UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 30, 2014
ACCESS MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
| Delaware | 001-34831 | 80-0534394 | ||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(Commission File No.) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| 525 Central Park Drive, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | 73105 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(877) 413-1023
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Section 5 — Corporate Governance and Management
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Principal Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Form of Restricted Phantom Unit Award Agreement
On June 30, 2014, the board of directors (the “Board”) of Access Midstream Partners GP, L.L.C. (the “General Partner”), the general partner of Access Midstream Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”), approved a revised form of phantom unit award agreement (the “Award Agreement”) pursuant to which phantom units subject to certain vesting restrictions (“Restricted Phantom Units”) may be issued under the Access Midstream Long-Term Incentive Plan (as amended, the “LTIP”). Restricted Phantom Units are subject to all of the terms and conditions of the LTIP and the individual Award Agreements. Restricted Phantom Unit awards represent rights to receive common units of the Partnership upon vesting, as determined by the Board or the committee that administers the LTIP.
The Award Agreement sets forth the terms of grants of Restricted Phantom Units to certain participants under the LTIP, including the Partnership’s named executive officers. Each Restricted Phantom Unit granted under the Award Agreement will be granted in tandem with an accompanying distribution equivalent right, which will entitle the grantee to receive payments in an amount equal to any distributions made by the Partnership with respect to the Partnership’s common units underlying the Restricted Phantom Units. The Award Agreement contemplates that individual grants of Restricted Phantom Units will vest in installments based on the grantee’s continued employment with the General Partner, the Partnership or one of their respective affiliates through the vesting dates specified in the Award Agreement. In the event that the grantee incurs a “Qualifying Termination” (as defined in the Award Agreement) upon or within 12 months following a Change of Control (as defined in the LTIP), all outstanding unvested Restricted Phantom Units (and their accompanying distribution equivalent rights) will automatically vest in full upon such Qualifying Termination. In the event that the grantee’s employment with the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their respective affiliates terminates, any unvested Restricted Phantom Units (and their accompanying distribution equivalent rights), after taking into consideration any accelerated vesting that occurs in connection with such termination, if any, will be forfeited.
The foregoing description of the Award Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Award Agreement, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated into this Item 5.02 by reference.
Retention Awards
In connection with the previously disclosed closing of the acquisition by The Williams Companies, Inc. of all of the interests in the Partnership and Access Midstream Ventures, L.L.C. formerly owned by certain entities affiliated with Global Infrastructure Investors II, the Board approved grants of Restricted Phantom Units under the LTIP to each of our named executive officers pursuant to Award Agreements with the General Partner (collectively, the “Retention Awards”). The Retention Awards were approved by the Board on June 30, 2014 with respect to John Seldenrust and Walter Bennett and on July 3, 2014 with respect to J. Michael Stice, Robert S. Purgason and David C. Shiels. The grant date of each Retention Award will be July 16, 2014.
The table below sets forth the grant date value of the Retention Awards that will be granted to the named executive officers on July 16, 2014.
| Officer |
Grant Date Value | |||
| J. Michael Stice (Chief Executive Officer) |
$ | 1,000,000 | ||
| Robert S. Purgason (Chief Operating Officer) |
$ | 5,000,000 | ||
| David C. Shiels (Chief Financial Officer) |
$ | 600,000 | ||
| John D. Seldenrust (Senior Vice President – Eastern Operations) |
$ | 4,000,000 | ||
| Walter Bennett (Senior Vice President – Western Operations) |
$ | 3,000,000 | ||
The number of Restricted Phantom Units that will be granted to each named executive officer will be determined by dividing the applicable grant date value set forth in the table above by the closing price of one common unit of the Partnership on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant, rounded down to the nearest whole unit.
The Restricted Phantom Units granted to each of the named executive officers will vest as follows:
| • | 50% of the Restricted Phantom Units granted to Messrs. Stice and Shiels will vest on each of the first and second anniversaries of the grant date; |
| • | 25% of the Restricted Phantom Units granted to Mr. Purgason will vest on each of the second and third anniversaries of the grant date, and the remaining Restricted Phantom Units granted to Mr. Purgason will vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date; |
| • | 18.75% of the Restricted Phantom Units granted to Mr. Seldenrust will vest on each of the second and third anniversaries of the grant date, and the remaining Restricted Phantom Units granted to Mr. Seldenrust will vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date; and |
| • | 16.67% of the Restricted Phantom Units granted to Mr. Bennett will vest on each of the second and third anniversaries of the grant date, and the remaining Restricted Phantom Units granted to Mr. Bennett will vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date. |
Upon the occurrence of a “Qualifying Termination” (as defined in the Award Agreement) of the applicable named executive officer upon or within 12 months following a Change of Control (as defined in the LTIP), any remaining unvested Restricted Units granted to such named executive officer will vest in full.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
| 10.1 | Form of Restricted Phantom Unit Award Agreement |
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| ACCESS MIDSTREAM PARTNERS, L.P. | ||
| By: | Access Midstream Partners GP, L.L.C., its general partner | |
| By: | /s/ David C. Shiels | |
| David C. Shiels | ||
| Chief Financial Officer | ||
Dated: July 3, 2014
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
| Exhibit |
Exhibit Description | |
| 10.1 | Form of Restricted Phantom Unit Award Agreement | |
Exhibit 10.1
RESTRICTED PHANTOM UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT FOR
ACCESS MIDSTREAM
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
THIS RESTRICTED PHANTOM UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) entered into as of the grant date set forth on the attached Notice of Grant of Award and Award Agreement (the “Notice”) to which this Agreement relates, by and between Access Midstream Partners GP, L.L.C. (the “General Partner”), the general partner of Access Midstream Partners, L.P. (the “Partnership”), and the participant named on the Notice (the “Participant”). The Notice has also been provided to the Participant through the Participant’s E*Trade account.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the General Partner maintains the Access Midstream Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”); and
WHEREAS, the Participant is an Employee (as defined in the Plan), and it is important to the General Partner that the Participant be encouraged to remain an Employee;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises and covenants herein contained, the Participant and the General Partner agree as follows:
1. The Plan. The Plan, a copy of which has been made available to the Participant, is incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof for all purposes, and when taken with this Agreement (which includes the Notice) shall govern the rights of the Participant and the General Partner with respect to the Award (as defined below). In the event of any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference as a part of this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control. Any capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement have the same meanings given to them in the Plan.
2. Grant of Award. The General Partner hereby grants to the Participant an award (the “Award”) of Phantom Units (which are referred to in this Notice as “Restricted Phantom Units”), as set forth on the Notice, on the terms and conditions set forth herein, including in the Notice, and in the Plan.
3. Terms of Award.
(a) Service Vesting. Subject to Section 3(d) below, the Restricted Phantom Units will vest based on the Participant’s continuous employment with the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth on the Notice. For purposes of this Agreement, “employment” means being an Employee, Consultant or Director, of the General Partner, the Partnership or any of their Affiliates and a change in status between being an Employee, Consultant or Director shall not constitute a termination of employment. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a termination of employment must also be a “separation from service” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.
(b) Forfeiture. In the event the Participant’s employment with the General Partner, the Partnership and their Affiliates terminates prior to all Restricted Phantom Units becoming vested, any Restricted Phantom Units that have not yet vested (after taking into account any accelerated vesting that occurs in connection with such termination, if any) shall be forfeited automatically on such termination of employment and the Participant shall have no further interest therein of any kind whatsoever. However, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the vesting of all or part of the then balance of this Award in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability or termination due to special circumstances (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion).
(c) Distribution Equivalent Rights (“DERs”). The General Partner shall establish, with respect to each Restricted Phantom Unit granted, a separate bookkeeping account for such Restricted Phantom Unit (a “DER Account”), which shall be credited (without interest) with an amount equal to any cash distributions made by the Partnership with respect to a Unit during the period such Restricted Phantom Unit remains credited to the Participant. Upon the vesting of a Restricted Phantom Unit, the DER Account with respect to such vested Restricted Phantom Unit shall also become vested. Similarly, upon the forfeiture of a Restricted Phantom Unit, the DER Account with respect to such forfeited Restricted Phantom Unit shall also be forfeited.
(d) Accelerated Vesting. In the event that (1) a Change of Control occurs and (2) the Participant incurs a Qualifying Termination (as defined below) upon or within twelve (12) months following the consummation of such Change of Control, the outstanding unvested Restricted Phantom Units and outstanding unvested DER Accounts credited to the Participant pursuant to this Agreement at the time of such Qualifying Termination automatically shall vest in full upon such Qualifying Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Qualifying Termination” shall mean a termination of employment with the General Partner, the Partnership and their Affiliates (i) by the General Partner, the Partnership or one of their Affiliates without Cause or (ii) if the Participant is a party to an employment agreement or offer letter with the General Partner, the Partnership or one of their Affiliates that contains a definition of “good reason” (or other term of similar effect), by the Participant for “good reason” (as defined in such employment agreement or offer letter, as applicable).
4. Payment of Vested Restricted Phantom Units and DER Accounts.
(a) Restricted Phantom Units. Subject to Section 5 below, as soon as reasonably practical, but not later than 60 days, following the date Restricted Phantom Units vest, the General Partner shall cause to be delivered (whether in certificate or electronic form, in the Committee’s discretion) to the Participant that number of Units equal to the number of Restricted Phantom Units then vesting.
(b) DER Accounts. Subject to Section 5 below, as soon as reasonably practical, but not later than 60 days, following the date a Restricted Phantom Unit vests, the General Partner shall cause to be paid to the Participant an amount of cash equal to the amount then credited to the DER Account maintained with respect to such Restricted Phantom Unit.
5. Withholding of Taxes. If the grant or payment of a Restricted Phantom Unit, or the payment of cash with respect to a DER Account, results in the receipt of compensation by the Participant with respect to which the General Partner or an Affiliate has a tax withholding obligation pursuant to applicable law, the General Partner or such Affiliate shall withhold (or “net”) (i) from that number of Units otherwise deliverable to the Participant and (ii) from the amount of cash otherwise payable to the Participant, such number of Units with respect to (i) above and amount of cash with respect to (ii) above as the General Partner or such Affiliate requires to meet its tax withholding obligations under such applicable law; provided, however, that the Committee in its discretion may permit the Participant to deliver cash or other property to the General Partner or an Affiliate in satisfaction of such tax withholding obligations under applicable law. No delivery of a Unit with respect to a vested Restricted Phantom Unit or payment of cash with respect to a vested DER Account shall be made pursuant to this Agreement until the applicable tax withholding requirements of the General Partner or the Affiliate with respect to such event have been satisfied in full.
6. Nontransferability of Award. The Participant shall not have the right to sell, assign, transfer, convey, dispose, pledge, hypothecate, burden, encumber or charge any Restricted Phantom Unit or DER Account or any interest therein in any manner whatsoever, (whether by operation of law or otherwise), other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and shall not be subject to execution, attachment, or similar process. Any attempted assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of a Restricted Phantom Unit or DER Account contrary to the provisions hereof shall be null and void and without effect.
7. Amendments. This Award Agreement may be amended by a written agreement signed by the General Partner and the Participant; provided, however, that, subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may modify the terms of this Award Agreement without the consent of the Participant in any manner that is not materially adverse to the vested rights or benefits of the Participant.
8. Securities Law Restrictions. This Award shall be vested and be paid only in compliance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), and any other applicable securities law, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom. If deemed necessary by the General Partner to comply with the Act or any applicable laws or regulations relating to the sale of securities, the Participant at the time of vesting and as a condition imposed by the General Partner, shall represent, warrant and agree that Units of the Partnership acquired pursuant to the vesting of the Award are being acquired for investment and not with any present intention to resell the same and without a view to distribution, and the Participant shall, upon the request of the General Partner, execute and deliver to the General Partner an agreement to such a fact. The Participant acknowledges that any unit certificate representing Units of the Partnership acquired under such circumstances will be issued with a restricted securities legend.
9. Notices. All notices or other communications relating to the Plan and this Agreement as it relates to the Participant shall be in writing, shall be deemed to have been made (a) if personally delivered in return for a receipt, (b) if mailed, by regular U.S. mail, postage prepaid, by the General Partner to the Participant at his last known address evidenced on the General Partner’s or its Affiliate’s payroll records or (c) if provided electronically, provided to the Participant at his e-mail address specified in the General Partner’s or its Affiliate’s records or as otherwise specified pursuant to and in accordance with the Committee’s applicable administrative procedures.
Page 2
10. Binding Effect and Governing Law. This Agreement shall be (i) binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and assigns except as may be limited by the Plan and (ii) governed and construed under the laws of the State of Oklahoma, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.
11. Entire Agreement. Except as may be specifically provided in a written employment or severance agreement between Participant and Participant’s employer, this Agreement, including the Notice and subject to the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement of all parties hereto with regard to the subject matter hereof, and contains all the covenants, promises, representations, warranties and agreements between the parties with respect to the Restricted Phantom Units and DERs granted hereby. Without limiting the scope of the preceding sentence, all prior understandings and agreements, if any, among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof are hereby null and void and of no further force and effect.
12. Captions. The captions of specific provisions of this Agreement are for convenience and reference only, and in no way define, describe, extend or limit the scope of this Agreement or the intent of any provision hereof.
13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original for all purposes, but all of which taken together shall form but one agreement.
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Notice of Grant of Award
and Award Agreement
under the Access Midstream
Long-Term Incentive Plan
| Participant Name: |
|
Plan Award Number: |
| |||||
| Address: |
|
Participant ID: |
|
Effective as of [date] (the “Grant Date”), you have been granted an award of Restricted Phantom Units under the Plan with respect to Units of the Partnership. Each Restricted Phantom Unit represents one notional Unit of the Partnership. The Restricted Phantom Units granted hereby are restricted and subject to forfeiture until the vesting date(s) shown below or as otherwise set forth in the Award Agreement.
The current total value of the Award is $ , based on the Fair Market Value of a Unit on the Grant Date.
The Award will become vested in increments on the date(s) shown, subject to your continued employment (as defined in the Award Agreement) through each such date.
| Restricted Phantom Units |
Vest | |
| mm/dd/yyyy | ||
| mm/dd/yyyy | ||
| mm/dd/yyyy | ||
| mm/dd/yyyy |
By your signature and the General Partner’s signature below (or your acceptance through your Etrade account or such other means as instructed by the General Partner), you and the General Partner agree that this Award is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Award Agreement.
| Access Midstream Partners GP, L.L.C. | Participant | |||||||
| By: |
|
| ||||||
| Date: |
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Date: |
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