shall be conducted and prosecuted diligently to a final conclusion or settled in accordance with this Section 8.4(a) by reputable counsel employed by the indemnifying party and not reasonably objected to by the indemnified party, but the indemnified party shall have the right but not the obligation to participate in such proceedings and to be represented by counsel

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of its own choosing at its sole cost and expense. The indemnifying party shall have full authority to determine all action to be taken with respect thereto; provided, however , that the indemnifying party will not have the authority to subject the indemnified party to any obligation whatsoever, other than the performance of purely ministerial tasks or obligations not involving material expense. If the indemnifying party does not elect to contest any such Indemnity Claim or elects to contest such Indemnity Claim but fails diligently and promptly to prosecute or settle such claim, the indemnifying party shall be bound by the result obtained with respect thereto by the indemnified party. If the indemnifying party shall have assumed the defense of an Indemnity Claim, the indemnified party shall agree to any settlement, compromise or discharge of an Indemnity Claim that the indemnifying party may recommend and that by its terms obligates the indemnifying party to pay the full amount of the liability in connection with such Indemnity Claim, which releases the indemnified party completely in connection with such Indemnity Claim and which would not otherwise adversely affect the indemnified party.
(b)      Notwithstanding the foregoing, the indemnifying party shall not be entitled to assume the defense of any Indemnity Claim (and shall be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel incurred by the indemnified party in defending such Indemnity Claim) if the Indemnity Claim seeks an order, injunction or other equitable relief or relief for other than money damages against the indemnified party which the indemnified party reasonably determines, after conferring with its outside counsel, cannot be separated from any related claim for money damages. If such equitable relief or other relief portion of the Indemnity Claim can be so separated from that for money damages, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to assume the defense of the portion relating to money damages.
Section 8.5      Cooperation . If requested by the indemnifying party, the indemnified party agrees to cooperate with the indemnifying party and its counsel in contesting any Indemnity Claim that the indemnifying party elects to contest or, if appropriate, in making any counterclaim against the third party asserting the Indemnity Claim, or any cross-complaint against any third party, and the indemnifying party will reimburse the indemnified party for any expenses incurred by it in so cooperating. At no cost or expense to the indemnified party, the indemnifying party shall cooperate with the indemnified party and its counsel in contesting any Indemnity Claim.
Section 8.6      Right to Participate . The indemnified party agrees to afford the indemnifying party and its counsel the opportunity to be present at, and to participate in, conferences with all persons, including Governmental Authorities, asserting any Indemnity Claim against the indemnified party or conferences with representatives of or counsel for such persons.
Section 8.7      Payment of Damages . The indemnification required hereunder shall be made by periodic payments of the amount thereof during the course of the investigation or defense, within 10 days as and when reasonably specific bills are received or loss, liability, claim, damage or expense is incurred and reasonable evidence thereof is delivered. In calculating any amount to be paid by an indemnifying party by reason of the provisions of this Agreement, the amount shall be reduced by all reimbursements (including, without limitation, insurance proceeds) credited to or received by the other party related to the Damages. The Parties agree that any payment for indemnification

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of Damages made hereunder will be treated as an adjustment to the Cash Consideration for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Section 8.8      Limitations on Indemnification .
(a)      To the extent the Partnership Indemnitees are entitled to indemnification for Damages pursuant to Section 8.2(a) (but not including Damages for breaches of Sponsor Fundamental Representations), NBL Midstream shall not be liable for those Damages unless the aggregate amount of Damages exceeds $2,700,000 (the “ Deductible ”), and then only to the extent of any such excess; provided, however , that NBL Midstream shall not be liable for Damages pursuant to Section 8.2(a) (but not including Damages for breaches of Sponsor Fundamental Representations) that exceed, in the aggregate, $40,500,000 (the “ Cap ”) less the Deductible.
(b)      Notwithstanding clause (a) above, to the extent the Partnership Indemnitees are entitled to indemnification for Damages for claims arising from fraud or related to or arising from Taxes, NBL Midstream shall be fully liable for such Damages without regard to the Deductible or the Cap. For the avoidance of doubt, NBL Midstream shall be fully liable for Damages pursuant to Section 8.2(b) and for breaches of Sponsor Fundamental Representations without regard to the Deductible or the Cap.
(c)      To the extent the NBL Indemnitees are entitled to indemnification for Damages pursuant to Section 8.1(a) , the Partnership Parties shall not be liable for those Damages unless the aggregate amount of Damages exceeds, in the aggregate, the Deductible, and then only to the extent of any such excess; provided, however , that the Partnership Parties shall not be liable for Damages that exceed, in the aggregate, the Cap less the Deductible.
(d)      Notwithstanding clause (c) above, to the extent the NBL Indemnitees are entitled to indemnification for Damages for claims arising from fraud or relating to arising from Taxes, the Partnership Parties shall be fully liable for such Damages without regard to the Deductible or the Cap. For the avoidance of doubt, the Partnership Parties shall be fully liable for Damages pursuant to Section 8.1(b) or Section 8.1(c) and for breaches of Partnership Fundamental Representations without regard to the Deductible or the Cap.
Section 8.9      Survival .
(a)      The liability of NBL Midstream for the breach of any of the representations and warranties of NBL Midstream set forth in Section 3.1 , Section 3.2 , Section 3.3(a) and (d) , Section 3.7 , Section 3.8 and Section 3.9 (the “ Sponsor Fundamental Representations ”) shall be limited to claims for which the Partnership Parties deliver written notice to NBL Midstream on or before the date that is three years after the Closing Date. The liability of NBL Midstream for the breach of any of the representations and warranties of NBL Midstream set forth in ARTICLE III other than the Sponsor Fundamental Representations shall be limited to claims for which the Partnership Parties deliver written notice to NBL Midstream on or before the date that is eighteen months after the Closing Date. The liability of NBL Midstream for Damages for claims related to or arising from Taxes shall be limited to claims for which the Partnership Parties deliver written

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notice to NBL Midstream on or before the date that is 90 days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations for assessment of the applicable Tax.
(b)      The liability of the Partnership Parties for the breach of any of the representations and warranties of the Partnership Parties set forth in Section 4.1 , Section 4.2 , Section 4.3(a) , Section 4.8 and Section 4.9 (the “ Partnership Fundamental Representations ”) shall be limited to claims for which NBL Midstream delivers written notice to the Partnership Parties on or before the date that is three years after the Closing Date. The liability of the Partnership Parties for the breach of any of the representations and warranties of the Partnership Parties set forth in ARTICLE IV other than the Partnership Fundamental Representations shall be limited to claims for which NBL Midstream delivers written notice to the Partnership Parties on or before the date that is eighteen months after the Closing Date. The liability of the Partnership for Damages for claims related to or arising from Taxes shall be limited to claims for which NBL Midstream delivers written notice to the Partnership on or before the date that is 90 days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations for assessment of the applicable Tax.
Section 8.10      Sole Remedy . After the Closing, no Party shall have liability under this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby except as is provided in this ARTICLE VIII (other than claims or causes of action arising from fraud, and other than claims for specific performance or claims arising under any Transaction Documents (which claims shall be subject to the liability provisions of such Transaction Documents)).
Section 8.11      Express Negligence Rule . THE INDEMNIFICATION AND ASSUMPTION PROVISIONS PROVIDED FOR IN THIS AGREEMENT HAVE BEEN EXPRESSLY NEGOTIATED IN EVERY DETAIL, ARE INTENDED TO BE GIVEN FULL AND LITERAL EFFECT, AND SHALL BE APPLICABLE REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, CLAIMS, JUDGMENTS, LOSSES, COSTS, EXPENSES OR DAMAGES IN QUESTION ARISE OR AROSE SOLELY OR IN PART FROM THE GROSS, ACTIVE, PASSIVE OR CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER FAULT OF ANY INDEMNIFIED PARTY. THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS STATEMENT COMPLIES WITH THE EXPRESS NEGLIGENCE RULE AND CONSTITUTES CONSPICUOUS NOTICE. NOTICE IN THIS CONSPICUOUS NOTICE IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE OR ALTER THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES, ALL OF WHICH ARE SPECIFIED ELSEWHERE IN THIS AGREEMENT.
ARTICLE IX
TERMINATION
Section 9.1      Events of Termination . This Agreement may be terminated at any time prior to the Closing Date:
(a)      by mutual written consent of both NBL Midstream and the Partnership;
(b)      by either NBL Midstream or the Partnership in writing after September 30, 2017, if the Closing has not occurred by that date, provided that as of such date the terminating Party is not in default under this Agreement;

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(c)      by either NBL Midstream or the Partnership in writing without prejudice to other rights and remedies the terminating Party or its Affiliates may have (provided the terminating Party and its Affiliates are not otherwise in material default or breach of this Agreement, or have not failed or refused to close without justification hereunder), if the other Party or its Affiliates shall have (i) materially failed to perform its covenants or agreements contained herein required to be performed by such Party or its Affiliates on or prior to the Closing Date or (ii) materially breached any of its representations or warranties contained herein; provided, however , that in the case of clauses (i) or (ii) , the defaulting Party shall have a period of 30 days following written notice from the non-defaulting Party to cure any breach of this Agreement if the breach is curable; or
(d)      by either NBL Midstream or the Partnership in writing, without liability, if there shall be any order, writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental Authority binding on the Parties that prohibits or restrains any Party from consummating the transactions contemplated hereby; provided, however , that the applicable Party shall have used its reasonable best efforts to have any such order, writ, injunction or decree removed but it shall not have been removed within 30 days after entry by the Governmental Authority.
Section 9.2      Effect of Termination . In the event of the termination of this Agreement by a Party as provided in Section 9.1 , this Agreement shall thereafter become void except for this Section 9.2 , Section 10.1 , Section 10.3 and Section 10.4 . Nothing in this Section 9.2 shall be deemed to release any Party from any liability for any breach by such Party of the terms and provisions of this Agreement or to impair any rights of any Party under this Agreement. If this Agreement is terminated by a Party pursuant to Section 9.1(c) , then the other Party shall reimburse such Party for its out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation, execution and performance of this Agreement (including legal fees and fees paid to the Financial Advisor, in either case incurred by the Partnership or the Conflicts Committee).
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 10.1      Expenses . Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, each of the Parties shall pay its own expenses incident to (a) this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents and (b) all action taken in preparation for effecting the provisions of this Agreement and the other Transaction Documents.
Section 10.2      Deed; Bill of Sale; Assignment . To the extent required and permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall also constitute a “deed,” “bill of sale” or “assignment” of the assets and the liabilities referenced herein.
Section 10.3      Notices . Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, any notice, request, instruction, correspondence or other document to be given under or in relation to this Agreement shall be made in writing and shall be deemed to have been properly given if: (i) personally delivered (with written confirmation of receipt), (ii) delivered by a recognized overnight delivery service (delivery fees prepaid) or (iii) sent by electronic mail with a PDF of the notice or

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other communication attached (provided that any such electronic mail is confirmed by written confirmation), in each case to the appropriate address set forth below:
If to NBL Midstream, addressed to:

NBL Midstream LLC

1001 Noble Energy Way
Houston, Texas 77070
Attention: Secretary

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP
600 Travis Street
Suite 4200
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: G. Michael O’Leary
If to any of the Partnership Parties, addressed to:
Noble Midstream GP LLC
1001 Noble Energy Way
Houston, Texas 77070
Attention: Secretary

with a copy to:
Baker Botts L.L.P.
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana Street
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: Joshua Davidson
Any Party may change any address to which notice is to be given to it by giving notice as provided above of such change of address.
Section 10.4      Governing Law . This Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding any conflicts-of-law rule or principle that might refer the construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the laws of another state. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT THIS AGREEMENT INVOLVES AT LEAST U.S. $100,000.00 AND THAT THIS AGREEMENT HAS BEEN ENTERED INTO IN EXPRESS RELIANCE UPON 6 Del. C. § 2708. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES (i) TO BE SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND OF THE FEDERAL COURTS SITTING IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AND (ii) TO THE EXTENT SUCH PARTY IS NOT OTHERWISE SUBJECT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE, TO APPOINT AND MAINTAIN AN AGENT IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE AS SUCH PARTY’S AGENT FOR

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ACCEPTANCE OF LEGAL PROCESS AND TO NOTIFY THE OTHER PARTIES OF THE NAME AND ADDRESS OF SUCH AGENT. EACH PARTY HERETO WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 10.5      Public Statements . The Parties shall consult with each other with respect to public announcements or statements, and no Party shall issue any public announcement or statement with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby without the consent of the other Parties, which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, unless the Party desiring to make such announcement or statement, after seeking such consent from the other Parties, obtains advice from legal counsel that a public announcement or statement is required by applicable law or securities exchange regulations.
Section 10.6      Form of Payment . All payments hereunder shall be made in United States dollars and, unless the Parties making and receiving such payments shall agree otherwise or the provisions hereof provide otherwise, shall be made by wire or interbank transfer of immediately available funds on the date such payment is due to such account as the Party receiving payment may designate at least three Business Days prior to the proposed date of payment.
Section 10.7      Entire Agreement; Amendments and Waivers . This Agreement and the documents and instruments and other agreements specifically referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto, including the exhibits hereto, (a) constitute the entire agreement among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and (b) are not intended to confer upon any other Person or entity any rights or remedies hereunder except as ARTICLE VIII or ARTICLE X contemplates or except as otherwise expressly provided herein or therein. Each Party agrees that (i) no other Party (including its agents and representatives) has made any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement to or with such Party relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, other than those expressly set forth in the documents and instruments and other agreements specifically referred to herein or delivered pursuant hereto, including the exhibits hereto, and (ii) such Party has not relied upon any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby other than those referred to in clause (i) above. No supplement, modification or waiver of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by all of the Parties. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof (regardless of whether similar), nor shall any such waiver constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise expressly provided. Any amendment or waiver of this Agreement by the Partnership Parties, and any determination, decision, approval or consent of a Partnership Party required pursuant to this Agreement, shall be approved in advance by the Conflicts Committee.
Section 10.8      Binding Effect and Assignment . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective permitted successors and assigns, but neither

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this Agreement nor any of the rights, benefits or obligations hereunder shall be assigned, by operation of law or otherwise, by any Party without the prior written consent of the other Parties hereto.
Section 10.9      Severability . If any provision of the Agreement is rendered or declared illegal or unenforceable by reason of any existing or subsequently enacted legislation or by decree of a court of last resort, the Parties shall meet promptly and negotiate substitute provisions for those rendered or declared illegal or unenforceable, but all of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and will not be affected or impaired in any way thereby.
Section 10.10      Interpretation . The Parties agree that they have been represented by counsel during the negotiation and execution of this Agreement and, therefore waive the application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the party drafting such agreement or document.
Section 10.11      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, including electronic, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the Party or other Person executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]



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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties to this Agreement have caused it to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP
By:
Noble Midstream GP LLC, its general partner


By:
/s/ Terry R. Gerhart    
Name: Terry R. Gerhart
Title: Chief Executive Officer
NOBLE MIDSTREAM GP LLC
By: /s/ Terry R. Gerhart

Name: Terry R. Gerhart
Title: Chief Executive Officer
NOBLE MIDSTREAM SERVICES, LLC
By: /s/ Terry R. Gerhart

Name: Terry R. Gerhart
Title: Chief Executive Officer
NBL MIDSTREAM, LLC
By:
/s/ John A. Huser    
Name: John A. Huser
Title: Vice President - Finance
BLANCO RIVER DEVCO GP LLC
By:
Noble Midstream Services, LLC, its sole member


By: /s/ Terry R. Gerhart    
Name: Terry R. Gerhart
Title: Chief Executive Officer

Signature Page to Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement



Exhibit 4.1






REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP
AND
THE PURCHASERS NAMED ON SCHEDULE A HERETO







TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article I DEFINITIONS 1
Section 1.01
Definitions 1
Section 1.02
Registrable Securities 3
Article II REGISTRATION RIGHTS 3
Section 2.01
Registration 3
Section 2.02
Piggyback Rights 5
Section 2.03
Delay Rights 7
Section 2.04
Underwritten Offerings 8
Section 2.05
Sale Procedures 9
Section 2.06
Cooperation by Holders 12
Section 2.07
Restrictions on Public Sale by Holders of Registrable Securities 12
Section 2.08
Expenses 12
Section 2.09
Indemnification 13
Section 2.10
Rule 144 Reporting 15
Section 2.11
Transfer or Assignment of Registration Rights 16
Section 2.12
Limitation on Subsequent Registration Rights 16
Article III MISCELLANEOUS 16
Section 3.01
Communications 16
Section 3.02
Successor and Assigns 17
Section 3.03
Assignment of Rights 17
Section 3.04
Recapitalization, Exchanges, Etc. Affecting the Units 17
Section 3.05
Aggregation of Registrable Securities 17
Section 3.06
Specific Performance 17
Section 3.07
Counterparts 18
Section 3.08
Headings 18
Section 3.09
Governing Law 18
Section 3.10
Severability of Provisions 18
Section 3.11
Entire Agreement 18
Section 3.12
Amendment 18
Section 3.13
No Presumption 18
Section 3.14
Obligations Limited to Parties to Agreement 18
Section 3.15
Independent Nature of Purchaser’s Obligations 19
Section 3.16
Interpretation 19

Schedule A – Purchaser List; Notice and Contact Information; Opt-Out Election







REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “ Agreement ”) is made and entered into as of June 26, 2017, by and among Noble Midstream Partners LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), and each of the Persons set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement (each, a “ Purchaser ” and collectively, the “ Purchasers ”).
WHEREAS, this Agreement is made and entered into in connection with the Closing of the issuance and sale of the Purchased Units pursuant to the Common Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2017, by and among the Partnership and the Purchasers (the “ Common Unit Purchase Agreement ”); and
WHEREAS, the Partnership has agreed to provide the registration and other rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the Purchasers pursuant to the Common Unit Purchase Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by each party hereto, the parties hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.01      Definitions . Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given to them in the Common Unit Purchase Agreement. The terms set forth below are used herein as so defined:
Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Aggregate Purchase Price ” means the product of (i) the Common Unit Price multiplied by (ii) the aggregate number of Purchased Units purchased by the Purchasers.
Agreement ” has the meaning specified therefor in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Commission ” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Unit Price ” has the meaning given to such term in the Common Unit Purchase Agreement.
Common Unit Purchase Agreement ” has the meaning specified therefor in the recitals of this Agreement.

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Effectiveness Period ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement.
General Partner ” means Noble Midstream GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Holder ” means the record holder of any Registrable Securities.
Included Registrable Securities ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.02(a) of this Agreement.
Liquidated Damages ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(b) of this Agreement.
Liquidated Damages Multiplier ” means, with respect to a particular Purchaser, (i) the product of the Common Unit Price multiplied by (ii) the number of Purchased Units purchased by such Purchaser that may not be disposed of without restriction and without the need for current public information pursuant to any section of Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act.
Losses ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.09(a) of this Agreement.
Managing Underwriter ” means, with respect to any Underwritten Offering, the book‑running lead manager or managers of such Underwritten Offering.
Opt-Out Notice ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.02(a) of this Agreement.
Parity Securities ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.02(b) of this Agreement.
Partnership ” has the meaning specified therefor in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Person ” means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, firm, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity.
Purchased Units ” has the meaning given to such term in the Common Unit Purchase Agreement.
Purchaser ” and “ Purchasers ” have the meanings specified therefor in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.
Registrable Securities ” means (i) the Common Units comprising the Purchased Units and (ii) any Common Units issued as Liquidated Damages pursuant to Section 2.01(b) of this Agreement, in each case, as subject to exchange, substitution or adjustment pursuant to Section 3.04 of this Agreement, all of which Registrable Securities are subject to the rights provided herein until such rights terminate pursuant to the provisions hereof.

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Registration Expenses ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.08(b) of this Agreement.
Registration Statement ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement.
Selling Expenses ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.08(b) of this Agreement.
Selling Holder ” means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement.
Selling Holder Indemnified Persons ” has the meaning specified therefor in Section 2.09(a) of this Agreement.
Underwritten Offering ” means an offering (including an offering pursuant to a Registration Statement) in which Common Units are 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.
Section 1.02      Registrable Securities . Any Registrable Security will cease to be a Registrable Security (a) when a registration statement covering such Registrable Security becomes or has been declared effective by the Commission and such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement; (b) when such Registrable Security has been disposed of pursuant to any section of Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act; (c) when such Registrable Security is held by the Partnership or one of its subsidiaries or Affiliates; (d) when such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under this Agreement are not assigned to the transferee of such securities pursuant to Section 2.11 hereof or (e) when such Registrable Security becomes eligible for resale without restriction and without the need for current public information pursuant to any section of Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Section 2.01      Registration .
(a)      Effectiveness Deadline . Following the date hereof, but no later than 30 days following the Closing Date, the Partnership shall prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities Act to permit the public resale of Registrable Securities then outstanding from time to time as permitted by Rule 415 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act with respect to all of the Registrable Securities (the “ Registration Statement ”). The Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.01(a) shall be on such appropriate registration form or forms of the Commission as shall be selected by the Partnership so long as it permits the continuous offering of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 415 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act at then-prevailing market prices. The Partnership shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement to become effective on or as soon as practicable

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after the filing thereof. Any Registration Statement shall provide for the resale pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, the Holders of any and all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement. The Partnership shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.01(a) to be effective, supplemented and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for the resale of all Registrable Securities by the Holders until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have ceased to be Registrable Securities (the “ Effectiveness Period ”). The Registration Statement when 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 Registration Statement or documents incorporated therein by reference, in the light of the circumstances under which a statement is made). As soon as practicable following the date that the Registration Statement becomes effective, but in any event within two (2) Business Days of such date, the Partnership shall provide the Holders with written notice of the effectiveness of the Registration Statement.
(b)      Failure to Go Effective . If the Registration Statement required by Section 2.01(a) is not declared effective within 90 days after the Closing Date, then each Holder shall be entitled to a payment (with respect to the Purchased Units of each such Holder), as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, of 0.25% of the Liquidated Damages Multiplier per 30-day period, that shall accrue daily, for the first 30 days following the 90 th day, increasing by an additional 0.25% of the Liquidated Damages Multiplier per 30-day period, that shall accrue daily, for each subsequent 30 days, up to a maximum of 1.00% of the Liquidated Damages Multiplier per 30‑day period (the “ Liquidated Damages ”). The Liquidated Damages payable pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall be payable within ten (10) Business Days after the end of each such 30-day period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in no event shall the aggregate of all Liquidated Damages payable by the Partnership hereunder exceed 5.00% of the Aggregate Purchase Price. Any Liquidated Damages shall be paid to each Holder in immediately available funds; provided , however , if the Partnership certifies that it is unable to pay Liquidated Damages in cash because such payment would result in a breach of or constitute a default under a credit facility or other debt instrument, then the Partnership shall pay such Liquidated Damages using as much cash as is permitted without causing a breach of or default under such credit facility or other debt instrument and may pay the balance of any such Liquidated Damages in kind in the form of the issuance of additional Common Units. Upon any issuance of Common Units as Liquidated Damages, the Partnership shall promptly (i) prepare and file an amendment to the Registration Statement prior to its effectiveness adding such Common Units to such Registration Statement as additional Registrable Securities and (ii) prepare and file a supplemental listing application with the NYSE (or such other national securities exchange on which the Common Units are then-listed and traded) to list such additional Common Units. The determination of the number of Common Units to be issued as Liquidated Damages shall be equal to quotient of (i) the dollar amount of the balance of such Liquidated Damages due to each such Holder and (ii) the volume-weighted average closing price of the Common Units on the NYSE, or any other national securities exchange on which the Common Units are then-traded, for the ten (10) trading days ending on the first trading day immediately preceding the date on which the Liquidated Damages payment is due, less a discount to such average closing price of

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2.00%. The payment of Liquidated Damages to a Holder shall cease at the earlier of (i) the Registration Statement becoming effective or (ii) when such Holder no longer holds Registrable Securities, assuming that each Holder is not an Affiliate of the Partnership, and any payment of Liquidated Damages shall be prorated for any period of less than 30 days in which the payment of Liquidated Damages ceases. If the Partnership is unable to cause a Registration Statement to go effective within 90 days after the Closing Date as a result of an acquisition, merger, reorganization, disposition or other similar transaction, then the Partnership may request a waiver of the Liquidated Damages, and each Holder may individually grant or withhold its consent to such request in its discretion.
(c)      Termination of Holder’s Rights . A Holder’s rights under this Section 2.01 shall terminate upon the termination of the Effectiveness Period.
Section 2.02      Piggyback Rights .
(a)      Participation . If the Partnership proposes to file (i) a shelf registration statement other than the Registration Statement contemplated by Section 2.01(a) , (ii) a prospectus supplement to an effective shelf registration statement, other than the Registration Statement contemplated by Section 2.01(a) of this Agreement and Holders may be included without the filing of a post-effective amendment thereto, or (iii) a registration statement, other than a shelf registration statement, in each case, for the sale of Common Units in an Underwritten Offering for its own account and/or another Person, then as soon as practicable following the engagement of counsel by the Partnership to prepare the documents to be used in connection with an Underwritten Offering, the Partnership shall give notice (including, but not limited to, notification by electronic mail) of such proposed Underwritten Offering to each Holder (together with its Affiliates) holding at least $30 million of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities (based on the Common Unit Price) and such notice shall offer such Holders the opportunity to include in such Underwritten Offering such number of Registrable Securities (the “ Included Registrable Securities ”) as each such Holder may request in writing; provided, however , that if the Partnership has been advised by the Managing Underwriter that the inclusion of Registrable Securities for sale for the benefit of the Holders will have an adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the Common Units in the Underwritten Offering, then (A) if no Registrable Securities can be included in the Underwritten Offering in the opinion of the Managing Underwriter, the Partnership shall not be required to offer such opportunity to the Holders or (B) if any Registrable Securities can be included in the Underwritten Offering in the opinion of the Managing Underwriter, then the amount of Registrable Securities to be offered for the accounts of Holders shall be determined based on the provisions of Section 2.02(b) . Any notice required to be provided in this Section 2.02(a) to Holders shall be provided on a Business Day pursuant to Section 3.01 hereof and receipt of such notice shall be confirmed and kept confidential by the Holder until such proposed Underwritten Offering is (i) publicly announced or (ii) such Holder receives notice that such proposed Underwritten Offering has been abandoned, which such notice shall be provided promptly by the Partnership to each Holder. Each such Holder shall then have two (2) Business Days (or one (1) Business Day in connection with any overnight or bought Underwritten Offering) after notice has been delivered to request in writing the inclusion of Registrable Securities in the Underwritten Offering. If no written request for inclusion from a Holder is received within the specified time, each such Holder shall have no further right to participate in such Underwritten

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Offering. If, at any time after giving written notice of its intention to undertake an Underwritten Offering and prior to the closing of such Underwritten Offering, the Partnership shall determine for any reason not to undertake or to delay such Underwritten Offering, the Partnership may, at its election, give written notice of such determination to the Selling Holders and, (x) in the case of a determination not to undertake such Underwritten Offering, shall be relieved of its obligation to sell any Included Registrable Securities in connection with such terminated Underwritten Offering, and (y) in the case of a determination to delay such Underwritten Offering, shall be permitted to delay offering any Included Registrable Securities for the same period as the delay in the Underwritten Offering. Any Selling Holder shall have the right to withdraw such Selling Holder’s request for inclusion of such Selling Holder’s Registrable Securities in such Underwritten Offering by giving written notice to the Partnership of such withdrawal at or prior to the time of pricing of such Underwritten Offering. Any Holder may deliver written notice (an “ Opt-Out Notice ”) to the Partnership requesting that such Holder not receive notice from the Partnership of any proposed Underwritten Offering; provided, however , that such Holder may later revoke any such Opt-Out Notice in writing. Following receipt of an Opt-Out Notice from a Holder (unless subsequently revoked), the Partnership shall not be required to deliver any notice to such Holder pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) and such Holder shall no longer be entitled to participate in Underwritten Offerings by the Partnership pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) . The Holders indicated on Schedule A hereto as having opted out shall each be deemed to have delivered an Opt-Out Notice as of the date hereof.
(b)      Priority . If the Managing Underwriter or Underwriters of any proposed Underwritten Offering advises the Partnership that the total amount of Registrable Securities that the Selling Holders and any other Persons intend to include in such offering exceeds the number that can be sold in such offering without being likely to have an adverse effect on the price, timing or distribution of the Common Units offered or the market for the Common Units, then the Common Units to be included in such Underwritten Offering shall include the number of Registrable Securities that such Managing Underwriter or Underwriters advises the Partnership can be sold without having such adverse effect, with such number to be allocated (i) first, to the Partnership and (ii) second, pro rata among the Selling Holders who have requested participation in such Underwritten Offering and, except as provided in clause (i), any other holder of securities of the Partnership having rights of registration that are neither expressly senior nor subordinated to the Registrable Securities (the “ Parity Securities ”). The pro rata allocations for each Selling Holder who has requested participation in such Underwritten Offering shall be the product of (a) the aggregate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in such Underwritten Offering multiplied by (b) the fraction derived by dividing (x) the number of Registrable Securities owned on the Closing Date by such Selling Holder by (y) the aggregate number of Registrable Securities owned on the Closing Date by all Selling Holders plus the aggregate number of Parity Securities owned on the Closing Date by all holders of Parity Securities that are participating in the Underwritten Offering.
(c)      Termination of Piggyback Registration Rights . Each Holder’s rights under this Section 2.02 shall terminate upon such Holder (together with its Affiliates) ceasing to hold at least $30 million of Registrable Securities (based on the Common Unit Price). Each Holder shall notify the Partnership in writing when such Holder holds less than $30 million of Registrable Securities (based on the Common Unit Price).

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Section 2.03      Delay Rights .
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Partnership may, upon written notice to any Selling Holder whose Registrable Securities are included in the Registration Statement or other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, suspend such Selling Holder’s use of any prospectus which is a part of the Registration Statement or other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement (in which event the Selling Holder shall discontinue sales of the Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or such other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement but may settle any previously made sales of Registrable Securities) if (i) the Partnership is pursuing an acquisition, merger, reorganization, disposition, financing or other similar transaction and the Partnership determines in good faith that the Partnership’s ability to pursue or consummate such a transaction would be materially adversely affected by any required disclosure of such transaction in the Registration Statement or such other registration statement or (ii) the Partnership has experienced some other material non‑public event, the disclosure of which at such time, in the good faith judgment of the Partnership, would materially adversely affect the Partnership; provided, however , in no event shall the Selling Holders be suspended from selling Registrable Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement or such other registration statement for a period that exceeds an aggregate of 60 days in any 180‑day period or 105 days in any 365-day period, in each case, exclusive of days covered by any lock-up agreement executed by a Selling Holder in connection with any Underwritten Offering. Upon disclosure of such information or the termination of the condition described above, the Partnership shall provide prompt notice to the Selling Holders whose Registrable Securities are included in the Registration Statement or other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, and shall promptly terminate any suspension of sales it has put into effect and shall take such other reasonable actions to permit registered sales of Registrable Securities as contemplated in this Agreement.
If (i) the Selling Holders shall be prohibited from selling their Registrable Securities under the Registration Statement or other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement as a result of a suspension pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph in excess of the periods permitted therein or (ii) the Registration Statement or other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement is filed and declared effective but, during the Effectiveness Period, shall thereafter cease to be effective or fail to be usable for its intended purpose without being succeeded within 30 Business Days by a post-effective amendment thereto, a supplement to the prospectus or a report filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, then, until the suspension is lifted or a post-effective amendment, supplement or report is filed with the Commission, but not including any day on which a suspension is lifted or such amendment, supplement or report is filed and declared effective, if applicable, the Partnership shall pay the Selling Holders an amount equal to the Liquidated Damages, following the earlier of (x) the date on which the suspension period exceeded the permitted period and (y) the thirty-first (31st) Business Day after the Registration Statement or other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement ceased to be effective or failed to be useable for its intended purposes, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty (for purposes of calculating Liquidated Damages, the date in (x) or (y) above shall be deemed the “90th day,” as used in the definition of Liquidated Damages). For purposes of this paragraph, a suspension shall be deemed lifted on the date that notice that the suspension has been terminated is delivered to the Selling Holders. Liquidated Damages pursuant to this paragraph shall

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cease to accrue upon the Purchased Units held of record by such Holder becoming eligible for resale without restriction and without the need for current public information under any section of Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in effect) under the Securities Act, assuming that such Holder is not an Affiliate of the Partnership, and any payment of Liquidated Damages shall be prorated for any period of less than 30 days in which the payment of Liquidated Damages ceases.
Section 2.04      Underwritten Offerings .
(a)      General Procedures . In connection with any Underwritten Offering under this Agreement, the Partnership 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 the Partnership shall be obligated to enter into an underwriting agreement that contains such representations, covenants, indemnities and other rights and obligations as are customary in underwriting agreements for firm commitment offerings of securities. No Selling Holder may participate in such Underwritten Offering unless such Selling Holder agrees to sell its Registrable Securities on the basis provided in such underwriting agreement and completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting agreement. Each Selling Holder may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Partnership to and for the benefit of such underwriters also be made to and for such Selling Holder’s benefit and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement also be conditions precedent to its obligations. No Selling Holder shall be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Partnership or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Selling Holder, its authority to enter into such underwriting agreement and to sell, and its ownership of, the securities being registered on its behalf, its intended method of distribution and any other representation required by Law. If any Selling Holder disapproves of the terms of an underwriting, such Selling Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by notice to the Partnership and the Managing Underwriter; provided, however , that such withdrawal must be made up to and including the time of pricing of such Underwritten Offering. No such withdrawal or abandonment shall affect the Partnership’s obligation to pay Registration Expenses. The Partnership’s management may but shall not be required to participate in a roadshow or similar marketing effort in connection with any Underwritten Offering.
(b)      No Demand Rights . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no Holder shall be entitled to any “demand” rights or similar rights that would require the Partnership to effect an Underwritten Offering solely on behalf of the Holders.
Section 2.05      Sale Procedures . In connection with its obligations under this Article II , the Partnership will, as expeditiously as possible:
(a)      prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to the Registration Statement and the prospectus and any prospectus supplement used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep the Registration Statement effective for the Effectiveness Period and as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement;

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(b)      if a prospectus or prospectus supplement will be used in connection with the marketing of an Underwritten Offering from the Registration Statement and the Managing Underwriter at any time shall notify the Partnership in writing that, in the sole judgment of such Managing Underwriter, inclusion of detailed information to be used in such prospectus or prospectus supplement is of material importance to the success of the Underwritten Offering of such Registrable Securities, the Partnership shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to include such information in such prospectus or prospectus supplement;
(c)      furnish to each Selling Holder (i) as far in advance as reasonably practicable before filing the 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 the Registration Statement or such other registration statement or supplement or amendment thereto, and (ii) such number of copies of the Registration Statement or such other registration statement and the prospectus and any prospectus supplement included therein and any supplements and amendments thereto as such Selling Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement or other registration statement;
(d)      if applicable, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Selling Holders or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, the Managing Underwriter, shall reasonably request; provided, however , that the Partnership will not be required to qualify generally to transact business in any jurisdiction where it is not then required to so qualify or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;
(e)      promptly notify each Selling Holder, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered by any of them under the Securities Act, of (i) the filing of the Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement to be used in connection therewith, or any amendment or supplement thereto, and, with respect to such Registration Statement or any such other registration statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective; and (ii) the receipt of any written comments from the Commission with respect to any filing referred to in clause (i) and any written request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or any such other registration statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement thereto;
(f)      promptly notify each Selling Holder of (i) the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus or prospectus supplement contained in the Registration Statement or any other

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registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of any prospectus or prospectus supplement contained therein, in the light of the circumstances under which such statement is made); (ii) the issuance or express threat of issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; or (iii) the receipt by the Partnership of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the applicable securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction. Following the provision of such notice, the Partnership agrees, subject to Section 2.03 of this Agreement, to as promptly as practicable amend or supplement the prospectus or prospectus supplement or take other appropriate action so that the prospectus or prospectus supplement does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing and to take such other commercially reasonable action as is necessary to remove a stop order, suspension, threat thereof or proceedings related thereto;
(g)      upon request and subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations, furnish to each Selling Holder copies of any and all transmittal letters or other correspondence with the Commission or any other governmental agency or self-regulatory body or other body having jurisdiction (including any domestic or foreign securities exchange) relating to such offering of Registrable Securities;
(h)      in the case of an Underwritten Offering, furnish upon request, (i) an opinion of counsel for the Partnership dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement and (ii) 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 the Partnership’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 and any prospectus supplement included therein) as have been customarily covered in opinions of issuer’s counsel and in accountants’ letters delivered to the underwriters in Underwritten Offerings of securities by the Partnership and such other matters as such underwriters and Selling Holders may reasonably request;
(i)      otherwise use 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, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 promulgated thereunder;
(j)      make available to the appropriate representatives of the Managing Underwriter and Selling Holders access to such information and Partnership personnel as is reasonable and customary to enable such parties to establish a due diligence defense under the Securities Act; provided , that the Partnership need not disclose any non-public information to any such representative unless and until such representative has entered into a confidentiality agreement with the Partnership;

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(k)      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 the Partnership are then listed;
(l)      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 the Partnership to enable the Selling Holders to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;
(m)      provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement;
(n)      enter into customary agreements and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the Selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities; and
(o)      if requested by a Selling Holder, (i) incorporate in a prospectus or prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement such information as such Selling Holder reasonably requests to be included therein relating to the sale and distribution of Registrable Securities, including information with respect to the number of Registrable Securities being offered or sold, the purchase price being paid therefor and any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be sold in such offering and (ii) make all required filings of such prospectus or prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment after being notified of the matters to be incorporated in such prospectus or prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment.
The Partnership shall not name a Holder as an underwriter as defined in Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act in any registration statement without such Holder’s consent. If the staff of the Commission requires the Partnership to name any Holder as an underwriter as defined in Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, and such Holder does not consent thereto, then such Holder’s Registrable Securities shall not be included on the Registration Statement (or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement), such Holder shall no longer be entitled to receive Liquidated Damages under this Agreement with respect thereto, the Partnership shall have no further obligations hereunder with respect to Registrable Securities held by such Holder and such Holder shall be deemed to have terminated this Agreement with respect to such Holder.
Each Selling Holder, upon receipt of notice from the Partnership of the happening of any event of the kind described in subsection (f) of this Section 2.05 , shall forthwith discontinue offers and sales of the Registrable Securities by means of a prospectus or prospectus supplement until such Selling Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus or prospectus supplement contemplated by subsection (f) of this Section 2.05 or until it is advised in writing by the Partnership that the use of the prospectus or prospectus supplement may be resumed and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings incorporated by reference in the prospectus or prospectus supplement, and, if so directed by the Partnership, such Selling Holder will, or will request the Managing Underwriter(s), if any, to deliver to the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) all copies in their possession or control, other than permanent file copies then in such

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Selling Holder’s possession, of the prospectus or prospectus supplement covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.
Section 2.06      Cooperation by Holders . The Partnership shall have no obligation to include in the Registration Statement, or in an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2.02(a) , Registrable Securities of a Holder who has failed to timely furnish such information that the Partnership determines, after consultation with its counsel, is reasonably required in order for the registration statement or prospectus or prospectus supplement, as applicable, to comply with the Securities Act.
Section 2.07      Restrictions on Public Sale by Holders of Registrable Securities . Each Holder of Registrable Securities agrees, if requested by the underwriters of an Underwritten Offering, to enter into a customary letter agreement with such underwriters providing such Holder will not effect any public sale or distribution of Registrable Securities during the 60 calendar day period beginning on the date of a prospectus or prospectus supplement filed with the Commission with respect to the pricing of any Underwritten Offering, provided that (i) the duration of the foregoing restrictions shall be no longer than the duration of the shortest restriction generally imposed by the underwriters on the Partnership or the officers, directors or any other Affiliate of the Partnership on whom a restriction is imposed and (ii) the restrictions set forth in this Section 2.07 shall not apply to any Registrable Securities that are included in such Underwritten Offering by such Holder. In addition, this Section 2.07 shall not apply to any Holder that is not entitled to participate in such Underwritten Offering, whether because such Holder delivered an Opt-Out Notice prior to receiving notice of the Underwritten Offering or because such Holder holds less than $30 million of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities.
Section 2.08      Expenses .
(a)      Expenses . The Partnership will pay all reasonable Registration Expenses as determined in good faith, including, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, whether or not any sale is made pursuant to such Underwritten Offering. Each Selling Holder shall pay its pro rata share of all Selling Expenses in connection with any sale of its Registrable Securities hereunder. In addition, except as otherwise provided in Section 2.09 hereof, the Partnership shall not be responsible for professional fees incurred by Holders in connection with the exercise of such Holders’ rights hereunder.
(b)      Certain Definitions . “ Registration Expenses ” means all expenses incident to the Partnership’s performance under or compliance with this Agreement to effect the registration of Registrable Securities on the Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.01(a) or an Underwritten Offering covered under this Agreement, and the disposition of such Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, all registration, filing, securities exchange listing and NYSE 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, fees of transfer agents and registrars, all word processing, duplicating and printing expenses, any transfer taxes and the fees and disbursements of counsel and independent public accountants for the Partnership, including the expenses of any special audits or “comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance. “ Selling Expenses ” means all underwriting fees, discounts and selling commissions or similar fees or arrangements allocable to the sale of the Registrable Securities.

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Section 2.09      Indemnification .
(a)      By the Partnership . In the event of a registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, the Partnership will indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder thereunder, its directors, officers, employees and agents and each Person, if any, who controls such Selling Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and its directors, officers, employees or agents (collectively, the “ Selling Holder Indemnified Persons ”), against any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) (collectively, “ Losses ”), joint or several, to which such Selling Holder Indemnified Person may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact (in the case of any prospectus or prospectus supplement, in the light of the circumstances under which such statement is made) contained in the Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, any preliminary prospectus, preliminary prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or final prospectus or prospectus supplement contained therein, 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 or prospectus supplement, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, and will reimburse each such Selling Holder Indemnified Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss or actions or proceedings; provided, however , that the Partnership will not be liable in any such case if and to the extent that any such Loss arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so made in conformity with information furnished by such Selling Holder Indemnified Person in writing specifically for use in the Registration Statement or such other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, any preliminary prospectus, preliminary prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus, or final prospectus or prospectus supplement contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Selling Holder Indemnified Person, and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Selling Holder.
(b)      By Each Selling Holder . Each Selling Holder agrees severally and not jointly to indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership, the General Partner, its directors, officers, employees and agents and each Person, if any, who controls the Partnership within the meaning of the Securities Act or of the Exchange Act, and its directors, officers, employees and agents, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Partnership to the Selling Holders, but only with respect to information regarding such Selling Holder furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Selling Holder expressly for inclusion in the Registration Statement or any other registration statement contemplated by this Agreement, any preliminary prospectus, preliminary prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or final prospectus or prospectus supplement contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof; 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.

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(c)      Notice . Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to any indemnified party other than under this Section 2.09 . In any action brought against any indemnified party, it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof. The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it shall wish, to assume and undertake the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume and undertake the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 2.09 for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation and of liaison with counsel so selected; provided, however , that, (i) if the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense or employ counsel reasonably acceptable to the indemnified party or (ii) if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and 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, 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, no indemnifying party shall settle any action brought against any indemnified party with respect to which such indemnified party is entitled to indemnification hereunder without the consent of the indemnified party, unless the settlement thereof imposes no liability or obligation on, and includes a complete and unconditional release from all liability of, the indemnified party.
(d)      Contribution . If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.09 is held by a court or government agency of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to any indemnified party or is insufficient to hold them harmless in respect of any Losses, then each such indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Loss in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of such indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided, however , that in no event shall such Selling Holder be required to contribute an aggregate amount in excess of the dollar amount of proceeds (net of Selling Expenses) received by such Selling Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification. The relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact has been made by, or relates to, information supplied by such party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this paragraph were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of

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allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to herein. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the Losses referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph shall be deemed to include any legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any Loss that is the subject of this paragraph. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
(e)      Other Indemnification . The provisions of this Section 2.09 shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution that an indemnified party may have pursuant to law, equity, contract or otherwise.
Section 2.10      Rule 144 Reporting . With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Commission that may permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, the Partnership agrees to:
(a)      use commercially reasonable efforts to make and keep public information regarding the Partnership available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, at all times from and after the date hereof;
(b)      use commercially reasonable efforts to file with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Partnership under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act at all times from and after the date hereof; and
(c)      so long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, furnish (i) to the extent accurate, forthwith upon request, a written statement of the Partnership that it has complied with the reporting requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, and (ii) unless otherwise available via EDGAR, to such Holder forthwith upon request a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Partnership, and such other reports and documents 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.
Solely for purposes of this Section 2.10 , the term “Registrable Securities” shall be read without regard to the limitation set forth in Section 1.02(e) .
Section 2.11      Transfer or Assignment of Registration Rights . The rights to cause the Partnership to register Registrable Securities granted to the Purchasers by the Partnership under this Article II may be transferred or assigned by any Purchaser to one or more transferees or assignees of Registrable Securities; provided, however, that (a) unless the transferee or assignee is an Affiliate of, and after such transfer or assignment continues to be an Affiliate of, such Purchaser, the amount of Registrable Securities transferred or assigned to such transferee or assignee shall represent at least $30 million of Registrable Securities (based on the Common Unit Price), (b) the Partnership is given written notice prior to any said transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of each such transferee or assignee and identifying the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned, (c) each such transferee or assignee assumes in writing responsibility for its portion of the obligations of such Purchaser under this Agreement and (d) the

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transferor or assignor is not relieved of any obligations or liabilities hereunder arising out of events occurring prior to such transfer.
Section 2.12      Limitation on Subsequent Registration Rights . From and after the date hereof, the Partnership shall not, without the prior written consent of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities, enter into any agreement with any current or future holder of any securities of the Partnership that would allow such current or future holder to require the Partnership to include securities in any registration statement filed by the Partnership on a basis other than pari passu with, or expressly subordinate to the rights of, the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder.
ARTICLE III
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 3.01      Communications . All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by facsimile, electronic mail, courier service or personal delivery:
(a)      if to a Purchaser, to the respective address listed on Schedule A hereof;

(b)      if to a transferee of a Purchaser, to such Holder at the address provided pursuant to Section 2.11 above; and
(c)      if to the Partnership:
Noble Midstream Partners LP
1001 Noble Energy Way
Houston, Texas 77070
Attention: Terry R. Gerhart
Email: terry.gerhart@nblenergy.com

with a copy to:

Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP
600 Travis Street
Suite 4200
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: G. Michael O’Leary
Courtney Cochran Butler
Email:     moleary@andrewskurth.com
courtneybutler@andrewskurth.com

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been received at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; when receipt acknowledged, if sent via facsimile or sent via Internet electronic mail; and when actually received, if sent by courier service or any other means.

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Section 3.02      Successor and Assigns . This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the parties, including subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities to the extent permitted herein.
Section 3.03      Assignment of Rights . All or any portion of the rights and obligations of any Purchaser under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned by such Purchaser only in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof.
Section 3.04      Recapitalization, Exchanges, Etc. Affecting the Units . The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the full extent set forth herein with respect to any and all units of the Partnership or any successor or assign of the Partnership (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) that may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution of, the Registrable Securities, and shall be appropriately adjusted for combinations, unit splits, recapitalizations, pro rata distributions of units and the like occurring after the date of this Agreement.
Section 3.05      Aggregation of Registrable Securities . All Registrable Securities held or acquired by Persons who are Affiliates of one another shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any rights and applicability of any obligations under this Agreement.
Section 3.06      Specific Performance . Damages in the event of breach of this Agreement by a party hereto may be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain, and it is therefore agreed that each such Person, in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, will have the right to an injunction or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction, enjoining any such breach, and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof, and each of the parties hereto hereby waives any and all defenses it may have on the ground of lack of jurisdiction or competence of the court to grant such an injunction or other equitable relief. The existence of this right will not preclude any such Person from pursuing any other rights and remedies at law or in equity that such Person may have.
Section 3.07      Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, 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. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.
Section 3.08      Headings . The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
Section 3.09      Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT WILL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, AND GOVERNED BY, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

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Section 3.10      Severability of Provisions . Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting or impairing the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
Section 3.11      Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the Common Unit Purchase Agreement and the other agreements and documents referred to herein 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. There are no restrictions, promises, warranties, representations or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the rights granted by the Partnership set forth herein. This Agreement and the Common Unit Purchase Agreement supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.
Section 3.12      Amendment . This Agreement may be amended only by means of a written amendment signed by the Partnership and the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities; provided, however, that no such amendment shall materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder hereunder without the consent of such Holder.
Section 3.13      No Presumption . If any claim is made by a party relating to any conflict, omission or ambiguity in this Agreement, no presumption or burden of proof or persuasion shall be implied by virtue of the fact that this Agreement was prepared by or at the request of a particular party or its counsel.
Section 3.14      Obligations Limited to Parties to Agreement . Each of the parties hereto covenants, agrees and acknowledges that no Person other than the Purchasers (and their permitted transferees and assignees) and the Partnership shall have any obligation hereunder and that, notwithstanding that one or more of the Purchasers may be a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, no recourse under this Agreement or under any documents or instruments delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be had against any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate of any of the Purchasers or any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate 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 be incurred by any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate of any of the Purchasers or any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate of any of the foregoing, as such, for any obligations of the Purchasers under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection herewith or therewith or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligation or its creation, except in each case for any transferee or assignee of a Purchaser hereunder.
Section 3.15      Independent Nature of Purchaser’s Obligations . The obligations of each Purchaser (and their permitted transferees and assignees) under this Agreement are several and not

18




joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Purchaser under this Agreement. Nothing contained herein, and no action taken by any Purchaser pursuant thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of group or entity, or create a presumption that the Purchasers are in any way acting in concert or as a group with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Each Purchaser shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Purchaser to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.
Section 3.16      Interpretation . Article and Section references 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.
[Signature pages to follow]



19




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto execute this Agreement, effective as of the date first above written.
NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP
By: NOBLE MIDSTREAM GP, LLC,
its General Partner


By: /s/ Terry R. Gerhart     
Name: Terry R. Gerhart
Title: Terry R. Gerhart





Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



FIDELITY CENTRAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS LLC: Fidelity Energy Central Fund


By:      /s/ Jeffrey Christian     
Name: Jeffrey Christian
Title: Authorized Signatory


FIDELITY SELECT PORTFOLIOS: Energy Portfolio


By:      /s/ Jeffrey Christian     
Name: Jeffrey Christian
Title: Authorized Signatory


FIDELITY SELECT PORTFOLIOS: Natural Resources Portfolio


By:      /s/ Jeffrey Christian     
Name: Jeffrey Christian
Title: Authorized Signatory


FIDELITY ADVISOR SERIES VII: Fidelity Advisor Energy Fund


By:      /s/ Jeffrey Christian     
Name: Jeffrey Christian
Title: Authorized Signatory


VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND IV: Energy Portfolio


By:      /s/ Jeffrey Christian     
Name: Jeffrey Christian
Title: Authorized Signatory




Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



Fidelity Advisor Series I: Fidelity Advisor Small Cap Fund


By:      /s/ Jeffrey Christian     
Name: Jeffrey Christian
Title: Authorized Signatory


Fidelity Advisor Series I: Fidelity Advisor Series Small Cap Fund


By:      /s/ Jeffrey Christian     
Name: Jeffrey Christian
Title: Authorized Signatory


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



Goldman Sachs MLP Energy Infrastructure Fund
Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P., its Investment Adviser


By:      /s/ Ganesh Jois     
Name: Ganesh Jois
Title: Managing Director


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System

By: TPH Asset Management LP, in its capacity as investment advisor


By:      /s/ Walker Moody     
Name: Walker Moody
Title: Authorized Person


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



TPH Energy Infrastructure Master Fund, LP

By: TPH Asset Management LP, its investment manager


By:      /s/ Walker Moody     
Name: Walker Moody
Title: Authorized Person


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



TPH MLP Fund, LP

By: TPH Asset Management LP, its investment manager


By:      /s/ Walker Moody     
Name: Walker Moody
Title: Authorized Person


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



HITE Hedge LP


By:      /s/ James Jampel     
Name: James Jampel
Title: General Partner


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



HITE MLP Advantage LP


By:      /s/ James Jampel     
Name: James Jampel
Title: General Partner


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



HITE MLP LP


By:      /s/ James Jampel     
Name: James Jampel
Title: General Partner


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



HITE Hedge QP LP


By:      /s/ James Jampel     
Name: James Jampel
Title: General Partner


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



KAYNE SELECT MIDSTREAM RECOVERY FUND, L.P.

By: Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.,
as its General Partner


By:      /s/ David Shladovsky     
Name: David Shladovsky
Title: General Counsel


KAYNE ANDERSON MIDSTREAM INSTITUTIONAL FUND, L.P.

By: Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.,
as its General Partner


By:      /s/ David Shladovsky     
Name: David Shladovsky
Title: General Counsel


ORANGE COUNTY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM

By: Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.,
as its Manager


By:      /s/ David Shladovsky     
Name: David Shladovsky
Title: General Counsel


KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS

By: Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.,
as its Manager


By:      /s/ David Shladovsky     
Name: David Shladovsky
Title: General Counsel


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By: KA Fund Advisors, LLC,
as Investment Manager


By:      /s/ James C. Baker     
Name: James C. Baker
Title: Managing Director


MGMP, LP

By: KA Fund Advisors, LLC,
as Investment Manager


By:      /s/ James C. Baker     
Name: James C. Baker
Title: Managing Director


ASCENSION ALPHA FUND, LLC

By: KA Fund Advisors, LLC,
as Manager


By:      /s/ James C. Baker     
Name: James C. Baker
Title: Managing Director


ASCENSION HEALTH MASTER PENSION TRUST

By: KA Fund Advisors, LLC,
as Manager


By:      /s/ James C. Baker     
Name: James C. Baker
Title: Managing Director


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



MTP ENERGY MASTER FUND LTD
By MTP Energy Management LLC, its investment advisor
By Magnetar Financial LLC, its sole member


By:      /s/ Michael Turro     
Name: Michael Turro
Title: Chief Compliance Officer


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



FS ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND
By Magnetar Asset Management LLC, its sub-adviser


By:      /s/ Michael Turro     
Name: Michael Turro
Title: Chief Compliance Officer


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



Salient MLP Fund, L.P.

By: Salient Capital Advisors, LLC
Its Investment Manager


By:      /s/ Gregory A. Reid     
Name: Gregory A. Reid
Title: Managing Director


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



Salient MLP Total Return Fund, L.P.

By: Salient Capital Advisors, LLC
Its Investment Manager


By:      /s/ Gregory A. Reid     
Name: Gregory A. Reid
Title: Managing Director


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



TORTOISE DIRECT OPPORTUNITIES FUND, LP

By: TORTOISE DIRECT OPPORTUNITIES GP LLC, its General Partner


By:      /s/ Connie Savage     
Name: Connie Savage
Title: Director


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



TORTOISE SELECT OPPORTUNITY FUND

By: TORTOISE CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.L.C., as its Investment Adviser


By:      /s/ Brian Kessens     
Name: Brian Kessens
Title: Managing Director


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



TORTOISE MLP & PIPELINE FUND

By: TORTOISE CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.L.C., as its Investment Adviser


By:      /s/ Brian Kessens     
Name: Brian Kessens
Title: Managing Director


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



TEXAS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

By: TORTOISE CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.L.C., as its Investment Adviser


By:      /s/ Brian Kessens     
Name: Brian Kessens
Title: Managing Director


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement



TORTOISE VIP MLP & PIPELINE PORTFOLIO

By: TORTOISE CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.L.C., as its Investment Adviser


By:      /s/ Brian Kessens     
Name: Brian Kessens
Title: Managing Director


Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement


Exhibit 10.1







COMMON UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT
by and among
NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP
and
THE PURCHASERS NAMED ON SCHEDULE A HERETO








TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1      Definitions    1
ARTICLE II

AGREEMENT TO SELL AND PURCHASE
Section 2.1      Sale and Purchase    6
Section 2.2      Closing    6
Section 2.3      Mutual Conditions    6
Section 2.4      Each Purchaser’s Conditions    6
Section 2.5      The Partnership’s Conditions    7
Section 2.6      Partnership Deliveries    7
Section 2.7      Purchaser Deliveries    8
Section 2.8      Independent Nature of Purchasers’ Obligations and Rights    8
ARTICLE III

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTNERSHIP
Section 3.1      Formation and Qualification of the Partnership Entities    9
Section 3.2      Purchased Units; Capitalization    9
Section 3.3      No Conflicts    11
Section 3.4      No Defaults    11
Section 3.5      Authority    11
Section 3.6      No Consents    12
Section 3.7      Authorization, Execution and Delivery of the Common Unit Purchase Agreement    12
Section 3.8      Authorization, Execution, Delivery and Enforceability of the Registration Rights Agreement    12
Section 3.9      Contribution Agreement    12
Section 3.10      Authorization of Contribution Equity Consideration    12
Section 3.11      Valid Issuance; No Options or Preemptive Rights of Common Units    12
Section 3.12      No Registration Rights    13
Section 3.13      Periodic Reports    13
Section 3.14      Financial Statements    13
Section 3.15      Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm    13
Section 3.16      Legal Proceedings    13
Section 3.17      No Material Changes    13
Section 3.18      Title to Properties    14
Section 3.19      Rights of Way    14
Section 3.20      Permits    14
Section 3.21      Intellectual Property    14
Section 3.22      Insurance    15
Section 3.23      No Labor Dispute    15
Section 3.24      Environmental Compliance    15
Section 3.25      FERC    15
Section 3.26      Tax Returns    15
Section 3.27      ERISA    16
Section 3.28      No Employment Law Violations    16

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Section 3.29      Anti-Corruption    16
Section 3.30      OFAC    16
Section 3.31      Sanctions    17
Section 3.32      Certain Fees    17
Section 3.33      No Side Agreements    17
Section 3.34      No Registration    17
Section 3.35      No Integration    17
Section 3.36      MLP Status    17
Section 3.37      Qualifying Income of Contributed Interests    17
Section 3.38      Investment Company    17
Section 3.39      Disclosure Controls and Procedures    18
Section 3.40      Internal Controls    18
Section 3.41      Placement Agent Reliance    18
Section 3.42      Legal Sufficiency of the Contribution Agreement    18
Section 3.43      Absence of Price Manipulation    18
ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASERS
Section 4.1      Existence    18
Section 4.2      Authorization, Enforceability    19
Section 4.3      No Breach    19
Section 4.4      Certain Fees    19
Section 4.5      No Side Agreements    19
Section 4.6      Investment    19
Section 4.7      Nature of Purchaser    19
Section 4.8      Restricted Securities    19
Section 4.9      Legend    20
Section 4.10      Partnership Information    20
Section 4.11      Placement Agent Reliance    20
Section 4.12      Short Selling    20
ARTICLE V

COVENANTS
Section 5.1      Taking of Necessary Action    20
Section 5.2      Other Actions    21
Section 5.3      Contribution Transaction    21
Section 5.4      Expenses    21
Section 5.5      Non-Public Information    21
ARTICLE VI

INDEMNIFICATION
Section 6.1      Indemnification by the Partnership    21
Section 6.2      Indemnification Procedure    22
ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1      Interpretation    22

ii




Section 7.2      Survival of Provisions    23
Section 7.3      No Waiver; Modifications in Writing    23
Section 7.4      Binding Effect; Assignment    23
Section 7.5      Confidentiality    23
Section 7.6      Communications    24
Section 7.7      Removal of Legend    24
Section 7.8      Entire Agreement    25
Section 7.9      Governing Law    25
Section 7.10      Execution in Counterparts    25
Section 7.11      Termination    25
Section 7.12      Recapitalization, Exchanges, Etc    25

Schedule A    —    List of Purchasers and Commitment Amounts
Exhibit A    —    Form of Registration Rights Agreement
Exhibit B    —    Form of Opinion of Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP



iii




COMMON UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT
This COMMON UNIT PURCHASE AGREEMENT, dated as of June 20, 2017 (this “ Agreement ”), is by and among NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “ Partnership ”), and each of the purchasers listed on Schedule A hereof (each a “ Purchaser ” and collectively, the “ Purchasers ”).
WHEREAS, NBL Midstream, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ NBL Midstream ”), Noble Midstream Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Midstream Services ”), the Partnership, Noble Midstream GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the sole general partner of the Partnership (the “ General Partner ”), and Blanco River DevCo GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“ Blanco River DevCo GP ”), will enter into the Contribution Agreement (as defined below), pursuant to which NBL Midstream will, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Contribution Agreement, contribute to the Partnership (i) a 20% limited partner interest (the “ Colorado River Interest ”) in Colorado River DevCo LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Colorado River DevCo ”), and (ii) a 15% limited partner interest (together with the Colorado River Interest, the “ Contributed Interests ”) in Blanco River DevCo LP, a Delaware limited partnership (“ Blanco River DevCo ”), that, upon contribution, will convert to a general partner interest in Blanco River DevCo, in exchange for aggregate consideration of $270 million, consisting of cash and common units (“ Common Units ”) representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “ Unit Consideration ”);
WHEREAS, to fund a portion of the purchase price for the Contribution (as defined below), the Partnership desires to sell to the Purchasers, and the Purchasers desire to purchase from the Partnership, certain Common Units, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Partnership and the Purchasers will enter into a registration rights agreement (the “ Registration Rights Agreement ”), substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A , pursuant to which the Partnership will provide the Purchasers with certain registration rights with respect to the Common Units acquired pursuant hereto.
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, the Partnership and each of the Purchasers, severally and not jointly, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
Section 1.1     Definitions . As used in this Agreement, and unless the context requires a different meaning, the following terms have the meanings indicated:
Advantage ” means Advantage Pipeline Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Advantage LLC Agreement ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.2(k) .
Affiliate ” means, with respect to any Person, any other Person that directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Person in question. As used herein, the term “control” means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.
Agreement ” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph.
Blanco River DevCo ” has the meaning specified in the recitals.
Blanco River DevCo GP ” has the meaning specified in the recitals.
Business Day ” means a day other than (a) a Saturday or Sunday or (b) any day on which banks located in New York, New York, U.S.A. are authorized or obligated to close.





Closing ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2 .
Closing Date ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.2 .
Code ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.27 .
Colorado River Devco ” has the meaning specified in the recitals.
Colorado River DevCo GP ” means Colorado River DevCo GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Colorado River Interest ” has the meaning specified in the recitals.
Commission ” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Common Unit Price ” has the meaning specified in Section 2.1(b) .
Common Units ” has the meaning specified in the recitals.
Consent ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.6 .
Contributed Interests ” has the meaning specified in the recitals.
Contribution ” means, collectively, the contribution, conveyance, transfer and assignment by NBL Midstream of the Contributed Interests to the Partnership pursuant to the Contribution Agreement.
Contribution Agreement ” means the Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2017, by and among NBL Midstream, Midstream Services, the Partnership, the General Partner and Blanco River DevCo GP.
Delaware LLC Act ” means the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.
Delaware LP Act ” means the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act.
Development Companies ” means, collectively, Blanco River DevCo, Colorado River DevCo, Green River DevCo, Gunnison River DevCo, Laramie River DevCo, San Juan River DevCo and Trinity River DevCo.
Development Company Operating Agreements ” has the meaning specified in the Section 3.2(j) .
Enforceability Exceptions ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7 .
Environmental Laws ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.24 .
ERISA ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.27 .
ERISA Affiliate ” has the meaning specified in the Section 3.27 .
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.
FCPA ” has the meaning specified in the Section 3.29(a) .
FERC ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.25 .
Fundamental Representations ” has the meaning specified in Section 7.2 .

2




GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States.
General Partner ” has the meaning specified in the recitals.
General Partner Interest ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.2(e) .
Governmental Authority ” means, with respect to a particular Person, any country, state, county, city and political subdivision in which such Person or such Person’s property is located or that exercises valid jurisdiction over any such Person or such Person’s property, and any court, agency, department, commission, board, bureau or instrumentality of any of them and any monetary authority that exercises valid jurisdiction over any such Person or such Person’s property. Unless otherwise specified, all references to Governmental Authority herein with respect to the Partnership mean a Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Partnership, its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets.
GP LLC Agreement ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.2(d) .
GP Subsidiaries ” means, collectively, Blanco River DevCo GP, Colorado River DevCo GP, Green River DevCo GP, Gunnison River DevCo GP, Laramie River DevCo GP and San Juan River DevCo GP.
GP Subsidiaries LLC Agreements ” has the meaning specified in the Section 3.2(i) .
Green River DevCo ” means Green River DevCo LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
Green River DevCo GP ” means Green River DevCo GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Gunnison River DevCo ” means Gunnison River DevCo LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
Gunnison River DevCo GP ” means Gunnison River DevCo GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Hazardous Material ” has the meaning specified in the Section 3.24 .
Incentive Distribution Rights ” means all of the incentive distribution rights representing limited partner interests in the Partnership.
Intellectual Property ” has the meaning specified in the Section 3.21 .
Investment Company Act ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.38 .
Laramie River DevCo ” means Laramie River DevCo LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
Laramie River DevCo GP ” means Laramie River DevCo GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Law ” means any federal, state, local or foreign order, writ, injunction, judgment, settlement, award, decree, statute, law, rule or regulation.
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 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. For the purpose of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be the owner of any property that it has acquired or holds 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.
Material Adverse Effect ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.1 .

3




Midstream Services ” has the meaning specified in the recitals.
Midstream Services LLC Agreement ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.2(h) .
Money Laundering Laws ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.29(b) .
NBL Midstream ” has the meaning specified in the recitals.
Noble Entities ” means Noble Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Noble Energy Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
NYSE ” means The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
OFAC ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.30 .
Omnibus Agreement ” means the Omnibus Agreement, dated September 20, 2016, by and between the Noble Entities, NBL Midstream, Midstream Services, the General Partner and the Partnership.
Operational Services and Secondment Agreement ” means the Operational Services and Secondment Agreement, dated September 20, 2016, by and between the Noble Entities, Midstream Services, the General Partner and the Partnership.
Operative Documents ” means, collectively, this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and any amendments, supplements, continuations or modifications thereto.
Organizational Documents ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.11 .
Partnership ” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph.
Partnership Agreement ” means the First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Partnership dated as of September 20, 2016.
Partnership Entities ” means, collectively, the Partnership, the General Partner and the Subsidiaries.
Permits ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.20 .
Person ” means an individual or a corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, government agency or political subdivision thereof or other form of entity.
Placement Agent Engagement Letter ” means that certain Placement Agent Engagement Letter, dated as of June 19, 2017, between the Partnership and the Placement Agents.
Placement Agents ” means Barclays Capital, Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Mizuho Securities USA Inc.
Press Release ” has the meaning specified in Section 5.5 .
Purchase Price ” means, with respect to each Purchaser, the dollar amount set forth opposite such Purchaser’s name in the column titled “Commitment Amount” set forth on Schedule A hereto, as adjusted in accordance with Section 7.12 , if applicable; provided that in no event shall the Purchase Price applicable to such Purchaser be increased without the prior written consent of such Purchaser.

4




Purchased Units ” means, with respect to each Purchaser, the number of Common Units (rounded, if necessary, to the nearest whole number) equal to the quotient of (a) the Purchase Price applicable to such Purchaser divided by (b) the Common Unit Price.
Purchaser ” and “ Purchasers ” have the meanings specified in the introductory paragraph.
Purchaser Related Parties ” has the meaning specified in Section 6.1 .
Registration Rights Agreement ” has the meaning specified in the recitals.
Registration Statement ” has the meaning specified in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Representatives ” of any Person means the Affiliates, officers, directors, managers, employees, agents, counsel, accountants, investment bankers and other representatives of such Person.
Revolving Credit Facility ” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of September 20, 2016, among Midstream Services, the Partnership, J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the guarantors and lenders party thereto, as amended.
rights-of-way ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.19 .
San Juan River DevCo ” means San Juan River DevCo LP, a Delaware limited partnership.
San Juan River DevCo GP ” means San Juan River DevCo GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Sanctioned Countries ” and “ Sanctioned Country ” have the meaning specified in the Section 3.31 .
Sanctioned Person ” has the meaning specified in the Section 3.30 .
Sanctions ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.30 .
SEC Reports ” means reports and statements filed by the Partnership under the Exchange Act and statements filed by the Partnership under the Securities Act (in the form that became effective), including all amendments, exhibits and schedules thereto.
Securities Act ” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time, and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.
Short Sales ” means, without limitation, all “short sales” as defined in Rule 200 promulgated under Regulation SHO under the Exchange Act, whether or not against the box, and forward sale contracts, options, puts, calls, short sales, “put equivalent positions” (as defined in Rule 16a-1(h) under the Exchange Act) and similar arrangements, and sales and other transactions through non-U.S. broker dealers or foreign regulated brokers.
Sponsor Units ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.2(g) .
Subordinated Units ” has the meaning specified in the Partnership Agreement.
Subsidiaries ” means, collectively, Midstream Services, the Development Companies and the GP Subsidiaries.
Trinity River DevCo ” means Trinity River DevCo LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Unit Consideration ” has the meaning specified in the recitals.
Walled Off Person ” has the meaning specified in Section 4.12 .

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White Cliffs ” means White Cliffs Pipeline, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company.
White Cliffs LLC Agreement ” has the meaning specified in Section 3.2(l) .
ARTICLE II
AGREEMENT TO SELL AND PURCHASE
Section 2.1     Sale and Purchase .
(a)    Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Partnership hereby agrees to issue and sell to each Purchaser and each Purchaser hereby agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Partnership, its respective Purchased Units, and each Purchaser agrees, severally and not jointly, to pay the Partnership the Common Unit Price for each Purchased Unit as set forth in paragraph (b) below.
(b)    The amount per Common Unit each Purchaser will pay to the Partnership to purchase the Purchased Units hereunder shall be $40.45 (the “ Common Unit Price ”).
Section 2.2     Closing . Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the consummation of the purchase and sale of the Purchased Units hereunder (the “ Closing ”) shall take place at the offices of Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP, 600 Travis Street, Suite 4200 Houston, Texas 77002, or such other location as mutually agreed by the parties, and upon the first Business Day following the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Sections 2.3 , 2.4 and 2.5 (other than those conditions that are by their terms to be satisfied at the Closing) (the date of such closing, the “ Closing Date ”). The parties agree that the Closing may occur via delivery of facsimiles or photocopies of the Operative Documents and the closing deliverables contemplated hereby and thereby. Unless otherwise provided herein, all proceedings to be taken and all documents to be executed and delivered by all parties at the Closing will be deemed to have been taken and executed simultaneously, and no proceedings will be deemed to have been taken or documents executed or delivered until all have been taken, executed or delivered.
Section 2.3     Mutual Conditions . The respective obligations of each party to consummate the purchase and issuance and sale of the Purchased Units shall be subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may be waived by a party on behalf of itself in writing, in whole or in part, to the extent permitted by applicable Law):
(a)    No Law shall have been enacted or promulgated, and no action shall have been taken, by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction that temporarily, preliminarily or permanently restrains, precludes, enjoins or otherwise prohibits the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or makes the transactions contemplated hereby illegal;
(b)    There shall not be pending any suit, action or proceeding by any Governmental Authority seeking to restrain, preclude, enjoin or prohibit the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; and
(c)    The closing of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement shall have occurred, or shall occur concurrently with the Closing.
Section 2.4     Each Purchaser’s Conditions . The obligation of each Purchaser to consummate the purchase of its Purchased Units shall be subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions (any or all of which may be waived by a particular Purchaser on behalf of itself in writing with respect to its Purchased Units, in whole or in part, to the extent permitted by applicable Law):
(a)    The Partnership shall have performed and complied with the covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed and complied with by the Partnership on or prior to the Closing Date;

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(b)    (i) The representations and warranties of the Partnership contained in this Agreement that are qualified by materiality or a Material Adverse Effect shall be true and correct when made and as of the Closing Date and (ii) all other representations and warranties of the Partnership shall be true and correct in all material respects when made and as of the Closing Date, in each case as though made at and as of the Closing Date (except that representations and warranties made as of a specific date shall be required to be true and correct as of such date only);
(c)    The NYSE shall have authorized, upon official notice of issuance, the listing of the Purchased Units;
(d)    No notice of delisting from the NYSE shall have been received by the Partnership with respect to the Common Units;
(e)    The Common Units shall not have been suspended by the Commission or the NYSE from trading on the NYSE nor shall suspension by the Commission or the NYSE have been threatened in writing by the Commission or the NYSE;
(f)    No Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(g)    The Partnership shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to the Purchasers at the Closing, the Partnership’s closing deliveries described in Section 2.6 .
Section 2.5     The Partnership’s Conditions . The obligation of the Partnership to consummate the issuance and sale of the Purchased Units to a Purchaser shall be subject to the satisfaction on or prior to the Closing Date of each of the following conditions with respect to such Purchaser (any or all of which may be waived by the Partnership in writing, in whole or in part, to the extent permitted by applicable Law):
(a)    (i) The representations and warranties of such Purchaser contained in this Agreement that are qualified by materiality shall be true and correct when made and as of the Closing Date and (ii) all other representations and warranties of such Purchaser shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date (except that representations of such Purchaser made as of a specific date shall be required to be true and correct as of such date only); and
(b)    Such Purchaser shall have delivered, or caused to be delivered, to the Partnership at the Closing, such Purchaser’s closing deliveries described in Section 2.7 .
Section 2.6     Partnership Deliveries . At the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Partnership will deliver, or cause to be delivered, to each Purchaser:
(a)    evidence of the Purchased Units credited to book-entry accounts maintained by the transfer agent of the Partnership, bearing the legend or restrictive notation set forth in Section 4.9 , free and clear of all Liens, other than transfer restrictions under the Partnership Agreement and applicable federal and state securities laws;
(b)    the Registration Rights Agreement in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A , which shall have been duly executed by the Partnership;
(c)    A certificate of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, dated a recent date, to the effect that each of the Partnership Entities is in good standing;
(d)    An opinion addressed to the Purchasers from Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP, legal counsel to the Partnership, dated as of the Closing, in the form and substance attached hereto as Exhibit B ;
(e)    A certificate, dated the Closing Date and signed by each of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, in their capacities as such, stating that:

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(i)    The Partnership has performed and complied with the covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement that are required to be performed and complied with by the Partnership on or prior to the Closing Date; and
(ii)    The representations and warranties of the Partnership contained in this Agreement that are qualified by materiality or Material Adverse Effect are true and correct as of the Closing Date and all other representations and warranties of the Partnership are true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date (except that representations and warranties made as of a specific date shall be required to be true and correct as of such date only); and
(f)    A certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the General Partner, on behalf of the Partnership, certifying as to (i) the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Partnership, as amended, and the Partnership Agreement, (ii) board resolutions authorizing the execution and delivery of the Operative Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, including the issuance and sale of the Purchased Units, and (iii) its incumbent officers authorized to execute the Operative Documents, setting forth the name and title and bearing the signature of each such officer.
Section 2.7     Purchaser Deliveries . At the Closing, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, each Purchaser will deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Partnership:
(a)    Payment to the Partnership of the Purchase Price set forth opposite such Purchaser’s name under the column titled “Commitment Amount” on Schedule A hereto by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account designated by the Partnership in writing at least two Business Days prior to the Closing Date; provided that such delivery shall be required only after delivery of the Purchased Units as set forth in Section 2.6(a) ; and
(b)    The Registration Rights Agreement in the form attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A , which shall have been duly executed by such Purchaser.
Section 2.8     Independent Nature of Purchasers’ Obligations and Rights . The obligations of each Purchaser under any Operative Document are several and not joint with the obligations of any other Purchaser, and no Purchaser shall be responsible in any way for the performance of the obligations of any other Purchaser under any Operative Document. The failure or waiver of performance under any Operative Document by any Purchaser does not excuse performance by any other Purchaser or by the Partnership with respect to the other Purchasers. It is expressly understood and agreed that each provision contained in the Operative Documents is between the Partnership and a Purchaser, solely, and not between the Partnership and the Purchasers, collectively, and not between and among the Purchasers. Nothing contained herein or in any other Operative Document, and no action taken by any Purchaser pursuant thereto, shall be deemed to constitute the Purchasers as a partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of group or entity, or create a presumption that the Purchasers are in any way acting in concert or as a group for purposes of Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise with respect to such obligations or the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents. Each Purchaser shall be entitled to independently protect and enforce its rights, including without limitation, the rights arising out of this Agreement or out of the other Operative Documents, and it shall not be necessary for any other Purchaser to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.
ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTNERSHIP
The Partnership represents and warrants to each Purchaser as follows:
Section 3.1     Formation and Qualification of the Partnership Entities . Each of the Partnership Entities has been duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing as a limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation or other business entity under the laws of its jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, as applicable,, is duly qualified to do business as a foreign limited partnership, limited liability company, corporation or other business entity and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its

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business requires such qualification, and has all power and authority necessary to own or hold its properties and to conduct the business in which it is engaged, except where the failure to be so qualified, in good standing or have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, (a) have a material adverse effect on the business, properties, management, financial position or results of operations of the Partnership Entities taken as a whole; (b) materially impair the ability of any of the Partnership Entities to consummate the Contribution or to perform their respective obligations under this Agreement or the other Operative Documents (each of clause (a) and (b), a “Material Adverse Effect”); or (c) subject the limited partners of the Partnership to any material liability or disability. Each of the Partnership Entities has all power and authority necessary to own or hold its properties and to conduct the business in which it is engaged. The Partnership does not own or control, directly or indirectly, any corporation, association or other entity other than the Subsidiaries, Advantage and White Cliffs.
Section 3.2     Purchased Units; Capitalization .
(a)    On the Closing Date, the Purchased Units shall have those rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions governing the Common Units as set forth in the Partnership Agreement.
(b)     General Partner . The General Partner has, and at the Closing Date will have, full limited liability company power and authority to serve as general partner of the Partnership. The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Partnership.
(c)     Common Units Held . As of the date hereof, the issued and outstanding partnership interests of the Partnership consist of (i) 15,902,584 Common Units and 15,902,584 Subordinated Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights, which are the only limited partner interests of the Partnership issued and outstanding (other than limited partner interests issued under the Partnership’s long-term incentive plan), and (ii) the General Partner Interest; all of such Common Units have been duly authorized and validly issued pursuant to the Partnership Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act).
(d)     Ownership of the General Partner . NBL Midstream owns, and on the Closing Date will own, a 100% membership interest in the General Partner; such membership interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the limited liability company agreement of the General Partner ( the “ GP LLC Agreement ”) and is fully paid (to the extent required under the GP LLC Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and NBL Midstream owns such membership interest free and clear of all Liens (except for (i) restrictions on transferability contained in the Partnership Agreement and (ii) Liens created or arising under the Delaware LP Act).
(e)     Ownership of the General Partner Interest in the Partnership . The General Partner is, and on the Closing Date will be, the sole general partner of the Partnership, with a noneconomic general partner interest in the Partnership (the “ General Partner Interest ”); such General Partner Interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement; and the General Partner owns such General Partner Interest free and clear of all Liens (except for (i) restrictions on transferability contained in the Partnership Agreement and (ii) Liens created or arising under the Delaware LP Act).
(f)     Ownership of the Incentive Distribution Rights . NBL Midstream owns, and on the Closing Date will own, all of the Incentive Distribution Rights; the Incentive Distribution Rights and the limited partner interests represented thereby have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act); and NBL Midstream owns such Incentive Distribution Rights free and clear of all Liens (except for (i) restrictions on transferability contained in the Partnership Agreement and (ii) Liens created or arising under the Delaware LP Act).
(g)     Ownership of the Sponsor Units . NBL Midstream owns, and on the Closing Date will own 1,527,584 Common Units and 15,902,584 Subordinated Units (collectively, the “ Sponsor Units ”); the Sponsor Units and the limited partner interests represented thereby have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with

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the Partnership Agreement and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17‑804 of the Delaware LP Act); and NBL Midstream owns such Sponsor Units free and clear of all Liens (except for (i) restrictions on transferability contained in the Partnership Agreement and (ii) Liens created or arising under the Delaware LP Act).
(h)     Ownership of Midstream Services . The Partnership owns, and on the Closing Date will own, 100% of the limited liability company interests in Midstream Services; such limited liability company interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the limited liability company agreement of Midstream Services (the “ Midstream Services LLC Agreement ”) and are fully paid (to the extent required under the Midstream Services LLC Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and the Partnership owns such limited liability company interests free and clear of all Liens (except for (i) restrictions on transferability contained in the Midstream Services LLC Agreement, (ii) Liens created or arising under the Delaware LLC Act and (iii) Liens created or arising under the Revolving Credit Facility).
(i)     Ownership of GP Subsidiaries . Midstream Services owns, and on the Closing Date will own, a 100% membership interest in each of the GP Subsidiaries; such membership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the limited liability company agreements of the GP Subsidiaries time (the “ GP Subsidiaries LLC Agreements ”) and are fully paid (to the extent required under the GP Subsidiaries LLC Agreements) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and Midstream Services owns such membership interests free and clear of all Liens (except for (i) restrictions on transferability contained in the GP Subsidiaries LLC Agreements, (ii) Liens created or arising under the Delaware LLC Act and (iii) Liens created or arising under the Revolving Credit Facility).
(j)     Ownership of Development Companies . On the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Contribution, (i) Colorado River DevCo GP will own an 80% general partner interest and Midstream Services will own a 20% limited partner interest in Colorado River DevCo, (ii) Green River DevCo GP will own a 25% general partner interest and NBL Midstream will own a 75% limited partner interest in Green River DevCo, (iii) Gunnison River DevCo GP will own a 5% general partner interest and NBL Midstream will own a 95% limited partner interest in Gunnison River DevCo, (iv) Laramie River DevCo GP will own a 5% general partner interest and Midstream Services will own a 95% limited partner interest in Laramie River DevCo, (v) San Juan River DevCo GP will own a 25% general partner interest and NBL Midstream will own a 75% limited partner interest in San Juan River DevCo, (vi) Blanco River DevCo GP will own a 40% general partner interest and NBL Midstream will own a 60% limited partner interest in Blanco River DevCo and (vii) Midstream Services will own a 100% membership interest in Trinity River DevCo; such interests will have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the agreements of limited partnership or limited liability company agreements, as applicable, of the Development Companies (the “ Development Company Operating Agreements ”); the GP Subsidiaries, NBL Midstream and Midstream Services, as applicable, will own such interests free and clear of all Liens (except for (i) restrictions on transferability contained in the Development Company Operating Agreements, (ii) Liens created or arising under the Delaware LP Act, (iii) Liens created or arising under the Delaware LLC Act and (iv) Liens created or arising under the Revolving Credit Facility).
(k)     Ownership of Advantage . Trinity River DevCo owns, and on the Closing Date will own, a 50% membership interest in Advantage; to the knowledge of the Partnership, such membership interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the limited liability company agreement of Advantage (the “ Advantage LLC Agreement ”); Trinity River DevCo owns such membership interests free and clear of all Liens (except for (i) restrictions on transferability contained in the Advantage LLC Agreement, (ii) Liens created or arising under the Delaware LLC Act and (iii) Liens created or arising under the Revolving Credit Facility).
(l)     Ownership of White Cliffs . Midstream Services owns, and on the Closing Date will own, a 3.33% membership interest in White Cliffs; to the knowledge of the Partnership, such membership interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the limited liability company agreement of White Cliffs (the “ White Cliffs LLC Agreement ”); Midstream Services owns such membership interests free and clear of all Liens (except for (i) restrictions on transferability contained in the White Cliffs LLC Agreement, (ii) Liens created or arising under the Delaware LLC Act and (iii) Liens created or arising under the Revolving Credit Facility).

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(m)     No Other Subsidiaries . On the Closing Date, and after giving effect to the Contribution, the General Partner will not own or control, directly or indirectly, any equity or long-term debt securities of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association or other entity, other than the Partnership, the Subsidiaries, Advantage and White Cliffs. On the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Contribution, the Partnership will not own or control, directly or indirectly, any equity or long-term debt securities of any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association or other entity, other than the Subsidiaries, Advantage and White Cliffs.
Section 3.3     No Conflicts . The execution, delivery and performance by the Partnership Entities of the Contribution Agreement, this Agreement and each of the other Operative Documents to which they are a party, the issuance and sale of the Purchased Units, the consummation of the Contribution and any other transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, this Agreement and the other Operative Documents and the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Purchased Units will not (a) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien, charge or encumbrance upon any property or assets of any of the Partnership Entities pursuant to, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, license, lease or other agreement or instrument to which any of the Partnership Entities is a party or by which any of the Partnership Entities is bound or to which any of the property, right or assets of any of the Partnership Entities is subject; (b) result in any violation of the provisions of the Organizational Documents of any of the Partnership Entities; or (c) result in any violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, decree, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, except, in the case of clauses (a) and (c) above, for any such conflict, breach, violation or default that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.4     No Defaults . None of the Partnership Entities is (a) in violation of its Organizational Documents; (b) in default, and no event has occurred that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default, in the due performance or observance of any term, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which any of the Partnership Entities is a party or by which any of the Partnership Entities is bound or to which any of the property or assets of any of the Partnership Entities is subject; or (c) in violation of any law or statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority; except, in the case of clauses (b) and (c) above, for any such default or violation that would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.5     Authority . The Partnership has full right, power and authority to execute and deliver the Contribution Agreement, this Agreement and the other Operative Documents and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The Partnership has all requisite limited partnership power and authority to issue, sell and deliver the Purchased Units, in accordance with and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Partnership Agreement. On the Closing Date, all limited partnership or limited liability company action, as the case may be, required to be taken by the General Partner or the Partnership for the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Purchased Units, the execution and delivery of the Contribution Agreement and the Operative Documents and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, shall have been validly taken.
Section 3.6     No Consents . No consent, approval, authorization or order of, or filing, registration or qualification (“ Consent ”) of or with any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority is required for (a) the execution, delivery and performance by any of the Partnership Entities of any of the Operative Documents; (b) the issuance and sale of the Purchased Units; (c) the consummation of the Contribution or any other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Contribution Agreement or the other Operative Documents; or (d) the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Purchased Units, except (i) such as have been, or prior to the Closing Date will be, obtained or made, and (ii) for the registration of the Purchased Units under the Securities Act and Consents as may be required under the Exchange Act, applicable state securities laws, the listing standards of the NYSE and the rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. in connection with the purchase and sale of the Purchased Units by the Purchasers, and (iii) for such consents that, if not obtained, have not or would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.7     Authorization, Execution and Delivery of the Common Unit Purchase Agreement . This Agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by or on behalf of the Partnership and constitutes

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a valid and legally binding agreement of the Partnership, enforceable against the Partnership in accordance with its terms; provided , that the enforceability thereof may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in equity) relating to enforceability and (b) public policy, applicable law relating to fiduciary duties and indemnification and an implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing (collectively, the “ Enforceability Exceptions ”).
Section 3.8     Authorization, Execution, Delivery and Enforceability of the Registration Rights Agreement . On the Closing Date the Registration Rights Agreement will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Partnership and will be a valid and legally binding agreement of the Partnership, enforceable against the Partnership in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.
Section 3.9     Contribution Agreement .
(a)    On the Closing Date, the Contribution Agreement will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by (i) the Partnership, the General Partner, Midstream Services and Blanco River DevCo GP and (ii) to the knowledge of the Partnership, NBL Midstream, assuming the due authorization of the parties thereto other than the Partnership, the General Partner, Midstream Services and Blanco River DevCo GP, the Contribution Agreement will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Partnership, the General Partner, Midstream Services and Blanco River DevCo GP, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.
(b)    Prior to the execution and delivery hereof by the Purchasers, the Partnership has provided the Purchasers with, or made available to the Purchasers, a copy of the Contribution Agreement (other than exhibits and schedules, except to the extent they will be filed with the Commission within four business days of the date hereof) that is complete in all material respects.
Section 3.10     Authorization of Contribution Equity Consideration . The Unit Consideration to be issued by the Partnership pursuant to the Contribution Agreement, and the limited partner interests represented thereby, have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement and the Contribution Agreement as consideration therefor as provided therein, will be fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such non-assessability may be affected by Section 17-303, 17-607 or 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act).
Section 3.11     Valid Issuance; No Options or Preemptive Rights of Common Units . The Purchased Units to be issued and sold by the Partnership and the limited partner interests represented thereby have been duly authorized in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and, when issued and delivered to the Purchasers against payment therefor in accordance with the terms hereof, will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and non-assessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by matters described in Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act). Except as provided in the Operative Documents, the Partnership Agreement and the Omnibus Agreement, there are no options, warrants, preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or other rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any restriction upon the voting or transfer of, any equity securities of any of the Partnership Entities pursuant to any of their certificate of limited partnership, formation or incorporation, agreement of limited partnership, limited liability company agreement, bylaws or any other organizational documents (“ Organizational Documents ”). Except as provided for in the Partnership Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and the Omnibus Agreement, neither the filing of the Registration Statement pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement nor the offering or sale of the Common Units as contemplated by this Agreement gives rise to any rights for or relating to the registration of any Common Units or other securities of the Partnership.
Section 3.12     No Registration Rights . Except as contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement or pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, there are no contracts, agreements or understandings between any of the Partnership and any Person granting such Person the right to require the Partnership to file a registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to any securities of the Partnership owned or to be owned by such Person or to require the Partnership to include such securities in the Registration Statement or in any securities

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registered or to be registered pursuant to any registration statement filed by or required to be filed by the Partnership under the Securities Act.
Section 3.13     Periodic Reports . The SEC Reports have been filed with the Commission on a timely basis. The SEC Reports, including, without limitation, any audited or unaudited financial statements and any notes thereto or schedules included therein, at the time filed (or in the case of registration statements, solely on the dates of effectiveness) (except to the extent corrected by a subsequent SEC Report) (a) did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading and (b) complied in all material respects with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the Securities Act, as the case may be.
Section 3.14     Financial Statements . The historical financial statements of the Partnership (including its predecessor for accounting purposes) and subsidiaries (including the related notes and supporting schedules) included in the SEC Reports comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and present fairly in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the entities purported to be shown thereby at the dates and for the periods indicated and have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved.
Section 3.15     Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . KPMG LLP, which has certified certain financial statements of the Partnership (including its predecessor for accounting purposes) and its subsidiaries is an independent public accounting firm with respect to the Partnership and its subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by the Securities Act.
Section 3.16     Legal Proceedings . There is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or, to the knowledge of the Partnership, threatened, against or affecting the Partnership Entities, which (a) could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (b) could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the properties or assets of the Partnership and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (c) could reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement, the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement or the performance by the Partnership Entities of the obligations contemplated hereunder and thereunder. The aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which any of the Partnership Entities is a party or of which any of their respective property or assets is the subject that are not described in the SEC Reports, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.17     No Material Changes . Since the date of the most recent audited financial statements included in the SEC Reports, except as may otherwise be stated therein or contemplated thereby, none of the Partnership Entities or, to the Partnership’s knowledge, Advantage or White Cliffs has (a) sustained any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, (b) issued or granted any securities, (c) incurred any material liability or obligation, direct or contingent, other than liabilities and obligations that were incurred in the ordinary course of business, (d) entered into any material transaction not in the ordinary course of business, or (e) declared or paid any distribution or dividend on its equity interests, and since such date, there has not been any change in the equity interests or long-term debt of any of the Partnership Entities or any adverse change, or any development involving a prospective adverse change, in or affecting the condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, partners’ equity, properties, management, business or prospects of the Partnership Entities taken as a whole, in each case, except as could not, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.18     Title to Properties . Each of the Partnership and the Subsidiaries has legal, valid and defensible title to all of their interests in all real and personal property owned by them, in each case free and clear of all Liens and defects of any kind, except (a) such as are described in the SEC Reports or (b) those that do not materially affect or interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such properties taken as a whole. Any property held

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under lease or sublease by the Partnership or any of the Subsidiaries is held under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases or subleases with such exceptions as are not material and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of such properties taken as a whole by the Partnership and the Subsidiaries or except such as are described in the SEC Reports. None of the Partnership and the Subsidiaries has any notice or knowledge of any claim of any sort that has been, or may be, asserted by anyone adverse to the Partnership’s or the Subsidiaries’ rights as lessee or sublessee under any lease or sublease described above, or affecting or questioning the Partnership’s or any of the Subsidiaries’ rights to the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such lease or sublease in conflict with the terms thereof except for such claims that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.19     Rights of Way . Each of the Partnership and the Subsidiaries has such consents, easements, rights-of-way, permits or licenses from each Person (collectively, “ rights-of-way ”) as are necessary to conduct its business in the manner described in the SEC Reports, subject to the limitations described in the SEC Reports, if any, except for (a) qualifications, reservations and encumbrances with respect thereto that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (b) such rights-of-way that, if not obtained, could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and each of the Partnership and the Subsidiaries has fulfilled and performed, in all material respects, its obligations with respect to such rights-of-way and no event has occurred that allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or would result in any impairment of the rights of the holder of any such rights-of-way, except for such revocations, terminations and impairments that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.20     Permits . None of the Partnership Entities is in violation of any law, ordinance, governmental rule or regulation or court decree to which it may be subject or has failed to obtain any license, permit, franchise or other governmental authorization necessary to the ownership of its property or to the conduct of its business, which violation or failure would have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Partnership Entities own or possess or have obtained all governmental licenses, permits, consents, orders, approvals and other authorizations (“ Permits ”) and have properly filed with the appropriate authorities all notices, applications and other documents necessary to lease or own their respective properties and to carry on their respective businesses as presently conducted, except where the failure to possess such licenses or authorizations or make such filings would not have a Material Adverse Effect. No event has occurred that would prevent the Permits from being renewed or reissued or which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in any impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Permit. None of the Partnership Entities has received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such Permits or has any reason to believe that any such Permits will not be renewed in the ordinary course.
Section 3.21     Intellectual Property . Each of the Partnership and the Subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property (collectively, “ Intellectual Property ”) necessary to carry on the business now operated by them, and none of the Partnership nor any of the Subsidiaries has received any notice or is otherwise aware of any infringement of or conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual Property or of any facts or circumstances that would render any Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the Partnership or any of the Subsidiaries therein, and which infringement or conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.22     Insurance . Each of the Partnership and the Subsidiaries has insurance from insurers that have (or whose reinsurers have) recognized financial responsibility and such insurance is in such amounts and covering such risks as is adequate for the conduct of their respective businesses and the value of their respective properties and as is customary for companies engaged in similar businesses in similar industries. All policies of insurance covering the Partnership and the Subsidiaries are in full force and effect; each of the Partnership and the Subsidiaries is in compliance with the terms of such policies in all material respects; and none of the Partnership or any of the Subsidiaries has received notice from any insurer or agent of such insurer that capital improvements or other expenditures are required or necessary to be made in order to continue such insurance; there are no claims by any of the Partnership or any of the Subsidiaries under any such policy or instrument as to which any insurance company is denying liability or

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defending under a reservation of rights clause; and none of the Partnership or any of the Subsidiaries has any reason to believe that it will not be able to renew its existing insurance coverage as and when such coverage expires or to obtain similar coverage from similar insurers as may be necessary to continue its business at a cost that could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.23     No Labor Dispute . No labor dispute with the employees of any of the Noble Entities that are working on behalf of any of the Partnership Entities pursuant to the Omnibus Agreement, Operational Services and Secondment Agreement or otherwise, exists or, to the knowledge of the Partnership, is imminent that would result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.24     Environmental Compliance . Except as described in the SEC Reports, (a) neither the Partnership nor any of the Subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including, without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic substances, hazardous substances or petroleum or petroleum products (collectively, “ Hazardous Materials ”) or to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of Hazardous Materials (collectively, “ Environmental Laws ”), (b) the Partnership and the Subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance with their requirements, (c) there are no pending or threatened administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the Partnership or any of the Subsidiaries, other than such proceedings regarding which it is reasonably believed no monetary sanctions of $100,000 or more will be imposed, and (d) there are no events or circumstances that would reasonably be expected to form the basis of an order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the Partnership or any of the Subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any Environmental Laws, except, in the case of (a), (b) or (d), as would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.25     FERC . White Cliffs is operated as a “common carrier” subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“ FERC ”) under the Interstate Commerce Act. To the knowledge of the Partnership, there are no administrative or regulatory proceedings pending or threatened against White Cliffs the result of which are reasonably likely to materially change, alter or modify the rates, charges or fees for transportation services related to any FERC-regulated line or any other terms or conditions of service currently in effect under any tariffs issued by White Cliffs.
Section 3.26     Tax Returns . The Partnership Entities have filed all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed through the date hereof, subject to permitted extensions, and have paid all taxes due, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and no tax deficiency has been determined adversely to the Partnership Entities, nor does the Partnership have any knowledge of any tax deficiencies that have been, or could reasonably be expected to be asserted against the Partnership Entities, that could, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.27     ERISA . (a) Each “employee benefit plan” (within the meaning of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ ERISA ”)) for which the Partnership Entities or any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is considered a single employer with a Partnership Entity within the meaning of Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”) (such an entity, an “ ERISA Affiliate ”) would have any actual or potential liability (each a “ Plan ”) has been maintained in material compliance with its terms and with the requirements of all applicable statutes, rules and regulations including ERISA and the Code; (b) no prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code or any similar applicable law, has occurred with respect to any Plan, excluding transactions effected pursuant to a statutory or administrative exemption; (c) no Partnership Entity or any ERISA Affiliate of any of the foregoing (i) sponsors, maintains, contributes to or is required to contribute to any plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or a “multiemployer plan” within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA; or (ii) would

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reasonably be expected to have any material liability with respect to any plan described in the preceding clause (i) that any such entity has sponsored, maintained, or contributed to or was required to contribute to during the past six (6) years; and (d) each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which could reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such qualification.
Section 3.28     No Employment Law Violations . None of the Partnership Entities is in violation of or has received notice of any violation with respect to any federal or state law relating to discrimination in the hiring, promotion or pay of employees, nor any applicable federal or state wage and hour laws, nor any state law precluding the denial of credit due to the neighborhood in which a property is situated, the violation of any of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 3.29     Anti-Corruption .
(a)    None of the Partnership Entities nor, to the Partnership’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of any of the Partnership Entities has taken any action, directly or indirectly, that would result in a violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “ FCPA ”), including, without limitation, making use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce corruptly in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay or authorization of the payment of any money, or other property, gift, promise to give, or authorization of the giving of anything of value to any “foreign official” (as such term is defined in the FCPA) or any foreign political party or official thereof or any candidate for foreign political office, in contravention of the FCPA, or of the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom, and the Partnership Entities and, to the knowledge of the Partnership, their Affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with the FCPA and have instituted and maintain policies and procedures designed to ensure, and which are reasonably expected to continue to ensure, continued compliance therewith.
(b)    The operations of the Partnership Entities are and have been conducted at all times in compliance in all material respects with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements of the Currency and Foreign Transactions Reporting Act of 1970, as amended, the money laundering statutes of all applicable jurisdictions, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any court, arbitrator, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body or other authority or agency that, in each case, are applicable to the business and operations of the Partnership and the Subsidiaries (collectively, the “ Money Laundering Laws ”). No action, suit or proceeding by or before any court, arbitrator, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body or other authority or agency involving the Partnership Entities with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the Partnership’s knowledge, threatened.
Section 3.30     OFAC . None of the Partnership Entities nor, to the Partnership’s knowledge, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of any of the Partnership Entities is currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“ OFAC ”). The Partnership will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds from the sale of the Purchased Units, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds, to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity in any manner that, to the Partnership’s knowledge, would result in a violation of any economic sanctions imposed by the United States (including any administered or enforced by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, or the Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, or the United Kingdom (including sanctions administered or controlled by Her Majesty’s Treasury) (collectively, “ Sanctions ” and such persons, “ Sanctioned Persons ”).
Section 3.31     Sanctions . None of the Partnership Entities nor, to the knowledge of the Partnership, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of any of the Partnership Entities, is a person that is, or is 50% or more owned or otherwise controlled by a person that is: (a) the subject of any Sanctions; or (b) located, organized or resident in Burma (Myanmar), Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria (collectively, “ Sanctioned Countries ” and each, a “ Sanctioned Country ”). Except as has been disclosed to the Purchasers or is not material to the analysis under any Sanctions, none of the Partnership Entities has engaged in any dealings or transactions with or for the benefit of a

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Sanctioned Person, or with or in a Sanctioned Country, in the preceding 3 years, nor does any Partnership Entity have any plans to initiate any dealings or transactions with Sanctioned Persons, or with or in Sanctioned Countries.
Section 3.32     Certain Fees . Other than as described in the Placement Agent Engagement Letter, none of the Partnership Entities is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any Person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against any of them or the Purchasers for a brokerage commission, finders’ fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Purchased Units. The Partnership agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless each Purchaser from and against any and all claims, demands or liabilities for broker’s, finder’s, placement or other similar fees or commissions incurred by the Partnership in connection with the purchase of the Purchased Units or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 3.33     No Side Agreements . There are no agreements by, among or between the Partnership or any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and any Purchaser or any of their Affiliates, on the other hand, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby other than the Operative Documents nor promises or inducements for future transactions between or among any of such parties.
Section 3.34     No Registration . Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Purchaser contained in Section 4.6 and Section 4.7 , the issuance and sale of the Purchased Units pursuant to this Agreement is exempt from registration requirements of the Securities Act, and neither the Partnership nor, to the knowledge of the Partnership, any authorized Representative acting on its behalf has taken or will take any action hereafter that would cause the loss of such exemption.
Section 3.35     No Integration . The Partnership has not, directly or through any agent, issued, sold, offered for sale, solicited offers to buy or otherwise negotiated in respect of, any security (as defined in the Securities Act), that is or will be integrated with the issuance and sale of the Purchased Units contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to the Securities Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or the interpretations thereof by the Commission.
Section 3.36     MLP Status . The Partnership is properly treated as a partnership for United States federal income tax purposes, and more than 90% of the Partnership’s gross income for the current period is, and for each of the Partnership’s taxable years ending after September 20, 2016 has been, “qualifying income” under Section 7704(d) of the Code.
Section 3.37     Qualifying Income of Contributed Interests . The Partnership expects that more than 90% of the gross income of the Partnership in 2017 after the closing date of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement will be “qualifying income” under Section 7704(d) of the Code.
Section 3.38     Investment Company . None of the Partnership Entities is and, as of the Closing Date after giving effect to the offer and sale of the Purchased Units and the application of the proceeds therefrom, none of them will be, (a) an “investment company” or a company “controlled” by an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (collectively, the “ Investment Company Act ”) or (b) a “business development company” (as defined in Section 2(a)(48) of the Investment Company Act).
Section 3.39     Disclosure Controls and Procedures . To the extent required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, the Partnership has established and maintains an effective system of “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act; the Partnership’s “disclosure controls and procedures” are reasonably designed to ensure that all information (both financial and non-financial) required to be disclosed by the Partnership in the reports to be filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Exchange Act, and that all such information is accumulated and communicated to the Partnership’s management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and to make the certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner required under the Exchange Act with respect to such reports.

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Section 3.40     Internal Controls . The Partnership Entities maintain systems of “internal control over financial reporting” (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that comply with the requirements of the Exchange Act and have been designed by, or under the supervision of, their respective principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP, including, but not limited to, internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (a) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorizations; (b) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain asset accountability; (c) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; and (d) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences. As of the date of the most recent balance sheet of the Partnership and its consolidated subsidiaries reviewed or audited by KPMG LLP, there were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in the Partnership’s internal controls. Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports, the Partnership is not aware of (i) any material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting or (ii) any change in internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Partnership’s internal control over financial reporting.
Section 3.41     Placement Agent Reliance . The Partnership acknowledges that the Placement Agents may rely upon the representations and warranties made by the Partnership to each Purchaser in this Agreement.
Section 3.42     Legal Sufficiency of the Contribution Agreement . The Contribution Agreement is legally sufficient to transfer or convey to the Partnership (a) all of the transferor’s right, title and interest in and to the Contributed Interests and (b) all of the ownership interests, assets and rights in and to the Contributed Interests purported to be transferred thereby, subject to the conditions, reservations, encumbrances and limitations contained in the Contribution Agreement. The Partnership, upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, will directly or indirectly succeed in all material respects to the Contributed Interests.
Section 3.43     Absence of Price Manipulation . Neither the Partnership nor, to the knowledge of the Partnership, any of its Affiliates or its or their respective directors or officers, has taken, or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to, or that might reasonably be expected to, cause or result in stabilization or manipulation of the price of the Common Units to facilitate the sale or resale of the Purchased Units in violation of Regulation M under the Exchange Act.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PURCHASERS
Each Purchaser, severally and not jointly, hereby represents and warrants to the Partnership that:
Section 4.1     Existence . Such Purchaser is duly organized and validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of its jurisdiction of organization, with all requisite power and authority to own, lease, use and operate its properties and to conduct its business as currently conducted, except where the failure to have such power or authority would not prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
Section 4.2     Authorization, Enforceability . Such Purchaser has all necessary corporate, limited liability company or partnership power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and the execution, delivery and performance by such Purchaser of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Purchaser; and this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of such Purchaser, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to the Enforceability Exceptions.
Section 4.3     No Breach . The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement by such Purchaser and the consummation by such Purchaser of the transactions contemplated hereby

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and thereby will not (a) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement to which such Purchaser is a party or by which such Purchaser is bound or to which any of the property or assets of such Purchaser is subject, (b) conflict with or result in any violation of the provisions of any certificate of limited partnership, formation or incorporation, agreement of limited partnership, limited liability company agreement, bylaws or any other organizational documents of such Purchaser, or (c) violate any statute, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over such Purchaser or the property or assets of such Purchaser, except in the cases of clauses (a) and (c), for such conflicts, breaches, violations or defaults as would not prevent the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement.
Section 4.4     Certain Fees . No fees or commissions are or will be payable by such Purchaser to brokers, finders, or investment bankers with respect to the purchase of any of the Purchased Units or the consummation of the transaction contemplated by this Agreement.
Section 4.5     No Side Agreements . There are no other agreements by, among or between such Purchaser and any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Partnership or any of its Affiliates, on the other hand, with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby, other than the Operative Documents, nor promises or inducements for future transactions between or among any of such parties.
Section 4.6     Investment . The Purchased Units are being acquired for such Purchaser’s own account, the account of its Affiliates, or the accounts of clients for whom such Purchaser exercises discretionary investment authority (all of whom such Purchaser hereby represents and warrants are “accredited investors” within the meaning of Rule 501(a) of Regulation D promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act), not as a nominee or agent, and with no present intention of distributing the Purchased Units or any part thereof, and such Purchaser has no present intention of selling or granting any participation in or otherwise distributing the same in any transaction in violation of the securities laws of the United States or any state, without prejudice, however, to such Purchaser’s right at all times to sell or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the Purchased Units under a registration statement under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or under an exemption from such registration available thereunder (including, without limitation, if available, Rule 144 promulgated thereunder). If such Purchaser should in the future decide to dispose of any of the Purchased Units, the Purchaser understands and agrees (a) that it may do so only in compliance with the Securities Act and applicable state securities law, as then in effect, including a sale contemplated by any registration statement pursuant to which such securities are being offered, or pursuant to an exemption from the Securities Act, and (b) that stop-transfer instructions to that effect will be in effect with respect to such securities.
Section 4.7     Nature of Purchaser . Such Purchaser represents and warrants to, and covenants and agrees with, the Partnership that, (a) it is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501 of Regulation D promulgated by the Commission pursuant to the Securities Act, (b) by reason of its business and financial experience it has such knowledge, sophistication and experience in making similar investments and in business and financial matters generally so as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the prospective investment in the Purchased Units and (c) is able to bear the economic risk of such investment and, at the present time, would be able to afford a complete loss of such investment.
Section 4.8     Restricted Securities . Such Purchaser understands that the Purchased Units are characterized as “restricted securities” under the federal securities Laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Partnership in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such Laws and applicable regulations such securities may not be resold absent registration under the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. In this connection, such Purchaser represents that it is knowledgeable with respect to Rule 144 of the Commission promulgated under the Securities Act.
Section 4.9     Legend . Such Purchaser understands that the book entry evidencing the Purchased Units will bear the legend required by the Partnership Agreement as well as a legend substantively consistent with the following legend: “These securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act ”). These securities may not be sold or offered for sale except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from registration thereunder, in each case in accordance with all applicable

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securities laws of the states or other jurisdictions, and in the case of a transaction exempt from registration, such securities may only be transferred if the transfer agent for such securities has received documentation satisfactory to it that such transaction does not require registration under the Securities Act.”
Section 4.10     Partnership Information . Such Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that the Partnership has provided or made available to such Purchaser (through EDGAR, the Partnership’s website or otherwise) all SEC Reports, as well as all press releases or investor presentations issued by the Partnership through the date of this Agreement that are included in a filing by the Partnership on Form 8-K or clearly posted on the Partnership’s website.
Section 4.11     Placement Agent Reliance . Such Purchaser agrees that the Placement Agent may rely upon the representations and warranties made by such Purchaser to the Partnership in Sections 4.6 , 4.7 and 4.8 of this Agreement.
Section 4.12     Short Selling . Such Purchaser represents that it has not entered into any Short Sales of the Common Units owned by it since the time it first began discussions with the Partnership or the Placement Agents about the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however , subject to such Purchaser’s compliance with its obligations under the U.S. federal securities laws and its internal policies, the above shall not apply, in the case of a Purchaser that is a large multi-unit investment or commercial banking organization, to activities in the normal course of trading units of such Purchaser; provided, further , that subject to such Purchaser’s compliance with its obligations under the U.S. federal securities laws and its internal policies: (a) such Purchaser, for purposes hereof, shall not be deemed to include any employees, subsidiaries or Affiliates that are effectively walled off by appropriate “Chinese Wall” information barriers approved by such Purchaser’s legal or compliance department (and thus have not been privy to any information concerning this transaction) (a “ Walled Off Person ”) and (b) the foregoing representations in this paragraph shall not apply to any transaction by or on behalf of such Purchaser that was effected by a Walled Off Person in the ordinary course of trading without the advice or participation of such Purchaser or receipt of confidential or other information regarding this transaction provided by such Purchaser to such entity.
ARTICLE V
COVENANTS
Section 5.1     Taking of Necessary Action . Each of the parties hereto shall use its commercially reasonable efforts promptly to take or cause to be taken all action and promptly to do or cause to be done all things necessary, proper or advisable under applicable Law and regulations to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, the Partnership and each Purchaser shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to make all filings and obtain all Consents of Governmental Authorities that may be necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the other parties, as the case may be, advisable for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents; provided , however , and notwithstanding anything to the contrary, that no Purchaser is under any obligation by reason of this Section 5.1 to make, seek or receive any filings, notifications, consents, determinations, authorizations, permits, approvals, licenses or the like with or provide any documentation or information to any regulatory or self-regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Partnership or Purchaser other than information that is already included in this Agreement or is otherwise in the public domain other than as may be requested by the Commission or pursuant to any applicable securities or “Blue Sky” laws of the United States. The Partnership shall promptly and accurately respond, and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its transfer agent to respond, to reasonable requests for information (which is otherwise not publicly available) made by a Purchaser or its auditors relating to the actual holdings of such Purchaser or its accounts; provided , that the Partnership shall not be obligated to provide any such information that could reasonably result in a violation of applicable Law or conflict with the Partnership’s insider trading policy or a confidentiality obligation of the Partnership. The Partnership shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause its transfer agent to reasonably cooperate with each Purchaser to ensure that the Purchased Units are validly and effectively issued to such Purchaser and that such Purchaser’s ownership of the Purchased Units following the Closing is accurately reflected on the appropriate books and records of the Partnership’s transfer agent.
Section 5.2     Other Actions . The Partnership shall file prior to the Closing a supplemental listing application with the NYSE to list the Purchased Units.

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Section 5.3     Contribution Transaction . The Partnership will distribute to NBL Midstream an amount equal to the net proceeds of this offering as cash consideration. If the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement are not closed on the same Business Day as the Closing, the Partnership shall return to each Purchaser its Purchase Price within two Business Days of receipt thereof and each Purchaser shall promptly return its Purchased Units to the Partnership.
Section 5.4     Expenses . The Partnership shall pay up to $75,000 of legal fees of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, counsel to the Purchasers, incurred in connection with the negotiation, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, provided that any request for such payment is accompanied by a satisfactory written invoice for such expenses. If any action at law or equity is necessary to enforce or interpret the terms of any Operative Document, the prevailing party shall be entitled to reasonable attorney’s fees, costs and necessary disbursements in addition to any other relief to which such party may be entitled. Any legal fees of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in excess of $75,000 shall be paid pro rata by all the Purchasers in proportion to the number of Purchased Units purchased by each.
Section 5.5     Non-Public Information . On or before 9:00 a.m., New York local time, on the Business Day immediately following the date hereof, the Partnership shall issue a press release (the “Press Release”) announcing the entry into this Agreement and describing the terms of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and any other material, nonpublic information that the Partnership may have provided any Purchaser at any time prior to the issuance of the Press Release. On or before the fourth Business Day following the date hereof, the Partnership shall file a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Commission describing the terms of the transactions contemplated by the Operative Documents, and including as an exhibit to such Current Report on Form 8-K the Operative Documents, in the form required by the Exchange Act.
ARTICLE VI
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 6.1     Indemnification by the Partnership . The Partnership agrees to indemnify each Purchaser and its Representatives (collectively, “ Purchaser Related Parties ”) from, and hold each of them harmless against, any and all actions, suits, proceedings (including any investigations, litigation or inquiries), demands, and causes of action, and, in connection therewith, and promptly upon demand, pay or reimburse each of them for all costs, losses, liabilities, damages, or expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and all other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with investigating, defending or preparing to defend any such matter that may be incurred by them or asserted against or involve any of them as a result of, arising out of, or in any way related to the breach of any of the representations, warranties or covenants of the Partnership contained herein, provided that such claim for indemnification relating to a breach of the representations or warranties is made prior to the expiration of the survival period for such representations or warranties; and provided further , that no Purchaser Related Party shall be entitled to recover special, consequential (including lost profits) or punitive damages. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, consequential damages shall not be deemed to include diminution in value of the Purchased Units, which is specifically included in damages covered by Purchaser Related Parties’ indemnification above.
Section 6.2     Indemnification Procedure . Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Article VI of notice of any claim or the commencement of any action, the indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under this Article VI , notify the indemnifying party in writing of the claim or the commencement of that action; provided, however , that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have under Section 6.1 of this Article VI except to the extent it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights and defenses) by such failure and, provided, further , that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under this Article VI . If any such claim or action shall be brought against an indemnified party, and it shall notify the indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. After notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the defense of such claim or action, the indemnifying party shall not be

21




liable to the indemnified party under this Article VI for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however , that the indemnified party shall have the right to employ counsel to represent jointly the indemnified party and those other indemnified parties and their respective directors, officers, employees and controlling persons who may be subject to liability arising out of any claim in respect of which indemnity may be sought under this Article VI if (a) the indemnified party and the indemnifying party shall have so mutually agreed; (b) the indemnifying party has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party; (c) the indemnified party and its directors, officers, employees and controlling persons shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to them that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party; or (d) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnified parties or their respective directors, officers, employees or controlling persons, on the one hand, and the indemnifying party, on the other hand, and representation of both sets of parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between them, and in any such event the fees and expenses of such separate counsel shall be paid by the indemnifying party. No indemnifying party shall (i) without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding and does not include a statement as to, or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party, or (ii) be liable for any settlement of any such action effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but if settled with the consent of the indemnifying party or if there be a final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel to the extent required by Section 6.1 hereof, the indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without its written consent if (x) such settlement is entered into more than 30 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request and (y) such indemnifying party shall not have reimbursed the indemnified party in accordance with such request or disputed in good faith the indemnified party’s entitlement to such reimbursement prior to the date of such settlement.
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1     Interpretation . Article, Section, Schedule, and Exhibit references are to this Agreement, unless otherwise specified. All references to instruments, documents, contracts, and agreements are references to such instruments, documents, contracts, and agreements as the same may be amended, supplemented, and otherwise modified from time to time, unless otherwise specified. The word “including” shall mean “including but not limited to.” Whenever any party has an obligation under the Operative Documents, the expense of complying with that obligation shall be an expense of such party unless otherwise specified. Whenever any determination, consent, or approval is to be made or given by any Purchaser, such action shall be in such Purchaser’s sole discretion unless otherwise specified in this Agreement. If any provision in the Operative Documents is held to be illegal, invalid, not binding, or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and the Operative Documents shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid, not binding, or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of the Operative Documents, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. The Operative Documents have been reviewed and negotiated by sophisticated parties with access to legal counsel and shall not be construed against the drafter.
Section 7.2     Survival of Provisions . The representations and warranties set forth in Sections 3.1 , 3.2 , 3.5 , 3.7 , 3.8 , 3.9 , 3.11 , 3.32 , 3.34 , 3.41 and 3.42 (collectively, the “ Fundamental Representations ”) shall survive indefinitely, Sections 3.10 , 3.12 , 3.17 , 3.18 , 3.19 , 3.20 , 3.21 , 3.22 , 3.23 , 3.24 , 3.25 , 3.26 , 3.27 , 3.28 , 3.29 , 3.30 , 3.31 , 4.4 , 4.5 , 4.7 , 4.8, 4.9 and 4.11 hereunder shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement for two years, and the other representations and warranties set forth herein shall survive for a period of twelve (12) months following the Closing Date regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the Partnership or any Purchaser. The covenants made in this Agreement shall survive the Closing of the transactions described herein and remain operative and in full

22




force and effect regardless of acceptance of any of the Purchased Units and payment therefor and repayment, conversion, exercise or repurchase thereof. All indemnification obligations of the Partnership and the Purchasers pursuant to this Agreement and the provisions of Article VI shall remain operative and in full force and effect unless such obligations are expressly terminated in a writing by the parties, regardless of any purported general termination of this Agreement.
Section 7.3     No Waiver; Modifications in Writing .
(a)     Delay . No failure or delay on the part of any party in exercising any right, power, or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power, or remedy preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power, or remedy. The remedies provided for herein are cumulative and are not exclusive of any remedies that may be available to a party at law or in equity or otherwise.
(b)     Specific Waiver . Except as otherwise provided herein, no amendment, waiver, consent, modification, or termination of any provision of this Agreement or any other Operative Document shall be effective unless signed by each of the parties hereto or thereto affected by such amendment, waiver, consent, modification, or termination. Any amendment, supplement or modification of or to any provision of this Agreement, any waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and any consent to any departure by the Partnership from the terms of any provision of this Agreement shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which made or given. Except where notice is specifically required by this Agreement, no notice to or demand on the Partnership in any case shall entitle the Partnership to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.
Section 7.4     Binding Effect; Assignment .
(a)     Binding Effect . This Agreement shall be binding upon the Partnership, the Purchasers, and their respective successors and permitted assigns. Except as expressly provided in this Agreement, this Agreement shall not be construed so as to confer any right or benefit upon any Person other than the parties to this Agreement and their respective successors and permitted assigns.
(b)     Assignment of Rights . All or any portion of the rights and obligations of any Purchaser under this Agreement may be transferred by such Purchaser to any Affiliate of such Purchaser without the consent of the Partnership. No portion of the rights and obligations of any Purchaser under this Agreement may be transferred by such Purchaser to a non-Affiliate without the written consent of the Partnership (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld by the Partnership).
Section 7.5     Confidentiality . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent that any Purchaser has executed or is otherwise bound by a confidentiality agreement in favor of the Partnership, such Purchaser shall continue to be bound by such confidentiality agreement in accordance with the terms thereof.
Section 7.6     Communications . All notices and demands provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, electronic mail, air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery or personal delivery to the following addresses:
(a)    If to any Purchaser, to the respective address listed on Schedule A to the Registration Rights Agreement; and
(b)    If to the Partnership:
Noble Midstream Partners LP
1001 Noble Energy Way
Houston, Texas 77070
Attention: Terry R. Gerhart
Email: terry.gerhart@nblenergy.com


23




with a copy to:


Andrews Kurth Kenyon LLP
600 Travis Street
Suite 4200
Houston, Texas 77002
Attention: G. Michael O’Leary
Courtney Cochran Butler
Email: moleary@andrewskurth.com
courtneybutler@andrewskurth.com
or to such other address as the Partnership or such Purchaser may designate in writing. All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; at the time of transmittal, if sent via electronic mail; upon actual receipt if sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or regular mail, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if sent via facsimile; and upon actual receipt when delivered to an air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery.
Section 7.7     Removal of Legend . The Partnership, at its sole cost, shall remove the legend described in Section 4.9 (or instruct its transfer agent to so remove such legend) from the certificates evidencing Purchased Units issued and sold to each Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement if (a) such Purchased Units are sold pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (b) such Purchased Units are sold or transferred pursuant to Rule 144 (if the transferor is not an Affiliate of the Partnership), or (c) such Purchased Units are eligible for sale under Rule 144, without the requirement for the Partnership to be in compliance with the current public information required under Rule 144(c)(1) (or Rule 144(i)(2), if applicable) as to such securities and without volume or manner of sale restrictions. In connection with a sale of the Purchased Units by a Purchaser in reliance on Rule 144, the applicable Purchaser shall deliver to the transfer agent and the Partnership a customary representation letter providing to the transfer agent and the Partnership any information the Partnership deems reasonably necessary to determine that the sale of the Purchased Units is made in compliance with Rule 144, including, as may be appropriate, a certification that the Purchaser is not an Affiliate of the Partnership and regarding the length of time the Purchased Units have been held. Upon receipt of such representation letter, the Partnership shall promptly direct its transfer agent to remove the legend referred to in Section 4.9 from the appropriate book-entry accounts maintained by the transfer agent, and the Partnership shall bear all costs associated therewith. After any Purchaser or its permitted assigns have held the Purchased Units for such time as non-Affiliates are permitted to sell without volume limitations under Rule 144, if the certificate for such Purchased Units still bears the restrictive legend referred to in Section 4.9 , the Partnership agrees, upon request of the Purchaser or permitted assignee, to take all steps necessary to promptly effect the removal of the legend described in Section 4.9 from the Purchased Units, and the Partnership shall bear all costs associated therewith, regardless of whether the request is made in connection with a sale or otherwise, so long as such Purchaser or its permitted assigns provide to the Partnership any information the Partnership deems reasonably necessary to determine that the legend is no longer required under the Securities Act or applicable state laws, including a certification that the holder is not an Affiliate of the Partnership (and a covenant to inform the Partnership if it should thereafter become an Affiliate and to consent to exchange its certificates for certificates bearing an appropriate restrictive legend) and regarding the length of time the Purchased Units have been held.
Section 7.8     Entire Agreement . This Agreement, the other Operative Documents and the other agreements and documents referred to herein 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 and therein. There are no restrictions, promises, representations, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein or the other Operative Documents with respect to the rights granted by the Partnership or any of its Affiliates or any Purchaser or any of its Affiliates set forth herein or therein. This Agreement, the other Operative Documents and the other agreements and documents referred to herein or therein supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

24




Section 7.9     Governing Law . This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to conflict of laws principles (other than Section 5-1401 of the General Obligations Law).
Section 7.10     Execution in Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission or by e-mail delivery of a “.pdf” format data file, such signature shall create a valid and binding obligation of the party executing (or on whose behalf such signature is executed) with the same force and effect as if such facsimile or “.pdf” signature page were an original thereof.
Section 7.11     Termination .
(a)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement may be terminated at any time at or prior to the Closing by any Purchaser (with respect to such Purchaser only), upon a breach in any material respect by the Partnership of any covenant or agreement set forth in this Agreement.
(b)    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall automatically terminate at any time at or prior to the Closing:
(i)    if a statute, rule, order, decree or regulation shall have been enacted or promulgated, or if any action shall have been taken by any Governmental Authority of competent jurisdiction that permanently restrains, permanently precludes, permanently enjoins or otherwise permanently prohibits the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or makes the transactions contemplated by this Agreement illegal; or
(ii)    if the Closing shall not have occurred by June 30, 2017.
(c)    In the event of the termination of this Agreement as provided in this Section 7.11 , this Agreement shall forthwith become null and void. In the event of such termination, there shall be no liability on the part of any party hereto, except as set forth in Section 5.3 and Article VI of this Agreement.
Section 7.12     Recapitalization, Exchanges, Etc. Affecting the Common Units . The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the full extent set forth herein with respect to any and all equity interests of the Partnership or any successor or assign of the Partnership (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution of, the Common Units, and shall be appropriately adjusted for combinations, unit splits, recapitalizations and the like occurring after the date of this Agreement and prior to the Closing.
[Signature pages follow.]


25




IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto execute this Agreement, effective as of the date first above written.
NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP
By:
NOBLE MIDSTREAM GP LLC

(its General Partner)
By:
/s/ Terry R. Gerhart    

Name:
Terry R. Gerhart

Title:
Chief Executive Officer



Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement



FIDELITY CENTRAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS LLC: Fidelity Energy Central Fund
By:
/s/ Colm Hogan    
Name:    Colm Hogan
Title:    Authorized Signatory


FIDELITY SELECT PORTFOLIOS: Energy Portfolio
By:
/s/ Colm Hogan    
Name:    Colm Hogan
Title:    Authorized Signatory


FIDELITY SELECT PORTFOLIOS: Natural Resources Portfolio
By:
/s/ Colm Hogan    
Name:    Colm Hogan
Title:    Authorized Signatory


FIDELITY ADVISOR SERIES VII: Fidelity Advisor Energy Fund
By:
/s/ Colm Hogan    
Name:    Colm Hogan
Title:    Authorized Signatory


VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND IV: Energy Portfolio
By:
/s/ Colm Hogan    
Name:    Colm Hogan
Title:    Authorized Signatory






Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement




Fidelity Advisor Series I: Fidelity Advisor Small Cap Fund
By:
/s/ Colm Hogan    
Name:    Colm Hogan
Title:    Authorized Signatory


Fidelity Advisor Series I: Fidelity Advisor Series Small Cap Fund
By:
/s/ Colm Hogan    
Name:    Colm Hogan
Title:    Authorized Signatory


Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





Goldman Sachs MLP Energy Infrastructure Fund
By:
/s/ Kenneth Topping    
Name:    Kenneth Topping
Title:    Managing Director

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





TPH Energy Infrastructure Master Fund, LP
By:
/s/ Walker Moody    
Name:    Walker Moody
Title:    Authorized Person

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement






TPH MLP Fund, LP
By: TPH Asset Management LP, its investment manager
By:
/s/ Walker Moody    
Name:    Walker Moody
Title:    Authorized Person

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
By: TPH Asset Management LP, in its capacity as investment advisor
By:
/s/ Walker Moody    
Name:    Walker Moody
Title:    Authorized Person

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





HITE Hedge LP
By:
/s/ James Jampel    
Name:    James Jampel
Title:    General Partner

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement






HITE Hedge QP LP
By:
/s/ James Jampel    
Name:    James Jampel
Title:    General Partner

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





HITE MLP Advantage LP
By:
/s/ James Jampel    
Name:    James Jampel
Title:    General Partner

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





HITE MLP LP
By:
/s/ James Jampel    
Name:    James Jampel
Title:    General Partner

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





KAYNE SELECT MIDSTREAM RECOVERY FUND, L.P.
By: Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.
as its General Partner

By:
/s/ David Shladovsky    
Name:    David Shladovsky
Title:    General Counsel


KAYNE ANDERSON MIDSTREAM INSTITUTIONAL FUND, L.P.
By: Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.
as its General Partner

By:
/s/ David Shladovsky    
Name:    David Shladovsky
Title:    General Counsel


ORANGE COUNTY EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM
By: Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.
as its Manager

By:
/s/ David Shladovsky    
Name:    David Shladovsky
Title:    General Counsel


KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS
By: Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P.
as its Manager

By:
/s/ David Shladovsky    
Name:    David Shladovsky
Title:    General Counsel

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By: KA Fund Advisors, LLC,
as Manager

By:
/s/ James C. Baker    
Name:    James C. Baker
Title:    Managing Director


MGMP, LP
By: KA Fund Advisors, LLC,
as Investment Manager

By:
/s/ James C. Baker    
Name:    James C. Baker
Title:    Managing Director


ASCENSION ALPHA FUND, LLC
By: KA Fund Advisors, LLC,
as Manager

By:
/s/ James C. Baker    
Name:    James C. Baker
Title:    Managing Director


ASCENSION HEALTH MASTER PENSION TRUST
By: KA Fund Advisors, LLC,
as Manager

By:
/s/ James C. Baker    
Name:    James C. Baker
Title:    Managing Director

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





MTP ENERGY MASTER FUND LTD
By: MTP Energy Management LLC, its investment advisor
By: Magnetar Financial LLC, its sole member
    

By:
/s/ Michael Turro    
Name:    Michael Turro
Title:    Chief Compliance Officer

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





FS ENERGY TOTAL RETURN FUND
By: Magnetar Asset Management LLC, its sub-adviser
    

By:
/s/ Michael Turro    
Name:    Michael Turro
Title:    Chief Compliance Officer

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





SALIENT MLP FUND, L.P.

By: Salient Capital Advisors, LLC
Its Investment Manager
    

By:
/s/ Gregory A. Reid    
Name:    Gregory A. Reid
Title:    Managing Director

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





SALIENT MLP TOTAL RETURN FUND, L.P.

By: Salient Capital Advisors, LLC
Its Investment Manager
    

By:
/s/ Gregory A. Reid    
Name:    Gregory A. Reid
Title:    Managing Director

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





TORTOISE DIRECT OPPORTUNITIES FUND, LP

By: TORTOISE DIRECT OPPORTUNITIES GP LLC, its General Partner
    

By:
/s/ Kyle Krueger    
Name:    Kyle Krueger
Title:    Director

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





TORTOISE SELECT OPPORTUNITY FUND

By: TORTOISE CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.L.C.
as its Investment Adviser
    

By:
/s/ Brian Kessens    
Name:    Brian Kessens
Title:    Managing Director

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





TORTOISE MLP & PIPELINE FUND

By: TORTOISE CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.L.C.
as its Investment Adviser
    

By:
/s/ Brian Kessens    
Name:    Brian Kessens
Title:    Managing Director

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement





TEXAS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

By: TORTOISE CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.L.C.
as its Investment Adviser
    

By:
/s/ Brian Kessens    
Name:    Brian Kessens
Title:    Managing Director

Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement




TORTOISE VIP MLP & PIPELINE PORTFOLIO

By: TORTOISE CAPITAL ADVISORS, L.L.C.
as its Investment Adviser
    

By:
/s/ Brian Kessens    
Name:    Brian Kessens
Title:    Managing Director




















Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement






Signature Page to Common Unit Purchase Agreement




Schedule A - List of Purchasers and Commitment Amounts
Purchaser
Purchased Units
Commitment Amount
FIDELITY CENTRAL INVESTMENT PORTFOLIOS LLC: Fidelity Energy Central Fund
45,454

$1,838,614.30

FIDELITY SELECT PORTFOLIOS: Energy Portfolio
101,027

$4,086,542.15

FIDELITY SELECT PORTFOLIOS: Natural Resources Portfolio
43,718

$1,768,393.10

FIDELITY ADVISOR SERIES VII: Fidelity Advisor Energy Fund
48,372

$1,956,647.40

VARIABLE INSURANCE PRODUCTS FUND IV: Energy Portfolio
14,739

$596,192.55

Fidelity Advisor Series I: Fidelity Advisor Small Cap Fund
252,067

$10,196,110.15

Fidelity Advisor Series I: Fidelity Advisor Series Small Cap Fund
49,623

$2,007,250.35

Goldman Sachs MLP Energy Investment Fund
285,000

$11,528,250.00

TPH Energy Infrastructure Master Fund, LP
56,933

$2,302,939.85

TPH MLP Fund, LP
10,328

$417,767.60

The Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
227,739

$9,212,042.55

HITE Hedge LP
194,250

$7,857,412.50

HITE MLP Advantage LP
66,600

$2,693,970.00

HITE MLP LP
133,200

$5,387,940.00

HITE Hedge QP LP
160,950

$6,510,427.50

Kayne Select Midstream Recovery Fund, L.P.
18,333

$741,569.85

Kayne Anderson Midstream Institutional Fund, L.P.
48,889

$1,977,560.05

Orange County Employees Retirement System
18,333

$741,569.85

Kaiser Foundation Hospitals
36,667

$1,483,180.15

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company
183,334

$7,415,860.30

MGMP, LP
61,111

$2,471,939.95

ASCENSION ALPHA FUND, LLC
110,000

$4,449,500.00

ASCENSION HEALTH MASTER PENSION TRUST
73,333

$2,966,319.85

MTP Energy Master Fund LTD
245,455

$9,928,654.75

FS Energy Total Return Fund
24,545

$992,845.25

Salient MLP Fund, L.P.
127,439

$5,154,907.55

Salient MLP Total Return Fund, L.P.
147,561

$5,968,842.45

Tortoise Direct Opportunities Fund, LP
504,919

$20,423,973.55

Tortoise Select Opportunity Fund
14,687

$594,089.15

Tortoise MLP & Pipeline Fund
172,253

$6,967,633.85

Texas Mutual Insurance Company
47,761

$1,931,932.45

Tortoise VIP MLP & Pipeline Portfolio
380

$15,371.00

Total
3,525,000
$
142,586,250.00





Schedule A to Common Unit Purchase Agreement




Exhibit A
FORM OF
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
BY AND AMONG
NOBLE MIDSTREAM PARTNERS LP
AND
THE PURCHASERS NAMED ON SCHEDULE A HERETO



Exhibit A to Common Unit Purchase Agreement




Exhibit B
FORM OF OPINION OF ANDREWS KURTH KENYON LLP
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meaning assigned to such terms in the Common Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 20, 2017 (the “Purchase Agreement”).
1.      Each of the Partnership Entities is validly existing as a limited partnership or limited liability company, as the case may be, and is in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware. Each of the Partnership Entities (other than Blanco River DevCo GP, Blanco River DevCo and Trinity River DevCo) is in good standing under the laws of the State of Colorado. The General Partner, the Partnership, Midstream Services, Blanco River DevCo GP , Blanco River DevCo and Trinity River DevCo are each in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas.
2.      The Partnership has the limited partnership power and authority under the laws of the State of Delaware, to execute and deliver, and incur and perform all of its obligations under the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement. Each of NBL Midstream, Midstream Services, the Partnership, the General Partner and Blanco River DevCo GP has the limited partnership or limited liability company power and authority, as the case may be, under the laws of the State of Delaware, to execute and deliver, and incur and perform all of its obligations under the Contribution Agreement.
3.      Each of the Partnership Entities has the limited partnership or limited liability company power and authority, as the case may be, under the laws of the State of Delaware to carry on its business and own its properties as described in the SEC Reports. The General Partner has the limited liability company power and authority under the laws of the State of Delaware to serve as the general partner of the Partnership in all material respects.
4.      NBL Midstream owns all of the Incentive Distribution Rights (as defined in the Partnership Agreement); such Incentive Distribution Rights have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with Partnership Agreement.
5.      The General Partner is the sole general partner of the Partnership, with a noneconomic general partner interest in the Partnership; such general partner interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement; and the General Partner owns such general partner interest free and clear of all liens in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the General Partner as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, other than (A) restrictions on transferability contained in the Partnership Agreement and (B) liens created by or arising under the Delaware LP Act.
6.      The Partnership is the sole member of Midstream Services, with a 100% membership interest in Midstream Services; such membership interest has been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Midstream Services Limited Liability Company Agreement and is fully paid (to the extent required by the Midstream Services Limited Liability Company Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and the Partnership owns such membership interest free and clear of all liens in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming the Partnership as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, other than (A) restrictions on transferability contained in the Midstream Services LLC Agreement, (B) liens created by or arising under the Delaware LLC Act and (C) liens created or arising under the Revolving Credit Facility.
7.      Midstream Services is the sole member of each of the GP Subsidiaries, with a 100% membership interest in each GP Subsidiary; such membership interests have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the GP Subsidiaries LLC Agreements, and are fully paid (to the extent required under the GP Subsidiaries LLC Agreements) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 18-607 and 18-804 of the Delaware LLC Act); and Midstream Services owns such membership interests free and clear of all liens in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming Midstream Services as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, other than (A) restrictions

Exhibit B to Common Unit Purchase Agreement




on transferability contained in the GP Subsidiaries LLC Agreements, (B) liens created by or arising under the Delaware LLC Act and (C) liens created or arising under the Revolving Credit Facility.
8.      After giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, (i) Colorado River DevCo GP will own an 80% general partner interest and Midstream Services will own a 20% limited partner interest in Colorado River DevCo, (ii) Green River DevCo GP will own a 25% general partner interest and NBL Midstream will own a 75% limited partner interest in Green River DevCo, (iii) Gunnison River DevCo GP will own a 5% general partner interest and NBL Midstream will own a 95% limited partner interest in Gunnison River DevCo, (iv) Laramie River DevCo GP will own a 5% general partner interest and Midstream Services will own a 95% limited partner interest in Laramie River DevCo, (v) San Juan River DevCo GP will own a 25% general partner interest and NBL Midstream will own a 75% limited partner interest in San Juan River DevCo, (vi) Blanco River DevCo GP will own a 40% general partner interest and NBL Midstream will own a 60% limited partner interest in Blanco River DevCo and (vii) Midstream Services will own a 100% membership interest in Trinity River DevCo; such interests will have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Development Company Operating Agreements; after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, the GP Subsidiaries, NBL Midstream and Midstream Services, as applicable, will own such interests free and clear of all liens in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming such GP Subsidiary, NBL Midstream or Midstream Services, as applicable, as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, other than (i) restrictions on transferability contained in the Development Company Operating Agreements, (ii) liens created or arising under the Delaware LP Act, (iii) liens created or arising under the Delaware LLC Act and (iv) liens created or arising under the Revolving Credit Facility.
9.      Each of the Contribution Agreement, the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Partnership Entities party thereto.
10.      The Contribution Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the Partnership, enforceable against the Partnership in accordance with its terms, under the applicable laws of the State of Delaware.
11.      Assuming the due authorization, execution and delivery by the Purchasers, the Registration Rights Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of the Partnership, enforceable against the Partnership in accordance with its terms, under the applicable laws of the State of New York.
12.      As of the date hereof, immediately after the offer, issuance and sale of the Purchased Units to the Purchasers in accordance with the Purchase Agreement and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Contribution Agreement, the issued and outstanding limited partner interests in the Partnership (other than limited partner interests issued under the Partnership’s Long-Term Incentive Plan) consist of (i) [●] Common Units and [●] subordinated units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership issued to NBL Midstream (collectively, the “ Sponsor Units ”), (ii) [●] Common Units held by investors other than NBL Midstream (including the [●] Purchased Units issued and sold to the Purchasers pursuant to the Purchase Agreement) and (iii) the Incentive Distribution Rights. The Sponsor Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights, and the limited partner interests represented thereby, have been duly authorized and validly issued in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and are fully paid (with respect to the Sponsor Units issued in accordance with the terms of the Contribution Agreement, when issued and delivered to NBL Midstream against contribution of the consideration set forth therein), and NBL Midstream has no obligation, solely by reason of its ownership of such Sponsor Units, to make any contributions to the Partnership or any further payments for its ownership of such Sponsor Units, and no personal liability, solely by reason of its ownership of such Sponsor Units, to creditors of the Partnership for any of its debts, liabilities or other obligations. The Sponsor Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights owned by NBL Midstream are owned free and clear of liens in respect of which a financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of Delaware naming NBL Midstream as debtor is on file in the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, other than (A) restrictions on transferability contained in the Partnership Agreement and (B) liens created by or arising under the Delaware LP Act.
13.      The Purchased Units to be issued and sold by the Partnership pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and the limited partner interests represented thereby, have been duly authorized in accordance with the Partnership Agreement and, when issued and delivered to the each Purchaser against payment therefor in accordance with the terms

Exhibit B to Common Unit Purchase Agreement




of the Purchase Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid (to the extent required under the Partnership Agreement) and nonassessable (except as such nonassessability may be affected by Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware LP Act).
14.      The issuance and sale of the Purchased Units has been duly authorized by all necessary limited liability company or limited partnership action, as applicable, of the General Partner and the Partnership.
15.      Except as disclosed in the SEC Reports, (i) there are no options, warrants or other rights to purchase, or any restrictions upon the voting or transfer of, agreements or other obligations to issue or rights to convert any securities into or exchange any securities into or exchange any securities for any equity interest of any Partnership Entity under any Organizational Document of such Partnership Entity or any applicable agreement listed as an exhibit to the SEC Reports (“ Applicable Agreements ”) and (ii) there are no preemptive rights or similar rights to subscribe for or purchase any equity interest in any Partnership Entity under any Organizational Document or any Applicable Agreement.
16.      None of (i) the execution and delivery by the Partnership of the Purchase Agreement, (ii) the consummation by the Partnership of the issuance and sale of the Purchased Units pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, (iii) the execution or delivery by each of the applicable Partnership Entities of, or the incurrence or performance by each of the applicable Partnership Entities of its respective obligations under, the Contribution Agreement, the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, each in accordance with its terms, or (iv) the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Purchased Units (A) constituted, constitutes or will constitute a violation of Organizational Documents of any of the Partnership Entities party to such agreement (B) constituted, constitutes or will constitute a breach or violation of, or a default (or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute such a default), under any Applicable Agreement, (C) resulted, results or will result in the creation of any security interest in, or lien upon, any of the property or assets of any Partnership Entity pursuant to any Applicable Agreement (other than liens arising under or in connection with the Revolving Credit Facility), (D) resulted, results or will result in any violation of (i) applicable laws of the State of New York, (ii) applicable laws of the United States of America, (iii) the Delaware LP Act or (iv) the Delaware LLC Act, or (E) resulted, results or will result in the contravention of any applicable order.
17.      Except as required by the Commission in connection with the Partnership’s obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement, no Governmental Approval or Filing, which has not been obtained or made and is not in full force and effect, is required to authorize, or is required for, (i) the execution and delivery of the Purchase Agreement by the Partnership, (ii) the consummation of the issuance and sale of the Purchased Units pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, (iii) the application of the proceeds from the sale of the Purchased Units or (iv) the execution and delivery of the Contribution Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement by each of the Partnership Entities party thereto, or the incurrence or performance of its obligations thereunder. As used in this paragraph, “ Governmental Approval or Filing ” means any consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with, any executive, legislative, judicial, administrative or regulatory body of the State of Delaware or the United States of America, pursuant to (i) applicable laws of the United States of America or (ii) the Delaware LP Act, or (iii) the Delaware LLC Act.
18.      The Common Units, the Sponsor Units and the Incentive Distribution Rights conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the SEC Reports.
19.      Assuming the accuracy of the representations and warranties of each of the Purchasers and the Partnership contained in the Purchase Agreement, the offer, issue, sale and delivery of the Purchased Units to the Purchasers, solely in the manner contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, do not require registration under the Securities Act; provided , however , that we express no opinion as to any subsequent resale or other transfer of any Purchased Units.
20.      None of the Partnership Entities is and, immediately after giving effect to the issuance and sale of the Purchased Units occurring today and the application of proceeds therefrom, none will be, an “ investment company ” within the meaning of said term as used in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Exhibit B to Common Unit Purchase Agreement




Such opinion shall (A) not address any laws other than (i) the Delaware LP Act, (ii) the Delaware LLC Act, (iii) for purposes of paragraphs (11) and (16) only, the applicable laws of the State of New York, (iv) applicable laws of the United States of America and (v) certain other specified laws of the United States of America to the extent referred to specifically herein. References to “applicable laws” mean those laws that, in our experience, are normally applicable to transactions of the type contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, without our having made any special investigation as to the applicability of any specific law, rule or regulation, and that are not the subject of a specific opinion herein referring expressly to a particular law or laws; provided however, that such references do not include any municipal or other local laws, rules or regulations, or any antifraud, environmental, labor, securities, tax, insurance or antitrust laws, rules or regulations and (B) be subject to other customary assumptions, qualifications and limitations normally applicable to the opinions to be provided.
The Placement Agents shall be entitled to rely on the opinions expressed herein in their entirety in accordance with the terms of the Placement Agent Engagement Letter.

Exhibit B to Common Unit Purchase Agreement



Exhibit 99.1
NBLXUPDATEDLOGOA18.JPG
  
 
NEWS RELEASE
 
 
 
June 21, 2017
Noble Midstream Announces Private Placement of Common Units

Houston, Texas - Noble Midstream Partners LP (NYSE: NBLX) (“Noble Midstream” or the “Partnership”) today announced that it has priced a private placement of 3,525,000 common units representing limited partner interests of the Partnership for gross proceeds of approximately $143 million. Noble Midstream expects to use the net proceeds from the private placement to fund a portion of the acquisition of additional interests in Blanco River DevCo LP and Colorado River DevCo LP from Noble Energy, Inc. The private placement is expected to close June 26, 2017 in conjunction with the closing of the acquisition, both of which are subject to customary closing conditions.

The securities offered in the private placement have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein.








Exhibit 99.2
NBLXUPDATEDLOGOA18.JPG
  
 
NEWS RELEASE
 
 
 
June 21, 2017
Noble Midstream to Acquire Additional Interests in Delaware Basin and DJ Basin Infrastructure from Noble Energy

Houston, Texas - Noble Midstream Partners LP (NYSE: NBLX) (“Noble Midstream” or the “Partnership”) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire additional interests in Colorado River DevCo LP (“Colorado River DevCo”) and Blanco River DevCo LP (“Blanco River DevCo”) for $270 million from Noble Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NBL) (“Noble Energy”). The acquisition will increase Noble Midstream’s interest in Colorado River DevCo to 100% from 80%, and in Blanco River DevCo to 40% from 25%. Noble Energy will retain the remaining 60% interest in Blanco River DevCo.
Commenting on the acquisition, Terry R. Gerhart, Chief Executive Officer of the general partner of Noble Midstream, said “We are very pleased to further the Partnership’s exposure to the Delaware Basin through this accretive acquisition of additional interests in Blanco River DevCo, ahead of the significant growth anticipated from Noble Energy in the Delaware Basin. Additionally, acquiring the remaining interest in Colorado River DevCo adds immediate scale to the Partnership and complements our growth outlook as we continue to gather an increasing share of Noble Energy’s DJ Basin production.”
Blanco River DevCo
Blanco River DevCo holds Noble Midstream’s Delaware Basin in field gathering dedications on approximately 111,000 acres for oil and produced water gathering, with substantially all of the acreage also dedicated for gas gathering.
The Partnership estimates approximately 40% to 50% of its 2017 gross capital budget will be allocated to Blanco River DevCo as it constructs four central gathering facilities and backbone pipeline infrastructure to support Noble Energy’s Delaware Basin activity. The first facility is estimated to be complete mid-year 2017, the second in the fourth quarter 2017, and the following two in the first half of 2018.
The four central gathering facilities are expected to provide oil capacity expandable up to 120 thousand barrels per day by the end of 2018, and the oil, gas and produced water gathering systems are expected to consist of approximately 180 miles of pipelines by the end of 2018.
Colorado River DevCo
Colorado River DevCo consists of gathering systems across Noble Energy’s Wells Ranch and East Pony development areas and generated all of the Partnership’s first quarter 2017 gathering revenue. Noble Midstream provides oil, natural gas and produced water gathering, as well as fresh water delivery services in Wells Ranch, and oil gathering in East Pony through Colorado River DevCo.
Colorado River DevCo is expected to generate greater than 15% oil and gas throughput growth in the second quarter 2017 as compared to the first quarter of 2017. Assets held by Colorado River DevCo include the Wells Ranch central gathering facility, with approximately 45 thousand barrels of daily oil capacity, and approximately 125 miles of oil, gas and produced water gathering pipelines combined in Wells Ranch and East Pony.







Accretive Acquisition
The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to distributable cash flow per unit of the Partnership, based on a transaction value representing 8.2 - 9.2 times the next twelve months estimated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of the acquired interests.
Noble Midstream’s management has recommended to the board of directors of Noble Midstream GP LLC, the Partnership’s general partner (the “Board of Directors”), a second quarter distribution per unit increase of 8.5% above the first quarter distribution per unit of $0.4108, as compared to the previously announced 4.7% quarterly growth target. In addition, Noble Midstream’s management has also recommended to the Board of Directors that the Partnership re-confirm its 20% distribution per unit annual growth target following the proposed second quarter distribution.
Financing and Liquidity
As consideration for the acquisition, the Partnership has agreed to pay Noble Energy $270 million, consisting of $245 million in cash and 562,430 common units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (“common units”). Noble Midstream expects to fund the cash consideration with approximately $143 million of net proceeds from a concurrent private placement of common units and $102 million of borrowing under the Partnership’s credit facility.
Total borrowing under the Partnership’s credit facility is expected to be $192 million as of the end of the second quarter of 2017, including the expected borrowing for the acquisition. Pro forma for the acquisition and the consummation of the concurrent private placement of common units, the Partnership’s liquidity position is expected to be $178 million as of June 30, 2017, consisting of approximately $158 million available under its credit facility and approximately $20 million of cash on hand.
Upon closing of the acquisition and the private placement, Noble Energy is expected to own a 50.1% limited partner interest in Noble Midstream. The acquisition is expected to close prior to the end of the second quarter, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
The terms of the transaction were approved by the Board of Directors following a unanimous recommendation for approval from the conflicts committee of the Board of Directors, which consists entirely of independent directors. The conflicts committee was advised by Evercore on financial matters and Baker Botts L.L.P. on legal matters.
Updated 2017 Guidance
Noble Midstream has updated its full year 2017 capital budget and guidance to reflect the acquisition and an improved operational outlook. The 2017 gross capital budget is unchanged; however total capital attributable to the Partnership is expected to increase by $30 million due to the additional interest acquired, and is now estimated to total $215 million - $235 million.
Noble Midstream now anticipates 2017 net income between $145 million and $152 million and EBITDA EBITDA and DCF are not Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). For definitions of these non-GAAP measures and reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measures, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below. between $155 million and $168 million, which represents a 5% increase above the prior midpoint EBITDA 1 guidance. EBITDA 1 attributable to the Partnership is now estimated to range between $130 million and $145 million, which represents a 19% increase to the prior guidance midpoint and reflects performance updates from the previously announced second quarter 2017 volume expectations as well as the impact from the acquired interests in the remainder of 2017. The Partnership estimates 2017 Distributable Cash Flow (“DCF”) 1 to range between $112 million and $125 million for the year ending December 31, 2017, resulting in DCF 1 coverage between 1.8x and 2.0x.
Noble Midstream will provide additional guidance information with the second quarter 2017 earnings materials.


1 EBITDA and DCF are not Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). For definitions of these non-GAAP measures and reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measures, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.




 
Full Year 2017 (E)
 
Mid-Point
% Change
 
Updated
 
Prior (May 1, 2017)
 
Financial Guidance ($MM)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$145
$152
 
$134
$145
 
6%
EBITDA 1
$155
$168
 
$146
$162
 
5%
Net EBITDA 1
$130
$145
 
$110
$122
 
19%
DCF 1
$112
$125
 
$96
$107
 
17%
DCF 1  Coverage
1.8x
2.0x
 
1.7x
1.9x
 
6%
Gross Capital
$365
$405
 
$365
$405
 
0
Net Capital
$215
$235
 
$185
$205
 
15%

Presentation Available
A presentation summarizing the acquisition and updated guidance has been made available on the ‘Investors’ page on the Partnership’s website at www.nblmidstream.com
About Noble Midstream
Noble Midstream Partners LP is a growth-oriented master limited partnership formed by Noble Energy, Inc. to own, operate, develop and acquire domestic midstream infrastructure assets. Noble Midstream currently provides crude oil, natural gas, and water-related midstream services in the DJ Basin in Colorado and the Delaware Basin in Texas. For more information, please visit www.nblmidstream.com.


Forward Looking Statement
This news release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities law. Words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “intends”, “will”, “should”, “may”, “estimates”, and similar expressions may be used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and reflect the Partnership’s current views about future events. No assurances can be given that the forward-looking statements contained in this news release will occur as projected and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and assumptions that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. These risks include, without limitation, Noble Energy’s ability to meet its drilling and development plans, changes in general economic conditions, competitive conditions in the Partnership’s industry, actions taken by third-party operators, gatherers, processors and transporters, the demand for crude oil and natural gas gathering and processing services, the Partnership’s ability to successfully implement its business plan, the Partnership’s ability to complete internal growth projects on time and on budget, the price and availability of debt and equity financing, the availability and price of crude oil and natural gas to the consumer compared to the price of alternative and competing fuels, and other risks inherent in the Partnership’s business that are discussed in its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and in other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports are also available from the Partnership’s office or website, www.nblmidstream.com. Forward-looking statements are based on the estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements are made. Noble Midstream does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change.


1 EBITDA and DCF are not Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). For definitions of these non-GAAP measures and reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measures, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.




Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This news release includes EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow, both of which are non-GAAP measures which may be used periodically by management when discussing our financial results with investors and analysts. The following presents a reconciliation of each of these non-GAAP financial measures to its nearest comparable GAAP measure.
We define EBITDA as net income before income taxes, net interest expense, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is used as a supplemental financial measure by management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, industry analysts, lenders and ratings agencies, to assess:
our operating performance as compared to those of other companies in the midstream energy industry, without regard to financing methods, historical cost basis or capital structure;
the ability of our assets to generate sufficient cash flow to make distributions to our partners;
our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures; and
the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities.

We define Distributable Cash Flow as EBITDA less estimated maintenance capital expenditures. Distributable Cash Flow is used by management to evaluate our overall performance. Our partnership agreement requires us to distribute all available cash on a quarterly basis, and Distributable Cash Flow is one of the factors used by the Board of Directors to help determine the amount of available cash that is available to our unitholders for a given period.

We believe that the presentation of EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow provide information useful to investors in assessing our financial condition and results of operations. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow is net income. EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow should not be considered alternatives to net income or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income or net cash, and these measures may vary from those of other companies. As a result, EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow as presented below may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

EBITDA and Distributable Cash Flow should not be considered as alternatives to GAAP measures, such as net income, operating income, cash flow from operating activities, or any other GAAP measure of financial performance.





Financial Guidance GAAP Reconciliation
($ in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FY 2017 (E)
 
 
 
 
Updated
 
Prior
(May 1, 2017)
 
Net Income
 
 $145 - $152
 
 $135 - $147
Add: Depreciation and Amortization
 
 10 - 14
 
 10 - 14
Add: Interest Expense, Net of Amount Capitalized
 
0 - 2
 
1
Add: Income Tax Provision
 
0
 
0
EBITDA
 
 $155 - $168
 
 $146 - $162
Less: EBITDA Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
 
25 - 23
 
36 - 40
EBITDA Attributable to NBLX
 
 $130 - $145
 
 $110 - $122
Less: Maintenance Capital Expenditures & Cash Interest
 
18 - 20
 
14 - 15
Distributable Cash Flow of NBLX
 
 $112 - $125
 
 $96 - $107
 
 
 
 
 
Distribution Coverage
 
1.8x - 2.0x
 
1.7x - 1.9x
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acquisition Valuation Metrics Reconciliation
($ in millions, attributable to the Partnership)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Next Twelve Months
July 2017 - June 2018
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
 $27.5 - $29.9
 
 
 
 
Add: Depreciation and Amortization
 
 2 - 3
 
 
 
 
Add: Interest Expense, Net of Amount Capitalized
 
0
 
 
 
 
Add: Income Tax Provision
 
0
 
 
 
 
EBITDA
 
 $29.5 - $32.9
 
 
 
 







Contact:
Chris Hickman
VP, Investor Relations
(281) 943-1622
chris.hickman@nblmidstream.com