0000950123-11-053226.txt : 20110524 0000950123-11-053226.hdr.sgml : 20110524 20110523215745 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-11-053226 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3ASR PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 12 FILED AS OF DATE: 20110524 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20110523 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20110524 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: LEGACY RESERVES LP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001358831 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311] IRS NUMBER: 000000000 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1227 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-174434 FILM NUMBER: 11866692 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 303 W WALL STREET 2: SUITE 1400 CITY: MIDLAND STATE: TX ZIP: 79701 BUSINESS PHONE: 432-689-5200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 303 W WALL STREET 2: SUITE 1400 CITY: MIDLAND STATE: TX ZIP: 79701 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: LEGACY RESERVES L P DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20060410 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Legacy Reserves Operating GP LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001431622 IRS NUMBER: 204307209 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-174434-03 FILM NUMBER: 11866695 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 303 W WALL STREET STREET 2: SUITE 1400 CITY: MIDLAND STATE: TX ZIP: 79701 BUSINESS PHONE: 432-689-5200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 303 W WALL STREET STREET 2: SUITE 1400 CITY: MIDLAND STATE: TX ZIP: 79701 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Legacy Reserves Operating LP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001431623 IRS NUMBER: 204307259 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-174434-04 FILM NUMBER: 11866696 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 303 W WALL STREET STREET 2: SUITE 1400 CITY: MIDLAND STATE: TX ZIP: 79701 BUSINESS PHONE: 432-689-5200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 303 W WALL STREET STREET 2: SUITE 1400 CITY: MIDLAND STATE: TX ZIP: 79701 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Legacy Reserves Services Inc CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001431624 IRS NUMBER: 204442710 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-174434-02 FILM NUMBER: 11866694 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 303 W WALL STREET STREET 2: SUITE 1600 CITY: MIDLAND STATE: TX ZIP: 79701 BUSINESS PHONE: 432-689-5200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 303 W WALL STREET STREET 2: SUITE 1600 CITY: MIDLAND STATE: TX ZIP: 79701 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Legacy Reserves Finance Corp CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001518328 IRS NUMBER: 451621181 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-174434-05 FILM NUMBER: 11866697 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 303 WEST WALL STREET SUITE 1400 CITY: MIDLAND STATE: TX ZIP: 79701 BUSINESS PHONE: (432) 689-5200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 303 WEST WALL STREET SUITE 1400 CITY: MIDLAND STATE: TX ZIP: 79701 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Iron Creek Energy Group, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001521487 IRS NUMBER: 200901712 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WY FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-174434-01 FILM NUMBER: 11866693 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 303 WEST WALL STREET, SUITE 1400 CITY: MIDLAND STATE: TX ZIP: 79701 BUSINESS PHONE: (432) 689-5200 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 303 WEST WALL STREET, SUITE 1400 CITY: MIDLAND STATE: TX ZIP: 79701 S-3ASR 1 h82497sv3asr.htm FORM S-3 sv3asr
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2011
Registration No. 333-      
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
 
Legacy Reserves LP
Legacy Reserves Finance Corporation
(and the subsidiaries identified in footnote (*) below)
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
 
     
Delaware
Delaware
  16-1751069
45-1621181
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
 
303 W. Wall Street, Suite 1400
Midland, Texas 79701
(432) 689-5200
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Steven H. Pruett
President and Chief Financial Officer
Legacy Reserves GP, LLC
303 W. Wall Street, Suite 1400
Midland, Texas 79701
(432) 689-5200
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
 
 
Copies To:
Gislar Donnenberg
Andrews Kurth LLP
600 Travis, Suite 4200
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 220-4200
 
 
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
If the only securities being registered on this Form are to be offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  o
 
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  þ
 
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o
 
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  o
 
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  þ
 
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box.  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer þ Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
                         
            Proposed Maximum
    Proposed Maximum
     
Title of Each Class of
    Amount to be
    Offering
    Aggregate Offering
    Amount of
Securities to be Registered     Registered(1)     Price per Unit(1)     Price(1)     Registration Fee(2)
Units representing limited partner interests
                       
Senior debt securities
                       
Subordinated debt securities
                       
Guarantees of debt securities(3)
                       
                         
(1)  An unspecified aggregate initial offering price and number or amount of the securities of each identified class is being registered as may from time to time be sold at unspecified prices. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder.
 
(2) In accordance with Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act, the registrants are deferring payment of all of the registration fee, except for $9,925 that has been paid previously with respect to $252,554,500 aggregate offering price of securities that already were registered pursuant to Registration Statement No. 333-150111 that have not yet been issued or sold. Pursuant to Rule 457(p) under the Securities Act, such unutilized filing fee may be applied to the filing fee payable pursuant to this Registration Statement. Any additional filing fees will be paid on a pay-as-you-go basis.
 
(3) If a series of debt securities is guaranteed, such series will be guaranteed by all subsidiaries other than “minor” subsidiaries (except Legacy Reserves Finance Corporation) as such term is interpreted in securities regulations governing financial reporting for guarantors. Pursuant to Rule 457(n), no separate fee is payable with respect to the guarantees of the debt securities being registered.
 
(*) Each of the following is a co-registrant that may issue some or all of the guarantees of the debt securities:
 
Legacy Reserves Operating LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware
  20-4307259
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
Legacy Reserves Operating GP LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware
  20-4307209
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
Legacy Reserves Services, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas
  20-4442710
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
Iron Creek Energy Group, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Wyoming
  20-0901712
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 


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PROSPECTUS
 
(LEGACY LOGO)
 
Legacy Reserves LP
Legacy Reserves Finance Corporation
 
 
 
 
Units Representing Limited Partner Interests
Debt Securities
 
 
 
 
We may offer, from time to time, in one or more series, the following securities under this prospectus:
 
  •  units representing limited partnership interests in Legacy Reserves LP; and
 
  •  debt securities, which may be secured or unsecured senior debt securities or secured or unsecured subordinated debt securities.
 
Legacy Reserve Finance Corporation may act as co-issuer of the debt securities. All other direct or indirect subsidiaries of Legacy Reserves LP, other than “minor subsidiaries” (except Legacy Reserves Finance Corporation) as such item is interpreted in securities regulations governing financial reporting for guarantors, may guarantee the debt securities.
 
Our units are listed on The NASDAQ Global Select Market, or NASDAQ, under the symbol “LGCY.” We will provide information in a prospectus supplement, for the trading market, if any, for any debt securities we may offer.
 
We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the general manner in which these securities may be offered. Specific terms of any securities to be offered and the specific manner in which we will offer such securities will be provided in one or more supplements to this prospectus. A prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus.
 
You should carefully read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement before you invest. You also should read the documents we have referred you to under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation By Reference” of this prospectus for information on us and our financial statements.
 
This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
 
 
 
 
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Limited partnerships are inherently different from corporations. For a discussion of the factors you should consider before deciding to purchase our securities, please see “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus, any risk factors contained in any applicable prospectus supplement, as well as any additional risk factors that may be contained in the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein.
 
 
 
 
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
The date of this prospectus is May 23, 2011.


 

 
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 EX-8.1
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 EX-23.2
 
 
In making your investment decision, you should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as or that the information contained in any document incorporated by reference herein or therein, is accurate as of any date other than its respective date.


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, utilizing a “shelf” registration process or continuous offering process for “well-known seasoned issuers.” Under this shelf registration process, we may sell from time to time any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings.
 
This prospectus provides you with only a general description of the securities that we may offer. This prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. Each time we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement that will describe, among other things, the specific number, amounts and prices of the securities being offered, the specific manner in which they may be offered and the terms of the offering, including in the case of debt securities, the specific terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement may include additional risk factors or other special considerations applicable to those securities. The prospectus supplement may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the prospectus supplement.
 
The rules of the SEC allow us to incorporate by reference information into this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. Any information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, and information that we file later with the SEC that is incorporated by reference herein will automatically update and supersede this information. Additional information, including our financial statements and the notes thereto, is incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our reports filed with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation By Reference.” In particular, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and those included in our periodic reports, which are all incorporated by reference in this prospectus, or otherwise included in any applicable prospectus supplement. Before investing in any of our securities, you are urged to carefully read this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement relating to the securities offered to you, together with the information and documents described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation By Reference” of this prospectus and the information and documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus supplement.
 
References in this prospectus to “Legacy Reserves,” “Legacy,” “we,” “our,” “us,” or like terms refer to Legacy Reserves LP and its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires.
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
 
This prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference herein contain forward-looking statements that are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which may include statements about:
 
  •  our business strategy;
 
  •  the amount of oil and natural gas we produce;
 
  •  the price at which we are able to sell our oil and natural gas production;
 
  •  our ability to acquire additional oil and natural gas properties at economically attractive prices;
 
  •  our drilling locations and our ability to continue our development activities at economically attractive costs;
 
  •  the level of our lease operating expenses, general and administrative costs and finding and development costs, including payments to our general partner;
 
  •  the level of our capital expenditures;
 
  •  the level of cash distributions to our unitholders;


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  •  our future operating results; and
 
  •  our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions.
 
All of these types of statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this prospectus, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “pursue,” “target,” “continue,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology.
 
The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus and any documents incorporated by reference are largely based on our expectations, which reflect estimates and assumptions made by our management. These estimates and assumptions reflect our best judgment based on currently known market conditions and other factors. Although we believe such estimates and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently uncertain and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that are beyond our control. In addition, management’s assumptions about future events may prove to be inaccurate. All readers are cautioned that the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus are not guarantees of future performance, and our expectations may not be realized or the forward-looking events and circumstances may not occur. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements due to factors set forth under the heading “Risk Factors” in this prospectus, in our filings with the SEC, including those factors described in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, or those factors otherwise included in any applicable prospectus supplement. The forward-looking statements in this prospectus speak only as of the date of this prospectus; we disclaim any obligation to update these statements unless required by securities law, and we caution you not to unduly rely on them.
 
ABOUT LEGACY RESERVES LP
 
We are an independent oil and natural gas limited partnership headquartered in Midland, Texas, and are focused on the acquisition and development of oil and natural gas properties primarily located in the Permian Basin, Mid-Continent and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States. We were formed in October 2005 to own and operate the oil and natural gas properties that we acquired from our founding investors (“Founding Investors”) and three charitable foundations in connection with the closing of our private equity offering on March 15, 2006. On January 18, 2007, we completed our initial public offering.
 
Our operations are conducted through, and our operating assets are owned by, our subsidiaries. Legacy Reserves Finance Corporation, our wholly owned subsidiary, has no material assets or any liabilities other than as a co-issuer of our debt securities. Its activities are limited to co-issuing our debt securities and activities incidental to its role as a co-issuer.
 
Our principal executive offices are located at 303 W. Wall Street, Suite 1400, Midland, Texas 79701 and our telephone number is (432) 689-5200.
 
THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
 
Certain of our subsidiaries may fully and unconditionally guarantee our payment obligations under any series of debt securities offered using this prospectus. Financial information concerning our subsidiary guarantors and any non-guarantor subsidiaries will, to the extent required by SEC rules and regulations, be included in our consolidated financial statements filed as part of our periodic reports pursuant to the Exchange Act.


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RISK FACTORS
 
Limited partner interests are inherently different from the capital stock of a corporation, although many of the business risks to which we are subject are similar to those that would be faced by a corporation engaged in a similar business. Before you invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the following risk factors, those included in our most-recent annual report on Form 10-K, in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and in our current reports on Form 8-K that are incorporated herein by reference and those that may be included in the applicable prospectus supplement, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference.
 
If any of these risks were actually to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flow could be materially adversely affected. In that case, our ability to make distributions to our unitholders or pay interest on, or the principal of, any debt securities, may be reduced, the trading price of our securities could decline and you could lose all or part of your investment.
 
Risks Related to our Business
 
We may not have sufficient available cash to pay the full amount of our current quarterly distribution or any distribution at all following establishment of cash reserves and payment of fees and expenses, including payments to our general partner.
 
We may not have sufficient available cash each quarter to pay the full amount of our current quarterly distribution or any distribution at all. The amount of cash we distribute in any quarter to our unitholders may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter and may be significantly less than our current quarterly distribution. Under the terms of our partnership agreement, the amount of cash otherwise available for distribution will be reduced by our operating expenses and the amount of any cash reserves that our general partner establishes to provide for future operations, future capital expenditures, future debt service requirements and future cash distributions to our unitholders. Further, our debt agreements contain restrictions on our ability to pay distributions. The amount of cash we can distribute on our units principally depends upon the amount of cash we generate from our operations, which will fluctuate from quarter to quarter based on, among other things:
 
  •  the amount of oil, NGL and natural gas we produce;
 
  •  the price at which we are able to sell our oil, NGL and natural gas production;
 
  •  the amount and timing of settlements on our commodity and interest rate derivatives;
 
  •  whether we are able to acquire additional oil and natural gas properties at economically attractive prices;
 
  •  whether we are able to continue our development projects at economically attractive costs;
 
  •  the level of our lease operating expenses, general and administrative costs and development costs, including payments to our general partner;
 
  •  the level of our interest expense, which depends on the amount of our indebtedness and the interest payable thereon; and
 
  •  the level of our capital expenditures.
 
If we are not able to acquire additional oil and natural gas reserves on economically acceptable terms, our reserves and production will decline, which would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
We may be unable to sustain distributions at the current level without making accretive acquisitions or substantial capital expenditures that maintain or grow our asset base. Oil and natural gas reserves are characterized by declining production rates, and our future oil and natural gas reserves and production and, therefore, our cash flow and our ability to make distributions are highly dependent on our success in


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economically finding or acquiring additional recoverable reserves and efficiently developing and exploiting our current reserves. Further, the rate of estimated decline of our oil and natural gas reserves may increase if our wells do not produce as expected. We may not be able to find, acquire or develop additional reserves to replace our current and future production at acceptable costs, which would adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
Our future growth may be limited because we distribute all of our available cash to our unitholders, and potential future disruptions in the financial markets may prevent us from obtaining the financing necessary for growth and acquisitions.
 
Since we will distribute all of our available cash (as defined in our partnership agreement) to our unitholders, our growth may not be as fast as businesses that reinvest their available cash to expand ongoing operations. Further, since we depend on financing provided by commercial banks and other lenders and the issuance of debt and equity securities to finance any significant growth or acquisitions, potential future disruptions in the global financial markets and any associated severe tightening of credit supply may prevent us from obtaining adequate financing from these sources, and, as a result, our ability to grow, both in terms of additional drilling and acquisitions, will be limited.
 
Increases in the cost of or failure of costs to adjust downward for drilling rigs, service rigs, pumping services and other costs in drilling and completing wells could reduce the viability of certain of our development projects.
 
Higher oil and natural gas prices may increase the rig count and thus the cost of rigs and oil field services necessary to implement our development projects while also decreasing their availability. Increased capital requirements for our projects will result in higher reserve replacement costs which could reduce cash available for distribution. Higher project costs could cause certain of our projects to become uneconomic and therefore not to be implemented, reducing our production and cash available for distribution. Decreased availability of drilling equipment and services could significantly impact the planned execution of our scheduled development program.
 
If commodity prices decline and remain depressed for a prolonged period, a significant portion of our development projects may become uneconomic and cause write downs of the value of our oil and gas properties, which may adversely affect our financial condition and our ability to make distributions to our unitholders.
 
Lower oil and natural gas prices may not only decrease our revenues, but also reduce the amount of oil and natural gas that we can produce economically. For example, the drastically lower oil and natural gas prices experienced in the fourth quarter of 2008 rendered more than half of the development projects we had planned at such time uneconomic and resulted in a substantial downward adjustment to our estimated proved reserves. Further, deteriorating commodity prices may cause us to recognize impairments in the value of our oil and gas properties. In addition, if our estimates of development costs increase, production data factors change or drilling results deteriorate, accounting rules may require us to write down, as a non-cash charge to earnings, the carrying value of our oil and natural gas properties for impairments. We may incur impairment charges in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in the period taken.
 
Due to regional fluctuations in the actual prices received for our production, the derivative contracts we enter into may not provide us with sufficient protection against price volatility since they are based on indexes related to different and remote regional markets.
 
We sell our natural gas into local markets, the majority of which is produced in West Texas, Southeast New Mexico, the Texas Panhandle, Central Oklahoma and Wyoming and shipped to the Midwest, West Coast and Texas Gulf Coast. These regions account for over 90% of our natural gas sales. Our existing natural gas swaps are based on Waha, ANR-Oklahoma and CIG-Rockies directly. While we are paid a local price indexed to or closely related to Waha, ANR-Oklahoma and CIG-Rockies, these indexes are heavily influenced by


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prices received in remote regional consumer markets less transportation costs and thus may not be effective in protecting us against local price volatility.
 
Fluctuations in price and demand for our natural gas may force us to shut in a significant number of our producing wells, which may adversely impact our revenues and ability to pay distributions to our unitholders.
 
We are subject to great fluctuations in the prices we are paid for our natural gas due to a number of factors including regional demand, weather, demand for NGLs which are recovered from our gas stream, and new natural gas pipelines such as the REX pipeline from the Rocky Mountains to the Midwest which competes with our natural gas in the Midwest. Drilling in shale resources has developed large amounts of new natural gas supplies that have depressed the prices paid for our natural gas, and we expect the shale resources to continue to be drilled and developed by our competitors. We also face the potential risk of shut-in natural gas due to high levels of natural gas and NGL inventory in storage, weak demand due to mild weather and the effects of any economic downturns on industrial demand. Lack of NGL storage in Mont Belvieu where our West Texas and New Mexico NGLs are shipped for processing could cause the processors of our natural gas to curtail or shut-in our natural gas wells and potentially force us to shut-in oil wells that produce associated natural gas. For example, following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, when certain Permian Basin natural gas processors were forced to shut down their plants due to the shutdown of the Texas Gulf Coast NGL fractionators, we were able to produce our oil wells and vent or flare the associated natural gas. There is no certainty we will be able to vent or flare natural gas again due to potential changes in regulations. Furthermore we may encounter problems in restarting production of previously shut-in wells.
 
Our commodity derivative activities may limit our ability to profit from price gains, could result in cash losses and expose us to counterparty risk and as a result could reduce our cash available for distributions.
 
We have entered into, and we may in the future enter into, oil and natural gas derivative contracts intended to offset the effects of commodity price volatility related to a significant portion of our oil and natural gas production. Many derivative instruments that we employ require us to make cash payments to the extent the applicable index exceeds a predetermined price, thereby limiting our ability to realize the benefit of increases in oil and natural gas prices.
 
There is always substantial risk that counterparties in any derivative transaction cannot or will not perform under our derivative contracts. If a counterparty fails to perform and the derivative transaction is terminated, our cash flow and ability to pay distributions could be adversely impacted.
 
Further, if our actual production and sales for any period are less than our expected production covered by derivative contracts and sales for that period (including reductions in production due to involuntary shut-ins or operational delays) or if we are unable to perform our drilling activities as planned, we might be forced to satisfy all or a portion of our derivative contracts without the benefit of the cash flow from our sale of the underlying physical commodity, resulting in a substantial diminution of our liquidity. Under our revolving credit facility, we are prohibited from entering into derivative contracts covering all of our production, and we therefore retain the risk of a price decrease on our volumes not covered by derivative contracts.
 
The substantial restrictions and financial covenants of our revolving credit facility, any negative redetermination of our borrowing base by our lenders and any potential disruptions of the financial markets could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
We depend on our revolving credit facility for future capital needs. Our revolving credit facility limits the amounts we can borrow to a borrowing base amount, determined by the lenders in their sole discretion.
 
Our revolving credit facility restricts, among other things, our ability to incur debt and pay distributions, and requires us to comply with certain financial covenants and ratios. We may not be able to comply with


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these restrictions and covenants in the future and will be affected by the levels of cash flow from our operations and events or circumstances beyond our control, such as any potential disruptions in the financial markets. Our failure to comply with any of the restrictions and covenants under our revolving credit facility could result in a default under our revolving credit facility. A default under our revolving credit facility could cause all of our existing indebtedness to be immediately due and payable.
 
Outstanding borrowings in excess of the borrowing base must be repaid, and, if mortgaged properties represent less than 80% of total value of oil and gas properties used to determine the borrowing base, we must pledge other oil and natural gas properties as additional collateral. We may not have the financial resources in the future to make any mandatory principal prepayments required under our revolving credit facility.
 
The occurrence of an event of default or a negative redetermination of our borrowing base, such as a result of lower commodity prices or a deterioration in the condition of the financial markets, could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make distributions to our unitholders.
 
Our estimated reserves are based on many assumptions that may prove inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves.
 
No one can measure underground accumulations of oil and natural gas in an exact way. Oil and natural gas reserve engineering requires subjective estimates of underground accumulations of oil and natural gas and assumptions concerning future oil and natural gas prices, production levels, and operating and development costs. As a result, estimated quantities of proved reserves and projections of future production rates and the timing of development expenditures may prove to be inaccurate. Any material inaccuracies in these reserve estimates or underlying assumptions will materially affect the quantities and present value of our reserves which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
Further, the present value of future net cash flows from our proved reserves may not be the current market value of our estimated natural gas and oil reserves. In accordance with SEC requirements, we base the estimated discounted future net cash flows from our proved reserves on the 12-month average oil and gas index prices, calculated as the un-weighted arithmetic average for the first-day-of-the-month price for each month and costs in effect on the date of the estimate, holding the prices and costs constant throughout the life of the properties. Actual future prices and costs may differ materially from those used in the net present value estimate, and future net present value estimates using then current prices and costs may be significantly less than the current estimate. In addition, the 10% discount factor we use when calculating discounted future net cash flows for reporting requirements in compliance with the FASB in Accounting Standards Codification 932 may not be the most appropriate discount factor based on interest rates in effect from time to time and risks associated with us or the natural gas and oil industry in general.
 
Our business depends on gathering and transportation facilities owned by others. Any limitation in the availability of those facilities would interfere with our ability to market the oil and natural gas we produce.
 
The marketability of our oil and natural gas production depends in part on the availability, proximity and capacity of gathering and pipeline systems owned by third parties. The amount of oil and natural gas that can be produced and sold is subject to curtailment in certain circumstances, such as pipeline interruptions due to scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, excessive pressure, physical damage to the gathering or transportation system, or lack of contracted capacity on such systems. The curtailments arising from these and similar circumstances may last from a few days to several months. In many cases, we are provided only with limited, if any, notice as to when these circumstances will arise and their duration. Any significant curtailment in gathering system or pipeline capacity, or significant delay in the construction of necessary gathering and transportation facilities, could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.


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Our development projects require substantial capital expenditures, which will reduce our cash available for distribution. We may be unable to obtain needed capital or financing on satisfactory terms, which could lead to a decline in our oil and natural gas reserves.
 
We make and expect to continue to make substantial capital expenditures in our business for the development, production and acquisition of oil and natural gas reserves. These expenditures will reduce our cash available for distribution. We intend to finance our future capital expenditures with cash flow from operations and borrowings under our revolving credit facility. Our cash flow from operations and access to capital are subject to a number of variables, including:
 
  •  our proved reserves;
 
  •  the level of oil and natural gas we are able to produce from existing wells;
 
  •  the prices at which our oil and natural gas are sold; and
 
  •  our ability to acquire, locate and produce new reserves.
 
If our revenues or the borrowing base under our revolving credit facility decrease as a result of lower oil and/or natural gas prices, operating difficulties, declines in reserves or for any other reason, we may have limited ability to obtain the capital necessary to sustain our operations at current levels. Our revolving credit facility restricts our ability to obtain new financing. If additional capital is needed, we may not be able to obtain debt or equity financing. If cash generated by operations or available under our revolving credit facility is not sufficient to meet our capital requirements, the failure to obtain additional financing could result in a curtailment of our operations relating to development of our prospects, which in turn could lead to a decline in our oil and natural gas reserves, and could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
We do not control all of our operations and development projects and failure of an operator of wells in which we own partial interests to adequately perform could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
Many of our business activities are conducted through joint operating agreements under which we own partial interests in oil and natural gas wells. If we do not operate wells in which we own an interest, we do not have control over normal operating procedures, expenditures or future development of underlying properties. The success and timing of our development projects on properties operated by others is outside of our control.
 
The failure of an operator of wells in which we own partial interests to adequately perform operations, or an operator’s breach of the applicable agreements, could reduce our production and revenues and could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
Drilling for and producing oil and natural gas are high risk activities with many uncertainties that could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
Our drilling activities are subject to many risks, including the risk that we will not discover commercially productive reservoirs. Drilling for oil and natural gas can be uneconomic, not only from dry holes, but also from productive wells that do not produce sufficient revenues to be commercially viable.
 
In addition, our drilling and producing operations may be curtailed, delayed or canceled as a result of other factors, including:
 
  •  the high cost, shortages or delivery delays of equipment and services;
 
  •  unexpected operational events;
 
  •  adverse weather conditions;


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  •  facility or equipment malfunctions;
 
  •  title disputes;
 
  •  pipeline ruptures or spills;
 
  •  collapses of wellbore, casing or other tubulars;
 
  •  unusual or unexpected geological formations;
 
  •  loss of drilling fluid circulation;
 
  •  formations with abnormal pressures;
 
  •  fires;
 
  •  blowouts, craterings and explosions; and
 
  •  uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas or well fluids.
 
Any of these events can cause substantial losses, including personal injury or loss of life, damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment, pollution, environmental contamination, loss of wells and regulatory penalties.
 
We ordinarily maintain insurance against various losses and liabilities arising from our operations; however, insurance against all operational risks is not available to us. Additionally, we may elect not to obtain insurance if we believe that the cost of available insurance is excessive relative to the perceived risks presented. Losses could therefore occur for uninsurable or uninsured risks or in amounts in excess of existing insurance coverage. The occurrence of an event that is not fully covered by insurance could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
Increases in interest rates could adversely affect our business, results of operations, cash flows from operations and financial condition.
 
Since all of the indebtedness outstanding under our revolving credit facility is at variable interest rates, we have significant exposure to increases in interest rates. As a result, our business, results of operations and cash flows may be adversely affected by significant increases in interest rates. Further, an increase in interest rates may cause a corresponding decline in demand for equity investments, in particular for yield-based equity investments such as our units. Any reduction in demand for our units resulting from other more attractive investment opportunities may cause the trading price of our units to decline.
 
Any acquisitions we complete are subject to substantial risks that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations and reduce our ability to make distributions to unitholders.
 
We may not achieve the expected results of our acquisitions, and any adverse conditions or developments related to our acquisitions may have a negative impact on our operations and financial condition.
 
Further, even if we complete additional acquisitions, which we expect will increase pro forma distributable cash per unit, actual results may differ from our expectations and the impact of these acquisitions may actually result in a decrease in pro forma distributable cash per unit. Any acquisition involves potential risks, including, among other things:
 
  •  the validity of our assumptions about reserves, future production, revenues, capital expenditures and operating costs;
 
  •  an inability to successfully integrate the businesses we acquire;
 
  •  a decrease in our liquidity by using a portion of our available cash or borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility to finance acquisitions;


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  •  a significant increase in our interest expense or financial leverage if we incur additional debt to finance acquisitions;
 
  •  the assumption of unknown liabilities, losses or costs for which we are not indemnified or for which our indemnity is inadequate;
 
  •  the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns;
 
  •  the incurrence of other significant charges, such as impairment of oil and natural gas properties, goodwill or other intangible assets, asset devaluation or restructuring charges;
 
  •  unforeseen difficulties encountered in operating in new geographic areas; and
 
  •  the loss of key purchasers.
 
Our decision to acquire a property depends in part on the evaluation of data obtained from production reports and engineering studies, geophysical and geological analyses, seismic data and other information, the results of which are often inconclusive and subject to various interpretations.
 
Also, our reviews of newly acquired properties are inherently incomplete because it is generally not feasible to perform an in-depth review of the individual properties involved in each acquisition given time constraints imposed by sellers. Even a detailed review of records and properties may not necessarily reveal existing or potential problems, nor will it permit a buyer to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess their deficiencies and potential. Inspections may not always be performed on every well, and environmental problems, such as groundwater contamination, are not necessarily observable even when an inspection is undertaken.
 
Our identified drilling location inventories are scheduled out over several years, making them susceptible to uncertainties that could materially alter the occurrence or timing of their drilling.
 
Our management team has specifically identified and scheduled drilling locations as an estimation of our future multi-year drilling activities on our acreage. These identified drilling locations represent a significant part of our growth strategy. Our ability to drill and develop these locations depends on a number of factors, including the availability of capital, seasonal conditions, regulatory approvals, oil and natural gas prices, costs and drilling results. Our final determination on whether to drill any of these drilling locations will be dependent upon the factors described above as well as, to some degree, the results of our drilling activities with respect to our proved drilling locations. Because of these uncertainties, we do not know if the numerous drilling locations we have identified will be drilled within our expected timeframe or will ever be drilled or if we will be able to produce oil or natural gas from these or any other potential drilling locations. As such, our actual drilling activities may be materially different from those presently identified, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
The inability of one or more of our customers to meet their obligations may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Substantially all of our accounts receivable result from oil and natural gas sales or joint interest billings to third parties in the energy industry. This concentration of customers and joint interest owners may impact our overall credit risk in that these entities may be similarly affected by changes in economic and other conditions. In addition, our oil and natural gas derivative transactions expose us to credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties.
 
We depend on a limited number of key personnel who would be difficult to replace.
 
Our operations are dependent on the continued efforts of our executive officers, senior management and key employees. The loss of any member of our senior management or other key employees could negatively impact our ability to execute our strategy.


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We may be unable to compete effectively with larger companies, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
The oil and natural gas industry is intensely competitive, and we compete with other companies that have greater resources than us. Our ability to acquire additional properties and to discover reserves in the future will be dependent upon our ability to evaluate and select suitable properties and to consummate transactions in a highly competitive environment. Many of our larger competitors not only explore for and produce oil and natural gas, but also carry on refining operations and market petroleum and other products on a regional, national or worldwide basis. These companies may be able to pay more for productive oil and natural gas properties and exploratory prospects or define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or human resources permit. In addition, these companies may have a greater ability to continue exploration and development activities during periods of low oil and natural gas market prices and to absorb the burden of present and future federal, state, local and other laws and regulations. Our inability to compete effectively with larger companies could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, current and potential unitholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our units.
 
Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. If we cannot provide reliable financial reports or prevent fraud, our reputation and operating results could be harmed. We cannot be certain that our efforts to maintain our internal controls will be successful, that we will be able to maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future or that we will be able to continue to comply with our obligations under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Any failure to maintain effective internal controls, or difficulties encountered in implementing or improving our internal controls, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet certain reporting obligations. Ineffective internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a negative effect on the trading price of our units.
 
We are subject to complex federal, state, local and other laws and regulations that could adversely affect the cost, manner or feasibility of conducting our operations.
 
Our oil and natural gas exploration and production operations are subject to complex and stringent laws and regulations. In order to conduct our operations in compliance with these laws and regulations, we must obtain and maintain numerous permits, approvals and certificates from various federal, state and local governmental authorities. We may incur substantial costs in order to maintain compliance with these existing laws and regulations. In addition, our costs of compliance may increase if existing laws and regulations are revised or reinterpreted, or if new laws and regulations become applicable to our operations. All such costs may have a negative effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
Our business is subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations as interpreted and enforced by governmental authorities possessing jurisdiction over various aspects of the exploration for, and the production of, oil and natural gas. Failure to comply with such laws and regulations, as interpreted and enforced, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.


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Our operations expose us to significant costs and liabilities with respect to environmental and operational safety matters.
 
We may incur significant costs and liabilities as a result of environmental and safety requirements applicable to our oil and natural gas exploration and production activities. These costs and liabilities could arise under a wide range of federal, state and local environmental and safety laws and regulations, including regulations and enforcement policies, which have tended to become increasingly strict over time. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in the assessment of administrative, civil and criminal penalties, imposition of cleanup and site restoration costs and liens, and to a lesser extent, issuance of injunctions to limit or cease operations. In addition, claims for damages to persons or property may result from environmental and other impacts of our operations.
 
Strict, joint and several liability may be imposed under certain environmental laws, which could cause us to become liable for the conduct of others or for consequences of our own actions that were in compliance with all applicable laws at the time those actions were taken. New laws, regulations or enforcement policies could be more stringent and impose unforeseen liabilities or significantly increase compliance costs. If we were not able to recover the resulting costs through insurance or increased revenues, our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders could be adversely affected.
 
Our sales of oil, natural gas, NGLs and other energy commodities, and related hedging activities, expose us to potential regulatory risks.
 
The Federal Trade Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission hold statutory authority to monitor certain segments of the physical and futures energy commodities markets. These agencies have imposed broad regulations prohibiting fraud and manipulation of such markets. With regard to our physical sales of oil, natural gas, NGLs or other energy commodities, and any related hedging activities that we undertake, we are required to observe the market-related regulations enforced by these agencies, which hold substantial enforcement authority. Our sales may also be subject to certain reporting and other requirements. Failure to comply with such regulations, as interpreted and enforced, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
The July 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Act”) provides for new statutory and regulatory requirements for derivative transactions, including oil and gas hedging transactions. Certain transactions will be required to be cleared on exchanges and cash collateral will have to be posted. The Act provides for a potential exemption from these clearing and cash collateral requirements for commercial end-users and it includes a number of defined terms that will be used in determining how this exemption applies to particular derivative transactions and the parties to those transactions. Since the Act mandates the Commodities Futures and Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) to promulgate rules to define these terms, we do not know the definitions the CFTC will actually adopt or how these definitions will apply to us. The CFTC has also proposed regulations to set position limits for certain futures and option contracts in the major energy markets and for swaps that are their economic equivalent. Certain bona fide hedging transactions or positions would be exempt from these position limits. It is not possible at this time to predict if and when the CFTC will finalize these regulations.
 
Depending on the rules and definitions ultimately adopted by the CFTC, we might in the future be required to post cash collateral for our commodities derivative transactions. Posting of cash collateral could cause liquidity issues for us by reducing our ability to use our cash for capital expenditures or other partnership purposes. A requirement to post cash collateral could therefore reduce our ability to execute strategic hedges to reduce commodity price uncertainty and thus protect cash flows. Although the CFTC has issued proposed rules under the Act, we are at risk unless and until the CFTC adopts rules and definitions that confirm that companies such as us are not required to post cash collateral for our derivative hedging contracts. In addition, even if we are not required to post cash collateral for our derivative contracts, the banks and other derivatives dealers who are our contractual counterparties will be required to comply with the Act’s new


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requirements, and the costs of their compliance will likely be passed on to customers, including us, thus decreasing the benefits to us of hedging transactions and reducing the profitability of our cash flows.
 
Federal and state legislation and regulatory initiatives relating to hydraulic fracturing could result in increased costs and additional operating restrictions or delays.
 
Congress has considered legislation to amend the federal Safe Drinking Water Act to require the disclosure of chemicals used by the oil and natural gas industry in the hydraulic fracturing process. Hydraulic fracturing is an important and commonly used process in the completion of unconventional natural gas wells in shale formations, as well as tight conventional formations including many of those that Legacy completes and produces. This process involves the injection of water, sand and chemicals under pressure into rock formations to stimulate natural gas production. Sponsors of these bills have asserted that chemicals used in the fracturing process could adversely affect drinking water supplies. In addition, some states have adopted and others are considering legislation to restrict hydraulic fracturing. Wyoming has adopted legislation requiring the disclosure of hydraulic fracturing chemicals. Further, a Congressional Committee is investigating hydraulic fracturing practices legislation that requires the reporting and public disclosure of chemicals used in the fracturing process, which could make it easier for third parties opposing the hydraulic fracturing process to initiate legal proceedings based on allegations that specific chemicals used in the fracturing process could adversely affect groundwater. In addition any additional level of regulation could lead to operational delays or increased operating costs and could result in additional regulatory burdens that could make it more difficult to perform hydraulic fracturing and increase our costs of compliance and doing business.
 
Climate change legislation or regulations restricting emissions of “greenhouse gases” could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the oil, natural gas and NGLs that we produce.
 
On December 15, 2009, the EPA officially published its findings that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other “greenhouse gases” present an endangerment to human health and the environment because emissions of such gases are, according to the EPA, contributing to warming of the Earth’s atmosphere and other climatic changes. These findings by the EPA allow the agency to proceed with the adoption and implementation of regulations that would restrict emissions of greenhouse gases under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act. On January 2, 2011 regulations that require a reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases from motor vehicles became effective. The EPA has determined that such regulations trigger permit review for greenhouse gas emissions from certain stationary sources. EPA adopted a tiered approach to implementing the permitting of GHG emissions from stationary sources under the PSD and Title V permitting programs in May 2010. The so-called “tailoring rule” only requires the stationary sources with the largest emissions to undergo an assessment of GHG emissions under the best available control technology or “BACT” under the federal permitting programs. In addition, on September 22, 2009, the EPA issued a final rule requiring the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from specified large greenhouse gas emission sources in the United States beginning in 2011 for emissions occurring in 2010. On November 30, 2010, the EPA published mandatory reporting rules for oil and gas systems requiring reporting starting in 2012 for emissions in 2011. The adoption and implementation of any regulations imposing reporting obligations on, or limiting emissions of greenhouse gases from, our equipment and operations could require us to incur costs to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases associated with our operations or could adversely affect demand for the oil, natural gas and NGL that we produce.
 
Legislation has been considered at the state and federal level. Any future federal laws or implementing regulations that may be adopted to address greenhouse gas emissions could require us to incur increased operating costs and could adversely affect demand for the oil, natural gas and NGLs that we produce.
 
Units eligible for future sale may have adverse effects on our unit price and the liquidity of the market for our units.
 
We cannot predict the effect of future sales of our units, or the availability of units for future sales, on the market price of or the liquidity of the market for our units. Sales of substantial amounts of units, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our units. Such


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sales, or the possibility of such sales, could also make it difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate. As of May 18, 2011, the Founding Investors and their affiliates, including members of our management, owned approximately 23.7% of our outstanding units. We granted the Founding Investors certain registration rights to have their units registered under the Securities Act. Upon registration, these units will be eligible for sale into the market. Because of the substantial size of the Founding Investors’ holdings, the sale of a significant portion of these units, or a perception in the market that such a sale is likely, could have a significant impact on the market price of our units.
 
Risks Related to Our Limited Partnership Structure
 
Our Founding Investors, including members of our management, own a 23.7% limited partner interest in us and control our general partner, which has sole responsibility for conducting our business and managing our operations. Our general partner has conflicts of interest and limited fiduciary duties, which may permit it to favor its own interests to the detriment of our unitholders.
 
Our Founding Investors, including members of our management, as of May 18, 2011 owned a 23.7% limited partner interest in us and therefore have the ability to exercise a significant amount of control over the election of the entire board of directors of our general partner. Although our general partner has a fiduciary duty to manage us in a manner beneficial to us and our unitholders, the directors and officers of our general partner have a fiduciary duty to manage our general partner in a manner beneficial to its owners, our Founding Investors and their affiliates. Conflicts of interest may arise between our Founding Investors and their affiliates, including our general partner, on the one hand, and us and our unitholders, on the other hand. In resolving these conflicts of interest, our general partner may favor its own interests and the interests of its affiliates over the interests of our unitholders. These conflicts include, among others, the following situations:
 
  •  neither our partnership agreement nor any other agreement requires our Founding Investors or their affiliates, other than our executive officers, to pursue a business strategy that favors us;
 
  •  our general partner is allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than us, such as our Founding Investors, in resolving conflicts of interest, which has the effect of limiting its fiduciary duty to our unitholders;
 
  •  our Founding Investors and their affiliates (other than our executive officers and their affiliates) may engage in competition with us;
 
  •  our general partner has limited its liability and reduced its fiduciary duties under our partnership agreement and has also restricted the remedies available to our unitholders for actions that, without the limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty. As a result of purchasing units, unitholders consent to some actions and conflicts of interest that might otherwise constitute a breach of fiduciary or other duties under applicable state law;
 
  •  our general partner determines the amount and timing of asset purchases and sales, capital expenditures, borrowings, issuance of additional partnership securities, and reserves, each of which can affect the amount of cash that is distributed to our unitholders;
 
  •  our general partner determines the amount and timing of any capital expenditures and whether a capital expenditure is a maintenance capital expenditure, which reduces operating surplus, or a growth capital expenditure, which does not reduce operating surplus. Such determination can affect the amount of cash that is distributed to our unitholders;
 
  •  our general partner determines which costs incurred by it and its affiliates are reimbursable by us;
 
  •  our partnership agreement does not restrict our general partner from causing us to pay it or its affiliates for any services rendered to us or entering into additional contractual arrangements with any of these entities on our behalf;
 
  •  our general partner intends to limit its liability regarding our contractual and other obligations;


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  •  our general partner controls the enforcement of obligations owed to us by it and its affiliates; and
 
  •  our general partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants, or others to perform services for us.
 
Our partnership agreement restricts the voting rights of those unitholders owning 20% or more of our units.
 
Unitholders’ voting rights are further restricted by the partnership agreement provision providing that any units held by a person that owns 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, other than our general partner, its affiliates, their transferees, and persons who acquired such units with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner, cannot vote on any matter. Our partnership agreement also contains provisions limiting the ability of unitholders to call meetings or to acquire information about our operations, as well as other provisions limiting the unitholders’ ability to influence the manner or direction of management.
 
Our Founding Investors and their affiliates (other than our executive officers and their affiliates) may compete directly with us.
 
Our Founding Investors and their affiliates, other than our general partner and our executive officers and their affiliates, are not prohibited from owning assets or engaging in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us. In addition, our Founding Investors or their affiliates, other than our general partner and our executive officers and their affiliates, may acquire, develop and operate oil and natural gas properties or other assets in the future, without any obligation to offer us the opportunity to acquire, develop or operate those assets.
 
Cost reimbursements due our general partner and its affiliates will reduce our cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
Prior to making any distribution on our outstanding units, we will reimburse our general partner and its affiliates for all expenses they incur on our behalf. Any such reimbursement will be determined by our general partner in its sole discretion. These expenses will include all costs incurred by our general partner and its affiliates in managing and operating us. The reimbursement of expenses of our general partner and its affiliates could adversely affect our ability to pay cash distributions to our unitholders.
 
Our partnership agreement limits our general partner’s fiduciary duties to our unitholders and restricts the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken by our general partner that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.
 
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce the standards to which our general partner would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty law. For example, our partnership agreement:
 
  •  permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to in its capacity as our general partner. This entitles our general partner to consider only the interests and factors that it desires, and it has no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us, our affiliates or any unitholder;
 
  •  provides that our general partner will not have any liability to us or our unitholders for decisions made in its capacity as a general partner so long as it acted in good faith, meaning it believed the decision was in the best interests of our partnership;
 
  •  provides that our general partner is entitled to make other decisions in “good faith” if it believes that the decision is in our best interest;
 
  •  provides generally that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest not approved by the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner and not involving a vote of unitholders must be on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available


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  from unrelated third parties or be “fair and reasonable” to us, as determined by our general partner in good faith, and that, in determining whether a transaction or resolution is “fair and reasonable,” our general partner may consider the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly advantageous or beneficial to us; and
 
  •  provides that our general partner and its officers and directors will not be liable for monetary damages to us, our unitholders or assignees for any acts or omissions unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that the general partner or those other persons acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct.
 
Our partnership agreement permits our general partner to redeem any partnership interests held by a limited partner who is a non-citizen assignee.
 
If we are or become subject to federal, state or local laws or regulations that, in the reasonable determination of our general partner, create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property that we have an interest in because of the nationality, citizenship or other related status of any limited partner, our general partner may redeem the units held by the limited partner at their current market price. In order to avoid any cancellation or forfeiture, our general partner may require each limited partner to furnish information about his nationality, citizenship or related status. If a limited partner fails to furnish information about his nationality, citizenship or other related status within 30 days after a request for the information or our general partner determines after receipt of the information that the limited partner is not an eligible citizen, our general partner may elect to treat the limited partner as a non-citizen assignee. A non-citizen assignee is entitled to an interest equivalent to that of a limited partner for the right to share in allocations and distributions from us, including liquidating distributions. A non-citizen assignee does not have the right to direct the voting of his units and may not receive distributions in kind upon our liquidation.
 
We may issue an unlimited number of additional units without the approval of our unitholders, which would dilute their existing ownership interest in us.
 
Our general partner, without the approval of our unitholders, may cause us to issue an unlimited number of additional units. The issuance by us of additional units or other equity securities of equal or senior rank will have the following effects:
 
  •  our unitholders’ proportionate ownership interests in us will decrease;
 
  •  the amount of cash available for distribution on each unit may decrease;
 
  •  the risk that a shortfall in the payment of our current quarterly distribution will increase;
 
  •  the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding unit may be diminished; and
 
  •  the market price of the units may decline.
 
The liability of our unitholders may not be limited if a court finds that unitholder action constitutes control of our business.
 
A general partner of a partnership generally has unlimited liability for the obligations of the partnership, except for those contractual obligations of the partnership that are expressly made without recourse to the general partner. Our partnership is organized under Delaware law, and we conduct business in a number of other states. The limitations on the liability of holders of limited partner interests for the obligations of a limited partnership have not been clearly established in some of the other states in which we do business. In some states, including Delaware, a limited partner is only liable if he participates in the “control” of the business of the partnership. These statutes generally do not define control, but do permit limited partners to engage in certain activities, including, among other actions, taking any action with respect to the dissolution of the partnership, the sale, exchange, lease or mortgage of any asset of the partnership, the admission or removal


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of the general partner and the amendment of the partnership agreement. Our unitholders could, however, be liable for any and all of our obligations as if our unitholders were a general partner if:
 
  •  a court or government agency determined that we were conducting business in a state but had not complied with that particular state’s partnership statute; or
 
  •  our unitholders’ right to act with other unitholders to take other actions under our partnership agreement constitutes “control” of our business.
 
Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions that were wrongfully distributed to them.
 
Under certain circumstances, unitholders may have to repay amounts wrongfully returned or distributed to them. Under Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, we may not make a distribution to our unitholders if the distribution would cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets. Delaware law provides that for a period of three years from the date of the distribution, limited partners who received an impermissible distribution and who knew at the time of the distribution that it violated Delaware law will be liable to the limited partnership for the distribution amount. Substituted limited partners are liable for the obligations of the transferring limited partner to make contributions to the partnership that are known to such substitute limited partner at the time it became a limited partner and for unknown obligations if the liabilities could be determined from the partnership agreement. Liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interest and liabilities that are non-recourse to the partnership are not counted for purposes of determining whether a distribution is permitted.
 
Tax Risks to Unitholders
 
Our tax treatment depends on our status as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, as well as our not being subject to a material amount of additional entity-level taxation by states and localities. If the IRS were to treat us as a corporation or if we were to become subject to a material amount of additional entity-level taxation for state or local tax purposes, then our cash available for distribution to our unitholders would be substantially reduced.
 
The anticipated after-tax economic benefit of an investment in our units depends largely on our being treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. We have not requested, and do not plan to request, a ruling from the IRS on this or any other tax matter affecting us.
 
If we were treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, we would pay federal income tax on our taxable income at the corporate tax rate, which currently has a top marginal rate of 35%, and would likely pay state and local income tax at varying rates. Distributions to our unitholders would generally be taxed again as corporate distributions, and no income, gains, losses, deductions or credits would flow through to our unitholders. Because a tax would be imposed upon us as a corporation, our cash available to pay distributions to our unitholders would be substantially reduced. Therefore, treatment of us as a corporation would result in a material reduction in the anticipated cash flow and after-tax return to our unitholders likely causing a substantial reduction in the value of our units.
 
Current law may change, causing us to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject us to entity-level taxation. In addition, because of widespread state budget deficits and other reasons, several states are evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise and other forms of taxation. For example, we are subject to an entity-level state tax on the portion of our gross income that is apportioned to Texas. If any additional states were to impose a tax upon us as an entity, the cash available for distribution to our unitholders would be reduced.
 
The tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships or an investment in our units could be subject to potential legislative, judicial or administrative changes and differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis.
 
The present U.S. federal income tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships, including us, or an investment in our units may be modified by administrative, legislative or judicial interpretation at any time.


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Any modification to the U.S. federal income tax laws and interpretations thereof may or may not be applied retroactively and could make it more difficult or impossible to meet the exception for us to be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is not taxable as a corporation, or Qualifying Income Exception, affect or cause us to change our business activities, affect the tax considerations of an investment in us, change the character or treatment of portions of our income and adversely affect an investment in our units. Recently, members of Congress have considered substantive legislative changes to existing U.S. tax laws that would affect publicly traded partnerships.
 
We are unable to predict whether any of these changes, or other proposals, will ultimately be enacted. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our units.
 
Certain federal income tax deductions currently available with respect to oil and natural gas drilling and development may be eliminated as a result of future legislation.
 
President Obama’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2012 Budget includes proposals that would, if enacted into law, make significant changes to United States tax laws, including the elimination of certain key U.S. federal income tax incentives currently available to oil and natural gas exploration and production companies. These changes include, but are not limited to, (i) the repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for oil and natural gas properties, (ii) the elimination of current deductions for intangible drilling and development costs, (iii) the elimination of the deduction for certain domestic production activities, and (iv) an extension of the amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures. It is unclear whether these or similar changes will be enacted and, if enacted, how soon any such changes could become effective. The passage of any legislation as a result of these proposals or any other similar changes in U.S. federal income tax laws could eliminate or postpone certain tax deductions that are currently available with respect to oil and natural gas exploration and development, and any such change could increase the taxable income allocable to our unitholders and negatively impact the value of an investment in our units.
 
Our unitholders may be required to pay taxes on their share of our income even if they do not receive any cash distributions from us.
 
Our unitholders are required to pay federal income taxes and, in some cases, state and local income taxes on their share of our taxable income, whether or not they receive cash distributions from us. Our unitholders may not receive cash distributions from us equal to their share of our taxable income or even equal to the actual tax liability that results from their share of our taxable income.
 
We prorate our items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of our units each month based upon the ownership of our units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular unit is transferred.
 
We prorate our items of income, gain, loss and deduction between transferors and transferees of our units each month based upon the ownership of our units on the first day of each month, instead of on the basis of the date a particular unit is transferred. The use of this proration method may not be permitted under existing Treasury regulations. Accordingly, our counsel is unable to opine as to the validity of this method. If the IRS were to challenge this method or new Treasury regulations were issued, we may be required to change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss and deduction among our unitholders. Recently, however, the U.S. Treasury Department issued proposed Treasury Regulations that provide a safe harbor pursuant to which publicly traded partnerships may use a similar monthly simplifying convention to allocate tax items among transferor and transferee unitholders. Nonetheless, the proposed regulations do not specifically authorize the use of the proration method we have adopted.
 
A successful IRS contest of the federal income tax positions we take may adversely affect the market for our units, and the costs of any contest will reduce our cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
We have not requested any ruling from the IRS with respect to our treatment as a partnership for federal income tax purposes or any other matter affecting us. The IRS may adopt positions that differ from our


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counsel’s conclusions or the positions we take. It may be necessary to resort to administrative or court proceedings to sustain some or all of our counsel’s conclusions or the positions we take. A court may disagree with some or all of our counsel’s conclusions or the positions we take. Any contest with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for our units and the price at which they trade. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS will result in a reduction in cash available to pay distributions to our unitholders and thus will be borne indirectly by our unitholders.
 
Tax-exempt entities and foreign persons face unique tax issues from owning units that may result in adverse tax consequences to them.
 
Investment in our units by tax-exempt entities, including employee benefit plans and individual retirement accounts (known as IRAs) and non-U.S. persons raises issues unique to them. For example, virtually all of our income allocated to organizations exempt from federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to such a unitholder. Distributions to non-U.S. persons will be reduced by withholding taxes imposed at the highest effective applicable tax rate, and non-U.S. persons will be required to file United States federal income tax returns and pay tax on their share of our taxable income.
 
Tax gain or loss on the disposition of our units could be more or less than expected because prior distributions in excess of allocations of income will decrease our unitholders tax basis in their units.
 
If our unitholders sell any of their units, they will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and their tax basis in those units. Prior distributions to our unitholders in excess of the total net taxable income they were allocated for a unit, which decreased their tax basis in that unit, will, in effect, become taxable income to our unitholders if the unit is sold at a price greater than their tax basis in that unit, even if the price our unitholders receive is less than their original cost. A substantial portion of the amount realized, whether or not representing gain, may be ordinary income to our unitholders due to the potential recapture items, including depreciation, depletion and intangible drilling cost recapture. In addition, because the amount realized may include a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, if they sell their units, they may incur a tax liability in excess of the amount of cash they receive from the sale.
 
We will treat each purchaser of our units as having the same tax benefits without regard to the units purchased. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of the units.
 
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units, we will adopt depletion, depreciation and amortization positions that may not conform with all aspects of existing Treasury regulations. Our counsel is unable to opine as to the validity of such filing positions. A successful IRS challenge to those positions could adversely affect the amount of tax benefits available to our unitholders. It also could affect the timing of these tax benefits or the amount of gain on the sale of units and could have a negative impact on the value of our units or result in audits of and adjustments to our unitholders’ tax returns.
 
A unitholder whose units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of those units. If so, the unitholder would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition.
 
Because a unitholder whose units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of the loaned units, he may no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan to the short seller and the unitholder may recognize gain or loss from such disposition. Moreover, during the period of the loan to the short seller, any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those units may not be reportable by the unitholder and any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those units could be fully taxable as ordinary income. Our counsel has not rendered an opinion regarding the treatment of a unitholder where our units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of our units; therefore, unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to consult their tax advisor to


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discuss whether it is advisable to modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing their units.
 
Our unitholders may be subject to state and local taxes and return filing requirements in states where they do not live as a result of investing in our units.
 
In addition to federal income taxes, our unitholders will likely be subject to other taxes, including state and local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that are imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property now or in the future, even if they do not reside in any of those jurisdictions. Our unitholders will likely be required to file state and local income tax returns and pay state and local income taxes in some or all of these various jurisdictions. Further, our unitholders may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. It is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all United States federal, state and local tax returns that may be required of such unitholder. Our counsel has not rendered an opinion on the state or local tax consequences of an investment in our units.
 
We will be considered to have terminated for tax purposes due to a sale or exchange of 50% or more of our interests within a twelve-month period.
 
We will be considered to have terminated our partnership for federal income tax purposes if there is a sale or exchange of 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. Our termination would, among other things, result in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders which would result in us filing two tax returns (and our unitholders could receive two Schedules K-1) for one fiscal year, and could result in a deferral of depreciation deductions allowable in computing our taxable income. The IRS has recently announced a relief procedure whereby if a publicly traded partnership that has technically terminated requests and the IRS grants special relief, among other things, the partnership will be required to provide only a single Schedule K-1 to unitholders for the tax years in which the termination occurs.
 
Compliance with and changes in tax laws could adversely affect our performance.
 
We are subject to extensive tax laws and regulations, including federal, state and foreign income taxes and transactional taxes such as excise, sales/use, payroll, franchise and ad valorem taxes. New tax laws and regulations and changes in existing tax laws and regulations are continuously being enacted that could result in increased tax expenditures in the future. Many of these tax liabilities are subject to audits by the respective taxing authority. These audits may result in additional taxes as well as interest and penalties.


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USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Unless otherwise indicated to the contrary in an accompanying prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds (after the payment of any offering expenses and underwriting discounts and commissions) from our sale of securities covered by this prospectus for general partnership purposes, which may include repayment of indebtedness and other capital expenditures or acquisitions and additions to working capital.
 
The actual application of proceeds from the sale of any particular offering of securities using this prospectus will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement relating to such offering. The precise amount and timing of the application of these proceeds will depend upon our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other funds.
 
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
The following table presents the ratios of earnings to fixed charges of the Partnership for the periods indicated. For purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of income from continuing operations before adjustment for equity income from equity method investees plus fixed charges and distributed income from investees accounted for under the equity method. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed and an estimated interest component of rent expense.
 
                                                 
                                  Three
 
                                  Months
 
                                  Ended
 
    Years Ended December 31,     March 31,
 
    2006     2007     2008     2009     2010     2011  
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
    1.7x       (1 )     13.6x       (2 )     1.6x       (3 )
 
 
(1) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges, and fixed charges exceeded earnings by approximately $55.4 million.
 
(2) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges, and fixed charges exceeded earnings by approximately $92.3 million.
 
(3) Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges, and fixed charges exceeded earnings by approximately $60.7 million.


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DESCRIPTION OF OUR UNITS
 
The Units
 
The units represent partnership interests in us. The holders of units are entitled to participate in distributions and exercise the rights or privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and preferences of holders of units in and to distributions, please read this section and “Cash Distribution Policy.” For a description of the rights and privileges of limited partners under our partnership agreement, including voting rights, please read “Material Provisions of our Partnership Agreement.”
 
Transfer Agent and Registrar
 
Duties
 
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. serves as registrar and transfer agent for the units. We pay all fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of units, except the following fees that will be paid by unitholders:
 
  •  surety bond premiums to replace lost or stolen certificates, taxes and other governmental charges;
 
  •  special charges or services requested by a holder of a unit; and
 
  •  other similar fees or charges.
 
There will be no charge to holders for disbursements of our cash distributions. We will indemnify the transfer agent against all claims and losses that may arise out of all actions of the transfer agent or its agents or subcontractors for their activities in that capacity, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or willful misconduct of the transfer agent or subcontractors.
 
Resignation or Renewal
 
The transfer agent may at any time resign, by notice to us, or be removed by us. The resignation or removal of the transfer agent will become effective upon our appointment of a successor transfer agent and registrar and its acceptance of the appointment. If no successor has been appointed and has accepted the appointment within 30 days after notice of its resignation or removal, our general partner is authorized to act as the transfer agent and registrar until a successor is appointed.
 
Transfer of Units
 
By transfer of units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of units will be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the units transferred when such transfer and admission is reflected on our books and records. Additionally, each transferee of units:
 
  •  becomes the record holder of the units;
 
  •  represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter into our partnership agreement;
 
  •  automatically agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of, and is deemed to have executed, our partnership agreement; and
 
  •  gives the consents, approvals and waivers contained in our partnership agreement, such as the approval of all transactions and agreements that we are entering into in connection with our formation.
 
A transferee will become a substituted limited partner of our partnership for the transferred units automatically upon the recording of the transfer on our books and records. Our general partner will cause any transfers to be recorded on our books and records no less frequently than quarterly.


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We may, at our discretion, treat the nominee holder of a unit as the absolute owner. In that case, the beneficial holder’s rights are limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of any agreement between the beneficial owner and the nominee holder.
 
Units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing transfers of securities. In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee the right to become a limited partner in our partnership for the transferred units.
 
Until a unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, may treat the record holder of the unit as the absolute owner for all purposes, except as otherwise required by law or stock exchange regulations.
 
Non-Citizen Assignees; Redemption
 
For a discussion of our general partner’s ability to redeem the units held by persons other than U.S. citizens, please read “Material Provisions of our Partnership Agreement — Non-Citizen Assignees; Redemption.”


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CASH DISTRIBUTION POLICY
 
Set forth below is a summary of our cash distribution policy, including a description of the significant provisions of our partnership agreement that relate to cash distributions as well as a description of restrictions on our ability to make cash distributions.
 
General
 
Rationale for Our Cash Distribution Policy
 
Our cash distribution policy reflects a basic judgment that our unitholders will be better served by distributing our available cash rather than retaining it. The amount of available cash will be determined by our general partner for each fiscal quarter. Our cash distribution policy is consistent with the terms of our partnership agreement, which requires that we distribute all of our available cash on a quarterly basis.
 
Under our partnership agreement, available cash is defined generally to mean, cash on hand at the end of each quarter, plus working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter, less cash reserves determined by our general partner, in its sole discretion, to be necessary and appropriate to provide for the conduct of our business (including reserves for future capital expenditures, future debt service requirements, and our anticipated capital needs), comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments or other agreements or provide for future distributions to our unitholders for any one of the upcoming four quarters. Because we are not subject to an entity-level federal income tax, we have more cash to distribute to our unitholders than would be the case if we were subject to such tax.
 
Limitations on our Ability to Make Quarterly Distributions
 
There is no guarantee that unitholders will receive quarterly distributions from us. Our cash distribution policy is subject to limitations and restrictions, including the following:
 
  •  Our general partner has broad discretion to establish reserves for the prudent conduct of our business. The establishment of those reserves could result in a reduction in the amount of cash available to pay distributions.
 
  •  Our ability to make distributions of available cash will depend primarily on our cash flow from operations. Although our partnership agreement provides for quarterly distributions of available cash, we may be unable to make distributions to our unitholders.
 
  •  If we fail to make acquisitions on economically attractive terms, we will not be able to replace our declining oil and natural gas reserves at a level that allows us to maintain our current quarterly distribution.
 
  •  We will be prohibited from borrowing under our revolving credit facility to make distributions to unitholders if the amount of borrowing outstanding under our revolving credit facility reaches or exceeds 90% of our borrowing base. Further, we may enter into future debt arrangements that could subject our ability to pay distributions to compliance with certain tests or ratios or otherwise restrict our ability to pay distributions.
 
  •  Under Section 17-607 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, we may not make a distribution to you if the distribution could cause our liabilities to exceed the fair value of our assets.
 
  •  Although our partnership agreement requires us to distribute our available cash, our partnership agreement, including the provisions requiring us to make cash distributions contained therein, may be amended. Our partnership agreement can be amended with the approval of a majority of the outstanding units. As of May 18, 2011, our Founding Investors, including members of our management, owned an aggregate of 23.7% of the outstanding units, and acting jointly have the ability to amend our partnership agreement.


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Our Cash Distribution Policy May Limit Our Ability to Grow
 
Because we distribute all of our available cash, our growth may not be as fast as that of businesses that reinvest most or all of their available cash to expand ongoing operations. We generally intend to rely upon external financing sources, including borrowings under our revolving credit facility and issuances of debt and equity securities, to fund a substantial portion of our acquisition expenditures and a portion of our development project capital expenditures. However, to the extent we are unable to finance growth externally, our cash distribution policy will significantly impair our ability to grow.
 
Our Cash Distribution Policy
 
Our partnership agreement provides for the distribution of available cash on a quarterly basis. Available cash for any quarter consists of cash on hand at the end of that quarter, plus working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter, less cash reserves determined by our general partner in its sole discretion, to be necessary and appropriate to provide for the conduct of our business (including reserves for future capital expenditures, future debt service requirements, and our anticipated capital needs), comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments or other agreements or provide for future cash distributions to our unitholders for any one of the upcoming four quarters. The amount of available cash will be determined by our general partner for each calendar quarter of our operations.
 
Definition of Available Cash
 
Available cash is defined in our partnership agreement and generally means, for each fiscal quarter, all cash on hand at the end of the quarter:
 
  •  less the amount of cash reserves established by our general partner, in its sole discretion, to:
 
  •  provide for the proper conduct of our business (including reserves for future capital expenditures, future debt service requirements, and for our anticipated credit needs);
 
  •  comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments or other agreements; or
 
  •  provide funds for distribution to our unitholders for any one or more of the next four quarters;
 
  •  plus all cash on hand on the date of determination of available cash for the quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made after the end of the quarter for which the determination is being made. Working capital borrowings are generally borrowings that will be made under our revolving credit facility and in all cases are used solely for working capital purposes or to pay distributions to unitholders.
 
Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation
 
If we dissolve in accordance with our partnership agreement, we will sell or otherwise dispose of our assets in a process called liquidation. We will first apply the proceeds of liquidation to the payment of our creditors. We will distribute any remaining proceeds to the unitholders and our general partner, in accordance with their capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of our assets in liquidation.
 
Adjustments to Capital Accounts
 
We will make adjustments to capital accounts upon the issuance of additional units. In doing so, we will allocate any unrealized and, for tax purposes, unrecognized gain or loss resulting from the adjustments to the unitholders and our general partner in the same manner as we allocate gain or loss upon liquidation.


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MATERIAL PROVISIONS OF OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
 
The following is a summary of the material provisions of our partnership agreement.
 
We summarize the following provisions of our partnership agreement elsewhere in this prospectus:
 
  •  with regard to distributions of available cash, please read “Cash Distribution Policy”;
 
  •  with regard to the fiduciary duties of our general partner, please read “Conflicts of Interest and Fiduciary Duties”;
 
  •  with regard to the transfer of units, please read “Description of Our Units — Transfer of Units”; and
 
  •  with regard to allocations of taxable income and taxable loss, please read “Material Tax Considerations.”
 
Organization and Duration
 
We were organized in October 2005 and will have a perpetual existence.
 
Purpose
 
Our purpose under the partnership agreement is to engage in any business activities that are approved by our general partner. Our general partner, however, may not cause us to engage in any business activities that it determines would cause us to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. Our general partner is authorized in general to perform all acts it determines to be necessary or appropriate to carry out our purposes and to conduct our business.
 
Power of Attorney
 
Each limited partner, and each person who acquires a unit from a unitholder, by accepting the unit, automatically grants to our general partner and, if appointed, a liquidator, a power of attorney, among other things, to execute and file documents required for our qualification, continuance or dissolution. The power of attorney also grants our general partner the authority to amend, and to grant consents and waivers on behalf of the limited partners under, our partnership agreement. Please read “— Amendment of the Partnership Agreement” below.
 
Capital Contributions
 
Unitholders are not obligated to make additional capital contributions, except as described below under “— Limited Liability.”
 
Voting Rights
 
The following is a summary of the unitholder vote required for the matters specified below. Matters requiring the approval of a “unit majority” require the approval of a majority of the units.
 
In voting their units, our general partner and its affiliates will have no fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners.
 
Issuance of additional units No approval right.
 
Amendment of the partnership agreement Certain amendments may be made by our general partner without the approval of our unitholders. Other amendments generally require the approval of a unit majority. Please read “— Amendment of the Partnership Agreement.”


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Merger of our partnership or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets Unit majority in certain circumstances. Please read “— Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets.”
 
Amendment of the limited partnership agreement of our operating partnership and other action taken by us as the sole member of its general partner Unit majority if such amendment or other action would adversely affect our limited partners in any material respect. Please read “— Amendment of the Partnership Agreement — Action Relating to the Operating Partnership and its General Partner.”
 
Dissolution of our partnership Unit majority. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.”
 
Continuation of our partnership upon dissolution Unit majority. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.”
 
Withdrawal of our general partner Under most circumstances, the approval of a unit majority, excluding units held by our general partner and its affiliates, is required for the withdrawal of our general partner prior to March 31, 2016 in a manner that would cause a dissolution of our partnership. Please read “— Withdrawal or Removal of the General Partner.”
 
Removal of the general partner Not less than 662/3% of our outstanding units, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates. Please read “— Withdrawal or Removal of the General Partner.”
 
Transfer of the general partner interest Our general partner may transfer all, but not less than all, of its general partner interest in us without a vote of our unitholders to an affiliate or another person in connection with its merger or consolidation with or into, or sale of all or substantially all of its assets, to such person. The approval of a majority of the units, excluding units held by the general partner and its affiliates, is required in other circumstances for a transfer of the general partner interest to a third party prior to March 31, 2016. Please read “— Transfer of General Partner Interest.”
 
Transfer of ownership interests in our general partner No approval required at any time. Please read ‘‘— Transfer of Ownership Interests in the General Partner.
 
Limited Liability
 
Participation in the Control of Our Partnership
 
Assuming that a limited partner does not participate in the control of our business within the meaning of the Delaware Act and that he otherwise acts in conformity with the provisions of the partnership agreement, his liability under the Delaware Act will be limited, subject to possible exceptions, to the amount of capital he is obligated to contribute to us for his units plus his share of any undistributed profits and assets. If it were determined, however, that the right, or exercise of the right, by the limited partners as a group:
 
  •  to remove or replace the general partner;
 
  •  to approve some amendments to the partnership agreement; or
 
  •  to take other action under the partnership agreement;
 
constituted “participation in the control” of our business for the purposes of the Delaware Act, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the laws of Delaware, to the same extent as the general partner. This liability would extend to persons who transact business with us who reasonably believe that the limited partner is a general partner. Neither the partnership agreement nor the Delaware Act specifically provides for legal recourse against the general partner if a limited partner were to lose limited


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liability through any fault of the general partner. While this does not mean that a limited partner could not seek legal recourse, we know of no precedent for this type of a claim in Delaware case law.
 
Unlawful Partnership Distribution
 
Under the Delaware Act, a limited partnership may not make a distribution to a partner if, after the distribution, all liabilities of the limited partnership, other than liabilities to partners on account of their partnership interests and liabilities for which the recourse of creditors is limited to specific property of the partnership, would exceed the fair value of the assets of the limited partnership. For the purpose of determining the fair value of the assets of a limited partnership, the Delaware Act provides that the fair value of property subject to liability for which recourse of creditors is limited shall be included in the assets of the limited partnership only to the extent that the fair value of that property exceeds the nonrecourse liability. The Delaware Act provides that a limited partner who receives a distribution and knew at the time of the distribution that the distribution was in violation of the Delaware Act shall be liable to the limited partnership for the amount of the distribution for three years. Under the Delaware Act, a substituted limited partner of a limited partnership is liable for the obligations of the transferring limited partner to make contributions to the partnership, except that such person is not obligated for liabilities unknown to him at the time he became a limited partner and that could not be ascertained from the partnership agreement.
 
Failure to Comply with the Limited Liability Provisions of Jurisdictions in Which We Do Business
 
Our subsidiaries may be deemed to conduct business in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi, Wyoming, North Dakota, Colorado, Arkansas and Kansas. Our subsidiaries may conduct business in other states in the future. Maintenance of our limited liability as a limited partner of our operating partnership may require compliance with legal requirements in the jurisdictions in which the operating partnership conducts business, including qualifying our subsidiaries to do business there.
 
Limitations on the liability of limited partners for the obligations of a limited partner have not been clearly established in many jurisdictions. If, by virtue of our limited partner interest in the operating partnership or otherwise, it were determined that we were conducting business in any state without compliance with the applicable limited partnership or limited liability company statute, or that the right or exercise of the right by the limited partners as a group to remove or replace the general partner, to approve some amendments to the partnership agreement, or to take other action under the partnership agreement constituted “participation in the control” of our business for purposes of the statutes of any relevant jurisdiction, then the limited partners could be held personally liable for our obligations under the law of that jurisdiction to the same extent as the general partner under the circumstances. We will operate in a manner that the general partner considers reasonable and necessary or appropriate to preserve the limited liability of the limited partners.
 
Issuance of Additional Securities
 
Our partnership agreement authorizes us to issue an unlimited number of additional partnership securities for the consideration and on the terms and conditions determined by our general partner without the approval of the unitholders.
 
It is possible that we will fund acquisitions through the issuance of additional units or other partnership securities. Holders of any additional units we issue will be entitled to share equally with the then-existing holders of units in our distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional units or other partnership securities may dilute the value of the interests of the then-existing unitholders in our net assets.
 
In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our partnership agreement, we may also issue additional partnership securities that, as determined by our general partner, may have special voting rights to which the units are not entitled. In addition, our partnership agreement does not prohibit the issuance by our subsidiaries of equity securities that may effectively rank senior to the units.
 
Upon issuance of additional partnership securities, our general partner will be entitled, but not required, to make additional capital contributions to the extent necessary to maintain its initial 0.1% general partner


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interest in us. Since our March 2006 private equity offering and the related formation transactions our general partner has not elected to make additional capital contributions to maintain its initial 0.1% general partner interest in us. Our general partner’s initial 0.1% interest in us has been, and will continue to be reduced, if we issue additional units in the future and our general partner does not contribute a proportionate amount of capital to us to maintain its general partner interest. Moreover, our general partner will have the right, which it may from time to time assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates, to purchase units or other partnership securities whenever, and on the same terms that, we issue those securities to persons other than our general partner and its affiliates, to the extent necessary to maintain the percentage interest of the general partner, including such interest represented by units that existed immediately prior to each issuance. Unitholders will not have preemptive rights to acquire additional units or other partnership securities.
 
Amendment of the Partnership Agreement
 
General
 
Amendments to our partnership agreement may be proposed only by or with the consent of our general partner. Our general partner, however, will have no duty or obligation to propose any amendment and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interests of us or the limited partners. In order to adopt a proposed amendment, other than the amendments discussed below, our general partner must seek written approval of the holders of the number of units required to approve the amendment or call a meeting of the limited partners to consider and vote upon the proposed amendment. Except as described below, an amendment must be approved by a unit majority.
 
Prohibited Amendments
 
No amendment may be made that would:
 
  •  enlarge the obligations of any limited partner without its consent, unless approved by at least a majority of the type or class of limited partner interests so affected; or
 
  •  enlarge the obligations of, restrict in any way any action by or rights of, or reduce in any way the amounts distributable, reimbursable or otherwise payable by us to our general partner or any of its affiliates without the consent of our general partner, which consent may be given or withheld at its option.
 
The provision of our partnership agreement preventing the amendments having the effects described in any of the clauses above can only be amended upon the approval of the holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units voting together at a single class (including units owned by our general partner and its affiliates). As of May 18, 2011 affiliates of our general partner, including members of our management, owned an aggregate of 23.7% of our outstanding units.
 
No Unitholder Approval
 
Our general partner may generally make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner or assignee to reflect:
 
  •  change in our name, the location of our principal place of business, our registered agent or our registered office;
 
  •  the admission, substitution, withdrawal or removal of partners in accordance with our partnership agreement;
 
  •  a change that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate to qualify or continue our qualification as a limited partnership or a partnership in which the limited partners have limited liability under the laws of any state or to ensure that neither we nor the operating partnership nor any of its subsidiaries will be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise taxed as an entity for federal income tax purposes;


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  •  an amendment that is necessary, in the opinion of our counsel, to prevent us or our general partner or its directors, officers, agents or trustees from in any manner being subjected to the provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment Advisors Act of 1940, or “plan asset” regulations adopted under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or ERISA, whether or not substantially similar to plan asset regulations currently applied or proposed;
 
  •  an amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the authorization of additional partnership securities or rights to acquire partnership securities;
 
  •  any amendment expressly permitted in our partnership agreement to be made by our general partner acting alone;
 
  •  an amendment effected, necessitated or contemplated by a merger agreement that has been approved under the terms of our partnership agreement;
 
  •  any amendment that our general partner determines to be necessary or appropriate for the formation by us of, or our investment in, any corporation, partnership or other entity, as otherwise permitted by our partnership agreement;
 
  •  a change in our fiscal year or taxable year and related changes;
 
  •  certain mergers or conveyances as set forth in our partnership agreement; or
 
  •  any other amendments substantially similar to any of the matters described in the clauses above.
 
In addition, our general partner may make amendments to our partnership agreement without the approval of any limited partner or transferee in connection with a merger or consolidation approved in connection with our partnership agreement, or if our general partner determines that those amendments:
 
  •  do not adversely affect the limited partners (or any particular class of limited partners) in any material respect;
 
  •  are necessary or appropriate to satisfy any requirements, conditions or guidelines contained in any opinion, directive, order, ruling or regulation of any federal or state agency or judicial authority or contained in any federal or state statute;
 
  •  are necessary or appropriate to facilitate the trading of limited partner interests or to comply with any rule, regulation, guideline or requirement of any securities exchange on which the limited partner interests are or will be listed for trading;
 
  •  are necessary or appropriate for any action taken by our general partner relating to splits or combinations of units under the provisions of our partnership agreement; or
 
  •  are required to effect the intent expressed in this prospectus or the intent of the provisions of our partnership agreement or are otherwise contemplated by our partnership agreement.
 
Opinion of Counsel and Unitholder Approval
 
Our general partner will not be required to obtain an opinion of counsel that an amendment will not result in a loss of limited liability to the limited partners or result in our being treated as an entity for federal income tax purposes in connection with any of the amendments described under “— No Unitholder Approval.” No other amendments to our partnership agreement will become effective without the approval of holders of at least 90% of the outstanding units voting as a single class unless we first obtain an opinion of counsel to the effect that the amendment will not affect the limited liability under applicable law of any of our limited partners.
 
In addition to the above restrictions, any amendment that would have a material adverse effect on the rights or preferences of any type or class of outstanding units in relation to other classes of units will require the approval of at least a majority of the type or class of units so affected. Any amendment that reduces the voting percentage required to take any action is required to be approved by the affirmative vote of limited


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partners whose aggregate outstanding units constitute not less than the voting requirement sought to be reduced.
 
Action Relating to the Operating Partnership and its General Partner
 
Without the approval of the holders of units representing a unit majority, our general partner is prohibited from consenting on our behalf, as the sole limited partner of the operating partnership, and the sole member of its general partner, to any amendment to the limited partnership agreement or limited liability company agreement of either such entities or taking any action on our behalf permitted to be taken by a limited partner of the operating partnership or a member of its general partner, in each case, that would adversely effect our limited partners (or any particular class of limited partners) in any material respect.
 
Merger, Sale or Other Disposition of Assets
 
A merger or consolidation of us requires the prior consent of our general partner. Our general partner, however, will have no duty or obligation to consent to any merger or consolidation and may decline to do so free of any fiduciary duty or obligation whatsoever to us or the limited partners, including any duty to act in good faith or in the best interest of us or the limited partners. In addition, the partnership agreement generally prohibits our general partner without the prior approval of the holders of a unit majority, from causing us, among other things, to sell, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, including by way of merger, consolidation or other combination, or approving on our behalf the sale, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of our subsidiaries. Our general partner may, however, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant a security interest in all or substantially all of our assets without that approval. Our general partner may also sell all or substantially all of our assets under a foreclosure or other realization upon those encumbrances without that approval. Finally, our general partner may consummate any merger without the prior approval of our unitholders if we are the surviving entity in the transaction, the transaction would not result in an amendment to our partnership agreement that could not otherwise be adopted solely by our general partner, each of our units will be an identical unit of our partnership following the transaction, and the units to be issued do not exceed 20% of our outstanding units immediately prior to the transaction.
 
If the conditions specified in the partnership agreement are satisfied, our general partner may convert us or any of our subsidiaries into a new limited liability entity or merge us or any of our subsidiaries into, or convey all of our assets to, a newly formed entity if the sole purpose of that merger or conveyance is to effect a mere change in our legal form into another limited liability entity. The unitholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights of appraisal under the partnership agreement or applicable Delaware law in the event of a conversion, merger or consolidation, a sale of substantially all of our assets or any other transaction or event.
 
Termination and Dissolution
 
We will continue as a limited partnership until terminated under our partnership agreement. We will dissolve upon:
 
  •  the election of our general partner to dissolve us, if approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority;
 
  •  there being no limited partners, unless we are continued without dissolution in accordance with applicable Delaware law;
 
  •  the entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of our partnership; or
 
  •  the withdrawal or removal of our general partner or any other event that results in its ceasing to be our general partner other than by reason of a transfer of its general partner interest in accordance with our partnership agreement or withdrawal or removal following approval and admission of a successor.
 
Upon a dissolution under the last bullet point above, the holders of a unit majority may also elect, within specific time limitations, to continue our business on the same terms and conditions described in our


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partnership agreement by appointing as a successor general partner an entity approved by the holders of units representing a unit majority, subject to our receipt of an opinion of counsel to the effect that:
 
  •  the action would not result in the loss of limited liability of any limited partner; and
 
  •  none of us, our operating partnership or any of our other subsidiaries, would be treated as an association taxable as a corporation or otherwise be taxable as an entity for federal income tax purposes upon the exercise of that right to continue.
 
Liquidation and Distribution of Proceeds
 
Upon our dissolution, unless we are reconstituted and continued as a new limited partnership, the liquidator authorized to wind up our affairs will, acting with all of the powers of our general partner that are necessary or appropriate to liquidate our assets and apply the proceeds of the liquidation as provided in “How We Make Cash Distributions — Distributions of Cash upon Liquidation.” The liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of our assets for a reasonable period of time or distribute assets to partners in kind if it determines that a sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to our partners.
 
Withdrawal or Removal of the General Partner
 
Except as described below, our general partner has agreed not to withdraw voluntarily as our general partner prior to March 31, 2016 without obtaining the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding units, excluding units held by the general partner and its affiliates, and furnishing an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. On or after March 31, 2016, our general partner may withdraw as general partner without first obtaining approval of any unitholder by giving 90 days’ written notice, and that withdrawal will not constitute a violation of our partnership agreement. Notwithstanding the information above, our general partner may withdraw without unitholder approval upon 90 days’ notice to the limited partners if at least 50% of the outstanding units are held or controlled by one person and its affiliates other than the general partner and its affiliates. In addition, the partnership agreement permits our general partner in some instances to sell or otherwise transfer all of its general partner interest in us without the approval of the unitholders. Please read “— Transfer of General Partner Interest.”
 
Upon withdrawal of our general partner under any circumstances, other than as a result of a transfer by our general partner of all or a part of its general partner interest in us, the holders of a unit majority may select a successor to that withdrawing general partner. If a successor is not elected, or is elected but an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters cannot be obtained, we will be dissolved, wound up and liquidated, unless within a specified period after that withdrawal, the holders of a unit majority agree in writing to continue our business and to appoint a successor general partner. Please read “— Termination and Dissolution.”
 
Our general partner may not be removed unless that removal is approved by the vote of the holders of not less than 662/3% of the outstanding units, voting together as a single class, including units held by our general partner and its affiliates, and we receive an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters. Any removal of our general partner is also subject to the approval of a successor general partner by the vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding units. The ownership of more than 331/3% of the outstanding units by our general partner and its affiliates would give them the practical ability to prevent our general partner’s removal. As of May 18, 2011, affiliates of our general partner, including members of our management, owned an aggregate of 23.7% of our outstanding units.
 
Our partnership agreement also provides that if our general partner is removed as our general partner under circumstances where cause does not exist or our general partner withdraws where that withdrawal does not violate our partnership agreement, our general partner will have the right to convert its general partner interest into units or to receive cash in exchange for such interest based on the fair market value of its interest at that time.
 
In the event of removal of such a general partner under circumstances where cause exists or withdrawal of a general partner where that withdrawal violates our partnership agreement, a successor general partner will


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have the option to purchase the general partner interest for a cash payment equal to the fair market value of such interest. Under all other circumstances where a general partner withdraws or is removed by the limited partners, the departing general partner will have the option to require the successor general partner to purchase the general partner interest of the departing general partner for fair market value. In each case, this fair market value will be determined by agreement between the departing general partner and the successor general partner. If no agreement is reached, an independent investment banking firm or other independent expert selected by the departing general partner and the successor general partner will determine the fair market value. Or, if the departing general partner and the successor general partner cannot agree upon an expert, then an expert chosen by agreement of the experts selected by each of them will determine the fair market value.
 
If the option described above is not exercised by either the departing general partner or the successor general partner, the departing general partner’s general partner interest will automatically convert into units equal to the fair market value of those interests as determined by an investment banking firm or other independent expert selected in the manner described in the preceding paragraph.
 
In addition, we will be required to reimburse the departing general partner for all amounts due the departing general partner, including, without limitation, all employee-related liabilities, including severance liabilities, incurred for the termination of any employees employed by the departing general partner or its affiliates for our benefit.
 
Transfer of General Partner Interest
 
Except for transfer by our general partner of all, but not less than all, of its general partner interest in us to:
 
  •  an affiliate of our general partner (other than an individual); or
 
  •  another entity as part of the merger or consolidation of our general partner with or into another entity or the transfer by our general partner of all or substantially all of its assets to another entity,
 
our general partner may not transfer all or any part of its general partner interest in our partnership to another person prior to March 31, 2016 without the approval of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding units, excluding units held by our general partner and its affiliates. As a condition of this transfer, the transferee must assume, among other things, the rights and duties of our general partner, agree to be bound by the provisions of our partnership agreement, and furnish an opinion of counsel regarding limited liability and tax matters.
 
Our general partner and its affiliates may at any time transfer units to one or more persons without unitholder approval.
 
Transfer of Ownership Interests in the General Partner
 
At any time, the members of our general partner may sell or transfer all or part of their membership interest in our general partner to an affiliate or third party without the approval of our unitholders.
 
Change of Management Provisions
 
Our partnership agreement contains specific provisions that are intended to discourage a person or group from attempting to remove our general partner or otherwise change our management. If any person or group other than our general partner and its affiliates acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units, that person or group loses voting rights on all of its units. This loss of voting rights does not apply to any person or group that acquires the units from our general partner or its affiliates and any transferees of that person or group approved by our general partner or to any person or group who acquires the units with the prior approval of the board of directors of our general partner.


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Limited Call Right
 
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 85% of the then-issued and outstanding limited partner interests of any class, our general partner will have the right, which it may assign in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the remaining partnership securities of the class held by unaffiliated persons as of a record date to be selected by our general partner, on at least 10 but not more than 60 days’ notice. The purchase price in the event of this purchase is the greater of:
 
  •  the highest cash price paid by either of our general partner or any of its affiliates for any partnership securities of the class purchased within the 90 days preceding the date on which our general partner first mails notice of its election to purchase those limited partner interests; and
 
  •  the current market price as of the date three days before the date the notice is mailed.
 
As a result of our general partner’s right to purchase outstanding partnership securities, a holder of partnership securities may have his partnership securities purchased at an undesirable time or price. Our partnership agreement provides that the resolution of any conflict of interest that is fair and reasonable will not be a breach of the partnership agreement. Our general partner may, but is not obligated to, submit the conflict of interest represented by the exercise of the limited call right to the conflicts committee for approval or seek a fairness opinion from an investment banker. If our general partner exercises its limited call right, it will make a determination at the time, based on the facts and circumstances, and upon the advice of counsel, as to the appropriate method of determining the fairness and reasonableness of the transaction. Our general partner is not obligated to obtain a fairness opinion regarding the value of the units to be repurchased by it upon exercise of the limited call right.
 
There is no restriction in our partnership agreement that prevents our general partner from issuing additional units and exercising its call right. If our general partner exercised its limited call right, the effect would be to take us private and, if the units were subsequently deregistered, we would no longer be subject to the reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
The tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale by that unitholder of his units in the market. Please read “Material Tax Considerations — Disposition of Units.”
 
Meetings; Voting
 
Except as described below regarding a person or group owning 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, unitholders or transferees who are record holders of units on the record date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, meetings of our limited partners and to act upon matters for which approvals may be solicited. Units that are owned by an assignee who is a record holder, but who has not yet been admitted as a limited partner, will be voted by our general partner at the written direction of the record holder. Absent direction of this kind, the units will not be voted, except that, in the case of units held by our general partner on behalf of non-citizen assignees, our general partner will distribute the votes on those units in the same ratios as the votes of limited partners on other units are cast.
 
Our unitholders, including the general partner and its affiliates, are entitled to elect all of the directors of our general partner. The limited liability company agreement of our general partner provides for a seven member board of directors. Our partnership agreement provides that the annual meeting of limited partners for the directors of the board of our general partner shall be held on the second Wednesday of May or at such other date and time as may be fixed by our general partner.
 
Additionally, any action that is required or permitted to be taken by the unitholders may be taken either at a meeting of the unitholders or without a meeting if consents in writing describing the action so taken are signed by holders of the number of units necessary to authorize or take that action at a meeting. Meetings of the unitholders may be called by our general partner or by unitholders owning at least 20% of the outstanding units of the class for which a meeting is proposed. Unitholders may vote either in person or by proxy at meetings. The holders of a majority of the outstanding units of the class or classes for which a meeting has been called represented in person


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or by proxy will constitute a quorum unless any action by the unitholders requires approval by holders of a greater percentage of the units, in which case the quorum will be the greater percentage.
 
Each record holder of a unit has a vote according to his percentage interest in us, although additional limited partner interests having special voting rights could be issued. Please read “— Issuance of Additional Securities.” However, if at any time any person or group, other than our general partner and its affiliates, or a direct or subsequently approved transferee of our general partner or its affiliates, acquires, in the aggregate, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of any class of units then outstanding, that person or group will lose voting rights on all of its units and the units may not be voted on any matter and will not be considered to be outstanding when sending notices of a meeting of unitholders, calculating required votes, determining the presence of a quorum or for other similar purposes. Units held in nominee or street name account will be voted by the broker or other nominee in accordance with the instruction of the beneficial owner unless the arrangement between the beneficial owner and his nominee provides otherwise.
 
Any notice, demand, request, report or proxy material required or permitted to be given or made to record holders of units under our partnership agreement will be delivered to the record holder by us or by the transfer agent.
 
Status as Limited Partner
 
By transfer of units in accordance with our partnership agreement, each transferee of units shall be admitted as a limited partner with respect to the units transferred when such transfer and admission is reflected in our books and records. Except as described under “— Limited Liability,” the units will be fully paid, and unitholders will not be required to make additional contributions.
 
Non-Citizen Assignees; Redemption
 
If we are or become subject to federal, state or local laws or regulations that, in the reasonable determination of our general partner, create a substantial risk of cancellation or forfeiture of any property that we have an interest in because of the nationality, citizenship or other related status of any limited partner, our general partner may redeem the units held by the limited partner at their current market price. In order to avoid any cancellation or forfeiture, our general partner may require each limited partner to furnish information about his nationality, citizenship or related status. If a limited partner fails to furnish information about his nationality, citizenship or other related status within 30 days after a request for the information or our general partner determines after receipt of the information that the limited partner is not an eligible citizen, our general partner may elect to treat the limited partner as a non-citizen assignee. A non-citizen assignee is entitled to an interest equivalent to that of a limited partner for the right to share in allocations and distributions from us, including liquidating distributions. A non-citizen assignee does not have the right to direct the voting of his units and may not receive distributions in kind upon our liquidation.
 
Indemnification
 
Under our partnership agreement, in most circumstances, we will indemnify the following persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages or similar events:
 
  •  our general partner;
 
  •  any departing general partner;
 
  •  any person who is or was an affiliate of a general partner or any departing general partner;
 
  •  any person who is or was a director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of any entity set forth in the preceding three bullet points;
 
  •  any person who is or was serving as director, officer, member, partner, fiduciary or trustee of another person at the request of our general partner or any departing general partner; and
 
  •  any person designated by our general partner.


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Any indemnification under these provisions will only be out of our assets. Unless it otherwise agrees, our general partner will not be personally liable for, or have any obligation to contribute or loan funds or assets to us to enable us to effectuate, indemnification. We may purchase insurance against liabilities asserted against and expenses incurred by persons for our activities, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify the person against liabilities under our partnership agreement.
 
Reimbursement of Expenses
 
Our partnership agreement requires us to reimburse our general partner for all direct and indirect expenses it incurs or payments it makes on our behalf and all other expenses allocable to us or otherwise incurred by our general partner in connection with operating our business. These expenses include salary, bonus, incentive compensation and other amounts paid to persons who perform services for us or on our behalf and expenses allocated to our general partner by its affiliates. The general partner is entitled to determine in good faith the expenses that are allocable to us.
 
Books and Reports
 
Our general partner is required to keep appropriate books of our business at our principal offices. The books will be maintained for both tax and financial reporting purposes on an accrual basis. For tax and financial reporting purposes, our fiscal year is the calendar year.
 
We will furnish or make available to record holders of units, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, an annual report containing audited financial statements and a report on those financial statements by our independent public accountants. Except for our fourth quarter, we will also furnish summary financial information within 90 days after the close of each quarter.
 
We will furnish each record holder of a unit with information reasonably required for tax reporting purposes within 90 days after the close of each calendar year. This information is expected to be furnished in summary form so that some complex calculations normally required of partners can be avoided. Our ability to furnish this summary information to unitholders will depend on the cooperation of unitholders in supplying us with specific information. Every unitholder will receive information to assist him in determining his federal and state tax liability and filing his federal and state income tax returns, regardless of whether he supplies us with information.
 
Right to Inspect Our Books and Records
 
Our partnership agreement provides that a limited partner can, for a purpose reasonably related to his interest as a limited partner, upon reasonable demand and at his own expense, have furnished to him:
 
  •  a current list of the name and last known address of each partner;
 
  •  a copy of our tax returns;
 
  •  information as to the amount of cash, and a description and statement of the agreed value of any other property or services, contributed or to be contributed by each partner and the date on which each partner became a partner;
 
  •  copies of our partnership agreement, our certificate of limited partnership, related amendments and powers of attorney under which they have been executed;
 
  •  information regarding the status of our business and financial condition; and
 
  •  any other information regarding our affairs as is just and reasonable.
 
Our general partner may, and intends to, keep confidential from the limited partners trade secrets or other information the disclosure of which our general partner believes in good faith is not in our best interests or that we are required by law or by agreements with third parties to keep confidential.


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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
Legacy Reserves LP may issue debt securities in one more series, and Legacy Reserves Finance Corporation may be co-issuer of one or more series of debt securities. Legacy Reserves Finance Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 2011, is wholly owned by Legacy Reserves LP and has no material assets or any liabilities other than as co-issuer of securities. Its activities are limited to co-issuing debt securities and engaging in other activities incidental thereto.
 
Any debt securities that we offer under a prospectus supplement will be direct, unsecured general obligations. The debt securities will be either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities. The debt securities will be issued under one or more separate indentures between us and a banking or financial institution, as trustee. Senior debt securities will be issued under a senior indenture, and subordinated debt securities will be issued under a subordinated indenture. Together, the senior indenture and the subordinated indenture are called the “indentures.” The indentures will be supplemented by supplemental indentures, the material provisions of which will be described in a prospectus supplement.
 
As used in this description, the words “we,” “us,” “our” and “issuers” refer jointly to Legacy Reserves LP and Legacy Reserves Finance Corporation, and the terms “Legacy” and “Legacy Finance Corp.” refer strictly to Legacy Reserves LP and Legacy Reserves Finance Corporation, respectively.
 
We have summarized some of the material provisions of the indentures below. This summary does not restate those agreements in their entirety. A form of senior indenture and a form of subordinated indenture have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We urge you to read each of the indentures because each one, and not this description, defines the rights of holders of debt securities.
 
Capitalized terms defined in the indentures have the same meanings when used in this prospectus.
 
General
 
The debt securities issued under the indentures will be our direct, unsecured general obligations. The senior debt securities will rank equally with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. The subordinated debt securities will have a junior position to all of our senior debt.
 
All of our assets are held by our operating subsidiaries. With respect to these assets, holders of senior debt securities that are not guaranteed by our operating subsidiaries and holders of subordinated debt securities will have a position junior to the prior claims of creditors of these subsidiaries, including trade creditors, debtholders, secured creditors, taxing authorities and guarantee holders, and any preferred unitholders, except to the extent that we may ourselves be a creditor with recognized claims against any subsidiary. Our ability to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on any debt securities is, to a large extent, dependent upon the payment to us by our subsidiaries of dividends, debt principal and interest or other charges.
 
The following description sets forth the general terms and provisions that could apply to debt securities that we may offer to sell. A prospectus supplement and a supplemental indenture relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:
 
  •  whether Legacy Reserves Finance Corporation will be a co-issuer of the debt securities;
 
  •  the guarantors of the debt securities, if any;
 
  •  whether the debt securities are senior or subordinated debt securities;
 
  •  the title and type of the debt securities;
 
  •  the total principal amount of the debt securities;
 
  •  the percentage of the principal amount at which the debt securities will be issued and any payments due if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated;


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  •  the dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable;
 
  •  the interest rate which the debt securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the debt securities;
 
  •  any conversion or exchange features;
 
  •  any optional redemption periods;
 
  •  any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem some or all of the debt securities;
 
  •  any provisions granting special rights to holders when a specified event occurs;
 
  •  any changes to or additional events of default or covenants;
 
  •  any special tax implications of the debt securities, including provisions for original issue discount securities, if offered; and
 
  •  any other terms of the debt securities.
 
Neither of the indentures will limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued. Each indenture will allow debt securities to be issued up to the principal amount that may be authorized by us and may be in any currency or currency unit designated by us.
 
Debt securities of a series may be issued in registered or global form.
 
Subsidiary Guarantees
 
If the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of our senior debt securities provides that those senior debt securities will have the benefit of a guarantee by any or all of our operating subsidiaries, payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on those senior debt securities will be unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured, unsubordinated basis by such subsidiary or subsidiaries, and such guarantees will be joint and several. The guarantee of senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of the unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of such subsidiary or subsidiaries.
 
If the applicable prospectus supplement relating to a series of our subordinated debt securities provides that those subordinated debt securities will have the benefit of a guarantee by any or all of our operating subsidiaries, payment of the principal, premium, if any, and interest on those subordinated debt securities will be unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured, subordinated basis by such subsidiary or subsidiaries, and such guarantees will be joint and several. The guarantee of the subordinated debt securities will be subordinated in right of payment to all of such subsidiary’s or subsidiaries’ existing and future senior indebtedness (as defined in the related prospectus supplement), including any guarantee of the senior debt securities, to the same extent and in the same manner as the subordinated debt securities are subordinated to our senior indebtedness (as defined in the related prospectus supplement). See “— Subordination” below.
 
The obligations of our operating subsidiaries under any such guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent the guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law.
 
Covenants
 
Under the indentures, we:
 
  •  will pay the principal of, and interest and any premium on, the debt securities when due;
 
  •  will maintain a place of payment;
 
  •  will deliver a certificate to the trustee each fiscal year reviewing our compliance with our obligations under the indentures;
 
  •  will preserve our existence; and


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  •  will segregate or deposit with any paying agent sufficient funds for the payment of any principal, interest or premium on or before the due date of such payment.
 
Mergers and Sale of Assets
 
Each of the indentures will provide that we may not convert into, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into any other Person or sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our properties and assets (on a consolidated basis) to another Person, unless:
 
  •  either: (a) such issuer is the surviving Person; or (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger or resulting from such conversion (if other than such issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership, in the case of Legacy (and a corporation, in the case of Legacy Finance Corp. for so long as Legacy is not a corporation), organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;
 
  •  the Person formed by or surviving any such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all of the obligations of such issuer under such indenture and the debt securities governed thereby pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the trustee, which may include a supplemental indenture;
 
  •  we or the successor will not immediately be in default under such indenture; and
 
  •  we deliver an officer’s certificate and opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease and any supplemental indenture comply with such indenture and that all conditions precedent set forth in such indenture have been complied with.
 
Upon the assumption of our obligations under each indenture by a successor, we will be discharged from all obligations under such indenture.
 
As used in the indenture and in this description, the word “Person” means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, other entity, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
 
Events of Default
 
“Event of default,” when used in the indentures with respect to debt securities of any series, will mean any of the following:
 
(1) default in the payment of any interest upon any debt security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;
 
(2) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any debt security of that series at its maturity;
 
(3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant set forth in Article Ten of the applicable indenture (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere specifically dealt with as an event of default or which has expressly been included in such indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” thereunder;
 
(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in the applicable indenture (other than a covenant set forth in Article Ten of such indenture or any other covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere specifically dealt with as an event of default or which has


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expressly been included in such indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of debt securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to us by the trustee or to us and the trustee by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” thereunder;
 
(5) either issuer, pursuant to or within the meaning of any bankruptcy law, (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of any order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
 
(6) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any bankruptcy law that (i) is for relief against either of issuer in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a custodian of either issuer or for all or substantially all of its respective property, or (iii) orders the liquidation of either issuer; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;
 
(7) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; or
 
(8) any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series in accordance with provisions of the indenture related to the issuance of such debt securities.
 
An event of default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities issued under an indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default (except in the payment of principal, interest or any premium) if it considers the withholding of notice to be in the interests of the holders.
 
If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal of all of the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If this happens, subject to certain conditions, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series can void the declaration.
 
Other than its duties in case of a default, a trustee is not obligated to exercise any of its rights or powers under any indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable indemnity. If they provide this reasonable indemnification, the holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of any series of debt securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding or any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any power conferred upon the trustee, for any series of debt securities.
 
Amendments and Waivers
 
Subject to certain exceptions, the indentures, the debt securities issued thereunder or the subsidiary guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of each series affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture, with each such series voting as a separate class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities) and, subject to certain exceptions, any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with respect to each series of debt securities with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of such series voting as a separate class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, debt securities).
 
Without the consent of each holder of the outstanding debt securities affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver may not, among other things:
 
(1) change the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an original issue discount


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security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to the applicable indenture, or change the coin or currency in which any debt security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the stated maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date therefor);
 
(2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the then-outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such amendment or supplemental indenture, or the consent of the holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the applicable indenture or certain defaults thereunder and their consequences provided for in the applicable indenture;
 
(3) modify any of the provisions set forth in (i) the provisions of the applicable indenture related to the holder’s unconditional right to receive principal, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities or (ii) the provisions of the applicable indenture related to the waiver of past defaults under such indenture;
 
(4) waive a redemption payment with respect to any debt security; provided, however, that any purchase or repurchase of debt securities shall not be deemed a redemption of the debt securities;
 
(5) release any guarantor from any of its obligations under its guarantee or the applicable indenture, except in accordance with the terms of such indenture (as amended or supplemented); or
 
(6) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions, except to increase any percentage provided for therein or to provide that certain other provisions of the applicable indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the holder of each then-outstanding debt security affected thereby.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any holder of debt securities, we, the guarantors and the trustee may amend each of the indentures or the debt securities issued thereunder to:
 
(1) cure any ambiguity or defect or to correct or supplement any provision therein that may be inconsistent with any other provision therein;
 
(2) evidence the succession of another Person to either issuer and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of such issuer therein and, to the extent applicable, of the debt securities;
 
(3) provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities; provided that the uncertificated debt securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or in the manner such that the uncertificated debt securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;
 
(4) add a guarantee and cause any Person to become a guarantor, and/or to evidence the succession of another Person to a guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the guarantee of such guarantor therein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any debt securities of any series;
 
(5) secure the debt securities of any series;
 
(6) add to our covenants such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as we shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the holders of all or any series of debt securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of debt securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in the applicable indenture as set forth therein, or to surrender any right or power therein conferred upon us; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision, such amendment or supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an event of default or may limit the remedies


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available to the trustee upon such an event of default or may limit the right of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series to waive such an event of default;
 
(7) make any change to any provision of the applicable indenture that does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any holder of debt securities issued thereunder;
 
(8) provide for the issuance of additional debt securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in the applicable indenture;
 
(9) add any additional defaults or events of default in respect of all or any series of debt securities;
 
(10) add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of debt securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons;
 
(11) change or eliminate any of the provisions of the applicable indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no debt security outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision;
 
(12) establish the form or terms of debt securities of any series as permitted thereunder, including to reopen any series of any debt securities as permitted thereunder;
 
(13) evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment thereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of the applicable indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of such indenture;
 
(14) conform the text of the applicable indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any debt securities issued thereunder to any provision of a description of such debt securities appearing in a prospectus or prospectus supplement or an offering memorandum or offering circular to the extent that such provision was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of such indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any debt securities issued thereunder; or
 
(15) modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the applicable indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of such indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), or under any similar federal statute subsequently enacted, and to add to such indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required under the Trust Indenture Act.
 
The consent of the holders is not necessary under either indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment with the consent of the holders under an indenture becomes effective, we are required to mail to the holders of debt securities thereunder a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all such holders, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.
 
Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance
 
Each indenture provides that we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have all of our obligations discharged with respect to the debt securities outstanding thereunder and all obligations of any guarantors of such debt securities discharged with respect to their guarantees (“Legal Defeasance”), except for:
 
(1) the rights of holders of outstanding debt securities to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such debt securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to below;
 
(2) our obligations with respect to the debt securities concerning issuing temporary debt securities, registration of debt securities, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;


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(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the trustee, and our and each guarantor’s obligations in connection therewith; and
 
(4) the Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance (as defined below) provisions of the applicable indenture.
 
In addition, we may, at our option and at any time, elect to have our obligations released with respect to certain provisions of each indenture, including certain provisions set forth in any prospectus supplement and supplemental indenture (such release and termination being referred to as “Covenant Defeasance”), and thereafter any failure to comply with such obligations or provisions will not constitute a default or event of default. In addition, in the event Covenant Defeasance occurs in accordance with the applicable indenture, any defeasible event of default will no longer constitute an event of default.
 
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
 
(1) we must irrevocably deposit with the trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the holders of the debt securities, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable government securities, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. government securities, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the outstanding debt securities on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and we must specify whether the debt securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;
 
(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that (a) we have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the issue date of the debt securities, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such opinion of counsel will confirm that, the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same time as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
 
(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to the trustee confirming that the holders of the outstanding debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
 
(4) no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a default or event of default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);
 
(5) the deposit must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which either issuer or any guarantor is a party or by which either issuer or any guarantor is bound;
 
(6) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than the applicable indenture) to which either issuer or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which either issuer or any of its subsidiaries is bound;
 
(7) we must deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate stating that the deposit was not made by us with the intent of preferring the holders of debt securities over our other creditors with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding our other creditors or others;
 
(8) we must deliver to the trustee an officer’s certificate stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (1) through (6) of this paragraph have been complied with; and


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(9) we must deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel (which opinion of counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications, and exclusions), stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (2), (3) and (6) of this paragraph have been complied with.
 
Satisfaction and Discharge
 
Each of the indentures will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of debt securities and certain rights of the trustee, as expressly provided for in such indenture) as to all outstanding debt securities issued thereunder and the guarantees issued thereunder when:
 
(1) either (a) all of the debt securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under such indenture (except lost, stolen or destroyed debt securities that have been replaced or paid and debt securities for whose payment money or certain United States governmental obligations have theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by us and thereafter repaid to Legacy or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation or (b) all debt securities not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable or will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee in our name, and at our expense, and we have deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee funds or U.S. government obligations, or a combination thereof, in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the debt securities not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation, for principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities to the date of deposit (in the case of debt securities that have become due and payable) or to the stated maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, together with instructions from us irrevocably directing the trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
 
(2) we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable under such indenture by us; and
 
(3) we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, which, taken together, state that all conditions precedent under such indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of such indenture have been complied with.
 
No Personal Liability of Directors, Managers, Officers, Employees, Partners, Members and Unitholders
 
No director, manager, officer, employee, incorporator, partner, member, unitholder or stockholder of either issuer or any guarantor, as such, shall have any liability for any of our obligations or those of the guarantors under the debt securities, the indentures, the guarantees or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of debt securities, upon our issuance of the debt securities and execution of the indentures, waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the debt securities. Such waiver may not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
 
Denominations
 
Unless stated otherwise in the prospectus supplement for each issuance of debt securities, the debt securities will be issued in denominations of $1,000 each or integral multiples of $1,000.
 
Paying Agent and Registrar
 
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar for the debt securities. We may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of the debt securities, and either issuer may act as paying agent or registrar.


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Transfer and Exchange
 
A holder may transfer or exchange debt securities in accordance with the applicable indenture. The registrar and the trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and we may require a holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the applicable indenture. We are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security selected for redemption. In addition, we are not required to transfer or exchange any debt security for a period of 15 days before a selection of debt securities to be redeemed.
 
Subordination
 
The payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on subordinated debt securities and any of our other payment obligations in respect of subordinated debt securities (including any obligation to repurchase subordinated debt securities) is subordinated in certain circumstances in right of payment, as set forth in the subordinated indenture, to the prior payment in full in cash of all senior debt.
 
We also may not make any payment, whether by redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance or otherwise, upon or in respect of subordinated debt securities, except from a trust described under ‘‘— Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance,” if
 
  •  a default in the payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any designated senior debt (“payment default”) occurs that has not been cured or waived, or
 
  •  any other default occurs and is continuing with respect to designated senior debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated (“non-payment default”) and, solely with respect to this clause, the trustee for the subordinated debt securities receives a notice of the default (a “payment blockage notice”) from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such designated senior debt.
 
Cash payments on subordinated debt securities will be resumed (a) in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived and (b) in case of a non-payment default, the earliest of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived, the termination of the period of payment blockage by written notice to the trustee for the subordinated debt securities from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such designated senior debt, the payment in full of such designated senior debt or 179 days after the date on which the applicable payment blockage notice is received. No new period of payment blockage may be commenced unless and until 360 days have elapsed since the date of commencement of the period of payment blockage resulting from the immediately prior payment blockage notice. No non-payment default in respect of designated senior debt that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any payment blockage notice to the trustee for the subordinated debt securities will be, or be made, the basis for a subsequent payment blockage notice unless such default shall have been cured or waived for a period of no less than 90 consecutive days.
 
Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with the subordinated indenture) of either issuer, in connection with any dissolution or winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of such issuer, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings or other marshalling of assets for the benefit of creditors, all amounts due or to become due upon all senior debt shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the holders of the subordinated debt securities or the trustee on their behalf shall be entitled to receive any payment by us, or on our behalf, on account of the subordinated debt securities, or any payment to acquire any of the subordinated debt securities for cash, property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the subordinated debt securities of any cash, property or securities. Before any payment may be made by us, or on our behalf, on any subordinated debt security (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with the subordinated indenture), in connection with any such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of assets or securities for either issuer, to which the holders of subordinated debt securities or the trustee on their behalf would be entitled shall be made by us or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or


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distribution or by the holders or the trustee if received by them or it, directly to the holders of senior debt or their representatives or to any trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such senior debt may have been issued, as their respective interests appear, to the extent necessary to pay all such senior debt in full, in cash or cash equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such senior debt.
 
As a result of these subordination provisions, in the event of the liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding or an assignment for the benefit of our creditors or a marshalling of our assets or liabilities, holders of subordinated debt securities may receive ratably less than other creditors.
 
Payment and Transfer
 
Principal, interest and any premium on fully registered debt securities will be paid at designated places. Payment will be made by check mailed to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered on days specified in the indentures or any prospectus supplement. Debt securities payments in other forms will be paid at a place designated by us and specified in a prospectus supplement.
 
Fully registered debt securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the trustee or at any other office or agency maintained by us for such purposes, without the payment of any service charge except for any tax or governmental charge.
 
Global Securities
 
The debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates that we will deposit with a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities that it represents, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole:
 
  •  by the applicable depositary to a nominee of the depositary;
 
  •  by any nominee to the depositary itself or another nominee; or
 
  •  by the depositary or any nominee to a successor depositary or any nominee of the successor.
 
We will describe the specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of debt securities in the applicable prospectus supplement. We anticipate that the following provisions will generally apply to depositary arrangements.
 
When we issue a global security in registered form, the depositary for the global security or its nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the individual debt securities represented by that global security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with the depositary (“participants”). Those accounts will be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents with respect to the underlying debt securities or by us if those debt securities are offered and sold directly by us. Ownership of beneficial interests in a global security will be limited to participants or persons that may hold interests through participants. For interests of participants, ownership of beneficial interests in the global security will be shown on records maintained by the applicable depositary or its nominee. For interests of persons other than participants, that ownership information will be shown on the records of participants. Transfer of that ownership will be effected only through those records. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. These limits and laws may impair our ability to transfer beneficial interests in a global security.
 
As long as the depositary for a global security, or its nominee, is the registered owner of that global security, the depositary or nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the debt securities represented by the global security for all purposes under the applicable indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security:
 
  •  will not be entitled to have any of the underlying debt securities registered in their names;


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  •  will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any of the underlying debt securities in definitive form; and
 
  •  will not be considered the owners or holders under the indenture relating to those debt securities.
 
Payments of the principal of, any premium on and any interest on individual debt securities represented by a global security registered in the name of a depositary or its nominee will be made to the depositary or its nominee as the registered owner of the global security representing such debt securities. Neither we, the trustee for the debt securities, any paying agent nor the registrar for the debt securities will be responsible for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made by the depositary or any participants on account of beneficial interests in the global security.
 
We expect that the depositary or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, any premium or interest relating to a global security representing any series of debt securities, immediately will credit participants’ accounts with the payments. Those payments will be credited in amounts proportional to the respective beneficial interests of the participants in the principal amount of the global security as shown on the records of the depositary or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global security held through those participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices. This is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in “street name.” Those payments will be the sole responsibility of those participants.
 
If the depositary for a series of debt securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary and we do not appoint a successor depositary within 90 days, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or securities representing that series. In addition, we may at any time in our sole discretion determine not to have any debt securities of a series represented by one or more global securities. In that event, we will issue individual debt securities of that series in exchange for the global security or securities. Furthermore, if we specify, an owner of a beneficial interest in a global security may, on terms acceptable to us, the trustee and the applicable depositary, receive individual debt securities of that series in exchange for those beneficial interests. The foregoing is subject to any limitations described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In any such instance, the owner of the beneficial interest will be entitled to physical delivery of individual debt securities equal in principal amount to the beneficial interest and to have the debt securities registered in its name. Those individual debt securities will be issued in any authorized denominations.
 
Governing Law
 
Each indenture and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
 
Information Concerning the Trustee
 
A banking or financial institution will be the trustee under the indentures. A successor trustee may be appointed in accordance with the terms of the indentures.
 
The indentures and the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act incorporated by reference therein will contain certain limitations on the rights of the trustee, should it become a creditor of us, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act), it must eliminate such conflicting interest or resign.
 
A single banking or financial institution may act as trustee with respect to both the subordinated indenture and the senior indenture. If this occurs, and should a default occur with respect to either the subordinated debt securities or the senior debt securities, such banking or financial institution would be required to resign as trustee under one of the indentures within 90 days of such default, pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act, unless such default were cured, duly waived or otherwise eliminated.


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DESCRIPTION OF GUARANTEES OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
Our subsidiaries may issue guarantees of debt securities that we offer in any prospectus supplement. Each guarantee will be issued under a supplement to an indenture. The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of guarantees will describe the terms of those guarantees, including the following:
 
  •  the series of debt securities to which the guarantees apply;
 
  •  whether the guarantees are secured or unsecured;
 
  •  that the guarantees are unconditional;
 
  •  whether the guarantees are senior or subordinate to other guarantees or debt;
 
  •  the terms under which the guarantees may be amended, modified, waived, released or otherwise terminated, if different from the provisions applicable to the guaranteed debt securities; and
 
  •  any additional terms of the guarantees.


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CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND FIDUCIARY DUTIES
 
Conflicts of Interest
 
General
 
Conflicts of interest exist and may arise in the future as a result of the relationships between our general partner and its affiliates (including our Founding Investors), on the one hand, and our partnership and our limited partners, on the other hand. The directors and officers of our general partner have fiduciary duties to manage our general partner in a manner beneficial to its owners. At the same time, our general partner has a fiduciary duty to manage our partnership in a manner beneficial to us and our unitholders.
 
Whenever a conflict arises between our general partner or its affiliates, on the one hand, and us or any other partner, on the other hand, our general partner will resolve that conflict. Our partnership agreement contains provisions that modify and limit our general partner’s fiduciary duties to the unitholders. Our partnership agreement also restricts the remedies available to unitholders for actions taken that, without those limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty.
 
Our general partner will not be in breach of its obligations under the partnership agreement or its duties to us or our unitholders if the resolution of the conflict is:
 
  •  approved by the conflicts committee, although our general partner is not obligated to seek such approval;
 
  •  approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding units, excluding any units owned by our general partner or any of its affiliates;
 
  •  on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties; or
 
  •  fair and reasonable to us, taking into account the totality of the relationships among the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous to us.
 
Our general partner may, but is not required to, seek the approval of such resolution from the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner. If our general partner does not seek approval from the conflicts committee and the board of directors of our general partner determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to the conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in the third and fourth bullet points above, then it will be presumed that, in making its decision, the board of directors acted in good faith, and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or the partnership, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption. Unless the resolution of a conflict is specifically provided for in our partnership agreement, our general partner or the conflicts committee may consider any factors it determines in good faith to consider when resolving a conflict. When our partnership agreement requires that someone act in good faith, it requires that person to believe he is acting in the best interests of the partnership. Please read “Management — Management of Legacy Reserves LP” for information about the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner.
 
Conflicts of interest could arise in the situations described below, among others.
 
Certain of our general partner’s affiliates may engage in competition with us.
 
Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner will be restricted from engaging in any business activities other than those incidental to its ownership of interests in us. However, affiliates of our general partner, other than our executive officers and their affiliates, are not prohibited from engaging in other businesses or activities, including those that might be in direct competition with us. In addition, under our partnership agreement, the doctrine of corporate opportunity, or any analogous doctrine, will not apply to the general partner and its affiliates, other than our executive officers and their affiliates. As a result, neither the


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general partner nor any of its affiliates other than our executive officers and their affiliates, will have any obligation to present business opportunities to us.
 
Our general partner is allowed to take into account the interests of parties other than us, such as its owners and their affiliates, in resolving conflicts of interest.
 
Our partnership agreement contains provisions that reduce the standards to which our general partner would otherwise be held by state fiduciary duty law. For example, our partnership agreement permits our general partner to make a number of decisions in its individual capacity, as opposed to its capacity as our general partner. This entitles our general partner to consider only the interests and factors that it desires, and it has no duty or obligation to give any consideration to any interest of, or factors affecting, us, our affiliates or any limited partner. Examples include the exercise of its limited call right, its voting rights with respect to the units it owns, its registration rights and its determination whether or not to consent to any merger or consolidation of the partnership.
 
Our general partner has limited its liability and reduced its fiduciary duties, and has also restricted the remedies available to our unitholders for actions that, without the limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duties.
 
In addition to the provisions described above, our partnership agreement contains provisions that restrict the remedies available to our unitholders for actions that might otherwise constitute breaches of fiduciary duty. For example, our partnership agreement:
 
  •  provides that the general partner shall not have any liability to us or our unitholders for decisions made in its capacity as a general partner so long as it acted in good faith, meaning it believed that the decision was in the best interests of our partnership;
 
  •  generally provides that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest not approved by the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner and not involving a vote of unitholders must be on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties or be “fair and reasonable” to us, as determined by the board of directors of our general partner in good faith, and that, in determining whether a transaction or resolution is “fair and reasonable,” our general partner may consider the totality of the relationships between the parties involved, including other transactions that may be particularly advantageous or beneficial to us; and
 
  •  provides that our general partner and its officers and directors will not be liable for monetary damages to us, our limited partners or assignees for any acts or omissions unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment entered by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that our general partner or those other persons acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct.
 
Actions taken by our general partner may affect the amount of cash that is distributed to our unitholders.
 
The amount of cash that is available for distribution to unitholders is affected by decisions of our general partner regarding such matters as:
 
  •  the amount and timing of asset purchases and sales;
 
  •  cash expenditures;
 
  •  borrowings;
 
  •  the issuance of additional units; and
 
  •  the creation, reduction or increase of reserves in any quarter.


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Our general partner determines which costs incurred by it are reimbursable by us.
 
We will reimburse our general partner and its affiliates for costs incurred in managing and operating us, including costs incurred in rendering support services to us. The partnership agreement provides that our general partner will determine the expenses that are allocable to us in good faith.
 
Our partnership agreement does not restrict our general partner from causing us to pay it or its affiliates for any services rendered to us or entering into additional contractual arrangements with any of these entities on our behalf.
 
Our partnership agreement allows our general partner to determine, in good faith, any amounts to pay itself or its affiliates for any services rendered to us. Our general partner does not charge us a management fee. Our general partner may also enter into additional contractual arrangements with any of its affiliates on our behalf. Neither our partnership agreement nor any of the other agreements, contracts, and arrangements between us, on the one hand, and our general partner and its affiliates, on the other hand, are or will be the result of arm’s-length negotiations. Our general partner will determine, in good faith, the terms of any of these transactions entered into.
 
Our general partner and its affiliates will have no obligation to permit us to use any facilities or assets of our general partner and its affiliates, except as may be provided in contracts entered into specifically dealing with that use. There is no obligation of our general partner and its affiliates to enter into any contracts of this kind.
 
Our general partner intends to limit its liability regarding our obligations.
 
Our general partner intends to limit its liability under contractual arrangements so that the other party has recourse only to our assets, and not against our general partner or its assets. The partnership agreement provides that any action taken by our general partner to limit its liability or our liability is not a breach of our general partner’s fiduciary duties, even if we could have obtained more favorable terms without the limitation on liability.
 
Unitholders will have no right to enforce obligations of our general partner and its affiliates under agreements with us.
 
Any agreements between us on the one hand, and our general partner and its affiliates, on the other, will not grant to the unitholders, separate and apart from us, the right to enforce the obligations of our general partner and its affiliates in our favor.
 
Our general partner may exercise its right to call and purchase units if it and its affiliates own more than 80% of the units.
 
If at any time our general partner and its affiliates own more than 80% of our units, our general partner may exercise its right to call and purchase units as provided in the partnership agreement or assign this right to one of its affiliates or to us. Our general partner is not bound by fiduciary duty restrictions in determining whether to exercise this right. As a result, a unitholder may have his units purchased from him at an undesirable time or price. Our general partner and its affiliates, including members of our management, owned an aggregate of 23.7% of our outstanding units as of May 18, 2011. Please read “Material Provisions of our Partnership Agreement — Limited Call Right.”
 
Our general partner decides whether to retain separate counsel, accountants or others to perform services for us.
 
The attorneys, independent accountants and others who have performed services for us regarding our formation have been retained by our general partner, its affiliates and us and may continue to be retained by our general partner, its affiliates and us. Attorneys, independent accountants and others who will perform services for us are selected by our general partner or the conflicts committee and may perform services for our


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general partner and its affiliates. We may retain separate counsel for ourselves or the holders of units in the event of a conflict of interest between our general partner and its affiliates, on the one hand, and us or the holders of units, on the other, depending on the nature of the conflict. We do not intend to do so in most cases.
 
Except in limited circumstances our general partner has the power and authority to conduct our business without unitholder approval.
 
Under our partnership agreement, our general partner has full power and authority to do all things, other than those items that require unitholder approval or with respect to which our general partner has sought conflicts committee approval, on such terms as it determines to be necessary or appropriate to conduct our business including, but not limited to, the following:
 
  •  the making of any expenditures, the lending or borrowing of money, the assumption or guarantee of, or other contracting for, indebtedness and other liabilities, the issuance of evidences of indebtedness, including indebtedness that is convertible into securities of the partnership, and the incurring of any other obligations;
 
  •  the making of tax, regulatory and other filings, or rendering of periodic or other reports to governmental or other agencies having jurisdiction over our business or assets;
 
  •  the acquisition, disposition, mortgage, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or exchange of any or all of our assets or the merger or other combination of us with or into another person;
 
  •  the negotiation, execution and performance of any contracts, conveyances or other instruments;
 
  •  the distribution of partnership cash;
 
  •  the selection and dismissal of employees and agents, outside attorneys, accountants, consultants and contractors and the determination of their compensation and other terms of employment or hiring;
 
  •  the maintenance of insurance for our benefit and the benefit of our partners;
 
  •  the formation of, or acquisition of an interest in, and the contribution of property and the making of loans to, any further limited or general partnerships, joint ventures, corporations, limited liability companies or other relationships;
 
  •  the control of any matters affecting our rights and obligations, including the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation, arbitration or mediation and the incurring of legal expense and the settlement of claims and litigation;
 
  •  the indemnification of any person against liabilities and contingencies to the extent permitted by law;
 
  •  the purchase, sale or other acquisition or disposition of our securities, or the issuance of additional options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to our securities; and
 
  •  the entering into of agreements with any of its affiliates to render services to us or to itself in the discharge of its duties as our general partner.
 
Our partnership agreement provides that our general partner must act in “good faith” when making decisions on our behalf, and our partnership agreement further provides that in order for a determination by our general partner to be made in “good faith,” our general partner must believe that the determination is in our best interests. Please read “Material Provisions of our Partnership Agreement — Voting Rights” for information regarding matters that require unitholder approval.
 
Fiduciary Duties
 
Our general partner is accountable to us and our unitholders as a fiduciary. Fiduciary duties owed to unitholders by our general partner are prescribed by law and the partnership agreement. The Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, which we refer to in this prospectus as the Delaware Act, provides that


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Delaware limited partnerships may, in their partnership agreements, modify, restrict or expand the fiduciary duties otherwise owed by a general partner to limited partners and the partnership.
 
Our partnership agreement contains various provisions modifying and restricting the fiduciary duties that might otherwise be owed by our general partner. We have adopted these restrictions to allow our general partner or its affiliates to engage in transactions with us that would otherwise be prohibited by state-law fiduciary duty standards and to take into account the interests of other parties in addition to our interests when resolving conflicts of interest. We believe this is appropriate and necessary because our general partner’s board of directors has fiduciary duties to manage our general partner in a manner beneficial to its owners, as well as to you. Without these modifications, the general partner’s ability to make decisions involving conflicts of interest would be restricted. The modifications to the fiduciary standards enable the general partner to take into consideration all parties involved in the proposed action, so long as the resolution is fair and reasonable to us. These modifications also enable our general partner to attract and retain experienced and capable directors. These modifications are detrimental to the unitholders because they restrict the remedies available to unitholders for actions that, without those limitations, might constitute breaches of fiduciary duty, as described below, and permit our general partner to take into account the interests of third parties in addition to our interests when resolving conflicts of interest. The following is a summary of the material restrictions of the fiduciary duties owed by our general partner to the limited partners:
 
State law fiduciary duty standards Fiduciary duties are generally considered to include an obligation to act in good faith and with due care and loyalty. The duty of care, in the absence of a provision in a partnership agreement providing otherwise, would generally require a general partner to act for the partnership in the same manner as a prudent person would act on his own behalf. The duty of loyalty, in the absence of a provision in a partnership agreement providing otherwise, would generally prohibit a general partner of a Delaware limited partnership from taking any action or engaging in any transaction where a conflict of interest is present.
 
Partnership agreement modified standards Our partnership agreement contains provisions pursuant to which limited partners waive or consent to conduct by our general partner and its affiliates that might otherwise raise issues about compliance with fiduciary duties or applicable law. For example, our partnership agreement provides that when our general partner is acting in its capacity as our general partner, as opposed to in its individual capacity, it must act in “good faith” and will not be subject to any other standard under applicable law. In addition, when our general partner is acting in its individual capacity, as opposed to its capacity as our general partner, it may act without any fiduciary obligation to us or the unitholders whatsoever. These standards reduce the obligations to which our general partner would otherwise be held.
 
Our partnership agreement generally provides that affiliated transactions and resolutions of conflicts of interest not involving a vote of unitholders and that are not approved by the conflicts committee of the board of directors of our general partner must be:
 
• on terms no less favorable to us than those generally being provided to or available from unrelated third parties; or
 
• “fair and reasonable” to us, which may take into account the totality of the relationships between the parties involved (including other transactions that may be particularly favorable or advantageous, or unfavorable or disadvantageous, to us).


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If our general partner does not seek approval from the conflicts committee and its board of directors determines that the resolution or course of action taken with respect to the conflict of interest satisfies either of the standards set forth in the bullet points above, then it will be presumed that, in making its decision, the board of directors, which may include board members affected by the conflict of interest, acted in good faith and in any proceeding brought by or on behalf of any limited partner or the partnership, the person bringing or prosecuting such proceeding will have the burden of overcoming such presumption. These standards reduce the obligations to which our general partner would otherwise be held.
 
In addition to the other more specific provisions limiting the obligations of our general partner, our partnership agreement further provides that our general partner, its affiliates and their officers and directors will not be liable for monetary damages to us, our limited partners or assignees for errors of judgment or for any acts or omissions unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that our general partner or its officers and directors acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct.
 
Rights and remedies of unitholders The Delaware Act generally provides that a limited partner may institute legal action on behalf of the partnership to recover damages from a third party where a general partner has refused to institute the action or where an effort to cause a general partner to do so is not likely to succeed. These actions include actions against a general partner for breach of its fiduciary duties or of the partnership agreement. In addition, the statutory or case law of some jurisdictions may permit a limited partner to institute legal action on behalf of himself and all other similarly situated limited partners to recover damages from a general partner for violations of its fiduciary duties to the limited partners.
 
By purchasing our units, each unitholder automatically agrees to be bound by the provisions in the partnership agreement, including the provisions discussed above. This is in accordance with the policy of the Delaware Act favoring the principle of freedom of contract and the enforceability of partnership agreements. The failure of a limited partner or assignee to sign a partnership agreement does not render the partnership agreement unenforceable against that person.
 
We must indemnify our general partner and its officers, directors, managers and certain other specified persons, to the fullest extent permitted by law, against liabilities, costs and expenses incurred by our general partner or these other persons. We must provide this indemnification unless there has been a final and non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction determining that these persons acted in bad faith or engaged in fraud or willful misconduct. We must also provide this indemnification for criminal proceedings unless our general partner or these other persons acted with knowledge that their conduct was unlawful. Thus, our general partner could be indemnified for its negligent acts if it meets the requirements set forth above. To the extent these provisions purport to include indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is contrary to public policy and, therefore, unenforceable. Please read “Material Provisions of our Partnership Agreement — Indemnification.”


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MATERIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
This section is a summary of the material U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences that may be relevant to prospective unitholders and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP insofar as it describes legal conclusions with respect to matters of U.S. federal income tax law. Such statements are based on the accuracy of the representations made by our general partner and us to Andrews Kurth LLP, and statements of fact do not represent opinions of Andrews Kurth LLP. To the extent this section discusses U.S. federal income taxes, that discussion is based upon current provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), existing and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Treasury Regulations”), and current administrative rulings and court decisions, all of which are subject to change. Changes in these authorities may cause the tax consequences to vary substantially from the consequences described below. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this section to “us” or “we” are references to Legacy Reserves LP and our operating subsidiaries.
 
This section does not address all U.S. federal, state and local tax matters that affect us or our unitholders. To the extent that this section relates to taxation by a state, local or other jurisdiction within the United States, such discussion is intended to provide only general information. We have not sought the opinion of legal counsel regarding U.S. state, local or other taxation and, thus, any portion of the following discussion relating to such taxes does not represent the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP or any other legal counsel. Furthermore, this section focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States, whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar and who hold units as a capital asset (generally, property that is held as an investment). This section has only limited application to corporations, partnerships (and entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes), estates, trusts, non-resident aliens or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as tax-exempt institutions, non-U.S. persons, individual retirement accounts, employee benefit plans, real estate investment trusts or mutual funds. Accordingly, we encourage each prospective unitholder to consult such unitholder’s own tax advisor in analyzing the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences particular to that unitholder resulting from his ownership or disposition of his units.
 
No ruling has been or will be requested from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) regarding any matter that affects us or our unitholders. Instead, we will rely on opinions and advice of Andrews Kurth LLP. Unlike a ruling, an opinion of counsel represents only that counsel’s best legal judgment and does not bind the IRS or the courts. Accordingly, the opinions and statements made herein may not be sustained by a court if contested by the IRS. Any contest of this sort with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for our units and the prices at which such units trade. In addition, the costs of any contest with the IRS, principally legal, accounting and related fees, will result in a reduction in cash available for distribution to our unitholders and our general partner and thus will be borne indirectly by our unitholders and our general partner. Furthermore, our tax treatment, or the tax treatment of an investment in us, may be significantly modified by future legislative or administrative changes or court decisions. Any modifications may or may not be retroactively applied.
 
For the reasons described below, Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion with respect to the following specific U.S. federal income tax issues: (1) the treatment of a unitholder whose units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of units (please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Treatment of Short Sales”); (2) whether our monthly convention for allocating taxable income and losses is permitted by existing Treasury Regulations (please read “— Disposition of Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees”); and (3) whether our method for depreciating Section 743 adjustments is sustainable in certain cases (please read “Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election” and “— Uniformity of Units”).


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Taxation of Legacy Reserves LP
 
Partnership Status
 
We are treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and, therefore, generally we are not liable for U.S. federal income taxes. Instead, each of our unitholders is required to take into account his respective share of our items of income, gain, loss and deduction in computing his U.S. federal income tax liability as if the unitholder had earned such income directly, even if no cash distributions are made to the unitholder. Distributions by us to a unitholder generally are not taxable to the unitholder unless the amount of cash distributed to the unitholder exceeds the unitholder’s tax basis in his units.
 
Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that publicly traded partnerships are, as a general rule, taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to as the “Qualifying Income Exception,” exists with respect to publicly traded partnerships of which 90% or more of the gross income for every taxable year consists of “qualifying income.” Qualifying income includes income and gains derived from exploration and production of certain natural resources, including oil, natural gas, and products thereof. Other types of qualifying income include interest (other than from a financial business), dividends, gains from the sale of real property and gains from the sale or other disposition of capital assets held for the production of income that otherwise constitutes qualifying income. We estimate that less than     % of our current gross income is not qualifying income; however, this estimate could change from time to time. Based upon and subject to this estimate, the factual representations made by us and our general partner, and a review of the applicable legal authorities, Andrews Kurth LLP is of the opinion that at least 90% of our current gross income constitutes qualifying income. The portion of our income that is qualifying income may change from time to time.
 
No ruling has been or will be sought from the IRS, and the IRS has made no determination as to our status or the status of our operating companies for U.S. federal income tax purposes or whether our operations generate “qualifying income” under Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code. Instead, we will rely on the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP on such matters. It is the opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP that we are classified as a partnership and each of our operating subsidiaries (other than the entity employing our employees) is disregarded as an entity separate from us for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
 
In rendering its opinion, Andrews Kurth LLP has relied on factual representations made by us and our general partner. The representations made by us and our general partner upon which Andrews Kurth LLP has relied include, without limitation:
 
(a) neither we nor any of our partnership or limited liability company subsidiaries, have elected or will elect to be treated as a corporation; and
 
(b) for each taxable year, including short taxable years occurring as a result of a constructive termination, more than 90% of our gross income has been and will be income that Andrews Kurth LLP has opined or will opine is “qualifying income” within the meaning of Section 7704(d) of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
We believe that these representations have been true in the past and expect that these representations will continue to be true in the future.
 
If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, unless such failure is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and is cured within a reasonable time after discovery (in which case the IRS may also require us to make adjustments with respect to our unitholders or pay other amounts), we will be treated as if we had transferred all of our assets, subject to liabilities, to a newly formed corporation, on the first day of the year in which we failed to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, in return for stock in that corporation and then distributed that stock to our unitholders in liquidation of their interests in us. This deemed contribution and liquidation should be tax-free to our unitholders and us so long as we, at that time, do not have liabilities in excess of the tax basis of our assets. Thereafter, we would be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes.


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If we were taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year, either as a result of a failure to meet the Qualifying Income Exception or otherwise, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction would be reflected only on our tax return, rather than being passed through to our unitholders, and our net income would be taxed to us at corporate rates. In addition, any distribution made to a unitholder would be treated as taxable dividend income, to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits, or, in the absence of earnings and profits, a nontaxable return of capital, to the extent of the unitholder’s tax basis in our units, or taxable capital gain, after the unitholder’s tax basis in his units is reduced to zero. Accordingly, taxation as a corporation would result in a material reduction in a unitholder’s cash flow and after-tax return and thus would likely result in a substantial reduction of the value of our units.
 
The discussion below is based on Andrews Kurth LLP’s opinion that we will be classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
 
Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership
 
Limited Partner Status
 
Unitholders who are admitted as limited partners of Legacy Reserves LP, as well as unitholders whose units are held in street name or by a nominee and who have the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the ownership of units, will be treated as tax partners of Legacy Reserves LP for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Also, assignees who have executed and delivered transfer applications, and are awaiting admission as limited partners will be treated as partners of Legacy Reserves LP for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For a discussion related to the risks of losing partner status as a result of short sales, please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Treatment of Short Sales.” As there is no direct or indirect controlling authority addressing assignees of units who are entitled to execute and deliver transfer applications and thereby become entitled to direct the exercise of attendant rights, but who fail to execute and deliver transfer applications, Andrews Kurth LLP’s opinion does not extend to these persons. Furthermore, a purchaser or other transferee of units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application may not receive some federal income tax information or reports furnished to record holders of units unless the units are held in a nominee or street name account and the nominee or broker has executed and delivered a transfer application for those units.
 
Items of our income, gain, loss, or deduction would not appear to be reportable by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes, and any cash distributions received by a unitholder who is not a partner for federal income tax purposes would therefore be fully taxable as ordinary income. Prospective unitholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the consequences of their status as partners in us for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The references to “unitholders” in the discussion that follows are to persons who are treated as partners in Legacy Reserves LP for federal income tax purposes.
 
Flow-Through of Taxable Income
 
Subject to the discussion below under “— Entity-Level Collections of Unitholder Taxes,” neither we nor our subsidiaries treated as partnerships or otherwise disregarded for federal income tax purposes will pay any U.S. federal income tax. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, each unitholder is required to report on his income tax return his share of our income, gains, losses and deductions without regard to whether we make cash distributions to such unitholder. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder even if that unitholder has not received a cash distribution. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his allocable share of our income, gains, losses and deductions for his taxable year or years ending with or within our taxable year. Our taxable year ends on December 31.
 
Treatment of Distributions
 
Distributions made by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to the unitholder for federal income tax purposes, except to the extent the amount of any such cash distribution exceeds his tax basis in his units immediately before the distribution. Cash distributions made by us to a unitholder in an amount in excess of


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the unitholder’s tax basis in his units generally will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of those units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under “— Disposition of Units” below. Any reduction in a unitholder’s share of our liabilities, including as a result of future issuances of additional units, will be treated as a distribution of cash to that unitholder. To the extent that cash distributions made by us cause a unitholder’s “at risk” amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year, that unitholder must recapture any losses deducted in previous years. Please read “— Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.”
 
A decrease in a unitholder’s percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional units will decrease his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, and thus will result in a corresponding deemed distribution of cash. This deemed distribution may constitute a non-pro rata distribution. A non-pro rata distribution of money or property, including a deemed distribution, may result in ordinary income to a unitholder, regardless of that unitholder’s tax basis in its units, if the distribution reduces the unitholder’s share of our “unrealized receivables,” including depreciation recapture, depletion recapture and/or substantially appreciated “inventory items,” both as defined in Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code, and collectively, “Section 751 Assets.” To the extent of such reduction, a unitholder will be treated as having received his proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and then having exchanged those assets with us in return for an allocable portion of the non-pro rata distribution made to such unitholder. This latter deemed exchange generally will result in the unitholder’s realization of ordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of (1) the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over (2) the unitholder’s tax basis (generally zero) in the Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange.
 
Basis of Units
 
A unitholder’s initial tax basis in his units will be the amount he paid for those units plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis generally will be (i) increased by the unitholder’s share of our income and by any increases in such unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, and (ii) decreased, but not below zero, by distributions to him, by his share of our losses, by depletion deductions taken by him that do not exceed his proportionate share of the adjusted tax basis of the underlying properties, by any decreases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and by his share of our expenditures that are not deductible in computing taxable income and are not required to be capitalized.
 
Limitations on Deductibility of Losses
 
The deduction by a unitholder of that unitholder’s share of our losses will be limited to the lesser of (i) the tax basis such unitholder has in his units, and (ii) in the case of an individual, estate, trust or corporate unitholder (if more than 50% of the corporate unitholder’s stock is owned directly or indirectly by or for five or fewer individuals or some tax exempt organizations) to the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be “at risk” with respect to our activities. A unitholder subject to these limitations must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions cause the unitholder’s at risk amount to be less than zero at the end of any taxable year. Losses disallowed to a unitholder or recaptured as a result of these limitations will carry forward and will be allowable as a deduction in a later year to the extent that the unitholder’s tax basis or at risk amount, whichever is the limiting factor, is subsequently increased. Upon the taxable disposition of a unit, any gain recognized by a unitholder can be offset by losses that were previously suspended by the at risk limitation but may not be offset by losses suspended by the basis limitation. Any loss previously suspended by the at risk limitation in excess of that gain would no longer be utilizable.
 
In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of the tax basis of the unitholder’s units, excluding any portion of that basis attributable to the unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by (1) any portion of that basis representing amounts otherwise protected against loss because of a guarantee, stop loss agreement or other similar arrangement and (2) any amount of money the unitholder borrows to acquire or hold his units, if the lender of those borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to another unitholder or can look only to the units for repayment. A unitholder’s at risk amount will increase or decrease as the tax basis of the unitholder’s units increases or decreases, other than tax basis increases or decreases attributable to increases or decreases in the unitholder’s share of our liabilities.


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The at risk limitation applies on an activity-by-activity basis, and in the case of oil and natural gas properties, each property is treated as a separate activity. Thus, a taxpayer’s interest in each oil or natural gas property is generally required to be treated separately so that a loss from any one property would be limited to the at risk amount for that property and not the at risk amount for all the taxpayer’s oil and natural gas properties. It is uncertain how this rule is implemented in the case of multiple oil and natural gas properties owned by a single entity treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. However, for taxable years ending on or before the date on which further guidance is published, the IRS will permit aggregation of oil or natural gas properties we own in computing a unitholder’s at risk limitation with respect to us. If a unitholder were required to compute his at risk amount separately with respect to each oil or natural gas property we own, he might not be allowed to utilize his share of losses or deductions attributable to a particular property even though he has a positive at risk amount with respect to his units as a whole.
 
In addition to the basis and at risk limitations on the deductibility of losses, the passive loss limitations generally provide that individuals, estates, trusts and some closely-held corporations and personal service corporations may deduct losses from passive activities, which are generally defined as trade or business activities in which the taxpayer does not materially participate, only to the extent of the taxpayer’s income from those passive activities. The passive loss limitations are applied separately with respect to each publicly-traded partnership. Consequently, any passive losses we generate will only be available to offset our passive income generated in the future and will not be available to offset income from other passive activities or investments, including our investments or a unitholder’s investments in other publicly-traded partnerships, or a unitholder’s salary or active business income. Passive losses that are not deductible because they exceed a unitholder’s share of income we generate may be deducted in full when he disposes of his entire investment in us in a fully taxable transaction with an unrelated party. The passive loss limitations are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at risk rules and the basis limitation.
 
A unitholder’s share of our net income may be offset by any of our suspended passive losses, but it may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities, including those attributable to other publicly traded partnerships.
 
Limitations on Interest Deductions
 
The deductibility of a non-corporate taxpayer’s “investment interest expense” is generally limited to the amount of that taxpayer’s “net investment income.” Investment interest expense includes:
 
  •  interest on indebtedness properly allocable to property held for investment;
 
  •  our interest expense attributed to portfolio income; and
 
  •  the portion of interest expense incurred to purchase or carry an interest in a passive activity to the extent attributable to portfolio income.
 
The computation of a unitholder’s investment interest expense will take into account interest on any margin account borrowing or other loan incurred to purchase or carry a unit. Net investment income includes gross income from property held for investment and amounts treated as portfolio income under the passive loss rules, less deductible expenses, other than interest, directly connected with the production of investment income, but generally does not include gains attributable to the disposition of property held for investment or qualified dividend income. The IRS has indicated that net passive income earned by a publicly-traded partnership will be treated as investment income to its unitholders for purposes of the investment interest expense limitation. In addition, the unitholder’s share of our portfolio income will be treated as investment income.
 
Entity-Level Collections of Unitholder Taxes
 
If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any U.S. federal, state, local or non-U.S. tax on behalf of any unitholder or our general partner or any former unitholder, we are authorized to pay those taxes from our funds. That payment, if made, will be treated as a distribution of cash to the unitholder on whose behalf the payment was made. If the payment is made on behalf of a unitholder whose identity cannot be


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determined, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. We are authorized to amend our partnership agreement in the manner necessary to maintain uniformity of intrinsic tax characteristics of units and to adjust later distributions, so that after giving effect to these distributions, the priority and characterization of distributions otherwise applicable under our partnership agreement is maintained as nearly as is practicable. Payments by us as described above could give rise to an overpayment of tax on behalf of an individual unitholder in which event the unitholder would be required to file a claim in order to obtain a credit or refund.
 
Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction
 
In general, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated among our general partner and the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us.
 
Specified items of our income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated to account for the difference between the tax basis and fair market value of our assets, a “Book Tax Disparity,” at the time of this offering and any future offerings or certain other transactions. The effect of these allocations, referred to as Section 704(c) Allocations, to a unitholder acquiring units in this offering will be essentially the same as if the tax bases of our assets were equal to their fair market values at the time of this offering. However, in connection with providing this benefit to any future unitholders, similar allocations, will be made to all holders of partnership interests immediately prior to such other transactions, including purchasers of units in this offering, to account for any Book Tax Disparity at the time of the transaction. In addition, items of recapture income will be allocated to the extent possible to the unitholder who was allocated the deduction giving rise to the treatment of that gain as recapture income in order to minimize the recognition of ordinary income by other unitholders.
 
An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss or deduction, other than an allocation required by the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate a Book-Tax Disparity, will generally be given effect for U.S. federal income tax purposes in determining a unitholder’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction only if the allocation has substantial economic effect. In any other case, a unitholder’s share of an item will be determined on the basis of his interest in us, which will be determined by taking into account all the facts and circumstances, including:
 
  •  his relative contributions to us;
 
  •  the interests of all the partners in profits and losses;
 
  •  the interest of all the partners in cash flow; and
 
  •  the rights of all the partners to distributions of capital upon liquidation.
 
Treatment of Short Sales
 
A unitholder whose units are loaned to a “short seller” to cover a short sale of units may be considered as having disposed of those units. If so, such unitholder would no longer be treated for tax purposes as a partner with respect to those units during the period of the loan and may recognize gain or loss from the disposition. As a result, during this period:
 
  •  any of our income, gain, loss or deduction with respect to those units would not be reportable by the unitholder;
 
  •  any cash distributions received by the unitholder as to those units would be fully taxable; and
 
  •  all of these distributions may be subject to tax as ordinary income.
 
Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion regarding the tax treatment of a unitholder whose units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of our units. Unitholders desiring to assure their status as partners and avoid the risk of gain recognition from a loan to a short seller are urged to consult with their tax advisor about modifying any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing and loaning their units. The IRS has announced that it is studying issues relating to the tax


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treatment of short sales of partnership interests. Please read “— Disposition of Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
 
Alternative Minimum Tax
 
Each unitholder will be required to take into account the unitholder’s distributive share of any items of our income, gain, loss or deduction for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. The current minimum tax rate for non-corporate taxpayers is 26% on the first $175,000 of alternative minimum taxable income in excess of the exemption amount and 28% on any additional alternative minimum taxable income. Prospective unitholders are urged to consult with their tax advisors with respect to the impact of an investment in our units on their liability for the alternative minimum tax.
 
Tax Rates
 
Under current law, the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income of individuals is 35% and the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to long-term capital gains (generally, gains from the sale or exchange of certain investment assets held for more than one year) of individuals is 15%. However, absent new legislation extending the current rates, beginning January 1, 2013, the highest marginal U.S. federal income tax rate applicable to ordinary income and long-term capital gains of individuals will increase to 39.6% and 20%, respectively. These rates are subject to change by new legislation at any time.
 
Recently enacted legislation will impose a 3.8% Medicare tax on certain investment income earned by individuals, estates, and trusts for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012. For these purposes, investment income generally includes a unitholder’s allocable share of our income and gain realized by a unitholder from a sale of units. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) the unitholder’s net investment income from all investments, or (ii) the amount by which the unitholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds specified threshold levels depending on a unitholder’s federal income tax filing status. In the case of an estate or trust, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (i) undistributed net investment income, or (ii) the excess adjusted gross income over the dollar amount at which the highest income tax bracket applicable to an estate or trust begins.
 
Section 754 Election
 
We have made the election permitted by Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code. That election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS. That election will generally permit us to adjust a unit purchaser’s tax basis in our assets (“inside basis”) under Section 743(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to reflect the unitholder’s purchase price. The Section 743(b) adjustment separately applies to any transferee of a unitholder who purchases outstanding units from another unitholder based upon the values and bases of our assets at the time of the transfer to the transferee. The Section 743(b) adjustment does not apply to a person who purchases units directly from us, and belongs only to the purchaser and not to other unitholders.
 
Please read, however, “— Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.” For purposes of this discussion, a unitholder’s inside basis in our assets will be considered to have two components: (1) the unitholder’s share of our tax basis in our assets (“common basis”) and (2) the unitholder’s Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis.
 
The timing and calculation of deductions attributable to Section 743(b) adjustments to our common basis will depend upon a number of factors, including the nature of the assets to which the adjustment is allocable, the extent to which the adjustment offsets any Internal Revenue Code Section 704(c) type gain or loss with respect to an asset and certain elections we make as to the manner in which we apply Internal Revenue Code Section 704(c) principles with respect to an asset to which the adjustment is applicable. Please read “— Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.”
 
The timing of these deductions may affect the uniformity of our units. Under our partnership agreement, our general partner is authorized to take a position to preserve the uniformity of units even if that position is


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not consistent with these and any other Treasury Regulations or if the position would result in lower annual depreciation or amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.” Andrews Kurth LLP is unable to opine as to the validity of any such alternate tax positions because there is no clear applicable authority. A unitholder’s basis in a unit is reduced by his share of our deductions (whether or not such deductions were claimed on an individual income tax return) so that any position that we take that understates deductions will overstate the unitholder’s basis in his units and may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.”
 
A Section 754 election is advantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is higher than the units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. In that case, as a result of the election, the transferee would have, among other items, a greater amount of depreciation deductions and the transferee’s share of any gain or loss on a sale of assets by us would be less. Conversely, a Section 754 election is disadvantageous if the transferee’s tax basis in his units is lower than those units’ share of the aggregate tax basis of our assets immediately prior to the transfer. Thus, the fair market value of the units may be affected either favorably or unfavorably by the election. A basis adjustment is required regardless of whether a Section 754 election is made in the case of a transfer of an interest in us if we have a substantial built-in loss immediately after the transfer, or if we distribute property and have a substantial basis reduction. Generally a built-in loss or a basis reduction is substantial if it exceeds $250,000.
 
The calculations involved in the Section 754 election are complex and will be made on the basis of assumptions as to the fair market value of our assets and other matters. For example, the allocation of the Section 743(b) adjustment among our assets must be made in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code. The IRS could seek to reallocate some or all of any Section 743(b) adjustment we allocated to our tangible assets to goodwill instead. Goodwill, as an intangible asset, is generally either non-amortizable or amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated method than our tangible assets. We cannot assure our unitholders that the determinations we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS or that the resulting deductions will not be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different basis adjustment to be made, and should our general partner determine the expense of compliance exceeds the benefit of the election, we may seek permission from the IRS to revoke our Section 754 election. If permission is granted, a subsequent purchaser of units may be allocated more income than such purchaser would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.
 
Tax Treatment of Operations
 
Accounting Method and Taxable Year
 
We use the year ending December 31 as our taxable year and the accrual method of accounting for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year ending within or with his taxable year. In addition, a unitholder who has a taxable year ending on a date other than December 31 and who disposes of all of his units following the close of our taxable year but before the close of his taxable year must include his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction in income for his taxable year, with the result that he will be required to include in income for his taxable year his share of more than one year of our income, gain, loss and deduction. Please read “— Disposition of Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.”
 
Depletion Deductions
 
Subject to the limitations on deductibility of losses discussed above (please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Limitations on Deductibility of Losses”), unitholders will be entitled to deductions for the greater of either cost depletion or (if otherwise allowable) percentage depletion with respect to our oil and natural gas interests. Although the Internal Revenue Code requires each unitholder to compute his own depletion allowance and maintain records of his share of the adjusted tax basis of the underlying property for depletion and other purposes, we intend to furnish each of our unitholders with information relating to this computation for federal income tax purposes. Each unitholder, however, remains responsible for calculating his


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own depletion allowance and maintaining records of his share of the adjusted tax basis of the underlying property for depletion and other purposes.
 
Percentage depletion is generally available with respect to unitholders who qualify under the independent producer exemption contained in Section 613A(c) of the Internal Revenue Code. To qualify as an “independent producer” eligible for percentage depletion (and that is not subject to the intangible drilling and development cost deduction limits, please read “— Deductions for Intangible Drilling and Development Costs,”) a unitholder, either directly or indirectly through certain related parties, may not be involved in the refining of more than 75,000 barrels of oil (or the equivalent amount of natural gas) on average for any day during the taxable year or in the retail marketing of oil and natural gas products exceeding $5 million per year in the aggregate. Percentage depletion is calculated as an amount generally equal to 15% (and, in the case of marginal production, potentially a higher percentage) of the unitholder’s gross income from the depletable property for the taxable year. The percentage depletion deduction with respect to any property is limited to 100% of the taxable income of the unitholder from the property for each taxable year, computed without the depletion allowance. A unitholder that qualifies as an independent producer may deduct percentage depletion only to the extent the unitholder’s average net daily production of domestic crude oil, or the natural gas equivalent, does not exceed 1,000 barrels. This depletable amount may be allocated between oil and natural gas production, with 6,000 cubic feet of domestic natural gas production regarded as equivalent to one barrel of crude oil. The 1,000-barrel limitation must be allocated among the independent producer and controlled or related persons and family members in proportion to the respective production by such persons during the period in question.
 
In addition to the foregoing limitations, the percentage depletion deduction otherwise available is limited to 65% of a unitholder’s total taxable income from all sources for the year, computed without the depletion allowance, net operating loss carrybacks, or capital loss carrybacks. Any percentage depletion deduction disallowed because of the 65% limitation may be deducted in the following taxable year if the percentage depletion deduction for such year plus the deduction carryover does not exceed 65% of the unitholder’s total taxable income for that year. The carryover period resulting from the 65% net income limitation is unlimited.
 
Unitholders that do not qualify under the independent producer exemption are generally restricted to depletion deductions based on cost depletion. Cost depletion deductions are calculated by (i) dividing the unitholder’s share of the adjusted tax basis in the underlying mineral property by the number of mineral units (barrels of oil and thousand cubic feet, or Mcf, of natural gas) remaining as of the beginning of the taxable year and (ii) multiplying the result by the number of mineral units sold within the taxable year. The total amount of deductions based on cost depletion cannot exceed the unitholder’s share of the total adjusted tax basis in the property.
 
All or a portion of any gain recognized by a unitholder as a result of either the disposition by us of some or all of our oil and natural gas interests or the disposition by the unitholder of some or all of his units may be taxed as ordinary income to the extent of recapture of depletion deductions, except for percentage depletion deductions in excess of the tax basis of the property. The amount of the recapture is generally limited to the amount of gain recognized on the disposition.
 
The foregoing discussion of depletion deductions does not purport to be a complete analysis of the complex legislation and Treasury Regulations relating to the availability and calculation of depletion deductions by the unitholders. Further, because depletion is required to be computed separately by each unitholder and not by our partnership, no assurance can be given, and counsel is unable to express any opinion, with respect to the availability or extent of percentage depletion deductions to the unitholders for any taxable year. Moreover, the availability of percentage depletion may be reduced or eliminated if recently proposed (or similar) tax legislation is enacted. For a discussion of such legislative proposals, please read “— Recent Legislative Developments.” We encourage each prospective unitholder to consult his tax advisor to determine whether percentage depletion would be available to him.


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Deductions for Intangible Drilling and Development Costs
 
We will elect to currently deduct intangible drilling and development costs (IDCs). IDCs generally include our expenses for wages, fuel, repairs, hauling, supplies and other items that are incidental to, and necessary for, the drilling and preparation of wells for the production of oil, natural gas, or geothermal energy. The option to currently deduct IDCs applies only to those items that do not have a salvage value.
 
Although we will elect to currently deduct IDCs, each unitholder will have the option of either currently deducting IDCs or capitalizing all or part of the IDCs and amortizing them on a straight-line basis over a 60-month period, beginning with the taxable month in which the expenditure is made. If a unitholder makes the election to amortize the IDCs over a 60-month period, no IDC preference amount in respect of those IDCs will result for alternative minimum tax purposes.
 
Integrated oil companies must capitalize 30% of all their IDCs (other than IDCs paid or incurred with respect to oil and natural gas wells located outside of the United States) and amortize these IDCs over 60 months beginning in the month in which those costs are paid or incurred. If the taxpayer ceases to be an integrated oil company, it must continue to amortize those costs as long as it continues to own the property to which the IDCs relate. An “integrated oil company” is a taxpayer that has economic interests in oil or natural gas properties and also carries on substantial retailing or refining operations. An oil or natural gas producer is deemed to be a substantial retailer or refiner if it is subject to the rules disqualifying retailers and refiners from taking percentage depletion. Please read “— Depletion Deductions.”
 
IDCs previously deducted that are allocable to property (directly or through ownership of an interest in a partnership) and that would have been included in the adjusted tax basis of the property had the IDC deduction not been taken are recaptured to the extent of any gain realized upon the disposition of the property or upon the disposition by a unitholder of interests in us. Recapture is generally determined at the unitholder level. Where only a portion of the recapture property is sold, any IDCs related to the entire property are recaptured to the extent of the gain realized on the portion of the property sold. In the case of a disposition of an undivided interest in a property, a proportionate amount of the IDCs with respect to the property is treated as allocable to the transferred undivided interest to the extent of any gain recognized. Please read ‘‘— Disposition of Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
 
The election to currently deduct IDCs may be restricted or eliminated if recently proposed (or similar) tax legislation is enacted. For a discussion of such legislative proposals, please read ‘‘— Recent Legislative Developments.”
 
Deduction for U.S. Production Activities
 
Subject to the limitations on the deductibility of losses discussed above and the limitation discussed below, unitholders will be entitled to a deduction, herein referred to as the Section 199 deduction, equal to 6% of our qualified production activities income that is allocated to such unitholder, but not to exceed 50% of such unitholder’s IRS Form W-2 wages for the taxable year allocable to domestic production gross receipts.
 
Qualified production activities income is generally equal to gross receipts from domestic production activities reduced by cost of goods sold allocable to those receipts, other expenses directly associated with those receipts, and a share of other deductions, expenses and losses that are not directly allocable to those receipts or another class of income. The products produced must be manufactured, produced, grown or extracted in whole or in significant part by the taxpayer in the United States.
 
For a partnership, the Section 199 deduction is determined at the partner level. To determine his Section 199 deduction, each unitholder will aggregate his share of the qualified production activities income allocated to him from us with the unitholder’s qualified production activities income from other sources. Each unitholder must take into account his distributive share of the expenses allocated to him from our qualified production activities regardless of whether we otherwise have taxable income. However, our expenses that otherwise would be taken into account for purposes of computing the Section 199 deduction are taken into account only if and to the extent the unitholder’s share of losses and deductions from all of our activities is


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not disallowed by the tax basis rules, the at risk rules or the passive activity loss rules. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.”
 
The amount of a unitholder’s Section 199 deduction for each year is limited to 50% of the IRS Form W-2 wages actually or deemed paid by the unitholder during the calendar year that are deducted in arriving at qualified production activities income. Each unitholder is treated as having been allocated IRS Form W-2 wages from us equal to the unitholder’s allocable share of our wages that are deducted in arriving at qualified production activities income for that taxable year. It is not anticipated that we or our subsidiaries will pay material wages that will be allocated to our unitholders, and thus a unitholder’s ability to claim the Section 199 deduction may be limited.
 
This discussion of the Section 199 deduction does not purport to be a complete analysis of the complex legislation and Treasury authority relating to the calculation of domestic production gross receipts, qualified production activities income, or IRS Form W-2 wages, or how such items are allocated by us to unitholders. Further, because the Section 199 deduction is required to be computed separately by each unitholder, no assurance can be given, and counsel is unable to express any opinion, as to the availability or extent of the Section 199 deduction to the unitholders. Moreover, the availability of Section 199 deductions may be reduced or eliminated if recently proposed (or similar) tax legislation is enacted. For a discussion of such legislative proposals, please read “— Recent Legislative Developments.” Each prospective unitholder is encouraged to consult his tax advisor to determine whether the Section 199 deduction would be available to him.
 
Lease Acquisition Costs
 
The cost of acquiring oil and natural gas lease or similar property interests is a capital expenditure that must be recovered through depletion deductions if the lease is productive. If a lease is proved worthless and abandoned, the cost of acquisition less any depletion claimed may be deducted as an ordinary loss in the year the lease becomes worthless. Please read “— Tax Treatment of Operations — Depletion Deductions.”
 
Geophysical Costs
 
The cost of geophysical exploration incurred in connection with the exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties in the United States are deducted ratably over a 24-month period beginning on the date that such expense is paid or incurred. The amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures may be extended if recently proposed (or similar) tax legislation is enacted. For a discussion of such legislative proposals, please read ‘‘— Recent Legislative Developments.”
 
Operating and Administrative Costs
 
Amounts paid for operating a producing well are deductible as ordinary business expenses, as are administrative costs, to the extent they constitute ordinary and necessary business expenses that are reasonable in amount.
 
Tax Basis, Depreciation and Amortization
 
The tax basis of our assets will be used for purposes of computing depreciation and cost recovery deductions and, ultimately, gain or loss on the disposition of these assets. The federal income tax burden associated with the difference between the fair market value of our assets and their tax basis immediately prior to an offering will be borne by our partners holding interest in us prior to this offering. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction.”
 
To the extent allowable, we may elect to use the depreciation and cost recovery methods that will result in the largest deductions being taken in the early years after assets subject to these allowances are placed in service. We may not be entitled to any amortization deductions with respect to certain goodwill properties conveyed to us or held by us at the time of any future offering. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.” Property we subsequently acquire or construct may be depreciated using accelerated methods permitted by the Internal Revenue Code.


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If we dispose of depreciable property by sale, foreclosure or otherwise, all or a portion of any gain, determined by reference to the amount of depreciation previously deducted and the nature of the property, may be subject to the recapture rules and taxed as ordinary income rather than capital gain. Similarly, a unitholder who has taken cost recovery or depreciation deductions with respect to property we own will likely be required to recapture some or all of those deductions as ordinary income upon a sale of his interest in us. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction” and “— Disposition of Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
 
The costs incurred in selling our units (called “syndication expenses”) must be capitalized and cannot be deducted currently, ratably or upon our termination. There are uncertainties regarding the classification of costs as organization expenses, which may be amortized by us, and as syndication expenses, which may not be amortized by us. The underwriting discounts we incur will be treated as syndication expenses.
 
Valuation and Tax Basis of Our Properties
 
The federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of units will depend in part on our estimates of the relative fair market values and the initial tax bases of our assets. Although we may from time to time consult with professional appraisers regarding valuation matters, we will make many of the relative fair market value estimates ourselves. These estimates and determinations of basis are subject to challenge and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts. If the estimates of fair market value or basis are later found to be incorrect, the character and amount of items of income, gain, loss or deduction previously reported by unitholders might change, and unitholders might be required to adjust their tax liability for prior years and incur interest and penalties with respect to those adjustments.
 
Disposition of Units
 
Recognition of Gain or Loss
 
Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the difference between the unitholder’s amount realized and the unitholder’s tax basis for the units sold. A unitholder’s amount realized will equal the sum of the cash or the fair market value of other property he receives plus his share of our liabilities. Because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our liabilities, the gain recognized on the sale of units could result in a tax liability in excess of any cash received from the sale.
 
Prior distributions from us in excess of cumulative net taxable income for unit that decreased a unitholder’s tax basis in that unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholder’s tax basis in the unit, even if the price received is less than his original cost.
 
Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder on the sale or exchange of a unit held for more than one year will generally be taxable as long term capital gain or loss. However, a portion of this gain or loss, which will likely be substantial, will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss under Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent attributable to assets giving rise to depreciation recapture or other “unrealized receivables” or “inventory items” that we own. The term “unrealized receivables” includes potential recapture items, including depreciation, depletion or IDC recapture. Ordinary income attributable to unrealized receivables, inventory items and depreciation recapture may exceed net taxable gain realized on the sale of a unit and may be recognized even if there is a net taxable loss realized on the sale of a unit. Thus, a unitholder may recognize both ordinary income and a capital loss upon a sale of units. Net capital loss may offset capital gains and no more than $3,000 of ordinary income each year, in the case of individuals, and may only be used to offset capital gain in the case of corporations.
 
The IRS has ruled that a partner who acquires interests in a partnership in separate transactions must combine those interests and maintain a single adjusted tax basis for all those interests. Upon a sale or other disposition of less than all of those interests, a portion of that tax basis must be allocated to the interests sold using an “equitable apportionment” method, which generally means that the tax basis allocated to the interest sold equals an amount that bears the same relation to the partner’s tax basis in his entire interest in the partnership as the value of the interest sold bears to the value of the partner’s entire interest in the partnership.


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Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Internal Revenue Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling discussed above, a unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the Treasury Regulations, he may designate specific units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of our units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and application of the Treasury Regulations.
 
Specific provisions of the Internal Revenue Code affect the taxation of some financial products and securities, including partnership interests, by treating a taxpayer as having sold an “appreciated” partnership interest, one in which gain would be recognized if it were sold, assigned or terminated at its fair market value, if the taxpayer or related persons enter(s) into:
 
  •  a short sale;
 
  •  an offsetting notional principal contract; or
 
  •  a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest or substantially identical property.
 
Moreover, if a taxpayer has previously entered into a short sale, an offsetting notional principal contract or a futures or forward contract with respect to the partnership interest, the taxpayer will be treated as having sold that position if the taxpayer or a related person then acquires the partnership interest or substantially identical property. The Secretary of the Treasury is also authorized to issue regulations that treat a taxpayer that enters into transactions or positions that have substantially the same effect as the preceding transactions as having constructively sold the financial position.
 
Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees
 
In general, our taxable income or loss will be determined annually, will be prorated on a monthly basis and will be subsequently apportioned among the unitholders in proportion to the number of units owned by each of them as of the opening of the applicable exchange on the first business day of the month (the “Allocation Date”). However, gain or loss realized on a sale or other disposition of our assets other than in the ordinary course of business will be allocated among the unitholders on the Allocation Date in the month in which that gain or loss is recognized. As a result, a unitholder transferring units may be allocated income, gain, loss and deduction realized after the date of transfer.
 
Although simplifying conventions are contemplated by the Internal Revenue Code and most publicly-traded partnerships use similar simplifying conventions, the use of this method may not be permitted under existing Treasury Regulations. Recently, however, the Department of the Treasury and the IRS issued proposed Treasury Regulations that provide a safe harbor pursuant to which a publicly-traded partnership may use a similar monthly simplifying convention to allocate tax items among transferor and transferee unitholders, although such tax items must be prorated on a daily basis. Nonetheless, the proposed regulations do not specifically authorize the use of the proration method we have adopted. Existing publicly-traded partnerships are entitled to rely on those proposed Treasury Regulations; however, they are not binding on the IRS and are subject to change until the final Treasury Regulations are issued. Accordingly, Andrews Kurth LLP is unable to opine on the validity of this method of allocating income and deductions between transferee and transferor unitholders. If this method is not allowed under the Treasury Regulations, or only applies to transfers of less than all of the unitholder’s interest, our taxable income or losses might be reallocated among the unitholders. We are authorized to revise our method of allocation between transferee and transferor unitholders, as well as among unitholders whose interests vary during a taxable year, to conform to a method permitted under future Treasury Regulations.
 
A unitholder who disposes of units prior to the record date set for a cash distribution for any quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deductions attributable to the month of sale but will not be entitled to receive that cash distribution.


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Notification Requirements
 
A unitholder who sells any of his units is generally required to notify us in writing of that sale within 30 days after the sale (or, if earlier, January 15 of the year following the sale). A purchaser of units who purchases units from another unitholder is also generally required to notify us in writing of that purchase within 30 days after the purchase. Upon receiving such notifications, we are required to notify the IRS of that transaction and to furnish specified information to the transferor and transferee. Failure to notify us of a transfer of units may, in some cases, lead to the imposition of penalties. However, these reporting requirements do not apply to a sale by an individual who is a citizen of the United States and who effects the sale or exchange through a broker who will satisfy such requirements.
 
Constructive Termination
 
We will be considered to have terminated our tax partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes upon the sale or exchange of interests in us that, in the aggregate, constitute 50% or more of the total interests in our capital and profits within a twelve-month period. For purposes of measuring whether the 50% has been met, multiple sales of the same unit are counted only once. A constructive termination results in the closing of our taxable year for all unitholders. In the case of a unitholder reporting on a taxable year other than a fiscal year ending December 31, the closing of our taxable year may result in more than twelve months of our taxable income or loss being includable in such unitholder’s taxable income for the year of termination. A constructive termination occurring on a date other than December 31 will result in us filing two tax returns (and unitholders could receive two Schedules K-1 if the relief discussed below is not available) for one fiscal year and the cost of the preparation of these returns will be borne by all unitholders. However, pursuant to an IRS relief procedure for publicly traded partnerships that have technically terminated, the IRS may allow, among other things, that we provide a single Schedule K-1 for the tax year in which a termination occurs. We would be required to make new tax elections after a termination, including a new election under Section 754 of the Internal Revenue Code, and a termination would result in a deferral of our deductions for depreciation. A termination could also result in penalties if we were unable to determine that the termination had occurred. Moreover, a termination might either accelerate the application of, or subject us to, any tax legislation enacted before the termination.
 
Uniformity of Units
 
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units and because of other reasons, we must maintain uniformity of the economic and tax characteristics of the units to a purchaser of these units. In the absence of uniformity, we may be unable to completely comply with a number of federal income tax requirements, both statutory and regulatory. A lack of uniformity could result from a literal application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to apply to a material portion of our assets. Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on the value of the units. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election.”
 
Our partnership agreement permits our general partner to take positions in filing our tax returns that preserve the uniformity of our units even under circumstances like those described above. These positions may include reducing for some unitholders the depreciation, amortization or loss deductions to which they would otherwise be entitled or reporting a slower amortization of Section 743(b) adjustments for some unitholders than that to which they would otherwise be entitled. Andrews Kurth LLP is unable to opine as to validity of such filing positions. A unitholder’s basis in units is reduced by his share of our deductions (whether or not such deductions were claimed on an individual income tax return) so that any position that we take that understates deductions will overstate the unitholder’s basis in his units, and may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “— Disposition of Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss” and “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election.” The IRS may challenge one or more of any positions we take to preserve the uniformity of units. If such a challenge were sustained, the uniformity of units might be affected, and, under some circumstances, the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions.


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Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors
 
Ownership of units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations, non-resident aliens, non-U.S. corporations and other non-U.S. persons raises issues unique to those investors and, as described below, may have substantially adverse tax consequences to them. Prospective unitholders who are tax-exempt entities or non-U.S. persons should consult their tax advisor before investing in our units.
 
Employee benefit plans and most other organizations exempt from federal income tax, including individual retirement accounts and other retirement plans, are subject to federal income tax on unrelated business taxable income. Virtually all of our income allocated to a unitholder that is a tax-exempt organization will be unrelated business taxable income and will be taxable to them.
 
Non-resident aliens and foreign corporations, trusts or estates that own units will be considered to be engaged in business in the United States because of the ownership of units. As a consequence, they will be required to file federal tax returns to report their share of our income, gain, loss or deduction and pay federal income tax at regular rates on their share of our net income or gain. Moreover, under rules applicable to publicly traded partnerships, distributions to non-U.S. unitholders are subject to withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate. Each non-U.S. unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8BEN or applicable substitute form in order to obtain credit for these withholding taxes. A change in applicable law may require us to change these procedures.
 
In addition, because a foreign corporation that owns units will be treated as engaged in a United States trade or business, that corporation may be subject to the United States branch profits tax at a rate of 30%, in addition to regular federal income tax, on its share of our income and gain, as adjusted for changes in the foreign corporation’s “U.S. net equity,” which is effectively connected with the conduct of a United States trade or business. That tax may be reduced or eliminated by an income tax treaty between the United States and the country in which the foreign corporate unitholder is a “qualified resident.” In addition, this type of unitholder is subject to special information reporting requirements under Section 6038C of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
A foreign unitholder who sells or otherwise disposes of a unit will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on gain realized from the sale or disposition of that unit to the extent the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the foreign unitholder. Under a ruling published by the IRS, interpreting the scope of “effectively connected income,” a foreign unitholder would be considered to be engaged in a trade or business in the U.S. by virtue of the U.S. activities of the partnership, and part or all of that unitholder’s gain would be effectively connected with that unitholder’s indirect U.S. trade or business. Moreover, under the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act, a foreign unitholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax upon the sale or disposition of a unit if (i) he owned (directly or constructively applying certain attribution rules) more than 5% of our units at any time during the five-year period ending on the date of such disposition and (ii) 50% or more of the fair market value of all of our assets consisted of U.S. real property interests at any time during the shorter of the period during which such unitholder held the units or the 5-year period ending on the date of disposition. Currently, more than 50% of our assets consist of U.S. real property interests and we do not expect that to change in the foreseeable future. Therefore, foreign unitholders may be subject to federal income tax on gain from the sale or disposition of their units.
 
Administrative Matters
 
Information Returns and Audit Procedures
 
We intend to furnish to each unitholder, within 90 days after the close of each taxable year, specific tax information, including a Schedule K-1, which describes his share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our preceding taxable year. In preparing this information, which will not be reviewed by counsel, we will take various accounting and reporting positions, some of which have been mentioned earlier, to determine each unitholder’s share of income, gain, loss and deduction. We cannot assure our unitholders that those positions will yield a result that conforms to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations or


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administrative interpretations of the IRS. Neither we, nor Andrews Kurth LLP can assure prospective unitholders that the IRS will not successfully contend in court that those positions are impermissible. Any challenge by the IRS could negatively affect the value of the units.
 
The IRS may audit our federal income tax information returns. Adjustments resulting from an IRS audit may require each unitholder to adjust a prior year’s tax liability, and possibly may result in an audit of his own return. Any audit of a unitholder’s return could result in adjustments not related to our returns as well as those related to our returns.
 
Partnerships generally are treated as separate entities for purposes of U.S. federal income tax audits, judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS and tax settlement proceedings. The tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss and deduction are determined in a partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the partners. The Internal Revenue Code requires that one partner be designated as the “Tax Matters Partner” for these purposes. Our partnership agreement designates our general partner as our Tax Matters Partner.
 
The Tax Matters Partner will make some elections on our behalf and on behalf of unitholders. In addition, the Tax Matters Partner can extend the statute of limitations for assessment of tax deficiencies against unitholders for items in our returns. The Tax Matters Partner may bind a unitholder with less than a 1% profits interest in us to a settlement with the IRS unless that unitholder elects, by filing a statement with the IRS, not to give that authority to the Tax Matters Partner. The Tax Matters Partner may seek judicial review, by which all the unitholders are bound, of a final partnership administrative adjustment and, if the Tax Matters Partner fails to seek judicial review, judicial review may be sought by any unitholder having at least a 1% interest in profits or by any group of unitholders having in the aggregate at least a 5% interest in profits. However, only one action for judicial review will go forward, and each unitholder with an interest in the outcome may participate in that action.
 
A unitholder must file a statement with the IRS identifying the treatment of any item on his federal income tax return that is not consistent with the treatment of the item on our return. Intentional or negligent disregard of this consistency requirement may subject a unitholder to substantial penalties.
 
Nominee Reporting
 
Persons who hold an interest in us as a nominee for another person are required to furnish to us:
 
(1) the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee;
 
(2) a statement regarding whether the beneficial owner is:
 
(a) a person that is not a U.S. person;
 
(b) a non-U.S. government, an international organization or any wholly owned agency or instrumentality of either of the foregoing; or
 
(c) a tax-exempt entity;
 
(3) the amount and description of units held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial owner; and
 
(4) specific information including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of acquisitions and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount of net proceeds from sales.
 
Brokers and financial institutions are required to furnish additional information, including whether they are U.S. persons and specific information on units they acquire, hold or transfer for their own account. A penalty of $100 per failure, up to a maximum of $1,500,000 per calendar year, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for failure to report that information to us. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of the units with the information furnished to us.


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Accuracy-Related Penalties
 
An additional tax equal to 20% of the amount of any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to one or more specified causes, including negligence or disregard of rules or regulations, substantial understatements of income tax and substantial valuation misstatements, is imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. No penalty will be imposed, however, for any portion of an underpayment if it is shown that there was a reasonable cause for the underpayment of that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding the underpayment of that portion.
 
For individuals, a substantial understatement of income tax in any taxable year exists if the amount of the understatement exceeds the greater of 10% of the tax required to be shown on the return for the taxable year or $5,000 ($10,000 for most corporations). The amount of any understatement subject to penalty generally is reduced if any portion is attributable to a position adopted on the return:
 
(1) for which there is, or was, “substantial authority;” or
 
(2) as to which there is a reasonable basis and the pertinent facts of that position are disclosed on the return.
 
If any item of income, gain, loss or deduction included in the distributive shares of unitholders might result in that kind of an “understatement” of income for which no “substantial authority” exists, we must disclose the pertinent facts on our return. In addition, we will make a reasonable effort to furnish sufficient information for unitholders to make adequate disclosure on their returns and to take other actions as may be appropriate to permit unitholders to avoid liability for this penalty. More stringent rules apply to “tax shelters,” which we do not believe includes us, or any of our investments, plans or arrangements.
 
A substantial valuation misstatement exists if (a) the value of any property, or the tax basis of any property, claimed on a tax return is 150% or more of the amount determined to be the correct amount of the valuation or tax basis, (b) the price for any property or services (or for the use of property) claimed on any such return with respect to any transaction between persons described in Internal Revenue Code Section 482 is 200% or more (or 50% or less) of the amount determined under Section 482 to be the correct amount of such price, or (c) the net Internal Revenue Code Section 482 transfer price adjustment for the taxable year exceeds the lesser of $5 million or 10% of the taxpayer’s gross receipts. No penalty is imposed unless the portion of the underpayment attributable to a substantial valuation misstatement exceeds $5,000 ($10,000 for a corporation other than an S Corporation or a personal holding company). The penalty is increased to 40% in the event of a gross valuation misstatement. We do not anticipate making any valuation misstatements.
 
In addition, the 20% accuracy-related penalty also applies to any portion of an underpayment of tax that is attributable to transactions lacking economic substance. To the extent that such transactions are not disclosed, the penalty imposed is increased to 40%. Additionally, there is no reasonable cause defense to the imposition of this penalty to such transactions.
 
Reportable Transactions
 
If we were to engage in a “reportable transaction,” we (and possibly our unitholders and others) would be required to make a detailed disclosure of the transaction to the IRS. A transaction may be a reportable transaction based upon any of several factors, including the fact that it is a type of tax avoidance transaction publicly identified by the IRS as a “listed transaction” or that it produces certain kinds of losses for partnerships, individuals, S corporations, and trusts in excess of $2 million in any single tax year, or $4 million in any combination of six successive tax years. Our participation in a reportable transaction could increase the likelihood that our federal income tax information return (and possibly our unitholders’ tax return) would be audited by the IRS. Please read “— Administrative Matters — Information Returns and Audit Procedures.”


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Moreover, if we were to participate in a reportable transaction with a significant purpose to avoid or evade tax, or in any listed transaction, our unitholders may be subject to the following provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004:
 
  •  accuracy-related penalties with a broader scope, significantly narrower exceptions, and potentially greater amounts than described in “— Accuracy-Related Penalties”;
 
  •  for those persons otherwise entitled to deduct interest on federal tax deficiencies, nondeductibility of interest on any resulting tax liability; and
 
  •  in the case of a listed transaction, an extended statute of limitations.
 
We do not expect to engage in any “reportable transactions.”
 
Recent Legislative Developments
 
The White House recently released President Obama’s budget proposal for the Fiscal Year 2012 (the “Budget Proposal”). Among the changes recommended in the Budget Proposal is the elimination of certain key U.S. federal income tax preferences relating to oil and natural gas exploration and development. Changes in the Budget Proposal include, but are not limited to, (i) the repeal of the percentage depletion allowance for oil and natural gas properties, (ii) the elimination of current deductions for intangible drilling and development costs, (iii) the elimination of the deduction for certain domestic production activities, and (iv) an extension of the amortization period for certain geological and geophysical expenditures. It is unclear whether these or similar changes will be enacted and, if enacted, how soon any such changes could become effective. The passage of any legislation as a result of these proposals or any other similar changes in U.S. federal income tax laws could eliminate or postpone certain tax deductions that are currently available with respect to oil and natural gas exploration and development, and any such change could increase the taxable income allocable to our unitholders and negatively impact the value of an investment in our units.
 
In addition, in the last Congressional session, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would have provided for substantive changes to the definition of qualifying income and the treatment of certain types of income earned from profits interests in partnerships. It is possible that these legislative efforts could result in changes to the existing federal income tax laws that affect publicly traded partnerships. As previously proposed, we do not believe any such legislation would affect our tax treatment as a partnership. However, the proposed legislation could be modified in a way that could affect us. We are unable to predict whether any of these changes, or other proposals, will ultimately be enacted. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our units.
 
State, Local and Other Tax Considerations
 
In addition to U.S. federal income taxes, unitholders will be subject to other taxes, including state and local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance or intangibles taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we conduct business or owns property or in which the unitholder is a resident. We currently conduct business or own property in several states, most of which impose personal income taxes on individuals. Most of these states also impose an income tax on corporations and other entities. Moreover, we may also own property or do business in other states in the future that impose income or similar taxes on nonresident individuals. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here, each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on his investment in us. A unitholder may be required to file state income tax returns and to pay state income taxes in any state in which we do business or own property, and such unitholder may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. In some states, tax losses may not produce a tax benefit in the year incurred and also may not be available to offset income in subsequent taxable years. Some of the states may require us, or we may elect, to withhold a percentage of income from amounts to be distributed to a unitholder who is not a resident of the state. Withholding, the amount of which may be greater or less than a particular unitholder’s income tax liability to the state, generally does not relieve a nonresident unitholder from the obligation to file an income tax return. Amounts withheld may be treated as if distributed to unitholders for purposes of determining the


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amounts distributed by us. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Entity-Level Collections of Unitholder Taxes.” Based on current law and our estimate of our future operations, we anticipate that any amounts required to be withheld will not be material.
 
It is the responsibility of each unitholder to investigate the legal and tax consequences, under the laws of pertinent states and localities, of his investment in us. Andrews Kurth LLP has not rendered an opinion on the state, local, or non-U.S. tax consequences of an investment in us. We strongly recommend that each prospective unitholder consult, and depend on, his own tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. It is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all tax returns that may be required of him.
 
Tax Consequences of Ownership of Debt Securities
 
Because the terms and corresponding tax consequences of various debt issuances may differ significantly, descriptions of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of debt securities will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of any such debt securities.
 
LEGAL MATTERS
 
Andrews Kurth LLP, Houston, Texas, will pass upon the validity of the securities being offered in this registration statement.
 
EXPERTS
 
The audited consolidated financial statements of Legacy Reserves LP incorporated by reference in this prospectus from Legacy Reserves LP’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year end of December 31, 2010, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of BDO USA, LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated herein by reference, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
 
Information incorporated by reference and included in this prospectus regarding our estimated quantities of oil and natural gas reserves was prepared by LaRoche Petroleum Consultants, Ltd., independent petroleum engineers, geologists and geophysicists, as stated in their reserve reports with respect thereto.
 
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
 
We have filed a registration statement with the SEC under the Securities Act that registers the securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement, including the exhibits, contains additional relevant information about us. The rules and regulations of the SEC allow us to omit from this prospectus some information included in the registration statement.
 
We file annual, quarterly, and other reports and other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). You may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 202-551-8090 for further information on the operation of the Public Reference Room. The SEC maintains an Internet website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. General information about us, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, is available free of charge through our website at http://www.legacylp.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC. Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus or our other securities filings and is not a part of these filings.


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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information into this document. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede the previously filed information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, excluding information deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC, until all the securities are sold, prior to the termination of the offerings under this prospectus:
 
  •  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, filed on March 4, 2011 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 filed on May 5, 2011;
 
  •  Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed on February 22, 2011, March 17, 2011, April 21, 2011 and May 16, 2011; and
 
  •  The description of our units contained in our registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-33249), filed on January 10, 2007.
 
Each of these documents is available from the SEC’s website and public reference rooms described above. Through our website, http://www.legacylp.com, you can access electronic copies of documents we file with the SEC, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to those reports. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Access to those electronic filings is available as soon as practical after filing with the SEC. You may also request a copy of those filings, excluding exhibits, at no cost by writing or telephoning Investor Relations, Legacy Reserves LP, at our principal executive office, which is: 303 W. Wall St., Suite 1400, Midland, Texas 79701; Telephone: (432) 689-5200.


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PART II
 
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.   Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
 
The following sets forth the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered hereby, other than underwriting discounts and commissions. All amounts set forth below are estimates.
 
         
SEC Registration Fee
  $ *  
Legal Fees and Expenses
  $ **  
Accountants’ Fees and Expenses
  $ **  
Trustees’ Fees and Expenses
  $ **  
Printing Expenses
  $ **  
Listing Fees
  $ ***  
Miscellaneous
  $ **  
         
TOTAL
  $ **  
         
 
 
* Applicable SEC registration fees have been deferred in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act and are not estimable at this time.
 
** An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.
 
*** The listing fee is based upon the principal amount of Securities listed, if any, and is therefore not currently determinable.
 
ITEM 15.   Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
 
The section of the prospectus entitled “Material Provisions of our Partnership Agreement — Indemnification” is incorporated herein by this reference. Subject to any terms, conditions or restrictions set forth in the partnership agreement, Section 17-108 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act empowers a Delaware limited partnership to indemnify and hold harmless any partner or other person from and against all claims and demands whatsoever.
 
We have obtained directors’ and officers’ insurance to cover our director, officers and some of our employees for certain liabilities.
 
To the extent that the indemnification provisions of our partnership agreement purport to include indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is contrary to public policy and is therefore unenforceable.
 
ITEM 16.   Exhibits.
 
(a) See the Exhibit Index on the page immediately preceding the exhibits for a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration statement on Form S-3, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.
 
(b) Financial Statement Schedules
 
Not Applicable.


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ITEM 17.   Undertakings.
 
(a) The undersigned registrants hereby undertakes:
 
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
(i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
 
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
 
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
 
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrants pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
 
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
 
(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
 
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrants pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
 
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser


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with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
 
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrants under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrants undertake that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrants pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, each of the undersigned registrants will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
 
(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrants relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
 
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrants or used or referred to by such undersigned registrants;
 
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrants or their securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrants; and
 
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrants to the purchaser.
 
(b) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrants have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrants of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrants in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrants will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
(d) The undersigned registrants hereby undertake to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the following registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Midland, State of Texas, on May 23, 2011.
 
LEGACY RESERVES LP
 
  By:  LEGACY RESERVES GP, LLC
its general partner
 
  By: 
/s/  Steven H. Pruett
Name:     Steven H. Pruett
  Title:  President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Cary D. Brown, Steven H. Pruett, and William M. Morris and each of them, any of whom may act without joinder of the others, his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, including any and all post-effective amendments, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents necessary or advisable in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  Cary D. Brown

Cary D. Brown
  Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Steven H. Pruett

Steven H. Pruett
  President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer)   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  William M. Morris

William M. Morris
  Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Kyle A. McGraw

Kyle A. McGraw
  Director   May 23, 2011


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Table of Contents

             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  Dale A. Brown

Dale A. Brown
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  William R. Granberry

William R. Granberry
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  G. Larry Lawrence

G. Larry Lawrence
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  William D. Sullivan

William D. Sullivan
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Kyle D. Vann

Kyle D. Vann
  Director   May 23, 2011


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the following registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Midland, State of Texas, on May 23, 2011.
 
LEGACY RESERVES FINANCE CORPORATION
 
  By: 
/s/  Steven H. Pruett
Name:     Steven H. Pruett
  Title:  President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Cary D. Brown, Steven H. Pruett, and William M. Morris and each of them, any of whom may act without joinder of the others, his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, including any and all post-effective amendments, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents necessary or advisable in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  Cary D. Brown

Cary D. Brown
  Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Steven H. Pruett

Steven H. Pruett
  President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director (Principal Financial Officer)   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  William M. Morris

William M. Morris
  Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Paul T. Horne

Paul T. Horne
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Kyle A. McGraw

Kyle A. McGraw
  Director   May 23, 2011


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the following registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Midland, State of Texas, on May 23, 2011.
 
LEGACY RESERVES OPERATING LP
 
  By:  LEGACY RESERVES OPERATING GP LLC,
its general partner
 
  By:  LEGACY RESERVES LP
its sole member
 
  By:  LEGACY RESERVES GP, LLC,
its general partner
 
  By: 
/s/  Steven H. Pruett
Name:     Steven H. Pruett
  Title:  President, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Cary D. Brown, Steven H. Pruett, and William M. Morris and each of them, any of whom may act without joinder of the others, his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, including any and all post-effective amendments, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents necessary or advisable in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  Cary D. Brown

Cary D. Brown
  Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Steven H. Pruett

Steven H. Pruett
  President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer)   May 23, 2011


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Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  William M. Morris

William M. Morris
  Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Kyle A. McGraw

Kyle A. McGraw
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Dale A. Brown

Dale A. Brown
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  William R. Granberry

William R. Granberry
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  G. Larry Lawrence

G. Larry Lawrence
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  William D. Sullivan

William D. Sullivan
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Kyle D. Vann

Kyle D. Vann
  Director   May 23, 2011


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the following registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Midland, State of Texas, on May 23, 2011.
 
LEGACY RESERVES OPERATING GP LLC
 
  By:  LEGACY RESERVES LP
its sole member
 
  By:  LEGACY RESERVES GP, LLC,
its general partner
 
  By: 
/s/  Steven H. Pruett
Name:     Steven H. Pruett
  Title:  President, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Cary D. Brown, Steven H. Pruett, and William M. Morris and each of them, any of whom may act without joinder of the others, his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, including any and all post-effective amendments, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents necessary or advisable in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  Cary D. Brown

Cary D. Brown
  Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Steven H. Pruett

Steven H. Pruett
  President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (Principal Financial Officer)   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  William M. Morris

William M. Morris
  Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)   May 23, 2011


II-9


Table of Contents

             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  Kyle A. McGraw

Kyle A. McGraw
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Dale A. Brown

Dale A. Brown
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  William R. Granberry

William R. Granberry
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  G. Larry Lawrence

G. Larry Lawrence
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  William D. Sullivan

William D. Sullivan
  Director   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Kyle D. Vann

Kyle D. Vann
  Director   May 23, 2011


II-10


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the following registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Midland, State of Texas, on May 23, 2011.
 
LEGACY RESERVES SERVICES, INC.
 
  By: 
/s/  Steven H. Pruett
Name:     Steven H. Pruett
  Title:  President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Cary D. Brown, Steven H. Pruett, and William M. Morris and each of them, any of whom may act without joinder of the others, his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, including any and all post-effective amendments, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents necessary or advisable in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  Cary D. Brown

Cary D. Brown
  Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Steven H. Pruett

Steven H. Pruett
  President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director (Principal Financial Officer)   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  William M. Morris

William M. Morris
  Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Kyle A. McGraw

Kyle A. McGraw
  Director   May 23, 2011


II-11


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the following registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Midland, State of Texas, on May 23, 2011.
 
IRON CREEK ENERGY GROUP, LLC
 
  By: 
/s/  Paul T. Horne
Name:     Paul T. Horne
  Title:  Manager
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Cary D. Brown, Steven H. Pruett, and William M. Morris and each of them, any of whom may act without joinder of the others, his or her lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments to this registration statement, including any and all post-effective amendments, and to file the same with all exhibits thereto and other documents necessary or advisable in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  Paul T. Horne

Paul T. Horne
  Manager   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Tom E. Fitzsimmons

Tom E. Fitzsimmons
  Manager   May 23, 2011
         
/s/  Susan K. Cowger

Susan K. Cowger
  Manager   May 23, 2011


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Table of Contents

EXHIBIT LIST
 
                 
            Previously Filed
            With File Number
Exhibit
          (Form)(Period
No.
 
Exhibit
 
As Exhibit
 
Ending or Date)
 
  1 .1**   Form of Underwriting Agreement.        
  4 .1   Certificate of Limited Partnership of Legacy Reserves LP.   3.1   333-134056
(S-1) (5/12/06)
  4 .2   Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement of Legacy Reserves LP effective as of March 15, 2006.   Appendix A   333-134056
(S-1) (5/12/06)
  4 .3   Amendment No. 1, dated December 27, 2007, to the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of Legacy Reserves LP.   3.1   001-33249
(8-K) (1/2/09)
  4 .4*   Form of Senior Indenture.        
  4 .5*   Form of Subordinated Indenture.        
  4 .6   Founders Registration Rights Agreement dated March 15, 2006 by and among Legacy Reserves LP, Legacy Reserves GP, LLC and other parties thereto.   4.3   333-134056
(S-1) (9/5/06)
  5 .1*   Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP regarding the legality of the securities being registered.        
  8 .1*   Opinion of Andrews Kurth LLP regarding tax matters.        
  12 .1*   Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.        
  23 .1*   Consent of BDO USA, LLP.        
  23 .2*   Consent of LaRoche Petroleum Consultants, Ltd.        
  23 .3*   Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).        
  23 .4*   Consent of Andrews Kurth LLP (contained in Exhibit 8.1).        
  24 .1*   Powers of Attorney (set forth on the signature pages contained in Part II of this Registration Statement).        
  25 .1***   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification representing the Senior Indenture.        
  25 .1***   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification representing the Subordinated Indenture.        
 
 
* Filed herewith.
 
** To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K of the registrant.
 
*** To be filed in accordance with the requirements of Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.

EX-4.4 2 h82497exv4w4.htm EX-4.4 exv4w4
EXHIBIT 4.4
 
LEGACY RESERVES LP
AND
LEGACY RESERVES FINANCE CORPORATION,
as Issuers,
AND
[____________________],
as Trustee
 
INDENTURE
DATED AS OF ________ __, 20__
 
SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
 


 

LEGACY RESERVES LP
RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939, AS AMENDED,
AND INDENTURE, DATED AS OF ________ __, 20__
         
TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION   INDENTURE SECTION
Section 310(a)(1)
    6.9
(a)(2)
    6.9
(a)(3)
  Not Applicable
(a)(4)
  Not Applicable
(a)(5)
    6.9
(b)
    6.8
 
       
Section 311
    6.13
 
       
Section 312(a)
    7.1, 7.2(a)
(b)
    7.2(b)
(c)
    7.2(c)
 
       
Section 313(a)
    7.3
(b)
    *
(c)
    *
(d)
    7.3
 
       
Section 314(a)
    7.4
(a)(4)
    10.5
(b)
  Not Applicable
(c)(1)
    1.3
(c)(2)
    1.3
(c)(3)
  Not Applicable
(d)
  Not Applicable
(e)
    1.3
 
       
Section 315(a)
    6.1(a)
(b)
    6.2
(c)
    6.1(b)
(d)
    6.1(c)
(d)(1)
    6.1(a)(1)
(d)(2)
    6.1(c)(2)
(d)(3)
    6.1(c)(3)
(e)
    5.14
 
       
Section 316(a)
    1.1, 1.2
(a)(1)(A)
    5.2, 5.12
(a)(1)(B)
    5.13
(a)(2)
  Not Applicable
(b)
    5.8
(c)
    1.5(f)


 

         
TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION   INDENTURE SECTION
Section 317(a)(1)
    5.3
(a)(2)
    5.4
(b)
    10.3
 
       
Section 318(a)
    1.8
NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
 
*   Deemed included pursuant to Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
    Page  
ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    1  
Section 1.1. Definitions
    1  
Section 1.2. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act
    8  
Section 1.3. Compliance Certificates and Opinions
    8  
Section 1.4. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee
    9  
Section 1.5. Acts of Holders; Record Dates
    9  
Section 1.6. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Issuers and Guarantors
    10  
Section 1.7. Notice to Holders; Waiver
    11  
Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act
    12  
Section 1.9. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents
    12  
Section 1.10. Successors and Assigns
    12  
Section 1.11. Separability Clause
    12  
Section 1.12. Benefits of Indenture
    12  
Section 1.13. Force Majeure
    12  
Section 1.14. Waiver of Jury Trial
    12  
Section 1.15. Governing Law
    13  
Section 1.16. Legal Holidays
    13  
Section 1.17. Securities in a Composite Currency, Currency Unit or Foreign Currency
    13  
Section 1.18. Payment in Required Currency; Judgment Currency
    13  
Section 1.19. Language of Notices, Etc.
    14  
Section 1.20. Incorporators, Unitholders, Stockholders, Partners, Officers and Directors of the Issuers and the Guarantors Exempt from Individual Liability
    14  
 
       
ARTICLE TWO SECURITY FORMS
    14  
Section 2.1. Forms Generally
    14  
Section 2.2. Form of Face of Security
    15  
Section 2.3. Form of Reverse of Security
    17  
Section 2.4. Global Securities
    22  
Section 2.5. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication
    23  
 
       
ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES
    23  
Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series
    23  
Section 3.2. Denominations
    25  
Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating
    26  
Section 3.4. Temporary Securities
    27  
Section 3.5. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange
    28  
Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities
    30  
Section 3.7. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved
    31  
Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners
    31  
Section 3.9. Cancellation
    32  
Section 3.10. Computation of Interest
    32  
Section 3.11. CUSIP or CINS Numbers
    32  
 
       
ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
    32  
Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture
    32  
Section 4.2. Application of Trust Money
    33  

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    Page  
ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES
    34  
Section 5.1. Events of Default
    34  
Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment
    35  
Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee
    36  
Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
    36  
Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities
    37  
Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected
    37  
Section 5.7. Limitation on Suits
    37  
Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest
    38  
Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies
    38  
Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative
    38  
Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver
    39  
Section 5.12. Control by Holders
    39  
Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults
    39  
Section 5.14. Undertaking for Costs
    39  
Section 5.15. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws
    40  
 
       
ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE
    40  
Section 6.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities
    40  
Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults
    41  
Section 6.3. Certain Rights of Trustee
    41  
Section 6.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities
    43  
Section 6.5. May Hold Securities
    43  
Section 6.6. Money Held in Trust
    43  
Section 6.7. Compensation and Reimbursement
    43  
Section 6.8. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests
    44  
Section 6.9. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility
    44  
Section 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor
    44  
Section 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor
    45  
Section 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business
    46  
Section 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers
    47  
Section 6.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent
    47  
 
       
ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
    48  
Section 7.1. Issuers to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders
    48  
Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders
    49  
Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee
    50  
Section 7.4. Reports by Company
    50  
 
       
ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATION, MERGER AND SALE
    51  
Section 8.1. Issuers May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms
    51  
Section 8.2. Successor Substituted
    51  
 
       
ARTICLE NINE AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
    52  
Section 9.1. Without Consent of Holders
    52  
Section 9.2. With Consent of Holders
    53  
Section 9.3. Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures
    54  
Section 9.4. Effect of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures
    55  
Section 9.5. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act
    55  
Section 9.6. Reference in Securities to Amendments or Supplemental Indentures
    55  

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    Page  
ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS
    55  
Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest
    55  
Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency
    55  
Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust
    56  
Section 10.4. Existence
    57  
Section 10.5. Statement by Officers as to Default
    57  
 
       
ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
    57  
Section 11.1. Applicability of Article
    57  
Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee
    58  
Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed
    58  
Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption
    58  
Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price
    59  
Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date
    59  
Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part
    59  
 
       
ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS
    60  
Section 12.1. Applicability of Article
    60  
Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities
    60  
Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund
    60  
 
       
ARTICLE THIRTEEN DEFEASANCE
    60  
Section 13.1. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
    60  
Section 13.2. Legal Defeasance and Discharge
    61  
Section 13.3. Covenant Defeasance
    61  
Section 13.4. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance
    62  
Section 13.5. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust, Other Miscellaneous Provisions
    63  
Section 13.6. Reinstatement
    63  
 
       
ARTICLE FOURTEEN GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES
    64  
Section 14.1. Securities Guarantee
    64  
Section 14.2. Limitation on Guarantor Liability
    65  
Section 14.3. Execution and Delivery of Securities Guarantee Notation
    65  
NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

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PARTIES
     INDENTURE, dated as of ____________, 20__, among LEGACY RESERVES LP, a limited partnership duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company”), LEGACY RESERVES FINANCE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“Finance Corp.,” and together with the Company, the “Issuers”), the Guarantors (as defined hereinafter) and [____________________], a [____________], as trustee (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS OF THE ISSUERS:
     The Issuers have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Issuers’ unsecured senior debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), which may be guaranteed by the Guarantors, to be issued in one or more series as provided in this Indenture.
     All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuers, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
     This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act (as defined herein) that are required to be a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.
     NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
     For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as defined herein) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.1. Definitions.
     For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
     (a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
     (b) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;
     (c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
     (d) the words “Article” and “Section” refer to an Article and Section, respectively, of this Indenture;
     (e) the word “includes” and its derivatives means “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative definitions; and

 


 

     (f) references to any officer of any partnership or limited liability company that does not have officers but is managed or controlled, directly or indirectly, by an entity that does have officers, shall be deemed to be references to the officers of such managing or controlling entity.
     Certain terms, used principally in Article Six, are defined in that Article.
     “Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.5.
     “Additional Defeasible Provision” means a covenant or other provision that is (a) made part of this Indenture pursuant to an indenture supplemental hereto, a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 3.1, and (b) pursuant to the terms set forth in such supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate, made subject to the provisions of Article Thirteen.
     “Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.
     “Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities.
     “Banking Day” means, in respect of any city, any date on which commercial banks are open for business in that city.
     “Bankruptcy Law” means any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law.
     “Board of Directors” means:
     (a) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;
     (b) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;
     (c) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managers or members thereof or any board or committee serving a similar management function; and
     (d) with respect to any other Person, the individual or board or committee of such Person serving a management function similar to those described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this definition.
     “Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, Finance Corp. or a Guarantor, the principal financial officer of the Company, Finance Corp. or a Guarantor, any other authorized officer of the Company, Finance Corp. or a Guarantor, or a person duly authorized by any of them, in each case as applicable, to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee. Where any provision of this Indenture refers to action to be taken pursuant to a Board Resolution (including the establishment of any series of the Securities and the forms and terms thereof), such action may be taken by any committee, officer or employee of the Company, Finance Corp.

2


 

or a Guarantor, as applicable, authorized to take such action by the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution.
     “Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or other location, means, except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions and trust companies in that Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.
     “CINS” means CUSIP International Numbering System.
     “Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
     “Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor or resulting Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor or resulting Person.
     “Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at the address specified in Section 3.5 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Issuers.
     “corporation,” when used in reference to the Trustee or any prospective Trustee, shall include any corporation, company, association, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust or other entity, in each case, satisfying the requirements of Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act.
     “Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.3.
     “CUSIP” means the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures.
     “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
     “Debt” means any obligation created or assumed by any Person for the repayment of money borrowed and any purchase money obligation created or assumed by such Person and any guarantee of the foregoing.
     “Default” means, with respect to a series of Securities, any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
     “Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.
     “Definitive Security” means a security other than a Global Security or a temporary Security.
     “Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter shall mean or include each Person which is a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, shall be a collective reference to such Persons.

3


 

     “Dollar” or “$” means the coin or currency of the United States of America, which at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
     “Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.
     “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
     “Finance Corp.” means the Person named as the “Finance Corp.” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor or resulting Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Finance Corp.” shall mean such successor or resulting Person.
     “Foreign Currency” means a currency used by the government of a country other than the United States of America.
     “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, including those set forth in (1) the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification and any related Accounting Standards Updates by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (2) such other statements by such other entity as are approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession and (3) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC. All computations based on GAAP contained in the Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.
     “Global Security” means a Security in global form that evidences all or part of a series of Securities and is authenticated and delivered to, and registered in the name of, the Depositary for the Securities of such series or its nominee.
     “Guaranteed Securities” has the meaning specified in Section 14.1.
     “Guarantor” means each Person that becomes a guarantor of any Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
     “Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
     “Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more amendments or indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument, and any such amendment or supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be part of and govern this instrument and any such amendment or supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” also shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1.
     “interest,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
     “Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

4


 

     “Issuer Request” or “Issuer Order” means, in the case of the Issuers, a written request or order signed in the name of each of the Issuers by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Financial Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of the respective Issuer or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a written request or order signed in the name of such Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.
     “Issuers” means the Company and Finance Corp.
     “Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.
     “Legal Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.2.
     “mandatory sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.
     “Market Exchange Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 1.17.
     “Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
     “Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 5.1(c) or Section 5.1(d).
     “Officer’s Certificate” means, in the case of the Issuers, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of each of the Issuers, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.
     “Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the any of the Issuers or a Guarantor, as the case may be, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
     “optional sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.
     “Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2.
     “Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
     (a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
     (b) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than an Issuer) in trust or

5


 

set aside and segregated in trust by the Issuers (if an Issuer shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided, however, that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and
     (c) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Issuers;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof on such date pursuant to Section 5.2, (ii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more currencies or currency units other than U.S. dollars shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent of such currencies or currency units, determined in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 on the date of original issuance of such Security or by Section 1.17, if not otherwise so provided pursuant to Section 3.1, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent (as so determined) on the date of original issuance of such Security of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above) of such Security, and (iii) Securities owned by an Issuer, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned as described in clause (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not an Issuer, a Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.
     “Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Issuers to pay the principal of and any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Issuers.
     “Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest or formula for determining the rate or rates of interest thereon, if any, the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities thereof, the original issue date or dates thereof, the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, and any other terms specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company upon the issuance of such Securities.
     “Person” means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, other entity, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
     “Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means, unless otherwise specifically provided for with respect to such series as contemplated by Section 3.1, the office or agency of the Issuers and such other place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as contemplated by Section 3.1.

6


 

     “Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
     “Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
     “Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
     “Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1.
     “Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.
     “Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
     “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.
     “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
     “Securities Guarantee” means each guarantee of the obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture and the Securities by a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions hereof.
     “Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.
     “Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.7.
     “Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
     “Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

7


 

     “Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 9.5; provided, however, that if the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
     “U.S. Person” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
     “U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are (a) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or (b) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, and which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
     “Vice President,” when used with respect to an Issuer, the Guarantor or the Trustee, means any vice president, regardless of whether designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president.”
Section 1.2. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
     Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“commission” means the SEC.
“indenture securities” means the Securities.
“indenture security holder” means a Holder.
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Issuers, the Guarantor (if applicable) or any other obligor on the indenture securities.
     All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by a Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule under the Trust Indenture Act have the meanings so assigned to them.
Section 1.3. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
     Upon any application or request by the Issuers or a Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Issuers or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished except as required under Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

8


 

     Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (except for certificates provided for in Section 10.5) shall include:
     (a) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
     (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
     (c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
     (d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.4. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
     In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
     Any certificate or opinion of an officer of an Issuer or a Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should know that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of an Issuer or a Guarantor, as the case may be, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the respective Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such counsel knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
     Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.5. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
     (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed (either physically or by means of a facsimile or an electronic transmission, provided that such electronic transmission is transmitted through the facilities of a Depositary) by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuers or the Guarantors. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or

9


 

of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
     (b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
     (c) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Securities held by any Person, and the date of commencement of such Person’s holding of same, shall be proved by the Security Register.
     (d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors in reliance thereon, regardless of whether notation of such action is made upon such Security.
     (e) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to give or take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any different part of such principal amount.
     (f) The Issuers may set any day as the record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, but the Issuers shall have no obligation to do so. With regard to any record date set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date (or their duly appointed agents), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to give or take the relevant action, regardless of whether such Holders remain Holders after such record date.
Section 1.6. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Issuers and Guarantors.
     (a) Any notice, request, demand, authorization, direction, consent, waiver or other communication by the Issuers, any of the Guarantors or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:
If to the Issuers and/or any Guarantor:
Legacy Reserves LP
303 W. Wall Street, Suite 1400
Midland, Texas 79701

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Facsimile: [__________]
Attention: [__________]
with a copy to:
Andrews Kurth LLP
600 Travis, Suite 4200
Houston, Texas 77002
Telephone: (713) 220-4200
Facsimile: (713) 220-4285
Attention: Gislar Donnenberg
If to the Trustee:
[__________]
[__________]
[__________]
Telephone: [__________]
Facsimile: [__________]
Attention: [__________]
     (b) The Issuers, the Guarantors or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
     (c) All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders, unless mailed in the manner herein prescribed) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
Section 1.7. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
     Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, regardless of whether such Holder actually receives such notice.
     Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
     In case it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

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Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
     If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.
Section 1.9. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
     The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 1.10. Successors and Assigns.
     All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by each of the Issuers and the Guarantors shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 1.11. Separability Clause.
     In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 1.12. Benefits of Indenture.
     Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 1.13. Force Majeure.
     In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 1.14. Waiver of Jury Trial.
     EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE.

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Section 1.15. Governing Law.
     THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 1.16. Legal Holidays.
     In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or other date of Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee (other than a provision of the Securities of any series or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section 1.16)) payment of interest or principal and any premium need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and if payment is so made, no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.
Section 1.17. Securities in a Composite Currency, Currency Unit or Foreign Currency.
     Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto delivered pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Indenture with respect to a particular series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series or all series affected by a particular action at the time Outstanding and, at such time, there are Outstanding Securities of any affected series which are denominated in a coin, currency or currencies other than Dollars (including, but not limited to, any composite currency, currency units or Foreign Currency), then the principal amount of Securities of such series which shall be deemed to be Outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate. For purposes of this Section 1.17, the term “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of such currency or currencies as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as of the most recent available date. If such Market Exchange Rate is not so available for any reason with respect to such currency, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations or rates of exchange from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question, which for purposes of Euros shall be Brussels, Belgium, or such other quotations or rates of exchange as appropriate shall be used. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a series denominated in a currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
     In no event will the Trustee have any duty or liability regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph.
Section 1.18. Payment in Required Currency; Judgment Currency.
     Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Required

13


 

Currency could be purchased in The City of New York with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a Banking Day, then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Required Currency could be purchased in The City of New York with the Judgment Currency on the Banking Day next preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (regardless of whether entered in accordance with subclause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.
Section 1.19. Language of Notices, Etc.
     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.
Section 1.20. Incorporators, Unitholders, Stockholders, Partners, Officers and Directors of the Issuers and the Guarantors Exempt from Individual Liability.
     No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of or contained in this Indenture or of or contained in any Security or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, unitholder, stockholder, member, officer, manager, employee, partner or director, as such, past, present or future, of an Issuer, any Guarantor or any successor Person, either directly or through an Issuer, any Guarantor or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities.
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS
Section 2.1. Forms Generally.
     The Securities of each series and, if applicable, the notation thereon relating to the Securities Guarantee, shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article Two, or in such other form or forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities and, if applicable, any notation of the Securities Guarantee, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

14


 

     The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an authorized officer or other authorized person on behalf of each of the Issuers and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Issuer Order contemplated by Section 3.3 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
     The forms of Global Securities of any series shall have such provisions and legends as are customary for Securities of such series in global form, including without limitation any legend required by the Depositary for the Securities of such series.
Section 2.2. Form of Face of Security.
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security and is not “publicly offered” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1275-1(h), insert—FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE AMOUNT OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT IS [. . . . . . . .% OF ITS PRINCIPAL AMOUNT] [$. . . . PER $1,000 OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT], THE ISSUE DATE IS . . . . . ., 20. . . AND, THE YIELD TO MATURITY IS . . . . . . . . , COMPOUNDED [SEMIANNUALLY OR OTHER PROPER PERIOD].
[In the alternative instead of providing such legend, insert the following legend—FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, AND. . . . . . . [THE NAME OR TITLE AND ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY] WILL, BEGINNING NO LATER THAN 10 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUE DATE, PROMPTLY MAKE AVAILABLE TO HOLDERS THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE ISSUE DATE, THE YIELD TO MATURITY AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE TREASURY REGULATIONS.]
[Insert any other legend required by the Code or the regulations thereunder.]
[If a Global Security,—insert legend required by Section 2.4 of the Indenture] [If applicable, insert —UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION, TO THE ISSUERS OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]

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LEGACY RESERVES LP
LEGACY RESERVES FINANCE CORPORATION
[TITLE OF SECURITY]
     
No . . . . . .   U.S. $. . . . . .
[CUSIP No. ]
LEGACY RESERVES LP, a limited partnership duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor or resulting Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), and LEGACY RESERVES FINANCE CORPORATION, a [Delaware] corporation (herein called “Finance Corp.,” which term includes any successor or resulting Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, and together with the Company, the “Issuers”), for value received, hereby promise to pay to .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., or registered assigns, the principal sum of . . . . United States Dollars on . . . . . [If the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert—, and to pay interest thereon from . . . . . . . . . . or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on . . . . . . and . . . . . . in each year, commencing . . . . . ., at the rate of . . . . % per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment [if applicable, insert—, and at the rate of ___% per annum on any overdue principal and premium and on any installment of interest (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable)]. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the . . . . or . . . . (regardless of whether a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture].
[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert—The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal of this Security shall bear interest at the rate of . . . .% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such default in payment to the date payment of such principal has been made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on any overdue principal that is not so paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of . . . . % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest shall also be payable on demand.]
[If a Global Security, insert—Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert—any such] interest on this Security will be made by transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account in ___________ designated by the Holder in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts [state other currency].]

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[If a Definitive Security, insert—Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert—any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for that purpose in _______________, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts] [state other currency] [or subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and to the right of the Issuers (as provided in the Indenture) to rescind the designation of any such Paying Agent, at the [main] offices of ________________ in _____________, or at such other offices or agencies as the Issuers may designate, by [United States Dollar] [state other currency] check drawn on, or transfer to a [United States Dollar] account maintained by the payee with, a bank in The City of New York (so long as the applicable Paying Agency has received proper transfer instructions in writing at least ___ days prior to the payment date)] [if applicable, insert—; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Issuers by [United States Dollar] [state other currency] check mailed to the addresses of the Persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear in the Security Register] [or by transfer to a [United States Dollar] [state other currency] account maintained by the payee with a bank in The City of New York [state other Place of Payment] (so long as the applicable Paying Agent has received proper transfer instructions in writing by the record date prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date)].]
Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Issuers has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
     Dated:
             
    LEGACY RESERVES LP    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
     
 
   
 
           
    LEGACY RESERVES FINANCE CORPORATION    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
     
 
   
Section 2.3. Form of Reverse of Security.
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of senior securities of the Issuers (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of ______, 20__ (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Issuers, the Guarantors, if any, and [____________________], as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Issuers, the Guarantors, if any, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. As provided in the Indenture, the Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in

17


 

various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest, if any, at different rates, may be subject to different redemption provisions, if any, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, if any, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided or permitted. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [, limited in aggregate principal amount to $ . . . . . . . . . . ].
This security is the general, unsecured, senior obligation of the Issuers [if applicable, insert—and is guaranteed pursuant to a guarantee (the “Securities Guarantee”) by [insert name of each Guarantor] (the “Guarantors”). The Securities Guarantee is the general, unsecured, senior obligation of each Guarantor].
[If applicable, insert—The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than ... days’ notice by mail, [if applicable, insert, (1) on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in any year commencing with the year . . . . and ending with the year . . . . through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2) ] at any time [on or after . . . . . . . . . ., 20. . . ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Issuers, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [on or before . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . %, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period beginning . . . . . . . . of the years indicated,
             
Year   Redemption Price   Year   Redemption Price
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to . . . . . % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [if applicable, insert—(whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert—The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than... nor more than ... days’ notice by mail, (1) on . . . . . . . . in any year commencing with the year . . . . and ending with the year . . . . through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at anytime [on or after . . . . . . . . . . ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Issuers, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period beginning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of the years indicated,

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Year   Redemption Price For
Redemption Through
Operation of the Sinking Fund
  Redemption Price for
Redemption Otherwise Than
Through Operation of the Sinking Fund
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to . . . . % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert—Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuers may not, prior to . . . . . . . . . ., redeem any Securities of this series as contemplated by [clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Issuers (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than . . . .% per annum.]
[If applicable, insert—The sinking fund for this series provides for the redemption on . . . . . . .. . . . . . in each year beginning with the year . . . . and ending with the year . . . . of [not less than] $ . . . . . . . . . . . . [ (“mandatory sinking fund”) and not more than $ . . . . . . . . . . . . ] aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series. [Securities of this series acquired or redeemed by the Issuers otherwise than through [mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be made [If applicable, insert— in the inverse order in which they become due].]
[If the Securities are subject to redemption in part of any kind, insert—In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
[If applicable, insert—The Securities of this series are not redeemable prior to Stated Maturity.]
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security,If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security,If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to —insert formula for determining the amount. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of the Issuers’ obligations

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in respect of the payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Issuers [If applicable, insert—and the Guarantors] and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Issuers [If applicable, insert—and the Guarantors] and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Issuers [If applicable, insert—and the Guarantors] with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, regardless of whether notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuers, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place(s) and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
[If a Global Security, insert—This Global Security or portion hereof may not be exchanged for Definitive Securities of this series except in the limited circumstances provided in the Indenture. The holders of beneficial interests in this Global Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Securities except as described in the Indenture and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose under the Indenture.]
[If a Definitive Security, insert—As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registerable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Issuers in [if applicable, insert—any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable] [if applicable, insert—The City of New York [, or, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and to the right of the Issuers (limited as provided in the Indenture) to rescind the designation of any such transfer agent, at the [main] offices of _______________ in ________________ or at such other offices or agencies as the Issuers may designate]], duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuers and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.]
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of U.S. $ . . . . . . . . and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

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Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Issuers, [If applicable, insert—any Guarantor,] the Trustee and any agent of an Issuer [If applicable, insert—, a Guarantor] or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, regardless of whether this Security be overdue, and none of the Issuers, [If applicable, insert—the Guarantors,] the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of or contained in the Indenture or of or contained in any Security, [If applicable, insert—, or the Securities Guarantee,] or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any director, officer, employee, incorporator, unitholder or stockholder, member, manager or partner, as such, past, present or future, of an Issuer [If applicable, insert—or any Guarantor] or of any successor Person, either directly or through an Issuer [If applicable, insert—or any Guarantor] or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment, penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the Securities and the execution of the Indenture.
The Indenture provides that the Issuers [If applicable, insert—and the Guarantors] (a) will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Securities (except for certain obligations described in the Indenture), or (b) need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the Indenture, in each case if an Issuer [If applicable, insert—or a Guarantor] deposits, in trust, with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations (or a combination thereof) which through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of and interest on the Securities, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Except as otherwise defined herein, all terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
[If a Definitive Security, insert as a separate page
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto
____________________________________________________
(Please Print or Type Name and Address of Assignee)
the within instrument of [____________________] and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ___________________ Attorney to transfer said instrument on the books of the within-named Issuers, with full power of substitution in the premises.
Please Insert Social Security or Other Identifying Number of Assignee:
                 
             
 
               
Dated: 
 
           
 
 
 
     
 
(Signature)
   
NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.]
[If a Security to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable, insert the following Form of Notation on such Security relating to the Securities Guarantee

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Each of the Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person in such capacity under the Indenture), has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of this series and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Securities of this series by the Issuers.
The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Securities of this series and to the Trustee pursuant to the Securities Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Fourteen of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Securities Guarantee.
             
    Guarantors:    
 
           
    [NAME OF EACH GUARANTOR]    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
     
 
]  
 
     
 
   
Section 2.4. Global Securities.
     Every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO, OR REGISTERED OR EXCHANGED FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF, ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF AND NO SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE REGISTERED, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.
EVERY SECURITY AUTHENTICATED AND DELIVERED UPON REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF, OR IN EXCHANGE FOR OR IN LIEU OF, THIS SECURITY SHALL BE A GLOBAL SECURITY SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING, EXCEPT IN SUCH LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
     If Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, then, notwithstanding clause (i) of Section 3.1 and the provisions of Section 3.2, any Global Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as the case may be, to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any reduction or increase in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in an Issuer Order. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3, Section 3.4 and Section 3.5, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Global Security in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Issuer Order. Any instructions by the Issuers with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Global Security shall be in an Issuer Order.

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     The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.3 shall apply to any Security represented by a Global Security if such Security was never issued and sold by the Issuers and the Issuers deliver to the Trustee the Global Security together with an Issuer Order with regard to the reduction or increase, as the case may be, in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 3.3.
Section 2.5. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
     The Trustee’s certificate(s) of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated [insert title of applicable series] referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
             
 
  [_________________________], as Trustee    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
     
 
Authorized Officer
   
ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
     The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
     The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:
     (a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities and which may be part of a series of Securities previously issued);
     (b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 9.6 or Section 11.7 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.3, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);
     (c) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;
     (d) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;
     (e) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the formula, method or provision pursuant to which such rate or rates are determined, the date or

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dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method of determination thereof, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;
     (f) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, and notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;
     (g) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuers;
     (h) the obligation, if any, of the Issuers to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
     (i) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;
     (j) whether payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be without deduction for taxes, assessments or governmental charges paid by Holders of the series;
     (k) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2;
     (l) if the amount of payments of principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
     (m) if and as applicable, that the Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary or Depositaries for such Global Security or Global Securities and any circumstances other than those set forth in Section 3.5 in which any such Global Security may be transferred to, and registered and exchanged for Securities registered in the name of, a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and in which any such transfer may be registered;
     (n) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 5.1 or the covenants of the Issuers set forth in Article Ten with respect to the Securities of such series;
     (o) whether and under what circumstances the Issuers will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a Person who is not a U.S. Person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Issuers will have the option to redeem the Securities of the series rather than pay such additional amounts;

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     (p) if the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
     (q) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any other security or property of the Issuers, including, without limitation, securities of another Person held by the Issuers or their Affiliates and, if so, the terms thereof;
     (r) if other than as provided in Section 13.2 and Section 13.3, the means of Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance as may be specified for the Securities of the series;
     (s) if other than the Trustee, the identity of the initial Security Registrar and any initial Paying Agent;
     (t) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed pursuant to the Securities Guarantee set forth in Article Fourteen, any modifications to the terms of Article Fourteen applicable to the Securities of such series and the applicability of any other guarantees; and
     (u) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).
     All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 3.3) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.
     All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for increases in the aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities and issuances of additional Securities of such series or for the establishment of additional terms with respect to the Securities of such series.
     If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an authorized officer or other authorized person on behalf of each of the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth, or providing the manner for determining, the terms of the series.
     With respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, such Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate may provide general terms for Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of particular Securities of such series shall be specified in an Issuer Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors or one or more agents thereof designated in an Officer’s Certificate, in accordance with an Issuer Order.
Section 3.2. Denominations.
     The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

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Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
     The Securities shall be executed on behalf of each of the Issuers by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and need not be attested. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile. Any notation of Securities Guarantee endorsed on the Securities shall be executed on behalf of the applicable Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and need not be attested. The signature of any of these officers on any notation of the Securities Guarantee may be manual or facsimile.
     Securities and any notation of a Securities Guarantee bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company, Finance Corp. or a Guarantor, as the case may be, shall bind the Company, Finance Corp. or such Guarantor, as the case may be, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.
     At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuers may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Issuers to the Trustee for authentication, together with an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Issuer Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, however, that in the case of Securities offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Securities from time to time in accordance with such other procedures (including, without limitation, the receipt by the Trustee of written instructions from the Issuers) acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified by or pursuant to an Issuer Order delivered to the Trustee prior to the time of the first authentication of Securities of such series. If the forms or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be fully protected in relying on such Board Resolution and shall be entitled to receive such documents as it may reasonably request. The Trustee shall also be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Section 3.1 and complying with Section 1.3 and an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 1.3 stating:
     (a) if the form or forms of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.1, that each such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
     (b) if the terms of such Securities have been, or in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering will be, established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 3.1, that such terms have been, or in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering will be, established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture, subject, in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel; and
     (c) that such Securities when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuers in the manner and subject to any conditions and assumptions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuers and, if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantee will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the following limitations: (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, liquidation, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the

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enforcement of creditors’ rights, or to general equity principles, (ii) the availability of equitable remedies being subject to the discretion of the court to which application therefor is made; and (iii) such other usual and customary matters as shall be specified in such Opinion of Counsel.
The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.1 or the Issuer Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.
     With respect to Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may rely, as to the authorization by the Issuers of any of such Securities, on the form or forms and terms thereof and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, upon the Opinion of Counsel and the other documents delivered pursuant to Section 2.1 and Section 3.1 and this Section, as applicable, in connection with the first authentication of Securities of such series.
     Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
     No Security nor any related Securities Guarantee shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Issuers, and the Issuers shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.9, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 3.4. Temporary Securities.
     Pending the preparation of Definitive Securities of any series, the Issuers may execute, and upon Issuer Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the Definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
     If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Issuers will cause Definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of Definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for Definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Issuers in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of Definitive Securities of the same series and

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tenor of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Securities of such series.
Section 3.5. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
     The Issuers shall cause to be kept at the office or agency of the Issuers in a Place of Payment required by Section 10.2 a register (the register maintained in such office being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as the Issuers may prescribe, the Issuers shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed as the initial “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided, and its Corporate Trust Office, which, at the date hereof, is located at [____________________], is the initial office or agency where the Securities Register will be maintained. The Issuers may at any time replace such Security Registrar, change such office or agency or act as its own Security Registrar. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change of the Security Registrar or of the location of such office or agency.
     Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 10.2 for such purpose, the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
     At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (except a Global Security) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
     All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
     Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Issuers or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuers and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing.
     No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 9.6 or Section 11.7 not involving any transfer.
     The Issuers shall not be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that series selected for redemption under Section 11.3 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

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     Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture and except as otherwise specified with respect to any particular series of Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred, except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary. Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security shall be a Global Security except as provided in the two paragraphs immediately following.
     If at any time the Depositary for any Securities of a series represented by one or more Global Securities notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Securities shall no longer be eligible to continue as Depositary under Section 3.1 or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, the Issuers shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Securities is not appointed by the Issuers within 90 days after the Issuer receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Issuers’ election pursuant to Section 3.1 that such Securities be represented by one or more Global Securities shall no longer be effective and the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors will execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of Definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities registered in the names of such Persons as the Depositary shall direct.
     If specified by the Issuers pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to Securities represented by a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities of the same series and tenor in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuers , the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities in definitive registered form, shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge:
     (i) to the Person specified by such Depositary a new Security or Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and
     (ii) to such Depositary a new Global Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to clause (i) above.
     Every Person who takes or holds any beneficial interest in a Global Security agrees that:
     (A) the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee may deal with the Depositary as sole owner of the Global Security and as the authorized representative of such Person;
     (B) such Person’s rights in the Global Security shall be exercised only through the Depositary and shall be limited to those established by law and agreement between such Person and the Depositary and/or direct and indirect participants of the Depositary;

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     (C) the Depositary and its participants make book-entry transfers of beneficial ownership among, and receive and transmit distributions of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Global Securities to, such Persons in accordance with their own procedures; and
     (D) none of the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable), the Trustee, nor any agent of any of them will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
     If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, together with such security or indemnity as may be required by the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuers or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
     If there shall be delivered to the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee (a) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (b) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuers or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
     In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuers in their discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security (without surrender thereof save in the case of a mutilated Security).
     Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Issuers may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
     Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors, regardless of whether the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
     The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

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Section 3.7. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
     Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
     Any interest on any Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Issuers, at their election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:
     (a) The Issuers may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon, the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Issuers, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).
     (b) The Issuers may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Issuers to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners.
     Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Issuers, the Trustee and, if applicable, the Guarantors and any agent thereof may treat the Person in whose name such Security is

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registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, and any premium and (subject to Section 3.5 and Section 3.7) any interest on, such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, regardless of whether such Security be overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Trustee nor, if applicable, the Guarantors nor any agent of any of them shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
     No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a Depositary shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security, and such Depositary may be treated by the Issuers, the Trustee, and, if applicable, the Guarantors and any agent thereof as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever.
Section 3.9. Cancellation.
     All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, purchase, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by it. The Issuers may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Issuers may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Issuers have not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary practices, and the Trustee shall thereafter deliver to the Issuers a certificate with respect to such disposition from time to time upon written request.
Section 3.10. Computation of Interest.
     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
Section 3.11. CUSIP or CINS Numbers.
     The Issuers in issuing the Securities may use CUSIP or CINS numbers (if then generally in use, and in addition to the other identification numbers printed on the Securities), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP or CINS numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such CUSIP or CINS numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such CUSIP or CINS numbers.
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
     This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect and will be discharged with respect to the Securities of any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities and certain rights of the Trustee, in each case, herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, upon Issuer Request and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities, when:

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(a) either:
     (i) all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) such Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6, and (B) such Securities for the payment of which money or U.S. Government Obligations have theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuers and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
     (ii) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:
     (A) have become due and payable; or
     (B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year; or
     (C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers,
and the Issuers, in the case of (ii)(A), (B) or (C) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds or U.S. Government Obligations in trust for such purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, together with instructions from the Issuers irrevocably directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
     (b) the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuers with respect to such Securities; and
     (c) the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, which, taken together, state that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of any series, (x) the obligations of the Issuers to the Trustee under Section 6.7, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.14 and the right of the Trustee to resign under Section 6.10 shall survive, and (y) if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Issuers and the Trustee under Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 4.2, Section 6.6, Section 10.2, the last paragraph of Section 10.3 and Section 13.6 shall survive.
Section 4.2. Application of Trust Money.
     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent

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(including either of the Issuers acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest for the payment of which such money has been deposited with the Trustee.
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
Section 5.1. Events of Default.
     “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
     (a) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or
     (b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity; or
     (c) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant set forth in Article Ten in this Indenture (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Issuers by the Trustee or to the Issuers and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
     (d) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in this Indenture (other than a covenant in Article Ten or any other covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Issuers by the Trustee or to the Issuers and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
     (e) either of the Issuers or any Guarantor pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of any order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
     (f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against either of the Issuers or any Guarantor in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of either of the Issuers or any Guarantor or for all or substantially all of the property of either of the Issuers or any Guarantor, or (iii) orders the liquidation of either of the

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Issuers or any Guarantor; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or
     (g) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; or
     (h) the failure of any Securities Guarantee required with respect to Securities of that series to be in full force and effect, except as provided in this Indenture or the terms of such Securities; or
     (i) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series in accordance with Section 3.1.
Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest of all of the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Issuers (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(e) or Section 5.1(f) occurs, the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall be due and payable immediately without further action or notice.
     At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article Five provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
     (a) the Issuers or, if applicable, one or more of the Guarantors has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:
     (i) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series;
     (ii) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities;
     (iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities; and
     (iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
     (b) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.

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No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
     The Issuers covenant that if:
     (a) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days; or
     (b) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,
the Issuers will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and any premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
     If the Issuers fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.
     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
     In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to either of the Issuers or, if applicable, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities, its property or its creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
     (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding; and

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     (b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, if the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7.
     No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, compromise, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.
Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
     All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected.
     Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Five shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
          FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7;
     SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and
          THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Issuers.
Section 5.7. Limitation on Suits.
     No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture (including, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee), or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
     (a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

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     (b) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
     (c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
     (d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
     (e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.
Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.
     Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption or offer by the Issuers to purchase the Securities as required by this Indenture, on the Redemption Date or purchase date, as applicable) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
     If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
     Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

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Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
     To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article Five or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
Section 5.12. Control by Holders.
     The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series; provided, however, that:
     (a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;
     (b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction; and
     (c) subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the direction would expose the Trustee to personal liability.
Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.
     By written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except:
     (a) a continuing default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series; or
     (b) a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.14. Undertaking for Costs.
     All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by such Holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant, other than the Trustee, in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the

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provisions of this Section 5.14 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Issuers, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption or offer by the Issuers to purchase the Securities as required by this Indenture, on or after the Redemption Date or purchase date, as applicable).
Section 5.15. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.
     Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and each of the Issuers and the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
          (a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
     (i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and as are provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
     (ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
     (b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
     (c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own bad faith or willful misconduct, except that:
     (i) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;

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     (ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
     (iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, given pursuant to Section 5.12, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and
     (iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
     (d) Regardless of whether therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults.
     Within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such Default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee may withhold from Holders of Securities notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; and, provided, further, that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(c) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof and that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(d) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 90 days after the occurrence thereof.
Section 6.3. Certain Rights of Trustee.
     Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1:
     (a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
     (b) any request or direction of the Issuers or a Guarantor mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Request or Issuer Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuers or a Guarantor may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

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     (c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) shall be entitled to receive and may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;
     (d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
     (e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;
     (f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney;
     (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder and shall not be responsible for the supervision of officers and employees of such agents or attorneys;
     (h) the Trustee may request that the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;
     (i) the Trustee shall be entitled to the rights and protections afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Article Six in acting as a Paying Agent or Security Registrar hereunder;
     (j) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture; and
     (k) anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for any special, indirect, punitive, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Issuers have been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

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Section 6.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
     The recitals contained herein and in the Securities and the notations of the Subsidiary Guarantee, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent makes any representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantee, if any. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuers of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
Section 6.5. May Hold Securities.
     The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of either of the Issuers or, if applicable, any Guarantor, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act and Section 6.8, Section 6.9 and Section 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.
Section 6.6. Money Held in Trust.
     Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Issuers or, if applicable, one or more of the Guarantors.
Section 6.7. Compensation and Reimbursement.
     The Issuers agree:
     (a) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
     (b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and
     (c) to indemnify each of the Trustee and its officers, directors, agents and employees for, and to hold it and them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its or their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself or themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its or their powers or duties hereunder.
     As security for the performance of the obligations of the Issuers under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on particular Securities.

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     Without limiting any rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(e) or Section 5.1(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services of the Trustee are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Bankruptcy Law.
     The provisions of this Section 6.7 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Legal Defeasance of the Securities.
Section 6.8. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.
     Reference is made to Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. There shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act this Indenture with respect to the Securities of more than one series.
Section 6.9. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
     There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus required by the Trust Indenture Act, subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Trustee shall not be an obligor upon the Securities or an Affiliate thereof. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article Six.
Section 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
     (a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11.
     (b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Issuers. If the instrument of acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
     (c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Issuers.
     (d) If at any time:
     (i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act after written request therefor by the Issuers or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months; or

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     (ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuers or by any such Holder; or
     (iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a Custodian of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (A) the Issuers, by their respective Board Resolutions, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 5.14, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.
     (e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Issuers, by their respective Board Resolutions, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series), and the Issuers and the successor Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Issuers and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Issuers or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
     (f) The Issuers shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 1.7. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
     (a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, the successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable) and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of an Issuer, any Guarantor (if applicable) or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee

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all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien under Section 6.7.
     (b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable), the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (ii) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (iii) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of an Issuer, any Guarantor (if applicable) or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of the series to which the appointment of such successor relates and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series, subject nevertheless to its lien under Section 6.7.
     (c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
     (d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article and the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
     Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article Six, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. As soon as practicable, the successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the Issuers and the Holders of the Securities then Outstanding. In case

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any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
Section 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers.
     Reference is made to Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act. For purposes of Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act:
     (a) the term “cash transaction” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand;
     (b) the term “self-liquidating paper” means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by an Issuer or, if applicable, any Guarantor for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with such Issuer or, if applicable, such Guarantor arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.
Section 6.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
     The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Issuers and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
     Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without

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the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
     An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be qualified and eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors and shall mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
     Except with respect to an Authenticating Agent appointed at the request of the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors, the Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 6.14, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.7.
     If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section 6.14, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:
     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
             
 
  [___________________], as Trustee    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
     
 
As Authenticating Agent
   
 
           
 
  By:        
 
     
 
Authorized Officer
   
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.1. Issuers to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
     The Issuers will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
     (a) semi-annually, not more than 5 days after each Regular Record Date for a series of Securities, a list for such series of Securities, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date; and

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     (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Issuers of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
     provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar, no such list need be furnished with respect to such series of Securities.
Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
     (a) The Trustee shall preserve, with respect to each series of Securities, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.1 or the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
     (b) If three or more Holders (herein referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five business days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:
     (i) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a); or
     (ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.
     If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a) a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the SEC, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interest of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the SEC, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the SEC shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.

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     (c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee that none of the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable) nor the Trustee nor any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with Section 7.2(b), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 7.2(b).
Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee.
     Any Trustee’s report required pursuant to Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act shall be dated as of May 15, and shall be transmitted within 60 days after May 15 of each year (but in all events at intervals of not more than 12 months), commencing with the year 20__, by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are listed, and with the SEC. The Issuers will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 7.4. Reports by Company.
     The Company shall:
     (a) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;
     (b) file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and
     (c) transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC.

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ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATION, MERGER AND SALE
Section 8.1. Issuers May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
     Neither of the Issuers shall convert into, or consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into any other Person or sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets on a consolidated basis to any other Person unless:
     (a) either: (i) such Issuer is the surviving Person; or (ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger or resulting from such conversion (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership, in the case of the Company (and a corporation, in the case of Finance Corp. for so long as the Company is not a corporation), organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;
     (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made assumes by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of such Issuer to be performed or observed;
     (c) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
     (d) the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance, sale, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 8.2. Successor Substituted.
     Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger of an Issuer with or into any other Person or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of its properties and assets and, if applicable, the Guarantors on a consolidated basis in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor or resulting Person formed by or resulting upon such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, such Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named herein as the respective Issuer party to this Indenture, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor entity and, if applicable, each of the Guarantors shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

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ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.1. Without Consent of Holders.
     The Issuers, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee or the Securities without the consent of any holder of a Security:
     (a) to cure any ambiguity or defect or to correct or supplement any provision herein that may be inconsistent with any other provision herein; or
     (b) to evidence the succession of another Person to either of the Issuers and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of such predecessor Issuer herein and, to the extent applicable, of the Securities; or
     (c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities; provided that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in the manner such that the uncertificated Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code; or
     (d) to add a Securities Guarantee and cause any Person to become a Guarantor, and/or to evidence the succession of another Person to a Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the Securities Guarantee of such Guarantor herein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any Securities of any series; or
     (e) to secure the Securities of any series; or
     (f) to add to the covenants of the Issuers such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Issuers shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such amendment or supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults), may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default, may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default; or
     (g) to make any change to any provision of this Indenture that does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any Holder of Securities; or
     (h) to provide for the issuance of additional Securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture; or
     (i) to add any additional Defaults or Events of Default in respect of all or any series of Securities; or

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     (j) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons; or
     (k) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or
     (l) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1, including to reopen any series of any Securities as permitted under Section 3.1; or
     (m) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11(b); or
     (n) to conform the text of this Indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any Securities issued thereunder to any provision of a description of such text or Securities appearing in a prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering memorandum or offering circular relating to the sale thereof to the extent that such provision was intended by the Issuers to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any Securities issued thereunder, with such intention being evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate; or
     (o) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or under any similar federal statute subsequently enacted, and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required under the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.2. With Consent of Holders.
     The Issuers, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee and the Securities with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series of Securities affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture, with each such series voting as a separate class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities) and, subject to Section 5.8 and Section 5.13 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee or the Securities may be waived with respect to each series of Securities with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series voting as a separate class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities).
     It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment, supplement or waiver.
     After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.2 becomes effective, the Issuers will mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuers to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or

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waiver. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.2 may not (with respect to any Securities held by a non-consenting Holder):
     (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2, or change the coin or currency in which any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date); or
     (b) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such amendment or supplemental indenture, or the consent of the Holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture; or
     (c) modify any of the provisions of Section 5.8 or Section 5.13; or
     (d) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security; provided, however, that any purchase or repurchase of Securities shall not be deemed a redemption of the Securities; or
     (e) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Securities Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (as amended or supplemented); or
     (f) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions, except to increase any percentage provided for therein or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby.
     An amendment or supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or that modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
Section 9.3. Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures.
     In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any amendment or supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
     Upon the request of the Issuers accompanied by respective Board Resolutions authorizing the execution of any such amendment or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Securities as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 6.3 hereof, the Trustee will join with the

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Issuers and the Guarantors in the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture unless such amendment or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amendment or supplemental Indenture.
Section 9.4. Effect of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures.
     Upon the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture under this Article Nine, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such amendment or supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
Section 9.5. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
     Every amendment or supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
Section 9.6. Reference in Securities to Amendments or Supplemental Indentures.
     Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article Nine may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or supplemental indenture. If the Issuers shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Issuers, to any such amendment or supplemental indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuers and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
     The Issuers, for the benefit of each series of Securities, will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.
Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
     The Issuers will maintain in the United States an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or Security Registrar or agent of the Trustee or Security Registrar) where Securities of each series may be presented or surrendered for payment and surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
     The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may

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from time to time rescind such designations. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
     Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, the Issuers hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the Issuers’ office or agency for each such purpose for each series of Securities. The Trustee shall initially serve as Paying Agent. In the event the Issuers make any payment in any currency in which the Trustee is unable to pay, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuers will appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee to make such payment and the Trustee will have no obligations with respect to such payment and will incur no liability with respect to the failure by the Issuers or such other Paying Agent to make, or cause to be made, such payment.
Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
     If the Issuers shall at any time act as their own Paying Agent, with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
     Whenever the Issuers shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. For purposes of this Section 10.3, should a due date for principal of or any premium or interest on, or sinking fund payment with respect to any series of Securities not be on a Business Day, such payment shall be due on the next Business Day without any interest for the period from the due date until such Business Day.
     The Issuers will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:
     (a) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
     (b) give the Trustee notice of any Default by the Issuers (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of principal or any premium or interest on the Securities of that series; and
     (c) at any time during the continuance of any such Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
     The Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Issuer Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Issuers or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Issuers or

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such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
     Subject to any applicable escheat or abandoned property laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuers, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for one year after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Issuer Request, or (if then held by the Issuers) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuers cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 10.4. Existence.
     Subject to Article Eight, the Issuers and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that each Issuer and, if applicable, each Guarantor shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if its Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be.
Section 10.5. Statement by Officers as to Default.
     Annually, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year beginning with the first fiscal year during which one or more series of Securities are Outstanding, each of the Issuers and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor will deliver to the Trustee a brief certificate (which need not include the statements set forth in Section 1.3) from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of such Issuer and, if applicable, such Guarantor, stating that a review of the activities of the Issuers during such year and of performance under this Indenture has been made, and as to his or her knowledge of such Issuer’s or such Guarantor’s, as the case may be, compliance (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided herein) with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and, if such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be in Default, specifying all such Defaults and the nature and status thereof of which such officer has knowledge.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.1. Applicability of Article.
     Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article Eleven.

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Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
     The election of the Issuers to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by respective Board Resolutions. In case of any redemption at the election of the Issuers of less than all the Securities of any series, the Issuers shall, at least 15 days prior to the last date for the giving of notice of such redemption (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (b) pursuant to an election of the Issuers that is subject to a condition specified in the terms of the Securities of the series to be redeemed, the Issuers shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
     If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.
     The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If the Securities of any series to be redeemed consist of Securities having different dates on which the principal is payable or different rates of interest, or different methods by which interest may be determined or have any other different tenor or terms, then the Issuers may, by written notice to the Trustee, direct that the Securities of such series to be redeemed shall be selected from among the groups of such Securities having specified tenor or terms and the Trustee shall thereafter select the particular Securities to be redeemed in the manner set forth in the preceding paragraph from among the group of such Securities so specified.
     For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption.
     Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at such Holder’s address appearing in the Security Register.
     All notices of redemption shall state:
     (a) the Redemption Date;
     (b) the Redemption Price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof;

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     (c) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed;
     (d) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date;
     (e) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; and
     (f) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Issuers shall be given by the Issuers or, at the Issuers’ request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuers.
Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.
     Prior to any Redemption Date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if either of the Issuers are acting as a Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.
Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
     Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Issuers shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Issuers at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series as contemplated in Section 3.1, installments of interest the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant record dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.
     If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part.
     Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Issuers or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuers and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.

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ARTICLE TWELVE
SINKING FUNDS
Section 12.1. Applicability of Article.
     The provisions of this Article Twelve shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of such series.
     The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.
Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
     The Issuers (a) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (b) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Issuers pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
     Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), the Issuers will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2 and stating the basis for such credit and that such Securities have not been previously so credited, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Issuers in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 11.6 and Section 11.7.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
DEFEASANCE
Section 13.1. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
     The Issuers may, at the option of each of their Board of Directors evidenced by respective Board Resolutions, and at any time, elect to have either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof be applied to all

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Outstanding Securities of any series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Thirteen.
Section 13.2. Legal Defeasance and Discharge.
     Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.2, each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all Outstanding Securities of such series (including the Securities Guarantee) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the Outstanding Securities of such series (including the Securities Guarantee), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 13.5 hereof and the other sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Securities, the Securities Guarantee and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
     (a) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 13.4 hereof;
     (b) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such Securities under Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 10.2 and Section 10.3 hereof;
     (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and
     (d) this Article Thirteen.
     Subject to compliance with this Article Thirteen, the Issuers may exercise their option under this Section 13.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of their option under Section 13.3 hereof with respect to the same series of Securities.
Section 13.3. Covenant Defeasance.
     Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.3, each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, be released from each of their obligations respecting the Securities of such series under the covenants contained in Section 8.1 and Section 10.4 hereof as well as any Additional Defeasible Provisions (such release and termination hereinafter referred to as “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of such series will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes to the extent permitted by GAAP). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series and the Securities Guarantee, the Issuers and the Guarantors may fail to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other

61


 

document and such failure to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 5.1 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and Securities Guarantee will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.3 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, any Event of Default that constitutes an Additional Defeasible Provision will no longer constitute an Event of Default.
Section 13.4. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.
     In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to any series of Securities under either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof:
     (a) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Issuers must specify whether the Securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;
     (b) in the case of an election under Section 13.2 hereof, the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that:
     (i) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or
     (ii) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,
in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will state that, the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
     (c) in the case of an election under Section 13.3 hereof, the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
     (d) no Default or Event of Default respecting such series of Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);
     (e) the deposit must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which either Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which either Issuer or any Guarantor is bound;

62


 

     (f) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which either Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which either Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
     (g) the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of preferring the Holders of Securities of such series over the other creditors of the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Issuers or others;
     (h) the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (a) through (f) of this Section 13.4 have been complied with; and
     (i) the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications and exclusions) stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (f) of this Section 13.4 have been complied with.
Section 13.5. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust, Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
     Subject to the last paragraph of Section 10.3 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 13.5, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 13.4 hereof in respect of the Outstanding Securities of any series will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including either of the Issuers acting as a Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
     The Issuers will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 13.4 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities.
     Notwithstanding anything in this Article Thirteen to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the request of the Issuers any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 13.4 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 13.4(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Section 13.6. Reinstatement .
     If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof with respect to the Securities of any series, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuers’

63


 

and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and such Securities and the Securities Guarantee will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuers make any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any such Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES
Section 14.1. Securities Guarantee.
     (a) Subject to the other provisions of this Article Fourteen, each of the Guarantors hereby fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally guarantees to each Holder of a Security of each series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable as provided in Section 3.1(t) (the Securities of such series being referred to herein as the “Guaranteed Securities”) (which Security has been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee), and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Guaranteed Securities, or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that:
     (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Guaranteed Securities will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, or by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Guaranteed Securities, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders of Guaranteed Securities, or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder, will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and
     (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Guaranteed Securities or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.
Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
     (b) To the extent permissible under applicable law, the obligations of the Guarantors under this Securities Guarantee are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Guaranteed Securities or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Guaranteed Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of either of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against either of the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this

64


 

Securities Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Guaranteed Securities and this Indenture.
     (c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Securities Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.
     (d) Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders of Guaranteed Securities and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Five hereof for the purposes of this Securities Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Five hereof, such obligations (regardless of whether due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Securities Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Securities Guarantee.
Section 14.2. Limitation on Guarantor Liability.
     Each Guarantor and, by its acceptance of Guaranteed Securities, each Holder thereof, hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such parties that the Securities Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar Federal or State law to the extent applicable to any Securities Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, to the extent permitted under applicable law, the Holders and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article Fourteen, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Securities Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
Section 14.3. Execution and Delivery of Securities Guarantee Notation.
     To evidence its Securities Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Securities Guarantee substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.3 or established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.1, will be endorsed by an officer of such Guarantor on each Guaranteed Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture or a supplement to this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its officers.
     Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Securities Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Guaranteed Security a notation of such Securities Guarantee.

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     The delivery of any Guaranteed Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Securities Guarantee of such Guaranteed Security set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
* * *

66


 

     This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.
             
    LEGACY RESERVES LP    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
  Name:  
 
   
 
  Title:  
 
   
 
     
 
   
 
           
    LEGACY RESERVES FINANCE CORPORATION    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
  Name:  
 
   
 
  Title:  
 
   
 
     
 
   
 
           
    [____________________]    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
  Name:  
 
   
 
  Title:  
 
   
 
     
 
   

EX-4.5 3 h82497exv4w5.htm EX-4.5 exv4w5
EXHIBIT 4.5
 
LEGACY RESERVES LP
AND
LEGACY RESERVES FINANCE CORPORATION,
as Issuers,
AND
[                                        ],
as Trustee
 
INDENTURE
DATED AS OF                      __, 20__
 
SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
 

 


 

LEGACY RESERVES LP
RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939, AS AMENDED,
AND INDENTURE, DATED AS OF
                     __, 20__
         
TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION   INDENTURE SECTION  
Section 310(a)(1)
    6.9  
(a)(2)
    6.9  
(a)(3)
  Not Applicable  
(a)(4)
  Not Applicable  
(a)(5)
    6.9  
(b)
    6.8  
 
       
Section 311
    6.13  
 
       
Section 312(a)
    7.1, 7.2 (a)
(b)
    7.2 (b)
(c)
    7.2 (c)
 
       
Section 313(a)
    7.3  
(b)
    *  
(c)
    *  
(d)
    7.3  
 
       
Section 314(a)
    7.4  
(a)(4)
    10.5  
(b)
  Not Applicable  
(c)(1)
    1.3  
(c)(2)
    1.3  
(c)(3)
  Not Applicable  
(d)
  Not Applicable  
(e)
    1.3  
 
       
Section 315(a)
    6.1 (a)
(b)
    6.2  
(c)
    6.1 (b)
(d)
    6.1 (c)
(d)(1)
    6.1 (a)(1)
(d)(2)
    6.1 (c)(2)
(d)(3)
    6.1 (c)(3)
(e)
    5.14  
 
       
Section 316(a)
    1.1, 1.2  
(a)(1)(A)
    5.2, 5.12  
(a)(1)(B)
    5.13  
(a)(2)
  Not Applicable  
(b)
    5.8  
(c)
    1.5 (f)

 


 

         
TRUST INDENTURE ACT SECTION   INDENTURE SECTION  
Section 317(a)(1)
    5.3  
(a)(2)
    5.4  
(b)
    10.3  
 
Section 318(a)
    1.8  
NOTE: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.
 
*   Deemed included pursuant to Section 318(c) of the Trust Indenture Act

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
    Page
ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
    1  
Section 1.1. Definitions
    1  
Section 1.2. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act
    9  
Section 1.3. Compliance Certificates and Opinions
    9  
Section 1.4. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee
    10  
Section 1.5. Acts of Holders; Record Dates
    10  
Section 1.6. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Issuers and Guarantors
    11  
Section 1.7. Notice to Holders; Waiver
    12  
Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act
    12  
Section 1.9. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents
    13  
Section 1.10. Successors and Assigns
    13  
Section 1.11. Separability Clause
    13  
Section 1.12. Benefits of Indenture
    13  
Section 1.13. Force Majeure
    13  
Section 1.14. Waiver of Jury Trial
    13  
Section 1.15. Governing Law
    13  
Section 1.16. Legal Holidays
    13  
Section 1.17. Securities in a Composite Currency, Currency Unit or Foreign Currency
    14  
Section 1.18. Payment in Required Currency; Judgment Currency
    14  
Section 1.19. Language of Notices, Etc.
    15  
Section 1.20. Incorporators, Unitholders, Stockholders, Partners, Officers and Directors of the Issuers and the Guarantors Exempt from Individual Liability
    15  
 
       
ARTICLE TWO SECURITY FORMS
    15  
Section 2.1. Forms Generally
    15  
Section 2.2. Form of Face of Security
    16  
Section 2.3. Form of Reverse of Security
    18  
Section 2.4. Global Securities
    23  
Section 2.5. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication
    23  
 
       
ARTICLE THREE THE SECURITIES
    24  
Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series
    24  
Section 3.2. Denominations
    26  
Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating
    26  
Section 3.4. Temporary Securities
    28  
Section 3.5. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange
    28  
Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities
    30  
Section 3.7. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved
    31  
Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners
    32  
Section 3.9. Cancellation
    32  
Section 3.10. Computation of Interest
    33  
Section 3.11. CUSIP or CINS Numbers
    33  
 
       
ARTICLE FOUR SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
    33  
Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture
    33  
Section 4.2. Application of Trust Money
    34  

i


 

         
    Page
ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES
    34  
Section 5.1. Events of Default
    34  
Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment
    35  
Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee
    36  
Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim
    37  
Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities
    38  
Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected
    38  
Section 5.7. Limitation on Suits
    38  
Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest
    39  
Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies
    39  
Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative
    39  
Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver
    39  
Section 5.12. Control by Holders
    39  
Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults
    40  
Section 5.14. Undertaking for Costs
    40  
Section 5.15. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws
    40  
 
       
ARTICLE SIX THE TRUSTEE
    41  
Section 6.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities
    41  
Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults
    42  
Section 6.3. Certain Rights of Trustee
    42  
Section 6.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities
    43  
Section 6.5. May Hold Securities
    43  
Section 6.6. Money Held in Trust
    44  
Section 6.7. Compensation and Reimbursement
    44  
Section 6.8. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests
    44  
Section 6.9. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility
    45  
Section 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor
    45  
Section 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor
    46  
Section 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business
    47  
Section 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers
    47  
Section 6.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent
    48  
 
       
ARTICLE SEVEN HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
    49  
Section 7.1. Issuers to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders
    49  
Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders
    49  
Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee
    50  
Section 7.4. Reports by Company
    51  
 
       
ARTICLE EIGHT CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATION, MERGER AND SALE
    51  
Section 8.1. Issuers May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms
    51  
Section 8.2. Successor Substituted
    52  
 
       
ARTICLE NINE AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
    52  
Section 9.1. Without Consent of Holders
    52  
Section 9.2. With Consent of Holders
    54  
Section 9.3. Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures
    55  
Section 9.4. Effect of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures
    55  
Section 9.5. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act
    55  
Section 9.6. Reference in Securities to Amendments or Supplemental Indentures
    55  

ii


 

         
    Page
ARTICLE TEN COVENANTS
    56  
Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest
    56  
Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency
    56  
Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust
    56  
Section 10.4. Existence
    57  
Section 10.5. Statement by Officers as to Default
    58  
 
       
ARTICLE ELEVEN REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
    58  
Section 11.1. Applicability of Article
    58  
Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee
    58  
Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed
    58  
Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption
    59  
Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price
    59  
Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date
    59  
Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part
    60  
 
       
ARTICLE TWELVE SINKING FUNDS
    60  
Section 12.1. Applicability of Article
    60  
Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities
    60  
Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund
    61  
 
       
ARTICLE THIRTEEN DEFEASANCE
    61  
Section 13.1. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
    61  
Section 13.2. Legal Defeasance and Discharge
    61  
Section 13.3. Covenant Defeasance
    62  
Section 13.4. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance
    62  
Section 13.5. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust, Other Miscellaneous Provisions
    63  
Section 13.6. Reinstatement
    64  
 
       
ARTICLE FOURTEEN GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES
    64  
Section 14.1. Securities Guarantee
    64  
Section 14.2. Limitation on Guarantor Liability
    66  
Section 14.3. Execution and Delivery of Securities Guarantee Notation
    66  
 
       
ARTICLE FIFTEEN SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
    66  
Section 15.1. Securities Subordinated to Senior Debt
    66  
Section 15.2. No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances
    66  
Section 15.3. Payment over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc
    67  
Section 15.4. Subrogation
    69  
Section 15.5. Obligations of Issuers Unconditional
    69  
Section 15.6. Notice to Trustee
    70  
Section 15.7. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent
    70  
Section 15.8. Trustee’s Relation to Senior Debt
    71  
Section 15.9. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Issuers or Holders of Senior Debt
    71  
Section 15.10. Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities
    71  
Section 15.11. Not to Prevent Events of Default
    71  
Section 15.12. Trustee’s Compensation Not Prejudiced
    71  
Section 15.13. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions
    72  
Section 15.14. Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution
    72  

iii


 

         
    Page
Section 15.15. Trust Moneys Not Subordinated
    72  
 
       
ARTICLE SIXTEEN SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES GUARANTEE
    72  
Section 16.1. Securities Guarantee Subordinated to Guarantor Senior Debt
    72  
Section 16.2. No Payment on Securities Guarantee in Certain Circumstances
    73  
Section 16.3. Payment over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc
    73  
Section 16.4. Subrogation
    75  
Section 16.5. Obligations of Guarantor Unconditional
    75  
Section 16.6. Notice to Trustee
    76  
Section 16.7. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent
    77  
Section 16.8. Trustee’s Relation to Guarantor Senior Debt
    77  
Section 16.9. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of a Guarantor or Holders of Guarantor Senior Debt
    77  
Section 16.10. Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities Guarantee
    77  
Section 16.11. Not to Prevent Events of Default
    78  
Section 16.12. Trustee’s Compensation Not Prejudiced
    78  
Section 16.13. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions
    78  
Section 16.14. Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution
    78  
NOTE: This table of contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

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PARTIES
     INDENTURE, dated as of                     , 20        , among LEGACY RESERVES LP, a limited partnership duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company”), LEGACY RESERVES FINANCE CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“Finance Corp.,” and together with the Company, the “Issuers”), the Guarantors (as defined hereinafter) and [                                        ], a [                                        ], as trustee (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS OF THE ISSUERS:
     The Issuers have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Issuers’ unsecured subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), which may be guaranteed by the Guarantors, to be issued in one or more series as provided in this Indenture.
     All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuers, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
     This Indenture is subject to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act (as defined herein) that are required to be a part of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, shall be governed by such provisions.
     NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:
     For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities by the Holders (as defined herein) thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE ONE
DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
Section 1.1. Definitions.
     For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires:
     (a) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;
     (b) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings assigned to them in accordance with GAAP;
     (c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision;
     (d) the words “Article” and “Section” refer to an Article and Section, respectively, of this Indenture;
     (e) the word “includes” and its derivatives means “includes, but is not limited to” and corresponding derivative definitions; and

 


 

     (f) references to any officer of any partnership or limited liability company that does not have officers but is managed or controlled, directly or indirectly, by an entity that does have officers, shall be deemed to be references to the officers of such managing or controlling entity.
     Certain terms, used principally in Article Six, are defined in that Article.
     “Act,” when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in Section 1.5.
     “Additional Defeasible Provision” means a covenant or other provision that is (a) made part of this Indenture pursuant to an indenture supplemental hereto, a Board Resolution or an Officer’s Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 3.1, and (b) pursuant to the terms set forth in such supplemental indenture, Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate, made subject to the provisions of Article Thirteen.
     “Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings.
     “Authenticating Agent” means any Person authorized by the Trustee to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities.
     “Banking Day” means, in respect of any city, any date on which commercial banks are open for business in that city.
     “Bankruptcy Law” means any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law.
     “Board of Directors” means:
     (a) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;
     (b) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;
     (c) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managers or members thereof or any board or committee serving a similar management function; and
     (d) with respect to any other Person, the individual or board or committee of such Person serving a management function similar to those described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this definition.
     “Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company, Finance Corp. or a Guarantor, the principal financial officer of the Company, Finance Corp. or a Guarantor, any other authorized officer of the Company, Finance Corp. or a Guarantor, or a person duly authorized by any of them, in each case as applicable, to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee. Where any provision of this Indenture refers to action to be taken pursuant to a Board Resolution (including the establishment of any series of the Securities and the forms and terms thereof), such action may be taken by any committee, officer or employee of the Company, Finance Corp.

2


 

or a Guarantor, as applicable, authorized to take such action by the Board of Directors, as evidenced by a Board Resolution.
     “Business Day,” when used with respect to any Place of Payment or other location, means, except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which banking institutions and trust companies in that Place of Payment or other location are authorized or obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.
     “CINS” means CUSIP International Numbering System.
     “Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
     “Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor or resulting Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor or resulting Person.
     “Corporate Trust Office” means the office of the Trustee at the address specified in Section 3.5 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Issuers.
     “corporation,” when used in reference to the Trustee or any prospective Trustee, shall include any corporation, company, association, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, joint-stock company, trust or other entity, in each case, satisfying the requirements of Section 310(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act.
     “Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.3.
     “CUSIP” means the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures.
     “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
     “Debt” means any obligation created or assumed by any Person for the repayment of money borrowed and any purchase money obligation created or assumed by such Person and any guarantee of the foregoing.
     “Default” means, with respect to a series of Securities, any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
     “Defaulted Interest” has the meaning specified in Section 3.7.
     “Definitive Security” means a security other than a Global Security or a temporary Security.
     “Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for such Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter shall mean or include each Person which is a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, shall be a collective reference to such Persons.

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     “Designated Guarantor Senior Debt” shall have the meaning given to such term in a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto delivered pursuant to Section 3.1.
     “Designated Senior Debt” shall have the meaning given to such term in a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto delivered pursuant to Section 3.1.
     “Dollar” or “$” means the coin or currency of the United States of America, which at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
     “Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 5.1.
     “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
     “Finance Corp.” means the Person named as the “Finance Corp.” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor or resulting Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Finance Corp.” shall mean such successor or resulting Person.
     “Foreign Currency” means a currency used by the government of a country other than the United States of America.
     “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect from time to time, including those set forth in (1) the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification and any related Accounting Standards Updates by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (2) such other statements by such other entity as are approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession and (3) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC. All computations based on GAAP contained in the Indenture shall be computed in conformity with GAAP.
     “Global Security” means a Security in global form that evidences all or part of a series of Securities and is authenticated and delivered to, and registered in the name of, the Depositary for the Securities of such series or its nominee.
     “Guaranteed Securities” has the meaning specified in Section 14.1.
     “Guarantor” means each Person that becomes a guarantor of any Securities pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
     “Guarantor Senior Debt” means, unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 3.1, (a) all Debt of a Guarantor, whether currently outstanding or hereafter issued, unless, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing such Debt, it is provided that such Debt is not superior in right of payment to the Securities Guarantee or to other Debt which is pari passu with or subordinated to the Securities Guarantee, and (b) any modifications, refunding, deferrals, renewals or extensions of any such Debt or securities, notes or other evidence of Debt issued in exchange for such Debt; provided that in no event shall “Guarantor Senior Debt” include (i) Debt of a Guarantor owed or owing to any Subsidiary of such Guarantor or any officer, director or employee of such Guarantor or any Subsidiary of such Guarantor, (ii) Debt to trade creditors or (iii) any liability for taxes owed or owing by a Guarantor.

4


 

     “Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.
     “Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more amendments or indentures supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for all purposes of this instrument, and any such amendment or supplemental indenture, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be part of and govern this instrument and any such amendment or supplemental indenture, respectively. The term “Indenture” also shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 3.1.
     “interest,” when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable after Maturity.
     “Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.
     “Issuer Request” or “Issuer Order” means, in the case of the Issuers, a written request or order signed in the name of each of the Issuers by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its Chief Financial Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of the respective Issuer or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a written request or order signed in the name of such Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, any of its Vice Presidents or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor or any person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.
     “Issuers” means the Company and Finance Corp.
     “Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.
     “Legal Defeasance” has the meaning specified in Section 13.2.
     “mandatory sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.
     “Market Exchange Rate” has the meaning specified in Section 1.17.
     “Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.
     “Notice of Default” means a written notice of the kind specified in Section 5.1(c) or Section 5.1(d).
     “Officer’s Certificate” means, in the case of the Issuers, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of each of the Issuers, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee and, in the case of a Guarantor, a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, any Vice President or any other duly authorized officer of such Guarantor, or a person duly authorized by any of them, and delivered to the Trustee.

5


 

     “Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who may be an employee of or counsel for the any of the Issuers or a Guarantor, as the case may be, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
     “optional sinking fund payment” has the meaning specified in Section 12.1.
     “Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2.
     “Outstanding,” when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
     (a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
     (b) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than an Issuer) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Issuers (if an Issuer shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided, however, that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made; and
     (c) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 3.6 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Issuers;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof on such date pursuant to Section 5.2, (ii) the principal amount of a Security denominated in one or more currencies or currency units other than U.S. dollars shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent of such currencies or currency units, determined in the manner provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 on the date of original issuance of such Security or by Section 1.17, if not otherwise so provided pursuant to Section 3.1, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the U.S. dollar equivalent (as so determined) on the date of original issuance of such Security of the amount determined as provided in clause (i) above) of such Security, and (iii) Securities owned by an Issuer, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned as described in clause (iii) of the immediately preceding sentence which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not an Issuer, a Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

6


 

     “Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Issuers to pay the principal of and any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the Issuers.
     “Payment Blockage Period” has the meaning specified in Section 15.2.
     “Periodic Offering” means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest or formula for determining the rate or rates of interest thereon, if any, the Stated Maturity or Stated Maturities thereof, the original issue date or dates thereof, the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, and any other terms specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Company upon the issuance of such Securities.
     “Person” means any individual, corporation, company, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, other entity, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.
     “Place of Payment,” when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means, unless otherwise specifically provided for with respect to such series as contemplated by Section 3.1, the office or agency of the Issuers and such other place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series are payable as contemplated by Section 3.1.
     “Predecessor Security” of any particular Security means every previous Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security authenticated and delivered under Section 3.6 in exchange for or in lieu of a mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.
     “Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
     “Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.
     “Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 3.1.
     “Required Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.18.
     “Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
     “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

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     “Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
     “Securities Guarantee” means each guarantee of the obligations of the Issuers under this Indenture and the Securities by a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions hereof.
     “Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period” has the meaning specified in Section 16.2.
     “Security Register” and “Security Registrar” have the respective meanings specified in Section 3.5.
     “Senior Debt” means, unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 3.1, (a) all Debt of the Issuers, whether currently outstanding or hereafter issued, unless, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing such Debt, it is provided that such Debt is not superior in right of payment to the Securities or to other Debt which is pari passu with or subordinated to the Securities, and (b) any modifications, refunding, deferrals, renewals or extensions of any such Debt or securities, notes or other evidence of Debt issued in exchange for such Debt; provided that in no event shall “Senior Debt” include (i) Debt of the Issuers owed or owing to any Subsidiary of the Issuers or any officer, director or employee of the Issuers or any Subsidiary of the Issuers, (ii) Debt to trade creditors or (iii) any liability for taxes owned or owing by the Issuers.
     “Special Record Date” for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 3.7.
     “Stated Maturity,” when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.
     “Subsidiary” means (a) a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by either of the Issuers or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by either of the Issuers and one or more other Subsidiaries or (b) any partnership or other business organization more than 50% of the ownership interests having ordinary voting power of which is so owned. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means capital stock or equity interests which ordinarily have voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.
     “Trustee” means the Person named as the “Trustee” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.
     “Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this instrument was executed, except as provided in Section 9.5; provided, however, that if the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “Trust Indenture Act” means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.
     “U.S. Person” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.
     “U.S. Government Obligations” means securities which are (a) direct obligations of the United States for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged, or (b) obligations of a Person

8


 

controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States, and which are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
     “Vice President,” when used with respect to an Issuer, the Guarantor or the Trustee, means any vice president, regardless of whether designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title “vice president.”
Section 1.2. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
     Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the Trust Indenture Act, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:
“commission” means the SEC.
“indenture securities” means the Securities.
“indenture security holder” means a Holder.
“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.
“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.
“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Issuers, the Guarantor (if applicable) or any other obligor on the indenture securities.
     All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined by a Trust Indenture Act reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule under the Trust Indenture Act have the meanings so assigned to them.
Section 1.3. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
     Upon any application or request by the Issuers or a Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under any provision of this Indenture, the Issuers or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished except as required under Section 314(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.
     Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (except for certificates provided for in Section 10.5) shall include:
     (a) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;
     (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

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     (c) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether such covenant or condition has been complied with; and
     (d) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
Section 1.4. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
     In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.
     Any certificate or opinion of an officer of an Issuer or a Guarantor may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows or, in the exercise of reasonable care, should know that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion is based are erroneous. Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or representations by, an officer or officers of an Issuer or a Guarantor, as the case may be, stating that the information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the respective Issuer or the Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such counsel knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such matters are erroneous.
     Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form one instrument.
Section 1.5. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
     (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed (either physically or by means of a facsimile or an electronic transmission, provided that such electronic transmission is transmitted through the facilities of a Depositary) by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Issuers or the Guarantors. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the “Act” of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors, if made in the manner provided in this Section.
     (b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such

10


 

certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.
     (c) The ownership, principal amount and serial numbers of Securities held by any Person, and the date of commencement of such Person’s holding of same, shall be proved by the Security Register.
     (d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee, the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors in reliance thereon, regardless of whether notation of such action is made upon such Security.
     (e) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to give or take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any different part of such principal amount.
     (f) The Issuers may set any day as the record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other Act provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, but the Issuers shall have no obligation to do so. With regard to any record date set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on such record date (or their duly appointed agents), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to give or take the relevant action, regardless of whether such Holders remain Holders after such record date.
Section 1.6. Notices, Etc., to Trustee, Issuers and Guarantors.
     (a) Any notice, request, demand, authorization, direction, consent, waiver or other communication by the Issuers, any of the Guarantors or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, postage prepaid, facsimile or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:
If to the Issuers and/or any Guarantor:
Legacy Reserves LP
303 W. Wall Street, Suite 1400
Midland, Texas 79701
Facsimile: [                    ]
Attention: [                    ]
with a copy to:
Andrews Kurth LLP
600 Travis, Suite 4200
Houston, Texas 77002
Telephone: (713) 220-4200

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Facsimile: (713) 220-4285
Attention: Gislar Donnenberg
If to the Trustee:
[                    ]
[                    ]
[                    ]
Telephone: [                    ]
Facsimile: [                    ]
Attention: [                    ]
     (b) The Issuers, the Guarantors or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
     (c) All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders, unless mailed in the manner herein prescribed) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; three Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
Section 1.7. Notice to Holders; Waiver.
     Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected by such event, at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not later than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. Any notice mailed to a Holder in the manner herein prescribed shall be conclusively deemed to have been received by such Holder, regardless of whether such Holder actually receives such notice.
     Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.
     In case it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause, then such notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.
Section 1.8. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
     If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Trust Indenture Act that is required under such Act to be a part of and govern this Indenture, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall control. If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the provision of the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or excluded, as the case may be.

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Section 1.9. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
     The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
Section 1.10. Successors and Assigns.
     All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by each of the Issuers and the Guarantors shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
Section 1.11. Separability Clause.
     In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 1.12. Benefits of Indenture.
     Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee, express or implied, shall give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, the holders of Senior Debt and the Holders any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.
Section 1.13. Force Majeure.
     In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts that are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 1.14. Waiver of Jury Trial.
     EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS INDENTURE.
Section 1.15. Governing Law.
     THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE SECURITIES GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
Section 1.16. Legal Holidays.
     In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or other date of Maturity of any Security shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee (other than a provision of

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the Securities of any series or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee that specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section 1.16)) payment of interest or principal and any premium need not be made at such Place of Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or Redemption Date, or at the Stated Maturity, and if payment is so made, no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.
Section 1.17. Securities in a Composite Currency, Currency Unit or Foreign Currency.
     Unless otherwise specified in a Board Resolution, Officer’s Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto delivered pursuant to Section 3.1 of this Indenture with respect to a particular series of Securities, whenever for purposes of this Indenture any action may be taken by the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of Securities of all series or all series affected by a particular action at the time Outstanding and, at such time, there are Outstanding Securities of any affected series which are denominated in a coin, currency or currencies other than Dollars (including, but not limited to, any composite currency, currency units or Foreign Currency), then the principal amount of Securities of such series which shall be deemed to be Outstanding for the purpose of taking such action shall be that amount of Dollars that could be obtained for such amount at the Market Exchange Rate. For purposes of this Section 1.17, the term “Market Exchange Rate” shall mean the noon Dollar buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers of such currency or currencies as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as of the most recent available date. If such Market Exchange Rate is not so available for any reason with respect to such currency, such quotation of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York as of the most recent available date, or quotations or rates of exchange from one or more major banks in The City of New York or in the country of issue of the currency in question, which for purposes of Euros shall be Brussels, Belgium, or such other quotations or rates of exchange as appropriate shall be used. The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in determining the equivalent principal amount in respect of Securities of a series denominated in a currency other than Dollars in connection with any action taken by Holders of Securities pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
     In no event will the Trustee have any duty or liability regarding the Market Exchange Rate or any alternative determination provided for in the preceding paragraph.
Section 1.18. Payment in Required Currency; Judgment Currency.
     Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors agrees, to the fullest extent that it may effectively do so under applicable law, that (a) if for the purpose of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of or interest on the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Required Currency could be purchased in The City of New York with the Judgment Currency on the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered, unless such day is not a Banking Day, then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Required Currency could be purchased in The City of New York with the Judgment Currency on the Banking Day next preceding the day on which final unappealable judgment is entered and (b) its obligations under this Indenture to make payments in the Required Currency (i) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender, or any recovery pursuant to any judgment (regardless of whether entered in accordance with subclause (a)), in any currency other than the Required Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery shall result in the actual receipt, by the payee, of the full amount of the Required Currency expressed to be payable in respect of such payments, (ii) shall be enforceable as an alternative or additional cause of action for the purpose of recovering in the Required

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Currency the amount, if any, by which such actual receipt shall fall short of the full amount of the Required Currency so expressed to be payable and (iii) shall not be affected by judgment being obtained for any other sum due under this Indenture.
Section 1.19. Language of Notices, Etc.
     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or Act required or permitted under this Indenture shall be in the English language, except that any published notice may be in an official language of the country of publication.
Section 1.20. Incorporators, Unitholders, Stockholders, Partners, Officers and Directors of the Issuers and the Guarantors Exempt from Individual Liability.
     No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of or contained in this Indenture or of or contained in any Security or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, unitholder, stockholder, member, officer, manager, employee, partner or director, as such, past, present or future, of an Issuer, any Guarantor or any successor Person, either directly or through an Issuer, any Guarantor or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise, it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as a part of the consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of the Securities.
ARTICLE TWO
SECURITY FORMS
Section 2.1. Forms Generally.
     The Securities of each series and, if applicable, the notation thereon relating to the Securities Guarantee, shall be in substantially the form set forth in this Article Two, or in such other form or forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Securities and, if applicable, any notation of the Securities Guarantee, as evidenced by their execution thereof.
     The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an authorized officer or other authorized person on behalf of each of the Issuers and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Issuer Order contemplated by Section 3.3 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.
     The forms of Global Securities of any series shall have such provisions and legends as are customary for Securities of such series in global form, including without limitation any legend required by the Depositary for the Securities of such series.

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Section 2.2. Form of Face of Security.
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security and is not “publicly offered” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.1275-1(h), insert—FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED, THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE AMOUNT OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT IS [. . . . . . . .% OF ITS PRINCIPAL AMOUNT] [$. . . . PER $1,000 OF PRINCIPAL AMOUNT], THE ISSUE DATE IS . . . . ., 20. . . AND, THE YIELD TO MATURITY IS . . . . . . . . , COMPOUNDED [SEMIANNUALLY OR OTHER PROPER PERIOD].
[In the alternative instead of providing such legend, insert the following legend—FOR PURPOSES OF SECTION 1275 OF THE UNITED STATES INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED THIS SECURITY WAS ISSUED WITH ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, AND. . . . . . . [THE NAME OR TITLE AND ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER OF A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY] WILL, BEGINNING NO LATER THAN 10 DAYS AFTER THE ISSUE DATE, PROMPTLY MAKE AVAILABLE TO HOLDERS THE AMOUNT OF ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT, THE ISSUE DATE, THE YIELD TO MATURITY AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE TREASURY REGULATIONS.]
[Insert any other legend required by the Code or the regulations thereunder.]
[If a Global Security,—insert legend required by Section 2.4 of the Indenture] [If applicable, insert —UNLESS THIS SECURITY IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION, TO THE ISSUERS OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY SECURITY ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL SINCE THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.]
LEGACY RESERVES LP
LEGACY RESERVES FINANCE CORPORATION
[TITLE OF SECURITY]
     
No. . . . . .   U.S. $. . . . . .
[CUSIP No. ]
LEGACY RESERVES LP, a limited partnership duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor or resulting Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), and LEGACY RESERVES FINANCE CORPORATION, a [Delaware] corporation (herein called “Finance Corp.,” which term includes any successor or resulting Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, and together with the Company, the “Issuers”), for value received, hereby promise to pay to .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ., or registered assigns, the principal sum of . . . . . . . . . . . . United States Dollars on . . . . . . . . . . . . [If the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert—, and to pay interest thereon from . . . . . . . . . . or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-

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annually on . . . . . . and . . . . . . in each year, commencing . . . . . ., at the rate of . . . . % per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment [if applicable, insert—, and at the rate of ___% per annum on any overdue principal and premium and on any installment of interest (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable)]. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the . . . . or . . . . (regardless of whether a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture].
[If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert—The principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated Maturity and in such case the overdue principal of this Security shall bear interest at the rate of . . . .% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such default in payment to the date payment of such principal has been made or duly provided for. Interest on any overdue principal shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on any overdue principal that is not so paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate of . . . . % per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), which shall accrue from the date of such demand for payment to the date payment of such interest has been made or duly provided for, and such interest shall also be payable on demand.]
[If a Global Security, insert—Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert—any such] interest on this Security will be made by transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account in                      designated by the Holder in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts [state other currency].]
[If a Definitive Security, insert—Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable, insert—any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Issuers maintained for that purpose in                     , in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts] [state other currency] [or subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and to the right of the Issuers (as provided in the Indenture) to rescind the designation of any such Paying Agent, at the [main] offices of                      in                     , or at such other offices or agencies as the Issuers may designate, by [United States Dollar] [state other currency] check drawn on, or transfer to a [United States Dollar] account maintained by the payee with, a bank in The City of New York (so long as the applicable Paying Agency has received proper transfer instructions in writing at least ___ days prior to the payment date)] [if applicable, insert—; provided, however, that payment of interest may be made at the option of the Issuers by [United States Dollar] [state other currency] check mailed to the addresses of the Persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear in the Security Register] [or by transfer to a [United States Dollar] [state other currency] account maintained by the payee with a bank in The City of New York [state other Place of Payment] (so long as the applicable Paying Agent has received proper transfer instructions in writing by the record date prior to the applicable Interest Payment Date)].]

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Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.
Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Issuers has caused this instrument to be duly executed.
     Dated:
             
    LEGACY RESERVES LP    
 
           
 
  By:    
 
   
 
           
    LEGACY RESERVES FINANCE CORPORATION    
 
           
 
  By:    
 
   
Section 2.3. Form of Reverse of Security.
This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of subordinated securities of the Issuers (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of                     , 20__ (herein called the “Indenture”), between the Issuers, the Guarantors, if any, and [                    ], as Trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Issuers, the Guarantors, if any, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. As provided in the Indenture, the Securities may be issued in one or more series, which different series may be issued in various aggregate principal amounts, may mature at different times, may bear interest, if any, at different rates, may be subject to different redemption provisions, if any, may be subject to different sinking, purchase or analogous funds, if any, may be subject to different covenants and Events of Default and may otherwise vary as in the Indenture provided or permitted. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof [, limited in aggregate principal amount to $. . . . . . . . . . ].
This security is the general, unsecured, subordinated obligation of the Issuers [if applicable, insert—and is guaranteed pursuant to a guarantee (the “Securities Guarantee”) by [insert name of each Guarantor] (the “Guarantors”). The Securities Guarantee is the general, unsecured, subordinated obligation of each Guarantor].
[If applicable, insert—The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than .... days’ notice by mail, [if applicable, insert, (1) on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in any year commencing with the year . . . . and ending with the year . . . . through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2) ] at any time [on or after . . . . . . . . . ., 20. . . ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Issuers, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as percentages of

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the principal amount): If redeemed [on or before . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . %, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period beginning . . . . . . of the years indicated,
             
Year   Redemption Price   Year   Redemption Price
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to . . . . . % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption [if applicable, insert—(whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert—The Securities of this series are subject to redemption upon not less than... nor more than ... days’ notice by mail, (1)
on . . . . . . . . in any year commencing with the year . . . . and ending with the year . . . . through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at anytime [on or after .. . . . . . . . . . ], as a whole or in part, at the election of the Issuers, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period beginning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of the years indicated,
         
        Redemption Price for
    Redemption Price For   Redemption Otherwise Than
    Redemption Through   Through Operation of the
Year   Operation of the Sinking Fund   Sinking Fund
and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to . . . . % of the principal amount, together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but interest installments the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]
[If applicable, insert—Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Issuers may not, prior to . . . . . . . .. . ., redeem any Securities of this series as contemplated by [clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly or indirectly, of moneys borrowed

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having an interest cost to the Issuers (calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less than . . . .% per annum.]
[If applicable, insert—The sinking fund for this series provides for the redemption on . . . . . . .. . . . . . in each year beginning with the
year . . . . and ending with the year . . . . of [not less than] $. . . . . . . . . . . . [ (“mandatory sinking fund”) and not more than $. . . . . . . . .. . . . ] aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series. [Securities of this series acquired or redeemed by the Issuers otherwise than through [mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be made [If applicable, insert— in the inverse order in which they become due].]
[If the Securities are subject to redemption in part of any kind, insert—In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]
[If applicable, insert—The Securities of this series are not redeemable prior to Stated Maturity.]
[If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security,If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]
[If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security,If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to —insert formula for determining the amount. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal and overdue interest (in each case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of the Issuers’ obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]
The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Issuers [If applicable, insert—and the Guarantors] and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Issuers [If applicable, insert—and the Guarantors] and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Issuers [If applicable, insert—and the Guarantors] with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, regardless of whether notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.
No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Issuers, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security at the times, place(s) and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.
[If a Global Security, insert—This Global Security or portion hereof may not be exchanged for Definitive Securities of this series except in the limited circumstances provided in the Indenture. The holders of

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beneficial interests in this Global Security will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Securities except as described in the Indenture and will not be considered the Holders thereof for any purpose under the Indenture.]
[If a Definitive Security, insert—As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registerable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Issuers in [if applicable, insert—any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable] [if applicable, insert—The City of New York [, or, subject to any laws or regulations applicable thereto and to the right of the Issuers (limited as provided in the Indenture) to rescind the designation of any such transfer agent, at the [main] offices of                      in                      or at such other offices or agencies as the Issuers may designate]], duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuers and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.]
The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of U.S. $. . . . . . . . and any integral multiple thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.
No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.
Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Issuers, [If applicable, insert—any Guarantor,] the Trustee and any agent of an Issuer [If applicable, insert—, a Guarantor] or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, regardless of whether this Security be overdue, and none of the Issuers, [If applicable, insert—the Guarantors,] the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
This Security is subordinated in right of payment to Senior Debt [If applicable, insert-and the Securities Guarantee is subordinated in right of payment to Guarantor Senior Debt], to the extent and in the manner provided in the Indenture.
No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of or contained in the Indenture or of or contained in any Security, [If applicable, insert—, or the Securities Guarantee,] or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against any director, officer, employee, incorporator, unitholder or stockholder, member, manager or partner, as such, past, present or future, of an Issuer [If applicable, insert—or any Guarantor] or of any successor Person, either directly or through an Issuer [If applicable, insert—or any Guarantor] or any successor Person, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment, penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released by the acceptance hereof and as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the Securities and the execution of the Indenture.
The Indenture provides that the Issuers [If applicable, insert—and the Guarantors] (a) will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the Securities (except for certain obligations described in the Indenture), or (b) need not comply with certain restrictive covenants of the Indenture, in each case if an

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Issuer [If applicable, insert—or a Guarantor] deposits, in trust, with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations (or a combination thereof) which through the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will provide money, in an amount sufficient to pay all the principal of and interest on the Securities, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Except as otherwise defined herein, all terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
[If a Definitive Security, insert as a separate page
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto
     
 
 
(Please Print or Type Name and Address of Assignee)
   
the within instrument of [                                        ] and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                                          Attorney to transfer said instrument on the books of the within-named Issuers, with full power of substitution in the premises.
Please Insert Social Security or Other Identifying Number of Assignee:
                 
             
 
               
Dated:
               
 
 
 
     
 
(Signature)
   
NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within instrument in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.]
[If a Security to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable, insert the following Form of Notation on such Security relating to the Securities Guarantee
Each of the Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person in such capacity under the Indenture), has fully, unconditionally and absolutely guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of this series and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Securities of this series by the Issuers.
The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Securities of this series and to the Trustee pursuant to the Securities Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article Fourteen of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Securities Guarantee.
             
    Guarantors:    
 
           
    [NAME OF EACH GUARANTOR]    
 
           
 
  By:      
 
           
 
          ]  

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Section 2.4. Global Securities.
     Every Global Security authenticated and delivered hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:
THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO, OR REGISTERED OR EXCHANGED FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF, ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF AND NO SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE REGISTERED, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.
EVERY SECURITY AUTHENTICATED AND DELIVERED UPON REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF, OR IN EXCHANGE FOR OR IN LIEU OF, THIS SECURITY SHALL BE A GLOBAL SECURITY SUBJECT TO THE FOREGOING, EXCEPT IN SUCH LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES.
     If Securities of a series are issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, as specified as contemplated by Section 3.1, then, notwithstanding clause (i) of Section 3.1 and the provisions of Section 3.2, any Global Security shall represent such of the Outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as the case may be, to reflect exchanges. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any reduction or increase in the amount, of Outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified therein or in an Issuer Order. Subject to the provisions of Section 3.3, Section 3.4 and Section 3.5, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Global Security in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified therein or in the applicable Issuer Order. Any instructions by the Issuers with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Global Security shall be in an Issuer Order.
     The provisions of the last sentence of Section 3.3 shall apply to any Security represented by a Global Security if such Security was never issued and sold by the Issuers and the Issuers deliver to the Trustee the Global Security together with an Issuer Order with regard to the reduction or increase, as the case may be, in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the written statement contemplated by the last sentence of Section 3.3.
Section 2.5. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication.
     The Trustee’s certificate(s) of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:
This is one of the Securities of the series designated [insert title of applicable series] referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
             
    [                                        ], as Trustee    
 
           
 
  By:    
 
   
 
      Authorized Officer    

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ARTICLE THREE
THE SECURITIES
Section 3.1. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
     The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.
     The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officer’s Certificate, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:
     (a) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from all other Securities and which may be part of a series of Securities previously issued);
     (b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 9.6 or Section 11.7 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 3.3, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder);
     (c) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest;
     (d) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable or the method of determination thereof;
     (e) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the formula, method or provision pursuant to which such rate or rates are determined, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method of determination thereof, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;
     (f) the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 10.2, the principal of and any premium and interest on Securities of the series shall be payable, Securities of the series may be surrendered for registration of transfer, Securities of the series may be surrendered for exchange, and notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Securities of the series and this Indenture may be served;
     (g) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuers;
     (h) the obligation, if any, of the Issuers to redeem or purchase Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon

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which Securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;
     (i) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable;
     (j) whether payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Securities of the series shall be without deduction for taxes, assessments or governmental charges paid by Holders of the series;
     (k) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2;
     (l) if the amount of payments of principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
     (m) if and as applicable, that the Securities of the series shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case, the Depositary or Depositaries for such Global Security or Global Securities and any circumstances other than those set forth in Section 3.5 in which any such Global Security may be transferred to, and registered and exchanged for Securities registered in the name of, a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof and in which any such transfer may be registered;
     (n) any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 5.1 or the covenants of the Issuers set forth in Article Ten with respect to the Securities of such series;
     (o) whether and under what circumstances the Issuers will pay additional amounts on the Securities of the series held by a Person who is not a U.S. Person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Issuers will have the option to redeem the Securities of the series rather than pay such additional amounts;
     (p) if the Securities of the series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions;
     (q) if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for any other security or property of the Issuers, including, without limitation, securities of another Person held by the Issuers or their Affiliates and, if so, the terms thereof;
     (r) if other than as provided in Section 13.2 and Section 13.3, the means of Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance as may be specified for the Securities of the series;
     (s) if other than the Trustee, the identity of the initial Security Registrar and any initial Paying Agent;

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     (t) whether the Securities of the series will be guaranteed pursuant to the Securities Guarantee set forth in Article Fourteen, any modifications to the terms of Article Fourteen applicable to the Securities of such series and the applicability of any other guarantees; and
     (u) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture).
     All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 3.3) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officer’s Certificate referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.
     All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for increases in the aggregate principal amount of such series of Securities and issuances of additional Securities of such series or for the establishment of additional terms with respect to the Securities of such series.
     If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by an authorized officer or other authorized person on behalf of each of the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth, or providing the manner for determining, the terms of the series.
     With respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, such Board Resolution or Officer’s Certificate may provide general terms for Securities of such series and provide either that the specific terms of particular Securities of such series shall be specified in an Issuer Order or that such terms shall be determined by the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors or one or more agents thereof designated in an Officer’s Certificate, in accordance with an Issuer Order.
Section 3.2. Denominations.
     The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 3.1. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
Section 3.3. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
     The Securities shall be executed on behalf of each of the Issuers by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and need not be attested. The signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile. Any notation of Securities Guarantee endorsed on the Securities shall be executed on behalf of the applicable Guarantor by its Chairman of the Board, its Chief Executive Officer, its President, its Chief Financial Officer or any of its Vice Presidents and need not be attested. The signature of any of these officers on any notation of the Securities Guarantee may be manual or facsimile.
     Securities and any notation of a Securities Guarantee bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who were at any time the proper officers of the Company, Finance Corp. or a Guarantor, as the case may be, shall bind the Company, Finance Corp. or such Guarantor, as the case may be, notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

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     At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuers may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Issuers to the Trustee for authentication, together with an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance with the Issuer Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities; provided, however, that in the case of Securities offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Securities from time to time in accordance with such other procedures (including, without limitation, the receipt by the Trustee of written instructions from the Issuers) acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified by or pursuant to an Issuer Order delivered to the Trustee prior to the time of the first authentication of Securities of such series. If the forms or terms of the Securities of the series have been established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be fully protected in relying on such Board Resolution and shall be entitled to receive such documents as it may reasonably request. The Trustee shall also be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to Section 3.1 and complying with Section 1.3 and an Opinion of Counsel complying with Section 1.3 stating:
     (a) if the form or forms of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 2.1, that each such form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
     (b) if the terms of such Securities have been, or in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering will be, established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution as permitted by Section 3.1, that such terms have been, or in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering will be, established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture, subject, in the case of Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel; and
     (c) that such Securities when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuers in the manner and subject to any conditions and assumptions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuers and, if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantee will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Guarantors, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject to the following limitations: (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization, liquidation, fraudulent conveyance or transfer and other similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights, or to general equity principles, (ii) the availability of equitable remedies being subject to the discretion of the court to which application therefor is made; and (iii) such other usual and customary matters as shall be specified in such Opinion of Counsel.
The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.
     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.1 and of the preceding paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officer’s Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 3.1 or the Issuer Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued.

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     With respect to Securities of a series offered in a Periodic Offering, the Trustee may rely, as to the authorization by the Issuers of any of such Securities, on the form or forms and terms thereof and the legality, validity, binding effect and enforceability thereof, upon the Opinion of Counsel and the other documents delivered pursuant to Section 2.1 and Section 3.1 and this Section, as applicable, in connection with the first authentication of Securities of such series.
     Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
     No Security nor any related Securities Guarantee shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Issuers, and the Issuers shall deliver such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 3.9, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.
Section 3.4. Temporary Securities.
     Pending the preparation of Definitive Securities of any series, the Issuers may execute, and upon Issuer Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the tenor of the Definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.
     If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Issuers will cause Definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of Definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for Definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Issuers in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of Definitive Securities of the same series and tenor of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as Definitive Securities of such series.
Section 3.5. Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
     The Issuers shall cause to be kept at the office or agency of the Issuers in a Place of Payment required by Section 10.2 a register (the register maintained in such office being herein sometimes referred to as the “Security Register”) in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as the Issuers may prescribe, the Issuers shall provide for the registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby appointed as the initial “Security Registrar” for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of Securities as herein provided, and its Corporate Trust Office, which, at the date hereof, is located at [                                        ], is the initial office or agency where the Securities Register will be maintained. The Issuers may at any time replace such Security Registrar, change such office or agency or act as its own Security Registrar. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change of the Security Registrar or of the location of such office or agency.

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     Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at the office or agency maintained pursuant to Section 10.2 for such purpose, the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
     At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (except a Global Security) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.
     All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.
     Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange shall (if so required by the Issuers or the Trustee) be duly endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuers and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing.
     No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 3.4, Section 9.6 or Section 11.7 not involving any transfer.
     The Issuers shall not be required (a) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that series selected for redemption under Section 11.3 and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (b) to register the transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.
     Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture and except as otherwise specified with respect to any particular series of Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a series may not be transferred, except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary. Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of, transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security shall be a Global Security except as provided in the two paragraphs immediately following.
     If at any time the Depositary for any Securities of a series represented by one or more Global Securities notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Securities shall no longer be eligible to continue as Depositary under Section 3.1 or ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, the Issuers shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Securities is not appointed by the Issuers within 90 days after the Issuer receives such notice or becomes

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aware of such ineligibility, the Issuers’ election pursuant to Section 3.1 that such Securities be represented by one or more Global Securities shall no longer be effective and the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors will execute and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of Definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver, Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of such series in definitive registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities registered in the names of such Persons as the Depositary shall direct.
     If specified by the Issuers pursuant to Section 3.1 with respect to Securities represented by a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities of the same series and tenor in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuers , the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities in definitive registered form, shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge:
     (i) to the Person specified by such Depositary a new Security or Securities, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denominations as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and
     (ii) to such Depositary a new Global Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to clause (i) above.
     Every Person who takes or holds any beneficial interest in a Global Security agrees that:
     (A) the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee may deal with the Depositary as sole owner of the Global Security and as the authorized representative of such Person;
     (B) such Person’s rights in the Global Security shall be exercised only through the Depositary and shall be limited to those established by law and agreement between such Person and the Depositary and/or direct and indirect participants of the Depositary;
     (C) the Depositary and its participants make book-entry transfers of beneficial ownership among, and receive and transmit distributions of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Global Securities to, such Persons in accordance with their own procedures; and
     (D) none of the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable), the Trustee, nor any agent of any of them will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
Section 3.6. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
     If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, together with such security or indemnity as may be required by the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee to save each of them and

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any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuers or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a new Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
     If there shall be delivered to the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee (a) evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (b) such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any agent of any of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Issuers or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security, with a notation of the Securities Guarantee, if applicable, executed by the Guarantors, of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.
     In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Issuers in their discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security (without surrender thereof save in the case of a mutilated Security).
     Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Issuers may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.
     Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors, regardless of whether the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.
     The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.
Section 3.7. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
     Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, interest on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest.
     Any interest on any Security of any series that is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Issuers, at their election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:
     (a) The Issuers may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Issuers shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series

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and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this clause provided. Thereupon, the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Issuers, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following clause (b).
     (b) The Issuers may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Issuers to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.
Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.
Section 3.8. Persons Deemed Owners.
     Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 3.1 with respect to any series of Securities, prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the Issuers, the Trustee and, if applicable, the Guarantors and any agent thereof may treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, and any premium and (subject to Section 3.5 and Section 3.7) any interest on, such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, regardless of whether such Security be overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Trustee nor, if applicable, the Guarantors nor any agent of any of them shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
     No holder of any beneficial interest in any Global Security held on its behalf by a Depositary shall have any rights under this Indenture with respect to such Global Security, and such Depositary may be treated by the Issuers, the Trustee, and, if applicable, the Guarantors and any agent thereof as the owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever.
Section 3.9. Cancellation.
     All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, purchase, registration of transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by it. The Issuers may at any time deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered hereunder which the Issuers may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder

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which the Issuers have not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary practices, and the Trustee shall thereafter deliver to the Issuers a certificate with respect to such disposition from time to time upon written request.
Section 3.10. Computation of Interest.
     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
Section 3.11. CUSIP or CINS Numbers.
     The Issuers in issuing the Securities may use CUSIP or CINS numbers (if then generally in use, and in addition to the other identification numbers printed on the Securities), and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP or CINS numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such CUSIP or CINS numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such CUSIP or CINS numbers.
ARTICLE FOUR
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 4.1. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
     This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect and will be discharged with respect to the Securities of any series (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of Securities and certain rights of the Trustee, in each case, herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, upon Issuer Request and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities, when:
          (a) either:
     (i) all such Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than (A) such Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 3.6, and (B) such Securities for the payment of which money or U.S. Government Obligations have theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Issuers and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 10.3) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or
     (ii) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:
     (A) have become due and payable; or
     (B) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year; or

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     (C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Issuers,
and the Issuers, in the case of (ii)(A), (B) or (C) above, has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds or U.S. Government Obligations in trust for such purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, together with instructions from the Issuers irrevocably directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
     (b) the Issuers have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuers with respect to such Securities; and
     (c) the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, which, taken together, state that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to such Securities have been complied with.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of any series, (x) the obligations of the Issuers to the Trustee under Section 6.7, the obligations of the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 6.14 and the right of the Trustee to resign under Section 6.10 shall survive, and (y) if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to clause (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Issuers and the Trustee under Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 4.2, Section 6.6, Section 10.2, the last paragraph of Section 10.3 and Section 13.6 shall survive.
Section 4.2. Application of Trust Money.
     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 10.3, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including either of the Issuers acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and interest for the payment of which such money has been deposited with the Trustee.
ARTICLE FIVE
REMEDIES
Section 5.1. Events of Default.
     “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):
     (a) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days (regardless of whether such payment is prohibited by the provisions of Article Fifteen hereof); or

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     (b) default in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security of that series at its Maturity (regardless of whether such payment is prohibited by the provisions of Article Fifteen hereof); or
     (c) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant set forth in Article Ten in this Indenture (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Issuers by the Trustee or to the Issuers and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
     (d) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant in this Indenture (other than a covenant in Article Ten or any other covenant a default in the performance of which or the breach of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 180 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Issuers by the Trustee or to the Issuers and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a “Notice of Default” hereunder; or
     (e) either of the Issuers or any Guarantor pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law (i) commences a voluntary case, (ii) consents to the entry of any order for relief against it in an involuntary case, (iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or (iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or
     (f) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that (i) is for relief against either of the Issuers or any Guarantor in an involuntary case, (ii) appoints a Custodian of either of the Issuers or any Guarantor or for all or substantially all of the property of either of the Issuers or any Guarantor, or (iii) orders the liquidation of either of the Issuers or any Guarantor; and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days; or
     (g) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment when due; or
     (h) the failure of any Securities Guarantee required with respect to Securities of that series to be in full force and effect, except as provided in this Indenture or the terms of such Securities; or
     (i) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series in accordance with Section 3.1.
Section 5.2. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the Securities of that

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series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest of all of the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Issuers (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(e) or Section 5.1(f) occurs, the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall be due and payable immediately without further action or notice.
     At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article Five provided, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:
     (a) the Issuers or, if applicable, one or more of the Guarantors has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:
     (i) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series;
     (ii) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities;
     (iii) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities; and
     (iv) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and
     (b) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 5.13.
No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.3. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.
     The Issuers covenant that if:
     (a) default is made in the payment of any installment of interest on any Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days (regardless of whether such payment is prohibited by the provisions of Article Fifteen hereof); or
     (b) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof (regardless of whether such payment is prohibited by the provisions of Article Fifteen hereof),
the Issuers will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue

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principal and any premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
     If the Issuers fail to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree and may enforce the same against the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors or any other obligor upon such Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors or any other obligor upon such Securities, wherever situated.
     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.
Section 5.4. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
     In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to either of the Issuers or, if applicable, any Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities, its property or its creditors, the Trustee (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand on the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors for the payment of overdue principal or interest) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
     (a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of principal (and premium, if any) and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
     (b) to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, if the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7.
     No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, compromise, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however, that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors’ or other similar committee.

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Section 5.5. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
     All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered.
Section 5.6. Application of Money Collected.
     Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article Five shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
     FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 6.7;
     SECOND: Subject to Article Fifteen, to the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium and interest, respectively; and
     THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Issuers.
Section 5.7. Limitation on Suits.
     No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture (including, if applicable, the Securities Guarantee), or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless:
     (a) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;
     (b) the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;
     (c) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;
     (d) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and
     (e) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

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it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have any right in any manner whatsoever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all such Holders.
Section 5.8. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest.
     Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional (subject to Article Fifteen and Article Sixteen), to receive payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption or offer by the Issuers to purchase the Securities as required by this Indenture, on the Redemption Date or purchase date, as applicable) and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.
Section 5.9. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
     If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceeding, the Issuers, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been instituted.
Section 5.10. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
     Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section 3.6, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.
Section 5.11. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
     To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article Five or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.
Section 5.12. Control by Holders.
     The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of such series; provided, however, that:

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     (a) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture;
     (b) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction; and
     (c) subject to the provisions of Section 6.1, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith shall determine that the direction would expose the Trustee to personal liability.
Section 5.13. Waiver of Past Defaults.
     By written notice to the Issuers and the Trustee, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such series and its consequences, except:
     (a) a continuing default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series; or
     (b) a default in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.
Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose of this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 5.14. Undertaking for Costs.
     All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by such Holder’s acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant, other than the Trustee, in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.14 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Issuers, to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, or to any suit instituted by any Holder for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Security on or after the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of redemption or offer by the Issuers to purchase the Securities as required by this Indenture, on or after the Redemption Date or purchase date, as applicable).
Section 5.15. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.
     Each of the Issuers and the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and each of the Issuers and the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein

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granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE SIX
THE TRUSTEE
Section 6.1. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
     (a) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
     (i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and as are provided by the Trust Indenture Act, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
     (ii) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.
     (b) In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.
     (c) No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own bad faith or willful misconduct, except that:
     (i) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;
     (ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
     (iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, given pursuant to Section 5.12, relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; and
     (iv) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have

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reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
     (d) Regardless of whether therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.
Section 6.2. Notice of Defaults.
     Within 90 days after the occurrence of any Default hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders of Securities of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, notice of such Default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless such Default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in the case of a Default in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee may withhold from Holders of Securities notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series; and, provided, further, that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(c) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof and that in the case of any Default of the character specified in Section 5.1(d) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders shall be given until at least 90 days after the occurrence thereof.
Section 6.3. Certain Rights of Trustee.
     Subject to the provisions of Section 6.1:
     (a) the Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
     (b) any request or direction of the Issuers or a Guarantor mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Request or Issuer Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors of the Issuers or a Guarantor may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;
     (c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) shall be entitled to receive and may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officer’s Certificate;
     (d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;
     (e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction;

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     (f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Issuers, personally or by agent or attorney;
     (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder and shall not be responsible for the supervision of officers and employees of such agents or attorneys;
     (h) the Trustee may request that the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;
     (i) the Trustee shall be entitled to the rights and protections afforded to the Trustee pursuant to this Article Six in acting as a Paying Agent or Security Registrar hereunder;
     (j) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture; and
     (k) anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for any special, indirect, punitive, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Issuers have been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.
Section 6.4. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
     The recitals contained herein and in the Securities and the notations of the Subsidiary Guarantee, except the Trustee’s certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors, and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility for their correctness. Neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent makes any representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities or the Subsidiary Guarantee, if any. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuers of Securities or the proceeds thereof.
Section 6.5. May Hold Securities.
     The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security Registrar or any other agent of either of the Issuers or, if applicable, any Guarantor, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture Act and Section 6.8, Section 6.9 and Section 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

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Section 6.6. Money Held in Trust.
     Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing with the Issuers or, if applicable, one or more of the Guarantors.
Section 6.7. Compensation and Reimbursement.
     The Issuers agree:
     (a) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);
     (b) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and
     (c) to indemnify each of the Trustee and its officers, directors, agents and employees for, and to hold it and them harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on its or their part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself or themselves against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its or their powers or duties hereunder.
     As security for the performance of the obligations of the Issuers under this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on particular Securities. Such obligations of the Issuers under this Section shall not be subordinated to the payment of Senior Debt pursuant to Article Fifteen.
     Without limiting any rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1(e) or Section 5.1(f), the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the services of the Trustee are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any applicable Bankruptcy Law.
     The provisions of this Section 6.7 shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the termination or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the Legal Defeasance of the Securities.
Section 6.8. Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.
     Reference is made to Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. There shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act this Indenture with respect to the Securities of more than one series.

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Section 6.9. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
     There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus required by the Trust Indenture Act, subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. The Trustee shall not be an obligor upon the Securities or an Affiliate thereof. If at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this Article Six.
Section 6.10. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
     (a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11.
     (b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Issuers. If the instrument of acceptance of appointment by a successor Trustee required by Section 6.11 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
     (c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the Issuers.
     (d) If at any time:
     (i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act after written request therefor by the Issuers or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months; or
     (ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 6.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuers or by any such Holder; or
     (iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a Custodian of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,
then, in any such case, (A) the Issuers, by their respective Board Resolutions, may remove the Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 5.14, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

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     (e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Issuers, by their respective Board Resolutions, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series), and the Issuers and the successor Trustee shall comply with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11. If, within one year after such resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Issuers and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 6.11, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Issuers. If no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Issuers or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 6.11, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.
     (f) The Issuers shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 1.7. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
Section 6.11. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
     (a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, the successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable) and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of an Issuer, any Guarantor (if applicable) or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien under Section 6.7.
     (b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable), the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (ii) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with

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respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (iii) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of an Issuer, any Guarantor (if applicable) or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee, upon payment of its charges, shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of the series to which the appointment of such successor relates and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series, subject nevertheless to its lien under Section 6.7.
     (c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.
     (d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under this Article and the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 6.12. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
     Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article Six, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto. As soon as practicable, the successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to the Issuers and the Holders of the Securities then Outstanding. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
Section 6.13. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers.
     Reference is made to Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act. For purposes of Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act:
     (a) the term “cash transaction” means any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand;

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     (b) the term “self-liquidating paper” means any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by an Issuer or, if applicable, any Guarantor for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacturing, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon, the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with such Issuer or, if applicable, such Guarantor arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation.
Section 6.14. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
     The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or pursuant to Section 3.6, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Issuers and shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.
     Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate agency or corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.
     An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee and to the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors. The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such Authenticating Agent shall cease to be qualified and eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, the Trustee for such series may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors and shall mail written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its

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predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.
     Except with respect to an Authenticating Agent appointed at the request of the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors, the Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section 6.14, and the Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed by the Issuers or, if applicable, the Guarantors for such payments, subject to the provisions of Section 6.7.
     If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to this Section 6.14, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in addition to the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, an alternate certificate of authentication in the following form:
     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
             
    [                    ], as Trustee    
 
           
 
  By:        
 
     
 
As Authenticating Agent
   
 
           
 
  By:        
 
     
 
Authorized Officer
   
ARTICLE SEVEN
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY
Section 7.1. Issuers to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
     The Issuers will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:
     (a) semi-annually, not more than 5 days after each Regular Record Date for a series of Securities, a list for such series of Securities, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities of such series as of such Regular Record Date; and
     (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Issuers of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
     provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the Security Registrar, no such list need be furnished with respect to such series of Securities.
Section 7.2. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
     (a) The Trustee shall preserve, with respect to each series of Securities, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 7.1 or the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 7.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

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     (b) If three or more Holders (herein referred to as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five business days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either:
     (i) afford such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a); or
     (ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.
     If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 7.2(a) a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the SEC, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interest of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the SEC, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the SEC shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application.
     (c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable) and the Trustee that none of the Issuers, the Guarantors (if applicable) nor the Trustee nor any agent of any of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with Section 7.2(b), regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under Section 7.2(b).
Section 7.3. Reports by Trustee.
     Any Trustee’s report required pursuant to Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act shall be dated as of May 15, and shall be transmitted within 60 days after May 15 of each year (but in all events at intervals of not more than 12 months), commencing with the year 20__, by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any Securities are

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listed, and with the SEC. The Issuers will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 7.4. Reports by Company.
     The Company shall:
     (a) file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of said Sections, then it shall file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations;
     (b) file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants of this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; and
     (c) transmit by mail to all Holders, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register, within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) of this Section as may be required by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC.
ARTICLE EIGHT
CONSOLIDATION, AMALGAMATION, MERGER AND SALE
Section 8.1. Issuers May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
     Neither of the Issuers shall convert into, or consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into any other Person or sell, assign, transfer, convey, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties and assets on a consolidated basis to any other Person unless:
     (a) either: (i) such Issuer is the surviving Person; or (ii) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger or resulting from such conversion (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership, in the case of the Company (and a corporation, in the case of Finance Corp. for so long as the Company is not a corporation), organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia;
     (b) the Person formed by or surviving any such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition has been made assumes by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of

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(and premium, if any) and interest on all the Securities and the performance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of such Issuer to be performed or observed;
     (c) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing; and
     (d) the Issuers have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, conveyance, sale, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article Eight and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.
Section 8.2. Successor Substituted.
     Upon any consolidation, amalgamation or merger of an Issuer with or into any other Person or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of its properties and assets and, if applicable, the Guarantors on a consolidated basis in accordance with Section 8.1, the successor or resulting Person formed by or resulting upon such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Issuer) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, such Issuer under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named herein as the respective Issuer party to this Indenture, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor entity and, if applicable, each of the Guarantors shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.
ARTICLE NINE
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.1. Without Consent of Holders.
     The Issuers, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee or the Securities without the consent of any holder of a Security:
     (a) to cure any ambiguity or defect or to correct or supplement any provision herein that may be inconsistent with any other provision herein; or
     (b) to evidence the succession of another Person to either of the Issuers and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of such predecessor Issuer herein and, to the extent applicable, of the Securities; or
     (c) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities; provided that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code, or in the manner such that the uncertificated Securities are described in Section 163(f)(2)(B) of the Code; or
     (d) to add a Securities Guarantee and cause any Person to become a Guarantor, and/or to evidence the succession of another Person to a Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the Securities Guarantee of such Guarantor herein and, to the extent applicable, endorsed upon any Securities of any series; or

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     (e) to secure the Securities of any series; or
     (f) to add to the covenants of the Issuers such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Issuers shall consider to be appropriate for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such amendment or supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults), may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default, may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default; or
     (g) to make any change to any provision of this Indenture that does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any Holder of Securities; or
     (h) to provide for the issuance of additional Securities in accordance with the provisions set forth in this Indenture; or
     (i) to add any additional Defaults or Events of Default in respect of all or any series of Securities; or
     (j) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons; or
     (k) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is entitled to the benefit of such provision; or
     (l) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.1 and Section 3.1, including to reopen any series of any Securities as permitted under Section 3.1; or
     (m) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11(b); or
     (n) to conform the text of this Indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any Securities issued thereunder to any provision of a description of such text or Securities appearing in a prospectus, prospectus supplement, offering memorandum or offering circular relating to the sale thereof to the extent that such provision was intended by the Issuers to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture (and/or any supplemental indenture) or any Securities issued thereunder, with such intention being evidenced by an Officer’s Certificate; or

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     (o) to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to effect the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act or under any similar federal statute subsequently enacted, and to add to this Indenture such other provisions as may be expressly required under the Trust Indenture Act.
Section 9.2. With Consent of Holders.
     The Issuers, the Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee and the Securities with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series of Securities affected by such amendment or supplemental indenture, with each such series voting as a separate class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities) and, subject to Section 5.8 and Section 5.13 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Securities Guarantee or the Securities may be waived with respect to each series of Securities with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series voting as a separate class (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Securities).
     It is not necessary for the consent of the Holders of Securities under this Section 9.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment, supplement or waiver.
     After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.2 becomes effective, the Issuers will mail to the Holders of Securities affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Issuers to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.2 may not (with respect to any Securities held by a non-consenting Holder):
     (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.2, or change the coin or currency in which any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption Date); or
     (b) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such amendment or supplemental indenture, or the consent of the Holders of which is required for any waiver of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences provided for in this Indenture; or
     (c) modify any of the provisions of Section 5.8 or Section 5.13; or
     (d) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Security; provided, however, that any purchase or repurchase of Securities shall not be deemed a redemption of the Securities; or

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     (e) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Securities Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (as amended or supplemented); or
     (f) make any change in the foregoing amendment and waiver provisions, except to increase any percentage provided for therein or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby.
     An amendment or supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or that modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.
Section 9.3. Execution of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures.
     In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any amendment or supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
     Upon the request of the Issuers accompanied by respective Board Resolutions authorizing the execution of any such amendment or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Securities as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 6.3 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Issuers and the Guarantors in the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture unless such amendment or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amendment or supplemental Indenture.
Section 9.4. Effect of Amendments and Supplemental Indentures.
     Upon the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture under this Article Nine, this Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such amendment or supplemental indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby.
Section 9.5. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
     Every amendment or supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Nine shall conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.
Section 9.6. Reference in Securities to Amendments or Supplemental Indentures.
     Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article Nine may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or supplemental indenture. If the Issuers shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Issuers, to any such amendment or supplemental indenture

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may be prepared and executed by the Issuers and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.
ARTICLE TEN
COVENANTS
Section 10.1. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
     The Issuers, for the benefit of each series of Securities, will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities and this Indenture.
Section 10.2. Maintenance of Office or Agency.
     The Issuers will maintain in the United States an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or Security Registrar or agent of the Trustee or Security Registrar) where Securities of each series may be presented or surrendered for payment and surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Issuers shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
     The Issuers may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
     Except as otherwise specified with respect to a series of Securities as contemplated by Section 3.1, the Issuers hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as the Issuers’ office or agency for each such purpose for each series of Securities. The Trustee shall initially serve as Paying Agent. In the event the Issuers make any payment in any currency in which the Trustee is unable to pay, and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuers will appoint a Paying Agent other than the Trustee to make such payment and the Trustee will have no obligations with respect to such payment and will incur no liability with respect to the failure by the Issuers or such other Paying Agent to make, or cause to be made, such payment.
Section 10.3. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
     If the Issuers shall at any time act as their own Paying Agent, with respect to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
     Whenever the Issuers shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal,

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premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. For purposes of this Section 10.3, should a due date for principal of or any premium or interest on, or sinking fund payment with respect to any series of Securities not be on a Business Day, such payment shall be due on the next Business Day without any interest for the period from the due date until such Business Day.
     The Issuers will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:
     (a) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on Securities of that series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;
     (b) give the Trustee notice of any Default by the Issuers (or any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any payment of principal or any premium or interest on the Securities of that series; and
     (c) at any time during the continuance of any such Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
     The Issuers and, if applicable, the Guarantors may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Issuer Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Issuers or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Issuers or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.
     Subject to any applicable escheat or abandoned property laws, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Issuers, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for one year after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Issuer Request, or (if then held by the Issuers) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Issuers as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Issuers cause to be published once, in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 10.4. Existence.
     Subject to Article Eight, the Issuers and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence, rights (charter and statutory) and franchises; provided, however, that each Issuer and, if applicable, each Guarantor shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if its Board of Directors shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be.

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Section 10.5. Statement by Officers as to Default.
     Annually, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year beginning with the first fiscal year during which one or more series of Securities are Outstanding, each of the Issuers and, if any Securities of a series to which Article Fourteen has been made applicable are Outstanding, each Guarantor will deliver to the Trustee a brief certificate (which need not include the statements set forth in Section 1.3) from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer of such Issuer and, if applicable, such Guarantor, stating that a review of the activities of the Issuers during such year and of performance under this Indenture has been made, and as to his or her knowledge of such Issuer’s or such Guarantor’s, as the case may be, compliance (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided herein) with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture and, if such Issuer or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be in Default, specifying all such Defaults and the nature and status thereof of which such officer has knowledge.
ARTICLE ELEVEN
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
Section 11.1. Applicability of Article.
     Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article Eleven.
Section 11.2. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
     The election of the Issuers to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by respective Board Resolutions. In case of any redemption at the election of the Issuers of less than all the Securities of any series, the Issuers shall, at least 15 days prior to the last date for the giving of notice of such redemption (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date and of the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities (a) prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture or (b) pursuant to an election of the Issuers that is subject to a condition specified in the terms of the Securities of the series to be redeemed, the Issuers shall furnish the Trustee with an Officer’s Certificate evidencing compliance with such restriction or condition.
Section 11.3. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
     If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 45 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.
     The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If the Securities of any series to be redeemed consist of Securities having different dates on which the principal is payable or different rates of interest, or different methods by which interest may be

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determined or have any other different tenor or terms, then the Issuers may, by written notice to the Trustee, direct that the Securities of such series to be redeemed shall be selected from among the groups of such Securities having specified tenor or terms and the Trustee shall thereafter select the particular Securities to be redeemed in the manner set forth in the preceding paragraph from among the group of such Securities so specified.
     For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.
Section 11.4. Notice of Redemption.
     Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at such Holder’s address appearing in the Security Register.
     All notices of redemption shall state:
     (a) the Redemption Date;
     (b) the Redemption Price, or if not then ascertainable, the manner of calculation thereof;
     (c) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the case of partial redemption, the principal amounts) of the particular Securities to be redeemed;
     (d) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date;
     (e) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered for payment of the Redemption Price; and
     (f) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case.
Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Issuers shall be given by the Issuers or, at the Issuers’ request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuers.
Section 11.5. Deposit of Redemption Price.
     Prior to any Redemption Date, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if either of the Issuers are acting as a Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 10.3) an amount of money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which are to be redeemed on that date.
Section 11.6. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
     Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the Issuers shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued

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interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall be paid by the Issuers at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of any series as contemplated in Section 3.1, installments of interest the Stated Maturity of which is on or prior to the Redemption Date shall be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the close of business on the relevant record dates according to their terms and the provisions of Section 3.7.
     If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal (and premium, if any) shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the Security.
Section 11.7. Securities Redeemed in Part.
     Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Issuers or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuers and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered.
ARTICLE TWELVE
SINKING FUNDS
Section 12.1. Applicability of Article.
     The provisions of this Article Twelve shall be applicable to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 3.1 for Securities of such series.
     The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 12.2. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series.
Section 12.2. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.
     The Issuers (a) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and (b) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Issuers pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

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Section 12.3. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.
     Not less than 45 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), the Issuers will deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 12.2 and stating the basis for such credit and that such Securities have not been previously so credited, and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 11.3 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Issuers in the manner provided in Section 11.4. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 11.6 and Section 11.7.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN
DEFEASANCE
Section 13.1. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
     The Issuers may, at the option of each of their Board of Directors evidenced by respective Board Resolutions, and at any time, elect to have either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof be applied to all Outstanding Securities of any series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Thirteen.
Section 13.2. Legal Defeasance and Discharge.
     Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.2, each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all Outstanding Securities of such series (including the Securities Guarantee) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Issuers and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Debt represented by the Outstanding Securities of such series (including the Securities Guarantee), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 13.5 hereof and the other sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Securities, the Securities Guarantee and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:
     (a) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Securities when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 13.4 hereof;
     (b) the Issuers’ obligations with respect to such Securities under Section 3.4, Section 3.5, Section 3.6, Section 10.2 and Section 10.3 hereof;

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     (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and
     (d) this Article Thirteen.
     Subject to compliance with this Article Thirteen, the Issuers may exercise their option under this Section 13.2 notwithstanding the prior exercise of their option under Section 13.3 hereof with respect to the same series of Securities.
Section 13.3. Covenant Defeasance.
     Upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.3, each of the Issuers and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, be released from each of their obligations respecting the Securities of such series under the covenants contained in Section 8.1 and Section 10.4 hereof as well as any Additional Defeasible Provisions (such release and termination hereinafter referred to as “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of such series will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes to the extent permitted by GAAP). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series and the Securities Guarantee, the Issuers and the Guarantors may fail to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such failure to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 5.1 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities and Securities Guarantee will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Issuers’ exercise under Section 13.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 13.3 hereof, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 13.4 hereof, any Event of Default that constitutes an Additional Defeasible Provision will no longer constitute an Event of Default.
Section 13.4. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.
     In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to any series of Securities under either Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof:
     (a) the Issuers must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination of cash in U.S. dollars and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on, the Outstanding Securities of such series on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Issuers must specify whether the Securities are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;
     (b) in the case of an election under Section 13.2 hereof, the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that:

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     (i) the Issuers have received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or
     (ii) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel will state that, the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
     (c) in the case of an election under Section 13.3 hereof, the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
     (d) no Default or Event of Default respecting such series of Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);
     (e) the deposit must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any other instrument to which either Issuer or any Guarantor is a party or by which either Issuer or any Guarantor is bound;
     (f) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which either Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which either Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;
     (g) the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Issuers with the intent of preferring the Holders of Securities of such series over the other creditors of the Issuers with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any other creditors of the Issuers or others;
     (h) the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (a) through (f) of this Section 13.4 have been complied with; and
     (i) the Issuers must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications and exclusions) stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (f) of this Section 13.4 have been complied with.
Section 13.5. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust, Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
     Subject to the last paragraph of Section 10.3 hereof, all money and non-callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee,

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collectively for purposes of this Section 13.5, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 13.4 hereof in respect of the Outstanding Securities of any series will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including either of the Issuers acting as a Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
     The Issuers will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 13.4 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of such Outstanding Securities.
     Notwithstanding anything in this Article Thirteen to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Issuers from time to time upon the request of the Issuers any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 13.4 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 13.4(a) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Section 13.6. Reinstatement.
     If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States dollars or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof with respect to the Securities of any series, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Issuers’ and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and such Securities and the Securities Guarantee will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 4.1, Section 13.2 or Section 13.3 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Issuers make any payment of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any such Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Issuers will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN
GUARANTEE OF SECURITIES
Section 14.1. Securities Guarantee.
     (a) Subject to the other provisions of this Article Fourteen, each of the Guarantors hereby fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally guarantees to each Holder of a Security of each series to which this Article Fourteen has been made applicable as provided in Section 3.1(t) (the Securities of such series being referred to herein as the “Guaranteed Securities”) (which Security has been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee), and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Guaranteed Securities, or the obligations of the Issuers hereunder or thereunder, that:

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     (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Guaranteed Securities will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, or by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Guaranteed Securities, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Issuers to the Holders of Guaranteed Securities, or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder, will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and
     (ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Guaranteed Securities or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.
Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
     (b) To the extent permissible under applicable law, the obligations of the Guarantors under this Securities Guarantee are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Guaranteed Securities or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Guaranteed Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Issuers, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of either of the Issuers, any right to require a proceeding first against either of the Issuers, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Securities Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Guaranteed Securities and this Indenture.
     (c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Issuers, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Issuers or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Securities Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.
     (d) Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders of Guaranteed Securities and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Five hereof for the purposes of this Securities Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Five hereof, such obligations (regardless of whether due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Securities Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Securities Guarantee.

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Section 14.2. Limitation on Guarantor Liability.
     Each Guarantor and, by its acceptance of Guaranteed Securities, each Holder thereof, hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such parties that the Securities Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar Federal or State law to the extent applicable to any Securities Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, to the extent permitted under applicable law, the Holders and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article Fourteen, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Securities Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
Section 14.3. Execution and Delivery of Securities Guarantee Notation.
     To evidence its Securities Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Securities Guarantee substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.3 or established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in an indenture supplemental hereto, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.1, will be endorsed by an officer of such Guarantor on each Guaranteed Security authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture or a supplement to this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its officers.
     Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Securities Guarantee set forth in Section 14.1 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Guaranteed Security a notation of such Securities Guarantee.
     The delivery of any Guaranteed Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Securities Guarantee of such Guaranteed Security set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
ARTICLE FIFTEEN
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES
Section 15.1. Securities Subordinated to Senior Debt.
     Each Issuer covenants and agrees, and each Holder, by its acceptance of a Security, likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article Fifteen; and each Person holding any Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees that the payment of the principal of and interest and premium, if any, on each and all of the Securities shall, to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Article Fifteen, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of all existing and future Senior Debt.
Section 15.2. No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances.
     (a) No direct or indirect payment by or on behalf of the Issuers of the principal of or interest or premium, if any, on each and all of the Securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture), whether pursuant to the terms of the Securities or upon acceleration or otherwise,

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shall be made if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default in the payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any Designated Senior Debt and such default shall not have been cured or waived or the benefits of this sentence waived by or on behalf of the holders of such Senior Debt.
     (b) During the continuance of any other event of default with respect to any Designated Senior Debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated, upon receipt by the Trustee of written notice from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such Designated Senior Debt (or the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Designated Senior Debt then outstanding), no payment of the principal of or interest or premium, if any, on each and all of the Securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture) may be made by or on behalf of the Issuers upon or in respect of the Securities for a period (a “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing on the date of receipt of such notice and ending 179 days thereafter (unless, in each case, such Payment Blockage Period has been terminated by written notice to the Trustee from such trustee of, or other representatives for, such holders or by payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of such Designated Senior Debt or such event of default has been cured or waived). Not more than one Payment Blockage Period may be commenced with respect to the Securities during any period of 360 consecutive days. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, there must be 180 consecutive days in any 360-day period in which no Payment Blockage Period is in effect. No event of default that existed or was continuing (it being acknowledged that any subsequent action that would give rise to an event of default pursuant to any provision under which an event of default previously existed or was continuing shall constitute a new event of default for this purpose) on the date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Debt initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or shall be made, the basis for the commencement of a second Payment Blockage Period by the trustee or other representative for the holders of such Designated Senior Debt, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.
     (c) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder when such payment is prohibited by clause (a) or (b) above, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of either of the Issuers for application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Senior Debt may have been issued, and any excess above such amounts due and owing on Senior Debt shall be paid to the Company.
Section 15.3. Payment over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc.
     (a) Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of either of the Issuers of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture), in connection with any dissolution or winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of such Issuer, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, assignment of assets for the benefit of creditors or other marshalling of assets and liabilities of such Issuer, all amounts due or to become due upon all Senior Debt shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf shall be entitled to receive any payment by (or on behalf of) the Issuers on account of the Securities, or

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any payment to acquire any of the Securities for cash, property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the Securities of any cash, property or securities. Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf of, the Issuers on any Security (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture) in connection with any such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of assets or securities of either of the Issuers of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled, but for the provisions of this Article Fifteen, shall be made by the Issuers or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders or the Trustee if received by them or it, to the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent, or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of such Issuer for application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such Senior Debt may have been issued, to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior Debt in full, in cash or cash equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Senior Debt.
     (b) To the extent any payment of Senior Debt (whether by or on behalf of either of the Issuers, as proceeds of security or enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be paid to any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then if such payment is recovered by, or paid over to, such receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee or other similar Person, the Senior Debt or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred. To the extent the obligation to repay any Senior Debt is declared to be fraudulent or invalid or otherwise set aside under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then the obligation so declared fraudulent or invalid or otherwise set aside (and all other amounts that would come due with respect thereto had such obligation not been so affected) shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as Senior Debt for all purposes hereof as if such declaration or setting aside had not occurred.
     (c) In the event that, notwithstanding the provision in clause (a) above prohibiting such payment or distribution, any payment or distribution of assets or securities of either of the Issuers of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder at a time when such payment or distribution is prohibited by clause (a) above and before all obligations in respect of Senior Debt are paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, such payment or distribution shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent, or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of such Issuer for application to the payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such Senior Debt may have been issued, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Senior Debt.
     (d) For purposes of this Section 15.3, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include, so long as the effect of this clause is not to cause the Securities to be treated in any case or proceeding or similar event described in this Section 15.3 as part of the same class of claims as the Senior Debt or any class of claims pari passu with, or senior to, the Senior Debt for any payment or distribution, securities of either of the Issuers or any other Person provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment that are subordinated, at least to the

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extent that the Securities are subordinated, to the payment of all Senior Debt then outstanding; provided that (i) if a new Person results from such reorganization or readjustment, such Person assumes the Senior Debt and (ii) the rights of the holders of the Senior Debt are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of the either of the Issuers with, or the merger of either of the Issuers with or into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of either of the Issuers following the sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of its property and assets to another Person upon the terms and conditions provided in Section 8.1 of this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 15.3 if such other Person shall, as a part of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition, comply (to the extent required) with the conditions stated in Section 8.1 of this Indenture.
Section 15.4. Subrogation.
     (a) Upon the payment in full of all Senior Debt in cash or cash equivalents, the Holders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions to the holders of Senior Debt of cash, property or securities of the Issuers made on such Senior Debt until the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Fifteen, and no payment pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fifteen to the holders of Senior Debt by the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf shall, as between each Issuer, its creditors other than holders of Senior Debt, and the Holders, be deemed to be a payment by such Issuer to or on account of the Senior Debt. It is understood that the provisions of this Article Fifteen are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders, on the one hand, and the holders of the Senior Debt, on the other hand.
     (b) If any payment or distribution to which the Holders would otherwise have been entitled but for the provisions of this Article Fifteen shall have been applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fifteen, to the payment of all amounts payable under Senior Debt, then, and in such case, the Holders shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such Senior Debt any payments or distributions received by such holders of Senior Debt in excess of the amount required to make payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of such Senior Debt of such holders.
Section 15.5. Obligations of Issuers Unconditional.
     (a) Nothing contained in this Article Fifteen or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Issuers and the Holders, the obligation of the Issuers, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders and creditors of the Issuers other than the holders of the Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Fifteen of the holders of the Senior Debt.
     (b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing contained in this Article Fifteen will restrict the right of the Trustee or the Holders to take any action to declare the Securities to be due and payable prior to their Stated Maturity pursuant to Section 5.2 of this

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Indenture or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder; provided, however, that all Senior Debt then due and payable or thereafter declared to be due and payable shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or the Trustee are entitled to receive any direct or indirect payment from the Issuers with respect to any Security.
Section 15.6. Notice to Trustee.
     (a) The Issuers shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact known to the Issuers that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Article Fifteen. The Trustee shall not be charged with the knowledge of the existence of any default or event of default with respect to any Senior Debt or of any other facts that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless and until the Trustee shall have received notice in writing at its Corporate Trust Office to that effect signed by an officer of each of the Issuers, or by a holder of Senior Debt or trustee or agent thereof; and prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall, subject to Article Six, be entitled to assume that no such facts exist; provided that, if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 15.6 at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which, by the terms of this Indenture, any monies shall become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Security), then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive any monies from the Issuers and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it on or after such three Business Day period except for an acceleration of the Securities prior to such application. Nothing contained in this Section 15.6 shall limit the right of the holders of Senior Debt to recover payments as contemplated by this Article Fifteen. The foregoing shall not apply if the Paying Agent is either of the Issuers. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself or itself to be a holder of any Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf of, or other representative of, such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Senior Debt or a trustee or representative on behalf of any such holder.
     (b) In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that any evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Debt to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Fifteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Debt held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Fifteen and, if such evidence is not furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.
Section 15.7. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.
     Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities referred to in this Article Fifteen, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which bankruptcy, dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or upon a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior

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Debt and other Debt of the Issuers, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Fifteen.
Section 15.8. Trustee’s Relation to Senior Debt.
     (a) Each of the Trustee and any Paying Agent shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Fifteen with respect to any Senior Debt that may at any time be held by it in its individual or any other capacity to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee or any Paying Agent of any of its rights as such holder.
     (b) With respect to the holders of Senior Debt, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article Fifteen, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Senior Debt shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt and shall not be liable to any such holders if the Trustee shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Securities or to the Issuers or to any other person cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article Fifteen or otherwise.
Section 15.9. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Issuers or Holders of Senior Debt.
     No right of any present or future holders of any Senior Debt to enforce subordination as provided in this Article Fifteen will at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of either of the Issuers or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by either of the Issuers with the terms of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with. The provisions of this Article Fifteen are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable directly by, the holders of Senior Debt.
Section 15.10. Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities.
     Each Holder by such Holder’s acceptance of any Securities authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee on such Holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article Fifteen, and appoints the Trustee such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for such purposes, including, in the event of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of either of the Issuers (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization or similar proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise) tending towards liquidation of the property and assets of such Issuer, the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of its Securities in the form required in those proceedings.
Section 15.11. Not to Prevent Events of Default.
     The failure to make a payment on account of principal of or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities by reason of any provision of this Article Fifteen will not be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default.
Section 15.12. Trustee’s Compensation Not Prejudiced.
     Nothing in this Article Fifteen will apply to amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to other sections of this Indenture, including Section 6.7.

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Section 15.13. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.
     Without in any way limiting the generality of Section 15.9, the holders of Senior Debt may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders, without incurring responsibility to the Holders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article Fifteen or the obligations hereunder of the Holders to the holders of Senior Debt, do any one or more of the following: (a) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior Debt or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Senior Debt is outstanding or secured; (b) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Senior Debt; (c) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of Senior Debt; and (d) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Issuers and any other Person.
Section 15.14. Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution.
     Nothing contained in this Article Fifteen or elsewhere in this Indenture shall prevent (a) the Issuers, except under the conditions described in Section 15.2 or Section 15.3, from making payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities, or from depositing with the Trustee any money for such payments, or (b) the application by the Trustee of any money deposited with it for the purpose of making such payments of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities to the holders entitled thereto unless, at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which such payment becomes due and payable, the Trustee shall have received the written notice provided for in Section 15.2(b) of this Indenture (or there shall have been an acceleration of the Securities prior to such application) or in Section 15.6 of this Indenture. An Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of such Issuer.
Section 15.15. Trust Moneys Not Subordinated.
     Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payments from money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in trust under Article Four by the Trustee for the payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Securities shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Debt (provided that, at the time deposited, such deposit did not violate any then outstanding Senior Debt), and none of the Holders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to any holder of Senior Debt.
ARTICLE SIXTEEN
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES GUARANTEE
Section 16.1. Securities Guarantee Subordinated to Guarantor Senior Debt.
     Each Guarantor covenants and agrees, and each Holder, by its acceptance of a Securities Guarantee, likewise covenants and agrees, that all Securities Guarantee shall be issued subject to the provisions of this Article Sixteen; and each Person holding any Security, whether upon original issue or upon transfer, assignment or exchange thereof, accepts and agrees that the payment of all obligations on each and all of the Securities Guarantee shall, to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Article Sixteen, be subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of all existing and future Guarantor Senior Debt of such Guarantor.

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Section 16.2. No Payment on Securities Guarantee in Certain Circumstances.
     (a) No direct or indirect payment by or on behalf of any Guarantor of any obligations on each and all of the Securities Guarantee (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture), whether pursuant to the terms of the Securities Guarantee or upon acceleration or otherwise, shall be made if, at the time of such payment, there exists a default in the payment of all or any portion of the obligations on any Designated Guarantor Senior Debt of such Guarantor and such default shall not have been cured or waived or the benefits of this sentence waived by or on behalf of the holders of such Guarantor Senior Debt.
     (b) During the continuance of any other event of default with respect to any Designated Guarantor Senior Debt pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated, upon receipt by the Trustee of written notice from the trustee or other representative for the holders of such Designated Guarantor Senior Debt (or the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Designated Guarantor Senior Debt then outstanding), no payment of any obligations on each and all of the Securities Guarantee (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture) may be made by or on behalf of any Guarantor upon or in respect of the Securities Guarantee for a period (a “Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period”) commencing on the date of receipt of such notice and ending 179 days thereafter (unless, in each case, such Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period has been terminated by written notice to the Trustee from such trustee of, or other representatives for, such holders or by payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of such Designated Guarantor Senior Debt or such event of default has been cured or waived). Not more than one Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period may be commenced with respect to the Securities Guarantee during any period of 360 consecutive days. Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, there must be 180 consecutive days in any 360-day period in which no Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period is in effect. No event of default that existed or was continuing (it being acknowledged that any subsequent action that would give rise to an event of default pursuant to any provision under which an event of default previously existed or was continuing shall constitute a new event of default for this purpose) on the date of the commencement of any Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Guarantor Senior Debt initiating such Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period shall be, or shall be made, the basis for the commencement of a second Securities Guarantee Payment Blockage Period by the trustee or other representative for the holders of such Designated Guarantor Senior Debt, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.
     (c) In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder when such payment is prohibited by clause (a) or (b) above, such payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of either of the Issuers for application to the payment of all Guarantor Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any of such Guarantor Senior Debt may have been issued, and any excess above such amounts due and owing on Guarantor Senior Debt shall be paid to such Guarantor.
Section 16.3. Payment over of Proceeds upon Dissolution, Etc.
     (a) Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities of a Guarantor of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than with the money, securities or

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proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture), in connection with any dissolution or winding up or total or partial liquidation or reorganization of such Guarantor, whether voluntary or involuntary, or in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or other proceedings, assignment of assets for the benefit of creditors or other marshalling of assets and liabilities of such Guarantor, all amounts due or to become due upon all Guarantor Senior Debt shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf shall be entitled to receive any payment by (or on behalf of) such Guarantor on account of the Securities Guarantee, or any payment to acquire any of the Securities Guarantee for cash, property or securities, or any distribution with respect to the Securities Guarantee of any cash, property or securities. Before any payment may be made by, or on behalf of, any Guarantor on any Securities Guarantee (other than with the money, securities or proceeds held under any defeasance trust established in accordance with this Indenture) in connection with any such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, any payment or distribution of assets or securities of such Guarantor of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled, but for the provisions of this Article Sixteen, shall be made by such Guarantor or by any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, or by the Holders or the Trustee if received by them or it, to the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent, or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of such Guarantor for application to the payment of all Guarantor Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such Guarantor Senior Debt may have been issued, to the extent necessary to pay all such Guarantor Senior Debt in full, in cash or cash equivalents, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Guarantor Senior Debt.
     (b) To the extent any payment of Guarantor Senior Debt (whether by or on behalf of any Guarantor, as proceeds of security or enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise) is declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required to be paid to any receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then if such payment is recovered by, or paid over to, such receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee or other similar Person, the Guarantor Senior Debt or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred. To the extent the obligation to repay any Guarantor Senior Debt is declared to be fraudulent or invalid or otherwise set aside under any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, fraudulent conveyance or similar law, then the obligation so declared fraudulent or invalid or otherwise set aside (and all other amounts that would come due with respect thereto had such obligation not been so affected) shall be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as Guarantor Senior Debt for all purposes hereof as if such declaration or setting aside had not occurred.
     (c) In the event that, notwithstanding the provision in clause (a) above prohibiting such payment or distribution, any payment or distribution of assets or securities of any Guarantor of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder at a time when such payment or distribution is prohibited by clause (a) above and before all obligations in respect of Guarantor Senior Debt are paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, such payment or distribution shall be received and held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered to, the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee, agent, or other Persons making payment or distribution of the assets of such Guarantor for application to the payment of all Guarantor Senior Debt remaining unpaid, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any such Guarantor Senior Debt may

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have been issued, after giving effect to any concurrent payment, distribution or provision therefor to or for the holders of such Guarantor Senior Debt.
     (d) For purposes of this Section 16.3, the words “cash, property or securities” shall not be deemed to include, so long as the effect of this clause is not to cause the Securities Guarantee to be treated in any case or proceeding or similar event described in this Section 16.3 as part of the same class of claims as the Guarantor Senior Debt or any class of claims pari passu with, or senior to, the Guarantor Senior Debt for any payment or distribution, securities of any Guarantor or any other Person provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment that are subordinated, at least to the extent that the Securities Guarantee are subordinated, to the payment of all Guarantor Senior Debt then outstanding; provided that (i) if a new Person results from such reorganization or readjustment, such Person assumes the Guarantor Senior Debt and (ii) the rights of the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt are not, without the consent of such holders, altered by such reorganization or readjustment. The consolidation of a Guarantor with, or the merger a Guarantor with or into, another Person or the liquidation or dissolution of a Guarantor following the sale, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of its property and assets to another Person without violation of the terms and conditions provided in this Indenture shall not be deemed a dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization for the purposes of this Section 16.3.
Section 16.4. Subrogation.
     (a) Upon the payment in full of all Guarantor Senior Debt in cash or cash equivalents, the Holders shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions of cash, property or securities of the Guarantors made on such Guarantor Senior Debt until all obligations arising under the Securities Guarantee shall be paid in full; and, for the purposes of such subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt of any cash, property or securities to which the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article Sixteen, and no payment pursuant to the provisions of this Article Sixteen to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt by the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf shall, as between each Guarantor, its creditors other than holders of Guarantor Senior Debt, and the Holders, be deemed to be a payment by such Guarantor to or on account of the Guarantor Senior Debt. It is understood that the provisions of this Article Sixteen are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders, on the one hand, and the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt, on the other hand.
     (b) If any payment or distribution to which the Holders would otherwise have been entitled but for the provisions of this Article Sixteen shall have been applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Article Sixteen, to the payment of all amounts payable under Guarantor Senior Debt, then, and in such case, the Holders shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such Guarantor Senior Debt any payments or distributions received by such holders of Guarantor Senior Debt in excess of the amount required to make payment in full, in cash or cash equivalents, of such Guarantor Senior Debt of such holders.
Section 16.5. Obligations of Guarantor Unconditional.
     (a) Nothing contained in this Article Sixteen or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Guarantors and the Holders, the obligation of such Guarantors, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders all obligations arising under the Securities Guarantee as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of the Holders and

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creditors of the Guarantors other than the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Holders or the Trustee on their behalf from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article Sixteen of the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt.
     (b) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing contained in this Article Sixteen will restrict the right of the Trustee or the Holders to take any action to declare the Securities to be due and payable prior to their Stated Maturity pursuant to Section 5.2 of this Indenture or to pursue any rights or remedies hereunder; provided, however, that all Guarantor Senior Debt then due and payable or thereafter declared to be due and payable shall first be paid in full, in cash or cash equivalents, before the Holders or the Trustee are entitled to receive any direct or indirect payment from any Guarantor with respect to its Securities Guarantee.
Section 16.6. Notice to Trustee.
     (a) Each Guarantor shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact known to such Guarantor that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities Guarantee pursuant to the provisions of this Article Sixteen. The Trustee shall not be charged with the knowledge of the existence of any default or event of default with respect to any Guarantor Senior Debt of any Guarantor or of any other facts that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless and until the Trustee shall have received notice in writing at its Corporate Trust Office to that effect signed by an officer of such Guarantor, or by a holder of such Guarantor Senior Debt or trustee or agent thereof; and prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee shall, subject to Article Six, be entitled to assume that no such facts exist; provided that, if the Trustee shall not have received the notice provided for in this Section 16.6 at least three Business Days prior to the date upon which, by the terms of this Indenture, any monies shall become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of all obligations arising under any Securities Guarantee), then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive any monies from such Guarantor and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it on or after such three Business Day period except for an acceleration of the Securities prior to such application. Nothing contained in this Section 16.6 shall limit the right of the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt to recover payments as contemplated by this Article Sixteen. The foregoing shall not apply if the Paying Agent is either of the Issuers. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself or itself to be a holder of any Guarantor Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf of, or other representative of, such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of such Guarantor Senior Debt or a trustee or representative on behalf of any such holder.
     (b) In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that any evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Guarantor Senior Debt to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article Sixteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Guarantor Senior Debt held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Sixteen and, if such evidence is not furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

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Section 16.7. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.
     Upon any payment or distribution of assets or securities referred to in this Article Sixteen, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which bankruptcy, dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or upon a certificate of the receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating trustee, agent or other similar Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Guarantor Senior Debt and other Debt of a Guarantor, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Sixteen.
Section 16.8. Trustee’s Relation to Guarantor Senior Debt.
     (a) Each of the Trustee and any Paying Agent shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Sixteen with respect to any Guarantor Senior Debt that may at any time be held by it in its individual or any other capacity to the same extent as any other holder of Guarantor Senior Debt and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee or any Paying Agent of any of its rights as such holder.
     (b) With respect to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article Sixteen, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt and shall not be liable to any such holders if the Trustee shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Securities Guarantee or to a Guarantor or to any other person cash, property or securities to which any holders of Guarantor Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article Sixteen or otherwise.
Section 16.9. Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of a Guarantor or Holders of Guarantor Senior Debt.
     No right of any present or future holders of any Guarantor Senior Debt to enforce subordination as provided in this Article Sixteen will at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of a Guarantor or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by such Guarantor with the terms of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or otherwise be charged with. The provisions of this Article Sixteen are intended to be for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable directly by, the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt.
Section 16.10. Holders Authorize Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities Guarantee.
     Each Holder by such Holder’s acceptance of any Securities Guarantee authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee on such Holder’s behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article Sixteen, and appoints the Trustee such Holder’s attorney-in-fact for such purposes, including, in the event of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of a Guarantor (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership, reorganization or similar proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or otherwise) tending towards liquidation of the property and assets of such Guarantor, the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of its Securities Guarantee in the form required in those proceedings. If the Trustee does not file a proper claim or proof of indebtedness in the form required in such proceeding at least 30 days before the expiration of the time to

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file such claim or proof, each holder of Guarantor Senior Debt is hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the Holders.
Section 16.11. Not to Prevent Events of Default.
     The failure to fulfill any obligation arising under the Securities Guarantee by reason of any provision of this Article Sixteen will not be construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default.
Section 16.12. Trustee’s Compensation Not Prejudiced.
     Nothing in this Article Sixteen will apply to amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to other sections of this Indenture, including Section 6.7.
Section 16.13. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.
     Without in any way limiting the generality of Section 16.9, the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt may, at any time and from time to time, without the consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders, without incurring responsibility to the Holders and without impairing or releasing the subordination provided in this Article Sixteen or the obligations hereunder of the Holders to the holders of Guarantor Senior Debt, do any one or more of the following: (a) change the manner, place or terms of payment or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Guarantor Senior Debt or any instrument evidencing the same or any agreement under which Guarantor Senior Debt is outstanding or secured; (b) sell, exchange, release or otherwise deal with any property pledged, mortgaged or otherwise securing Guarantor Senior Debt; (c) release any Person liable in any manner for the collection of Guarantor Senior Debt; and (d) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the Issuers and any other Person.
Section 16.14. Payments May Be Paid Prior to Dissolution.
     Nothing contained in this Article Sixteen or elsewhere in this Indenture shall prevent (a) a Guarantor, except under the conditions described in Section 16.2 or Section 16.3, from fulfilling any obligation arising under the Securities Guarantee, or from depositing with the Trustee any money for such payments, or (b) the application by the Trustee of any money deposited with it for the purpose of fulfilling any obligation arising under the Securities Guarantee to the holders entitled thereto unless, at least two Business Days prior to the date upon which such payment becomes due and payable, the Trustee shall have received the written notice provided for in Section 16.2(b) of this Indenture (or there shall have been an acceleration of the Securities Guarantee prior to such application) or in Section 16.6 of this Indenture. An Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of such Guarantor.
* * *

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     This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, as of the day and year first above written.
             
    LEGACY RESERVES LP    
 
           
 
  By:    
 
   
 
  Name:    
 
   
 
  Title:    
 
   
 
           
    LEGACY RESERVES FINANCE CORPORATION    
 
           
 
  By:    
 
   
 
  Name:    
 
   
 
  Title:    
 
   
 
           
    [                    ]    
 
           
 
  By:    
 
   
 
  Name:    
 
   
 
  Title:    
 
   

EX-5.1 4 h82497exv5w1.htm EX-5.1 exv5w1
Exhibit 5.1
 
(COMPANY LOGO)
 
May 23, 2011
 
Legacy Reserves LP
303 W. Wall Street, Suite 1400
Midland, Texas 79701
 
Gentlemen:
 
We have acted as special counsel to Legacy Reserves LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the ‘‘Partnership”), Legacy Reserves Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“Finance Corp.”), Legacy Reserves Operating LP, a Delaware limited partnership and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“Operating LP”), Legacy Reserves Operating GP LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (the ‘‘OLP GP”), Legacy Reserves Services, Inc., a Texas corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“Services”), and Iron Creek Energy Group, LLC, a Wyoming limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Partnership (“Iron Creek” and, together with Operating LP, OLP GP and Services, the ‘‘Guarantors” and, collectively with the Partnership, Finance Corp., Operating LP, OLP GP and Services, the “Registrants”), in connection with the preparation of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the ‘‘SEC”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘‘Securities Act”), on May 23, 2011. The Registration Statement relates to the offering from time to time, as set forth in the Registration Statement, the form of prospectus contained therein (the “Prospectus”) and one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each, a “Prospectus Supplement”), of (i) units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership by the Partnership (the ‘‘Units”), (ii) debt securities, which may either be senior or subordinated in right of payment, and may be issued in one or more series (the “Debt Securities”), by the Partnership and, if applicable, Finance Corp. and (iii) guarantees with respect to the Debt Securities (the “Guarantees”) by some or all of the Guarantors. The Units, the Debt Securities and the Guarantees are referred to herein collectively as the “Securities.” The Securities will be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale and to be set forth in the Prospectus Supplements. All capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in the Registration Statement or in the Indentures (as defined below), as the case may be.
 
The Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to either (i) an indenture governing senior debt securities, in the form filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement, among the Partnership, Finance Corp. and the trustee to be named therein (the “Senior Indenture”), or (ii) an indenture governing subordinated debt securities, in the form filed as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement, among the Partnership, Finance Corp. and the trustee to be named therein (the “Subordinated Indenture” and, together with the Senior Indenture, the “Indentures”). The Guarantees, if any, with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued under either of the Indentures, will be issued under such indenture, as amended and supplemented by a supplemental indenture thereto, to which each guarantor providing a Guarantee of the Debt Securities of such series shall be party.
 
In arriving at the opinions expressed below, we have examined the following:
 
(i) the Certificate of Limited Partnership and the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (the “Partnership Agreement”) of the Partnership, in each case as amended to date;
 
(ii) the Certificate of Formation and the Bylaws of Finance Corp., in each case as amended to date;


 

Legacy Reserves LP
May 23, 2011
Page 2
 
(iii) the Certificate of Formation and the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Legacy Reserves GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and the general partner of the Partnership (the “General Partner”), in each case as amended to date;
 
(iv) the Certificate of Limited Partnership and the Agreement of Limited Partnership of Operating LP, in each case as amended to date;
 
(v) the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of OLP GP, in each case as amended to date;
 
(vi) the Certificate of Formation and the Bylaws of Services, in each case as amended to date;
 
(vii) the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Iron Creek, in each case as amended to date;
 
(viii) a specimen of the certificate representing the Units;
 
(ix) the Registration Statement;
 
(x) the Prospectus;
 
(xi) the forms of the Indentures filed as Exhibits 4.4 and 4.5 to the Registration Statement; and
 
(xii) the originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of such other instruments and other certificates of public officials, officers and representatives of the Registrants and such other persons, and we have made such investigations of law, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions expressed below.
 
In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed and have not verified (i) the genuineness of the signatures on all documents that we have examined, (ii) the legal capacity of all natural persons, (iii) the authenticity of all the documents supplied to us as originals, and (iv) the conformity to the authentic originals of all documents supplied to us as certified or photostatic or faxed copies. In conducting our examination of documents executed by parties other than the Registrants, we have assumed that such parties had the power, corporate or other, to enter into and perform all obligations thereunder and have also assumed the due authorization by all requisite action, corporate or other, and the due execution and delivery by such parties of such documents and that, to the extent such documents purport to constitute agreements, such documents constitute valid and binding obligations of such parties.
 
In rendering the opinions expressed below with respect to the Securities, we have assumed that:
 
(i) the Certificate of Limited Partnership and the Partnership Agreement of the Partnership, the Certificate of Formation and the Bylaws of Finance Corp., the Certificate of Formation and the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the General Partner, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and the Agreement of Limited Partnership of Operating LP, the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of OLP GP, the Certificate of Formation and the Bylaws of Services, and the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Iron Creek, each as amended to date, will not have been amended in any manner that would affect any legal conclusion set forth herein;
 
(ii) the consideration paid for any Units will comply with Article V of the Partnership Agreement;
 
(iii) the certificates for the Units conform to the specimens thereof examined by us and have been duly countersigned by a transfer agent and duly registered by a registrar of the Units;
 
(iv) any supplemental indenture to either of the Indentures and any resolution of the board of directors and/or any officer’s certificate executed and delivered pursuant to such Indenture, in any such case, pursuant to which any Debt Securities and Guarantees are issued, will comply with such Indenture as theretofore supplemented, and the form and terms of such Debt Securities and Guarantees will comply


 

Legacy Reserves LP
May 23, 2011
Page 3
 
with such Indenture as then supplemented (including by any such supplemental indenture) and any such resolution of the board of directors and/or officer’s certificate; and
 
(v) the form and terms of such Securities, when established, the issuance, sale and delivery thereof by the applicable Registrant, and the incurrence and performance of the applicable Registrant’s obligations thereunder or in respect thereof (including, without limitation, its obligations under each of the Indentures with respect to Debt Securities and Guarantees issued thereunder) in accordance with the terms thereof, will comply with, and will not violate, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and the Partnership Agreement of the Partnership, the Certificate of Formation and the Bylaws of Finance Corp., the Certificate of Formation and the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the General Partner, the Certificate of Limited Partnership and the Agreement of Limited Partnership of Operating LP, the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of OLP GP, the Certificate of Formation and the Bylaws of Services, and the Certificate of Formation and the Limited Liability Company Agreement of Iron Creek, each as amended to date, or any applicable law, rule, regulation, order, judgment, decree, award, or agreement binding upon any of the Registrants, or to which the issuance, sale and delivery of such Securities, or the incurrence and performance of such obligations, may be subject, or violate any applicable public policy, or be subject to any defense in law or equity, and (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) Section 5-501.6.b of the New York General Obligations Law will apply in the case of all such Debt Securities and Guarantees. In addition, except in the case of Guarantees, we have assumed the receipt by each person to whom or for whose benefit a Security is to be issued (collectively, the “Beneficial Holders”) of a certificate for such Security or the receipt by The Depository Trust Company, acting as agent, on behalf of all Beneficial Holders of the class or series of Securities of which such Security is one, of a global security then evidencing such Securities. In addition, we have assumed the issuance and sale of and payment for the Securities so acquired, in accordance with the applicable purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the board of directors of the General Partner (on behalf of the Partnership, Operating LP, OLP GP and Iron Creek), Services and Finance Corp., as applicable, and the Registration Statement (including the Prospectus and the applicable Prospectus Supplement).
 
Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations, qualifications, exceptions and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
 
1. With respect to the Units, when (a) the Partnership has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance of such Units, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters and (b) such Units have been issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the board of directors of the General Partner, upon payment (or delivery) of the consideration therefor provided for therein, such Units 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 (i) the matters described in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 under the caption “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Limited Partnership Structure — The liability of our unitholders may not be limited if a court finds that unitholder action constitutes control of our business,” and “— Unitholders may have liability to repay distributions that were wrongfully distributed to them,” and (ii) Sections 17-303, 17-607 and 17-804 of the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act.
 
2. With respect to any series of Debt Securities to be issued under either of the Indentures, when (a) such Indenture, has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Partnership and Finance Corp. and by the trustee under such Indenture, (b) the applicable supplement, if any, to such Indenture, has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Partnership, Finance Corp. and the Guarantors, as applicable, and by the trustee under such Indenture, or the applicable resolution of the board of directors has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by each of the General Partner and Finance Corp., as applicable, or the applicable officer’s certificate has been validly executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer of each of the General Partner and Finance Corp., as


 

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Page 4
 
applicable, in each case, in accordance with the terms of such Indenture, (c) such Indenture, as then and theretofore supplemented, has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), (d) the Partnership and, if applicable, Finance Corp., has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance and terms of such series of Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters and (e) the Debt Securities of such series have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of such Indenture and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the board of directors of each of the General Partner and Finance Corp., as applicable, upon payment (or delivery) of the consideration therefor provided for therein, the Debt Securities of such series will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Partnership and, if applicable, Finance Corp.
 
3. With respect to the Guarantees of any series of Debt Securities to be issued by the Guarantors under either of the Indentures, when (a) the Partnership, Finance Corp. and the applicable Guarantors have taken all necessary partnership, limited liability company or corporate action, as applicable, to authorize and approve the issuance and terms of the Guarantees and the series of Debt Securities to which they pertain, the terms of the offering of such Debt Securities and such Guarantees and related matters, (b) a supplemental indenture to such Indenture, pursuant to which the applicable Guarantors agree to be bound by the guarantee provisions of such Indenture as applied to the Debt Securities of such series, has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Partnership, Finance Corp., if applicable, the applicable Guarantors and the trustee under such indenture, (c) such Indenture, as then and theretofore supplemented, pursuant to which the Guarantees will be issued, has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, and (d) the Debt Securities of such series have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of such Indenture and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the board of directors of each of the General Partner (on behalf of the applicable Guarantors), Finance Corp. and Services, as applicable, upon payment (or delivery) of the consideration for such Debt Securities provided for therein, such Guarantees will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the applicable Guarantors.
 
Our opinions in paragraphs 2 and 3 above are subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfer or conveyance), reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law), including, without limitation, (a) the possible unavailability of specific performance, injunctive relief or any other equitable remedy and (b) concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and we express no opinion herein with respect to provisions relating to severability or separability.
 
With respect to our opinions expressed above as they relate to Debt Securities and the Guarantees or other obligations of the Registrants, as applicable, denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, we note that (i) a New York statute provides that a judgment rendered by a court of the State of New York in respect of an obligation denominated in any such other currency would be rendered in such other currency and would be converted into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of entry of the judgment, and (ii) a judgment rendered by a Federal court sitting in the State of New York in respect of an obligation denominated in any such other currency may be expressed in U.S. dollars, but we express no opinion as to the rate of exchange such Federal court would apply.
 
We express no opinion other than as to the federal laws of the United States of America, the laws of the State of New York, the laws of the State of Texas, Delaware General Corporation Law, the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act and the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus. In giving this consent we do not admit that we are “experts” under the Securities Act, or the rules and regulations of the SEC issued thereunder, with respect to any part of the


 

Legacy Reserves LP
May 23, 2011
Page 5
 
Registration Statement, including this exhibit. This opinion is expressed as of the date hereof, and we disclaim any undertaking to advise you of any subsequent changes of the facts stated or assumed herein or any subsequent changes in applicable law, and we have assumed that at no future time would any such subsequent change of fact or law affect adversely our ability to render at such time an opinion (a) containing the same legal conclusions set forth herein and (b) subject only to such (or fewer) assumptions, limitations and qualifications as are contained herein.
 
Very truly yours,
 
/s/ Andrews Kurth LLP
EX-8.1 5 h82497exv8w1.htm EX-8.1 exv8w1
Exhibit 8.1
     
(ANDREWS ATTORNEYS KURTH LLP LOGO)
  600 Travis, Suite 4200
Houston, Texas 77002
713.220.4200 Phone
713.220.4285 Fax
andrewskurth.com
May 23, 2011
Legacy Reserves LP
303 W. Wall Street, Suite 1400
Midland, Texas 79701
Gentlemen:
     We have acted as special counsel to Legacy Reserves LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), on May 23, 2011. The Registration Statement relates, in part, to the offering from time to time as set forth in the forms of prospectus contained in the Registration Statement (collectively, the “Prospectus”) of (i) units representing limited partner interests in the Partnership (the “Units”) and (ii) debt securities of the Partnership (“Debt Securities”). The Units and Debt Securities will be offered in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined at the time of sale and to be set forth in Prospectus Supplements (collectively, the “Offerings”), as applicable, from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act. In connection therewith, we have participated in the preparation of the discussion set forth under the caption “Material Tax Considerations” (the “Discussion”) in the Registration Statement.
     The Discussion, subject to the qualifications and assumptions stated in the Discussion and the limitations and qualifications set forth herein, constitutes our opinion as to the material United States federal income tax considerations for purchasers of the Units pursuant to the Offering.
     This opinion letter is limited to the matters set forth herein, and no opinions are intended to be implied or may be inferred beyond those expressly stated herein. Our opinion is rendered as of the date hereof and we assume no obligation to update or supplement this opinion or any matter related to this opinion to reflect any change of fact, circumstances, or law after the date hereof. In addition, our opinion is based on the assumption that the matter will be properly presented to the applicable court.
     Furthermore, our opinion is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or a court. In addition, we must note that our opinion represents merely our best legal judgment on the matters

 


 

Legacy Reserves LP
May 23, 2011
Page 2
presented and that others may disagree with our conclusion. There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will not take a contrary position or that a court would agree with our opinion if litigated.
     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the references to our firm and this opinion contained in the Discussion. In giving this consent, we do not admit that we are “experts” under the Act or under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission relating thereto, with respect to any part of the Registration Statement.
         
  Very truly yours,
 
 
  /s/ Andrews Kurth LLP    
     
     
 

 

EX-12.1 6 h82497exv12w1.htm EX-12.1 exv12w1
Exhibit 12.1
Legacy Reserves LP
Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(In thousands, except ratios)
                                                 
    Three Months        
    Ended        
    March 31,     Years Ended December 31,  
    2011     2010     2009     2008     2007     2006  
Income (loss) before income taxes
  $ (60,700 )   $ 11,346     $ (92,277 )   $ 154,551     $ (55,325 )   $ 4,357  
Equity in (income) loss of equity method investee
    (29 )     (97 )     (31 )     (108 )     (77 )     318  
Distributed income of equity method investee
                                   
 
                                   
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes
  $ (60,729 )   $ 11,249     $ (92,308 )   $ 154,443     $ (55,402 )   $ 4,675  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Fixed Charges
                                               
 
                                               
Interest expensed
  $ 4,598     $ 16,415     $ 15,366     $ 11,442     $ 6,894     $ 6,284  
Amortization of debt issuance costs
    468       2,023       1,646       748       224       361  
Estimated portion of rental expense attributable to interest
    28       112       59       59       59       27  
 
                                   
Total fixed charges
  $ 5,094     $ 18,550     $ 17,071     $ 12,249     $ 7,177     $ 6,672  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Earnings available for fixed charges
  $ (55,635 )   $ 29,799     $ (75,237 )   $ 166,692     $ (48,225 )   $ 11,347  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
    (1 )     1.61 x     (2 )     13.61 x     (3 )     1.70 x
 
                                   
 
(1)   Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges, and fixed charges exceeded earnings by approximately $60.729 million
 
(2)   Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges, and fixed charges exceeded earnings by approximately $92.308 million
 
(3)   Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges, and fixed charges exceeded earnings by approximately $55.402 million

 

EX-23.1 7 h82497exv23w1.htm EX-23.1 exv23w1
EXHIBIT 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our reports dated March 4, 2011, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Legacy Reserves LP and the effectiveness of Legacy Reserves LP’s internal control over financial reporting appearing in the Partnership’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
Houston, Texas
May 23, 2011

 

EX-23.2 8 h82497exv23w2.htm EX-23.2 exv23w2
EXHIBIT 23.2
Consent of LaRoche Petroleum Consultants, Ltd.
As independent reserve engineers, geologists, and geophysicists, we hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of Legacy Reserves LP on Form S-3 of the references to our Firm’s name and our Firm’s reserve report, dated January 20, 2011, on the oil and natural gas reserves of Legacy Reserves LP as of December 31, 2010 included in or made a part of Legacy Reserves LP’s annual report for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 4, 2011.
LaRoche Petroleum Consultants, Ltd.
         
By:
  /s/ Joe A. Young
 
   
Name:
  Joe A. Young    
Title:
  Senior Partner    
May 23, 2011

 

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