-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, HlZwncJuMekqDKET4IQQi8eWjb7hoyglqR0IccuehihFjDdh7bFiSfWNAcg1wZbr dFxek6kpEHdoudIDsxqulw== 0000950123-09-056404.txt : 20091103 0000950123-09-056404.hdr.sgml : 20091103 20091103082629 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-09-056404 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3ASR PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 11 FILED AS OF DATE: 20091103 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20091103 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20091103 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Energy, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001297067 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION [4922] IRS NUMBER: 270065678 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821 FILM NUMBER: 091152824 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-621-9547 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: Copano Energy Holdings, L.L.C. DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20040713 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: COPANO ENERGY/MID-CONTINENT, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364669 IRS NUMBER: 203009666 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-56 FILM NUMBER: 091152869 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: Copano Energy/Rocky Mountains & Mid-Continent, L.L.C. DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20060601 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Risk Management, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364670 IRS NUMBER: 203183275 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-30 FILM NUMBER: 091152843 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CPNO Services, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364671 IRS NUMBER: 202071486 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-24 FILM NUMBER: 091152837 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CPNO Services LP Holdings, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364672 IRS NUMBER: 202071326 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-22 FILM NUMBER: 091152835 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1105 NORTH MARKET STREET STREET 2: SUITE 940 CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19801 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1105 NORTH MARKET STREET STREET 2: SUITE 940 CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19801 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CPNO Services GP, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364673 IRS NUMBER: 202071403 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-23 FILM NUMBER: 091152836 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Processing, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364674 IRS NUMBER: 760647499 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-33 FILM NUMBER: 091152846 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano NGL Services, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364675 IRS NUMBER: 760647525 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-04 FILM NUMBER: 091152816 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHC LP Holdings, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364676 IRS NUMBER: 201837842 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-59 FILM NUMBER: 091152872 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1105 NORTH MARKET STREET STREET 2: SUITE 940 CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19801 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1105 NORTH MARKET STREET STREET 2: SUITE 940 CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19801 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Processing GP, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364677 IRS NUMBER: 201863221 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-32 FILM NUMBER: 091152845 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano NGL Services GP, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364678 IRS NUMBER: 201863192 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-03 FILM NUMBER: 091152815 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Houston Central, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364679 IRS NUMBER: 510409466 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-06 FILM NUMBER: 091152818 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1105 NORTH MARKET STREET STREET 2: SUITE 940 CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19801 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1105 NORTH MARKET STREET STREET 2: SUITE 940 CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19801 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Field Services/Central Gulf Coast, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364680 IRS NUMBER: 760647522 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-48 FILM NUMBER: 091152861 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Field Services/Central Gulf Coast GP, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364681 IRS NUMBER: 201863263 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-47 FILM NUMBER: 091152860 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Estes Cove Facilities, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364682 IRS NUMBER: 760593059 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-19 FILM NUMBER: 091152832 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Nueces Gathering, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364683 IRS NUMBER: 810560211 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-18 FILM NUMBER: 091152831 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Energy Services/Texas Gulf Coast, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364684 IRS NUMBER: 760650321 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-52 FILM NUMBER: 091152865 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Pipelines/TGC, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364685 IRS NUMBER: 760650304 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-37 FILM NUMBER: 091152850 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: Copano Pipelines/Texas Gulf Coast, L.P. DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20060601 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Energy Services/Upper Gulf Coast, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364686 IRS NUMBER: 760528374 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-51 FILM NUMBER: 091152864 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Pipelines/Hebbronville, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364687 IRS NUMBER: 760665939 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-40 FILM NUMBER: 091152853 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Pipelines/Upper Gulf Coast, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364688 IRS NUMBER: 760528375 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-36 FILM NUMBER: 091152849 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Pipelines/South Texas, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364689 IRS NUMBER: 760576084 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-38 FILM NUMBER: 091152851 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Field Services/Karnes, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364690 IRS NUMBER: 200959499 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-45 FILM NUMBER: 091152858 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Field Services/Live Oak, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364691 IRS NUMBER: 760528373 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-44 FILM NUMBER: 091152857 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Field Services/Upper Gulf Coast, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364692 IRS NUMBER: 760528373 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-11 FILM NUMBER: 091152823 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Field Services/Agua Dulce, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364693 IRS NUMBER: 760500639 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-49 FILM NUMBER: 091152862 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Field Services/South Texas, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364694 IRS NUMBER: 760503485 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-43 FILM NUMBER: 091152856 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Field Services/Copano Bay, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364695 IRS NUMBER: 760503487 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-46 FILM NUMBER: 091152859 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Energy Services (Texas) GP, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364696 IRS NUMBER: 201862441 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-53 FILM NUMBER: 091152866 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Energy Services GP, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364697 IRS NUMBER: 201862371 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-54 FILM NUMBER: 091152867 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Pipelines (Texas) GP, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364698 IRS NUMBER: 201863012 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-41 FILM NUMBER: 091152854 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Pipelines GP, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364699 IRS NUMBER: 201862978 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-01 FILM NUMBER: 091152813 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Field Services GP, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364700 IRS NUMBER: 201862487 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-50 FILM NUMBER: 091152863 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CPG LP Holdings, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364701 IRS NUMBER: 201863129 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-25 FILM NUMBER: 091152838 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1105 NORTH MARKET STREET STREET 2: SUITE 940 CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19801 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1105 NORTH MARKET STREET STREET 2: SUITE 940 CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19801 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano General Partners, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364702 IRS NUMBER: 510411719 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-07 FILM NUMBER: 091152819 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1105 NORTH MARKET STREET STREET 2: SUITE 940 CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19801 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1105 NORTH MARKET STREET STREET 2: SUITE 940 CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19801 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Pipelines Group, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364703 IRS NUMBER: 510411715 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-42 FILM NUMBER: 091152855 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1105 NORTH MARKET STREET STREET 2: SUITE 940 CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19801 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1105 NORTH MARKET STREET STREET 2: SUITE 940 CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19801 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano/Webb-Duval Pipeline, L.P. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364704 IRS NUMBER: 201686633 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-27 FILM NUMBER: 091152840 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CWDPL LP Holdings, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364705 IRS NUMBER: 201863161 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-21 FILM NUMBER: 091152834 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1105 NORTH MARKET STREET STREET 2: SUITE 940 CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19801 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1105 NORTH MARKET STREET STREET 2: SUITE 940 CITY: WILMINGTON STATE: DE ZIP: 19801 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano/Webb-Duval Pipeline GP, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364706 IRS NUMBER: 201686528 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-26 FILM NUMBER: 091152839 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Energy Finance CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364707 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES [6189] IRS NUMBER: 203151764 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-13 FILM NUMBER: 091152826 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Scissortail Energy, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001364712 IRS NUMBER: 742964091 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-17 FILM NUMBER: 091152830 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1307 SOUTH BOULDER STREET 2: SUITE 200 CITY: TULSA STATE: OK ZIP: 74119 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-737-9017 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1307 SOUTH BOULDER STREET 2: SUITE 200 CITY: TULSA STATE: OK ZIP: 74119 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano/Red River Gathering LP Holdings, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001417785 IRS NUMBER: 208921744 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-28 FILM NUMBER: 091152841 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-921-6547 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano/Red River Gathering GP, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001417786 IRS NUMBER: 208921790 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-29 FILM NUMBER: 091152842 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-921-6547 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Energy/Rocky Mountains, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001417787 IRS NUMBER: 261172414 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-55 FILM NUMBER: 091152868 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-921-6547 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Cantera Gas Company, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001417792 IRS NUMBER: 383432972 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-60 FILM NUMBER: 091152873 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-921-6547 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Greenwood Gathering, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001417793 IRS NUMBER: 261146730 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-20 FILM NUMBER: 091152833 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-921-6547 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CMW Energy Services, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001417794 IRS NUMBER: 261146666 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-57 FILM NUMBER: 091152870 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-921-6547 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Cimmarron Gathering, LP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001417795 IRS NUMBER: 202901110 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-58 FILM NUMBER: 091152871 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-921-6547 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY STREET 2: SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Pipelines/Victoria, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001475663 IRS NUMBER: 264316438 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-34 FILM NUMBER: 091152847 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-757-9056 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Natural Gas/Rocky Mountains, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001475664 IRS NUMBER: 113693993 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-05 FILM NUMBER: 091152817 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 116 INVERNESS DRIVE EAST, SUITE 280 CITY: ENGLEWOOD STATE: CO ZIP: 80112 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-757-9056 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 116 INVERNESS DRIVE EAST, SUITE 280 CITY: ENGLEWOOD STATE: CO ZIP: 80112 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Field Services/Rocky Mountains, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001475665 IRS NUMBER: 262503299 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-09 FILM NUMBER: 091152821 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 116 INVERNESS DRIVE EAST, SUITE 280 CITY: ENGLEWOOD STATE: CO ZIP: 80112 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-757-9056 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 116 INVERNESS DRIVE EAST, SUITE 280 CITY: ENGLEWOOD STATE: CO ZIP: 80112 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Field Facilities/Rocky Mountains, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001475666 IRS NUMBER: 264771131 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-08 FILM NUMBER: 091152820 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 116 INVERNESS DRIVE EAST, SUITE 280 CITY: ENGLEWOOD STATE: CO ZIP: 80112 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-757-9056 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 116 INVERNESS DRIVE EAST, SUITE 280 CITY: ENGLEWOOD STATE: CO ZIP: 80112 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Pipelines/Rocky Mountains, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001475667 IRS NUMBER: 200659235 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-39 FILM NUMBER: 091152852 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 116 INVERNESS DRIVE EAST, SUITE 280 CITY: ENGLEWOOD STATE: CO ZIP: 80112 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-757-9056 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 116 INVERNESS DRIVE EAST, SUITE 280 CITY: ENGLEWOOD STATE: CO ZIP: 80112 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ACP Texas, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001475668 IRS NUMBER: 262565296 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-16 FILM NUMBER: 091152829 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-757-9056 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Field Services/North Texas, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001475669 IRS NUMBER: 261586828 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-10 FILM NUMBER: 091152822 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-757-9056 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Processing/Louisiana, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001475670 IRS NUMBER: 271493880 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-31 FILM NUMBER: 091152844 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-757-9056 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: River View Pipelines, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001475671 IRS NUMBER: 261586872 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-14 FILM NUMBER: 091152827 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-757-9056 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Pipelines/Texas Gulf Coast, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001475672 IRS NUMBER: 263154210 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-35 FILM NUMBER: 091152848 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-757-9056 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Alamo Creek Properties, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001475674 IRS NUMBER: 261586906 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-15 FILM NUMBER: 091152828 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-757-9056 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano NGL Services (Markham), L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001475675 IRS NUMBER: 270904927 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-02 FILM NUMBER: 091152814 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-757-9056 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Copano Pipelines/North Texas, L.L.C. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001475834 IRS NUMBER: 271125058 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-162821-12 FILM NUMBER: 091152825 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 BUSINESS PHONE: 713-757-9056 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2727 ALLEN PARKWAY, SUITE 1200 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77019 S-3ASR 1 h68278sv3asr.htm FORM S-3ASR sv3asr
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 2, 2009
Registration No. 333-          
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
COPANO ENERGY, L.L.C.*
COPANO ENERGY FINANCE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
  51-0411678
20-3151590
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77019
(713) 621-9547
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
 
Douglas L. Lawing
Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77019
(713) 621-9547
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
 
Copy to:
 
Jeffery K. Malonson
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.
1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 758-2222
 
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 being 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.
 
             
Large accelerated filer þ  
Accelerated filer o
  Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company o
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    


Table of Contents

 
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
             
      Amount to be Registered(1)
     
      Proposed Maximum Offering Price
    Amount of
Title of Each Class of
    Per Unit(1) Proposed Maximum
    Registration
Securities to be Registered     Aggregate Offering Price(1)     Fee(1)
Common Units
           
Debt Securities(2)
           
Guarantees of Debt Securities(2)
           
Total
           
             
 
(1) An indeterminate aggregate offering price or number of securities of each identified class is being registered as may be offered from time to time at indeterminate prices. Separate consideration may or may not be received for securities that are being registered that are issued in exchange for, or upon conversion or exercise of, the securities being registered hereunder. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee.
 
(2) If a series of debt securities is guaranteed, such series will be guaranteed by all of Copano Energy, L.L.C.’s wholly owned subsidiaries other than “minor” subsidiaries (except Copano Energy 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.
 
* Includes certain subsidiaries of Copano Energy, L.L.C. identified on the following pages that may guarantee the debt securities.
 
The following are co-registrants that may guarantee the debt securities:
 
Cantera Gas Company LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   38-3432972
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
CHC LP Holdings, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-1837842
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Cimmarron Gathering, LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   20-2901110
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
CMW Energy Services, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   26-1146666
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Energy/Mid-Continent, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-3009666
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Energy/Rocky Mountains, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   26-1172414
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Energy Services GP, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-1862371
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


Table of Contents

Copano Energy Services (Texas) GP, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-1862441
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Energy Services/Texas Gulf Coast, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   76-0650321
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Energy Services/Upper Gulf Coast, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   76-0528374
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Field Services GP, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-1862487
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Field Services/Agua Dulce, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   76-0500639
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Field Services/Central Gulf Coast, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   76-0647522
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Field Services/Central Gulf Coast GP, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-1863263
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Field Services/Copano Bay, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   76-0503487
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Field Services/Karnes, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   20-0959499
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Field Services/Live Oak, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   42-1532273
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Field Services/South Texas, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   76-0503485
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Field Services/Upper Gulf Coast, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   76-0528373
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


Table of Contents

Copano Field Services/North Texas, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   26-1586828
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Field Services/Rocky Mountains, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   26-2503299
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Field Facilities/Rocky Mountains, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   26-4771131
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano General Partners, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   51-0411719
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Houston Central, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   51-0409466
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Natural Gas/Rocky Mountains, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   11-3693993
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano NGL Services, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   76-0647525
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano NGL Services GP, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-1863192
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano NGL Services (Markham), L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   27-0904927
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Pipelines GP, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-1862978
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Pipelines Group, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   51-0411715
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Pipelines (Texas) GP, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-1863012
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


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Copano Pipelines/Hebbronville, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   76-0665939
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Pipelines/Rocky Mountains, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-0659235
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Pipelines/South Texas, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   76-0576084
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Pipelines/TGC, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   76-0650304
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Pipelines/Upper Gulf Coast, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   76-0528375
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Pipelines/North Texas, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   27-1125058
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Pipelines/Texas Gulf Coast, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   26-3154210
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Pipelines/Victoria, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   26-4316438
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Processing, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   76-0647499
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Processing GP, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-1863221
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Processing/Louisiana, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Oklahoma   73-1493880
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano Risk Management, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   20-3183275
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


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Copano/Red River Gathering GP, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-8921790
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano/Red River Gathering LP Holdings, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-8921744
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano/Webb-Duval Pipeline, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-1686633
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Copano/Webb-Duval Pipeline GP, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-1686528
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
CPG LP Holdings, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-1863129
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
CPNO Services, L.P.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   20-2071486
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
CPNO Services GP, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-2071403
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
CPNO Services LP Holdings, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-2071326
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
CWDPL LP Holdings, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   20-1863161
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Greenwood Gathering, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   26-1146730
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Estes Cove Facilities, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   76-0593059
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Nueces Gathering, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Texas   81-0560211
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


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ScissorTail Energy, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   74-2964091
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
ACP Texas, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   26-2565296
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
Alamo Creek Properties, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   26-1586906
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 
River View Pipelines, L.L.C.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   26-1586872
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
 


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PROSPECTUS
 
COPANO ENERGY, L.L.C.
COPANO ENERGY FINANCE CORPORATION
 
Common Units
Debt Securities
 
We may offer, from time to time, the following securities in one or more transactions, classes or series and in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of our offerings:
 
  •  common units representing limited liability company interests in Copano Energy, L.L.C.; and
 
  •  debt securities, which may be secured or unsecured senior debt securities or secured or unsecured subordinated debt securities.
 
Copano Energy Finance Corporation may act as co-issuer of the debt securities. If a series of debt securities is guaranteed, such series will be guaranteed by all of Copano Energy, L.L.C.’s wholly owned subsidiaries other than “minor” subsidiaries (except Copano Energy Finance Corporation) as such term is interpreted in securities regulations governing financial reporting for guarantors.
 
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 the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we will offer the securities. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.
 
You should carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest. You should also read the documents we have referred you to in the “Where You Can Find More Information” section of this prospectus for information on us and our financial statements.
 
Our common units are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “CPNO.” We will provide information in the prospectus supplement for the trading market, if any, for any debt securities we may offer.
 
Investing in our securities involves risks. In addition to risks related to our business, limited liability companies are inherently different from corporations. You should carefully consider the risk factors described under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 4 of this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement before you make an investment in our securities.
 
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 November 2, 2009.


 

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This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC” or “Commission.” In making your investment decision, you should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any other information. If you receive any unauthorized information, you must not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted.
 
You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, as well as the information that we have previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, is accurate as of any date other than the date of such document. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we and Copano Energy Finance Corporation have filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may from time to time offer and sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities and the general manner in which we will offer the securities. Each time we offer securities, we will provide you with this prospectus and a prospectus supplement that will describe, among other things, the specific amounts and prices of the securities being offered and the terms of the offering.
 
The prospectus supplement may include additional risk factors or other special considerations applicable to those securities and 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 that prospectus supplement.
 
Additional information, including our financial statements and the notes thereto, is incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our reports filed with the SEC. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information.” You are urged to carefully read this prospectus, including the “Risk Factors,” and any attached prospectus supplement relating to the securities offered to you, together with the additional information described under “Where You Can Find More Information,” before investing in our common units or debt securities.
 
Throughout this prospectus, when we use the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” or like terms, we are referring either to Copano Energy, L.L.C. or to Copano Energy, L.L.C. and its consolidated subsidiaries collectively, unless the context requires otherwise.
 
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
 
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any materials that we file with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site (http://www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information that we file electronically with the SEC.
 
We also make available free of charge on our website, at http://www.copanoenergy.com, all materials that we file electronically with the SEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, Section 16 reports and amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
 
We “incorporate by reference” information into this prospectus, which means that we disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except to the extent it is updated and superseded by information contained in this prospectus. The information we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is current as of any date other than the date on the front page of this prospectus.
 
We incorporate by reference the documents listed below (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02, 7.01 or 9.01 on any Current Report on Form 8-K):
 
  •  Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, including information specifically incorporated by reference into our Form 10-K from our Proxy Statement prepared in connection with the 2009 Annual Meeting of Unitholders held on March 14, 2009;
 
  •  Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009;
 
  •  Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009;
 
  •  Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 15, 2009;


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  •  Our Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on September 15, 2009;
 
  •  Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 27, 2009;
 
  •  Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 21, 2009;
 
  •  Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 17, 2009;
 
  •  Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 16, 2009;
 
  •  Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2009;
 
  •  Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 16, 2009;
 
  •  Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 24, 2009;
 
  •  Our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 15, 2009; and
 
  •  The description of our common units contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 000-51009) filed with the SEC on November 1, 2004 and any subsequent amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.
 
All documents that we file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), and that are deemed “filed,” prior to the termination of all offerings under this shelf registration statement are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
 
You may obtain any of the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus from the SEC through the SEC’s web site at the address provided above. We will provide you a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus (including exhibits to those documents specifically incorporated by reference in this document), at no cost, upon your written or oral request to us at the following address or telephone number:
Copano Energy, L.L.C.
Investor Relations
2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77019
(713) 621-9547
 
INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Certain matters discussed in this prospectus and the documents we incorporate by reference include “forward-looking” statements. Statements that are not historical facts and instead address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including things such as references to future goals or intentions, are forward-looking statements. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “may,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate” or “continue,” or similar words, and include statements related to plans for growth of the business, future capital expenditures and competitive strengths and goals. We make these statements based on our past experience and our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other considerations we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. Whether actual results and developments in the future will conform to our expectations is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could differ materially from what is expressed, implied or forecast in forward-looking statements. Any differences could result from a number of factors, including:
 
  •  our ability to successfully integrate any acquired assets or operations;
 
  •  the volatility of prices and market demand for natural gas and natural gas liquids (“NGLs”);
 
  •  our ability to continue to obtain new sources of natural gas supply;
 
  •  our ability to access NGL fractionation capacity;


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  •  the ability of key producers to continue to drill and successfully complete and attach new natural gas supplies;
 
  •  our ability to retain key customers;
 
  •  the availability of local, intrastate and interstate transportation systems and other facilities for natural gas and NGLs;
 
  •  our ability to access our revolving credit facility and to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms;
 
  •  the effectiveness of our hedging program;
 
  •  general economic conditions;
 
  •  the effects of government regulations and policies; and
 
  •  other financial, operational and legal risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in our filings with the SEC.
 
This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference include cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our expectations, including in conjunction with forward-looking statements described above. When considering forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and the documents we incorporate by reference. All forward-looking statements included in those documents and all subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, other than as required by law.
 
COPANO ENERGY, L.L.C.
 
We are an energy company engaged in the business of providing midstream services to natural gas producers, including natural gas gathering, compression, dehydration, treating, marketing, transportation, processing, conditioning and fractionation services. Our assets are located in Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming and Louisiana and include approximately 6,200 miles of active natural gas gathering and transmission pipelines and seven natural gas processing plants, with over one billion cubic feet per day of combined processing capacity. In addition to our natural gas pipelines, we operate 200 miles of NGL pipelines.
 
Our operations are conducted through, and our operating assets are owned by, our subsidiaries. Copano Energy 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 2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 1200, Houston, Texas 77019. Our telephone number at our principal executive offices is (713) 621-9547.
 
For additional information about our business, properties and financial condition, please read “Where You Can Find More Information.”
 
THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
 
Certain of our subsidiaries, which we refer to as the “subsidiary guarantors” in this prospectus, 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
 
You should carefully consider the following risk factors together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the information that we have incorporated herein by reference in evaluating an investment in Copano Energy, L.L.C. If any of the following risks were actually to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. When we offer and sell any securities pursuant to a prospectus supplement, we may include additional risk factors relevant to such securities in the prospectus supplement.
 
Risks Related to Our Business
 
We may not have sufficient cash after establishment of cash reserves to pay cash distributions at the current level.
 
We may not have sufficient available cash each quarter to pay distributions at the current level. Under the terms of our limited liability company agreement, we must set aside any cash reserve amounts before making a distribution to our unitholders. The amount of cash we can distribute 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 natural gas gathered and transported on our pipelines;
 
  •  the amount and NGL content of the natural gas we process;
 
  •  the fees we charge and the margins we realize for our services;
 
  •  the prices of natural gas, NGLs and crude oil;
 
  •  the relationship between natural gas and NGL prices;
 
  •  the level of our operating costs and the impact of inflation on those costs; and
 
  •  the weather in our operating areas.
 
In addition, the actual amount of cash we will have available for distribution will depend on other factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:
 
  •  the level of capital expenditures we make and the profitability of those projects;
 
  •  our ability to access capital markets and borrow money;
 
  •  the cost of acquisitions, if any;
 
  •  the effectiveness of our hedging program and the creditworthiness of our hedging counterparties;
 
  •  our debt service requirements;
 
  •  fluctuations in our working capital needs;
 
  •  restrictions on distributions imposed by our revolving credit facility and the indentures governing our senior unsecured notes;
 
  •  any restrictions on distributions by entities in which we own interests;
 
  •  the amount of cash reserves established by our Board of Directors for the proper conduct of our business; and
 
  •  prevailing economic conditions.
 
If we decrease distributions, the market price for our units may be adversely affected.
 
A decrease in our cash flow will reduce the amount of cash we have available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
The amount of cash we have available for distribution depends primarily upon our cash flow, including cash flow from financial reserves, and is not solely a function of profitability, which will be affected by non-cash items.


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As a result, we may make cash distributions during periods when we record losses and may not make cash distributions during periods when we record net income.
 
To the extent that we make acquisitions in the future and our acquisitions do not perform as expected, our future financial performance may be negatively impacted.
 
Our business strategy includes making acquisitions that we anticipate would increase the cash available for distribution to our unitholders. As a result, from time to time, we evaluate and pursue assets and businesses that we believe complement our existing operations or expand our operations into new regions where our growth strategy can be applied. We cannot assure you that we will be able to complete acquisitions in the future or achieve the desired results from any acquisitions we do complete. In addition, failure to successfully assimilate our acquisitions could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
 
Our acquisitions potentially involve numerous risks, including:
 
  •  operating a significantly larger combined organization and adding operations;
 
  •  difficulties in the assimilation of the assets and operations of the acquired businesses, especially if the assets acquired are in a new business segment or geographic area;
 
  •  the risk that natural gas reserves expected to support the acquired assets may not be of the anticipated magnitude or may not be developed as anticipated;
 
  •  the loss of significant producers or markets or key employees from the acquired businesses;
 
  •  the diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns;
 
  •  the failure to realize expected profitability or growth;
 
  •  the failure to realize any expected synergies and cost savings;
 
  •  coordinating geographically disparate organizations, systems and facilities;
 
  •  coordinating or consolidating corporate, information technology and administrative functions; and
 
  •  a decrease in liquidity and increased leverage as a result of using significant amounts of available cash or debt to finance an acquisition.
 
Further, unexpected costs and challenges may arise whenever businesses with different operations or management are combined, and we may experience unanticipated delays in realizing the benefits of an acquisition. Because of these risks and challenges, even when we make acquisitions that we believe will increase our ability to distribute cash, those acquisitions may nevertheless reduce our cash from operations on a per unit basis. This could result in lower distributions to our common unitholders and could impair our ability to comply with financial covenants under our debt agreements. Our capitalization and results of operations may change significantly following an acquisition, and you may not have the opportunity to evaluate the economic, financial and other relevant information that we will consider in evaluating future acquisitions.
 
Our acquisitions could expose us to potential significant liabilities.
 
We generally assume the liabilities of entities that we acquire and may assume certain liabilities relating to assets that we acquire, including unknown and contingent liabilities. We perform due diligence in connection with our acquisitions and attempt to verify the representations of the sellers, but there may be pending, threatened, contemplated or contingent claims related to environmental, title, regulatory, litigation or other matters of which we are unaware. We may have indemnification claims against sellers for certain of these liabilities, as well as for disclosed liabilities, but our indemnification rights generally will be limited in amount and duration. Our right to indemnification also will be limited, as a practical matter, to the creditworthiness of the indemnifying party. If our right to indemnification is inadequate to cover the obligations of an acquired entity or relating to acquired assets, or if our indemnifying seller is unable to meet its obligations to us, our liability for such obligations could materially adversely affect our cash flow, operations and financial condition.


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We may not be able to fully execute our business strategy if we encounter illiquid capital markets.
 
Our business strategy contemplates pursuing acquisitions and capital projects, both in our existing areas of operations and in new regions where we believe growth opportunities are attractive and our business strategies could be applied. We regularly consider and enter into discussions regarding strategic transactions or projects that we believe will present opportunities to pursue our growth strategy.
 
We will require substantial new capital to finance strategic acquisitions or to complete significant organic expansion or greenfield projects. Any limitations on our access to capital will impair our ability to execute our growth strategy. If the cost of capital becomes too expensive, our ability to develop or acquire accretive assets will be limited. We may not be able to raise the necessary funds on satisfactory terms, if at all. The primary factors that influence our cost of capital include market conditions and offering or borrowing costs such as interest rates or underwriting discounts.
 
Illiquid capital markets could also limit investment and development by third parties, such as producers and end-users, which could indirectly affect our ability to fully execute our business strategy.
 
Our substantial indebtedness could limit our operating flexibility and impair our ability to fulfill our debt obligations.
 
We have substantial indebtedness. As of June 30, 2009 and in addition to liabilities we incurred related to our risk management activities, we had total indebtedness of $852 million, including our senior unsecured notes and our revolving credit facility.
 
At June 30, 2009, available borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility was approximately $280 million. Subject to the restrictions governing our existing indebtedness and other financial obligations, we may incur significant additional indebtedness and other financial obligations in the future. Our substantial indebtedness and other financial obligations could have important consequences to you. For example, it could:
 
  •  make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our indebtedness;
 
  •  impair our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, general company purposes or other purposes;
 
  •  result in higher interest expense in the event of increases in interest rates to the extent that any of our debt is subject to variable rates of interest;
 
  •  have a material adverse effect on us if we fail to comply with financial and restrictive covenants in our debt agreements and an event of default occurs as a result of that failure that is not cured or waived;
 
  •  require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to payments on our indebtedness and other financial obligations, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general company requirements;
 
  •  limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and
 
  •  place us at a disadvantage relative to any competitors that have proportionately less debt.
 
If we are unable to meet our debt service obligations and other financial obligations, we could be forced to restructure or refinance our indebtedness, in which case our lenders could require us to suspend cash distributions, or seek additional equity capital or sell assets. We may be unable to obtain such refinancing or equity capital, or to sell assets on satisfactory terms, if at all.
 
Restrictive covenants in the agreements governing our indebtedness may reduce our operating flexibility.
 
The indenture governing our outstanding senior unsecured notes contains various covenants that limit our ability and the ability of specified subsidiaries to, among other things:
 
  •  sell assets;


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  •  pay distributions on, redeem or repurchase our equity interests or redeem or repurchase our subordinated debt, if any;
 
  •  make investments;
 
  •  incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred units;
 
  •  create or incur certain liens;
 
  •  enter into agreements that restrict distributions or other payments from our restricted subsidiaries to us;
 
  •  consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets;
 
  •  engage in transactions with affiliates;
 
  •  create unrestricted subsidiaries; and
 
  •  enter into sale and leaseback transactions.
 
Our revolving credit facility contains similar covenants, as well as covenants that require us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy other financial conditions. The restrictive covenants in our indentures and our revolving credit facility could limit our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to obtain future financings, make needed capital expenditures, withstand a future downturn in our business or the economy in general or conduct operations.
 
If we are unable to comply with our debt covenants, it could result in defaults under the terms of our indentures or our revolving credit facility and acceleration of our debt and other financial obligations. If we were unable to repay those obligations, our lenders could initiate a bankruptcy proceeding or liquidation proceeding or proceed against any collateral.
 
In addition, Fort Union Gas Gathering, L.L.C. (“Fort Union”), in which we own a 37.04% interest, has debt outstanding under an agreement that includes, among other customary covenants and events of default, a limitation on its ability to make cash distributions. Fort Union can distribute cash to its members only if its ratio of net operating cash flow to debt service is not less than 1.25 to 1.00. If Fort Union fails to comply with this covenant, it would be prohibited from distributing cash to us, which would adversely affect our cash flow.
 
Our ability to obtain funding under our revolving credit facility could be impaired by conditions in the financial markets.
 
We operate in a capital-intensive industry and rely on our revolving credit facility to finance a significant portion of our capital expenditures. Our ability to borrow under our revolving credit facility is subject to conditions in the financial markets, including the solvency of institutional lenders. Specifically, we would be unable to obtain adequate funding under our revolving credit facility if:
 
  •  one or more of our lenders failed to meet its funding obligations;
 
  •  at the time we draw on our revolving credit facility, any of the representations or warranties or certain covenants included in the agreement is false in any material respect and the lenders elected to refuse to provide funding; and
 
  •  any lender refuses to fund its commitment for any reason, whether or not valid, and the other lenders elect not to provide additional funding to make up for the unfunded portion.
 
If we are unable to access funds under our revolving credit facility, we would need to meet our capital requirements using other sources. Depending on economic conditions, alternative sources of liquidity may not be available on acceptable terms. If the cash generated from our operations or the funds we are able to obtain under our revolving credit facility or other sources of liquidity are not sufficient to meet our capital requirements, then we may need to delay or abandon capital projects or other business opportunities, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.


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Our ability to obtain financing from sources other than our revolving credit facility is subject to conditions in the credit and capital markets.
 
If we need to raise capital from a source other than our revolving credit facility, we cannot be certain that additional capital will be available to the extent required and on acceptable terms. Global market and economic conditions have been volatile, and the timing of an economic recovery remains uncertain. The availability and cost of debt and equity capital are subject to general economic conditions and prevailing perceptions about the stability of financial markets and the solvency of counterparties. Adverse changes in these factors are likely to result in higher interest rates and deterioration in the availability and cost of debt and equity financing.
 
If capital on acceptable terms is unavailable to us, we may be unable to fully execute our growth strategy, otherwise take advantage of business opportunities, or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
 
We are exposed to the credit risk of our customers and other counterparties, and a general increase in the nonpayment and nonperformance by counterparties could adversely affect our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition.
 
Risks of nonpayment and nonperformance by our counterparties are a major concern in our business. We are subject to risks of loss resulting from nonpayment or nonperformance by our customers and other counterparties, such as our lenders and hedging counterparties. Many of our customers finance their activities through cash flow from operations, the incurrence of debt or the issuance of equity, all of which are subject to adverse changes in commodity prices and economic and market conditions. Since the most recent economic downturn, some of our customers have experienced a combination of lower cash flow due to commodity prices, reduced borrowing bases under reserve-based credit facilities and reduced availability of debt or equity financing. These factors may result in a significant reduction in our customers’ liquidity and ability to pay or otherwise perform on their obligations to us. Furthermore, some of our customers may be highly leveraged and subject to their own credit, operating and regulatory risks, which increases the risk that they may default on their obligations to us.
 
Any increase in nonpayment and nonperformance by our counterparties, either as a result of financial and economic conditions or otherwise, could have an adverse impact on our operating results and could adversely affect our liquidity.
 
Our cash flow and profitability depend upon prices and market demand for natural gas and NGLs, which are beyond our control and have been volatile.
 
Our cash flow and profitability are affected by prevailing NGL and natural gas prices, and we are subject to significant risks due to fluctuations in commodity prices. In the past, the prices of natural gas and NGLs have been extremely volatile, and we expect this volatility to continue. For example, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Houston Ship Channel natural gas index price ranged from a high of $5.26 per MMBtu to a low of $2.69 per MMBtu. Based on average monthly Mt. Belvieu prices and our weighted-average product production mix in Texas during this period, NGL prices ranged from a high of approximately $36.72 per barrel to a low of approximately $25.46 per barrel.
 
We derive a majority of our gross margin from contracts with terms that are commodity price sensitive. As a result, our cash flow and profitability depend to a significant extent on the prices at which we buy and sell natural gas and at which we sell NGLs and condensate. The markets and prices for natural gas and NGLs depend upon many factors beyond our control. These factors include supply and demand for oil, natural gas, liquefied natural gas (“LNG”), nuclear energy, coal and NGLs, which fluctuate with changes in market and economic conditions and other factors, including:
 
  •  the impact of weather on the demand for oil and natural gas;
 
  •  the level of domestic oil and natural gas production;
 
  •  storage levels for oil, natural gas, LNG and NGLs;
 
  •  the availability of imported oil, natural gas, LNG and NGLs;


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  •  international demand for LNG, oil and NGLs;
 
  •  actions taken by foreign oil and gas producing nations;
 
  •  the availability of local, intrastate and interstate transportation systems for natural gas and NGLs;
 
  •  the availability of downstream NGL fractionation facilities;
 
  •  the availability and marketing of competitive fuels;
 
  •  the impact of energy conservation efforts; and
 
  •  the extent of governmental regulation and taxation.
 
Changes in commodity prices may also indirectly impact our profitability by influencing drilling activity and well operations, and thus the volume of natural gas we gather and process. This volatility may cause our gross margin and cash flows to vary widely from period to period. Our hedging strategies cannot offset volume risk and may not be sufficient to offset price volatility risk. In any event, our commodity derivatives do not cover all of our throughput volumes. Moreover, commodity derivatives are subject to inherent risks, which we describe below under “— Our hedging activities do not eliminate our exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices and interest rates and may reduce our cash flow and subject our earnings to increased volatility.”
 
Our hedging activities do not eliminate our exposure to fluctuations in commodity prices and interest rates and may reduce our cash flow and subject our earnings to increased volatility.
 
Our operations expose us to fluctuations in commodity prices, and our revolving credit facility exposes us to fluctuations in interest rates. We use derivative financial instruments to reduce our sensitivity to commodity prices and interest rates, and the degree of our exposure is related largely to the effectiveness and scope of our hedging activities. We have hedged only portions of our variable-rate debt and expected natural gas and condensate supply, NGL production and natural gas requirements. We continue to have direct interest rate and commodity price risk with respect to the unhedged portions.
 
Our ability to enter into new derivative instruments is subject to general economic and market conditions. The markets for instruments we use to hedge our commodity price and interest rate exposure generally reflect conditions in the underlying commodity and debt markets, and to the extent conditions in underlying markets are unfavorable, our ability to enter into new derivative instruments on acceptable terms will be limited. In addition, to the extent we hedge our commodity price and interest rate risks using swap instruments, we will forego the benefits of favorable changes in commodity prices or interest rates.
 
Even though monitored by management, our hedging activities may fail to protect us and could reduce our cash flow and profitability. Our hedging activity may be ineffective or adversely affect cash flow and earnings because, among other factors:
 
  •  hedging can be expensive, particularly during periods of volatile prices;
 
  •  our counterparty in the hedging transaction may default on its obligation to pay; and
 
  •  available hedges may not correspond directly with the risks against which we seek protection. For example:
 
  •  the duration of a hedge may not match the duration of the risk against which we seek protection;
 
  •  variations in the index we use to price a commodity hedge may not adequately correlate with variations in the index we use to sell the physical commodity (known as basis risk); and
 
  •  we may not produce or process sufficient volumes to cover swap arrangements we enter into for a given period. If our actual volumes are lower than the volumes we estimated when entering into a swap for the period, we might be forced to satisfy all or a portion of our derivative obligation without the benefit of cash flow from our sale or purchase of the underlying physical commodity, which could adversely affect our liquidity.


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Our financial statements may reflect gains or losses arising from exposure to commodity prices or interest rates for which we are unable to enter into fully economically effective hedges. In addition, the standards for cash flow hedge accounting are rigorous. Even when we engage in hedging transactions that are effective economically, these transactions may not be considered effective cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. Our earnings could be subject to increased volatility to the extent our derivatives do not continue to qualify as cash flow hedges, and, if we assume derivatives as part of an acquisition, to the extent we cannot obtain or choose not to seek cash flow hedge accounting for the derivatives we assume.
 
The adoption of derivatives legislation by Congress could have an adverse impact on our ability to hedge risks associated with our business.
 
Congress is currently considering legislation to impose restrictions on certain transactions involving derivatives, which could affect the use of derivatives in hedging transactions. ACESA (defined below) contains provisions that would prohibit private energy commodity derivative and hedging transactions. ACESA would expand the power of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or “CFTC,” to regulate derivative transactions related to energy commodities, including oil and natural gas, and to mandate clearance of such derivative contracts through registered derivative clearing organizations. Under ACESA, the CFTC’s expanded authority over energy derivatives would terminate upon the adoption of general legislation covering derivative regulatory reform. The Chairman of the CFTC urged Congress to set limits on trading and positions in commodities with finite supply, particularly energy commodities, such as crude oil, natural gas and other energy products, and to bring the entire over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives marketplace under CFTC regulation. The CFTC also is evaluating whether position limits should be applied consistently across all markets and participants. In addition, the Treasury Department has proposed legislation to subject all OTC derivative dealers and all other major OTC derivative market participants to substantial supervision and regulation, including by imposing conservative capital and margin requirements and strong business conduct standards. Derivative contracts that are not cleared through central clearinghouses and exchanges may be subject to substantially higher capital and margin requirements. A recent house bill would give the CFTC power to set position limits and to regulate commodity swaps. Although it is not possible at this time to predict whether or when Congress may act on this or other derivatives legislation or how any climate change bill approved by the U.S. Senate would be reconciled with ACESA, any laws or regulations that may be adopted that subject us to additional capital or margin requirements relating to, or to additional restrictions on, our trading and commodity positions could have an adverse effect on our flexibility in hedging risks associated with our business or on the cost of our hedging activity.
 
Because of the natural decline in production from existing wells in our operating regions, our future success depends on our ability to continually obtain new sources of natural gas supply, which depends in part on certain factors beyond our control. Any decrease in supplies of natural gas could adversely affect our revenues and operating income.
 
Our gathering and transmission pipeline systems are connected to natural gas fields and wells, from which the production will naturally decline over time, which means that our cash flows associated with these wells will also decline over time. To maintain or increase throughput volumes on our pipeline systems and at our processing plants, we must continually connect new supplies of natural gas and attract new customers to our gathering and transmission lines. The primary factors affecting our ability to do so include the level of successful drilling activity near our gathering systems and our ability to compete for the attachment of such additional volumes to our systems.
 
Fluctuations in energy prices can greatly affect drilling and production rates and investments by third parties in the development of new natural gas reserves. Drilling activity generally decreases as natural gas prices decrease. We have no control over the level of drilling activity in the areas of our operations, the amount of reserves underlying the wells or the rate at which production from a well will decline. In addition, we have no control over producers or their drilling and production decisions, which are affected by, among other things, prevailing and projected energy prices, drilling costs, rig availability, demand for hydrocarbons, the level of reserves, geological considerations, governmental regulations and the availability and cost of capital.


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The current pricing environment, particularly in combination with the constrained capital and credit markets and overall economic downturn, has resulted in a decline in drilling activity by some producers in each of our segments. Lower drilling levels over a sustained period would have a negative effect on the volumes of natural gas we gather and process. We cannot use hedging to offset the potential effects of declining volumes.
 
We face strong competition in acquiring new natural gas supplies. Competitors to our pipeline operations include major interstate and intrastate pipelines, and other natural gas gatherers. Competition for natural gas supplies is primarily based on the location of pipeline facilities, pricing arrangements, reputation, efficiency, flexibility and reliability. Our major competitors for natural gas supplies and markets in our Texas segment include Enterprise Products Partners, Lobo Pipeline Company, Kinder Morgan Texas Pipeline, or KMTP, DCP Midstream, Crosstex Energy, ExxonMobil, Houston Pipeline Company, Targa Resources, Atlas Pipeline and Devon Energy. The primary competitors in our Oklahoma segment include CenterPoint Field Services, DCP Midstream, ONEOK Field Services, Enogex, Enerfin, Hiland Partners and MarkWest. The primary competitors in our Rocky Mountains segment include Thunder Creek Gas Gathering, Bitter Creek Pipeline Company, Bear Paw Energy and Western Gas Resources. A number of our competitors are larger organizations than we are.
 
If we are unable to maintain or increase the throughput on our pipeline systems because of decreased drilling activity, decreased production from the wells connected to our systems or inability to connect new supplies of gas and attract new customers to our gathering and transmission lines, then our business, financial results and our ability to achieve our growth strategy could be materially adversely affected.
 
We rely on third-party pipelines and other facilities in providing service to our customers. If one or more of these pipelines or facilities were to become capacity- constrained or unavailable, our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
 
Our ability to contract for natural gas supplies in the Texas region will often depend on our ability to deliver gas to our Houston Central plant and downstream markets, and we rely on KMTP’s Laredo-to-Katy pipeline to transport natural gas from our South Texas systems to the Houston Central plant. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, approximately 46% of the total natural gas delivered by our Texas segment was delivered to KMTP, and approximately 80% of the natural gas volumes processed or conditioned at our Houston Central plant was delivered to the plant through the KMTP Laredo-to-Katy pipeline.
 
If KMTP’s pipeline were to become unavailable for any reason, the volumes transported to our Houston Central plant would be reduced substantially, and our revenues and operating income from our Texas processing business would be adversely affected. In addition, much of the natural gas we gather in South Texas contains NGLs that must be removed in order to meet downstream market quality specifications. If we were unable to ship such natural gas to our Houston Central plant, we would need to arrange for an alternate means of removing NGLs and transport through other pipelines. Alternatively, we might be required to lease smaller treating and processing facilities so that we could treat and condition or process natural gas as needed to meet pipeline quality specifications.
 
We rely on ONEOK Hydrocarbon to take delivery of NGLs from several of our processing plants. We believe that fractionation facilities to which ONEOK Hydrocarbon delivers NGLs, as well as other fractionation facilities on which we depend, are subject to increasing capacity constraints due to higher NGL production in the Rocky Mountains and Mid-Continent regions. If ONEOK Hydrocarbon or the related downstream fractionation facilities were to become unavailable, we would have to run the affected plants in a reduced operating mode and make arrangements to re-route a portion of the natural gas we receive for processing to third-party plants, as well as make arrangements to transport NGLs to market by truck.
 
We also depend on other third-party processing plants, pipelines and other facilities to provide our customers with processing, delivery or transportation options. Like us, third-party service providers are subject to risks inherent in the midstream business, including capacity constraints, and natural disasters and operational, mechanical or other hazards. Because we do not own or operate KMTP’s, ONEOK Hydrocarbon’s, or any of these other pipelines and facilities, their continuing operation is not within our control.


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If any of these pipelines and other facilities becomes unavailable or limited in its ability to provide services on which we depend, our revenues and cash flow could be adversely affected. We would likely incur higher fees or other costs in arranging for alternatives, and a prolonged interruption or reduction of service on KMTP or ONEOK could hinder our ability to contract for additional gas supplies.
 
We generally do not obtain reservoir engineering reports evaluating reserves dedicated to our pipeline systems; therefore, volumes of natural gas transported on our pipeline systems in the future could be less than we anticipate, which may cause our revenues and operating income to be less than we expect.
 
We generally do not obtain reservoir engineering reports evaluating natural gas reserves connected to our pipeline systems due to the unwillingness of producers to provide reserve information as well as the cost of such evaluations. Accordingly, we do not have estimates of total reserves dedicated to our systems or the anticipated life of such reserves. If the total reserves or estimated life of the reserves connected to our pipeline systems is less than we anticipate and we are unable to secure additional sources of natural gas, then the volumes of natural gas transported on our pipelines in the future could be less than we anticipate. A decline in the volumes of natural gas transported on our pipeline systems may cause our revenues to be less than we expect, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to you.
 
Federal, state or local regulatory measures could adversely affect our business.
 
Our pipeline transportation and gathering systems are subject to federal, state and local regulation. Most of our natural gas pipelines are gathering systems that are considered non-utilities in the states in which they are located. The Natural Gas Act (“NGA”) leaves any economic regulation of natural gas gathering to the states. Texas, Oklahoma and Wyoming, the states in which our pipeline facilities are located, do not currently regulate non-utility gathering fees.
 
Our gathering fees and our terms and conditions of service may nonetheless be constrained through state anti-discrimination laws. The states in which we operate have adopted complaint-based regulation of natural gas gathering activities. Natural gas producers, shippers and other affected parties may file complaints with state regulators in an effort to resolve grievances relating to natural gas gathering access and discrimination with regard to rates and terms of service. A successful complaint, or new laws or regulatory rulings related to gathering, could increase our costs or require us to alter our gathering charges, and our business, and therefore, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. Other state laws and regulations may not directly regulate our business, but may nonetheless affect the availability of natural gas for gathering, purchase, processing and sale, including state regulation of production rates and maximum daily production allowables from gas wells.
 
Our intrastate natural gas transmission pipeline and several of our gathering systems in Texas are subject to regulation as gas utilities by the Texas Railroad Commission (“TRRC”). The TRRC’s jurisdiction over these pipelines extends to both rates and pipeline safety. The rates we charge for transportation services in Texas generally are deemed just and reasonable under Texas law unless challenged in a complaint. A successful complaint, or new state laws or regulatory rulings related to natural gas utilities, could increase our costs or require us to alter our service charges.
 
To the extent that our intrastate transmission pipeline in Texas transports natural gas in interstate commerce, the rates, terms and conditions of that transportation service are subject to regulation by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) pursuant to Section 311 of the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978. Section 311 requires, among other things, that rates for such interstate service, which may be established by FERC or the applicable state agency, be “fair and equitable,” and permits the FERC to approve terms and conditions of service. If our Section 311 rates are successfully challenged, if we are unable to include all of our costs in the cost of service approved in a future rate case, if FERC changes its regulations or policies, or establishes more onerous terms and conditions applicable to Section 311 service, our margins relating to this activity would be adversely affected.
 
We also have transportation contracts with interstate pipelines that are subject to FERC regulation. As a shipper on an interstate pipeline, we are subject to FERC requirements related to use of the interstate capacity. Any failure on our part to comply with the FERC’s regulations or an interstate pipeline’s tariff could result in the imposition of administrative civil and criminal penalties.


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We have interests in three NGL pipelines, all of which are located in Texas. We believe that these pipelines do not provide interstate service and that they are thus not subject to FERC jurisdiction under the Interstate Commerce Act (“ICA”) and the Energy Policy Act of 1992. Under the ICA, tariffs must be just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or confer any undue preference. We cannot guarantee that the jurisdictional status of our NGL facilities will remain unchanged, however. Should they be found jurisdictional, the FERC’s rate-making methodologies may limit our ability to set rates based on our actual costs, may delay the use of rates that reflect increased costs and may subject us to potentially burdensome and expensive operational, reporting and other requirements. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business, revenues and cash flow. The price at which we buy and sell natural gas and NGLs is currently not subject to federal regulation and, for the most part, is not subject to state regulation. However, with regard to our physical purchases and sales of these energy commodities, our gathering or transportation of these energy commodities, and any related hedging activities that we undertake, we are required to observe anti-market manipulation laws and related regulations enforced by the FERC and/or the CFTC. The FERC and the CFTC hold substantial enforcement authority under the anti-market manipulation laws and regulations, including the ability to assess civil penalties of up to $1 million per day per violation, to order disgorgement of profits and to recommend criminal penalties. Should we violate the anti-market manipulation laws and regulations, we could also be subject to related third party damage claims by, among others, sellers, royalty owners and taxing authorities.
 
The FERC has also promulgated additional market-monitoring and reporting regulations intended to increase the transparency of wholesale energy markets, protect the integrity of such markets and improve the FERC’s ability to assess market forces and detect market manipulation. One such set of regulations, FERC Order No. 720, requires certain major non-interstate pipelines to post daily information on each such pipeline’s internet web site concerning capacity and scheduled flow information. Order No. 720 is currently pending rehearing before FERC. FERC has requested supplemental comments on a number of issues and has proposed revisions to its Order No. 720 regulations. The FERC has also issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to increase the frequency, level of detail and mode of contract reporting by intrastate Section 311 natural gas pipelines. We cannot predict the ultimate outcome of these proceedings. Additionally, the FERC has imposed new rules requiring certain wholesale purchasers and sellers of physical natural gas to report aggregated annual volume and other information beginning in 2009. These and other transparency rules may subject certain of our operations to additional reporting requirements, which could subject us to further costs and administrative burdens.
 
These and other new laws and regulations or any administrative or judicial re-interpretations of existing laws, regulations or agreements could require us to incur increased costs and administrative burdens, and our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. For instance, on February 19, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments in a lawsuit, Montana v. Wyoming, filed by the State of Montana against Wyoming over water rights in two rivers that flow through both states. Montana is asserting that Wyoming is using too much water from the Tongue and Powder Rivers pursuant to the Yellowstone River Compact, an agreement that both states entered into in 1950 addressing how the states may share water from the Yellowstone River and its tributaries, including the Tongue and Powder Rivers. A critical element of Montana’s argument is that the Compact applies to groundwater and, among other things, that Wyoming’s permitting of coal bed methane production, which involves the pumping of large quantities of groundwater, is depleting the waters of the two rivers to the detriment of Montana and its water users and in violation of the Compact. Wyoming’s position is that the Compact does not address groundwater. Among other things, Montana asks the High Court to declare the rights of Montana to water from these two rivers pursuant to the Compact and to issue a decree commanding Wyoming in the future to deliver the waters of these two rivers to Montana in accord with the Compact. This lawsuit has only recently been accepted for review by the U.S. Supreme Court and no substantive determination has yet been made regarding the use of waters from these two rivers, including the associated groundwater. Any decision made by the U.S. Supreme Court as a result of this case that effectively limits the amount of groundwater pumped in connection with coal bed methane production in Wyoming may have significant adverse impacts on the volume of production by coal bed methane producers in affected areas of Wyoming and, correspondingly, on gathering services that Bighorn Gas Gathering, L.L.C. (“Bighorn”) and Fort Union provide.
 
We must on occasion rely upon rulings by FERC or other governmental authorities to carry out certain of our business plans. For example, in order to carry out our acquisition of the McMullen Lateral pipeline,


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Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Corp. (“Transco”), a subsidiary of The Williams Companies, Inc., must obtain a FERC order allowing abandonment of the facilities by Transco, as well as various other related FERC authorizations. The abandonment application is subject to protests filed by third parties and there is no guarantee that FERC will grant the application and the authorizations requested therein. Moreover, there is no guarantee that, if granted, such authorizations will be timely or will be free from potentially burdensome conditions.
 
Climate change legislation, regulatory initiatives and litigation could result in increased operating costs and reduced demand for the natural gas and NGL services we provide.
 
On June 26, 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the adoption of the “American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009,” also known as the “Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade legislation” or “ACESA.” The purpose of ACESA is to control and reduce emissions of “greenhouse gases,” or “GHGs,” in the United States. GHGs are certain gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, that may be contributing to warming of the Earth’s atmosphere and other climatic changes. ACESA would establish an economy-wide cap on emissions of GHGs in the United States and would require an overall reduction in GHG emissions of 17% (from 2005 levels) by 2020, and by over 80% (from 2005 levels) by 2050. Regulated entities under ACESA would include producers of petroleum based fuels, including refiners of oil, fractionators of NGLs and natural gas distribution companies. Under ACESA, most regulated sources of GHG emissions would be required to obtain GHG emission “allowances” corresponding to their annual emissions of GHGs. The number of emission allowances authorized each year would decline as necessary to meet ACESA’s overall emission reduction goals. As the number of GHG emission allowances declines each year, the cost or value of allowances is expected to escalate significantly. The net effect of ACESA will be to impose increasing costs on the combustion of carbon-based fuels such as oil, refined petroleum products and natural gas. The Senate is considering climate change legislation during the fall of 2009.
 
In addition, on April 17, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or “EPA,” issued a notice of its proposed finding and determination that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other GHGs presented an endangerment to human health and the environment because emissions of such gases are, according to EPA, contributing to warming of the Earth’s atmosphere. Once finalized, EPA’s finding and determination would allow it to begin regulating emissions of GHGs under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act. 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, including natural gas liquids fractionators and local natural gas distribution companies, beginning in 2011 for emissions occurring in 2010. Although it may take EPA several years to adopt and impose regulations limiting emissions of GHGs, any limitation on emissions of GHGs from our equipment and operations could require us to incur costs to reduce emissions of GHGs associated with our operations. Also, two appellate courts recently took actions that allowed two lawsuits to resume to decide on the merits whether certain business entities could be held liable under common law actions with respect to those entities’ emission of greenhouse gases. With regard to one of the proceedings, on September 21, 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reinstated a lawsuit filed by several state attorneys general and others against five of the largest U.S. electric utility companies alleging that those companies have created a public nuisance due to their emissions of carbon dioxides. In the other proceeding, on October 16, 2009, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit allowed a lawsuit to resume wherein a putative class of property owners along the Mississippi Gulf Coast have alleged that an array of electric utilities and fossil fuel and chemical companies were negligent or had created trespass or nuisance conditions through their emissions of greenhouse gases that added to the ferocity of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
 
Although it is not possible at this time to predict if and when the Senate may act on climate change legislation or how any bill passed by the Senate would be reconciled with ACESA or what effect, if any, the recent decisions permitting the common law negligence, trespass and/or nuisance lawsuit to proceed against certain utilities and fossil fuel and chemical companies may have on the oil and gas industry, any future federal or state laws or implementing regulations that may be adopted to address greenhouse gas emissions, as well as future climate change litigation against us or our customers for GHG emissions, could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions, and could have an adverse effect on demand for the natural gas and NGL services we provide.


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A change in the characterization of some of our assets by federal, state or local regulatory agencies could adversely affect our business.
 
Section 1(b) of the NGA provides that the FERC’s jurisdiction does not extend to facilities used for the production or gathering of natural gas. “Gathering” is not specifically defined by the NGA or its implementing regulations, and there is no bright-line test for determining the jurisdictional status of pipeline facilities. Although some guidance is provided by case law, the process of determining whether facilities constitute gathering facilities for purposes of regulation under the NGA is fact-specific and subject to regulatory change. Additionally, our construction, expansion, extension or alteration of pipeline facilities may involve regulatory, environmental, political and legal uncertainties, including the possibility that physical changes to our pipeline systems may be deemed to affect their jurisdictional status.
 
The distinction between FERC-regulated interstate natural gas transmission services and federally unregulated gathering services has been the subject of litigation, as has been the line between intrastate and interstate transportation services. Thus, the classification and regulation of some of our natural gas gathering facilities and our intrastate transportation pipeline may be subject to change based on future determinations by the FERC and/or the courts. Should any of our natural gas gathering or intrastate facilities be deemed to be jurisdictional under the NGA, we could be required to comply with numerous federal requirements for interstate service, including laws and regulations governing the rates charged for interstate transportation services, the terms and conditions of service, certification and construction of new facilities, the extension or abandonment of services and facilities, the maintenance of accounts and records, the initiation and discontinuation of services, the monitoring and posting of real-time system information and many other requirements. Failure to comply with all applicable FERC-administered statutes, rules, regulations and orders could result in substantial penalties and fines. It is also possible that our gathering facilities could be deemed by a relevant state commission or court, or by a change in law or regulation, to constitute intrastate pipelines subject to general state law and regulation of rates and terms and conditions of service. A change in jurisdictional status through litigation or legislation could require significant changes to the rates, terms and conditions of service on the affected pipeline, could increase the expense of providing service and adversely affect our business.
 
The distinction between FERC-regulated common carriage of NGLs, and the non-jurisdictional intrastate transportation of NGLs, has also been the subject of litigation. The FERC, under the ICA, the Energy Policy Act of 1992 and the rules and orders promulgated thereunder, regulates the tariff rates for interstate NGL transportation and these rates must be filed with the FERC. Under the ICA, tariffs must be just and reasonable and not unduly discriminatory or confer any undue preference. To the extent any of our NGL assets are subject to the jurisdiction of the FERC, the FERC’s rate-making methodologies could limit our ability to set rates that we might otherwise be able to charge, could delay the use of rates that reflect increased costs and could subject us to potentially burdensome and expensive operational, reporting and other requirements. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business, revenues and cash flow.
 
We may incur significant costs and liabilities resulting from pipeline integrity programs and related repairs.
 
We are subject to regulation by the U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) under the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968, as amended, with respect to our natural gas lines and the Hazardous Liquids Pipeline Safety Act of 1979, as amended, with respect to our NGL lines, pursuant to which the DOT has established requirements relating to the design, installation, testing, construction, operation, replacement and management of pipeline facilities. In addition, we are subject to regulation by the DOT under the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002, which was amended by the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, Enforcement and Safety Act of 2006 (“PIPES”), and pursuant to which the DOT has implemented regulations establishing mandatory inspections for all United States oil (including NGL) and natural gas transportation pipelines and gathering lines meeting certain operational risk and location requirements. Moreover, the DOT has developed PIPES regulations that require operators of certain rural onshore hazardous liquid gathering lines and low-stress pipelines located in specified unusually sensitive areas to comply with additional safety requirements addressing primarily corrosion and third-party damage concerns applicable to such pipelines.


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Although many of our natural gas facilities fall within a class that is not subject to these requirements, we may incur significant costs and liabilities associated with repair, remediation, preventative or mitigation measures associated with non-exempt pipelines. Such costs and liabilities might relate to repair, remediation, preventative or mitigating actions that may be determined to be necessary as a result of the testing program, as well as lost cash flows resulting from shutting down our pipelines during the pendency of such repairs. Additionally, we may be affected by the testing, maintenance and repair of pipeline facilities downstream from our own facilities. Our NGL pipelines are also subject to integrity management and other safety regulations imposed by the TRRC.
 
Any regulatory expansion of the existing pipeline safety requirements or the adoption of new pipeline safety requirements could also increase our cost of operation and impair our ability to provide service during the period in which assessments and repairs take place, adversely affecting our business.
 
Because we handle natural gas, NGLs and other hydrocarbons in our pipeline and processing businesses, we may incur significant costs and liabilities in the future resulting from a failure to comply with new or existing environmental regulations or an accidental release of waste substances into the environment.
 
The operation of our gathering systems, plants and other facilities is subject to stringent and complex federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. These laws and regulations can restrict or impact our business activities in many ways, including restricting the manner in which we dispose of wastes and other regulated substances, requiring remedial action to remove or mitigate contamination, and requiring capital expenditures to comply with control requirements. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement measures, including the assessment of monetary penalties, the imposition of remedial requirements and the issuance of orders enjoining future operations. Certain environmental statutes impose strict and, under certain circumstances, joint and several liability for costs required to clean up and restore sites where substances and wastes have been disposed or otherwise released. Moreover, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of substances or wastes into the environment.
 
There is inherent risk of environmental costs and liabilities in our business due to our handling of natural gas, NGLs and other hydrocarbons, air emissions related to our operations, historical industry operations, including releases of substances into the environment, and waste disposal practices. For example, an accidental release from one of our pipelines or processing facilities could subject us to substantial liabilities arising from environmental cleanup, restoration costs and natural resource damages, claims made by neighboring landowners and other third parties for personal injury and property damage and fines or penalties for related violations of environmental laws or regulations. Moreover, it is possible that stricter laws, regulations or enforcement policies could significantly increase our compliance costs and the cost of any remediation that may become necessary. We may not be able to recover some or any of these costs from insurance.
 
Expanding our business by constructing new assets will subject us to risks that projects may not be completed on schedule, the costs associated with the projects may exceed our expectations and additional natural gas supplies may not be available following completion of the projects, which could cause our revenues to be less than anticipated. Our operating cash flows from our capital projects may not be immediate.
 
One of the ways we may grow our business is through the construction of additions to our existing gathering and transportation systems (including additional compression) and modifications to, or construction of, natural gas processing plants. The construction of additions or modifications to our existing gathering and transportation systems and processing and treating facilities, and the construction of new gathering and processing facilities, involve numerous regulatory, environmental, political, legal and operational uncertainties beyond our control and require the expenditure of significant amounts of capital. These projects also involve numerous economic uncertainties, including the impact of inflation on project costs and the availability of required resources. If we undertake these projects, they may not be completed on schedule or at all or at the budgeted cost. Moreover, we may not receive any material increase in operating cash flow from a project for some time. If we experience unanticipated or extended delays in generating operating cash flow from these projects, then we may need to reduce or reprioritize our capital budget in order to meet our capital requirements. We often rely on estimates of


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future production in deciding to construct additions to our gathering and transportation systems. These estimates may prove to be inaccurate because of the numerous technological, economic and other uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of future production. As a result, new facilities may not be able to attract enough throughput to achieve our expected investment return, and that in turn, could adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations.
 
If the cost of renewing existing rights-of-way increases, it may have an adverse impact on our profitability. In addition, if we are unable to obtain new rights-of-way, then we may be unable to fully execute our growth strategy.
 
The construction of additions to our existing gathering and transportation assets may require us to obtain new rights-of-way prior to constructing new pipelines. We may be unable to obtain such rights-of-way to connect new natural gas supplies to our existing gathering lines or capitalize on other attractive expansion opportunities. Additionally, it may become more expensive for us to obtain new rights-of-way or to renew existing rights-of-way. If the cost of renewing existing rights-of-way increases, then our results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, increased rights-of-way costs could impair our ability to grow.
 
Our business involves many hazards and operational risks, some of which may not be fully covered by insurance. If a significant accident or event occurs that is not fully insured, our operations could be temporarily or permanently impaired, and our liabilities and expenses could be significant.
 
Our operations are subject to the many hazards inherent in the gathering, compression, treating, processing, transportation and fractionation of natural gas and NGLs, including:
 
  •  damage to pipelines, pipeline blockages and damage to related equipment and surrounding properties caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, fires, extreme weather conditions and other natural disasters and acts of terrorism;
 
  •  inadvertent damage from motor vehicles, construction or farm equipment;
 
  •  leaks of natural gas, NGLs and other hydrocarbons;
 
  •  operator error; and
 
  •  fires and explosions.
 
These risks could result in substantial losses due to personal injury and/or loss of life, severe damage to and destruction of property and equipment and pollution or other environmental damage and may result in curtailment or suspension of our related operations. In addition, mechanical malfunctions, undetected leaks in pipelines, faulty measurement or other errors may result in significant costs or lost revenues. Our operations are primarily concentrated in the Texas Gulf Coast and north Texas regions, in central and east Oklahoma and in Wyoming, and a natural disaster or other hazard affecting any of these areas could have a material adverse effect on our operations, even if our own facilities are not directly affected. For example, although we did not suffer significant damage due to Hurricane Ike in September 2008, the storm damaged gathering systems and processing and NGL fractionation facilities along the Gulf Coast, including facilities owned by third-party service providers on whom we depend in providing services to our customers. Some companies were required to curtail or suspend operations, which adversely affected various energy companies with assets in the region, including us.
 
There can be no assurance that insurance will cover all damages and losses resulting from these types of natural disasters. We are not fully insured against all risks incident to our business. In accordance with typical industry practice, we generally do not have any property insurance on any of our underground pipeline systems that would cover damage to the pipelines. We are not insured against all environmental accidents that might occur, other than those considered to be sudden and accidental. Our business interruption insurance covers only certain lost revenues arising from physical damage to our processing plants and certain pipeline facilities. If a significant accident or event occurs that is not fully insured, our operations could be temporarily or permanently impaired, and our liabilities and expenses could be significant.


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Due to our limited asset diversification, adverse developments in our gathering, transportation, processing and related businesses would have a significant impact on our results of operations.
 
Substantially all of our revenues are generated from our gathering, dehydration, treating, conditioning, processing, fractionation and transportation business, and as a result, our financial condition depends upon prices of, and continued demand for, natural gas and NGLs. Furthermore, substantially all of our assets are located in Texas, Oklahoma and Wyoming. Due to our limited diversification in asset type and location, an adverse development in one of these businesses or in these areas would have a significantly greater impact on our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition than if we maintained more diverse assets.
 
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, we may experience materially higher compliance costs.
 
In 2005, we began a process to annually document and evaluate our internal control over financial reporting to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which requires that the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting be subjected to annual assessment by management and annual audit by our independent registered public accounting firm. In this regard, management has dedicated internal resources, engaged outside consultants and adopted a detailed work plan to (i) assess and document the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting, (ii) take steps to improve control processes, where appropriate, (iii) validate through testing that controls are functioning as documented and (iv) implement a continuous review and reporting process for internal control over financial reporting. We cannot be certain that these measures will ensure that we maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future. Any failure to implement required new controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation, could harm our operating results or cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. If our compliance with policies or procedures deteriorates and we fail to correct any associated issues in the design or operating effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting or fail to prevent fraud, current and potential holders of our securities could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which could harm our business.
 
We own interests in limited liability companies and a general partnership in which third parties also own interests, which may limit our ability to influence significant business decisions affecting these entities.
 
In addition to our wholly owned subsidiaries, we own interests in a number of entities in which third parties also own an interest. These interests include our:
 
  •  62.5% interest in Webb/Duval Gatherers;
 
  •  majority interest in Southern Dome, LLC;
 
  •  51% interest in Bighorn; and
 
  •  37.04% interest in Fort Union
 
Although we serve as operator of Webb/Duval Gatherers, managing member and operator of Southern Dome, managing member and field operator of Bighorn and managing member of Fort Union, certain substantive business decisions with respect to these entities require the majority or unanimous approval of the owners or, in the case of Bighorn, of a management committee to which we have the right to appoint 50% of the members. Examples of some of these substantive business decisions include significant expenditures or contractual commitments, the construction or acquisition of assets, borrowing money or otherwise raising capital and transactions not in the ordinary course of business, among others. Differences in views among the respective owners of these entities could result in delayed decisions or in failures to agree on significant matters, potentially adversely affecting their respective businesses and results of operations or prospects and, in turn, the amounts and timing of cash from operations distributed to their respective members or partners, including us.
 
In addition, we do not control the day-to-day operations of Fort Union. Our lack of control over Fort Union’s day-to-day operations and the associated costs of operations could result in our receiving lower cash distributions than we anticipate, which could reduce our cash flow available for distribution to our unitholders.


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Risks Related to Our Structure
 
Our limited liability company agreement prohibits a unitholder who acquires 15% or more of our common units without the approval of our Board of Directors from engaging in a business combination with us for three years. This provision could discourage a change of control that our unitholders may favor, which could negatively affect the price of our common units.
 
Our limited liability company agreement effectively adopts Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). Section 203 of the DGCL as it applies to us prevents an interested unitholder, defined as a person who owns 15% or more of our outstanding units, from engaging in business combinations with us for three years following the time such person becomes an interested unitholder, except in limited circumstances. Section 203 broadly defines “business combination” to encompass a wide variety of transactions with or caused by an interested unitholder, including mergers, asset sales and other transactions in which the interested unitholder receives a benefit on other than a pro rata basis with other unitholders. This provision of our limited liability company agreement could have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our Board of Directors, including discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for our common units.
 
We may issue additional common units without your approval, which would dilute your existing ownership interests.
 
Our limited liability company agreement does not limit the number of additional limited liability company interests that we may issue at any time without the approval of our unitholders, including common units and other equity securities that rank senior to common units. The issuance of additional common units or other equity securities of equal or senior rank will have the following effects:
 
  •  your proportionate ownership interest in us will decrease;
 
  •  the amount of cash available for distribution on each unit may decrease;
 
  •  the relative voting strength of each previously outstanding unit will be diminished; and
 
  •  the market price of the common units may decline.
 
Our limited liability company agreement provides for a limited call right that may require you to sell your common units at an undesirable time or price.
 
If, at any time, any person owns more than 90% of the common units then outstanding, such person has the right, but not the obligation, which it may assign to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the remaining common units then outstanding at a price not less than the then-current market price of the common units. As a result, you may be required to sell your common units at an undesirable time or price and may therefore not receive any return on your investment. You may also incur tax liability upon a sale of your units.
 
Certain of our investors may sell units in the public market, which could reduce the market price of our outstanding common units.
 
Pursuant to agreements with our pre-IPO investors and investors in private placements we effected in 2005, 2006 and 2007, we have filed or agreed to file registration statements on Form S-3 registering sales by selling unitholders of an aggregate of 39,354,334 of our common units, including 3,245,817 common units to be issued upon conversion of our outstanding Class D units. If investors holding these units were to dispose of a substantial portion of these units in the public market, whether in a single transaction or series of transactions, it could adversely affect the market price for our common units. In addition, these sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, could make it more difficult for us to sell our common units in the future.
 
Increases in interest rates could adversely affect our unit price.
 
Interest rates on future credit facilities and debt offerings could be higher than current levels, causing our financing costs to increase accordingly. An increase in interest rates could also cause a corresponding decline in


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demand for equity investments, in general, and in particular for yield-based equity investments such as our common units. Lower demand for our common units for any reason, including competition from other more attractive investment opportunities, would likely cause the trading price of our common units to decline. If we issue additional equity at a significantly lower price, material dilution to our existing unitholders could result.
 
Risks Related to Our Debt Securities
 
We have a holding company structure in which our subsidiaries conduct our operations and own our operating assets.
 
We are a holding company, and our subsidiaries conduct all of our operations and own all of our operating assets. We have no significant assets other than the limited liability company interests and other equity interests in our subsidiaries. As a result, our ability to make required payments on our outstanding senior notes or any future issuances of debt securities will depend on the performance of our subsidiaries and the other entities in which we own interests, and their ability to distribute funds to us. The ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions to us may be restricted by, among other things, state and other laws and regulations or, in the case of other entities in which we own an interest, debt that they may incur, which could be governed by agreements restricting their ability to distribute cash to us. If we are unable to obtain the funds necessary to pay the principal amount at maturity of our outstanding senior notes or any future issuance of debt securities, or to repurchase our outstanding senior notes upon the occurrence of a change of control, we may be required to adopt one or more alternatives, such as a refinancing of our outstanding senior notes or any future issuance of debt securities. We cannot assure you that we would be able to refinance our outstanding senior notes or any future issuance of debt securities.
 
We require a significant amount of cash to service our indebtedness. Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control.
 
Our ability to make payments on and to refinance our indebtedness, including our outstanding senior notes and any future issuance of debt securities, and to fund planned capital expenditures depends on our ability to generate cash in the future. This, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.
 
We cannot assure you that we will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our revolving credit facility or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness, including our outstanding senior notes and any future issuance of debt securities, or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness, including our outstanding senior notes and any future issuance of debt securities, on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we would be able to refinance any of our indebtedness, including our outstanding senior notes and any future issuances of debt securities, on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
 
We do not have the same flexibility as other types of organizations to accumulate cash, which may limit cash available to service our outstanding senior notes or any future issuances of debt securities or to repay them at maturity.
 
Subject to the limitations on restricted payments contained in the indentures governing our outstanding senior notes and in our revolving credit facility and any other indebtedness, we distribute all of our “available cash” each quarter to our unitholders. “Available cash” is defined in our limited liability company agreement, and it generally means, for each fiscal quarter:
 
  •  all cash on hand at the end of the quarter;
 
  •  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. Our credit facility does not provide for the type of working capital borrowing that would be eligible, pursuant to our limited liability company agreement, to be considered available cash.


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  •  less the amount of cash that our Board of Directors determines in its reasonable discretion is necessary or appropriate to:
 
  •  provide for the proper conduct of our business (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for our future credit needs);
 
  •  comply with applicable law, any of our debt instruments, or other agreements or obligations; or
 
  •  provide funds for distributions to our unitholders for any one or more of the next four quarters.
 
As a result, we may not accumulate significant amounts of cash. If our Board of Directors fails to establish sufficient reserves, these distributions could significantly reduce the cash available to us in subsequent periods to make payments on our outstanding indebtedness.
 
The guarantees by certain of our subsidiaries of our outstanding senior notes and any future issuances of debt securities could be deemed fraudulent conveyances under certain circumstances, and a court may try to subordinate or void these subsidiary guarantees.
 
Under U.S. bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws, a guarantee can be voided, or claims under a guarantee may be subordinated to all other debts of that guarantor if, among other things, the guarantor, at the time it incurred the indebtedness evidenced by its guarantee:
 
  •  intended to hinder, delay or defraud any present or future creditor or received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the incurrence of the guarantee;
 
  •  was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of such incurrence;
 
  •  was engaged in a business or transaction for which the guarantor’s remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or
 
  •  intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay those debts as they mature.
 
In addition, any payment by that guarantor under a guarantee could be voided and required to be returned to the guarantor or to a fund for the benefit of the creditors of the guarantor. The measures of insolvency for purposes of these fraudulent transfer laws will vary depending upon the law applied in any proceeding to determine whether a fraudulent transfer has occurred. Generally, however, a subsidiary guarantor would be considered insolvent if:
 
  •  the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was greater than the fair saleable value of all of its assets;
 
  •  the present saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability, including contingent liabilities, on its existing debts as they become absolute and mature; or
 
  •  it could not pay its debts as they became due.
 
Tax Risks to Common Unitholders
 
You should read “Material Tax Consequences” for a more complete discussion of the expected material federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of common units.
 
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 entity-level taxation by individual states. If the IRS were to treat us as a corporation for tax purposes or we were to become subject to a material amount of entity-level taxation, it would substantially reduce the amount of cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
The anticipated after-tax economic benefit of an investment in our common 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 with respect to this or any other tax matter.


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Despite the fact that we are a limited liability company under Delaware law, it is possible in certain circumstances for a limited liability company such as ours to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. Although we do not believe based upon our current operations that we should be so treated, a change in our business (or a change in current law) could cause us to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes or otherwise subject us to taxation as an entity.
 
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 rates, currently at a maximum rate of 35%, and would likely pay state income tax at varying rates. Distributions to you would generally be taxed again as corporate distributions, and no income, gain, loss or deduction would flow through to you. Because a tax would be imposed on us as a corporation, our cash available for distribution 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 and would likely result in a substantial reduction in the value of our common units.
 
In addition, because of widespread state budget deficits and other reasons, several states are evaluating ways to subject limited liability companies to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise or other forms of taxation. For example, we are required to pay Texas franchise tax at a maximum effective rate of 0.7% of our federal gross income apportioned to Texas in the prior year. Imposition of such a tax on us by any other state will further reduce the cash available for distribution to our unitholders. Moreover, at the federal level, legislation has been considered that would have eliminated pass-through tax treatment for certain publicly traded limited liability companies. Although such legislation would not have applied to us as considered, it could be reintroduced in a manner that does apply to us. We are unable to predict whether any of these changes or other proposals will be reintroduced or will ultimately be enacted. Additionally, any modification to the federal income tax laws and interpretations thereof may or may not be applied retroactively. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an investment in our common units.
 
If the IRS contests the federal income tax positions we take, the market for our common units may be adversely impacted, and the costs of any IRS contest will reduce cash available for distribution to our unitholders.
 
We have not requested a 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 the positions we take. It may be necessary to resort to administrative or court proceedings to sustain some or all of the positions we take. A court may disagree with some or all of the positions we take. Any contest with the IRS may materially and adversely impact the market for our common units and the price at which they trade. In addition, our costs of any contest with the IRS will be borne indirectly by our unitholders because the costs will reduce our cash available for distribution.
 
You will be required to pay taxes on the share of our income allocated to you even if you do not receive any cash distributions from us.
 
Because our unitholders are treated as partners to whom we allocate taxable income, you will be required to pay any federal income taxes and, in some cases, state and local income taxes on your share of our taxable income, regardless of the amount of any distributions from us. You may not receive cash distributions from us equal to your share of our taxable income or even equal to the actual tax liability that results from that income.
 
Tax gain or loss on disposition of our common units could be more or less than expected.
 
If you sell your common units, you will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and your tax basis in those common units. Because distributions in excess of your allocable share of our net taxable income decrease your tax basis in your common units, the amount, if any, of such prior excess distributions with respect to the units you sell, will, in effect, become taxable income to you if you sell such units at a price greater than your tax basis, even if the price you receive is less than your original cost. Furthermore, a substantial portion of the amount realized, whether or not representing gain, may be taxed as ordinary income due to potential recapture items, including depreciation recapture. In addition, because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of


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our nonrecourse liabilities, if you sell your units, you may incur a tax liability in excess of the amount of cash you receive from the sale.
 
Tax-exempt entities and non-U.S. persons face unique tax issues from owning common units that may result in adverse tax consequences to them.
 
Investment in common 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 at the highest applicable tax rate, and non-U.S. persons will be required to file United States federal tax returns and pay tax on their share of our taxable income. If you are a tax-exempt entity or a non-U.S. person, you should consult your tax advisor before investing in our units.
 
We treat each purchaser of our common units as having the same tax benefits without regard to the actual common units purchased. The IRS may challenge this treatment, which could adversely affect the value of the common units.
 
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of common units and for certain other reasons, we have adopted depreciation and amortization positions that may not conform with all aspects of existing Treasury Regulations. 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 common units and could have a negative impact on the value of our common units or result in audits of and adjustments to our unitholders’ tax returns.
 
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 IRS may challenge this treatment, which could change the allocation of items of income, gain, loss and deduction among our unitholders.
 
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. 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.
 
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, he 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. 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 modify any applicable brokerage account agreements to prohibit their brokers from borrowing and loaning their units.
 
The sale or exchange of 50% or more of our capital and profits interests during any twelve-month period will result in the technical termination of our partnership for federal income tax purposes.
 
We will be considered to have technically terminated 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. For purposes


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of determining whether the 50% threshold has been met, multiple sales of the same interest will be counted only once. While we would continue our existence as a Delaware limited liability company, our technical 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. 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 also result in more than twelve months of our taxable income or loss being includable in his taxable income for the year of termination. A technical termination would not affect our classification as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, but instead, we would be treated as a new partnership for tax purposes. If treated as a new partnership, we would be required to make new tax elections and could be subject to penalties if we were unable to determine that a termination occurred.
 
As a result of investing in our common units, you may be subject to state and local taxes and return filing requirements in states where you do not live.
 
In addition to federal income taxes, unitholders will likely be subject to other taxes, including state and local 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 our unitholders 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 jurisdictions. Further, unitholders may be subject to penalties for failure to comply with those requirements. We currently do business and own assets in Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Colorado and Louisiana. Although Texas and Wyoming do not currently impose a personal income tax, Oklahoma, Colorado and Louisiana do and as we make acquisitions or expand our business, we may do business or own assets in other jurisdictions that impose a personal income tax. 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.
 
USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Unless we specify otherwise in any prospectus supplement, we will use the net proceeds we receive from the sale of securities covered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things:
 
  •  paying or refinancing all or a portion of our indebtedness outstanding at the time; and
 
  •  funding working capital, capital expenditures or acquisitions.
 
The application of proceeds from any particular offering of securities using this prospectus will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such offering. The precise amount and timing of the application of these proceeds will depend on our funding requirements and the availability and cost of other funds.
 
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
                                                 
    Year Ended December 31,   Six Months Ended
    2004   2005   2006   2007   2008   June 30, 2009
 
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
    (a)     2.4 x     2.9 x     3.1 x     2.1 x     1.7x  
 
 
(a) Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges for the year ended December 31, 2004 by $1.3 million.
 
For purposes of calculating the ratio of consolidated earnings to fixed charges:
 
  •  earnings” means the aggregate of the following items: pre-tax income from continuing operations before adjustment for income or loss from equity investees; plus fixed charges; plus amortization of capitalized interest; plus distributed income of equity investees; plus our share of pre-tax losses of equity investees for which charges arising from guarantees are included in fixed charges; less interest capitalized; less preference security dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries; and less the noncontrolling interest in pre-tax income of subsidiaries that have not incurred fixed charges;


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  •  fixed charges” means the sum of the following: (a) interest expensed and capitalized, (b) amortized premiums, discounts and capitalized expenses related to indebtedness, (c) an estimate of the interest within rental expense and (d) preference security dividend requirements of consolidated subsidiaries; and
 
  •  preference security dividend” means the amount of pre-tax earnings that is required to pay the dividends on outstanding preference securities.
 
DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMON UNITS
 
Our common units represent limited liability company interests in us. The holders of our common units are entitled to participate in distributions and exercise the rights or privileges available to members under our limited liability company agreement. As of September 30, 2009, we had 54,601,458 common units outstanding. We also had 3,245,817 Class D units outstanding, all of which will convert into common units in February 2010, upon payment of our cash distribution for the fourth quarter of 2009.
 
Our Limited Liability Company Agreement
 
Our limited liability company agreement governs the rights and obligations of our common unitholders. A copy of our limited liability company agreement is included in our other SEC filings and is incorporated by reference in this prospectus.
 
Our Cash Distribution Policy
 
Please read “Cash Distribution Policy” for a detailed description of the right to receive cash distributions with respect to our common units.
 
Timing of Distributions
 
We pay distributions approximately 45 days after March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 to unitholders of record on the applicable record date.
 
Issuance of Additional Units
 
In general, we may issue additional equity securities, and options, rights, warrants and appreciation rights relating to our equity securities, for any company purpose at any time and from time to time, to such persons for such consideration and on such terms and conditions as our Board of Directors shall determine, all without the approval of any unitholders. Each additional equity security authorized to be issued by us pursuant to our limited liability company agreement may be issued in one or more classes, or one or more series of any such classes, with such designations, preferences, rights, powers and duties (which may be senior to existing classes and series of our equity securities), as our Board of Directors shall determine, all without the approval of any unitholders.
 
We may choose to finance acquisitions by issuing additional common units or other equity securities. Holders of any additional common units we issue will be entitled to participate in our distributions of available cash. In addition, the issuance of additional common units or other equity securities may dilute the value of the existing common unitholders’ interests in our net assets.
 
In accordance with Delaware law and the provisions of our limited liability company agreement, we may also issue additional securities that, as determined by our Board of Directors, may have special voting rights to which the common units are not entitled.
 
The holders of common units do not have preemptive rights to acquire additional common units or other securities.


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Voting Rights
 
In general, common unitholders have the right to vote with respect to the election of our Board of Directors, certain amendments to our limited liability company agreement, the merger of our company or the sale of all or substantially all of our assets and the dissolution of our company.
 
Limited Call Right
 
If, at any time, any person owns more than 90% of the issued and outstanding membership interests of any class, such person will have the right, which it may transfer in whole or in part to any of its affiliates or to us, to acquire all, but not less than all, of the remaining membership interests of the class held by unaffiliated persons as of a record date to be selected by our Board of Directors, on at least 10 but not more than 60 days’ notice. Our unitholders are not entitled to dissenters’ rights of appraisal under our limited liability company agreement or applicable Delaware law if this limited call right is exercised. The purchase price in the event of the exercise of this right is the greater of:
 
  •  the current market price as of the date three days prior to the date that the notice is mailed; and
 
  •  the highest price paid by such person or any of its affiliates for any such interest of such class purchased during the 90-day period preceding the date that the notice is mailed.
 
As a result of this limited call right, a holder of membership interests in our company may have its membership interests purchased at an undesirable time or price. Please read “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Structure.” The tax consequences to a unitholder of the exercise of this call right are the same as a sale by that unitholder of its common units in the market. Please read “Material Tax Consequences — Disposition of Common Units.”
 
Exchange Listing
 
Our common units are listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “CPNO.”
 
Transfer Agent and Registrar
 
Duties
 
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC serves as registrar and transfer agent for our common units. We pay all fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of common 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 for services requested by a holder of a common unit; and
 
  •  other similar fees or charges.
 
There will be no charge to unitholders for disbursements of our cash distributions. We will indemnify the transfer agent, its agents and each of their shareholders, directors, officers and employees against all claims and losses that may arise out of acts performed or omitted for its activities as transfer agent, except for any liability due to any gross negligence or intentional misconduct of the indemnified person or entity.
 
Resignation or Removal
 
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 accepted the appointment within 30 days after notice of the resignation or removal, we are authorized to act as the transfer agent and registrar until a successor is appointed.


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Transfer of Common Units
 
By transfer of common units in accordance with our limited liability company agreement, each transferee of common units shall be admitted as a unitholder with respect to the common units transferred when such transfer and admission is reflected in our books and records. Additionally, each transferee of common units:
 
  •  automatically agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of, and is deemed to have executed, our limited liability company agreement;
 
  •  becomes the record holder of the common units;
 
  •  represents that the transferee has the capacity, power and authority to enter into our limited liability company agreement;
 
  •  grants powers of attorney to our officers and any liquidator of our company as specified in the limited liability company agreement; and
 
  •  makes the consents and waivers contained in the limited liability company agreement.
 
An assignee will become a unitholder of our company for the transferred common units upon the recording of the name of the assignee on our books and records.
 
Until a common 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.
 
DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES
 
General
 
Copano Energy, L.L.C. may issue debt securities in one or more series, and Copano Energy Finance Corporation may be a co-issuer of one or more series of debt securities. Copano Energy Finance Corporation was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 2005, is wholly owned by Copano Energy, L.L.C. and has no material assets or any liabilities other than as a co-issuer of debt securities. Its activities are limited to co-issuing debt securities and engaging in other activities incidental thereto. When used in this section “Description of Our Debt Securities,” the terms “we,” “us,” “our” and “issuers” refer jointly to Copano Energy, L.L.C. and Copano Energy Finance Corporation, and the terms “Copano Energy” and “Copano Finance” refer strictly to Copano Energy, L.L.C. and Copano Energy Finance Corporation, respectively.
 
If we offer senior debt securities, we will issue them under a senior indenture. If we issue subordinated debt securities, we will issue them under a subordinated indenture. A form of each indenture is filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We have not restated either indenture in its entirety in this description. You should read the relevant indenture because it, and not this description, controls your rights as holders of the debt securities. Capitalized terms used in this summary have the meanings specified in the indentures.
 
The debt securities will be:
 
  •  our direct general obligations;
 
  •  either senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities; and
 
  •  issued under separate indentures among us, any subsidiary guarantors and a trustee.
 
Specific Terms of Each Series of Debt Securities in the Prospectus Supplement
 
A prospectus supplement and a supplemental indenture or authorizing resolutions 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 Copano Finance will be a co-issuer of the debt securities;


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  •  the guarantors of the debt securities, if any;
 
  •  whether the debt securities are senior or subordinated debt securities;
 
  •  the title of the debt securities;
 
  •  the total principal amount of the debt securities;
 
  •  the assets, if any, that are pledged as security for the payment of the debt securities;
 
  •  whether we will issue the debt securities in individual certificates to each holder in registered form, or in the form of temporary or permanent global securities held by a depositary on behalf of holders;
 
  •  the prices at which we will issue the debt securities;
 
  •  the portion of the principal amount that will be payable if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated;
 
  •  the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities will be payable, if not U.S. dollars;
 
  •  the dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable;
 
  •  the interest rate that the debt securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the debt securities;
 
  •  any conversion or exchange provisions;
 
  •  any optional redemption provisions;
 
  •  any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities;
 
  •  any changes to or additional events of default or covenants; and
 
  •  any other terms of the debt securities.
 
We may offer and sell debt securities, including original issue discount debt securities, at a substantial discount below their principal amount. The prospectus supplement will describe special U.S. federal income tax and any other considerations applicable to those securities. In addition, the prospectus supplement may describe certain special U.S. federal income tax or other considerations applicable to any debt securities that are denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars.
 
Guarantees
 
If specified in the prospectus supplement respecting a series of debt securities, the subsidiaries of Copano Energy specified in the prospectus supplement will fully and unconditionally guarantee to each holder and the trustee, on a joint and several basis, the full and prompt payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities of that series when and as the same become due and payable, whether at stated maturity, upon redemption or repurchase, by declaration of acceleration or otherwise. If a series of debt securities is guaranteed, such series will be guaranteed by all of Copano Energy’s wholly owned subsidiaries other than “minor” subsidiaries (except Copano Finance) as such term is interpreted in securities regulations governing financial reporting for guarantors. The prospectus supplement will describe any limitation on the maximum amount of any particular guarantee and the conditions under which guarantees may be released.
 
The guarantees will be general obligations of the guarantors. Guarantees of subordinated debt securities will be subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness of the guarantors on the same basis as the subordinated debt securities are subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness of Copano Energy.
 
Consolidation, Merger or Asset Sale
 
Each indenture will, in general, allow us to consolidate or merge with or into another domestic entity. It will also allow each issuer to sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to another domestic entity. If this happens, the remaining or acquiring entity must assume all of the issuer’s obligations under


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the indenture, including the payment of all amounts due on the debt securities and performance of the issuer’s covenants in the indenture.
 
However, each indenture will impose certain requirements with respect to any consolidation or merger with or into an entity, or any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of an issuer’s assets, including:
 
  •  the remaining or acquiring entity must be organized under the laws of the United States, any state or the District of Columbia; provided that, if Copano Finance is a co-issuer, then it may not merge or consolidate with or into another entity other than a corporation satisfying such requirement for so long as Copano Energy is not a corporation;
 
  •  the remaining or acquiring entity must assume the issuer’s obligations under the indenture; and
 
  •  immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no Default or Event of Default (as defined under “— Events of Default and Remedies” below) may exist.
 
The remaining or acquiring entity will be substituted for the issuer in the indenture with the same effect as if it had been an original party to the indenture, and, except in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of the assets of an issuer, the issuer will be released from any further obligations under the indenture.
 
No Protection in the Event of a Change of Control
 
Unless otherwise set forth in the prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not contain any provisions that protect the holders of the debt securities in the event of a change of control of us or in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, whether or not such transaction results in a change of control of us.
 
Modification of Indentures
 
We may supplement or amend an indenture if the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series issued under the indenture affected by the supplement or amendment consent to it. Further, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive past defaults under the indenture and compliance by us with our covenants with respect to the debt securities of that series only. Those holders may not, however, waive any default in any payment on any debt security of that series or compliance with a provision that cannot be supplemented or amended without the consent of each holder affected. Without the consent of each outstanding debt security affected, no modification of the indenture or waiver may:
 
  •  reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
 
  •  reduce the principal of or extend the fixed maturity of any debt security;
 
  •  reduce the premium payable upon redemption or change the time of the redemption of the debt securities;
 
  •  reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any debt security;
 
  •  except as otherwise permitted under the indenture, release any security that may have been granted with respect to the debt securities;
 
  •  make any debt security payable in currency other than that stated in the debt securities;
 
  •  in the case of any subordinated debt security, make any change in the subordination provisions that adversely affects the rights of any holder under those provisions;
 
  •  impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on its debt securities on or after the respective due dates or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment;
 
  •  except as otherwise permitted in the indenture, release any guarantor from its obligations under its guarantee or the indenture or change any guarantee in any manner that would adversely affect the rights of holders; or


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  •  make any change in the preceding amendment, supplement and waiver provisions (except to increase any percentage set forth therein).
 
We may supplement or amend an indenture without the consent of any holders of the debt securities in certain circumstances, including:
 
  •  to establish the form or terms of any series of debt securities;
 
  •  to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
 
  •  to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of certificated notes;
 
  •  to provide for the assumption of an issuer’s obligations to holders of debt securities in the case of a merger or consolidation or disposition of all or substantially all of such issuer’s assets;
 
  •  in the case of any subordinated debt security, to make any change in the subordination provisions that limits or terminates the benefits applicable to any holder of Senior Indebtedness of Copano Energy;
 
  •  to add or release guarantors pursuant to the terms of the indenture;
 
  •  to make any changes that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of debt securities or that do not adversely affect the rights under the indenture of any holder of debt securities;
 
  •  to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”);
 
  •  to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment under the indenture of a successor trustee;
 
  •  to add any additional Events of Default; or
 
  •  to secure the debt securities and/or the guarantees.
 
Events of Default and Remedies
 
Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, “Event of Default,” when used in an indenture, will mean any of the following with respect to the debt securities of any series:
 
  •  failure to pay when due the principal of or any premium on any debt security of that series;
 
  •  failure to pay, within 30 days of the due date, interest on any debt security of that series;
 
  •  failure to pay when due any sinking fund payment with respect to any debt securities of that series;
 
  •  failure on the part of the issuers to comply with the covenant described under “— Consolidation, Merger or Asset Sale”;
 
  •  failure to perform any other covenant in the indenture that continues for 60 days after written notice is given to the issuers;
 
  •  certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of an issuer or any guarantor of the debt securities of that series (an “insolvency event”);
 
  •  if that series is guaranteed by any subsidiary of Copano Energy, the guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect (except as provided in the indenture), is declared null and void or the guarantor disaffirms its guarantee; or
 
  •  any other Event of Default provided under the terms of the debt securities of that series.
 
An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities will 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, premium, if any, or interest) if it considers such withholding of notice to be in the best interests of the holders.


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If an insolvency event occurs with respect to either issuer, the entire principal of, premium, if any, and accrued interest on, all debt securities then outstanding will be due and payable immediately, without any declaration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders. If any other Event of Default for any series of debt securities occurs and continues, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of the series may declare the entire principal of, and accrued interest on, all 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 the aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of that series can rescind 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 either indenture at the request, order or direction of any holders, unless the holders offer the trustee reasonable security or indemnity. If they provide this reasonable security or indemnity, the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount 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 that series of debt securities.
 
No Limit on Amount of Debt Securities
 
Neither indenture will limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue, unless we indicate otherwise in a prospectus supplement. Each indenture will allow us to issue debt securities of any series up to the aggregate principal amount that we authorize.
 
Registration of Notes
 
We will issue debt securities of a series only in registered form, without coupons, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement.
 
Minimum Denominations
 
Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, the debt securities will be issued only in principal amounts of $1,000 each or integral multiples of $1,000.
 
No Personal Liability
 
None of the past, present or future partners, incorporators, managers, members, directors, officers, employees, unitholders or stockholders of either issuer or any guarantor will have any liability for the obligations of the issuers or any guarantors under either indenture or the debt securities or for any claim based on such obligations or their creation. Each holder of debt securities by accepting a debt security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the debt securities. The waiver may not be effective under federal securities laws, however, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
 
Payment and Transfer
 
The trustee will initially act as paying agent and registrar under each indenture. The issuers may change the paying agent or registrar without prior notice to the holders of debt securities, and the issuers or any of their subsidiaries may act as paying agent or registrar.
 
If a holder of debt securities has given wire transfer instructions to the issuers, the issuers will make all payments on the debt securities in accordance with those instructions. All other payments on the debt securities will be made at the corporate trust office of the trustee indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, unless the issuers elect to make interest payments by check mailed to the holders at their addresses set forth in the debt security register.
 
The trustee and any paying agent will repay to us upon request any funds held by them for payments on the debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which that payment has become due. After payment to us, holders entitled to the money must look to us for payment as general creditors.


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Exchange, Registration and Transfer
 
Debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series, the same total principal amount and the same terms but in different authorized denominations in accordance with the indenture. Holders may present debt securities for exchange or registration of transfer at the office of the registrar. The registrar will effect the transfer or exchange when it is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. We will not charge a service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities. We may, however, require the payment of any tax or other governmental charge payable for that registration.
 
We will not be required to:
 
  •  issue, register the transfer of, or exchange debt securities of a series either during a period of 15 business days prior to the mailing of notice of redemption of the debt securities of that series, or between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment date; or
 
  •  register the transfer of or exchange any debt security selected or called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security we are redeeming in part.
 
Provisions Relating only to the Senior Debt Securities
 
The senior debt securities will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other senior and unsubordinated debt. The senior debt securities will be effectively subordinated, however, to all of our secured debt to the extent of the value of the collateral for that debt. We will disclose the amount of our secured debt in the prospectus supplement.
 
Provisions Relating only to the Subordinated Debt Securities
 
Subordinated Debt Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness
 
The subordinated debt securities will rank junior in right of payment to all of our Senior Indebtedness. The definitions of “Senior Indebtedness” and “Designated Senior Indebtedness” will be set forth in the prospectus supplement respecting each series of subordinated debt securities. If the subordinated debt securities are guaranteed by any of the subsidiaries of Copano Energy, then the guarantees will be subordinated on like terms.
 
Payment Blockages
 
The subordinated indenture will provide that no payment of principal, interest and any premium on the subordinated debt securities (or any related guarantee) may be made in the event:
 
  •  we or our property (or any guarantor or its property) is involved in any liquidation, bankruptcy or similar proceeding;
 
  •  we (or any guarantor) fail to pay the principal, interest, any premium or any other amounts on any of our (or the guarantor’s) Senior Indebtedness within any applicable grace period or the maturity of such Senior Indebtedness is accelerated following any other default, subject to certain limited exceptions set forth in the subordinated indenture; or
 
  •  any other default on any of our (or any guarantor’s) Designated Senior Indebtedness occurs that permits immediate acceleration of its maturity, in which case a payment blockage on the subordinated debt securities will be imposed for a maximum of 179 days at any one time.
 
No Limitation on Amount of Senior Debt
 
The subordinated indenture will not limit the amount of Senior Indebtedness that we or any guarantor may incur, unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement.


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Book Entry, Delivery and Form
 
The debt securities of a particular series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global certificates that will be deposited with the trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (“DTC”). This means that we will not issue certificates to each holder, except in the limited circumstances described below. Instead, one or more global debt securities will be issued to DTC, who will keep a computerized record of its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients have purchased the debt securities. The participant will then keep a record of its clients who purchased the debt securities. Unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificated debt security, a global debt security may not be transferred, except that DTC, its nominees and their successors may transfer a global debt security as a whole to one another.
 
Beneficial interests in global debt securities will be shown on, and transfers of global debt securities will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.
 
DTC has provided us the following information:  DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC holds and provides asset servicing for U.S. and non-U.S. equity issues, corporate and municipal debt issues, and money market instruments that DTC’s participants (“Direct Participants”) deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the post-trade settlement among Direct Participants of sales and other securities transactions in deposited securities, through electronic computerized book-entry transfers and pledges between Direct Participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. Direct Participants include both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. DTC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation (“DTCC”). DTCC is owned by the users of its regulated subsidiaries. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as both U.S. and non-U.S. securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies and clearing corporations that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly or indirectly (“Indirect Participants”). The DTC Rules applicable to its participants are on file with the SEC.
 
We will wire all payments on the global debt securities to DTC’s nominee. We and the trustee will treat DTC’s nominee as the owner of the global debt securities for all purposes. Accordingly, we, the trustee and any paying agent will have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on the global debt securities to owners of beneficial interests in the global debt securities.
 
It is DTC’s current practice, upon receipt of any payment on the global debt securities, to credit Direct Participants’ accounts on the payment date according to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global debt securities as shown on DTC’s records. In addition, it is DTC’s current practice to assign any consenting or voting rights to Direct Participants whose accounts are credited with debt securities on a record date, by using an omnibus proxy. Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global debt securities, and voting by participants, will be governed by the customary practices between the participants and owners of beneficial interests, as is the case with debt securities held for the account of customers registered in “street name.” However, payments will be the responsibility of the participants and not of DTC, the trustee or us.
 
Debt securities represented by a global debt security will be exchangeable for certificated debt securities with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:
 
  •  DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under applicable law and in either event a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days;
 
  •  an Event of Default occurs and DTC notifies the trustee of its decision to require the debt securities of a series to no longer be represented by a global debt security; or
 
  •  as otherwise specified by us in the prospectus supplement pertaining to such debt securities.


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Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance
 
Each indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all outstanding debt securities of any series issued thereunder, when:
 
(a) either:
 
(1) all outstanding debt securities of that series that have been authenticated (except lost, stolen or destroyed debt securities that have been replaced or paid and debt securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to us) have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation; or
 
(2) all outstanding debt securities of that series that have not been delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the giving of a notice of redemption or otherwise 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 and in any case we have irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the trustee as trust funds cash sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness of such debt securities not delivered to the trustee for cancellation, for principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of debt securities that have been due and payable) or the stated maturity or redemption date;
 
(b) we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by us under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of that series; and
 
(c) we have delivered an officers’ certificate and an opinion of counsel to the trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
 
The debt securities of a particular series will be subject to legal or covenant defeasance to the extent, and upon the terms and conditions, set forth in the prospectus supplement.
 
Governing Law
 
Each indenture and all of the debt securities will be governed by the laws of the State of New York.
 
The Trustee
 
We will enter into the indentures with a trustee that is qualified to act under the Trust Indenture Act and with any other trustees chosen by us and appointed in a supplemental indenture for a particular series of debt securities. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, the initial trustee for each series of debt securities will be U.S. Bank National Association. We may maintain a banking relationship in the ordinary course of business with U.S. Bank National Association and one or more of its affiliates.
 
Resignation or Removal of Trustee
 
If the trustee has or acquires a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee must either eliminate its conflicting interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and the applicable indenture. Any resignation will require the appointment of a successor trustee under the applicable indenture in accordance with the terms and conditions of such indenture.
 
The trustee may resign or be removed by us with respect to one or more series of debt securities and a successor trustee may be appointed to act with respect to any such series. The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of any series may remove the trustee with respect to the debt securities of such series.
 
Limitations on Trustee if It Is Our Creditor
 
Each indenture will contain certain limitations on the right of the trustee, in the event that it becomes a creditor of an issuer or a guarantor, 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.


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Annual Trustee Report to Holders of Debt Securities
 
The trustee is required to submit an annual report to the holders of the debt securities regarding, among other things, the trustee’s eligibility to serve as such, the priority of the trustee’s claims regarding certain advances made by it and any action taken by the trustee materially affecting the debt securities.
 
Certificates and Opinions to Be Furnished to Trustee
 
Each indenture will provide that, in addition to other certificates or opinions that may be specifically required by other provisions of such indenture, every application by us for action by the trustee must be accompanied by a certificate of certain of our officers and an opinion of counsel (who may be our counsel) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent to such action have been complied with by us.
 
CASH DISTRIBUTION POLICY
 
Quarterly Distributions of Available Cash
 
General.  We intend to pay quarterly distributions to our common unitholders of record on the applicable record date within 45 days after the end of each quarter (in February, May, August and November of each year) to the extent we have sufficient available cash, as defined in our limited liability company agreement. We will make distributions of available cash to common unitholders in accordance with their respective percentage interests.
 
Definition of Available Cash.  Available cash generally means, with respect to any quarter:
 
  •  the sum of (1) all cash and cash equivalents on hand at the end of such quarter and (2) all additional cash and cash equivalents on hand with respect to such quarter resulting from working capital borrowings made subsequent to the end of such quarter, less
 
  •  the amount of any cash reserves established by our Board of Directors to (1) provide for the proper conduct of our business (including reserves for future capital expenditures and for anticipated future credit needs) subsequent to such quarter, (2) comply with applicable law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which we or any of our subsidiaries are a party or by which we are bound or our assets are subject or (3) provide funds for distributions in respect of any one or more of the next four quarters.
 
Contractual Restrictions on Our Ability to Distribute Available Cash.  If we are not in compliance with covenants contained in our revolving credit facility or the indentures governing our senior unsecured notes, we will be unable to make distributions of available cash. In addition, if we issue debt securities in the future, then the indenture governing the debt securities will likely contain covenants that limit our ability to make distributions to our unitholders if we fail to comply with such covenants.
 
Adjustment of Distribution
 
If we combine our units into fewer units or subdivide our units into a greater number of units, we will proportionately adjust:
 
  •  the quarterly distribution; and
 
  •  other amounts calculated on a per unit basis.
 
For example, if a two-for-one split of the common units should occur, the quarterly distribution would be reduced to 50% of its initial level. We will not make any adjustment by reason of the issuance of additional common units for cash or property.
 
In addition, if legislation is enacted or if existing law is modified or interpreted in a manner that causes us to become taxable as a corporation or otherwise subject to taxation as an entity for federal, state or local income tax purposes, we will reduce the quarterly distribution level for each quarter by multiplying the quarterly distribution by a fraction, the numerator of which is available cash for that quarter and the denominator of which is the sum of


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available cash for that quarter plus our Board of Directors’ estimate of our aggregate liability for the income taxes payable by reason of that legislation or interpretation. To the extent that the actual tax liability differs from the estimated tax liability for any quarter, the difference will be accounted for in subsequent quarters.
 
Distributions of Cash Upon Liquidation
 
If we dissolve in accordance with our limited liability company 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 our unitholders in accordance with their respective capital account balances, as adjusted to reflect any taxable gain or loss upon the sale or other disposition of our assets in liquidation.
 
The allocations of taxable gain upon liquidation are intended, to the extent possible, to allow common unitholders to receive proceeds equal to their unrecovered capital plus the quarterly distribution for the quarter during which liquidation occurs. There may not be sufficient taxable gain upon our liquidation to enable common unitholders to fully recover all of these amounts.
 
MATERIAL TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
This section is a summary of the material tax consequences that may be relevant to prospective unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States and, unless otherwise noted in the following discussion, is the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel to us, insofar as it relates to United States federal income tax law. This section 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. Later 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 Copano Energy, L.L.C. and its operating subsidiaries.
 
This section does not address all federal income tax matters that affect us or our unitholders. Furthermore, this section focuses on unitholders who are individual citizens or residents of the United States and has only limited application to corporations, estates, trusts, non-resident aliens or other unitholders subject to specialized tax treatment, such as tax-exempt institutions, foreign persons, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) or mutual funds. Accordingly, each prospective unitholder is encouraged to consult, and depend on, his own tax advisor in analyzing the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences particular to him of the ownership or disposition of our common units.
 
No ruling has been or will be requested from the IRS regarding any matter that affects us or prospective unitholders. Instead, we will rely on opinions and advice of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. 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 common units and the prices at which our common 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 thus will be borne directly or indirectly by the unitholders. Furthermore, the tax treatment of us, or 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.
 
All statements as to matters of law and legal conclusions set forth below, unless otherwise noted, are the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. and are based on the accuracy of the representations made by us. Statements of fact do not represent opinions of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.


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For the reasons described below, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion with respect to the following specific federal income tax issues:
 
(1) the treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of common 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 Common 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”).
 
Partnership Status
 
A limited liability company is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes and, therefore, is not a taxable entity and incurs no federal income tax liability. Instead, each unitholder of a partnership is required to take into account his share of items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the partnership in computing his federal income tax liability, even if no cash distributions are made to him. Distributions by a partnership to a unitholder are generally not taxable to the unitholder unless the amount of cash distributed to him is in excess of his adjusted basis in his partnership interests.
 
Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that publicly traded partnerships will, as a general rule, be taxed as corporations. However, an exception, referred to herein 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 the processing, transportation and marketing of natural resources, including 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 5% of our current gross income does not constitute qualifying income; however, this estimate could change from time to time. Based on and subject to this estimate, the factual representations made by us and a review of the applicable legal authorities, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is of the opinion that more than 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 subsidiaries for 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 Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. on such matters. It is the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. that, based upon the Internal Revenue Code, the Treasury Regulations, published revenue rulings and court decisions and the representations described below, we will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
 
In rendering its opinion, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has relied on factual representations made by us, including:
 
(a) We have not elected nor will we elect to be treated as a corporation; and
 
(b) For each taxable year, more than 90% of our gross income has been and will be income that Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. 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 be true in the future.
 
If we fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent and that 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 fail to meet the Qualifying Income Exception, in return for stock in that corporation, and then distributed that stock to the


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unitholders in liquidation of their interests in us. This deemed contribution and liquidation should be tax-free to 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 federal income tax purposes.
 
If we were treated as an association taxable as a corporation 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 the 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 either taxable dividend income, to the extent of our current or 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 his common units, or taxable capital gain, after the unitholder’s tax basis in his common 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 the units.
 
The remainder of this section is based on Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.’s opinion that we will be classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes.
 
Unitholder Status
 
Unitholders who become members of our company will be treated as partners of our company for federal income tax purposes. Also:
 
(a) assignees who have executed and delivered transfer applications, and are awaiting admission as members, and
 
(b) unitholders whose common 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 their common units will be treated as partners of our company for federal income tax purposes.
 
As there is no direct or indirect controlling authority addressing the federal tax treatment of assignees of common 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, the opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. does not extend to these persons. Furthermore, a purchaser or other transferee of common 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 common units unless the common units are held in a nominee or street name account and the nominee or broker has executed and delivered a transfer application for those common units.
 
A beneficial owner of common units whose units have been transferred to a short seller to complete a short sale would appear to lose his status as a partner with respect to those units for federal income tax purposes. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Treatment of Short Sales.”
 
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 appear to be fully taxable as ordinary income. These holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the consequences of their status as partners in our company for federal income tax purposes.
 
Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership
 
Flow-Through of Taxable Income
 
We will not pay any federal income tax. Instead, each unitholder will be required to report on his income tax return his share of our income, gains, losses and deductions without regard to whether corresponding cash distributions are received by him. Consequently, we may allocate income to a unitholder even if he has not received a cash distribution. Each unitholder will be required to include in income his allocable share of our income, gain, loss and deduction for our taxable year ending with or within his taxable year. Our taxable year ends on December 31.


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Treatment of Distributions
 
Distributions made by us to a unitholder generally will not be taxable to him for federal income tax purposes except to the extent the amount of any such cash distribution exceeds his tax basis in his common units immediately before the distribution. Cash distributions made by us to a unitholder in an amount in excess of his tax basis in his common units generally will be considered to be gain from the sale or exchange of those common units, taxable in accordance with the rules described under “— Disposition of Common Units” below. 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, he must recapture any losses deducted in previous years. Please read “— Limitations on Deductibility of Losses.”
 
Any reduction in a unitholder’s share of our liabilities for which no partner bears the economic risk of loss, known as “non-recourse liabilities,” will be treated as a distribution of cash to that unitholder. A decrease in a unitholder’s percentage interest in us because of our issuance of additional common units will decrease his share of our nonrecourse liabilities and thus will result in a corresponding deemed distribution of cash, which may constitute a non-pro rata distribution. A non-pro rata distribution of money or property may result in ordinary income to a unitholder, regardless of his tax basis in his common units, if the distribution reduces the unitholder’s share of our “unrealized receivables,” including depreciation recapture and/or substantially appreciated “inventory items,” both as defined in Section 751 of the Internal Revenue Code, and collectively, “Section 751 Assets.” To that extent, he will be treated as having received his proportionate share of the Section 751 Assets and having exchanged those assets with us in return for the non-pro rata portion of the actual distribution made to him. This latter deemed exchange will generally result in the unitholder’s realization of ordinary income. That income will equal the excess of (1) the non-pro rata portion of that distribution over (2) the unitholder’s tax basis (generally zero) for the share of Section 751 Assets deemed relinquished in the exchange.
 
Basis of Common Units
 
A unitholder’s initial tax basis for his common units generally will be the amount he paid for the common units plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis generally will be increased by his share of our income and by any increases in his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. That basis generally will be decreased, but not below zero, by distributions to him from us, by his share of our losses, 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. A unitholder will have a share, generally based on his share of profits, of our nonrecourse liabilities. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
 
Limitations on Deductibility of Losses
 
The deduction by a unitholder of his share of our losses will be limited to the tax basis in his units and, in the case of an individual unitholder or a corporate unitholder, if more than 50% of the value of its stock is owned directly or indirectly by or for five or fewer individuals or certain tax-exempt organizations, to the amount for which the unitholder is considered to be “at risk” with respect to our activities, if that is less than his tax basis. A unitholder must recapture losses deducted in previous years to the extent that distributions cause his 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 his at-risk amount is subsequently increased, provided such losses do not exceed the unitholder’s tax basis in his units. 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 excess loss above that gain previously suspended by the at risk or basis limitations is no longer utilizable.
 
In general, a unitholder will be at risk to the extent of his tax basis in his units, excluding any portion of that basis attributable to his share of our nonrecourse liabilities, reduced by any amount of money he borrows to acquire or hold his units, if the lender of those borrowed funds owns an interest in us, is related to the unitholder or can look only to the units for repayment, or any portion of that basis representing amounts otherwise protected against loss because of a guarantee, stop loss agreement or other similar arrangement. 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 his share of our nonrecourse liabilities.


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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 are permitted to 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 investments in other publicly traded partnerships, or salary or active business income. Similarly, a unitholder’s share of our net income may not be offset by any other current or carryover losses from other passive activities, including those attributable to other publicly traded partnerships. 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 activity loss rules are applied after other applicable limitations on deductions, including the at-risk rules and the basis limitation.
 
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 attributable 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. In addition, the unitholder’s share of our portfolio income will be treated as investment income.
 
Entity-Level Collections
 
If we are required or elect under applicable law to pay any federal, state or local income tax on behalf of any unitholder 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 determined, we are authorized to treat the payment as a distribution to all current unitholders. We are authorized to amend the limited liability company 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 the limited liability company 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, if we have a net profit, our items of income, gain, loss and deduction will be allocated among the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us. If we have a net loss for the entire year, that amount of loss will be allocated to the unitholders in accordance with their percentage interests in us to the extent of their positive capital accounts.


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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 at the time of an offering or certain other transactions, referred to in this discussion as “Contributed Property.” The effect of these allocations, referred to as Section 704(c) Allocations, to a unitholder acquiring common units in an offering will be essentially the same as if the tax basis of our assets were equal to their fair market value at the time of such offering. In the event we issue additional common units or engage in certain other transactions in the future, “reverse Section 704(c) Allocations,” similar to the Section 704(c) Allocations described above, will be made to all holders of partnership interests immediately prior to such other transactions to account for the difference between the “book” basis for purposes of maintaining capital accounts and the fair market value of all property held by us at the time of the future 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. Finally, although we do not expect that our operations will result in the creation of negative capital accounts, if negative capital accounts nevertheless result, items of our income and gain will be allocated in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate the negative balance as quickly as possible.
 
An allocation of items of our income, gain, loss or deduction, other than an allocation required by the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the difference between a partner’s “book” capital account, credited with the fair market value of Contributed Property, and “tax” capital account, credited with the tax basis of Contributed Property, referred to in this discussion as the “Book-Tax Disparity,” will generally be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a partner’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction only if the allocation has substantial economic effect. In any other case, a partner’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.
 
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is of the opinion that, with the exception of the issues described in “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election” and “— Disposition of Common Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees,” allocations under our limited liability company agreement will be given effect for federal income tax purposes in determining a unitholder’s share of an item of income, gain, loss or deduction.
 
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, he 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 would appear to be ordinary income.
 
Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion regarding the tax treatment of a unitholder whose common units are loaned to a short seller to cover a short sale of 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 modify 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 treatment of short sales of partnership interests. Please also read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”


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Alternative Minimum Tax
 
Each unitholder will be required to take into account his 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 as 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, capital gains on certain assets held for more than 12 months) of individuals is 15%. However, absent new legislation extending the current rates, beginning January 1, 2011, 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. Moreover, these rates are subject to change by new legislation at any time.
 
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 common unit purchaser’s tax basis in our assets (“inside basis”) under Section 743(b) of the Internal Revenue Code to reflect his purchase price. The Section 743(b) adjustment does not apply to a person who purchases common units directly from us, and it belongs only to the purchaser and not to other unitholders. Please also read, however, “— Allocation of Income, Gain, Loss and Deduction” above. For purposes of this discussion, a unitholder’s inside basis in our assets will be considered to have two components: (1) his share of our tax basis in our assets (“common basis”) and (2) his Section 743(b) adjustment to that basis.
 
Where the remedial allocation method is adopted (which we have adopted as to all of our properties), the Treasury Regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code require a portion of the Section 743(b) adjustment that is attributable to recovery property subject to depreciation under Section 168 of the Internal Revenue Code whose book basis is in excess of its tax basis to be depreciated over the remaining cost recovery period for the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity. Under Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to property subject to depreciation under Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code, rather than cost recovery deductions under Section 168, is generally required to be depreciated using either the straight-line method or the 150% declining balance method. If we elect a method other than the remedial method, the depreciation and amortization methods and useful lives associated with the Section 743(b) adjustment, therefore, may differ from the methods and useful lives generally used to depreciate the inside basis in such properties. Under our limited liability company agreement, our Board of Directors is authorized to take a position to preserve the uniformity of units even if that position is not consistent with these and any other Treasury Regulations. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.”
 
Although Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is unable to opine as to the validity of this approach because there is no direct or indirect controlling authority on this issue, we intend to depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, or treat that portion as non-amortizable to the extent attributable to property of which is not amortizable. This method is consistent with the methods employed by other publicly traded partnerships but is arguably inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets and Treasury Regulation Section 1.197-2(g)(3). To the extent this Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may take a depreciation or amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation or amortization, whether attributable to common basis or a Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable


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rate as if they had purchased a direct interest in our assets. This kind of aggregate approach may result in lower annual depreciation or amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders. Please read “— Uniformity of Units.” A unitholder’s tax basis for his common units is reduced by his share of our deductions (whether or not such deductions were claimed on an individual’s income tax return) so that any position we take that understates deductions will overstate the common unitholder’s basis in his common units, which may cause the unitholder to understate gain or overstate loss on any sale of such units. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.” The IRS may challenge our position with respect to depreciating or amortizing the Section 743(b) adjustment we take to preserve the uniformity of the units. If such a challenge were sustained, the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions.
 
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 his share of any gain or loss on a sale of our assets 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 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 nonamortizable or amortizable over a longer period of time or under a less accelerated method than our tangible assets. We cannot assure you that the determinations we make will not be successfully challenged by the IRS and that the deductions resulting from them will not be reduced or disallowed altogether. Should the IRS require a different basis adjustment to be made, and should, in our opinion, the expense of compliance exceed 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 he would have been allocated had the election not been revoked.
 
Tax Treatment of Operations
 
Accounting Method and Taxable Year
 
We will 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 Common Units — Allocations Between Transferors and Transferees.”
 
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 unitholders as of that time. 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 are placed in service. We may not be entitled to any


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amortization deductions with respect to certain goodwill or properties 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.
 
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 Common 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 we may amortize, and as syndication expenses, which we may not amortize. The underwriting discounts and commissions 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 Common Units
 
Recognition of Gain or Loss
 
Gain or loss will be recognized on a sale of units equal to the difference between the amount realized and the unitholder’s tax basis for the units sold. A unitholder’s amount realized will be measured by the sum of the cash or the fair market value of other property he receives plus his share of our nonrecourse liabilities. Because the amount realized includes a unitholder’s share of our nonrecourse 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 a common unit that decreased a unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit will, in effect, become taxable income if the common unit is sold at a price greater than the unitholder’s tax basis in that common unit, even if the price received is less than his original cost.
 
Except as noted below, gain or loss recognized by a unitholder, other than a “dealer” in units, on the sale or exchange of a unit held for more than one year will generally be taxable as capital gain or loss. Capital gain recognized by an individual on the sale of units held more than twelve months will generally be taxed at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 15% through December 31, 2010 and 20% thereafter (absent new legislation extending or adjusting the current rate). However, a portion of this gain or loss, which may be substantial, however, 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 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, in the case of individuals, and may only be used to offset capital gain in the case of corporations.


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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. Treasury Regulations under Section 1223 of the Internal Revenue Code allow a selling unitholder who can identify common units transferred with an ascertainable holding period to elect to use the actual holding period of the common units transferred. Thus, according to the ruling, a common unitholder will be unable to select high or low basis common units to sell as would be the case with corporate stock, but, according to the Treasury Regulations, may designate specific common units sold for purposes of determining the holding period of units transferred. A unitholder electing to use the actual holding period of common units transferred must consistently use that identification method for all subsequent sales or exchanges of common units. A unitholder considering the purchase of additional units or a sale of common units purchased in separate transactions is urged to consult his tax advisor as to the possible consequences of this ruling and those 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 and losses 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. Existing publicly traded partnerships are entitled to rely on these proposed Treasury Regulations; however, they are not binding on the IRS and are subject to change until final Treasury Regulations are issued. Accordingly, Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. 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


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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 owns units at any time during a quarter and who disposes of them prior to the record date set for a cash distribution for that quarter will be allocated items of our income, gain, loss and deductions attributable to that quarter but will not be entitled to receive that cash distribution.
 
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 purchase 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 been terminated for tax purposes if there are sales and exchanges 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% threshold is reached, 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 his taxable income for the year of termination. A constructive termination occurring on a date other than December 31 will result in our filing two tax returns (and unitholders receiving two Schedules K-1) for one fiscal year, and the cost of the preparation of these returns will be borne by all unitholders. 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. The IRS has announced recently that it plans to issue guidance regarding the treatment of constructive terminations of publicly traded partnerships such as us. Any such guidance may change the application of the rules discussed above and may affect the tax treatment of a unitholder.
 
Uniformity of Units
 
Because we cannot match transferors and transferees of units, 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 can result from a literal application of Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.197-2(g)(3). Any non-uniformity could have a negative impact on the value of the units. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election.”
 
We depreciate the portion of a Section 743(b) adjustment attributable to unrealized appreciation in the value of Contributed Property, to the extent of any unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, using a rate of depreciation or amortization derived from the depreciation or amortization method and useful life applied to the property’s unamortized Book-Tax Disparity, or treat that portion as nonamortizable, to the extent attributable to property the common basis of which is not amortizable, consistent with the Treasury Regulations under Section 743 of the Internal Revenue Code, even though that position may be inconsistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.167(c)-1(a)(6), which is not expected to directly apply to a material portion of our assets and Treasury Regulation Section 1.197-2(g)(3). Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Section 754 Election.” To the extent that the Section 743(b) adjustment is attributable to appreciation in value in excess of the unamortized


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Book-Tax Disparity, we will apply the rules described in the Treasury Regulations and legislative history. If we determine that this position cannot reasonably be taken, we may adopt a depreciation and amortization position under which all purchasers acquiring units in the same month would receive depreciation and amortization deductions, whether attributable to a common basis or Section 743(b) adjustment, based upon the same applicable methods and lives as if they had purchased a direct interest in our property. If this position is adopted, it may result in lower annual depreciation and amortization deductions than would otherwise be allowable to some unitholders and risk the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions not taken in the year that these deductions are otherwise allowable. This position will not be adopted if we determine that the loss of depreciation and amortization deductions will have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. If we choose not to utilize this aggregate method, we may use any other reasonable depreciation and amortization method to preserve the uniformity of the intrinsic tax characteristics of any units that would not have a material adverse effect on the unitholders. The IRS may challenge any method of depreciating the Section 743(b) adjustment described in this paragraph. If this challenge were sustained, the uniformity of units might be affected, and the gain from the sale of units might be increased without the benefit of additional deductions. Please read “— Disposition of Common Units — Recognition of Gain or Loss.”
 
Tax-Exempt Organizations and Other Investors
 
Ownership of units by employee benefit plans, other tax-exempt organizations, non-resident aliens, foreign corporations, and other foreign persons raises issues unique to those investors and, as described below, may have substantially adverse tax consequences to them. If you are a tax-exempt entity or a foreign person, you should consult your 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. A significant portion 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. Under rules applicable to publicly traded partnerships, cash distributions made to foreign unitholders will be subject to withholding at the highest applicable effective tax rate. Each foreign unitholder must obtain a taxpayer identification number from the IRS and submit that number to our transfer agent on a Form W-8 BEN 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 are 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 common unitholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax upon the sale or disposition of a common 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


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during which such unitholder held the common 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 calendar 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 you that those positions will yield a result that conforms to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, Treasury Regulations or administrative interpretations of the IRS. Neither we nor counsel 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 federal 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. We have appointed Copano Partners Trust as our Tax Matters Partner, subject to redetermination by our Board of Directors from time to time.
 
The Tax Matters Partner has made and 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.
 
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:
 
(a) the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee;
 
(b) whether the beneficial owner is:
 
(1) a person that is not a United States person,
 
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(3) a tax-exempt entity;
 
(c) the amount and description of units held, acquired or transferred for the beneficial owner; and
 
(d) 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 United States persons and specific information on units they acquire, hold or transfer for their own account. A penalty of $50 per failure, up to a maximum of $100,000 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.
 
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 that portion and that the taxpayer acted in good faith regarding 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. 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 relevant 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 relevant 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 take other actions as may be appropriate to permit unitholders to avoid liability for this penalty. More stringent rules apply to “tax shelters,” a term that in this context does not appear to include us.
 
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.
 
Reportable Transactions
 
If we were to engage in a “reportable transaction,” we (and possibly you 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 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


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(and possibly your tax return) would be audited by the IRS. Please read “— Information Returns and Audit Procedures.”
 
Moreover, if we were to participate in a reportable transaction with a significant purpose to avoid or evade tax, or in any listed transaction, you 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 above at “— 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.”
 
State, Local and Other Tax Considerations
 
In addition to federal income taxes, you will be subject to other taxes, including state and local income taxes, unincorporated business taxes, and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which we do business or own property or in which you are a resident. We currently do business and own property in Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Colorado and Louisiana. Although Texas and Wyoming do not currently impose a personal income tax, Oklahoma, Colorado and Louisiana do, and as we make acquisitions or expand our business, we may do business or own assets in other jurisdictions that impose a personal income tax. Although an analysis of those various taxes is not presented here, each prospective unitholder should consider their potential impact on his investment in us. You may not be required to file a return and pay taxes in some states because your income from that state falls below the filing and payment requirement. You will be required, however, to file state income tax returns and to pay state income taxes in many of the states in which we may do business or own property, and you 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 amounts distributed by us. Please read “— Tax Consequences of Unit Ownership — Entity-Level Collections.” 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 jurisdictions, of his investment in us. Accordingly, each prospective unitholder is urged to consult, and depend upon, his tax counsel or other advisor with regard to those matters. Further, it is the responsibility of each unitholder to file all state, local and foreign, as well as United States federal tax returns, that may be required of him. Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. has not rendered an opinion on the state, local or foreign tax consequences of an investment in us.
 
Tax Consequences of Ownership of Debt Securities
 
A description of the material federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of debt securities will be set forth on the prospectus supplement relating to the offering of debt securities.
 
LEGAL MATTERS
 
In connection with particular offerings of the securities in the future, and if stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of those securities may be passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. and for any underwriters or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.


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EXPERTS
 
The consolidated financial statements of Copano Energy, L.L.C. incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the effectiveness of Copano Energy, L.L.C.’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
The financial statements of Bighorn Gas Gathering, L.L.C. as of December 31, 2007 and for the period from October 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007, incorporated in this prospectus by reference from Copano Energy, L.L.C.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors’, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.


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PART II
 
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
Item 14.   Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
 
Set forth below are the expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) expected to be incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities registered hereby. With the exception of the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee, the amounts set forth below are estimates.
 
         
SEC registration fee
  $ *  
Legal fees and expenses
    **  
Accounting fees and expenses
    **  
Trustee fees and expenses
    **  
Listing fees
    ***  
Transfer and disbursement agent fees
    **  
Printing costs
    **  
Miscellaneous expenses
    **  
         
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.
 
** Because an indeterminate amount of securities is covered by this registration statement, the expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities are therefore not currently determinable.
 
*** 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.
 
Copano Energy, L.L.C.
 
Section 18-108 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act provides that, subject to such standards and restrictions, if any, as are set forth in its limited liability company agreement, a limited liability company may, and shall have the power to, indemnify and hold harmless any member or manager or other person from and against any and all claims and demands whatsoever. Under our limited liability company agreement and subject to specified limitations, we will indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law, from and against all losses, claims, damages or similar events any director or officer, or while serving as a director or officer, any person who is or was serving as a tax matters member or as a director, officer, tax matters member, employee, partner, manager, fiduciary or trustee of any or our affiliates. Additionally, we may indemnify from and against all losses, claims, damages or similar events any person who is or was an employee (other than an officer) or agent of our company to the extent permitted by law and authorized by our Board of Directors.
 
Any indemnification under our limited liability company agreement will only be out of our assets. We are authorized to 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 limited liability company agreement.
 
Additionally, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and officers and the officers of each of our wholly owned subsidiaries, including Copano Energy Finance Corporation. The indemnification agreements provide each officer and director the maximum indemnification protection permitted under Delaware law with respect to actions taken in his or her capacity as a director or officer.
 
Any underwriting agreement entered into in connection with the sale of securities offered pursuant to this registration statement will provide for the indemnification of our officers and directors, including liabilities under the Securities Act.


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Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
 
Copano Energy Finance Corporation
 
Section 145(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), in which Copano Energy Finance Corporation (“Copano Finance”) is incorporated, provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. Section 145(b) of the DGCL provides that a corporation may indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper. To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 of the DGCL, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
 
Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 of the DGCL (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders. Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an officer or director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this section. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate. The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office.


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Section 145 of the DGCL also empowers a corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under Section 145.
 
Copano Finance’s Certificate of Incorporation provides that directors, officers, employees and agents shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL.
 
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling Copano Finance pursuant to the foregoing provisions, Copano Finance has been informed that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
 
Item 16.   Exhibits.
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description
 
  *1 .1   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  3 .1   Certificate of Formation of Copano Energy Holdings, L.L.C. (now Copano Energy, L.L.C.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed July 30, 2004).
  3 .2   Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Formation of Copano Energy Holdings, L.L.C. (now Copano Energy, L.L.C.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed July 30, 2004).
  3 .3   Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Copano Energy, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 30, 2007).
  3 .4   Amendment No. 1 to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Copano Energy, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 4, 2007).
  3 .5   Amendment No. 2 to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Copano Energy, L.L.C. dated October 19, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 25, 2007).
  3 .6   Amendment No. 3 to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Copano Energy, L.L.C., dated October 19, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 25, 2007).
  4 .1   Form of Senior Indenture.
  *4 .2   Form of Senior Debt Security.
  4 .3   Form of Subordinated Indenture.
  *4 .4   Form of Subordinated Debt Security.
  4 .5   Indenture dated as of February 7, 2006, among Copano Energy, L.L.C., Copano Energy Finance Corporation, the Guarantors parties thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 8, 2006).
  4 .6   Form of Global Note representing 8.125% Senior Notes due 2016 (incorporated by reference to the Rule 144A/Regulation S Appendix of Exhibit 4.5 hereto).
  4 .7   Registration Rights Agreement by and between Copano Energy, L.L.C. and Cantera Resources Holdings LLC, dated October 19, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 25, 2007).
  4 .8   Indenture, dated May 16, 2008, among Copano Energy, L.L.C., Copano Energy Finance Corporation, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 19, 2008).
  4 .9   Form of Global Note representing 7.75% Senior Notes due 2018 (incorporated by reference to the Rule 144A/Regulation S Appendix to Exhibit 4.8 hereto).


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Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description
 
  4 .10   Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 16, 2008, among Copano Energy, L.L.C., Copano Energy Finance Corporation, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and the Initial Purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 19, 2008).
  5 .1   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities being registered.
  8 .1   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. as to certain tax matters.
  12 .1   Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
  21 .1   List of Subsidiaries.
  23 .1   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
  23 .2   Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).
  24 .1   Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages of this registration statement).
  **25 .1   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture.
  **25 .2   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture.
 
 
* 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 Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
 
Item 17.   Undertakings.
 
(a) Each undersigned registrant 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 percent 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 (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if 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 registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act 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.

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(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 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, each undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of such undersigned registrant 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, such undersigned registrant 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 such undersigned registrant 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 such undersigned registrant or used or referred to by such undersigned registrant;
 
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about such undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
 
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by such undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
 
(b) Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of such 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 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 registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such


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director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, each registrant 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) Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes 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 of 1939 (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 of 1933, the 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
COPANO ENERGY, L.L.C.
 
  By: 
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.
Name:     John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Title:  Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  James G. Crump

James G. Crump
  Director   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Ernie L. Danner

Ernie L. Danner
  Director   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Scott A. Griffiths

Scott A. Griffiths
  Director   November 2, 2009


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Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  Michael L. Johnson

Michael L. Johnson
  Director   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  T. William Porter

T. William Porter
  Director   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  William L. Thacker

William L. Thacker
  Director   November 2, 2009


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
COPANO ENERGY FINANCE CORPORATION
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Director   November 2, 2009


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
COPANO PIPELINES GROUP, L.L.C.
COPANO ENERGY SERVICES GP, L.L.C.
COPANO ENERGY SERVICES (TEXAS) GP, L.L.C.
COPANO FIELD SERVICES GP, L.L.C.
COPANO FIELD SERVICES/CENTRAL GULF COAST GP, L.L.C.
COPANO NGL SERVICES GP, L.L.C.
COPANO PIPELINES GP, L.L.C.
COPANO PIPELINES (TEXAS) GP, L.L.C.
COPANO PROCESSING GP, L.L.C.
COPANO NGL SERVICES (MARKHAM), L.L.C.
COPANO PIPELINES/NORTH TEXAS, L.L.C.
COPANO FIELD SERVICES/NORTH TEXAS, L.L.C.
ACP TEXAS, L.L.C.
ALAMO CREEK PROPERTIES, L.L.C.
RIVER VIEW PIPELINES, L.L.C.
CMW ENERGY SERVICES, L.L.C.
GREENWOOD GATHERING, L.L.C.
CPNO SERVICES GP, L.L.C.
COPANO/WEBB-DUVAL PIPELINE GP, L.L.C.
COPANO HOUSTON CENTRAL, L.L.C.
COPANO ENERGY/MID-CONTINENT, L.L.C.
SCISSORTAIL ENERGY, LLC
COPANO/RED RIVER GATHERING GP, L.L.C.
COPANO PIPELINES/TEXAS GULF COAST, L.L.C.
COPANO PIPELINES/VICTORIA, L.L.C.
COPANO PROCESSING/LOUISIANA, LLC
COPANO ENERGY/ROCKY MOUNTAINS, L.L.C.
COPANO PIPELINES/ROCKY MOUNTAINS, LLC
COPANO NATURAL GAS/ROCKY MOUNTAINS, LLC
COPANO FIELD SERVICES/ROCKY MOUNTAINS, LLC
COPANO FIELD FACILITIES/ROCKY MOUNTAINS, LLC
CANTERA GAS COMPANY LLC
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing


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pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Manager   November 2, 2009


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
ESTES COVE FACILITIES, L.L.C.
 
  By:  Copano Field Services/Copano Bay, L.P., member
 
  By:  Copano Field Services GP, L.L.C., general partner of Copano Field Services/Copano Bay, L.P.
 
  By:  Copano Pipelines/South Texas, L.P., member
 
  By:  Copano Pipelines GP, L.L.C., general partner of Copano Pipelines/South Texas, L.P.
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of each of Copano Field Services GP, L.L.C. and Copano Pipelines GP, L.L.C. (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Manager of each of Copano Field Services GP, L.L.C. and Copano Pipelines GP, L.L.C.    November 2, 2009


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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
NUECES GATHERING, L.L.C.
 
  By:  Copano Field Services/Agua Dulce, L.P.,
its sole member (the “Sole Member”)
 
  By:  Copano Field Services GP, L.L.C.,
its general partner (the “General Partner”)
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the General Partner (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the General Partner (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Manager of the General Partner   November 2, 2009


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
COPANO PROCESSING, L.P.
 
  By:  Copano Processing GP, L.L.C.,
its general partner (the “General Partner”)
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the General Partner (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the General Partner (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Manager of the General Partner   November 2, 2009


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
COPANO NGL SERVICES, L.P.
 
  By:  Copano NGL Services GP, L.L.C.,
its general partner (the “General Partner”)
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the General Partner (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the General Partner (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Manager of the General Partner   November 2, 2009


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
CHC LP HOLDINGS, L.L.C.
COPANO/RED RIVER GATHERING LP HOLDINGS, L.L.C.
CPG LP HOLDINGS, L.L.C.
CWDPL LP HOLDINGS, L.L.C.
CPNO SERVICES LP HOLDINGS, L.L.C.
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Thomas M. Strauss

Thomas M. Strauss
  Manager   November 2, 2009


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
COPANO GENERAL PARTNERS, INC.
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
COPANO FIELD SERVICES/AQUA DULCE, L.P.
COPANO FIELD SERVICES/COPANO BAY, L.P.
COPANO FIELD SERVICES/KARNES, L.P.
COPANO FIELD SERVICES/LIVE OAK, L.P.
COPANO FIELD SERVICES/SOUTH TEXAS, L.P.
COPANO FIELD SERVICES/UPPER GULF COAST, L.P.
 
  By:  Copano Field Services GP, L.L.C.,
its general partner (the “General Partner”)
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the General Partner (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the General Partner (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Manager of the General Partner   November 2, 2009


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
COPANO PIPELINES/HEBBRONVILLE, L.P.
COPANO PIPELINES/SOUTH TEXAS, L.P.
COPANO PIPELINES/UPPER GULF COAST, L.P.
 
  BY:  Copano Pipelines GP, L.L.C.,
its general partner (the “General Partner”)
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the General Partner (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the General Partner (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Manager of the General Partner   November 2, 2009


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
COPANO PIPELINES/TGC, L.P.
 
  By:  Copano Pipelines (Texas) GP, L.L.C.,
its general partner (the “General Partner”)
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the General Partner (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the General Partner (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Manager of the General Partner   November 2, 2009


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
COPANO FIELD SERVICES/CENTRAL GULF COAST, L.P.
 
  By:  Copano Field Services/Central Gulf Coast GP, L.L.C., its general partner (the “General Partner”)
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the General Partner (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the General Partner (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Manager of the General Partner   November 2, 2009


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
COPANO ENERGY SERVICES/UPPER GULF COAST, L.P.
 
  By:  Copano Energy Services GP, L.L.C.,
its general partner (the “General Partner”)
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the General Partner (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the General Partner (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Manager of the General Partner   November 2, 2009


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
COPANO ENERGY SERVICES/TEXAS GULF COAST, L.P.
 
  By:  Copano Energy Services (Texas) GP, L.L.C.,
its general partner (the “General Partner”)
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the General Partner (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the General Partner (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Manager of the General Partner   November 2, 2009


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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
COPANO/WEBB-DUVAL PIPELINE, L.P.
 
  By:  Copano/Webb-Duval Pipeline GP, L.L.C.,
its general partner
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the General Partner (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the General Partner (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Manager of the General Partner   November 2, 2009


II-24


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
CPNO SERVICES, L.P.
COPANO RISK MANAGEMENT, L.P.
 
  By:  CPNO Services GP, L.L.C.,
its general partner (the “General Partner”)
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the General Partner (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the General Partner (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Manager of the General Partner   November 2, 2009


II-25


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each 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 Houston, State of Texas, on November 2, 2009.
 
CIMMARRON GATHERING, LP
 
  By:  Copano/Red River Gathering GP, L.L.C.
its general partner (the “General Partner”)
 
  By: 
/s/  Carl A. Luna
Name:     Carl A. Luna
  Title:  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Each person whose signature appears below appoints John R. Eckel, Jr., Carl A. Luna and Douglas L. Lawing, and each of them, any of whom may act without the joinder of the other, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement and any registration statement (including any amendment thereto) for this offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or would do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them of their or his substitute and substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
             
Signature
 
Title
 
Date
 
         
/s/  John R. Eckel, Jr.

John R. Eckel, Jr.
  Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Manager of the General Partner (Principal Executive Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Carl A. Luna

Carl A. Luna
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the General Partner (Principal Financial Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Lari Paradee

Lari Paradee
  Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer of the General Partner (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 2, 2009
         
/s/  Douglas L. Lawing

Douglas L. Lawing
  Manager of the General Partner   November 2, 2009


II-26


Table of Contents

INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description
 
  *1 .1   Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  3 .1   Certificate of Formation of Copano Energy Holdings, L.L.C. (now Copano Energy, L.L.C.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed July 30, 2004).
  3 .2   Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Formation of Copano Energy Holdings, L.L.C. (now Copano Energy, L.L.C.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed July 30, 2004).
  3 .3   Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Copano Energy, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 30, 2007).
  3 .4   Amendment No. 1 to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Copano Energy, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 4, 2007).
  3 .5   Amendment No. 2 to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Copano Energy, L.L.C. dated October 19, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 25, 2007).
  3 .6   Amendment No. 3 to Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Copano Energy, L.L.C., dated October 19, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 25, 2007).
  4 .1   Form of Senior Indenture.
  *4 .2   Form of Senior Debt Security.
  4 .3   Form of Subordinated Indenture.
  *4 .4   Form of Subordinated Debt Security.
  4 .5   Indenture dated as of February 7, 2006, among Copano Energy, L.L.C., Copano Energy Finance Corporation, the Guarantors parties thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 8, 2006).
  4 .6   Form of Global Note representing 8.125% Senior Notes due 2016 (incorporated by reference to the Rule 144A/Regulation S Appendix of Exhibit 4.5 hereto).
  4 .7   Registration Rights Agreement by and between Copano Energy, L.L.C. and Cantera Resources Holdings LLC, dated October 19, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 25, 2007).
  4 .8   Indenture, dated May 16, 2008, among Copano Energy, L.L.C., Copano Energy Finance Corporation, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 19, 2008).
  4 .9   Form of Global Note representing 7.75% Senior Notes due 2018 (incorporated by reference to the Rule 144A/Regulation S Appendix to Exhibit 4.8 hereto).
  4 .10   Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 16, 2008, among Copano Energy, L.L.C., Copano Energy Finance Corporation, the Subsidiary Guarantors named therein and the Initial Purchasers named therein (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 19, 2008).
  5 .1   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. as to the legality of the securities being registered.
  8 .1   Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. as to certain tax matters.
  12 .1   Statement of Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
  21 .1   List of Subsidiaries.
  23 .1   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
  23 .2   Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (contained in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).
  24 .1   Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages of this registration statement).
  **25 .1   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture.
  **25 .2   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture.
 
 
* 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 Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

EX-4.1 2 h68278exv4w1.htm EX-4.1 exv4w1
Exhibit 4.1
[Form of Senior Indenture]
COPANO ENERGY, L.L.C.
COPANO ENERGY FINANCE CORPORATION
as Issuers,
any Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto,
and
[___],
as Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated as of ___
Debt Securities

 


 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
             
TIA     Indenture
Section     Section
 
310
  (a)     7.10  
 
  (b)     7.10  
 
  (c)     N.A.  
311
  (a)     7.11  
 
  (b)     7.11  
 
  (c)     N.A.  
312
  (a)     5.01  
 
  (b)     5.02  
 
  (c)     5.02  
313
  (a)     5.03  
 
  (b)     5.03  
 
  (c)     13.03  
 
  (d)     5.03  
314
  (a)     4.05  
 
  (b)     N.A.  
 
  (c)(1)     13.05  
 
  (c)(2)     13.05  
 
  (c)(3)     N.A.  
 
  (d)     N.A.  
 
  (e)     13.05  
 
  (f)     N.A.  
315
  (a)     7.01  
 
  (b)     6.07 & 13.03  
 
  (c)     7.01  
 
  (d)     7.01  
 
  (e)     6.08  
316
  (a)(last sentence)     1.01  
 
  (a)(1)(A)     6.06  
 
  (a)(1)(B)     6.06  
 
  (a)(2)     9.01(d)
 
  (b)     6.04  
 
  (c)     5.04  
317
  (a)(1)     6.02  
 
  (a)(2)     6.02  
 
  (b)     4.04  
318
  (a)     13.07  
N.A. means Not Applicable.
NOTE: This Cross-Reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed part of this Indenture.

i


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
             
        Page
 
           
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
           
Section 1.01
  Definitions     1  
Section 1.02
  Other Definitions     6  
Section 1.03
  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act     6  
Section 1.04
  Rules of Construction     7  
 
           
ARTICLE II
DEBT SECURITIES
 
           
Section 2.01
  Forms Generally     7  
Section 2.02
  Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication     7  
Section 2.03
  Principal Amount; Issuable in Series     8  
Section 2.04
  Execution of Debt Securities     10  
Section 2.05
  Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities     11  
Section 2.06
  Denomination of Debt Securities     12  
Section 2.07
  Registration of Transfer and Exchange     12  
Section 2.08
  Temporary Debt Securities     13  
Section 2.09
  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities     14  
Section 2.10
  Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities     15  
Section 2.11
  Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders     15  
Section 2.12
  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved     15  
Section 2.13
  Securities Denominated in Dollars     16  
Section 2.14
  Wire Transfers     16  
Section 2.15
  Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security     16  
Section 2.16
  Medium Term Securities     18  
Section 2.17
  Defaulted Interest     19  
Section 2.18
  CUSIP Numbers     20  
 
           
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
           
Section 3.01
  Applicability of Article     20  
Section 3.02
  Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities     20  
Section 3.03
  Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption     22  
Section 3.04
  Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds     22  
Section 3.05
  Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund     23  
 
           
ARTICLE IV
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE ISSUERS
 
           
Section 4.01
  Payment of Principal of, and Premium, if Any, and Interest on, Debt Securities     24  
Section 4.02
  Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities     24  
Section 4.03
  Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee     25  

ii


 

             
        Page
Section 4.04
  Duties of Paying Agents, etc     25  
Section 4.05
  SEC Reports; Financial Statements     26  
Section 4.06
  Compliance Certificate     26  
Section 4.07
  Further Instruments and Acts     27  
Section 4.08
  Existence     27  
Section 4.09
  Maintenance of Properties     27  
Section 4.10
  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims     27  
Section 4.11
  Waiver of Certain Covenants     27  
 
           
ARTICLE V
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE
 
           
Section 5.01
  Issuers to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information     28  
Section 5.02
  Communications to Holders     28  
Section 5.03
  Reports by Trustee     28  
Section 5.04
  Record Dates for Action by Holders     29  
 
           
ARTICLE VI
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT
 
           
Section 6.01
  Events of Default     29  
Section 6.02
  Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc     31  
Section 6.03
  Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee     32  
Section 6.04
  Limitation on Suits by Holders     33  
Section 6.05
  Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default     34  
Section 6.06
  Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default     34  
Section 6.07
  Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances     35  
Section 6.08
  Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits Under the Indenture or Against the Trustee     35  
 
           
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
           
Section 7.01
  Certain Duties and Responsibilities     35  
Section 7.02
  Certain Rights of Trustee     37  
Section 7.03
  Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities     38  
Section 7.04
  Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities     38  
Section 7.05
  Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust     38  
Section 7.06
  Compensation and Reimbursement     38  
Section 7.07
  Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officers’ Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed     39  
Section 7.08
  Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee     39  
Section 7.09
  Successor Trustee by Merger     40  
Section 7.10
  Eligibility; Disqualification     40  
Section 7.11
  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers     41  
Section 7.12
  Compliance with Tax Laws     41  

iii


 

             
        Page
 
           
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS
 
           
Section 8.01
  Evidence of Action by Holders     41  
Section 8.02
  Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities     41  
Section 8.03
  Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities     41  
Section 8.04
  Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders     42  
 
           
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
 
           
Section 9.01
  Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders     43  
Section 9.02
  Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities     44  
Section 9.03
  Effect of Supplemental Indentures     45  
Section 9.04
  Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures     46  
 
           
ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
 
           
Section 10.01
  Consolidations and Mergers of the Issuers     46  
Section 10.02
  Rights and Duties of Successor Company     46  
 
           
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS
 
           
Section 11.01
  Applicability of Article     47  
Section 11.02
  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance     47  
Section 11.03
  Conditions of Defeasance     48  
Section 11.04
  Application of Trust Money     49  
Section 11.05
  Repayment to Issuers     49  
Section 11.06
  Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations     50  
Section 11.07
  Reinstatement     50  
 
           
ARTICLE XII
[RESERVED]
 
           
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
 
           
Section 13.01
  Successors and Assigns of Issuers Bound by Indenture     50  
Section 13.02
  Acts of Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Company Valid     50  
Section 13.03
  Required Notices or Demands     50  
Section 13.04
  Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York     52  
Section 13.05
  Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by the Issuers     52  
Section 13.06
  Payments Due on Legal Holidays     52  
Section 13.07
  Provisions Required by TIA to Control     52  
Section 13.08
  Computation of Interest on Debt Securities     52  

iv


 

             
        Page
Section 13.09
  Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar     53  
Section 13.10
  No Recourse Against Others     53  
Section 13.11
  Severability     53  
Section 13.12
  Effect of Headings     53  
Section 13.13
  Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts     53  
 
           
ARTICLE XIV
GUARANTEE
 
           
Section 14.01
  Unconditional Guarantee     53  
Section 14.02
  Execution and Delivery of Guarantee     55  
Section 14.03
  Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantors’ Liability     55  
Section 14.04
  Release of Subsidiary Guarantors from Guarantee     56  
Section 14.05
  Subsidiary Guarantor Contribution     56  
     
Annex A
  Notation of Guarantee

v


 

     THIS INDENTURE dated as of                                          is among Copano Energy, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), Copano Energy Finance Corporation, a Delaware Corporation (“Finance Corp.,” and together with the Company, the “Issuers”), any Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined herein) party hereto, and [                                        ], a                     , as trustee (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS OF THE ISSUERS AND ANY SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
     The Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Issuers’ debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount (herein called the “Debt Securities”), which Debt Securities may be guaranteed by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors, as in this Indenture provided.
     All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
     NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH
     That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities are authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises, and of the purchase and acceptance of the Debt Securities by the Holders thereof, the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee covenant and agree with each other, for the benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Debt Securities or any series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
     Section 1.01 Definitions.
     “Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. The Trustee may request and may conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate to determine whether any Person is an Affiliate of any specified Person.
     “Agent” means any Registrar or paying agent.
     “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
     “Board of Directors” means (i) with respect to the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company or any authorized committee of the Board of Directors of the Company or any directors and/or officers of the Company to whom such Board of Directors or such committee shall have duly delegated its authority to act hereunder and (ii) with respect to Finance Corp., the

1


 

Board of Directors of Finance Corp. or any authorized committee of the Board of Directors of Finance Corp. or any directors and/or officers of Finance Corp. to whom such Board of Directors or such committee shall have duly delegated its authority to act hereunder. If the Company shall change its form of entity to other than a limited liability company, the references to the Board of Directors of the Company shall mean the Board of Directors (or other comparable governing body) of the Company.
     “Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.
     “capital stock” of any Person means and includes any and all shares, rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) the equity (which includes, but is not limited to, common stock, preferred stock and partnership and joint venture interests) of such Person (excluding any debt securities that are convertible into, or exchangeable for, such equity).
     “Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
     “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
     “Debt” of any Person at any date means any obligation created or assumed by such Person for the repayment of borrowed money and any guarantee thereof.
     “Debt Security” or “Debt Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any debt security or debt securities, as the case may be, of any series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
     “Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
     “Depositary” means, unless otherwise specified by the Issuers pursuant to either Section 2.03 or 2.15, with respect to Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulations.
     “Dollar” or “$” means such currency of the United States as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.
     “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.
     “Finance Corp.” means the Person named as “Finance Corp.” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Finance Corp.” shall mean such successor Person.

2


 

     “Floating Rate Security” means a Debt Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 2.03.
     “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time.
     “Global Security” means with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued hereunder, a Debt Security which is executed by the Issuers and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and any Indentures supplemental hereto, or resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is due and interest rate or method of determining interest.
     “guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (b) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however, that the term “guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
     “Holder,” “Holder of Debt Securities” or other similar terms means, a Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered in the Debt Security Register (as defined in Section 2.07(a)).
     “Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed, or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented and shall include the form and terms of particular series of Debt Securities as contemplated hereunder, whether or not a supplemental Indenture is entered into with respect thereto.
     “Issuer Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of each of the Issuers by one of its Officers and delivered to the Trustee.
     “Issuers” means the Company and Finance Corp.
     “Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of Houston, Texas, City of New York, New York or at a Place of Payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

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     “Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, security interest, pledge, charge or other encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law.
     “Officer” means, with respect to a Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of such Person (or, if such Person is a limited partnership, the general partner of such Person).
     “Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate that is signed on behalf of each Issuer by any two of its Officers, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of such Issuer, and that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof.
     “Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.
     “Original Issue Discount Debt Security” means any Debt 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 6.01.
     “Outstanding,” when used with respect to any series of Debt Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Debt Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
     (a) Debt Securities of that series theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
     (b) Debt Securities of that series 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 Debt Securities; provided, that, if such Debt 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) Debt Securities of that series which have been paid pursuant to Section 2.09 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Debt Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Debt Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Issuers;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Debt Securities owned by either of the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other

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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 Debt Securities which a Trust Officer actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned 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 so to act with respect to such Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not an Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or an Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01.
     “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.
     “Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
     “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
     “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute.
     “Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).
     “Subsidiary” of any Person means (1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of equity interests entitled, without regard to the occurrence of any contingency, to vote in the election of directors, managers, trustees or equivalent Persons thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or combination thereof; and (2) in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the partners’ equity interests, considering all partners’ equity interests as a single class, is at such time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or combination thereof.
     “Subsidiary Guarantors” means any Subsidiary of the Company (except Finance Corp.) who may execute this Indenture, or a supplement hereto, for the purpose of providing a Guarantee of Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture until a successor Person shall have

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become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Subsidiary Guarantors” shall mean such successor Person.
     “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date of this Indenture as originally executed and, to the extent required by law, as amended.
     “Trustee” initially means [                                        ] and any other Person or Persons appointed as such from time to time pursuant to Section 7.08, and, subject to the provisions of Article VII, includes its or their successors and assigns. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.
     “Trust Officer” means any officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.
     “United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.
     “U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of the United States of America, obligations on which the payment of principal and interest is fully guaranteed by the United States of America or obligations or guarantees for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.
     “Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, calculated at the time of issuance of a series of Debt Securities, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series and calculated in accordance with accepted financial practice.
     Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
         
Term   Defined in Section
“Debt Security Register”
    2.07  
“Defaulted Interest”
    2.17  
“Event of Default”
    6.01  
“Funding Guarantor”
    14.05  
“Guarantee”
    14.01  
“Place of Payment”
    2.03  
“Registrar”
    2.07  
“Successor Company”
    10.01  
     Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.
     All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

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     Section 1.04 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:
     (a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
     (b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
     (c) “or” is not exclusive;
     (d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
     (e) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and
     (f) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.
ARTICLE II
DEBT SECURITIES
     Section 2.01 Forms Generally. The Debt Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form established without the approval of any Holder by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer 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 the Issuers may deem appropriate (and, if not contained in a supplemental Indenture entered into in accordance with Article IX, as are not prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture) or as may be required or appropriate to comply with any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with any rules of any securities exchange on which such series of Debt Securities may be listed, or to conform to general usage, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities as evidenced by their execution of the Debt Securities.
     The definitive Debt Securities of each series 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 Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities.
     Section 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debt Securities authenticated by the Trustee shall be in substantially the following form:

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TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
     This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
[                                        ],
As Trustee
         
     
  By:      
    Authorized Signatory   
       
     Section 2.03 Principal Amount; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities which may be issued, executed, authenticated, delivered and outstanding under this Indenture is unlimited.
     The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series in fully registered form. There shall be established, without the approval of any Holders, in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more Indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Debt Securities of any series any or all of the following:
     (a) the title of the Debt Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Debt Securities of the series from all other Debt Securities);
     (b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to this Article II);
     (c) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of the series are payable;
     (d) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Debt Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable, or the method by which such date will be determined, the record dates for the determination of Holders thereof to whom such interest is payable; and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve thirty-day months;
     (e) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the corporate trust office of the Trustee, where the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of the series shall be payable (“Place of Payment”);
     (f) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuers or otherwise;

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     (g) whether Debt Securities of the series are entitled to the benefits of any Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to this Indenture;
     (h) the obligation, if any, of the Issuers to redeem, purchase or repay Debt Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;
     (i) the terms, if any, upon which the Debt Securities of the series may be convertible into or exchanged for capital stock (which may be represented by depositary shares), other Debt Securities or warrants for capital stock or Debt or other securities of any kind of either of the Issuers or any other obligor and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange shall be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those described herein;
     (j) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Debt Securities of the series shall be issuable;
     (k) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;
     (l) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of Debt Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such Stated Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);
     (m) any changes or additions to Article XI, including the addition of additional covenants that may be subject to the covenant defeasance option pursuant to Section 11.02(b);
     (n) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 6.02;
     (o) the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the Debt Securities of the series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral, including whether certain provisions of the TIA are applicable and any corresponding changes to provisions of this Indenture as currently in effect;
     (p) any addition to or change in the Events of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal of, and premium and interest on, such Debt Securities due and payable;

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     (q) if the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Debt Securities in definitive registered form; and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security or Securities in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in Section 2.15(a);
     (r) any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars;
     (s) the applicability of, and any addition to or change in the covenants and definitions currently set forth in this Indenture or in the terms currently set forth in Article X, including conditioning any merger, conveyance, transfer or lease permitted by Article X upon the satisfaction of any Debt coverage standard by the Issuers and Successor Company (as defined in Article X);
     (t) with regard to Debt Securities of the series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the Trustee; and
     (u) any other terms of the Debt Securities of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).
     All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors and as set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such Indenture supplemental hereto.
     Section 2.04 Execution of Debt Securities. The Debt Securities shall be signed on behalf of each of the Issuers by at least one of its Officers. Such signatures upon the Debt Securities may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officers and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities. The seal of the Company, if any, may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities.
     Only such Debt Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, signed manually by the Trustee, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Debt Security executed on behalf of each of the Issuers by at least one of its Officers shall be conclusive evidence that the Debt Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.
     In case any Officer of either Issuer who shall have signed any of the Debt Securities shall cease to be such Officer before the Debt Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Issuers, such Debt Securities nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debt Securities had not ceased to be such Officer; and any Debt Security may be signed on behalf of either Issuer by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debt Security, shall be the proper Officers of such Issuer, although at the date of such Debt Security or of the execution of this Indenture any such Person was not such Officer.

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     Section 2.05 Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuers may deliver to the Trustee for authentication Debt Securities of any series executed by the Issuers, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Debt Securities to or upon an Issuer Order. In authenticating such Debt Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debt Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:
     (a) a copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors of each Issuer, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each of the Company and Finance Corp., authorizing the terms of issuance of any series of Debt Securities;
     (b) an executed supplemental Indenture, if any;
     (c) an Officers’ Certificate; and
     (d) an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 13.05 which shall also state:
          (i) that the form of such Debt Securities has been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer or by a supplemental Indenture as permitted by Section 2.01 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
          (ii) that the terms of such Debt Securities have been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer or by a supplemental Indenture as permitted by Section 2.03 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
          (iii) that such Debt Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuers in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable in accordance with their terms except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and rights of acceleration and the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability;
          (iv) that the Issuers have the power to issue such Debt Securities and has duly taken all necessary action with respect to such issuance;
          (v) that the issuance of such Debt Securities will not contravene the organizational documents of the Issuers or result in any material violation of any of the terms or provisions of any law or regulation or of any material indenture, mortgage or other agreement known to such counsel by which the Issuers are bound;
          (vi) that authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities and the execution and delivery of any supplemental Indenture will not violate the terms of this Indenture; and
          (vii) such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.

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     Such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States.
     The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debt Securities under this Section 2.05 if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors, trustees or Officers (or any combination thereof) shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.
     The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate Debt Securities of any series. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Debt Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, paying agent or agent for service of notices and demands.
     Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
     Section 2.06 Denomination of Debt Securities. Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, the Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable only as fully registered Debt Securities in such Dollar denominations as shall be specified or contemplated by Section 2.03. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Debt Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
     Section 2.07 Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
     (a) The Issuers shall keep or cause to be kept a register for each series of Debt Securities issued hereunder (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Debt Security Register”), in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuers shall provide for the registration of all Debt Securities and the transfer of Debt Securities as in this Article II provided. At all reasonable times the Debt Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. Subject to Section 2.15, upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security at any office or agency to be maintained by the Issuers in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount. In no event may Debt Securities be issued as, or exchanged for, bearer securities.
     Unless and until otherwise determined by the Issuers by resolutions of each Issuer’s Board of Directors, the Debt Security Register shall be kept at the corporate trust office of the Trustee indicated in Section 13.03 and, for this purpose, the Trustee shall be designated “Registrar.”
     Debt Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of the same series of

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other authorized denominations. Subject to Section 2.15, Debt Securities to be exchanged shall be surrendered at the office or agency to be maintained by the Issuers as provided in Section 4.02, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Debt Security or Debt Securities which the Holder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive.
     (b) All Debt Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Issuers, the Trustee or the Registrar) be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Issuers, the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
     All Debt Securities issued in exchange for or upon transfer of Debt Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuers, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Debt Securities surrendered for such exchange or transfer.
     No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debt Securities (except as provided by Section 2.09), but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto, other than those expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Issuers’ own expense or without expense or without charge to the Holders.
     The Issuers shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities for a period of 15 days next preceding any mailing of notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities selected, called or being called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Security to be redeemed in part.
     Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Debt Security for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Debt Security is overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
     None of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any agent of the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar 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 2.08 Temporary Debt Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, the Issuers may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Debt Securities (printed, lithographed, photocopied, typewritten or otherwise produced) of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debt

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Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debt Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuers with the concurrence of the Trustee. Temporary Debt Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Debt Security shall be executed by the Issuers and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Debt Securities.
     If temporary Debt Securities of any series are issued, the Issuers will cause definitive Debt Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of such series, the temporary Debt Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Debt Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Issuers at a Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder thereof, except as provided in Section 2.07 in connection with a transfer. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Debt Securities of any series, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, temporary Debt Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities of such series.
     Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the individual Debt Securities represented thereby pursuant to Section 2.07 or this Section 2.08, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Trustee to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount to be exchanged and endorsed.
     Section 2.09 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities. If (a) any mutilated Debt Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its corporate trust office or (b) the Issuers and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Debt Security, and there is delivered to the Issuers and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any paying agent harmless, and neither the Issuers nor the Trustee receives notice that such Debt Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, then the Issuers shall execute and, upon an Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, a new Debt Security of the same series of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debt Security, the Issuers or the Trustee may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debt Security which has matured or is about to mature or which has been called for redemption shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuers may, instead of issuing a substituted Debt Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debt Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish the Issuers and the Trustee with such security or indemnity as either may require to save it harmless from all risk, however remote, and, in case of

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destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Issuers and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debt Security and of the ownership thereof.
     Every substituted Debt Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.09 by virtue of the fact that any Debt Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuers, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt Securities of that series duly issued hereunder. All Debt Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
     Section 2.10 Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities. All Debt Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to an Issuer or any paying agent or a Registrar, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation by it, or if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be canceled by it, and no Debt Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee shall be destroyed (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) and certification of their destruction delivered to the Issuers, unless otherwise directed. On request of the Issuers, the Trustee shall deliver to the Issuers canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee. If either of the Issuers shall acquire any of the Debt Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Debt represented thereby unless and until the same are delivered or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Issuers may not issue new Debt Securities to replace Debt Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
     Section 2.11 Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, the Holders or any Registrar or paying agent, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all its covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto, the Holders and any Registrar and paying agents.
     Section 2.12 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
     (a) Interest on any Debt 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 such Debt Security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest notwithstanding the cancellation of such Debt Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the regular record date. Payment of interest on Debt Securities shall be made at the corporate trust office of the Trustee specified in Section 13.03 (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03), or at the option of the Issuers, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Debt Security Register or, subject to

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arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, at the option of the Holder by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.
     (b) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and Section 2.17, each Debt Security of a particular series delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debt Security of the same series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Debt Security.
     Section 2.13 Securities Denominated in Dollars. Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of any series, payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of such series will be made in Dollars.
     Section 2.14 Wire Transfers. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this Indenture, the Issuers may make any payment of moneys required to be deposited with the Trustee on account of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities (whether pursuant to optional or mandatory redemption payments, interest payments or otherwise) by wire transfer in immediately available funds to an account designated by the Trustee before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date such moneys are to be paid to the Holders of the Debt Securities in accordance with the terms hereof.
     Section 2.15 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.
     (a) If the Issuers shall establish pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 that the Debt Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee or its agent shall, in accordance with Section 2.05, authenticate and deliver, such Global Security or Securities, which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, or such portion thereof as the Issuers shall specify in an Officers’ Certificate, shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, shall be delivered by the Trustee or its agent to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:
“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN. TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC

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OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREIN.”
or such other legend as may then be required by the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.
     (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.15 or of Section 2.07 to the contrary, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Debt Securities in registered form, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.07, only by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Issuers, or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.
     (c) (i) If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or if at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Issuers shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Global Security or Securities is not appointed by the Issuers within 90 days after the Issuers receive such notice or become aware of such ineligibility, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of such individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver, individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.
          (ii) If an Event of Default occurs and the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Trustee of its decision to require that the Debt Securities of any series or portion thereof issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities, the Issuers shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. In such event the Issuers will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such series or portion thereof in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.
          (iii) If specified by the Issuers pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 with respect to Debt Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for

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individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuers, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Debt Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the Global Security; and to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities delivered to Holders thereof.
          (iv) In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Issuers will execute and the Trustee or its agent will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities. Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for individual Debt Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee or its agent. Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, Debt Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or the Registrar. The Trustee or the Registrar shall deliver such Debt Securities to the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities are so registered.
          (v) Payments in respect of the principal of and interest on any Debt Securities registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be payable to the Depositary or such nominee in its capacity as the registered owner of such Global Security. The Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name the Debt Securities, including the Global Security, are registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. None of the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any Registrar, the paying agent or any agent of the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security by the Depositary or its nominee or any of the Depositary’s direct or indirect participants, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants relating to the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security, the payments to the beneficial owners of the Global Security of amounts paid to the Depositary or its nominee, or any other matter relating to the actions and practices of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants. None of the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee or any such agent will be liable for any delay by the Depositary, its nominee, or any of its direct or indirect participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Debt Securities, and the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the Depositary or its nominee for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Debt Securities to be issued).
     Section 2.16 Medium Term Securities. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, if all Debt Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be

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necessary for each of the Issuers to deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, resolutions of each Issuer’s Board of Directors, supplemental Indenture, Opinion of Counsel or written order or any other document otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01, 2.03, 2.05 or 13.05 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Debt Security of such series if such documents are delivered to the Trustee or its agent at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first such Debt Security of such series to be issued; provided, that any subsequent request by the Issuers to the Trustee to authenticate Debt Securities of such series upon original issuance shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Issuers that, as of the date of such request, the statements made in the Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.05 or 13.05 shall be true and correct as if made on such date and that the Opinion of Counsel delivered at or prior to such time of authentication of an original issuance of Debt Securities shall specifically state that it shall relate to all subsequent issuances of Debt Securities of such series that are identical to the Debt Securities issued in the first issuance of Debt Securities of such series.
     An Issuer Order delivered by the Issuers to the Trustee in the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph, may provide that Debt Securities which are the subject thereof will be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or its agent on original issue from time to time upon the telephonic or written order of Persons designated in such written order (any such telephonic instructions to be promptly confirmed in writing by such Person) and that such Persons are authorized to determine, consistent with the Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Indenture or resolution of the Board of Directors relating to such written order, such terms and conditions of such Debt Securities as are specified in such Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Indenture or such resolution.
     Section 2.17 Defaulted Interest. Any interest on any Debt Security of a particular series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on the dates and in the manner provided in the Debt Securities of such series and in this Indenture (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant 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 Debt Securities of such series 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 such Debt 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 pre-paid, to each Holder thereof at its

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address as it appears in the Debt 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 Debt Securities of such series are registered at the close of business on such special record date.
     (b) The Issuers may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Debt Securities of such series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Debt Securities of such series 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.
     Section 2.18 CUSIP Numbers. The Issuers in issuing the Debt Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Debt 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 Debt Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
     Section 3.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Debt Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such series.
     Section 3.02 Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities. In case the Issuers shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Debt Securities of any series in accordance with their terms, by resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer or a supplemental Indenture, the Issuers shall fix a date for redemption and shall give notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series so to be redeemed as a whole or in part, in the manner provided in Section 13.03. The notice if given in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Debt Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debt Security of such series.
     Each such notice of redemption shall specify (i) the date fixed for redemption, (ii) the redemption price at which Debt Securities of such series are to be redeemed (or the method of calculating such redemption price), (iii) the Place or Places of Payment that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities, (iv) that any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, (v) that the redemption is for a sinking fund payment (if applicable), (vi) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, if

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the Issuers default in making such redemption payment, the paying agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, (vii) that on and after said date any interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue, (viii) that in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities original issue discount accrued after the date fixed for redemption will cease to accrue, (ix) the terms of the Debt Securities of that series pursuant to which the Debt Securities of that series are being redeemed and (x) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed the notice of redemption shall specify the certificate numbers of any Debt Securities of that series to be redeemed that are not in global form. In case any Debt Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debt Security, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of that series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof, will be issued.
     At least five days before the giving of any notice of redemption, unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period, the Issuers shall give written notice to the Trustee of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Debt Securities to be redeemed and the series and terms of the Debt Securities pursuant to which such redemption will occur. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Issuers to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein, and such notice may be revoked at any time prior to the giving of a notice of redemption to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.02. If fewer than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the record date relating to such redemption shall be selected by the Issuers and given in writing to the Trustee, which record date shall be not less than three days after the date of notice to the Trustee.
     By 11 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date for any Debt Securities, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with a paying agent (or, if an Issuer is acting as its own paying agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money in Dollars (except as provided pursuant to Section 2.03) sufficient to pay the redemption price of such Debt Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date, together with any interest accrued to the Redemption Date.
     If less than all the Debt Securities of like tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed (other than pursuant to mandatory sinking fund redemptions), the Trustee shall select, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debt Securities of that series or portions thereof (in multiples of $1,000) to be redeemed. In any case where more than one Debt Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Debt Security of such series. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Debt Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Debt Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If any Debt Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof on such Redemption Date, the principal, premium, if any, and interest shall bear interest until paid from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of unlike tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed, the particular Debt Securities

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to be redeemed shall be selected by the Issuers. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Debt Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Debt Securities called for redemption.
     Section 3.03 Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 3.02, the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of the series with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and payable on the date and at the Place or Places of Payment stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuers shall default in the payment of such Debt Securities at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to said date) any interest on the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of any series so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and any original issue discount in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities at the Place or Places of Payment in said notice specified, the said Debt Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuers at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption.
     Any Debt Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Place of Payment with, if the Issuers, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuers, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Debt Security without service charge, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, 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 Debt Security so surrendered; except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered. In the case of a Debt Security providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder thereof, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Debt Security or Debt Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Debt Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.
     Section 3.04 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental Indenture 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 Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental Indenture is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.”
     In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of a series in cash, the Issuers may at their option (a) deliver to the Trustee Debt Securities of that series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Issuers or (b) receive credit for the principal amount of Debt Securities of that series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Issuers pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of

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such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture; provided, that such Debt Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Debt Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.
     Section 3.05 Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Debt Securities, the Issuers will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, any resolution or supplemental Indenture, 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 Debt Securities of that series pursuant to this Section 3.05 (which Debt Securities, if not previously redeemed, will accompany such certificate) and whether the Issuers intend to exercise its right to make any permitted optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series. Such certificate shall also state that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series. Such certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its delivery the Issuers shall be obligated to make the cash payment or payments therein referred to, if any, by 11 a.m., New York City time, on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Issuers to deliver such certificate (or to deliver the Debt Securities specified in this paragraph) shall not constitute a Default, but such failure shall require that the sinking fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date for that series shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Debt Securities subject to a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or credit Debt Securities as provided in this Section 3.05 and without the right to make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to such series.
     Any sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional) made in cash plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash which shall equal or exceed $100,000 (or a lesser sum if the Issuers shall so request) with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date on which such payment is made (or, if such payment is made before a sinking fund payment date, on the sinking fund payment date following the date of such payment) to the redemption of such Debt Securities at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture for operation of the sinking fund together with any accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied or allocated by the Trustee to the redemption of Debt Securities shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment received by the Trustee for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.05. Any and all sinking fund moneys with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Debt Securities of such series and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Debt Securities shall be applied by the Trustee, together with other moneys, if necessary, to be deposited sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of the Debt Securities of that series at its Stated Maturity.
     The Trustee shall select the Debt Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in the last paragraph of Section 3.02 and the Issuers shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the manner provided in Section 3.02 except

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that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Debt Securities are being redeemed by operation of the sinking fund. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Debt Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.03.
     The Trustee shall not redeem any Debt Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of such Debt Securities by operation of the sinking fund for such series during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on such Debt Securities or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) with respect to such Debt Securities, except that if the notice of redemption of any such Debt Securities shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Debt Securities if cash sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Article III. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such Default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into such sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of such Debt Securities; provided, however, that in case such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date for such Debt Securities on which such moneys may be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.05.
ARTICLE IV
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE ISSUERS
     Section 4.01 Payment of Principal of, and Premium, if Any, and Interest on, Debt Securities. The Issuers, for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities, will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, each of the Debt Securities at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein or in the Debt Securities. Each installment of interest on any Debt Securities not in global form may at the Issuers’ option be paid by mailing checks for such interest payable to the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 2.07(a) to the address of such Person as it appears on the Debt Security Register.
     Principal of and premium and interest on Debt Securities of any series shall be considered paid on the date due if, by 11 a.m., New York City time, on such date the Trustee or any paying agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal, premium and interest then due. The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal or premium, if any, at the rate specified therefor in the Debt Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
     Section 4.02 Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities. The Issuers will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment, and it shall also maintain (in or outside such Place of Payment) an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be surrendered for transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Debt Securities of such 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

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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 indicated in Section 13.03, and the Issuers hereby appoint the Trustee as their agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
     The Issuers may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies to be maintained for such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment), and may from time to time rescind any such designation; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuers of their obligations described in the preceding paragraph. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency.
     Section 4.03 Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee. The Issuers, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.08, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder with respect to each series of Debt Securities.
     Section 4.04 Duties of Paying Agents, etc.
     (a) The Issuers shall cause each paying agent, if any, other than the Trustee, to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04,
          (i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuers or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series;
          (ii) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuers (or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable; and
          (iii) that it will at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held by it as such agent.
     (b) If either of the Issuers shall act as its own paying agent, it will, by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due. The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by either of the Issuers to take such action or the failure by any other obligor on such Debt Securities to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, such Debt Securities when the same shall be due and payable.

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     (c) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, either of the Issuers may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by it or any paying agent, as required by this Section 4.04, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by such Issuer or such paying agent.
     (d) Whenever the Issuers shall have one or more paying agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities, they will, prior to each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Securities of such series, deposit with any such paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless any such paying agent is the Trustee) the Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
     (e) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.04 is subject to the provisions of Section 11.05.
     Section 4.05 SEC Reports; Financial Statements.
     (a) The Company shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, file with the Trustee, within 30 days after it files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If the Company is not subject to the requirements of such Section 13 or 15(d), the Company shall file with the Trustee, within 30 days after it would have been required to file the same with the SEC, financial statements, including any notes thereto (and with respect to annual reports, an auditors’ report by a firm of established national reputation), and a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” both comparable to that which the Company would have been required to include in such annual reports, information, documents or other reports if the Company had been subject to the requirements of such Section 13 or 15(d). The Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors shall also comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a).
     (b) The Company shall provide the Trustee with a sufficient number of copies of all reports and other documents and information that the Trustee may be required to deliver to Holders under this Section.
     (c) The Company shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days of any Officer of the Company becoming aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
     Section 4.06 Compliance Certificate.
     (a) Each of the Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantor shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the

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supervision of the Officers signing the certificate with a view to determining whether each of the Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantor has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his knowledge each of the Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantor has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof, without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice required by this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which such Officer may have knowledge and what action the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).
     (b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee within 30 days after the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default under this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default, the status thereof and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
     Section 4.07 Further Instruments and Acts. Each Issuer will, upon request of the Trustee, execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may reasonably be necessary or proper to carry out more effectually the purposes of this Indenture.
     Section 4.08 Existence. Except as permitted by Article X hereof, each Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence.
     Section 4.09 Maintenance of Properties. The Company shall cause all properties owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or used or held for use in the conduct of its business or the business of any such Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order (reasonable wear and tear excepted) and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business or the business of any such Subsidiary and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
     Section 4.10 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company shall pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (b) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon the property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
     Section 4.11 Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors may, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply

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with any covenant set forth in this Article IV (except Sections 4.01 through 4.08) or made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.03, if, before or after the time for such compliance, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected, waive such compliance in such instance with such covenant, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant shall remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE V
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE
     Section 5.01 Issuers to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information. The Issuers covenant and agree that they will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of each series:
     (a) not more than 10 days after each record date with respect to the payment of interest, if any, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such 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 contents as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that so long as the Trustee shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.
     The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders (i) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.01 or (ii) received by it in the capacity of paying agent or Registrar (if so acting) hereunder.
     The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
     Section 5.02 Communications to Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Debt Securities. The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.
     Section 5.03 Reports by Trustee. Within 60 days after each January 31, beginning with the first January 31 following the date of this Indenture, and in any event on or before April 1 in each year, the Trustee shall mail to Holders a brief report dated as of such January 31 that complies with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b).

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     Reports pursuant to this Section 5.03 shall be transmitted by mail:
     (a) to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear in the Debt Security Register; and
     (b) except in the cases of reports under Section 313(b)(2) of the TIA, to each Holder of a Debt Security of any series whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 5.01.
     A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Debt Securities of any series are listed. The Issuers agree to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Debt Securities of any series become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.
     Section 5.04 Record Dates for Action by Holders. If the Issuers shall solicit from the Holders of Debt Securities of any series any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the Issuers may, at their option, by resolution of their respective Boards of Directors, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Debt Securities entitled to take such action, but the Issuers shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Issuers’ discretion. If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Debt Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Debt Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Debt Securities of such series Outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Debt Securities of such series Outstanding shall be computed as of such record date.
ARTICLE VI
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS
IN EVENT OF DEFAULT
     Section 6.01 Events of Default. If any one or more of the following shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to Debt Securities of any series (each of the following, an “Event of Default”):
     (a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become 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 Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, by declaration, upon required repurchase or otherwise; or
     (c) default in the payment of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable; or
     (d) failure on the part of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary

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Guarantors, duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Issuers, or if applicable, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, in the Debt Securities of that series, in any resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing the issuance of that series of Debt Securities, in this Indenture with respect to such series or in any supplemental Indenture with respect to such series (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), continuing for a period of 60 days after the date on which written notice specifying such failure and requiring the Issuers, or if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, to remedy the same shall have been given to the Issuers, or if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, by the Trustee or to the Issuers, or if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding; or
     (e) either of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law,
          (i) commences a voluntary case,
          (ii) consents to the entry of an 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;
     (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 if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, as debtor in an involuntary case,
          (ii) appoints a Custodian of either of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of either of the Issuers, or if applicable, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, or
          (iii) orders the liquidation of either of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors,
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;
     (g) if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, the Guarantee of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors ceases to be in full force and effect with respect to Debt Securities of that series (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture) or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or such Guarantee; or

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     (h) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Debt Securities of that series;
then and in each and every case that an Event of Default described in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (g), or (h) with respect to Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, unless the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Issuers (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities of that series contained to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default described in clause (e) or (f) occurs with respect to either of the Issuers, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities shall have become due and payable, the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities then Outstanding hereunder shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities contained to the contrary notwithstanding.
     The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction already rendered and if all existing Events of Default with respect to that series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal, premium, if any, or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. Upon any such rescission, the parties hereto shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the parties hereto shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.
     Section 6.02 Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid or enforce the performance of any provision of the Debt Securities of the affected series or this Indenture, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series (and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable).
     In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series under any Bankruptcy Law, or in case a Custodian shall have been appointed for its

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property, or in case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series, its creditors or its property, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of Debt Securities of any series 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 pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest (or, if the Debt Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, 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 reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith) and of the Holders thereof allowed in any such judicial proceedings relative to any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers, or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, its creditors or its property, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of such Holders and of the Trustee on their behalf, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of such Holders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to such Holders, to pay to the Trustee such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other reasonable expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith.
     All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities of any series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any such Debt Securities, or the production thereof in any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment (except for any amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06) shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of all the Debt Securities in respect of which such action was taken.
     In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
     Section 6.03 Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys or other property collected by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.02 with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be applied, in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or other property, upon presentation of the several Debt Securities of such series in respect of which moneys or other property have been collected, and the notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

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     FIRST: To the payment of all money due the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06;
     SECOND: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall not have become due, to the payment of interest on the Debt Securities of such series in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;
     THIRD: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series; and, in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest, without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Debt Security of such series over any Debt Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and interest; and
     FOURTH: The remainder, if any, shall be paid to the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers, as applicable, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
     The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.03. At least 15 days before such record date, the Issuers shall mail to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.
     Section 6.04 Limitation on Suits by Holders. No Holder of any Debt Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, upon or under or with respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of that same series and of the continuance thereof and unless the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity or security as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee, for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity or security shall have failed to institute any such action or proceedings and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06; it being

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understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Debt Security with every other Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any Holders, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all such Holders. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section 6.04, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
     Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, however, the right of any Holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
     Section 6.05 Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default. All powers and remedies given by this Article VI to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid, shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04, every power and remedy given by this Article VI or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.
     Section 6.06 Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or of exercising any right, trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture, and that subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel shall determine that the action so directed may not lawfully be taken or is inconsistent with any provision of this Indenture, or if the Trustee shall by a responsible officer or officers determine that the action so directed would involve it in personal liability or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders of Debt Securities of such series not taking part in such direction; and provided, further, however, that nothing in this Indenture contained shall impair the right of the Trustee to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by such Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of that series waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences for that series, except a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities and a Default or Event of Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without

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the consent of each Holder affected thereby. In case of any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, and the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities of that series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
     Section 6.07 Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, or if later, within 30 days after the Trustee obtains actual knowledge of the Event of Default, with respect to a series of Debt Securities give to the Holders thereof, in the manner provided in Section 13.03, notice of all Events of Default with respect to such series known to the Trustee, unless such Events of Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided, that, except in the case of an Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities of such series or in the making of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders thereof.
     Section 6.08 Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits Under the Indenture or Against the Trustee. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Debt Security by his 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 or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit in the manner and to the extent provided in the TIA, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, 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 6.08 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 25 percent in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that 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 Debt Security on or after the due date for such payment expressed in such Debt Security.
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
     Section 7.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), 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.

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     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, its own bad faith or its own willful misconduct, except that:
     (a) this paragraph shall not be construed to limit the effect of the first paragraph of this Section 7.01;
     (b) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:
          (i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to such series as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to such series shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;
          (ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any 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 or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture; but the Trustee shall examine the evidence furnished to it pursuant to Sections 4.05 and 4.06 to determine whether or not such evidence conforms to the requirement of this Indenture;
          (iii) the Trustee shall not be liable for an 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; and
          (iv) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Debt Securities of any series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series 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 Debt Securities of such series.
     None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
     Whether or not 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.

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     Section 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:
     (a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
     (b) any request, direction, order or demand of either of the Issuers mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Order (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors of an Issuer may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary;
     (c) 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 in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;
     (d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;
     (e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
     (f) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default which may have occurred, 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, approval or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Debt Securities of a series affected by such matter; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is not, in the opinion of the Trustee, reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding, and the reasonable expense of every such investigation shall be paid by the Issuers or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Issuers upon demand;
     (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 by it with due care hereunder; and
     (h) if any property other than cash shall at any time be subject to a Lien in favor of the Holders, the Trustee, if and to the extent authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of

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competent jurisdiction or by the supplemental instrument subjecting such property to such Lien, shall be entitled to make advances for the purpose of preserving such property or of discharging tax Liens or other prior Liens or encumbrances thereon.
     Section 7.03 Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities. The recitals contained herein, in the Debt Securities (except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Issuers, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities of any series, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Debt Securities and perform its obligations hereunder, and that the statements made by it or to be made by it in a Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 supplied to the Issuers are true and accurate. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuers of any of the Debt Securities or of the proceeds thereof.
     Section 7.04 Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities. The Trustee or any paying agent or Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and subject to the provisions of the TIA relating to conflicts of interest and preferential claims may otherwise deal with the Issuers with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or Registrar.
     Section 7.05 Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.05, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but 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 moneys received by it hereunder. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time to the Issuers upon an Issuer Order.
     Section 7.06 Compensation and Reimbursement. The Issuers covenant and agree to pay in Dollars to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Issuers will pay or reimburse in Dollars the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents, attorneys and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), including without limitation, Section 6.02, except any such expense, disbursement or advances as may arise from its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Issuers also covenant to indemnify in Dollars the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligations of the Issuers under this Section 7.06 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional Debt hereunder and shall survive the

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satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. The Issuers and the Holders agree that such additional Debt shall be secured by a Lien prior to that of the Debt Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee, as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, particular Debt Securities.
     When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
     Section 7.07 Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officers’ Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
     Section 7.08 Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee. The Issuers may, but need not, appoint a separate Trustee for any one or more series of Debt Securities. The Trustee may resign with respect to one or more or all series of Debt Securities at any time by giving notice to the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series may remove the Trustee for such series and only such series by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Issuers shall remove the Trustee if:
     (a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
     (b) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
     (c) a Custodian takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
     (d) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
     If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Issuers or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 7.08.
     A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of Debt Securities of each applicable series. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer

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all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.06.
     If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee gives notice of resignation or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.
     If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.
     Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers’ obligations under Section 7.06 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
     In the case of the appointment hereunder of a separate or successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, the Issuers, any retiring Trustee and each successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an Indenture supplemental hereto (i) which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of any retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series as to which any such retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in such retiring Trustee and (ii) that 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 separate, retiring or successor 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.
     Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
     In case at the time such successor or successors to the Trustee by merger, conversion, consolidation or transfer shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
     Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of

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condition. No obligor upon the Debt Securities of a particular series or Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such obligor shall serve as Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA this Indenture or any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Issuers are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.
     Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated therein.
     Section 7.12 Compliance with Tax Laws. The Trustee hereby agrees to comply with all U.S. Federal income tax information reporting and withholding requirements applicable to it with respect to payments of premium (if any) and interest on the Debt Securities, whether acting as Trustee, Registrar, paying agent or otherwise with respect to the Debt Securities.
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS
     Section 8.01 Evidence of Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any or all series may take action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in Person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.02, (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders or (d) in the case of Debt Securities evidenced by a Global Security, by any electronic transmission or other message, whether or not in written format, that complies with the Depositary’s applicable procedures.
     Section 8.02 Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01, 7.02 and 13.09, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debt Securities of any series shall be proved by the Debt Security Register or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 8.02 as it shall deem necessary.
     Section 8.03 Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Debt Security shall be registered upon the books of the Issuers as the absolute

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owner of such Debt Security (whether or not such Debt Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on such Debt Security and for all other purposes, and none of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; and all such payments so made to any such Holder for the time being, or upon his order, shall be valid and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debt Security.
     None of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
     Section 8.04 Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action and subject to the following paragraph, any Holder of a Debt Security which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debt Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its corporate trust office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debt Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Debt Security and of any Debt Security issued upon transfer thereof or in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debt Security or such other Debt Securities. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Debt Securities of such series.
     The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Debt Securities entitled to give their consent or take any other action required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders of Debt Securities at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders of Debt Securities after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series specified in this Indenture shall have been received within such 120-day period.

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ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
     Section 9.01 Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders. The Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time, without the consent of Holders, enter into an Indenture or Indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for one or more of the following purposes:
     (a) to evidence the succession pursuant to Article X of another Person to either of the Issuers, or successive successions, and the assumption by the Successor Company (as defined in Section 10.01) of the covenants, agreements and obligations of its predecessor Issuer in this Indenture and in the Debt Securities;
     (b) to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, to add to the covenants of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities (and if such covenants 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) as the Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of such Debt Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a Default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such 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 Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any or all series of Debt Securities to waive such Default;
     (c) to cure any ambiguity or omission or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein, in any supplemental Indenture or in any Debt Securities of any series that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein, in any supplemental Indenture or in the Debt Securities of such series; to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holders of Debt Securities of any series;
     (d) to permit or maintain the qualification of this Indenture or any Indenture supplemental hereto under the TIA as then in effect, except that nothing herein contained shall permit or authorize the inclusion in any Indenture supplemental hereto of the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the TIA;
     (e) to permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities of any series in uncertificated form;
     (f) to reflect the release of any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Article XIV;

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     (g) to add Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to any or all of the Debt Securities or to secure any or all of the Debt Securities or the Guarantee;
     (h) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights hereunder of any Holder;
     (i) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Debt Securities; provided, however, that any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under this Section 9.01 shall neither apply to any Debt Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental Indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the Holder of any such Debt Security with respect to such provision or shall become effective only when there is no such Debt Security Outstanding;
     (j) to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt 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; and
     (k) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.03.
     The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of any such supplemental Indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental Indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
     Any supplemental Indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.01 may be executed by the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02.
     Section 9.02 Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities. Without notice to any Holder but with the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.01) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such supplemental Indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for any such series of Debt Securities), the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an Indenture or Indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series; provided, that no such supplemental Indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Debt Security so affected, shall: reduce the percentage in principal amount of Debt Securities of any series whose Holders must consent to an amendment; reduce the rate of or

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extend the time for payment of interest on any Debt Security; reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Debt Security; reduce any premium payable upon the redemption of any Debt Security or change the time at which any Debt Security may or shall be redeemed in accordance with Article III; make any Debt Security payable in currency other than that stated in such Debt Security; impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of premium, if any, principal of and interest on such Holder’s Debt Securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Debt Securities; release any security that may have been granted in respect of the Debt Securities, other than in accordance with this Indenture; make any change in Section 6.06 or this Section 9.02 (except to increase any percentage set forth therein); or, except as provided in Section 11.02(b) or Section 14.04, release the Subsidiary Guarantors other than as provided in this Indenture or modify the Guarantee in any manner that would adversely affect the rights of the Holders.
     A supplemental Indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has been expressly included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Debt Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt 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 Debt Securities of any other series.
     Upon the request of the Issuers, accompanied by a copy of resolutions of the Board of Directors of each Issuer authorizing the execution of any such supplemental Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of such supplemental Indenture unless such supplemental Indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental Indenture.
     It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental Indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
     After an amendment under this Section 9.02 requiring the consent of the Holders of any series of Debt Securities becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail to Holders of that series of Debt Securities of each series affected thereby a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to any such Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02 with respect to other Holders.
     Section 9.03 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental Indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

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     The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, may receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such supplemental Indenture complies with the provisions of this Article IX.
     Section 9.04 Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures. Debt Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX 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 supplemental Indenture. New Debt Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental Indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuers, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Debt Security of such series shall not affect the validity of such amendment.
ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
     Section 10.01 Consolidations and Mergers of the Issuers. Neither of the Issuers may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into any Person, or sell, lease, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets to any Person, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, unless: (a) either (i) such Issuer shall be the surviving Person in the case of a merger or (ii) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person if other than such Issuer (the “Successor Company”), shall be a partnership, limited liability company or corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company shall expressly assume, by an Indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Issuer under this Indenture and the Debt Securities according to their tenor; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions (and treating any Debt which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary of such Issuer as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default would occur or be continuing; (c) if such Issuer is not the continuing Person, then each Subsidiary Guarantor, unless it has become the Successor Company, shall confirm that its Guarantee shall continue to apply to the obligations under the Debt Securities and this Indenture; and (d) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or disposition and such supplemental Indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture. In addition, for so long as the Company is not organized as a corporation, Finance Corp. may not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into any Person unless the Successor Company is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.
     Section 10.02 Rights and Duties of Successor Company. In case of any consolidation, amalgamation or merger where such Issuer is not the continuing Person, or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Issuer in accordance with Section 10.01, the Successor Company shall succeed to and be substituted for such Issuer with the same effect as if it had been

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named herein as the respective party to this Indenture, and the predecessor entity shall be released from all liabilities and obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities, except that no such release will occur in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of such Issuer’s assets. The Successor Company thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of such Issuer, any or all the Debt Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by or on behalf of such Issuer and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of the Successor Company, instead of such Issuer, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Debt Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by or on behalf of such Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, and any Debt Securities which the Successor Company thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Debt Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all such Debt Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
     In case of any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale or disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Debt Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE;
DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS
     Section 11.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article XI relating to discharge or defeasance of Debt Securities shall be applicable to each series of Debt Securities except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such series.
     Section 11.02 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance.
     (a) If at any time the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Debt Securities of any series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than any Debt Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09 and Debt Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuers as provided in Section 11.05) or all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable 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, and the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash sufficient to pay at final maturity or upon redemption all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on such date of maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, and if in either case the Issuers shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuers with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities herein expressly provided for) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee, on

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demand of the Issuers accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.
     (b) Subject to Sections 11.02(c), 11.03 and 11.07, the Issuers at any time may terminate, with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series, all its obligations under the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series (“legal defeasance option”) or the operation of (i) Sections 4.09 and 4.10, (ii) any covenant made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.03, (iii) Sections 6.01(d), (g) and (h) and (iv) as they relate to the Subsidiary Guarantors only, Sections 6.01(e) and (f) (“covenant defeasance option”). If the Issuers exercise either their legal defeasance option or their covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series that are entitled to the benefit of the Guarantee, the Guarantee will terminate with respect to that series of Debt Securities. The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
     If the Issuers exercise their legal defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuers exercise their covenant defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(d), (g) and (h) and, with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantors only, Sections 6.01(e) and (f).
     Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Issuers, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Issuers terminate.
     (c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections 2.07, 2.09, 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, the last sentence of 4.05(a), 4.06(a), 5.01, 7.06, 11.05, 11.06 and 11.07 shall survive until the Debt Securities of the defeased series have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections 7.06, 11.05 and 11.06 shall survive.
     Section 11.03 Conditions of Defeasance. The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series only if:
     (a) the Issuers irrevocably deposit in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
     (b) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

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     (c) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) with respect to the Issuers occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;
     (d) no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit and after giving effect thereto;
     (e) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Issuers;
     (f) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
     (g) in the event of the legal defeasance option, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Issuers have received from the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such 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 defeasance had not occurred;
     (h) in the event of the covenant defeasance option, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of Debt 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; and
     (i) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Debt Securities of such series as contemplated by this Article XI have been complied with.
     Before or after a deposit, the Issuers may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Debt Securities of such series at a future date in accordance with Article III.
     Section 11.04 Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article XI. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through any paying agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of the defeased series.
     Section 11.05 Repayment to Issuers. The Trustee and any paying agent shall promptly turn over to the Issuers upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.

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     Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and any paying agent shall pay to the Issuers upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to such money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors.
     Section 11.06 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Issuers shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee and the Holders against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.
     Section 11.07 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or any paying agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or government authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities of the defeased series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article XI until such time as the Trustee or any paying agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI.
ARTICLE XII
[RESERVED]
     This Article XII has been intentionally omitted.
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
     Section 13.01 Successors and Assigns of Issuers Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or in behalf of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
     Section 13.02 Acts of Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Company Valid. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of either of the Issuers shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any Successor Company.
     Section 13.03 Required Notices or Demands. Any notice or communication by the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing in the English language and delivered in Person or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

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     If to the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor:
Copano Energy, L.L.C.
2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77019
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Telecopy No. [                    ]
     If to the Trustee:
[                                        ]
     The Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
     All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; on the first Business Day on or after being sent, if telecopied and the sender receives confirmation of successful transmission; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
     Any notice required or permitted to a Holder by the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture shall be deemed to be properly mailed by being deposited postage prepaid in a post office letter box in the United States addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as shown on the Debt Security Register. Any report pursuant to Section 313 of the TIA shall be transmitted in compliance with subsection (c) therein.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice to Holders of Floating Rate Securities regarding the determination of a periodic rate of interest, if such notice is required pursuant to Section 2.03, shall be sufficiently given if given in the manner specified pursuant to Section 2.03.
     In the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.
     In the event it shall be impracticable to give notice by publication, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.
     Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it or any defect in any notice by publication as to a Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, it is conclusively presumed duly given.

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     Section 13.04 Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York. THIS INDENTURE, EACH DEBT SECURITY AND THE GUARANTEE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE NEW YORK CONTRACTS, AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SAID STATE.
     Section 13.05 Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by the Issuers. Upon any application or demand by the Issuers to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, each of the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent 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 have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
     Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (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 such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
     Section 13.06 Payments Due on Legal Holidays. In any case where the date of maturity of interest on or principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of a series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any Debt Security or the making of any sinking fund payment shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of such series, then payment of interest or principal and premium, if any, or the making of such sinking fund payment need not be made on such date at such Place of Payment, 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 date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date. If a record date is not a Business Day, the record date shall not be affected.
     Section 13.07 Provisions Required by TIA to Control. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the TIA, such required provision shall control.
     Section 13.08 Computation of Interest on Debt Securities. Interest, if any, on the Debt Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 2.03.

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     Section 13.09 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and any paying agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.
     Section 13.10 No Recourse Against Others. The Issuers and their past, present or future directors, officers, employees, incorporators, unitholders, stockholders, partners, managers and members, as such, shall have no liability for any obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers under the Debt Securities, this Indenture or the Guarantee or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Debt Security, each Holder shall be deemed to have waived and released all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Debt Securities.
     Section 13.11 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or the Debt Securities 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 13.12 Effect of Headings. The article and section headings herein and in the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
     Section 13.13 Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
ARTICLE XIV
GUARANTEE
     Section 14.01 Unconditional Guarantee.
     (a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Article XIV to the contrary, the provisions of this Article XIV shall be applicable only to, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Debt Securities of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.03, as entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors.
     (b) For value received, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby fully, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees (the “Guarantee”) to the Holders and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and the Debt Securities by the Issuers, when and as such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, according to the terms of the Debt Securities and this Indenture, subject to the limitations set forth in Section 14.03.
     (c) Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee, for whatever reason, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. The Guarantee hereunder is intended to be a general, unsecured, senior obligation of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all Debt of each Subsidiary Guarantor that is not, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby

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agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be full, unconditional and absolute, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee (including the Guarantee of any other Subsidiary Guarantor) or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Debt Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against either of the Issuers or any other Subsidiary Guarantor, or any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that in the event of a default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders or, subject to Section 6.04, by the Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against such Subsidiary Guarantor to enforce the Guarantee without first proceeding against either of the Issuers or any other Subsidiary Guarantor.
     (d) The obligations of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Article XIV shall be as aforesaid full, unconditional and absolute and shall not be impaired, modified, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (i) any compromise, settlement, release, waiver, renewal, extension, indulgence or modification of, or any change in, any of the obligations and liabilities of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors contained in the Debt Securities or this Indenture, (ii) any impairment, modification, release or limitation of the liability of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their estates in bankruptcy, or any remedy for the enforcement thereof, resulting from the operation of any present or future provision of any applicable Bankruptcy Law, as amended, or other statute or from the decision of any court, (iii) the assertion or exercise by any of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee of any rights or remedies under the Debt Securities or this Indenture or their delay in or failure to assert or exercise any such rights or remedies, (iv) the assignment or the purported assignment of any property as security for the Debt Securities, including all or any part of the rights of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture, (v) the extension of the time for payment by any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors of any payments or other sums or any part thereof owing or payable under any of the terms and provisions of the Debt Securities or this Indenture or of the time for performance by any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors of any other obligations under or arising out of any such terms and provisions or the extension or the renewal of any thereof, (vi) the modification or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any duty, agreement or obligation of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors set forth in this Indenture, (vii) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshaling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of, or other similar proceeding affecting, any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective assets, or the disaffirmance of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture in any such proceeding, (viii) the release or discharge of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors from the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition contained in any of such instruments by operation of law, (ix) the unenforceability of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture or (x) any other circumstances (other than payment in full or discharge of all amounts guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor.

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     (e) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby (i) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, and all demands whatsoever, (ii) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee without notice to it and (iii) covenants that the Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the Guarantee. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any Person to the Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Guarantee shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and the Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.
     (f) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture; provided, however, that such Subsidiary Guarantor, shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all of the Debt Securities and the Guarantee shall have been paid in full or discharged.
     Section 14.02 Execution and Delivery of Guarantee. To further evidence the Guarantee set forth in Section 14.01, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that a notation relating to such Guarantee, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A, shall be endorsed on each Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that the Guarantee set forth in Section 14.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Debt Security a notation relating to the Guarantee. If any Officer of any Subsidiary Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a Debt Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such Debt Security or at any time thereafter, the Guarantee of such Debt Security shall be valid nevertheless. The delivery of any Debt Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantors.
     The Trustee hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture upon the terms and conditions herein set forth.
     Section 14.03 Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantors’ Liability. Each Subsidiary Guarantor and by its acceptance hereof each Holder of a Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any Federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders of a Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other

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contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor and to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee, not result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under Federal or state law.
     Section 14.04 Release of Subsidiary Guarantors from Guarantee.
     (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor may be released upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 11.02(b) and in this Section 14.04. Provided that no Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing under this Indenture, the Guarantee incurred by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Article XIV shall be unconditionally released and discharged (i) automatically upon (A) any sale, exchange or transfer, whether by way of merger or otherwise, to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company’s direct or indirect limited liability company or other equity interests in such Subsidiary Guarantor (provided such sale, exchange or transfer is not prohibited by this Indenture) or (B) the merger of such Subsidiary Guarantor into either of the Issuers or any other Subsidiary Guarantor or the liquidation and dissolution of such Subsidiary Guarantor (in each case to the extent not prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) upon the Issuers’ delivery of a written notice to the Trustee of the release or discharge of all guarantees by such Subsidiary Guarantor of any Debt of the Issuers other than obligations arising under this Indenture and any Debt Securities issued hereunder, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantees.
     (b) The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing any release of a Subsidiary Guarantor from the Guarantee upon receipt of a written request of the Issuers accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Subsidiary Guarantor is entitled to such release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. Any Subsidiary Guarantor not so released shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee as provided in this Indenture, subject to the limitations of Section 14.03.
     Section 14.05 Subsidiary Guarantor Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agree, inter se, that in the event any payment or distribution is made by any Subsidiary Guarantor (a “Funding Guarantor”) under the Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor (if any) in a pro rata amount based on the net assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor) for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by that Funding Guarantor in discharging the Issuers’ obligations with respect to the Debt Securities or any other Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations with respect to the Guarantee.
[Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank.]

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.
         
  COPANO ENERGY, L.L.C.
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
  COPANO ENERGY FINANCE CORPORATION
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
  [NAME(S) OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR(S)]
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
  [                                        ], as Trustee
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
[Signature Page to Senior Indenture]

 


 

ANNEX A
NOTATION OF GUARANTEE
     Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person 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 Debt Securities and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Debt Securities by the Issuers.
     The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors to the Holders of Debt Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article XIV of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee.
         
  [NAME(S) OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR(S)]
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
Annex A-1

 

EX-4.3 3 h68278exv4w3.htm EX-4.3 exv4w3
Exhibit 4.3
[Form of Subordinated Indenture]
COPANO ENERGY, L.L.C.
COPANO ENERGY FINANCE CORPORATION
as Issuers,
any Subsidiary Guarantors party hereto,
and
[___],
as Trustee
INDENTURE
Dated as of ___
Debt Securities

 


 

CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE
             
TIA       Indenture
Section       Section
310(a)
        7.10  
(b)
        7.10  
(c)
        N.A.  
311(a)
        7.11  
(b)
        7.11  
(c)
        N.A.  
312(a)
        5.01  
(b)
        5.02  
(c)
        5.02  
313(a)
        5.03  
(b)
        5.03  
(c)
        13.03  
(d)
        5.03  
314(a)
        4.05  
(b)
        N.A.  
(c)(1)
        13.05  
(c)(2)
        13.05  
(c)(3)
        N.A.  
(d)
        N.A.  
(e)
        13.05  
(f)
        N.A.  
315(a)
        7.01  
(b)
        6.07 & 13.03  
(c)
        7.01  
(d)
        7.01  
(e)
        6.08  
316(a)
(last sentence)
        1.01  
(a)(1)(A)
        6.06  
(a)(1)(B)
        6.06  
(a)(2)
        9.01 (d)
(b)
        6.04  
(c)
        5.04  
317(a)(1)
        6.02  
(a)(2)
        6.02  
(b)
        4.04  
318(a)
        13.07  
N.A. means Not Applicable.
NOTE: This Cross-Reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed part of this Indenture.

i


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
             
        Page
 
           
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
           
Section 1.01
  Definitions     1  
Section 1.02
  Other Definitions     7  
Section 1.03
  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act     7  
Section 1.04
  Rules of Construction     7  
 
           
ARTICLE II
DEBT SECURITIES
 
           
Section 2.01
  Forms Generally     8  
Section 2.02
  Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication     8  
Section 2.03
  Principal Amount; Issuable in Series     8  
Section 2.04
  Execution of Debt Securities     11  
Section 2.05
  Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities     11  
Section 2.06
  Denomination of Debt Securities     13  
Section 2.07
  Registration of Transfer and Exchange     13  
Section 2.08
  Temporary Debt Securities     14  
Section 2.09
  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities     15  
Section 2.10
  Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities     16  
Section 2.11
  Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders     16  
Section 2.12
  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved     16  
Section 2.13
  Securities Denominated in Dollars     17  
Section 2.14
  Wire Transfers     17  
Section 2.15
  Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security     17  
Section 2.16
  Medium Term Securities     19  
Section 2.17
  Defaulted Interest     20  
Section 2.18
  CUSIP Numbers     21  
 
           
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
           
Section 3.01
  Applicability of Article     21  
Section 3.02
  Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities     21  
Section 3.03
  Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption     22  
Section 3.04
  Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds     23  
Section 3.05
  Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund     24  
 
           
ARTICLE IV
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE ISSUERS
 
           
Section 4.01
  Payment of Principal of, and Premium, if Any, and Interest on, Debt Securities     25  

ii


 

             
        Page
Section 4.02
  Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities     25  
Section 4.03
  Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee     26  
Section 4.04
  Duties of Paying Agents, etc.     26  
Section 4.05
  SEC Reports; Financial Statements     27  
Section 4.06
  Compliance Certificate     27  
Section 4.07
  Further Instruments and Acts     28  
Section 4.08
  Existence     28  
Section 4.09
  Maintenance of Properties     28  
Section 4.10
  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims     28  
Section 4.11
  Waiver of Certain Covenants     29  
 
           
ARTICLE V
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE
 
           
Section 5.01
  Issuers to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information     29  
Section 5.02
  Communications to Holders     29  
Section 5.03
  Reports by Trustee     29  
Section 5.04
  Record Dates for Action by Holders     30  
 
           
ARTICLE VI
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT
 
           
Section 6.01
  Events of Default     30  
Section 6.02
  Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc.     32  
Section 6.03
  Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee     34  
Section 6.04
  Limitation on Suits by Holders     34  
Section 6.05
  Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default     35  
Section 6.06
  Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default     35  
Section 6.07
  Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances     36  
Section 6.08
  Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits Under the Indenture or Against the Trustee     36  
 
           
ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
           
Section 7.01
  Certain Duties and Responsibilities     37  
Section 7.02
  Certain Rights of Trustee     38  
Section 7.03
  Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities     39  
Section 7.04
  Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities     39  
Section 7.05
  Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust     39  
Section 7.06
  Compensation and Reimbursement     39  
Section 7.07
  Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officers’ Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed     40  
Section 7.08
  Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee     40  
Section 7.09
  Successor Trustee by Merger     41  

iii


 

             
        Page
Section 7.10
  Eligibility; Disqualification     42  
Section 7.11
  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers     42  
Section 7.12
  Compliance with Tax Laws     42  
 
           
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS
 
           
Section 8.01
  Evidence of Action by Holders     42  
Section 8.02
  Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities     43  
Section 8.03
  Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities     43  
Section 8.04
  Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders     43  
 
           
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
 
           
Section 9.01
  Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders     44  
Section 9.02
  Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities     46  
Section 9.03
  Effect of Supplemental Indentures     47  
Section 9.04
  Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures     47  
 
           
ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
 
           
Section 10.01
  Consolidations and Mergers of the Issuers     47  
Section 10.02
  Rights and Duties of Successor Company     48  
 
           
ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS
 
           
Section 11.01
  Applicability of Article     49  
Section 11.02
  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance     49  
Section 11.03
  Conditions of Defeasance     50  
Section 11.04
  Application of Trust Money     51  
Section 11.05
  Repayment to Issuers     51  
Section 11.06
  Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations     51  
Section 11.07
  Reinstatement     51  
 
           
ARTICLE XII
SUBORDINATION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEE
 
           
Section 12.01
  Applicability of Article; Agreement to Subordinate     52  
Section 12.02
  Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy     52  
Section 12.03
  Default on Senior Indebtedness     52  
Section 12.04
  Acceleration of Payment of Debt Securities     53  
Section 12.05
  When Distribution Must Be Paid Over     53  
Section 12.06
  Subrogation     54  
Section 12.07
  Relative Rights     54  
Section 12.08
  Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Issuers     54  
Section 12.09
  Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent     54  

iv


 

             
        Page
Section 12.10
  Distribution or Notice to Representative     55  
Section 12.11
  Article XII Not to Prevent Defaults or Limit Right to Accelerate     55  
Section 12.12
  Trust Moneys Not Subordinated     55  
Section 12.13
  Trustee Entitled to Rely     55  
Section 12.14
  Trustee to Effectuate Subordination     55  
Section 12.15
  Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness     56  
Section 12.16
  Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions     56  
 
           
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
 
           
Section 13.01
  Successors and Assigns of Issuers Bound by Indenture     56  
Section 13.02
  Acts of Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Company Valid     56  
Section 13.03
  Required Notices or Demands     56  
Section 13.04
  Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York     57  
Section 13.05
  Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by the Issuers     57  
Section 13.06
  Payments Due on Legal Holidays     58  
Section 13.07
  Provisions Required by TIA to Control     58  
Section 13.08
  Computation of Interest on Debt Securities     58  
Section 13.09
  Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar     58  
Section 13.10
  No Recourse Against Others     58  
Section 13.11
  Severability     59  
Section 13.12
  Effect of Headings     59  
Section 13.13
  Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts     59  
 
           
ARTICLE XIV
GUARANTEE
 
           
Section 14.01
  Unconditional Guarantee     59  
Section 14.02
  Execution and Delivery of Guarantee     61  
Section 14.03
  Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantors’ Liability     61  
Section 14.04
  Release of Subsidiary Guarantors from Guarantee     62  
Section 14.05
  Subsidiary Guarantor Contribution     62  
     
Annex A
  Notation of Guarantee

v


 

     THIS INDENTURE dated as of                      is among Copano Energy, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), Copano Energy Finance Corporation, a Delaware Corporation (“Finance Corp.,” and together with the Company, the “Issuers”), any Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined herein) party hereto, and [                                        ], a [                    ], as trustee (the “Trustee”).
RECITALS OF THE ISSUERS AND ANY SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS
     The Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of the Issuers’ debentures, notes, bonds or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series unlimited as to principal amount (herein called the “Debt Securities”), which Debt Securities may be guaranteed by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors and may be subordinated in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness, as in this Indenture provided.
     All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors, in accordance with its terms, have been done.
NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH
     That in order to declare the terms and conditions upon which the Debt Securities are authenticated, issued and delivered, and in consideration of the premises, and of the purchase and acceptance of the Debt Securities by the Holders thereof, the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee covenant and agree with each other, for the benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Debt Securities or any series thereof, as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
     Section 1.01 Definitions.
     “Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. The Trustee may request and may conclusively rely upon an Officers’ Certificate to determine whether any Person is an Affiliate of any specified Person.
     “Agent” means any Registrar or paying agent.
     “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.
     “Board of Directors” means (i) with respect to the Company, the Board of Directors of the Company or any authorized committee of the Board of Directors of the Company or any directors and/or officers of the Company to whom such Board of Directors or such committee

1


 

shall have duly delegated its authority to act hereunder and (ii) with respect to Finance Corp., the Board of Directors of Finance Corp. or any authorized committee of the Board of Directors of Finance Corp. or any directors and/or officers of Finance Corp. to whom such Board of Directors or such committee shall have duly delegated its authority to act hereunder. If the Company shall change its form of entity to other than a limited liability company, the references to the Board of Directors of the Company shall mean the Board of Directors (or other comparable governing body) of the Company.
     “Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.
     “capital stock” of any Person means and includes any and all shares, rights to purchase, warrants or options (whether or not currently exercisable), participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) the equity (which includes, but is not limited to, common stock, preferred stock and partnership and joint venture interests) of such Person (excluding any debt securities that are convertible into, or exchangeable for, such equity).
     “Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person.
     “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
     “Debt” of any Person at any date means any obligation created or assumed by such Person for the repayment of borrowed money and any guarantee thereof.
     “Debt Security” or “Debt Securities” has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture and more particularly means any debt security or debt securities, as the case may be, of any series authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.
     “Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
     “Depositary” means, unless otherwise specified by the Issuers pursuant to either Section 2.03 or 2.15, with respect to Debt Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or any successor thereto registered as a clearing agency under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute or regulations.
     “Designated Senior Indebtedness” means (i) any Senior Indebtedness which, at the date of determination, has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or under which, at the date of determination, the holders thereof are committed to lend up to, at least $100 million and (ii) any other Senior Indebtedness designated, as provided in Section 2.03, in respect of any series of Debt Securities.
     “Dollar” or “$” means such currency of the United States as at the time of payment is legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

2


 

     “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.
     “Finance Corp.” means the Person named as “Finance Corp.” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Finance Corp.” shall mean such successor Person.
     “Floating Rate Security” means a Debt Security that provides for the payment of interest at a variable rate determined periodically by reference to an interest rate index specified pursuant to Section 2.03.
     “GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time.
     “Global Security” means with respect to any series of Debt Securities issued hereunder, a Debt Security which is executed by the Issuers and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and any Indentures supplemental hereto, or resolution of the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, which shall be registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or dates on which principal is due and interest rate or method of determining interest.
     “guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of any other Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Debt or other obligation of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (b) entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however, that the term “guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
     “Holder,” “Holder of Debt Securities” or other similar terms means, a Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered in the Debt Security Register (as defined in Section 2.07(a)).
     “Indenture” means this instrument as originally executed, or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented and shall include the form and terms of particular series of Debt Securities as contemplated hereunder, whether or not a supplemental Indenture is entered into with respect thereto.
     “Issuer Order” means a written request or order signed on behalf of each of the Issuers by one of its Officers and delivered to the Trustee.
     “Issuers” means the Company and Finance Corp.

3


 

     “Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of Houston, Texas, City of New York, New York or at a Place of Payment are authorized by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.
     “Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, security interest, pledge, charge or other encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law.
     “Officer” means, with respect to a Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of such Person (or, if such Person is a limited partnership, the general partner of such Person).
     “Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate that is signed on behalf of each Issuer by any two of its Officers, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting officer of such Issuer, and that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof.
     “Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.
     “Original Issue Discount Debt Security” means any Debt 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 6.01.
     “Outstanding,” when used with respect to any series of Debt Securities, means, as of the date of determination, all Debt Securities of that series theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:
     (a) Debt Securities of that series theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
     (b) Debt Securities of that series 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 Debt Securities; provided, that, if such Debt 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) Debt Securities of that series which have been paid pursuant to Section 2.09 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Debt Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Debt Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such

4


 

Debt Securities are held by a protected purchaser in whose hands such Debt Securities are valid obligations of the Issuers;
provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Debt Securities owned by either of the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt 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 Debt Securities which a Trust Officer actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Debt Securities so owned 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 so to act with respect to such Debt Securities and that the pledgee is not an Issuer or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities or an Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Debt Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01.
     “Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.
     “Redemption Date,” when used with respect to any Debt Security to be redeemed, means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.
     “Representative” means the trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an issue of Senior Debt.
     “SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
     “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute.
     “Senior Indebtedness,” unless otherwise provided with respect to the Debt Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.03, means (1) all Debt of the Subsidiary Guarantors or 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 subordinate or not superior in right of payment to the Debt Securities, in the case of the Issuers, or the Guarantee, in the case of the Subsidiary Guarantors, or to other Debt which is pari passu with or subordinated to the Debt Securities, in the case of the Issuers, or the Guarantee, in the case of the Subsidiary Guarantors, and (2) 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 Indebtedness” include (a) Debt evidenced by the Debt Securities or any

5


 

Guarantee, (b) Debt of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers owed or owing to any Subsidiary of the Company, (c) Debt of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors owed or owing to the Issuers, (d) Debt to trade creditors, (e) any liability for taxes owed or owing by any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or (f) Debt of any Subsidiary Guarantor in the event there is no series of Debt Securities Outstanding that is entitled to the benefits of a Guarantee.
     “Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).
     “Subsidiary” of any Person means (1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of equity interests entitled, without regard to the occurrence of any contingency, to vote in the election of directors, managers, trustees or equivalent Persons thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or combination thereof; and (2) in the case of a partnership, more than 50% of the partners’ equity interests, considering all partners’ equity interests as a single class, is at such time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of such Person or combination thereof.
     “Subsidiary Guarantors” means any Subsidiary of the Company (except Finance Corp.) who may execute this Indenture, or a supplement hereto, for the purpose of providing a Guarantee of Debt Securities pursuant to this Indenture until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Subsidiary Guarantors” shall mean such successor Person.
     “TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date of this Indenture as originally executed and, to the extent required by law, as amended.
     “Trustee” initially means [                    ] and any other Person or Persons appointed as such from time to time pursuant to Section 7.08, and, subject to the provisions of Article VII, includes its or their successors and assigns. If at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Debt Securities of any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.
     “Trust Officer” means any officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters.
     “United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia), its territories, its possessions and other areas subject to its jurisdiction.
     “U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations of the United States of America, obligations on which the payment of principal and interest is fully guaranteed by the

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United States of America or obligations or guarantees for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged.
     “Yield to Maturity” means the yield to maturity, calculated at the time of issuance of a series of Debt Securities, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series and calculated in accordance with accepted financial practice.
     Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
         
Term   Defined in Section  
“Debt Security Register”
    2.07  
“Defaulted Interest”
    2.17  
“Event of Default”
    6.01  
“Funding Guarantor”
    14.05  
“Guarantee”
    14.01  
“Place of Payment”
    2.03  
“Registrar”
    2.07  
“Subordinated Debt Securities”
    12.01  
“Successor Company”
    10.01  
     Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.
     All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.
     Section 1.04 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:
          (a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
          (b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
          (c) “or” is not exclusive;
          (d) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;
          (e) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;
          (f) if the applicable series of Debt Securities are subordinated pursuant to Article XII, unsecured Debt shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to secured Debt merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Debt; and

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          (g) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP.
ARTICLE II
DEBT SECURITIES
     Section 2.01 Forms Generally. The Debt Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form established without the approval of any Holder by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer 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 the Issuers may deem appropriate (and, if not contained in a supplemental Indenture entered into in accordance with Article IX, as are not prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture) or as may be required or appropriate to comply with any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or with any rules of any securities exchange on which such series of Debt Securities may be listed, or to conform to general usage, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers executing such Debt Securities as evidenced by their execution of the Debt Securities.
     The definitive Debt Securities of each series 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 Debt Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Debt Securities.
     Section 2.02 Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Debt Securities authenticated by the Trustee shall be in substantially the following form:
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
     This is one of the Debt Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.
         
  [                                                                               ],
As Trustee
 
 
  By:      
    Authorized Signatory   
       
 
     Section 2.03 Principal Amount; Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities which may be issued, executed, authenticated, delivered and outstanding under this Indenture is unlimited.
     The Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series in fully registered form. There shall be established, without the approval of any Holders, in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, or established in one or more Indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Debt Securities of any series any or all of the following:

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          (a) the title of the Debt Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Debt Securities of the series from all other Debt Securities);
          (b) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Debt Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Debt Securities of the series pursuant to this Article II);
          (c) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of the series are payable;
          (d) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable) at which the Debt Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of determining such rate or rates, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the interest payment dates on which such interest shall be payable, or the method by which such date will be determined, the record dates for the determination of Holders thereof to whom such interest is payable; and the basis upon which interest will be calculated if other than that of a 360-day year of twelve thirty-day months;
          (e) the place or places, if any, in addition to or instead of the corporate trust office of the Trustee, where the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of the series shall be payable (“Place of Payment”);
          (f) the price or prices at which, the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Issuers or otherwise;
          (g) whether Debt Securities of the series are entitled to the benefits of any Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to this Indenture;
          (h) the obligation, if any, of the Issuers to redeem, purchase or repay Debt Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the price or prices at which and the period or periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which Debt Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligations;
          (i) the terms, if any, upon which the Debt Securities of the series may be convertible into or exchanged for capital stock (which may be represented by depositary shares), other Debt Securities or warrants for capital stock or Debt or other securities of any kind of either of the Issuers or any other obligor and the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or exchange shall be effected, including the initial conversion or exchange price or rate, the conversion or exchange period and any other provision in addition to or in lieu of those described herein;
          (j) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Debt Securities of the series shall be issuable;

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          (k) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on Debt Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts will be determined;
          (l) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of Debt Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to such Stated Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);
          (m) any changes or additions to Article XI, including the addition of additional covenants that may be subject to the covenant defeasance option pursuant to Section 11.02(b);
          (n) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Debt Securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.01 or provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 6.02;
          (o) the terms, if any, of the transfer, mortgage, pledge or assignment as security for the Debt Securities of the series of any properties, assets, moneys, proceeds, securities or other collateral, including whether certain provisions of the TIA are applicable and any corresponding changes to provisions of this Indenture as currently in effect;
          (p) any addition to or change in the Events of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal of, and premium and interest on, such Debt Securities due and payable;
          (q) if the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Securities may be exchanged in whole or in part for other individual Debt Securities in definitive registered form; and the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities and the form of any legend or legends to be borne by any such Global Security or Securities in addition to or in lieu of the legend referred to in Section 2.15(a);
          (r) any trustees, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars;
          (s) the applicability of, and any addition to or change in the covenants and definitions currently set forth in this Indenture or in the terms currently set forth in Article X, including conditioning any merger, conveyance, transfer or lease permitted by Article X upon the satisfaction of any Debt coverage standard by the Issuers and Successor Company (as defined in Article X);
          (t) the subordination, if any, of the Debt Securities of the series pursuant to Article XII and any changes or additions to Article XII or designation of any Designated Senior Indebtedness;

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          (u) with regard to Debt Securities of the series that do not bear interest, the dates for certain required reports to the Trustee; and
          (v) any other terms of the Debt Securities of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).
     All Debt Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such resolution of the Board of Directors and as set forth in such Officers’ Certificate or in any such Indenture supplemental hereto.
     Section 2.04 Execution of Debt Securities. The Debt Securities shall be signed on behalf of each of the Issuers by at least one of its Officers. Such signatures upon the Debt Securities may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such authorized officers and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities. The seal of the Company, if any, may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Debt Securities.
     Only such Debt Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, signed manually by the Trustee, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. Such certificate by the Trustee upon any Debt Security executed on behalf of each of the Issuers by at least one of its Officers shall be conclusive evidence that the Debt Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder.
     In case any Officer of either Issuer who shall have signed any of the Debt Securities shall cease to be such Officer before the Debt Securities so signed shall have been authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, or disposed of by the Issuers, such Debt Securities nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the Person who signed such Debt Securities had not ceased to be such Officer; and any Debt Security may be signed on behalf of either Issuer by such Persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Debt Security, shall be the proper Officers of such Issuer, although at the date of such Debt Security or of the execution of this Indenture any such Person was not such Officer.
     Section 2.05 Authentication and Delivery of Debt Securities. At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Issuers may deliver to the Trustee for authentication Debt Securities of any series executed by the Issuers, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver said Debt Securities to or upon an Issuer Order. In authenticating such Debt Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Debt Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:
          (a) a copy of any resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors of each Issuer, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each of the Company and Finance Corp., authorizing the terms of issuance of any series of Debt Securities;
          (b) an executed supplemental Indenture, if any;

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          (c) an Officers’ Certificate; and
          (d) an Opinion of Counsel prepared in accordance with Section 13.05 which shall also state:
          (i) that the form of such Debt Securities has been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer or by a supplemental Indenture as permitted by Section 2.01 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
          (ii) that the terms of such Debt Securities have been established by or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer or by a supplemental Indenture as permitted by Section 2.03 in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
          (iii) that such Debt Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Issuers in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuers, enforceable in accordance with their terms except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and rights of acceleration and the availability of equitable remedies may be limited by equitable principles of general applicability;
          (iv) that the Issuers have the power to issue such Debt Securities and has duly taken all necessary action with respect to such issuance;
          (v) that the issuance of such Debt Securities will not contravene the organizational documents of the Issuers or result in any material violation of any of the terms or provisions of any law or regulation or of any material indenture, mortgage or other agreement known to such counsel by which the Issuers are bound;
          (vi) that authentication and delivery of such Debt Securities and the execution and delivery of any supplemental Indenture will not violate the terms of this Indenture; and
          (vii) such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request.
     Such Opinion of Counsel need express no opinion as to whether a court in the United States would render a money judgment in a currency other than that of the United States.
     The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Debt Securities under this Section 2.05 if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors, trustees or Officers (or any combination thereof) shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders.

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     The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Issuers to authenticate Debt Securities of any series. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Debt Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, paying agent or agent for service of notices and demands.
     Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, each Debt Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.
     Section 2.06 Denomination of Debt Securities. Unless otherwise provided in the form of Debt Security for any series, the Debt Securities of each series shall be issuable only as fully registered Debt Securities in such Dollar denominations as shall be specified or contemplated by Section 2.03. In the absence of any such specification with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, the Debt Securities of such series shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.
     Section 2.07 Registration of Transfer and Exchange.
          (a) The Issuers shall keep or cause to be kept a register for each series of Debt Securities issued hereunder (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Debt Security Register”), in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Issuers shall provide for the registration of all Debt Securities and the transfer of Debt Securities as in this Article II provided. At all reasonable times the Debt Security Register shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. Subject to Section 2.15, upon due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security at any office or agency to be maintained by the Issuers in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.02, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount. In no event may Debt Securities be issued as, or exchanged for, bearer securities.
     Unless and until otherwise determined by the Issuers by resolutions of each Issuer’s Board of Directors, the Debt Security Register shall be kept at the corporate trust office of the Trustee indicated in Section 13.03 and, for this purpose, the Trustee shall be designated “Registrar.”
     Debt Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a like aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of the same series of other authorized denominations. Subject to Section 2.15, Debt Securities to be exchanged shall be surrendered at the office or agency to be maintained by the Issuers as provided in Section 4.02, and the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor the Debt Security or Debt Securities which the Holder making the exchange shall be entitled to receive.
          (b) All Debt Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange or payment shall (if so required by the Issuers, the Trustee or the Registrar) be duly endorsed or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer, in form

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satisfactory to the Issuers, the Trustee and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing.
     All Debt Securities issued in exchange for or upon transfer of Debt Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Issuers, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Debt Securities surrendered for such exchange or transfer.
     No service charge shall be made for any exchange or registration of transfer of Debt Securities (except as provided by Section 2.09), but the Issuers may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto, other than those expressly provided in this Indenture to be made at the Issuers’ own expense or without expense or without charge to the Holders.
     The Issuers shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities for a period of 15 days next preceding any mailing of notice of redemption of Debt Securities of such series or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Securities selected, called or being called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any Debt Security to be redeemed in part.
     Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Debt Security for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Debt Security is overdue, and none of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
     None of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any agent of the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar 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 2.08 Temporary Debt Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of any series, the Issuers may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Debt Securities (printed, lithographed, photocopied, typewritten or otherwise produced) of any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Debt Securities in lieu of which they are issued, in registered form with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Debt Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuers with the concurrence of the Trustee. Temporary Debt Securities may contain such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Debt Security shall be executed by the Issuers and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Debt Securities.

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     If temporary Debt Securities of any series are issued, the Issuers will cause definitive Debt Securities of such series to be prepared without unreasonable delay. After the preparation of definitive Debt Securities of such series, the temporary Debt Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Debt Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Issuers at a Place of Payment for such series, without charge to the Holder thereof, except as provided in Section 2.07 in connection with a transfer. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Debt Securities of any series, the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Debt Securities of the same series of authorized denominations and of like tenor. Until so exchanged, temporary Debt Securities of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Debt Securities of such series.
     Upon any exchange of a portion of a temporary Global Security for a definitive Global Security or for the individual Debt Securities represented thereby pursuant to Section 2.07 or this Section 2.08, the temporary Global Security shall be endorsed by the Trustee to reflect the reduction of the principal amount evidenced thereby, whereupon the principal amount of such temporary Global Security shall be reduced for all purposes by the amount to be exchanged and endorsed.
     Section 2.09 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Debt Securities. If (a) any mutilated Debt Security is surrendered to the Trustee at its corporate trust office or (b) the Issuers and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Debt Security, and there is delivered to the Issuers and the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and any paying agent harmless, and neither the Issuers nor the Trustee receives notice that such Debt Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser, then the Issuers shall execute and, upon an Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security, a new Debt Security of the same series of like tenor, form, terms and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding. Upon the issuance of any substituted Debt Security, the Issuers or the Trustee may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, fee, assessment or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses connected therewith. In case any Debt Security which has matured or is about to mature or which has been called for redemption shall become mutilated or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuers may, instead of issuing a substituted Debt Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated Debt Security) if the applicant for such payment shall furnish the Issuers and the Trustee with such security or indemnity as either may require to save it harmless from all risk, however remote, and, in case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to the satisfaction of the Issuers and the Trustee of the destruction, loss or theft of such Debt Security and of the ownership thereof.
     Every substituted Debt Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.09 by virtue of the fact that any Debt Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Issuers, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Security shall be found at any time, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Debt Securities of that series duly issued hereunder. All Debt Securities shall be held and owned upon the express

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condition that the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities, and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies, notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender.
     Section 2.10 Cancellation of Surrendered Debt Securities. All Debt Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to an Issuer or any paying agent or a Registrar, be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation by it, or if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be canceled by it, and no Debt Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. All canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee shall be destroyed (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) and certification of their destruction delivered to the Issuers, unless otherwise directed. On request of the Issuers, the Trustee shall deliver to the Issuers canceled Debt Securities held by the Trustee. If either of the Issuers shall acquire any of the Debt Securities, however, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Debt represented thereby unless and until the same are delivered or surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation. The Issuers may not issue new Debt Securities to replace Debt Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
     Section 2.11 Provisions of the Indenture and Debt Securities for the Sole Benefit of the Parties and the Holders. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto, the holders of any Senior Indebtedness, the Holders or any Registrar or paying agent, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture, or under any covenant, condition or provision herein contained; all its covenants, conditions and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto, the Holders and any Registrar and paying agents.
     Section 2.12 Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
          (a) Interest on any Debt 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 such Debt Security is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest notwithstanding the cancellation of such Debt Security upon any transfer or exchange subsequent to the regular record date. Payment of interest on Debt Securities shall be made at the corporate trust office of the Trustee specified in Section 13.03 (except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03), or at the option of the Issuers, by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Debt Security Register or, subject to arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee, at the option of the Holder by wire transfer to an account designated by the Holder.
          (b) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and Section 2.17, each Debt Security of a particular series delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Debt Security of the same series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Debt Security.

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     Section 2.13 Securities Denominated in Dollars. Except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of any series, payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, Debt Securities of such series will be made in Dollars.
     Section 2.14 Wire Transfers. Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary in this Indenture, the Issuers may make any payment of moneys required to be deposited with the Trustee on account of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities (whether pursuant to optional or mandatory redemption payments, interest payments or otherwise) by wire transfer in immediately available funds to an account designated by the Trustee before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date such moneys are to be paid to the Holders of the Debt Securities in accordance with the terms hereof.
     Section 2.15 Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.
          (a) If the Issuers shall establish pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 that the Debt Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Issuers shall execute and the Trustee or its agent shall, in accordance with Section 2.05, authenticate and deliver, such Global Security or Securities, which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, or such portion thereof as the Issuers shall specify in an Officers’ Certificate, shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or its nominee, shall be delivered by the Trustee or its agent to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary’s instruction and shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect:
     “UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE ISSUERS OR THEIR AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
     TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREIN.”
or such other legend as may then be required by the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities.

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          (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.15 or of Section 2.07 to the contrary, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below, unless the terms of a Global Security expressly permit such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for definitive Debt Securities in registered form, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part and in the manner provided in Section 2.07, only by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary to a successor Depositary for such Global Security selected or approved by the Issuers, or to a nominee of such successor Depositary.
          (c) (i) If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Issuers that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or if at any time the Depositary for the Debt Securities for such series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Exchange Act or other applicable statute, rule or regulation, the Issuers shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Global Security or Securities is not appointed by the Issuers within 90 days after the Issuers receive such notice or become aware of such ineligibility, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of such individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver, individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.
          (ii) If an Event of Default occurs and the Depositary for a Global Security or Securities notifies the Trustee of its decision to require that the Debt Securities of any series or portion thereof issued or issuable in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities, the Issuers shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Global Security or Securities. In such event the Issuers will execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange in whole or in part for such Global Security or Securities, will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such series or portion thereof in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.
          (iii) If specified by the Issuers pursuant to Sections 2.01 and 2.03 with respect to Debt Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for individual Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuers, the Trustee and such Depositary. Thereupon the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee or its agent upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Debt Securities of such series shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, to each Person specified by such Depositary a new Debt Security or Securities of the same series of like tenor and terms and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Person in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person’s beneficial interest in the

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Global Security; and to such Depositary a new Global Security of like tenor and terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities delivered to Holders thereof.
          (iv) In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three paragraphs, the Issuers will execute and the Trustee or its agent will authenticate and deliver individual Debt Securities. Upon the exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for individual Debt Securities, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee or its agent. Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, Debt Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.15 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or the Registrar. The Trustee or the Registrar shall deliver such Debt Securities to the Persons in whose names such Debt Securities are so registered.
          (v) Payments in respect of the principal of and interest on any Debt Securities registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be payable to the Depositary or such nominee in its capacity as the registered owner of such Global Security. The Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name the Debt Securities, including the Global Security, are registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments and for any and all other purposes whatsoever. None of the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any Registrar, the paying agent or any agent of the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security by the Depositary or its nominee or any of the Depositary’s direct or indirect participants, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants relating to the beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security, the payments to the beneficial owners of the Global Security of amounts paid to the Depositary or its nominee, or any other matter relating to the actions and practices of the Depositary, its nominee or any of its direct or indirect participants. None of the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee or any such agent will be liable for any delay by the Depositary, its nominee, or any of its direct or indirect participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Debt Securities, and the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may conclusively rely on, and will be protected in relying on, instructions from the Depositary or its nominee for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Debt Securities to be issued).
     Section 2.16 Medium Term Securities. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, if all Debt Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one time, it shall not be necessary for each of the Issuers to deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate, resolutions of each Issuer’s Board of Directors, supplemental Indenture, Opinion of Counsel or written order or any other document otherwise required pursuant to Section 2.01, 2.03, 2.05 or 13.05 at or prior to the time of authentication of each Debt Security of such series if such documents are delivered to the Trustee or its agent at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first such

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Debt Security of such series to be issued; provided, that any subsequent request by the Issuers to the Trustee to authenticate Debt Securities of such series upon original issuance shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Issuers that, as of the date of such request, the statements made in the Officers’ Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 2.05 or 13.05 shall be true and correct as if made on such date and that the Opinion of Counsel delivered at or prior to such time of authentication of an original issuance of Debt Securities shall specifically state that it shall relate to all subsequent issuances of Debt Securities of such series that are identical to the Debt Securities issued in the first issuance of Debt Securities of such series.
     An Issuer Order delivered by the Issuers to the Trustee in the circumstances set forth in the preceding paragraph, may provide that Debt Securities which are the subject thereof will be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or its agent on original issue from time to time upon the telephonic or written order of Persons designated in such written order (any such telephonic instructions to be promptly confirmed in writing by such Person) and that such Persons are authorized to determine, consistent with the Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Indenture or resolution of the Board of Directors relating to such written order, such terms and conditions of such Debt Securities as are specified in such Officers’ Certificate, supplemental Indenture or such resolution.
     Section 2.17 Defaulted Interest. Any interest on any Debt Security of a particular series which is payable, but is not punctually paid or duly provided for, on the dates and in the manner provided in the Debt Securities of such series and in this Indenture (herein called “Defaulted Interest”) shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder thereof on the relevant 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 Debt Securities of such series 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 such Debt 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 pre-paid, to each Holder thereof at its address as it appears in the Debt 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 Debt Securities of such series are registered at the close of business on such special record date.

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     (b) The Issuers may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the Debt Securities of such series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Debt Securities of such series 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.
     Section 2.18 CUSIP Numbers. The Issuers in issuing the Debt Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Debt 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 Debt Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers.
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
     Section 3.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Debt Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such series.
     Section 3.02 Notice of Redemption; Selection of Debt Securities. In case the Issuers shall desire to exercise the right to redeem all or, as the case may be, any part of the Debt Securities of any series in accordance with their terms, by resolution of the Board of Directors of each Issuer or a supplemental Indenture, the Issuers shall fix a date for redemption and shall give notice of such redemption at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series so to be redeemed as a whole or in part, in the manner provided in Section 13.03. The notice if given in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Debt Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Debt Security of such series.
     Each such notice of redemption shall specify (i) the date fixed for redemption, (ii) the redemption price at which Debt Securities of such series are to be redeemed (or the method of calculating such redemption price), (iii) the Place or Places of Payment that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities, (iv) that any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice, (v) that the redemption is for a sinking fund payment (if applicable), (vi) that, unless otherwise specified in such notice, if the Issuers default in making such redemption payment or if the Debt Securities of that series are subordinated pursuant to the terms of Article XII, the paying agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, (vii) that on and after said date any interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue, (viii) that in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities original issue discount accrued after the date fixed for redemption will cease to accrue, (ix) the terms of the Debt Securities of that series pursuant to

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which the Debt Securities of that series are being redeemed and (x) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed the notice of redemption shall specify the certificate numbers of any Debt Securities of that series to be redeemed that are not in global form. In case any Debt Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Debt Security, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of that series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof, will be issued.
     At least five days before the giving of any notice of redemption, unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period, the Issuers shall give written notice to the Trustee of the Redemption Date, the principal amount of Debt Securities to be redeemed and the series and terms of the Debt Securities pursuant to which such redemption will occur. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Issuers to the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein, and such notice may be revoked at any time prior to the giving of a notice of redemption to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.02. If fewer than all the Debt Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the record date relating to such redemption shall be selected by the Issuers and given in writing to the Trustee, which record date shall be not less than three days after the date of notice to the Trustee.
     By 11 a.m., New York City time, on the Redemption Date for any Debt Securities, the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee or with a paying agent (or, if an Issuer is acting as its own paying agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount of money in Dollars (except as provided pursuant to Section 2.03) sufficient to pay the redemption price of such Debt Securities or any portions thereof that are to be redeemed on that date, together with any interest accrued to the Redemption Date.
     If less than all the Debt Securities of like tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed (other than pursuant to mandatory sinking fund redemptions), the Trustee shall select, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as in its sole discretion it shall deem appropriate and fair, the Debt Securities of that series or portions thereof (in multiples of $1,000) to be redeemed. In any case where more than one Debt Security of such series is registered in the same name, the Trustee in its discretion may treat the aggregate principal amount so registered as if it were represented by one Debt Security of such series. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing of the Debt Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Debt Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. If any Debt Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof on such Redemption Date, the principal, premium, if any, and interest shall bear interest until paid from the Redemption Date at the rate borne by the Debt Securities of that series. If less than all the Debt Securities of unlike tenor and terms of a series are to be redeemed, the particular Debt Securities to be redeemed shall be selected by the Issuers. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Debt Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Debt Securities called for redemption.
     Section 3.03 Payment of Debt Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as provided in Section 3.02, the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of the series with respect to which such notice has been given shall become due and

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payable on the date and at the Place or Places of Payment stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuers shall default in the payment of such Debt Securities at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued to said date) any interest on the Debt Securities or portions of Debt Securities of any series so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and any original issue discount in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities shall cease to accrue. On presentation and surrender of such Debt Securities at the Place or Places of Payment in said notice specified, the said Debt Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuers at the applicable redemption price, together with any interest accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption.
     Any Debt Security that is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at the Place of Payment with, if the Issuers, the Registrar or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuers, the Registrar and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Debt Security without service charge, a new Debt Security or Debt Securities of the same series, of like tenor and form, 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 Debt Security so surrendered; except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Issuers shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Global Security so surrendered. In the case of a Debt Security providing appropriate space for such notation, at the option of the Holder thereof, the Trustee, in lieu of delivering a new Debt Security or Debt Securities as aforesaid, may make a notation on such Debt Security of the payment of the redeemed portion thereof.
     Section 3.04 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental Indenture 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 Debt Securities of any series, resolution of the Board of Directors or a supplemental Indenture is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.”
     In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of a series in cash, the Issuers may at their option (a) deliver to the Trustee Debt Securities of that series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired by the Issuers or (b) receive credit for the principal amount of Debt Securities of that series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Issuers pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture; provided, that such Debt Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Debt Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

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     Section 3.05 Redemption of Debt Securities for Sinking Fund. Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Debt Securities, the Issuers will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, any resolution or supplemental Indenture, 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 Debt Securities of that series pursuant to this Section 3.05 (which Debt Securities, if not previously redeemed, will accompany such certificate) and whether the Issuers intend to exercise its right to make any permitted optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series. Such certificate shall also state that no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing with respect to such series. Such certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its delivery the Issuers shall be obligated to make the cash payment or payments therein referred to, if any, by 11 a.m., New York City time, on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Issuers to deliver such certificate (or to deliver the Debt Securities specified in this paragraph) shall not constitute a Default, but such failure shall require that the sinking fund payment due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date for that series shall be paid entirely in cash and shall be sufficient to redeem the principal amount of such Debt Securities subject to a mandatory sinking fund payment without the option to deliver or credit Debt Securities as provided in this Section 3.05 and without the right to make any optional sinking fund payment, if any, with respect to such series.
     Any sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional) made in cash plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash which shall equal or exceed $100,000 (or a lesser sum if the Issuers shall so request) with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series shall be applied by the Trustee on the sinking fund payment date on which such payment is made (or, if such payment is made before a sinking fund payment date, on the sinking fund payment date following the date of such payment) to the redemption of such Debt Securities at the redemption price specified in such Debt Securities, resolution or supplemental Indenture for operation of the sinking fund together with any accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. Any sinking fund moneys not so applied or allocated by the Trustee to the redemption of Debt Securities shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment received by the Trustee for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3.05. Any and all sinking fund moneys with respect to the Debt Securities of any particular series held by the Trustee on the last sinking fund payment date with respect to Debt Securities of such series and not held for the payment or redemption of particular Debt Securities shall be applied by the Trustee, together with other moneys, if necessary, to be deposited sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of the Debt Securities of that series at its Stated Maturity.
     The Trustee shall select the Debt Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in the last paragraph of Section 3.02 and the Issuers shall cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the manner provided in Section 3.02 except that the notice of redemption shall also state that the Debt Securities are being redeemed by operation of the sinking fund. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Debt Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Section 3.03.
     The Trustee shall not redeem any Debt Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or mail any notice of redemption of such Debt Securities by operation of the sinking fund for such

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series during the continuance of a Default in payment of interest on such Debt Securities or of any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default occurring as a consequence of this paragraph) with respect to such Debt Securities, except that if the notice of redemption of any such Debt Securities shall theretofore have been mailed in accordance with the provisions hereof, the Trustee shall redeem such Debt Securities if cash sufficient for that purpose shall be deposited with the Trustee for that purpose in accordance with the terms of this Article III. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such Default or Event of Default shall occur and any moneys thereafter paid into such sinking fund shall, during the continuance of such Default or Event of Default, be held as security for the payment of such Debt Securities; provided, however, that in case such Default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived as provided herein, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next sinking fund payment date for such Debt Securities on which such moneys may be applied pursuant to the provisions of this Section 3.05.
ARTICLE IV
PARTICULAR COVENANTS OF THE ISSUERS
     Section 4.01 Payment of Principal of, and Premium, if Any, and Interest on, Debt Securities. The Issuers, for the benefit of each series of Debt Securities, will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, each of the Debt Securities at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided herein or in the Debt Securities. Each installment of interest on any Debt Securities not in global form may at the Issuers’ option be paid by mailing checks for such interest payable to the Person entitled thereto pursuant to Section 2.07(a) to the address of such Person as it appears on the Debt Security Register.
     Principal of and premium and interest on Debt Securities of any series shall be considered paid on the date due if, by 11 a.m., New York City time, on such date the Trustee or any paying agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal, premium and interest then due and, in the case of Debt Securities subordinated pursuant to the terms of Article XII, the Trustee or such paying agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
     The Issuers shall pay interest on overdue principal or premium, if any, at the rate specified therefor in the Debt Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
     Section 4.02 Maintenance of Offices or Agencies for Registration of Transfer, Exchange and Payment of Debt Securities. The Issuers will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Debt Securities an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be presented or surrendered for payment, and it shall also maintain (in or outside such Place of Payment) an office or agency where Debt Securities of such series may be surrendered for transfer or exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Issuers in respect of the Debt Securities of such 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

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may be made or served at the corporate trust office of the Trustee indicated in Section 13.03, and the Issuers hereby appoint the Trustee as their agent to receive all presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.
     The Issuers may also from time to time designate different or additional offices or agencies to be maintained for such purposes (in or outside of such Place of Payment), and may from time to time rescind any such designation; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Issuers of their obligations described in the preceding paragraph. The Issuers will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such additional designation or rescission of designation and any change in the location of any such different or additional office or agency.
     Section 4.03 Appointment to Fill a Vacancy in the Office of Trustee. The Issuers, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 7.08, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder with respect to each series of Debt Securities.
     Section 4.04 Duties of Paying Agents, etc.
          (a) The Issuers shall cause each paying agent, if any, other than the Trustee, to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 4.04,
          (i) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuers or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series;
          (ii) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuers (or by any other obligor on the Debt Securities of such series) to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of such series when the same shall be due and payable; and
          (iii) that it will at any time during the continuance of an Event of Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held by it as such agent.
          (b) If either of the Issuers shall act as its own paying agent, it will, by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, the Debt Securities of any series, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due. The Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee of any failure by either of the Issuers to take such action or the failure by any other obligor on such Debt Securities to make any payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, such Debt Securities when the same shall be due and payable.

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          (c) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, either of the Issuers may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by it or any paying agent, as required by this Section 4.04, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by such Issuer or such paying agent.
          (d) Whenever the Issuers shall have one or more paying agents with respect to any series of Debt Securities, they will, prior to each due date of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any Debt Securities of such series, deposit with any such paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium or interest so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto, and (unless any such paying agent is the Trustee) the Issuers will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.
          (e) Anything in this Section 4.04 to the contrary notwithstanding, the agreement to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 4.04 is subject to the provisions of Section 11.05.
     Section 4.05 SEC Reports; Financial Statements.
          (a) The Company shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, file with the Trustee, within 30 days after it files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. If the Company is not subject to the requirements of such Section 13 or 15(d), the Company shall file with the Trustee, within 30 days after it would have been required to file the same with the SEC, financial statements, including any notes thereto (and with respect to annual reports, an auditors’ report by a firm of established national reputation), and a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” both comparable to that which the Company would have been required to include in such annual reports, information, documents or other reports if the Company had been subject to the requirements of such Section 13 or 15 (d). The Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantors shall also comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314 (a).
          (b) The Company shall provide the Trustee with a sufficient number of copies of all reports and other documents and information that the Trustee may be required to deliver to Holders under this Section.
          (c) The Company shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days of any Officer of the Company becoming aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
     Section 4.06 Compliance Certificate.
          (a) Each of the Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantor shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate stating that a review of the activities of the

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Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the Officers signing the certificate with a view to determining whether each of the Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantor has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his knowledge each of the Issuers and any Subsidiary Guarantor has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof, without regard to any grace period or requirement of notice required by this Indenture (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which such Officer may have knowledge and what action the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities are prohibited or, if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
          (b) The Company shall, so long as any of the Debt Securities are Outstanding, deliver to the Trustee within 30 days after the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default under this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default, the status thereof and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
     Section 4.07 Further Instruments and Acts. Each Issuer will, upon request of the Trustee, execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may reasonably be necessary or proper to carry out more effectually the purposes of this Indenture.
     Section 4.08 Existence. Except as permitted by Article X hereof, each Issuer shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence.
     Section 4.09 Maintenance of Properties. The Company shall cause all properties owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or used or held for use in the conduct of its business or the business of any such Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order (reasonable wear and tear excepted) and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business or the business of any such Subsidiary and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.
     Section 4.10 Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company shall pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and (b) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon the property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries; provided that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax,

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assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.
     Section 4.11 Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors may, with respect to the Debt Securities of any series, omit in any particular instance to comply with any covenant set forth in this Article IV (except Sections 4.01 through 4.08) or made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.03, if, before or after the time for such compliance, the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected, waive such compliance in such instance with such covenant, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such covenant except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such covenant shall remain in full force and effect.
ARTICLE V
HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE TRUSTEE
     Section 5.01 Issuers to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Holders; Preservation of Information. The Issuers covenant and agree that they will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of each series:
          (a) not more than 10 days after each record date with respect to the payment of interest, if any, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders as of such 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 contents as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
provided, however, that so long as the Trustee shall be the Registrar, such lists shall not be required to be furnished.
     The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders (i) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.01 or (ii) received by it in the capacity of paying agent or Registrar (if so acting) hereunder.
     The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in this Section 5.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.
     Section 5.02 Communications to Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Debt Securities. The Issuers, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.
     Section 5.03 Reports by Trustee. Within 60 days after each January 31, beginning with the first January 31 following the date of this Indenture, and in any event on or before April 1 in each year, the Trustee shall mail to Holders a brief report dated as of such January 31 that

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complies with TIA Section 313 (a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313 (a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313 (b).
     Reports pursuant to this Section 5.03 shall be transmitted by mail:
          (a) to all Holders, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear in the Debt Security Register; and
          (b) except in the cases of reports under Section 313(b)(2) of the TIA, to each Holder of a Debt Security of any series whose name and address appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 5.01.
     A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Debt Securities of any series are listed. The Issuers agree to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Debt Securities of any series become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.
     Section 5.04 Record Dates for Action by Holders. If the Issuers shall solicit from the Holders of Debt Securities of any series any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), the Issuers may, at their option, by resolution of their respective Boards of Directors, fix in advance a record date for the determination of Holders of Debt Securities entitled to take such action, but the Issuers shall have no obligation to do so. Any such record date shall be fixed at the Issuers’ discretion. If such a record date is fixed, such action may be sought or given before or after the record date, but only the Holders of Debt Securities of record at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed to be Holders of Debt Securities for the purpose of determining whether Holders of the requisite proportion of Debt Securities of such series Outstanding have authorized or agreed or consented to such action, and for that purpose the Debt Securities of such series Outstanding shall be computed as of such record date.
ARTICLE VI
REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND HOLDERS IN EVENT OF DEFAULT
     Section 6.01 Events of Default. If any one or more of the following shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to Debt Securities of any series (each of the following, an “Event of Default”):
          (a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article XII, if applicable, 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 Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable, whether at Stated Maturity, upon redemption, by declaration, upon required repurchase or otherwise, whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article XII, if applicable; or

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          (c) default in the payment of any sinking fund payment with respect to any Debt Securities of that series as and when the same shall become due and payable; or
          (d) failure on the part of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Issuers, or if applicable, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, in the Debt Securities of that series, in any resolution of the Board of Directors authorizing the issuance of that series of Debt Securities, in this Indenture with respect to such series or in any supplemental Indenture with respect to such series (other than a covenant a default in the performance of which is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with), continuing for a period of 60 days after the date on which written notice specifying such failure and requiring the Issuers, or if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, to remedy the same shall have been given to the Issuers, or if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, by the Trustee or to the Issuers, or if applicable, the Subsidiary Guarantors, and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding; or
          (e) either of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law,
          (i) commences a voluntary case,
          (ii) consents to the entry of an 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;
          (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 if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, as debtor in an involuntary case,
          (ii) appoints a Custodian of either of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, or a Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of either of the Issuers, or if applicable, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors, or
          (iii) orders the liquidation of either of the Issuers, or if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, any of the Subsidiary Guarantors,
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

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          (g) if any series of Debt Securities Outstanding under this Indenture is entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee, the Guarantee of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors ceases to be in full force and effect with respect to Debt Securities of that series (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture) or is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding or any of the Subsidiary Guarantors denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or such Guarantee; or
          (h) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Debt Securities of that series;
then and in each and every case that an Event of Default described in clause (a), (b), (c), (d), (g), or (h) with respect to Debt Securities of that series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, unless the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities of that series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of that series then Outstanding hereunder, by notice in writing to the Issuers (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), may declare the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities of that series contained to the contrary notwithstanding. If an Event of Default described in clause (e) or (f) occurs with respect to either of the Issuers, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Debt Securities shall have become due and payable, the principal of (or, if the Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms thereof), premium, if any, and interest on all the Debt Securities then Outstanding hereunder shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders, anything in this Indenture or in the Debt Securities contained to the contrary notwithstanding.
     The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction already rendered and if all existing Events of Default with respect to that series have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal, premium, if any, or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. Upon any such rescission, the parties hereto shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the parties hereto shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.
     Section 6.02 Collection of Debt by Trustee, etc. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any action or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid or enforce the performance of any provision of the Debt Securities of the affected series or this Indenture, and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against any of the Subsidiary

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Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series (and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series wherever situated the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable).
     In case there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series under any Bankruptcy Law, or in case a Custodian shall have been appointed for its property, or in case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of any series, its creditors or its property, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of Debt Securities of any series 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 pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6.02, shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise, to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest (or, if the Debt Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Debt Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) owing and unpaid in respect of the Debt Securities of such series, 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 reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and for reimbursement of all expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith) and of the Holders thereof allowed in any such judicial proceedings relative to any of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers, or any other obligor upon the Debt Securities of such series, its creditors or its property, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute all amounts received with respect to the claims of such Holders and of the Trustee on their behalf, and any receiver, assignee or trustee in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of such Holders to make payments to the Trustee, and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of payments directly to such Holders, to pay to the Trustee such amount as shall be sufficient to cover reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and all other reasonable expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee except as a result of its negligence or bad faith.
     All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Debt Securities of any series, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any such Debt Securities, or the production thereof in any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment (except for any amounts payable to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06) shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of all the Debt Securities in respect of which such action was taken.
     In case of an Event of Default hereunder the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power

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granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law.
     Section 6.03 Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys or other property collected by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.02 with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be applied, after giving effect to the provisions of Article XII, if applicable, in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys or other property, upon presentation of the several Debt Securities of such series in respect of which moneys or other property have been collected, and the notation thereon of the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:
     FIRST: To the payment of all money due the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.06;
     SECOND: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall not have become due, to the payment of interest on the Debt Securities of such series in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series, such payments to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto, without discrimination or preference;
     THIRD: In case the principal of the Outstanding Debt Securities in respect of which such moneys have been collected shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series for principal and premium, if any, and interest, with interest on the overdue principal and premium, if any, and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest at the rate or Yield to Maturity (in the case of Original Issue Discount Debt Securities) borne by the Debt Securities of such series; and, in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amount so due and unpaid upon the Debt Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and premium, if any, and interest, without preference or priority of principal and premium, if any, over interest, or of interest over principal and premium, if any, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Debt Security of such series over any Debt Security of such series, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and premium, if any, and interest; and
     FOURTH: The remainder, if any, shall be paid to the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers, as applicable, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
     The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.03. At least 15 days before such record date, the Issuers shall mail to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.
     Section 6.04 Limitation on Suits by Holders. No Holder of any Debt Security of any series shall have any right by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any action or proceeding at law or in equity or in bankruptcy or otherwise, upon or under or with

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respect to this Indenture, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of an Event of Default with respect to Debt Securities of that same series and of the continuance thereof and unless the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series shall have made written request upon the Trustee to institute such action or proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity or security as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee, for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity or security shall have failed to institute any such action or proceedings and no direction inconsistent with such written request shall have been given to the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.06; it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Debt Security with every other Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any Holders, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all such Holders. For the protection and enforcement of the provisions of this Section 6.04, each and every Holder and the Trustee shall be entitled to such relief as can be given either at law or in equity.
     Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, however, the right of any Holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on, such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Debt Security, and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
     Section 6.05 Remedies Cumulative; Delay or Omission in Exercise of Rights Not a Waiver of Default. All powers and remedies given by this Article VI to the Trustee or to the Holders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Holders, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any Default occurring and continuing as aforesaid, shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such Default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 6.04, every power and remedy given by this Article VI or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders.
     Section 6.06 Rights of Holders of Majority in Principal Amount of Debt Securities to Direct Trustee and to Waive Default. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or of exercising any right, trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of such series; provided, however, that such direction shall not be otherwise than in accordance with law and the provisions of this Indenture, and that subject to the provisions of Section 7.01, the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee being advised by counsel shall determine that the action so directed may not

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lawfully be taken or is inconsistent with any provision of this Indenture, or if the Trustee shall by a responsible officer or officers determine that the action so directed would involve it in personal liability or would be unduly prejudicial to Holders of Debt Securities of such series not taking part in such direction; and provided, further, however, that nothing in this Indenture contained shall impair the right of the Trustee to take any action deemed proper by the Trustee and which is not inconsistent with such direction by such Holders. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series at the time Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all the Debt Securities of that series waive any past Default or Event of Default and its consequences for that series, except a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities and a Default or Event of Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Holder affected thereby. In case of any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, and the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Issuers, the Trustee and the Holders of the Debt Securities of that series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.
     Section 6.07 Trustee to Give Notice of Events of Defaults Known to It, but May Withhold Such Notice in Certain Circumstances. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of an Event of Default, or if later, within 30 days after the Trustee obtains actual knowledge of the Event of Default, with respect to a series of Debt Securities give to the Holders thereof, in the manner provided in Section 13.03, notice of all Events of Default with respect to such series known to the Trustee, unless such Events of Default shall have been cured or waived before the giving of such notice; provided, that, except in the case of an Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any of the Debt Securities of such series or in the making of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders thereof.
     Section 6.08 Requirement of an Undertaking to Pay Costs in Certain Suits Under the Indenture or Against the Trustee. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Debt Security by his 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 or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit in the manner and to the extent provided in the TIA, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, 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 6.08 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Holder, or group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 25 percent in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that 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 Debt Security on or after the due date for such payment expressed in such Debt Security.

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ARTICLE VII
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
     Section 7.01 Certain Duties and Responsibilities. The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default has occurred (which has not been cured or waived), 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.
     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, its own bad faith or its own willful misconduct, except that:
          (a) this paragraph shall not be construed to limit the effect of the first paragraph of this Section 7.01;
          (b) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of a series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred:
          (i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to Debt Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations with respect to such series as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to such series shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee;
          (ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any 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 or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture; but the Trustee shall examine the evidence furnished to it pursuant to Sections 4.05 and 4.06 to determine whether or not such evidence conforms to the requirement of this Indenture;
          (iii) the Trustee shall not be liable for an 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; and
          (iv) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it with respect to Debt Securities of any series in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee,

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or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of such series.
     None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.
     Whether or not 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 7.02 Certain Rights of Trustee. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01:
          (a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;
          (b) any request, direction, order or demand of either of the Issuers mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Issuer Order (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors of an Issuer may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by its Secretary or an Assistant Secretary;
          (c) 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 in respect of any action taken or suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel;
          (d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders of Debt Securities of any series pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which may be incurred therein or thereby;
          (e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;
          (f) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default and after the curing of all Events of Default which may have occurred, 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, approval or other paper or document, unless requested in writing to do so by the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then Outstanding Debt Securities of a series affected by such matter; provided, however, that if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities

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likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is not, in the opinion of the Trustee, reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such costs, expenses or liabilities as a condition to so proceeding, and the reasonable expense of every such investigation shall be paid by the Issuers or, if paid by the Trustee, shall be repaid by the Issuers upon demand;
          (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 by it with due care hereunder; and
          (h) if any property other than cash shall at any time be subject to a Lien in favor of the Holders, the Trustee, if and to the extent authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction or by the supplemental instrument subjecting such property to such Lien, shall be entitled to make advances for the purpose of preserving such property or of discharging tax Liens or other prior Liens or encumbrances thereon.
     Section 7.03 Trustee Not Liable for Recitals in Indenture or in Debt Securities. The recitals contained herein, in the Debt Securities (except the Trustee’s certificate of authentication) shall be taken as the statements of the Issuers, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Debt Securities of any series, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Debt Securities and perform its obligations hereunder, and that the statements made by it or to be made by it in a Statement of Eligibility and Qualification on Form T-1 supplied to the Issuers are true and accurate. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuers of any of the Debt Securities or of the proceeds thereof.
     Section 7.04 Trustee, Paying Agent or Registrar May Own Debt Securities. The Trustee or any paying agent or Registrar, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Debt Securities and subject to the provisions of the TIA relating to conflicts of interest and preferential claims may otherwise deal with the Issuers with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee, paying agent or Registrar.
     Section 7.05 Moneys Received by Trustee to Be Held in Trust. Subject to the provisions of Section 11.05, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but 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 moneys received by it hereunder. So long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all interest allowed on any such moneys shall be paid from time to time to the Issuers upon an Issuer Order.
     Section 7.06 Compensation and Reimbursement. The Issuers covenant and agree to pay in Dollars to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust), and, except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Issuers will pay or reimburse in Dollars the Trustee

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upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its agents, attorneys and counsel and of all Persons not regularly in its employ), including without limitation, Section 6.02, except any such expense, disbursement or advances as may arise from its negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith. The Issuers also covenant to indemnify in Dollars the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust or trusts hereunder, including the reasonable costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim of liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The obligations of the Issuers under this Section 7.06 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional Debt hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. The Issuers and the Holders agree that such additional Debt shall be secured by a Lien prior to that of the Debt Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee, as such, except funds held in trust for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, or interest on, particular Debt Securities.
     When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.
     Section 7.07 Right of Trustee to Rely on an Officers’ Certificate Where No Other Evidence Specifically Prescribed. Except as otherwise provided in Section 7.01, whenever in the administration of the provisions of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof.
     Section 7.08 Separate Trustee; Replacement of Trustee. The Issuers may, but need not, appoint a separate Trustee for any one or more series of Debt Securities. The Trustee may resign with respect to one or more or all series of Debt Securities at any time by giving notice to the Issuers. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series may remove the Trustee for such series and only such series by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Issuers shall remove the Trustee if:
          (a) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
          (b) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
          (c) a Custodian takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
          (d) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

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If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Issuers or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Debt Securities of a particular series and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuers shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective until the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Section 7.08.
     A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Issuers. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders of Debt Securities of each applicable series. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.06.
     If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee gives notice of resignation or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.
     If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Debt Securities of any applicable series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series.
     Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Issuers’ obligations under Section 7.06 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
     In the case of the appointment hereunder of a separate or successor Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of one or more series, the Issuers, any retiring Trustee and each successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an Indenture supplemental hereto (i) which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of any retiring Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of any series as to which any such retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in such retiring Trustee and (ii) that 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 separate, retiring or successor 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.
     Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

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     In case at the time such successor or successors to the Trustee by merger, conversion, consolidation or transfer shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Debt Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee, and deliver such Debt Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Debt Securities shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Debt Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Debt Securities or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
     Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. No obligor upon the Debt Securities of a particular series or Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with such obligor shall serve as Trustee for the Debt Securities of such series. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA this Indenture or any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Issuers are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.
     Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Issuers. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated therein.
     Section 7.12 Compliance with Tax Laws. The Trustee hereby agrees to comply with all U.S. Federal income tax information reporting and withholding requirements applicable to it with respect to payments of premium (if any) and interest on the Debt Securities, whether acting as Trustee, Registrar, paying agent or otherwise with respect to the Debt Securities.
ARTICLE VIII
CONCERNING THE HOLDERS
     Section 8.01 Evidence of Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that the Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any or all series may take action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action) the fact that at the time of taking any such action the Holders of such specified percentage have joined therein may be evidenced (a) by any instrument or any number of instruments of similar tenor executed by Holders in Person or by agent or proxy appointed in writing, (b) by the record of the Holders voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.02, (c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders or (d) in the case of Debt Securities evidenced by a Global Security, by any electronic transmission or other message, whether or not in written format, that complies with the Depositary’s applicable procedures.

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     Section 8.02 Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Debt Securities. Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01, 7.02 and 13.09, proof of the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his agent or proxy shall be sufficient if made in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The ownership of Debt Securities of any series shall be proved by the Debt Security Register or by a certificate of the Registrar for such series. The Trustee may require such additional proof of any matter referred to in this Section 8.02 as it shall deem necessary.
     Section 8.03 Who May Be Deemed Owner of Debt Securities. Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any Debt Security, the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent and any Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Debt Security shall be registered upon the books of the Issuers as the absolute owner of such Debt Security (whether or not such Debt Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and premium, if any, and (subject to Section 2.12) interest on such Debt Security and for all other purposes, and none of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary; and all such payments so made to any such Holder for the time being, or upon his order, shall be valid and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability for moneys payable upon any such Debt Security.
     None of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, any paying agent or any Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.
     Section 8.04 Instruments Executed by Holders Bind Future Holders. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 8.01, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action and subject to the following paragraph, any Holder of a Debt Security which is shown by the evidence to be included in the Debt Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice with the Trustee at its corporate trust office and upon proof of holding as provided in Section 8.02, revoke such action so far as concerns such Debt Security. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Debt Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Debt Security and of any Debt Security issued upon transfer thereof or in exchange or substitution therefor, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon such Debt Security or such other Debt Securities. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Debt Securities of such series.
     The Issuers may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of Debt Securities entitled to give their consent or take any other action required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then

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notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders of Debt Securities at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders of Debt Securities after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date unless the consent of the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series specified in this Indenture shall have been received within such 120-day period.
ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES
     Section 9.01 Purposes for Which Supplemental Indenture May Be Entered into Without Consent of Holders. The Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time, without the consent of Holders, enter into an Indenture or Indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for one or more of the following purposes:
          (a) to evidence the succession pursuant to Article X of another Person to either of the Issuers, or successive successions, and the assumption by the Successor Company (as defined in Section 10.01) of the covenants, agreements and obligations of its predecessor Issuer in this Indenture and in the Debt Securities;
          (b) to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, to add to the covenants of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the Holders of all or any series of Debt Securities (and if such covenants 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) as the Board of Directors shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of such Debt Securities, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a Default in any of such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions a Default or an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture; provided, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such 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 Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of any or all series of Debt Securities to waive such Default;
          (c) to cure any ambiguity or omission or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein, in any supplemental Indenture or in any Debt Securities of any series that may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein, in any supplemental Indenture or in the Debt Securities of such series; to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee, or to make such other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising under this Indenture as shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holders of Debt Securities of any series;

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          (d) to permit or maintain the qualification of this Indenture or any Indenture supplemental hereto under the TIA as then in effect, except that nothing herein contained shall permit or authorize the inclusion in any Indenture supplemental hereto of the provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the TIA;
          (e) to permit or facilitate the issuance of Debt Securities of any series in uncertificated form;
          (f) to reflect the release of any Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with Article XIV
          (g) in the case of any Debt Securities subordinated pursuant to Article XII, to make any change in Article XII that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of Senior Indebtedness (or Representatives therefor) under Article XII;
          (h) to add Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to any or all of the Debt Securities or to secure any or all of the Debt Securities or the Guarantee;
          (i) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights hereunder of any Holder;
          (j) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture in respect of one or more series of Debt Securities; provided, however, that any such addition, change or elimination not otherwise permitted under this Section 9.01 shall neither apply to any Debt Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental Indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor modify the rights of the Holder of any such Debt Security with respect to such provision or shall become effective only when there is no such Debt Security Outstanding;
          (k) to evidence or provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor or separate Trustee with respect to the Debt 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; and
          (l) to establish the form or terms of Debt Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.03.
     The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of any such supplemental Indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental Indenture which affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
     Any supplemental Indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section 9.01 may be executed by the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee without the consent of the Holders of any of the Debt Securities at the time Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 9.02.

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     In the case of Debt Securities subordinated pursuant to Article XII, an amendment under this Section 9.01 may not make any change that adversely affects the rights under Article XII of any holder of Senior Indebtedness then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or any group or Representative thereof authorized to give a consent) consents to such change.
     Section 9.02 Modification of Indenture with Consent of Holders of Debt Securities. Without notice to any Holder but with the consent (evidenced as provided in Section 8.01) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such supplemental Indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for any such series of Debt Securities), the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an Indenture or Indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the TIA as in force at the date of execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series; provided, that no such supplemental Indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Debt Security so affected, shall: reduce the percentage in principal amount of Debt Securities of any series whose Holders must consent to an amendment; reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Debt Security; reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Debt Security; reduce any premium payable upon the redemption of any Debt Security or change the time at which any Debt Security may or shall be redeemed in accordance with Article III; make any Debt Security payable in currency other than that stated in such Debt Security; impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of premium, if any, principal of and interest on such Holder’s Debt Securities on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Debt Securities; in the case of any Debt Security subordinated pursuant to Article XII, make any change in Article XII that adversely affects the rights of any Holder under Article XII; release any security that may have been granted in respect of the Debt Securities, other than in accordance with this Indenture; make any change in Section 6.06 or this Section 9.02 (except to increase any percentage set forth therein); or, except as provided in Section 11.02(b) or Section 14.04, release the Subsidiary Guarantors other than as provided in this Indenture or modify the Guarantee in any manner that would adversely affect the rights of the Holders.
     A supplemental Indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has been expressly included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Debt Securities or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Debt 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 Debt Securities of any other series.
     Upon the request of the Issuers, accompanied by a copy of resolutions of the Board of Directors of each Issuer authorizing the execution of any such supplemental Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of Holders as aforesaid, the Trustee shall join with the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of such supplemental Indenture unless such supplemental Indenture affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion but shall not be obligated to enter into such supplemental Indenture.

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     It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental Indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof.
     In the case of any Debt Securities subordinated pursuant to Article XII, an amendment under this Section 9.02 may not make any change that adversely affects the rights under Article XII of any holder of Senior Indebtedness then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or any group or Representative thereof authorized to give a consent) consents to such change.
     After an amendment under this Section 9.02 requiring the consent of the Holders of any series of Debt Securities becomes effective, the Issuers shall mail to Holders of that series of Debt Securities of each series affected thereby a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to any such Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02 with respect to other Holders.
     Section 9.03 Effect of Supplemental Indentures. Upon the execution of any supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental Indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.
     The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, may receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such supplemental Indenture complies with the provisions of this Article IX.
     Section 9.04 Debt Securities May Bear Notation of Changes by Supplemental Indentures. Debt Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental Indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article IX 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 supplemental Indenture. New Debt Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Board of Directors, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental Indenture may be prepared and executed by the Issuers, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Debt Securities of such series then Outstanding. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Debt Security of such series shall not affect the validity of such amendment.
ARTICLE X
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OR CONVEYANCE
     Section 10.01 Consolidations and Mergers of the Issuers. Neither of the Issuers may consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into any Person, or sell, lease, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all its assets to any Person, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, unless: (a) either (i) such Issuer shall be the

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surviving Person in the case of a merger or (ii) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person if other than such Issuer (the “Successor Company”), shall be a partnership, limited liability company or corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company shall expressly assume, by an Indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Issuer under this Indenture and the Debt Securities according to their tenor; (b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions (and treating any Debt which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary of such Issuer as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction or series of transactions), no Default or Event of Default would occur or be continuing; (c) if such Issuer is not the continuing Person, then each Subsidiary Guarantor, unless it has become the Successor Company, shall confirm that its Guarantee shall continue to apply to the obligations under the Debt Securities and this Indenture; and (d) the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or disposition and such supplemental Indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture. In addition, for so long as the Company is not organized as a corporation, Finance Corp. may not consolidate or amalgamate with or merge with or into any Person unless the Successor Company is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.
     Section 10.02 Rights and Duties of Successor Company. In case of any consolidation, amalgamation or merger where such Issuer is not the continuing Person, or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Issuer in accordance with Section 10.01, the Successor Company shall succeed to and be substituted for such Issuer with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the respective party to this Indenture, and the predecessor entity shall be released from all liabilities and obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities, except that no such release will occur in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of such Issuer’s assets. The Successor Company thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of such Issuer, any or all the Debt Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by or on behalf of such Issuer and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of the Successor Company, instead of such Issuer, and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Debt Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by or on behalf of such Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, and any Debt Securities which the Successor Company thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Debt Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Debt Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all such Debt Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
     In case of any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, sale or disposition such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Debt Securities thereafter to be issued as may be appropriate.

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ARTICLE XI
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF
INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS
     Section 11.01 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article XI relating to discharge or defeasance of Debt Securities shall be applicable to each series of Debt Securities except as otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for Debt Securities of such series.
     Section 11.02 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance.
          (a) If at any time the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Debt Securities of any series theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than any Debt Securities of such series which shall have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which shall have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.09 and Debt Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Issuers as provided in Section 11.05) or all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable 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, and the Issuers shall deposit with the Trustee as trust funds the entire amount in cash sufficient to pay at final maturity or upon redemption all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, including principal and premium, if any, and interest due or to become due on such date of maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, and if in either case the Issuers shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuers with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities herein expressly provided for) with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuers accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Issuers, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction of and discharging this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series.
          (b) Subject to Sections 11.02(c), 11.03 and 11.07, the Issuers at any time may terminate, with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series, all its obligations under the Debt Securities of such series and this Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of such series (“legal defeasance option”) or the operation of (i) Sections 4.09 and 4.10, (ii) any covenant made applicable to such Debt Securities pursuant to Section 2.03, (iii) Sections 6.01(d), (g) and (h) and (iv) as they relate to the Subsidiary Guarantors only, Sections 6.01(e) and (f) (“covenant defeasance option”). If the Issuers exercise either their legal defeasance option or their covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series that are entitled to the benefit of the Guarantee, the Guarantee will terminate with respect to that series of Debt Securities. The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
     If the Issuers exercise their legal defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuers exercise their covenant defeasance option, payment of the Debt Securities of the defeased series may not

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be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(d), (g) and (h) and, with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantors only, Sections 6.01(e) and (f).
     Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Issuers, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Issuers terminate.
          (c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections 2.07, 2.09, 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, the last sentence of 4.05(a), 4.06(a), 5.01, 7.06, 11.05, 11.06 and 11.07 shall survive until the Debt Securities of the defeased series have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuers’ obligations in Sections 7.06, 11.05 and 11.06 shall survive.
     Section 11.03 Conditions of Defeasance. The Issuers may exercise their legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option with respect to Debt Securities of a particular series only if:
          (a) the Issuers irrevocably deposit in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
          (b) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest when due on all the Debt Securities of such series to final maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
          (c) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no Default specified in Section 6.01(e) or (f) with respect to the Issuers occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;
          (d) no Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit and after giving effect thereto;
          (e) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Issuers and, if the Debt Securities of such series are subordinated pursuant to Article XII, is not prohibited by Article XII;
          (f) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
          (g) in the event of the legal defeasance option, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Issuers have received from the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of Debt Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance

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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 defeasance had not occurred;
          (h) in the event of the covenant defeasance option, the Issuers shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Holders of Debt 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; and
          (i) the Issuers deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Debt Securities of such series as contemplated by this Article XI have been complied with.
     Before or after a deposit, the Issuers may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Debt Securities of such series at a future date in accordance with Article III.
     Section 11.04 Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article XI. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through any paying agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Debt Securities of the defeased series. In the event the Debt Securities of the defeased series are subordinated pursuant to Article XII, money and securities so held in trust are not subject to Article XII.
     Section 11.05 Repayment to Issuers. The Trustee and any paying agent shall promptly turn over to the Issuers upon request any excess money or securities held by them at any time.
     Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and any paying agent shall pay to the Issuers upon request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to such money must look to the Issuers for payment as general creditors.
     Section 11.06 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Issuers shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee and the Holders against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.
     Section 11.07 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or any paying agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or government authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Issuers’ obligations under this Indenture and the Debt Securities of the defeased series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article XI until such time as the Trustee or any paying agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article XI.

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ARTICLE XII
SUBORDINATION OF DEBT SECURITIES AND GUARANTEE
     Section 12.01 Applicability of Article; Agreement to Subordinate. The provisions of this Article XII shall only be applicable to the Debt Securities of any series (Debt Securities of such series referred to in this Article XII as “Subordinated Debt Securities”) designated, pursuant to Section 2.03, as subordinated to Senior Indebtedness and any related Guarantee of such Subordinated Debt Securities. Each Holder by accepting a Subordinated Debt Security agrees that the Debt evidenced by such Subordinated Debt Security and any related Guarantee of such Subordinated Debt Security is subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article XII, to the prior payment of all Senior Indebtedness and that the subordination is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of Senior Indebtedness. All provisions of this Article XII shall be subject to Section 12.12.
     Section 12.02 Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, to creditors (i) upon a liquidation or a dissolution of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, or (ii) in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, or their respective property:
          (a) holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of such Senior Indebtedness of such Person (including interest (if any), accruing on or after the commencement of a proceeding in bankruptcy, whether or not allowed as a claim against any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, in such bankruptcy proceeding) before Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and any related Guarantee shall be entitled to receive any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities from the Issuers, or any payment in respect of the Guarantee from the Subsidiary Guarantors; and
          (b) until the Senior Indebtedness of the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, is paid in full, any distribution to which Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and any related Guarantee would be entitled but for this Article XII shall be made to holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, as their interests may appear, except that such Holders may receive capital stock and any debt securities that are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, to at least the same extent as the Subordinated Debt Securities of the Issuers or the related Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor, respectively.
     Section 12.03 Default on Senior Indebtedness. The Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors may not pay the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities or any related Guarantee or make any deposit pursuant to Article XI and may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire (except, in the case of Subordinated Debt Securities that provide for a mandatory sinking fund pursuant to Section 3.05, by the delivery of Subordinated Debt Securities by the Issuers to the Trustee pursuant to the first paragraph of Section 3.05) any Subordinated Debt Securities (collectively, “pay the Subordinated Debt Securities”) if any principal, premium or interest in respect of Senior Indebtedness of such Person is not paid within

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any applicable grace period (including at maturity) or any other default on Senior Indebtedness of such Person occurs and the maturity of such Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms unless and until the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full in cash; provided, however, that the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors may make payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities or any related Guarantee without regard to the foregoing if the Issuers and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representative of each issue of Designated Senior Indebtedness. During the continuance of any other default with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors may not make payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities or any related Guarantee for a period (a “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing upon the receipt by the Issuers and the Trustee (and if such Designated Senior Indebtedness is Debt of a Subsidiary Guarantor, the Subsidiary Guarantor) of written notice of such default from the Representative of any Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period (a “Blockage Notice”) and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated by written notice to the Trustee and the Issuers (and if such Designated Senior Indebtedness is Debt of a Subsidiary Guarantor, the Subsidiary Guarantor) from the Person or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice, by repayment in full in cash of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or because the default giving rise to such Blockage Notice is no longer continuing). Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions contained in Section 12.02 and the first sentence of this Section 12.03), unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders shall have accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, the Issuers and the Subsidiary Guarantors may resume payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities and related Guarantees after such Payment Blockage Period. Not more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any consecutive 360-day period, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to any number of issues of Designated Senior Indebtedness during such period, unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 2.03 for the Subordinated Debt Securities of a series; provided, however, that in no event may the total number of days during which any Payment Blockage Period or Periods is in effect exceed 179 days in the aggregate during any 360 consecutive day period. For purposes of this Section 12.03, no default or event of default which existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or be made, the basis of the commencement of a subsequent Payment Blockage Period by the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.
     Section 12.04 Acceleration of Payment of Debt Securities. If payment of the Subordinated Debt Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Issuers shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness (or their Representatives) of the acceleration.
     Section 12.05 When Distribution Must Be Paid Over. If a distribution is made to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities or a related Guarantee that because of this Article XII

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should not have been made to them, the Holders who receive such distribution shall hold it in trust for holders of Senior Indebtedness and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.
     Section 12.06 Subrogation. After all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full and until the Subordinated Debt Securities are paid in full, Holders thereof shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness. A distribution made under this Article XII to holders of Senior Indebtedness which otherwise would have been made to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities is not, as between the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, and such Holders, a payment by the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, on Senior Indebtedness.
     Section 12.07 Relative Rights. This Article XII defines the relative rights of Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and holders of Senior Indebtedness. Nothing in this Indenture shall:
          (a) impair, as between the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, and Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities, the obligation of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, as the case may be, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities in accordance with their terms; or
          (b) prevent the Trustee or any Holder of Subordinated Debt Securities from exercising its available remedies upon an Event of Default, subject to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions otherwise payable to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities.
     Section 12.08 Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Issuers. No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness to enforce the subordination of the Debt evidenced by the Subordinated Debt Securities and the Guarantee in respect thereof shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or by its failure to comply with this Indenture.
     Section 12.09 Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent. Notwithstanding Sections 12.02 and 12.03, the Trustee or any paying agent may continue to make payments on Subordinated Debt Securities and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of facts that would prohibit the making of any such payments unless, not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a responsible officer of the Trustee receives notice satisfactory to it that payments may not be made under this Article XII. The Issuers, the Registrar, any paying agent, a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness may give the notice; provided, however, that, if an issue of Senior Indebtedness has a Representative, only the Representative may give the notice on behalf of the Holders of the Senior Indebtedness of that issue.
     The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior Indebtedness with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Registrar and any paying agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article XII with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness; and nothing in Article VII shall deprive the Trustee

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of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article XII shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.06.
     Section 12.10 Distribution or Notice to Representative. Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative (if any).
     Section 12.11 Article XII Not to Prevent Defaults or Limit Right to Accelerate. The failure to make a payment pursuant to the Subordinated Debt Securities, whether directly or pursuant to the Guarantee, by reason of any provision in this Article XII shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default. Nothing in this Article XII shall have any effect on the right of the Holders or the Trustee to accelerate the maturity of either the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Debt Securities, as the case may be.
     Section 12.12 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 XI by the Trustee for the payment of principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities or the Debt Securities shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness or subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article XII, and none of the Holders thereof shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any other creditor of the Issuers or the Guarantor.
     Section 12.13 Trustee Entitled to Rely. Upon any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XII, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 12.02 are pending, upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to such Holders or upon the Representatives for the holders of Senior Indebtedness for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other Debt of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article XII. In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article XII, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article XII, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. The provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02 shall be applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to this Article XII.
     Section 12.14 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each Holder by accepting a Subordinated Debt Security authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination between the

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Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities and the holders of Senior Indebtedness as provided in this Article XII and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.
     Section 12.15 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities or any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any other Person, money or assets to which any holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article XII or otherwise.
     Section 12.16 Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions. Each Holder by accepting a Subordinated Debt Security acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior Indebtedness, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Subordinated Debt Securities, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
     Section 13.01 Successors and Assigns of Issuers Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or in behalf of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee shall bind their respective successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.
     Section 13.02 Acts of Board, Committee or Officer of Successor Company Valid. Any act or proceeding by any provision of this Indenture authorized or required to be done or performed by any board, committee or officer of either of the Issuers shall and may be done and performed with like force and effect by the like board, committee or officer of any Successor Company.
     Section 13.03 Required Notices or Demands. Any notice or communication by the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing in the English language and delivered in Person or mailed by registered or certified mail (return receipt requested), telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:
     If to the Issuers or any Subsidiary Guarantor:
Copano Energy, L.L.C.
2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77019
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
Telecopy No. [______________]

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     If to the Trustee:
[                                           ]
     The Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
     All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; on the first Business Day on or after being sent, if telecopied and the sender receives confirmation of successful transmission; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
     Any notice required or permitted to a Holder by the Issuers, any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture shall be deemed to be properly mailed by being deposited postage prepaid in a post office letter box in the United States addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as shown on the Debt Security Register. Any report pursuant to Section 313 of the TIA shall be transmitted in compliance with subsection (c) therein.
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, any notice to Holders of Floating Rate Securities regarding the determination of a periodic rate of interest, if such notice is required pursuant to Section 2.03, shall be sufficiently given if given in the manner specified pursuant to Section 2.03.
     In the event of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give notice by mail, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.
     In the event it shall be impracticable to give notice by publication, then such notification as shall be given with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute sufficient notice for every purpose hereunder.
     Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it or any defect in any notice by publication as to a Holder shall not affect the sufficiency of such notice with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is mailed or published in the manner provided above, it is conclusively presumed duly given.
     Section 13.04 Indenture and Debt Securities to Be Construed in Accordance with the Laws of the State of New York. THIS INDENTURE, EACH DEBT SECURITY AND THE GUARANTEE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE NEW YORK CONTRACTS, AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SAID STATE.
     Section 13.05 Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel to Be Furnished upon Application or Demand by the Issuers. Upon any application or demand by the Issuers to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, each of the Issuers shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in

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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 have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such document is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
     Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (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 such Person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.
     Section 13.06 Payments Due on Legal Holidays. In any case where the date of maturity of interest on or principal of and premium, if any, on the Debt Securities of a series or the date fixed for redemption or repayment of any Debt Security or the making of any sinking fund payment shall not be a Business Day at any Place of Payment for the Debt Securities of such series, then payment of interest or principal and premium, if any, or the making of such sinking fund payment need not be made on such date at such Place of Payment, 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 date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, and no interest shall accrue for the period after such date. If a record date is not a Business Day, the record date shall not be affected.
     Section 13.07 Provisions Required by TIA to Control. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included in this Indenture by any of Sections 310 to 318, inclusive, of the TIA, such required provision shall control.
     Section 13.08 Computation of Interest on Debt Securities. Interest, if any, on the Debt Securities shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, except as may otherwise be provided pursuant to Section 2.03.
     Section 13.09 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. The Registrar and any paying agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.
     Section 13.10 No Recourse Against Others. The Issuers and their past, present or future directors, officers, employees, incorporators, unitholders, stockholders, partners, managers and members, as such, shall have no liability for any obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Issuers under the Debt Securities, this Indenture or the Guarantee or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Debt Security, each Holder shall be deemed to have waived and released all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Debt Securities.

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     Section 13.11 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or the Debt Securities 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 13.12 Effect of Headings. The article and section headings herein and in the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
     Section 13.13 Indenture May Be Executed in Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
ARTICLE XIV
GUARANTEE
     Section 14.01 Unconditional Guarantee.
          (a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Article XIV to the contrary, the provisions of this Article XIV shall be applicable only to, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Debt Securities of any series designated, pursuant to Section 2.03, as entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors.
          (b) For value received, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby fully, unconditionally and absolutely guarantees (the “Guarantee”) to the Holders and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and the Debt Securities by the Issuers, when and as such principal, premium, if any, and interest shall become due and payable, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, according to the terms of the Debt Securities and this Indenture, subject to (i) the limitations set forth in Section 14.03 and (ii) in the case of the Guarantee of the Subordinated Debt Securities, to the subordination provisions contained in Article XII.
          (c) Failing payment when due of any amount guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee, for whatever reason, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately, subject, in the case of the Guarantee of the Subordinated Debt Securities, to the subordination provisions contained in Article XII. The Guarantee hereunder (other than the Guarantee of Subordinated Debt Securities) is intended to be a general, unsecured, senior obligation of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all Debt of each Subsidiary Guarantor that is not, by its terms, expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that its obligations hereunder shall be full, unconditional and absolute, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee (including the Guarantee of any other Subsidiary Guarantor) or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Debt Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against either of the Issuers or any other Subsidiary Guarantor, or any action to enforce the same or any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of any of the Subsidiary Guarantors. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that in the event of a default in

59


 

payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Debt Securities, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, legal proceedings may be instituted by the Trustee on behalf of the Holders or, subject to Section 6.04, by the Holders, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Indenture, directly against such Subsidiary Guarantor to enforce the Guarantee without first proceeding against either of the Issuers or any other Subsidiary Guarantor.
          (d) The obligations of each of the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Article XIV shall be as aforesaid full, unconditional and absolute and shall not be impaired, modified, released or limited by any occurrence or condition whatsoever, including, without limitation, (i) any compromise, settlement, release, waiver, renewal, extension, indulgence or modification of, or any change in, any of the obligations and liabilities of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors contained in the Debt Securities or this Indenture, (ii) any impairment, modification, release or limitation of the liability of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their estates in bankruptcy, or any remedy for the enforcement thereof, resulting from the operation of any present or future provision of any applicable Bankruptcy Law, as amended, or other statute or from the decision of any court, (iii) the assertion or exercise by any of the Issuers, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee of any rights or remedies under the Debt Securities or this Indenture or their delay in or failure to assert or exercise any such rights or remedies, (iv) the assignment or the purported assignment of any property as security for the Debt Securities, including all or any part of the rights of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors under this Indenture, (v) the extension of the time for payment by any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors of any payments or other sums or any part thereof owing or payable under any of the terms and provisions of the Debt Securities or this Indenture or of the time for performance by any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors of any other obligations under or arising out of any such terms and provisions or the extension or the renewal of any thereof, (vi) the modification or amendment (whether material or otherwise) of any duty, agreement or obligation of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors set forth in this Indenture, (vii) the voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution, sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets, marshaling of assets and liabilities, receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, reorganization, arrangement, composition or readjustment of, or other similar proceeding affecting, any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors or any of their respective assets, or the disaffirmance of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture in any such proceeding, (viii) the release or discharge of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors from the performance or observance of any agreement, covenant, term or condition contained in any of such instruments by operation of law, (ix) the unenforceability of the Debt Securities, the Guarantee or this Indenture or (x) any other circumstances (other than payment in full or discharge of all amounts guaranteed pursuant to the Guarantee) which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety or guarantor.
          (e) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby (i) waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of the merger, insolvency or bankruptcy of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, and all demands whatsoever, (ii) acknowledges that any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee may be transferred and that the benefit of its obligations hereunder shall extend to each holder of any agreement, instrument or document evidencing the Guarantee without notice to it and (iii) covenants that the Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete

60


 

performance of the Guarantee. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors further agrees that if at any time all or any part of any payment theretofore applied by any Person to the Guarantee is, or must be, rescinded or returned for any reason whatsoever, including without limitation, the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any of the Issuers or the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Guarantee shall, to the extent that such payment is or must be rescinded or returned, be deemed to have continued in existence notwithstanding such application, and the Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, as though such application had not been made.
          (f) Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be subrogated to all rights of the Holders and the Trustee against the Issuers in respect of any amounts paid by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture; provided, however, that such Subsidiary Guarantor, shall not be entitled to enforce or to receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all of the Debt Securities and the Guarantee shall have been paid in full or discharged.
     Section 14.02 Execution and Delivery of Guarantee. To further evidence the Guarantee set forth in Section 14.01, each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that a notation relating to such Guarantee, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A, shall be endorsed on each Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and executed by either manual or facsimile signature of an Officer of such Subsidiary Guarantor. Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agrees that the Guarantee set forth in Section 14.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Debt Security a notation relating to the Guarantee. If any Officer of any Subsidiary Guarantor whose signature is on this Indenture or a Debt Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates such Debt Security or at any time thereafter, the Guarantee of such Debt Security shall be valid nevertheless. The delivery of any Debt Security by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Subsidiary Guarantors.
     The Trustee hereby accepts the trusts in this Indenture upon the terms and conditions herein set forth.
     Section 14.03 Limitation on Subsidiary Guarantors’ Liability. Each Subsidiary Guarantor and by its acceptance hereof each Holder of a Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee hereby confirm that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to the Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any Federal or state law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders of a Debt Security entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor and to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee, not result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under Federal or state law.

61


 

     Section 14.04 Release of Subsidiary Guarantors from Guarantee.
          (a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Guarantee of any Subsidiary Guarantor may be released upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Section 11.02(b) and in this Section 14.04. Provided that no Default shall have occurred and shall be continuing under this Indenture, the Guarantee incurred by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to this Article XIV shall be unconditionally released and discharged (i) automatically upon (A) any sale, exchange or transfer, whether by way of merger or otherwise, to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company’s direct or indirect limited liability company or other equity interests in such Subsidiary Guarantor (provided such sale, exchange or transfer is not prohibited by this Indenture) or (B) the merger of such Subsidiary Guarantor into either of the Issuers or any other Subsidiary Guarantor or the liquidation and dissolution of such Subsidiary Guarantor (in each case to the extent not prohibited by this Indenture) or (ii) upon the Issuers’ delivery of a written notice to the Trustee of the release or discharge of all guarantees by such Subsidiary Guarantor of any Debt of the Issuers other than obligations arising under this Indenture and any Debt Securities issued hereunder, except a discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantees.
          (b) The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing any release of a Subsidiary Guarantor from the Guarantee upon receipt of a written request of the Issuers accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Subsidiary Guarantor is entitled to such release in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. Any Subsidiary Guarantor not so released shall remain liable for the full amount of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Debt Securities entitled to the benefits of the Guarantee as provided in this Indenture, subject to the limitations of Section 14.03.
     Section 14.05 Subsidiary Guarantor Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby agree, inter se, that in the event any payment or distribution is made by any Subsidiary Guarantor (a “Funding Guarantor”) under the Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor (if any) in a pro rata amount based on the net assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor) for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by that Funding Guarantor in discharging the Issuers’ obligations with respect to the Debt Securities or any other Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations with respect to the Guarantee.
[Remainder of This Page Intentionally Left Blank.]

62


 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the day and year first above written.
         
  COPANO ENERGY, L.L.C.
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
  COPANO ENERGY FINANCE CORPORATION
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
  [NAME(S) OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR(S)]
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
  [                                        ], as Trustee
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
[Signature Page to Senior Indenture]

 


 

ANNEX A
NOTATION OF GUARANTEE
     Each of the Subsidiary Guarantors (which term includes any successor Person 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 Debt Securities and all other amounts due and payable under the Indenture and the Debt Securities by the Issuers.
     The obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors to the Holders of Debt Securities and to the Trustee pursuant to the Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article XIV of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Guarantee.
         
  [NAME(S) OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR(S)]
 
 
  By:      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
Annex A-1

 

EX-5.1 4 h68278exv5w1.htm EX-5.1 exv5w1
Exhibit 5.1
(VINSON&ELKINS LOGO)
November 2, 2009
Copano Energy, L.L.C.
Copano Energy Finance Corporation
2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77019
Ladies and Gentlemen:
     We have acted as counsel to Copano Energy, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Company”), and Copano Energy Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Finance Co”), with respect to certain legal matters in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on the date hereof and to which this opinion is an exhibit. The Registration Statement relates to the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the offer and sale, from time to time, pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, of:
     (1) common units representing limited liability company interests in the Company (the “Common Units”);
     (2) debt securities of the Company and/or the Finance Co (the “Debt Securities”); and
     (3) guarantees (the “Guarantees”) of the Debt Securities by certain subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”) of the Company listed in the Registration Statement.
The Common Units, Debt Securities and Guarantees are collectively referred to herein as the “Securities.” We have also participated in the preparation of the prospectus relating to the Registration Statement and included as a part thereof (the “Prospectus”). The Securities may be offered in such amounts and at such prices and on such terms to be determined in light of market conditions at the time of offer and sale and to be set forth in a prospectus supplement to the Prospectus (a “Prospectus Supplement”).
     We have examined (i) the Registration Statement; (ii) the Prospectus; (iii) the form of Senior Indenture (the “Senior Indenture”) filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; (iv) the form of Subordinated Indenture (the “Subordinated Indenture”, and, together with the Senior Indenture, the “Indentures”) filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; (v) the Third Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of the Company, as amended; (vi) the Certificate of Formation of the Company, as amended; (vii) other formation documents and agreements, as applicable, of the Finance Co and the Guarantors and (viii) such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for purposes of this opinion. In addition, we have reviewed certain certificates of officers of the Company, the Finance Co and the
     
Vinson & Elkins LLP Attorneys at Law
  First City Tower, 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500
Austin Beijing Dallas Dubai Hong Kong Houston
  Houston, TX 77002-6760
London Moscow New York Shanghai Tokyo Washington
  Tel 713.758.2222 Fax 713.758.2346 www.velaw.com

 


 

(GRAPHIC)   Page 2
Guarantors and of public officials, and we have relied on such certificates with respect to certain factual matters that we have not independently established.
     In connection with this opinion, we have assumed that (i) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), will have become automatically effective and comply with applicable law; (ii) a Prospectus Supplement will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby; (iii) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable Prospectus Supplement; (iv) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and/or the Finance Co and the other parties thereto; (v) the applicable Indenture will have been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (vi) the applicable Indenture and any supplemental indenture relating to a particular series of Debt Securities will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the parties thereto in the form reviewed by us; and (vii) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Security being offered will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise.
     Based upon and subject to the assumptions, qualifications, limitations and exceptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:
     With respect to the Common Units, when (i) the Company has taken all necessary action to approve the issuance of such Common Units, the terms of the offering and related matters, (ii) the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement has been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the parties thereto and (iii) the Common Units have been issued and delivered in accordance with terms of the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Company upon payment of the consideration therefore provided for therein, then the Common Units will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, except as described in the Registration Statement.
     With respect to the Debt Securities to be issued under the Indentures, when (i) the applicable Indenture relating to the Debt Securities and, if applicable, the related Guarantees, has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (ii) the Company, the Finance Co and the Guarantors have taken all necessary corporate, limited partnership or limited liability company action to approve the issuance and terms of such Debt Securities and if applicable, the Guarantees, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters; (iii) the terms of such Debt Securities and, if applicable, the Guarantees and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with the applicable Indenture so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, the Finance Co or the Guarantors, and so as to comply with any requirements or restrictions imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company, the Finance Co or the Guarantors and (iv) such Debt Securities and, if applicable, the related Guarantees, have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, and upon payment of the consideration for such Debt Securities as provided for in the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement, such Debt Securities and, if

 


 

(GRAPHIC)   Page 3
applicable, the Guarantees, will be legally issued and such Debt Securities and Guarantees will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, the Finance Co and the Guarantors, as applicable, enforceable against the Company, the Finance Co and the Guarantors, as applicable, in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement is subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or at law).
The opinions expressed herein are qualified in the following respects:
A.   We have assumed, without independent verification, that the certificates for the Common Units will conform to the specimens thereof examined by us and will have been duly countersigned by a transfer agent and duly registered by a registrar of the Common Units.
 
B.   We have assumed that (i) each document submitted to us for review is accurate and complete, each such document that is an original is authentic, each such document that is a copy conforms to an authentic original and all signatures on each such document are genuine, and (ii) each certificate from governmental officials reviewed by us is accurate, complete and authentic, and all official public records are accurate and complete.
 
C.   We express no opinions concerning (i) the validity or enforceability of any provisions contained in the Indentures that purport to waive or not give effect to the rights to notices, defenses, subrogation or other rights or benefits that cannot be effectively waived under applicable law; or (ii) the enforceability of indemnification provisions to the extent they purport to relate to liabilities resulting from or based upon negligence or any violation of federal or state securities or blue sky laws.
 
D.   This opinion is limited in all respects to federal law of the United States of America, the Delaware Revised Uniform Limited Partnership Act, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Constitution of the State of Delaware, as interpreted by the courts of the State of Delaware, and the laws of the State of New York.
     We hereby consent to the references to this firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. By giving such consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder.
         
  Very truly yours,
 
 
  /s/ Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.    
     
     

 

EX-8.1 5 h68278exv8w1.htm EX-8.1 exv8w1
Exhibit 8.1
(Vinson and Elkins)
November 2, 2009
Copano Energy, L.L.C.
2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 1200
Houston Texas 77019
RE:   COPANO ENERGY, L.L.C.; REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel for Copano Energy, L.L.C. (the “Company”), a Delaware limited liability company, with respect to certain legal matters in connection with the filing with respect to the preparation of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed on the date hereof with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the offer and sale by the Company from time to time, to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, of:
(1)   common units representing limited liability company interests in the Company;
 
(2)   debt securities, which may be co-issued by Copano Energy Finance Corporation, a Delaware corporation, in one or more series, consisting of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Debt Securities”); and
 
(3)   guarantees of the Debt Securities by of certain subsidiaries of the Company listed in the Registration Statement as guarantors.
In connection therewith, we prepared the discussion (the “Discussion”) set forth under the caption “Material Income Tax Considerations” in the prospectus included in the Registration Statement.
     All statements of legal conclusions contained in the Discussion, unless otherwise noted, are our opinion with respect to the matters set forth therein as of the effective date of the Registration Statement qualified by the limitations contained in the Discussion. In addition, we are of the opinion that the Discussion with respect to those matters as to which no legal conclusions are provided are accurate discussion of such federal income tax matters (except for the representations and statements of fact by the Company, included in the Discussion, as to which we express no opinion).
     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name in the Registration Statement. This consent does not constitute an admission that we are “experts” within the meaning of such term as used in the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued thereunder.
         
  Very truly yours,
 
 
  /s/ VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P.    
     
  Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.   
 
     
Vinson & Elkins LLP Attorneys at LawAustin Beijing Dallas Dubai
Houston London Moscow New York Shanghai Tokyo Washington
  First City Tower, 1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2300, Houston, TX 77002-6760
Tel 713.758.2222 Fax 713.758.2346 www.velaw.com

EX-12.1 6 h68278exv12w1.htm EX-12.1 exv12w1
         
Exhibit 12.1
Copano Energy, L.L.C. and Subsidiaries
Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(In Thousands)
                                                 
    Six Months                                
    Ended                                
    June 30,                                
    2009     2008     2007     2006     2005     2004  
Earnings:
                                               
Net Income (loss)
  $ 11,943     $ 58,213     $ 63,175     $ 65,114     $ 30,352     $ (915 )
Income taxes
    735       1,249       1,714                    
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates
    (3,583 )     (6,889 )     (2,850 )     (1,297 )     (927 )     (419 )
 
                                   
Pre-tax income (loss) from continuing operations
    9,095       52,573       62,039       63,817       29,425       (1,334 )
Fixed charges
    29,346       69,339       30,753       34,011       20,658       23,352  
Amortization of capitalized interest
    317       259       85       38       4       4  
Distributed income from unconsolidated affiliate
    14,227       25,830       4,382                    
Capitalized interest
    (2,346 )     (3,471 )     (932 )     (693 )            
Preferred equity distributions
                                   
 
                                   
Earnings for ratio calculation
  $ 50,639     $ 144,530     $ 96,327     $ 97,173     $ 50,087     $ 22,022  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Fixed charges:
                                               
Interest and other financing costs
  $ 26,449     $ 64,978     $ 29,351     $ 32,904     $ 20,461     $ 23,160  
Capitalized interest
    2,347       3,471       932       693              
Interest portion of operating leases
    550       890       470       414       197       192  
Preferred equity distributions
                                   
 
                                   
Total fixed charges
  $ 29,346     $ 69,339     $ 30,753     $ 34,011     $ 20,658     $ 23,352  
 
                                   
 
                                               
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
    1.7x       2.1x       3.1x       2.9x       2.4x        
 
                                   
     For purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of pre-tax income from continuing operations before equity in (earnings) loss from unconsolidated affiliates plus fixed charges, amortization of capitalized interest and distributions from equity investees less capitalized interest and preference equity distributions. Fixed charges consist of interest expensed and capitalized, distributions on preference units and the estimated interest component of rent expense. Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges for the years ended December 31, 2004 by $1.3 million.

 

EX-21.1 7 h68278exv21w1.htm EX-21.1 exv21w1
Exhibit 21.1
List of Significant Subsidiaries of Copano Energy, L.L.C.
     
Name   Jurisdiction of Formation
Copano Energy Finance Corporation
  Delaware
 
ScissorTail Energy, LLC
  Delaware
 
Cimmarron Gathering, LP
  Texas
 
Copano Field Services/Copano Bay, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Field Services/South Texas, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Field Services/Agua Dulce, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Field Services/Central Gulf Coast, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Field Services/Karnes, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Field Services/Upper Gulf Coast, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Field Services/Live Oak, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Pipelines/South Texas, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Pipelines/Upper Gulf Coast, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Pipelines/Hebbronville, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Pipelines/TGC, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Energy Services/Upper Gulf Coast, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Energy Services/Texas Gulf Coast, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Field Services/North Texas, L.L.C.
  Delaware
 
Alamo Creek Properties, L.L.C.
  Delaware
 
River View Pipelines, L.L.C.
  Delaware
 
CMW Energy Services, L.L.C.
  Delaware
 
Greenwood Gathering, L.L.C.
  Delaware
 
Copano Pipelines/North Texas, L.L.C.
  Delaware
 
Copano Pipelines/Texas Gulf Coast, L.L.C.
  Delaware
 
Copano Pipelines/Victoria, L.L.C.
  Delaware
 
Copano Processing/Louisiana, LLC
  Oklahoma

 


 

     
Name   Jurisdiction of Formation
Copano NGL Services, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Processing, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano NGL Services (Markham), L.L.C.
  Delaware
 
Copano/Webb-Duval Pipeline, L.P.
  Delaware
 
Copano Field Services/Rocky Mountains, LLC
  Delaware
 
Copano Field Facilities/Rocky Mountains, LLC
  Delaware
 
Copano Pipelines/Rocky Mountains, LLC
  Delaware
 
CPNO Services, L.P.
  Texas
 
Copano Risk Management, L.P.
  Texas

 

EX-23.1 8 h68278exv23w1.htm EX-23.1 exv23w1
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of (1) our reports dated February 27, 2009 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Copano Energy, L.L.C., and the effectiveness of Copano Energy, L.L.C.’s internal control over financial reporting and (2) our report dated February 29, 2008 relating to the financial statements of Bighorn Gas Gathering, L.L.C. as of December 31, 2007 and for the period from October 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007, all appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Copano Energy, L.L.C. for the year ended December 31, 2008, and to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Houston, Texas
November 2, 2009

 

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