UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO
SCHEDULE TO
(RULE 14d-100)
Tender Offer Statement Under Section 14(d)(1) or 13(e)(1)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
LINN ENERGY, LLC
(Names of Subject Company)
LINNCO, LLC
(Names of Filing Persons (Offeror))
UNITS REPRESENTING LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY INTERESTS
(Title of Class of Securities)
536020100
(CUSIP Number of Class of Securities)
Candice J. Wells
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
LinnCo, LLC
600 Travis, Suite 5100
Houston, Texas 77002
(281) 840-4000
(Name, address and telephone number of person authorized to receive notices and communications on behalf of filing persons)
with copies to:
Matthew R. Pacey
Kirkland & Ellis LLP
600 Travis, Suite 3300
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 835-3600
CALCULATION OF FILING FEE
Transaction Valuation* | Amount of Filing Fee** | |
$159,187,173.06 | $16,030.15 | |
* | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 0-11 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, based on the product of (i) $0.71, the average of the high and low sales prices per unit of Linn Energy, LLC units representing limited liability company interests (LINN Energy units) on March 18, 2016, as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and (ii) 224,207,286 (the maximum number of LINN Energy units that may be exchanged in the transaction for the common shares representing limited liability company interests of LinnCo, LLC). The registration fee was paid on March 22, 2016 in connection with the filing of the original Registration Statement on Form S-4. |
** | The amount of the filing fee, calculated in accordance with Rule 0-11 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, equals 0.0001007 multiplied by the transaction valuation. |
x | Check the box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing with which the offsetting fee was previously paid. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
Amount Previously Paid: $16,030.15 | Filing Party: LinnCo, LLC | |
Form or Registration No.: Form S-4 | Date Filed: March 22, 2016 |
¨ | Check the box if the filing relates solely to preliminary communications made before the commencement of a tender offer. |
Check the appropriate boxes below to designate any transactions to which the statement relates:
x | third-party tender offer subject to Rule 14d-1. |
¨ | issuer tender offer subject to Rule 13e-4. |
¨ | going-private transaction subject to Rule 13e-3. |
¨ | amendment to Schedule 13D under Rule 13d-2. |
Check the following box if the filing is a final amendment reporting the results of the tender offer: ¨
This Amendment No. 4 (this Amendment) amends and supplements the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO originally filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) on March 22, 2016 as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 to the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO, filed on April 6, 2016, that certain Amendment No. 2 to the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO, filed on April 18, 2016, and that certain Amendment No. 3 to Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO, filed on April 26, 2016 (as amended and supplemented from time to time, the Schedule TO) by LinnCo, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (LinnCo), relating to the offer by LinnCo to exchange for each outstanding unit representing limited liability company interests in Linn Energy, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (LINN Energy), an affiliate of LinnCo, one common share representing limited liability company interests in LinnCo (such offer, on the terms and subject to the conditions and procedures set forth in the prospectus/offer to exchange, dated April 26, 2016 (the Prospectus/Offer to Exchange), as supplemented by Prospectus Supplement No. 1, dated May 12, 2016, filed as Exhibit (a)(1)(D) hereto, and in the related amended and restated letter of transmittal (the Letter of Transmittal), together with any amendments or supplements thereto, the Offer).
LinnCo has filed with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-210331), dated March 22, 2016 and amended as of April 6, 2016 and April 18, 2016, of which the Prospectus/Offer to Exchange forms a part. The terms and conditions of the Offer are set forth in the Prospectus/Offer to Exchange and the Letter of Transmittal. Pursuant to General Instruction F to Schedule TO, the information contained in the Prospectus/Offer to Exchange and the Letter of Transmittal, including any prospectus supplement or other supplement thereto related to the Offer hereafter filed with the SEC by LinnCo, is hereby expressly incorporated into this Schedule TO by reference in response to Items 1 through 11 of this Schedule TO, and is supplemented by the information specifically provided for in this Schedule TO by reference.
All of the information regarding the Offer as set forth in the Schedule TO, including all exhibits thereto, that were previously filed with the Schedule TO, is hereby expressly incorporated by reference into this Amendment, except that such information is hereby amended and supplemented to the extent specifically provided for herein and to the extent amended and supplemented by the exhibits filed herewith. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Amendment have the meanings ascribed to them in the Schedule TO.
Item 12. | Exhibits. |
Item 12 of the Schedule TO is hereby amended by the addition of Exhibits (a)(1)(D), (a)(4)(B) and (a)(5)(G) as set forth below:
Exhibit |
Description | |
(a)(1)(D) | Prospectus Supplement No. 1 to the Prospectus/Offer to Exchange, filed on May 12, 2016 (incorporated by reference to LinnCos Prospectus Supplement No. 1 filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) on May 12, 2016). | |
(a)(4)(B) | Exhibit (a)(1)(D) is incorporated by reference. | |
(a)(5)(G) | Press Release dated May 11, 2016. |
2
SIGNATURE
After due inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.
Dated: May 12, 2016
LINNCO, LLC | ||
By: | /s/ Candice J. Wells | |
Name: | Candice J. Wells | |
Title: | Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary |
3
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit |
Description | |
(a)(1)(D) | Prospectus Supplement No. 1 to the Prospectus/Offer to Exchange, filed on May 12, 2016 (incorporated by reference to LinnCos Prospectus Supplement No. 1 filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) on May 12, 2016). | |
(a)(4)(B) | Exhibit (a)(1)(D) is incorporated by reference. | |
(a)(5)(G) | Press Release dated May 11, 2016. |
Exhibit (a)(5)(G)
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NEWS RELEASE
|
LINN ENERGY, LINNCO AND BERRY PETROLEUM ENTER RESTRUCTURING SUPPORT AGREEMENT WITH FIRST LIEN LENDERS
LINN, LinnCo and Berry to Voluntarily File for Chapter 11 to Implement Debt Restructuring
Operations to Continue in the Ordinary Course
HOUSTON, May 11, 2016 LINN Energy, LLC (NASDAQ: LINE) (LINN), LinnCo, LLC (NASDAQ: LNCO) (LinnCo), and Berry Petroleum Company, LLC (Berry, and with LINN and LinnCo, the Company) announced today that the Company has entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement with holders of at least 66.67% by aggregate outstanding principal amounts of LINNs Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2013, as amended, and Berrys Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2010, as amended (collectively, the Credit Facilities).
In order to implement the terms of the Restructuring Support Agreement, the Company today filed voluntary petitions for restructuring under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (Chapter 11) in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas (the Bankruptcy Court).
The Company expects its operations across its asset base to continue in the ordinary course throughout the Chapter 11 process.
Mark E. Ellis, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, We believe the Restructuring Support Agreement reflects the confidence of our first lien lenders in the quality of our assets and represents an important step forward for the Company. After our review of the available options, with the assistance of our financial and legal advisors, we determined that this court supervised financial restructuring process is the best course of action for the Company and our stakeholders. Like many others in our industry, LINN has been impacted by continued low commodity prices. We believe that these steps will provide us the financial flexibility to successfully manage in the current commodity price environment and, when combined with constructive agreements with our remaining creditors and potential third party financing, will provide a platform for future growth.
Mr. Ellis continued, Importantly, we expect to continue normal operations across our diverse and high-quality asset base. The hard work and dedication of our employees has enabled us to achieve strong operational results, and we are truly grateful for their commitment to safety and to driving the Companys success. Together, we look forward to working cooperatively with our vendors, suppliers and partners as we move through this process.
Under the Restructuring Support Agreement, the parties agreed to support a plan of reorganization for the Company that would include: (1) a new LINN $2.2 billion reserve-based and term loan credit facility on the terms set forth in the Restructuring Support Agreement, (2) the consensual use of LINN and Berrys cash collateral to fund the Chapter 11 Cases under negotiated terms and conditions, and (3) the broad terms of a comprehensive restructuring of the Companys indebtedness,. The Restructuring Support Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 11, 2016.
Exhibit (a)(5)(G)
The Company anticipates that the cash available to it during its Chapter 11 Cases will likely provide sufficient liquidity to support the business during the financial restructuring process. As such, the Company does not currently intend to seek debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing.
LINN has filed various customary motions with the Bankruptcy Court in support of its financial restructuring. The Company intends to continue to pay employee wages and provide healthcare and other defined benefits without interruption in the ordinary course of business and to pay suppliers and vendors in full under normal terms for goods and services provided on or after the Chapter 11 filing date.
Advisors
Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal advisor to LINN, Lazard is serving as its financial advisor and AlixPartners is its restructuring advisor.
Additional Information
Additional information is available on LINNs website at www.linnenergy.com/restructuring/ or by calling LINNs Restructuring Hotline, toll-free in the U.S., at 1-844-794-3479 (for calls originating outside the U.S., please dial 1-917-962-8892). In addition, court filings and other documents related to the reorganization proceedings are available on a separate website administered by LINNs claims agent, Prime Clerk, at https://cases.primeclerk.com/linn.
Exchange Offer
As previously announced, on April 26, 2016, LinnCo commenced a subsequent offering period to exchange each outstanding unit of LINN for one LinnCo share (the Exchange Offer). The subsequent offering period will expire at 12:00 midnight (New York City time) on May 23, 2016, unless extended. The Company has asked for court approval to keep the Exchange Offer open uninterrupted. Procedures for tendering LINN units during the subsequent offering period, assuming court approval, are the same as during the initial offering period, except that pursuant to Rule 14d-7(a)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, LINN units validly tendered during the subsequent offering period will be accepted on a daily, as tendered basis and, accordingly, may not be withdrawn.
The purpose of the Exchange Offer is to permit holders of LINN units to maintain their economic interest in LINN through LinnCo, an entity that is taxed as a corporation rather than a partnership, which may allow LINN unitholders to avoid future allocations of taxable income and loss, including cancellation of debt income (CODI), that could result from the court-supervised reorganization process. In general, CODI will be allocated to persons who are deemed to hold the units when the events giving rise to such CODI occur. The filing of a petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code does not itself cause LINN to recognize CODI; however, it is likely that the final resolution of a bankruptcy plan would cause LINN to recognize an amount of CODI, which may be substantial.
ABOUT LINN ENERGY
LINN Energys mission is to acquire, develop and maximize cash flow from a portfolio of long-life oil and natural gas assets. More information about LINN Energy is available at www.linnenergy.com.
ABOUT LINNCO
LinnCo was created to enhance LINN Energys ability to raise additional equity capital to execute its acquisition and growth strategy. LinnCo is a Delaware limited liability company that has elected to be taxed as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, and accordingly its shareholders will receive a Form 1099 in respect of any dividends paid by LinnCo. More information about LinnCo is available at www.linnco.com.
Exhibit (a)(5)(G)
SAFE HARBOR FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contain forward-looking statements. These statements, including those relating to the intent, beliefs, plans or expectations of the Company are based upon current expectations and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. It is not possible to predict or identify all such factors and the following list should not be considered a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties relating to the bankruptcy filing by the Company, including, but not limited to: (i) the Companys ability to obtain the Bankruptcy Court approval with respect to motions or other requests made to the Bankruptcy Court in the Chapter 11 cases, including maintaining strategic control as debtor-in-possession, (ii) the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to negotiate, develop, confirm and consummate a plan of reorganization, (iii) the effects of the bankruptcy filing on the Companys business and the interests of various constituents, (iv) the Bankruptcy Court rulings in the Chapter 11 cases, as well the outcome of all other pending litigation and the outcome of the Chapter 11 Cases in general, (v) the length of time that the Company will operate under Chapter 11 protection and the continued availability of operating capital during the pendency of the Chapter 11 proceedings, (vi) risks associated with third party motions in the Chapter 11 cases, which may interfere with the Companys ability to confirm and consummate a plan of reorganization, (vii) the potential adverse effects of the Chapter 11 proceedings on the Companys liquidity or results of operations, (viii) increased advisory costs to execute the Companys reorganization, (ix) the impact of a potential NASDAQ suspension of trading and commencement of delisting proceedings on the liquidity and market price of the units representing limited liability company interests of the Company (units) and on the Companys ability to access the public capital markets, (x) the uncertainty that any trading market for units will exist or develop in the over-the-counter markets, (xi) the completion of the subsequent offering period and (xii) other risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of risk factors, please see Part I, Item 1A, Risk Factors of LINN and LinnCos most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information. The Company assumes no obligation and expressly disclaims any duty to update the information contained herein except as required by law.
Contacts: | LINN Energy, LLC and LinnCo, LLC |
Investors and Media: |
Clay Jeansonne, Vice President Investor and Public Relations |
(281) 840-4193 |
Sarah Nordin, Public Relations and Media |
(713) 904-6605 |
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