EX-10.1 2 d610393dex101.htm EX-10.1 EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION VERSION

 

 

ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of December 10, 2024,

among

OVINTIV INC.,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent,

and

THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO

 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,

CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,

CITIBANK N.A.

and

TD SECURITIES (USA) LLC,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Bookrunners

MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.,

as Syndication Agent

BANK OF MONTREAL,

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA

and

NATIONAL BANK OF CANADA,

as Documentation Agents

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

SECTION 1.01.

  Certain Defined Terms      1  

SECTION 1.02.

  Terms Generally      27  

SECTION 1.03.

  Accounting Principles      27  

SECTION 1.04.

  Interest Rates; Benchmark Notification      28  

SECTION 1.05.

  Certain Matters Related to Ratings      28  

SECTION 1.06.

  Divisions      30  

SECTION 1.07.

  Effectuation of Transactions      30  

ARTICLE II

 

AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE LOANS

 

SECTION 2.01.

  The Loans      30  

SECTION 2.02.

  Making of the Loans      30  

SECTION 2.03.

  [Reserved]      31  

SECTION 2.04.

  [Reserved]      31  

SECTION 2.05.

  Fees      31  

SECTION 2.06.

  Termination or Reduction of the Commitments      32  

SECTION 2.07.

  Repayment of Loans      32  

SECTION 2.08.

  Interest      33  

SECTION 2.09.

  Interest Rate Determination      33  

SECTION 2.10.

  Optional Conversion or Continuation of Loans      35  

SECTION 2.11.

  Prepayments of Loans      36  

SECTION 2.12.

  Increased Costs      36  

SECTION 2.13.

  [Reserved]      37  

SECTION 2.14.

  Payments and Computations      37  

SECTION 2.15.

  Taxes      38  

SECTION 2.16.

  Sharing of Payments, Etc.      40  

SECTION 2.17.

  Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders      41  

SECTION 2.18.

  Use of Proceeds      42  

SECTION 2.19.

  [Reserved]      42  

SECTION 2.20.

  Evidence of Debt      42  

SECTION 2.21.

  Defaulting Lenders      42  

ARTICLE III

 

CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS AND LENDING

 

SECTION 3.01.

  Conditions Precedent to the Effective Date      43  

SECTION 3.02.

  Conditions Precedent to the Funding Date      44  

ARTICLE IV

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

SECTION 4.01.

  Representations and Warranties of the Borrower      46  

 

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ARTICLE V

 

COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER

 

SECTION 5.01.

  Affirmative Covenants      49  

SECTION 5.02.

  Negative Covenants      52  

SECTION 5.03.

  Actions in Respect of Subsidiaries      56  

SECTION 5.04.

  Certain Guaranty and Collateral Matters      57  

ARTICLE VI

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 

SECTION 6.01.

  Events of Default      57  

ARTICLE VII

 

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

SECTION 7.01.

  Appointment and Authority      59  

SECTION 7.02.

  Rights as a Lender      59  

SECTION 7.03.

  Exculpatory Provisions      59  

SECTION 7.04.

  Reliance by Administrative Agent      60  

SECTION 7.05.

  Indemnification      61  

SECTION 7.06.

  Resignation of Administrative Agent      61  

SECTION 7.07.

  Delegation of Duties      62  

SECTION 7.08.

  Acknowledgements of Lenders      62  

SECTION 7.09.

  No Other Duties, etc.      63  

SECTION 7.10.

  Certain ERISA Matters      63  

SECTION 7.11.

  Posting of Communications; Approved Borrower Portal      64  

ARTICLE VIII

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 8.01.

  Amendments, Etc.      65  

SECTION 8.02.

  Notices, Etc.      66  

SECTION 8.03.

  No Waiver; Remedies      67  

SECTION 8.04.

  Costs and Expenses      67  

SECTION 8.05.

  Right of Set-off      68  

SECTION 8.06.

  Binding Effect; Integration      69  

SECTION 8.07.

  Assignments and Participations      69  

SECTION 8.08.

  Confidentiality      72  

SECTION 8.09.

  Patriot Act      72  

SECTION 8.10.

  Governing Law      72  

SECTION 8.11.

  Severability      73  

SECTION 8.12.

  Execution in Counterparts; Electronic Execution      73  

SECTION 8.13.

  Jurisdiction, Etc.      74  

SECTION 8.14.

  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL      74  

SECTION 8.15.

  Interest Rate Limitation      74  

SECTION 8.16.

  Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions      74  

SECTION 8.17.

  No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility      75  

 

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Schedule I -    Commitments
Exhibits:   
Exhibit A    Form of Assignment and Assumption
Exhibit B    Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit C    [Reserved]
Exhibit D    [Reserved]
Exhibit E    [Reserved]
Exhibit F-1    Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Lenders That Are Not A United States Person And That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit F-2    Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Participants That Are Not A United States Person And That Are Not Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit F-3    Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Participants That Are Not A United States Person And That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit F-4    Form of U.S. Tax Compliance Certificate (For Lenders That Are Not A United States Person And That Are Partnerships For U.S. Federal Income Tax Purposes)
Exhibit G    Form of Solvency Certificate

 

 

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ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of December 10, 2024, among OVINTIV INC., a Delaware corporation, JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the LENDERS party hereto.

The parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

SECTION 1.01. Certain Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement (unless stated otherwise), the following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

Acquisition” means the acquisition by the Borrower, through the Initial Guarantor or another Subsidiary and pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement, of the assets defined in the Acquisition Agreement as the “Paramount Assets”.

Acquisition Agreement” means the Agreement of Purchase and Sale dated as of November 13, 2024, by and among the Initial Guarantor, the Seller and the Borrower, together with all exhibits, schedules, appendices and other attachments thereto.

Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR” means an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Daily Simple SOFR plus (b) 0.10%; provided that if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR as so determined would be less than the Floor, Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Adjusted Term SOFR” means, for any Interest Period, an interest rate per annum equal to (a) the Term SOFR for such Interest Period plus (b) 0.10%; provided that if the Adjusted Term SOFR as so determined would be less than the Floor, Adjusted Term SOFR shall be deemed to be equal to the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Administrative Agent” means JPMorgan, in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and its successors in such capacity as provided in Article VII.

Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person or is a director or officer of such Person. For purposes of this definition, the term “control” (including the terms “controlling”, “controlled by” and “under common control with”) of a Person means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to vote 5% or more of the Voting Shares of such Person or to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of Voting Shares, by contract or otherwise.

Agreement” means this Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

Amendment No. 1 to U.S. Credit Agreement” means that certain Amendment No. 1, dated as of the date hereof, to the Existing U.S. Credit Agreement.

 

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Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of Sanctions Authorities that apply to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery of government officials or public corruption.

Applicable Law” means, with respect to any Person, property, transaction or event, and whether or not having the force of law, all applicable provisions of laws, statutes, regulations, rules, guidelines, by-laws, treaties, orders, policies, judgments, decrees and official directives of Governmental/Judicial Bodies or Persons acting under the authority of any Governmental/Judicial Body.

Applicable Lending Office” means, with respect to any Lender, the office of such Lender specified as its “Lending Office” in its Administrative Questionnaire delivered to the Administrative Agent, or such other office of such Lender as such Lender may from time to time specify to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

Applicable Margin” means, as of any day, with respect to any Base Rate Loan or Term SOFR Loan, the rate per annum set forth in the table below for the applicable Type of Loan based upon the Borrower Debt Ratings by S&P, Moody’s and Fitch applicable on such day:

 

Rating Level

  

Borrower Debt Rating

(S&P/Moody’s/Fitch)

  

Applicable Margin

for Base Rate Loans

  

Applicable Margin

for Term SOFR Loans

1

   A- / A3 / A- or higher    0.0 bps    100.0 bps

2

   BBB+ / Baa1 / BBB+    12.5 bps    112.5 bps

3

   BBB / Baa2 / BBB    25.0 bps    125.0 bps

4

   BBB- / Baa3 / BBB-    50.0 bps    150.0 bps

5

   BB+/Ba1 / BB+    75.0 bps    175.0 bps

6

   lower than BB+ / lower than Ba1 / lower than BB+ or unrated by all Ratings Agencies    100.0 bps    200.0 bps

provided that, for each Rating Level, each of the interest rate spreads set forth in the table above will increase by 12.5 basis points per annum on the 180th day after the Funding Date.

For purposes of the foregoing, (a) if at any time each of the Ratings Agencies shall have in effect a Borrower Debt Rating, and the Borrower Debt Ratings by such Rating Agencies differ, then the Rating Level shall correspond to the Borrower Debt Ratings by two of the Ratings Agencies or, if the Borrower Debt Ratings by each of the Ratings Agencies differ, by the middle of such Borrower Debt Ratings, (b) if at such time only two of the Ratings Agencies shall have in effect a Borrower Debt Rating, and (i) the Borrower Debt Rating by one of the Ratings Agencies differs from the Borrower Debt Rating by the other Ratings Agency by only one Rating Level, then the Rating Level shall correspond to the Borrower Debt Rating of the higher of the two Borrower Debt Ratings by such Ratings Agencies and (ii) the Borrower Debt Rating by one of the Ratings Agencies differs from the Borrower Debt Rating by the other Ratings Agency by two or more Rating Levels, then the Rating Level shall correspond to the Borrower Debt Rating one Rating Level below the higher of the two Borrower Debt Ratings by such Ratings Agencies, (c) if at such time only one of the Ratings Agencies shall have in effect a Borrower Debt Rating, then the Rating Level shall correspond to the sole Borrower Debt Rating, (d) if no Rating Agency shall have in effect a Borrower Debt Rating, then, subject to Section 1.05, Rating Level 6 shall apply and (e) if any Borrower Debt Rating shall be changed (other than as a result of a change in the rating system of the applicable rating agency), such change shall be effective as of the third Business Day after the date on which it is first publicly announced by the applicable Rating Agency making such change, irrespective of when notice of such change shall have been furnished by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders. Each change in the Rating Level shall apply during the period commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change.

 

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Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Approved Borrower Portal” means an electronic platform chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system.

Approved Electronic Platform” means Debt Domain, IntraLinks, Syndtrak or a substantially similar electronic transmission system chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system.

Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee, and accepted and approved by the Administrative Agent and, if applicable, approved by the Borrower in accordance with Section 8.07, in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto.

Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark, as applicable, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof), as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period for any term rate or otherwise, for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated pursuant to this Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 2.09(c)(iv).

Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an Affected Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation” means (a) with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law, regulation rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

Base Rate” means, for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such day plus 12 of 1% and (c) the Adjusted Term SOFR for a one month Interest Period as published two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such day (or if such day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the immediately preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day) plus 1%; provided that for the purpose of this definition, the Adjusted Term SOFR for any U.S. Government Securities Business Day shall be based on the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, on such day (or any amended publication time for the Term SOFR Reference Rate, as specified by the CME Term SOFR Administrator in the Term SOFR Reference Rate methodology). Any change in the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Adjusted Term SOFR, respectively. If the Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 2.09 (for the avoidance of doubt, only until the Benchmark Replacement has been determined pursuant to Section 2.09(c)), then the Base Rate shall be the greater of clauses (a) and (b) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (c) above. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Base Rate as determined pursuant to the foregoing would be less than 1.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be 1.00% for purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Base Rate Borrowing” means any Borrowing comprised of Base Rate Loans.

Base Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

 

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basis point” or “bps” means one one-hundredth of one percent.

Benchmark” means, initially, the Term SOFR; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event, and the related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the Term SOFR or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 2.09(c)(i).

Benchmark Replacement” means, for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date:

(a) the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR; and

(b) the sum of: (i) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (A) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body and/or (B) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time in the United States and (ii) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (a) or (b) above would be less than the Floor, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be the Floor for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and the Borrower for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (a) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and/or (b) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for Dollar-denominated syndicated credit facilities at such time in the United States.

Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement and/or any Term SOFR Loan, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Base Rate”, the definition of “Business Day”, the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day”, the definition of “Interest Period”, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides in its reasonable discretion in consultation with the Borrower may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides in its reasonable discretion that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines in its reasonable discretion that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Borrower, decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).

Benchmark Replacement Date” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the earlier to occur of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:

 

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(a) in the case of clause (a) or (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event”, the later of (i) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (ii) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

(b) in the case of clause (c) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event”, the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) have been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be no longer representative; provided, that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.

For the avoidance of doubt, (x) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (y) the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (a) or (b) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

Benchmark Transition Event” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:

(a) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);

(b) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component thereof), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component thereof), in each case, which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) has ceased or will cease to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

(c) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such Benchmark (or such component thereof) or, if such Benchmark is a term rate, all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer be, representative.

For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

 

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Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the period (if any) (a) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (a) or (b) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.09(c) and (b) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any Loan Document in accordance with Section 2.09(c).

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership or control as required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code and (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”.

Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Borrower or, if duly constituted and whenever duly empowered, the executive committee of the board of directors of the Borrower for the time being and reference to action by the directors means actions by the directors of the Borrower as a board or action by the said executive committee as such committee.

Bona Fide Debt Fund” means any debt fund, investment vehicle, regulated bank entity or unregulated lending entity that is engaged primarily in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in loans, bonds and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of business for financial investment purposes and with respect to which no personnel involved with the investment in the relevant competitor of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or the management, control or operation thereof, directly or indirectly, possesses the power to direct the investment policies of such fund, vehicle or entity.

Borrower” means (a) Ovintiv Inc., a Delaware corporation, and/or (b) any successor thereto as provided in Section 5.02(a)(iii).

Borrower Communications” means, collectively, any Notice of Borrowing, Notice of Conversion/Continuation, notice of prepayment, notice of termination or reduction of Commitments or other notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by any Loan Party to the Administrative Agent through an Approved Borrower Portal.

Borrower Debt Rating” means, for each of S&P, Moody’s or Fitch at any time, the rating assigned by such Rating Agency to the Borrower’s long-term senior unsecured, non-credit enhanced debt at such time.

Borrowing” means Loans of the same Type made, Converted or Continued on the same day and, in the case of Term SOFR Loans, as to which a single Interest Period is in effect.

Bow Office Lease” means, collectively and individually, the Headlease, the Sublease and the Encana Indemnity and all amendments, supplements, renewals, extensions, replacements and restatements of any of the foregoing and any other agreements entered into pursuant to any of the foregoing relating to The Bow office tower or any properties ancillary thereto. For purposes of this definition, “Headlease” means, collectively, the lease made as of February 7, 2007, between Encana Developments Partnership (“EDP”) (as landlord) and Encana Leasehold Limited Partnership (“ELLP”) (as tenant), as assigned by EDP to Centre Street Trust pursuant to an assignment and assumption agreement dated February 8, 2007 between EDP and Centre Street Trust, as amended pursuant to letter agreements dated December 10, 2007, February 11, 2008, February 14, 2008, and February 25, 2009 among Centre Street Trust, ELLP and EDP, and as amended by a lease amending agreement made as of April 22, 2009, among, inter alia, Centre Street Trust and ELLP, as

 

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the same may be further assigned or amended, restated, superseded, supplemented, extended, replaced or modified from time to time; “Sublease” means the Sublease with respect to a portion of the premises located in The Bow entered into between ELLP as sublandlord and the Borrower as subtenant dated November 29, 2009 and effective on or about November 30, 2009, as such sublease may be amended, restated, superseded, supplemented, extended, replaced, or modified from time to time; and “Encana Indemnity” means the indemnity entered into by the Borrower and EDP dated February 7, 2007, as assigned by EDP to Centre Street Trust pursuant to an assignment and assumption agreement dated February 8, 2007, between EDP and Centre Street Trust, as the same may be amended, restated, superseded, supplemented, extended, replaced or modified from time to time.

Bridge Commitment Letter” means the commitment letter dated November 13, 2024 (together with all exhibits and annexes thereto), among JPMorgan, MSSF and the Borrower, relating to the Bridge Facility.

Bridge Facility” means a senior unsecured 364-day bridge loan facility of the Borrower, in an aggregate principal amount of up to $2,500,000,000, to be established in connection with the Acquisition.

Business Day” means a day of the year on which banks are not required or authorized by law to remain closed in New York City, provided that, when used in relation to any Term SOFR Loan or Daily Simple SOFR Loan and any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements, settlements or payments of any Term SOFR Loan or Daily Simple SOFR Loan, or any other dealings of any Term SOFR Loan or Daily Simple SOFR Loan, the term “Business Day” shall also exclude any day that is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day.

Centralized Banking Arrangements” means any centralized banking arrangements entered into by the Borrower with any financial institution in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of obtaining cash management services (which arrangements may include, without limitation, the pooling and set-off of account balances between accounts belonging to different entities, the provision of guarantees or indemnities or the assumption of joint and several liabilities by one or more entities in regard to obligations of one or more other entities, or other similar arrangements).

Change in Control” means the acquisition of ownership, directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of the SEC thereunder as in effect on the date hereof), of Voting Shares representing more than 50% of the aggregate ordinary voting power represented by the issued and outstanding Voting Shares of the Borrower.

CME Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited as administrator of the forward-looking term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) (or a successor administrator).

Commitment” means, with respect to any Lender at any time, the commitment of such Lender to make a Loan on the Funding Date, expressed as an amount representing the maximum principal amount of the Loan to be made by such Lender, as such commitment may be (a) reduced at or prior to such time pursuant to Section 2.06 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 8.07. The initial amount of each Lender’s Commitment as of the Effective Date is set forth opposite such Lender’s name on Schedule I hereto under the caption “Commitment” and, in the case of any Lender that acquires its Commitment after the Effective Date, the initial amount of such Lender’s Commitment is set forth in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the Commitments as of the Effective Date is $1,500,000,000.

Commitment Letter” means the commitment letter dated November 13, 2024 (together with all exhibits and annexes thereto), among JPMorgan, MSSF and the Borrower, relating to the credit facility established hereunder.

 

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Commitment Termination Date” means the first to occur of (a) the time immediately after the consummation of the Acquisition without the use of any proceeds of any Loans, (b) the termination of the Acquisition Agreement in accordance with its terms and (c) 12:00 a.m., Central time, on the first calendar day after April 30, 2025 (the “Initial Outside Date”); provided that if the Outside Date (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date) shall have been extended pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) set forth in the definition of such term (as in effect on the Signing Date) (and, for the avoidance of doubt, not pursuant to the provisions of the definition of such term allowing the parties to the Acquisition Agreement to extend the Outside Date by mutual agreement of the parties), then the Initial Outside Date shall be automatically extended to be the same date as the Outside Date as so extended (it being understood and agreed that such extensions of the Initial Outside Date may not exceed 90 days in the aggregate).

Communications” means, collectively, any notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material that any Loan Party provides to the Administrative Agent pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed to the Administrative Agent or any Lender by means of electronic communications, including through the Approved Electronic Platform.

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, duly executed by an authorized officer of the Borrower.

Confidential Information” means the financial, operational and other information and data relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or their respective businesses that the Borrower or any Subsidiary furnishes to the Administrative Agent or any Lender in a writing designated as confidential or, by the context, reasonably anticipated to be confidential, but does not include any such information that is or becomes generally available to the public other than through a breach of the confidentiality obligations by the Administrative Agent and/or a Lender under this Agreement or that is or becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender from a source other than the Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

Consolidated” refers to the consolidation of accounts in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Assets” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of assets of the Borrower as set forth in the Borrower’s most recent Consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Capitalization” means, at the end of a Fiscal Quarter, and as determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, the aggregate of:

(a) Consolidated Net Worth; and

(b) Consolidated Debt.

Consolidated Debt” means, at the end of a Fiscal Quarter and as determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, all Financing Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such time but excluding any Financing Debt referred to in the proviso to the definition of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Capitalization Ratio.

Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Capitalization Ratio” means, at the end of a Fiscal Quarter, the ratio of Consolidated Debt at such date to Consolidated Capitalization at such date; provided that, for purposes of calculating such ratio, Consolidated Debt shall exclude:

(a) any Financing Debt where the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower has irrevocably deposited with the proper depository in trust the necessary cash or marketable debt instruments for the defeasance, redemption or satisfaction of such Financing Debt prior to its scheduled maturity date in accordance with the provisions of the indenture, agreement or other instrument governing such Financing Debt (and such deposits shall be excluded in any calculation of Consolidated Tangible Assets or Consolidated Net Tangible Assets); and

 

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(b) any new Financing Debt borrowed or issued for the purpose of repaying or satisfying any existing Financing Debt prior to its maturity date, provided that (A) such existing Financing Debt matures within 12 months of the date on which the new Financing Debt is borrowed or issued, (B) such new Financing Debt will only be excluded to the extent it is deposited into a segregated account of the Borrower (as certified by a Senior Financial Officer in an officer’s certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent promptly after such deposit) and (C) such deposits shall be excluded in any calculation of Consolidated Tangible Assets or Consolidated Net Tangible Assets. Any such deposit and the Borrower’s intention to repay such existing Financing Debt with such deposit shall be confirmed in each regularly scheduled Compliance Certificate which is delivered prior to repayment of such existing Financing Debt.

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means, with respect to any Person at any time, the total amount of assets of such Person on a Consolidated basis (less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) after deducting therefrom:

(a) all current liabilities (excluding any indebtedness classified as a current liability and any current liabilities which are by their terms extendible or renewable at the option of the obligor thereon to a time more than 12 months after the time as of which the amount thereof is being computed);

(b) (i) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents and other like intangibles, (ii) all Non-Recourse Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (iii) any deposits referred to in clause (a) or (b) of the proviso to the definition of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Capitalization Ratio; and

(c) appropriate adjustments on account of minority interests of other Persons holding shares of the Subsidiaries of such Person, and adding back the non-cash ceiling test impairments and other changes in aggregate of $11,251,000,000 as a consequence of Encana Corporation’s adoption of GAAP, in each case, as shown on the most recent annual audited or quarterly unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of such Person computed in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Worth” means, at the end of a Fiscal Quarter and as determined in accordance with GAAP on a Consolidated basis for the Borrower, the Consolidated shareholder’s equity of the Borrower as shown on the most recent annual audited or quarterly unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower (including, for certainty, to the extent included as shareholder’s equity on such balance sheet, preferred securities and minority interests, but excluding all amounts included in shareholder’s equity attributable to Non-Recourse Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and without giving effect to the non-cash ceiling test impairments and other changes in aggregate of $7,746,000,000 as a consequence of Encana Corporation’s adoption of GAAP).

Consolidated Tangible Assets” means, at the end of a Fiscal Quarter and as determined in accordance with GAAP on a Consolidated basis for the Borrower, the total assets of the Borrower shown on the most recent annual audited or quarterly unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower ((i) excluding goodwill, trademarks, copyrights and other similar intangible assets; (ii) excluding Non-Recourse Assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; and (iii) without giving effect to the non-cash ceiling test impairments and other changes, in the aggregate of $10,585,000,000, as a consequence of Encana Corporation’s adoption of GAAP); provided, that Consolidated Tangible Assets shall not include any deposits referred to in clause (a) or (b) of the proviso to the definition of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Capitalization Ratio.

Continue”, “Continuation” and “Continued” each refers to a continuation of Term SOFR Loans constituting the same Borrowing as Loans of the same Type for a new Interest Period pursuant to Section 2.10.

Convert”, “Conversion” and “Converted” each refers to a conversion of Loans of one Type into Loans of the other Type pursuant to Section 2.09 or 2.10.

 

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Corresponding Tenor” with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.

Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day (a “SOFR Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal SOFR for the day (such day, “SOFR Determination Date”) that is five U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to (a) if such SOFR Rate Day is a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, such SOFR Rate Day or (b) if such SOFR Rate Day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day, in each case, as such SOFR is published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website. Any change in Daily Simple SOFR due to a change in SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SOFR without notice to the Borrower. If by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the second U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately following any SOFR Determination Date, SOFR in respect of such SOFR Determination Date has not been published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Daily Simple SOFR has not occurred, then SOFR for such SOFR Determination Date will be SOFR as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such SOFR was published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website.

Daily Simply SOFR Borrowing” means any Borrowing comprised of Daily Simple SOFR Loans.

Daily Simply SOFR Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate determined on the basis of the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR in accordance with this Agreement.

Debt Incurrence” means any issuance of any debt securities (including securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for Equity Interests or hybrid debt-equity securities) by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any incurrence of indebtedness for borrowed money by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, other than (a) indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries incurred under the Existing U.S. Credit Agreement or the Existing Canadian Credit Agreement, in each case, up to the aggregate amount of the commitments thereunder in effect on the Signing Date, (b) capital leases, purchase money indebtedness, non-recourse project finance indebtedness, equipment financings, letter of credit facilities and uncommitted lines of credit, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business, (c) issuances of commercial paper, (d) indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries owed to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (e) the Bridge Facility, (f) indebtedness under the Two-Year Term Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,000,000,000, (g) indebtedness incurred to refinance the Existing 2025 Notes in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the principal amount so refinanced (plus interest and premium owing thereon and fees and expenses relating thereto) and (h) other indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,000,000.

Debt Ratings” means, in relation to a Person, the ratings that have been most recently announced by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch (or, if applicable, a rating agency selected by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent as a replacement agency (including a Substitute Rating Entity)) for any class of senior unsecured non-convertible publicly-held long term debt of such Person.

Default” means any Event of Default or any event that would constitute an Event of Default but for the requirement that notice be given or time elapse or both.

Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, subject to Section 2.21(c), any Lender that (a) has failed for three or more Business Days to comply with its obligations under this Agreement to make a Loan, unless such Lender and at least one other Lender has notified the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding has not been satisfied (which conditions precedent, together with the applicable default, if any, will be specifically identified in such writing); (b) has notified the Administrative Agent or the Borrower in writing, or has stated publicly, that it will not comply with any such funding obligation hereunder unless (i) such writing or statement states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding cannot be satisfied (which conditions precedent, together with the applicable default, if any, will be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) and (ii) at least one other

 

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Lender has made a similar notification to the one described in clause (b)(i); (c) has defaulted on its funding obligations under other loan agreements or credit agreements generally under which it has commitments to extend credit or that has notified, or whose Parent Company has notified, the Administrative Agent or the Borrower in writing, or has stated publicly, that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations under loan agreements or credit agreements generally; (d) has, for three or more Business Days, failed to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent, in response to a written request of the Administrative Agent or the Borrower, that it will comply with its funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (d) upon the Administrative Agent’s and the Borrower’s receipt of such written confirmation); (e) has become, or its Parent Company has become, the subject of a Lender Insolvency Event; provided that a Lender Insolvency event shall not be deemed to occur with respect to a Lender or its Parent Company solely as a result of the acquisition or maintenance of an ownership interest in such Lender or Parent Company by a Governmental/Judicial Body or instrumentality thereof where such action does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or permit such Lender (or such Governmental/Judicial Body or instrumentality) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender; or (f) has become, or its Parent Company has become, the subject of a Bail-In Action. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under clauses (a) through (f) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.21(c)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to the Borrower and each Lender.

Disposition” means any sale, transfer or other disposition (including any sale and lease back transaction and sales or issuances of any Equity Interest in any Subsidiary, but excluding any casualty or condemnation events) consummated on or after the Signing Date of any property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries outside the ordinary course of business, including any Specified Asset Sale, but excluding (a) any sale, transfer or other disposition between or among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (b) the sale of the “Ovintiv Assets” (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date) pursuant to the Acquisition Agreement and (c) sales, transfer and other dispositions the Net Cash Proceeds of which do not exceed (i) $100,000,000 in any transaction or series of related transactions and (ii) $250,000,000 in the aggregate since the Signing Date (it being understood that this clause (c) shall not apply to any Specified Asset Sale).

Disqualified Lender” means (a) any Person that is reasonably determined by the Borrower to be a competitor of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries and that the Borrower has identified, by name, in writing to the Administrative Agent and (b) any Affiliate of any Person described in the clause (a) (other than any Bona Fide Debt Fund) if such Affiliate is identified, by name, by the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent or is otherwise reasonably identifiable as an Affiliate of such Person based solely on the similarity of such Affiliate’s name to the name of such Person; provided that (i) the foregoing definition shall not apply retroactively to any Person if such Person shall have previously acquired an assignment or participation interest (or shall have previously entered into a trade therefor), or received an allocation as part of the final allocation of Commitments, in each case, prior thereto, but shall disqualify such Person from taking any further assignment or participation thereafter and (ii) each written supplement shall become effective two Business Days after delivery thereof to the Administrative Agent.

Documentation Agents” means Bank of Montreal, The Bank of Nova Scotia and National Bank of Canada.

Dollar” and the sign “$” each means the lawful currency of the United States of America.

Duration Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(b).

EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority; (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of a credit institution or investment firm described in clause (a) of this definition; or (c) any institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clause (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent.

 

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EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.

EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any Person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Effective Date” means the date on which the conditions set forth in Section 3.01 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 8.01).

Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.

Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 8.07(b)(v) and Section 8.07(b)(vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 8.07(b)(iii)).

Environmental Action” means any action, suit, demand, demand letter, claim, notice of non-compliance or violation, notice of liability, proceeding, consent order or consent agreement relating in any way to any Environmental Law, Environmental Permit or Hazardous Material or arising from alleged injury or threat of injury to health, safety or the environment, including, without limitation, (a) by any governmental or regulatory authority for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other similar actions or damages and (b) by any governmental or regulatory authority or any third party for damages, contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief.

Environmental Law” means any applicable federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, ordinance, rule, regulation, code, order, judgment, decree or judicial or agency interpretation, policy or guidance having the force or effect of law relating to pollution or protection of the environment, health, safety or natural resources, including, without limitation, those relating to the use, handling, transportation, treatment, storage, disposal, release or discharge of hazardous materials.

Environmental Permit” means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law.

Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity interest, but excluding any debt securities convertible into any of the foregoing.

Equity Issuance” means any issuance by the Borrower of (a) any Equity Interests and (b) without duplication of clause (a), securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for Equity Interests or other equity-linked securities or hybrid debt-equity securities, in each case, other than (i) issuances pursuant to any employee equity compensation plan or agreement or other employee equity compensation arrangement, any employee benefit plan or agreement or other employee benefit arrangement or any non-employee director equity compensation plan or agreement or other non-employee director equity compensation arrangement or pursuant to the exercise or vesting of any employee or director stock options, restricted stock or restricted stock units, warrants or other equity awards or pursuant to dividend reinvestment programs and (ii) issuances of Equity Interests as stock consideration in any acquisition or joint venture arrangement.

 

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ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

ERISA Affiliate” means any Person that for purposes of Title IV of ERISA is a member of the controlled group of the Borrower, or under common control with the Borrower, within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) and (o) of the Internal Revenue Code.

ERISA Event” means (a) the occurrence of a reportable event, within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA, with respect to any Plan unless the 30-day notice requirement with respect to such event has been waived by the PBGC; (b) the application for a minimum funding waiver under Section 412(c) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to a Plan; (c) the provision by the administrator of any Plan of a notice of intent to terminate such Plan in a distress termination pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA (including any such notice of a distress termination with respect to a plan amendment referred to in Section 4041(e) of ERISA); (d) the cessation of operations at a facility of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in the circumstances described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (e) the withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year for which it was a substantial employer, as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA; (f) the conditions for the imposition of a Lien under Section 303(k) of ERISA shall have been met with respect to any Plan; or (g) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Plan pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA, or the occurrence of any event or condition described in Section 4042 of ERISA that is reasonably expected to result in the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, a Plan.

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor Person), as in effect from time to time.

Events of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01.

Existing 2025 Notes” means the Borrower’s 5.650% senior notes due 2025.

Existing Canadian Credit Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of April 1, 2022, among the Initial Guarantor, the Borrower, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Royal Bank of Canada, as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by the Second Amending Agreement to Canadian Credit Agreement.

Existing Credit Agreements” means (a) the Existing U.S. Credit Agreement, (b) the Existing Canadian Credit Agreement and (c) the Two-Year Term Credit Agreement.

Existing Indentures” means (a) the Indenture dated as of September 15, 2000, between Alberta Energy Company Ltd., as issuer, and The Bank of New York, as trustee, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 1, 2003, the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 20, 2012, the Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 1, 2019, the Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 24, 2020 and the Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 27, 2020, (b) the Indenture dated as of November 5, 2001, between PanCanadian Petroleum Limited, as issuer, and The Bank of Nova Scotia Trust Company of New York, as trustee, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 1, 2002, the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 1, 2003, the Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of November 20, 2012, the Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 24, 2013, the Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 1, 2019, the Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 24, 2020 and the Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 27, 2020, (c) the Indenture dated as of October 2, 2003, between Encana Corporation, as issuer, and The Bank of New York, as trustee, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 1, 2019, the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 24, 2020 and the Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 27, 2020, (d) the Indenture dated as of August 13, 2007, between Encana Corporation, as issuer, and The Bank of New York, as trustee, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 1, 2019, the Second Supplemental

 

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Indenture dated as of January 24, 2020 and the Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 27, 2020, (e) the Indenture dated as of November 14, 2011, between Encana Corporation, as issuer, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 1, 2019, the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 24, 2020 and the Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 27, 2020, (f) the Senior Indenture dated as of February 28, 2001, between Newfield Exploration Company, as issuer, and First Union National Bank, as trustee, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by the Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 30, 2011, the Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 26, 2012, the Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 10, 2015, the Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 1, 2019, the Sixth Supplemental Indenture dated as of January 27, 2020 and the Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 26, 2021 and (g) the Indenture dated as of May 31, 2023, between the Borrower and the Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 31, 2023.

Existing U.S. Credit Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of April 1, 2022, among the Borrower, the lenders and issuing banks party thereto from time to time and JPMorgan, as administrative agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, including by Amendment No. 1 to U.S. Credit Agreement.

Extended Financing Debt” has the meaning specified in Section 6.01(d).

Facilities” means any drilling equipment, production equipment and platforms or mining equipment; pipelines, pumping stations and other pipeline facilities; terminals, warehouses and storage facilities; bulk plants; production, separation, dehydration, extraction, treating and processing facilities; gasification or natural gas liquefying facilities, flares, stacks and burning towers; floatation mills, crushers and ore handling facilities; tank cars, tankers, barges, ships, trucks, automobiles, airplanes and other marine, automotive, aeronautical and other similar moveable facilities or equipment; computer systems and associated programs or office equipment; roads, airports, docks (including drydocks); reservoirs and waste disposal facilities; sewers; generating plants (including power plants) and electric lines; telephone and telegraph lines, radio and other communications facilities; townsites, housing facilities, recreation halls, stores and other related facilities; and similar facilities and equipment of or associated with any of the foregoing.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Internal Revenue Code, as of the Effective Date (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to any intergovernmental agreement, treaty or convention among governmental authorities and implementing such sections of the Internal Revenue Code.

Federal Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code.

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate calculated by the NYFRB based on such day’s federal funds transactions by depositary institutions, as determined in such manner as shall be set forth on the NYFRB’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as the effective federal funds rate, provided that if the Federal Funds Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Federal Reserve Board” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of America.

Fee Letters” means, collectively, (a) the Arranger Fee Letter dated November 13, 2024, by and among JPMorgan, MSSF and the Borrower and (b) the Administrative Agent Fee Letter dated November 13, 2024, by and between JPMorgan and the Borrower, in each case relating to the credit facility established hereunder.

 

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Finance Co.” means Encana Holdings Finance Corp., an unlimited liability company incorporated under the laws of Nova Scotia, and any successor thereto.

Finance Lease” means, for any Person, the capitalized amount of a finance lease or other arrangement relating to property which, in accordance with GAAP, should be accounted for as a finance lease on a balance sheet of such Person at such time; provided that (a) any real property lease (including the Bow Office Lease) and (b) any other leases (whether entered into before or after December 31, 2021) that are or would be characterized as operating leases under GAAP as at December 31, 2021 shall be deemed to be operating leases and shall be excluded from this definition.

Financial Instrument Obligations” means obligations arising under:

(a) interest rate swap agreements, forward rate agreements, floor, cap or collar agreements, futures or options, insurance or other similar agreements or arrangements, or any combination thereof, entered into by a Person relating to interest rates or pursuant to which the price, value or amount payable thereunder is dependent or based upon interest rates in effect from time to time or fluctuations in interest rates occurring from time to time;

(b) currency swap agreements, cross-currency agreements, forward agreements, floor, cap or collar agreements, futures or options, insurance or other similar agreements or arrangements, or any combination thereof, entered into by a Person relating to currency exchange rates or pursuant to which the price, value or amount payable thereunder is dependent or based upon currency exchange rates in effect from time to time or fluctuations in currency exchange rates occurring from time to time; and

(c) commodity swap or hedging agreements, floor, cap or collar agreements, commodity futures or options or other similar agreements or arrangements, or any combination thereof, entered into by a Person relating to one or more commodities or pursuant to which the price, value or amount payable thereunder is dependent or based upon the price of one or more commodities in effect from time to time or fluctuations in the price of one or more commodities occurring from time to time.

Financing Debt” means, with respect to any Person and at any time, all indebtedness for borrowed money of such Person at such time and specifically includes (without duplication):

(a) indebtedness of such Person arising pursuant to bankers’ acceptance facilities, note purchase facilities and commercial paper programs;

(b) indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money evidenced by and owed under a bond, note, debenture or similar instrument;

(c) all indebtedness of such Person representing the deferred purchase price of any property which, in accordance with its terms is, or after giving effect to any renewal or extension provisions of such arrangements may be, payable by such Person more than 12 months after the date of acquisition;

(d) the amounts under Finance Leases under which such Person is the lessee;

(e) indebtedness of such Person arising pursuant to letters of credit or letters of guarantee securing or supporting any indebtedness referred to in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (f) of this definition; and

(f) (i) obligations of such Person under guarantees, indemnities or other contingent obligations securing or supporting any indebtedness or other obligations of any other Person referred to in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this definition; and (ii) all other obligations of such Person incurred for the purpose of or having the effect of providing financial assistance to another Person to secure or support any indebtedness or other obligations of any other Person referred to in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this definition, including endorsements with recourse of bills of exchange constituting or evidencing any such indebtedness or obligations (other than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business);

 

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provided that Financing Debt of a Person shall not include (A) any Non-Recourse Debt of such Person, (B) (x) indebtedness under any real property leases (including the Bow Office Lease) and (y) any other leases (whether entered into before or after December 31, 2021) that are or would be that were characterized as operating leases under GAAP as at December 31, 2021 and (C) where such Person is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, any of the foregoing which is owed to the Borrower or another Wholly-Owned Subsidiary.

Fiscal Quarter” means the first three months of the fiscal year as adopted by the Borrower from time to time, and each successive period of three months in such fiscal year.

Fitch” means the Fitch Ratings Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

Floor” means the benchmark rate floor, if any, provided in this Agreement initially (as of the execution of this Agreement, the modification, amendment or renewal of this Agreement or otherwise) with respect to any applicable Benchmark. For the avoidance of doubt the initial Floor for the Adjusted Term SOFR and the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR shall be 0.00%.

Foreign Plan” has the meaning specified in Section 4.01(j).

Funding Date” means the date, on or after the Effective Date, on which the conditions specified in Section 3.02 are satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 8.01).

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America in effect from time to time.

Governmental/Judicial Body” means:

(a) any government, parliament or legislature, any regulatory or administrative authority, agency, commission or board (including any board having jurisdiction in respect of pipelines or the oil and gas industry generally) and any other statute, rule or regulation making entity having jurisdiction in the relevant circumstances;

(b) any Person to whom a government, parliament or legislature, any regulatory or administrative authority, agency, commission or board or any other statute, rule or regulation making entity referred to in paragraph (a) has delegated power or authority under a statute, rule or regulation thereof; and

(c) any judicial, administrative or arbitral court, authority, tribunal or commission having jurisdiction in the relevant circumstances.

Guarantee” means the Guarantee dated as of the Effective Date between the Subsidiaries party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

Guarantor Subsidiary” means, at any time, the Initial Guarantor and any other Subsidiary which is then guaranteeing the Loans hereunder pursuant to a joinder to the Guarantee, substantially in the form included in the Guarantee, or a guarantee in a form acceptable to the Administrative Agent (acting reasonably).

Hazardous Material” means any waste, material or substance that is defined as hazardous in or pursuant to any Environmental Law or which is subject to regulation or control pursuant thereto.

 

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Indebtedness” means indebtedness created, issued or assumed for borrowed funds, or for the unpaid purchase price of property of the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, and includes, without duplication, such indebtedness guaranteed by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary.

Indemnified Costs” has the meaning specified in Section 7.05.

Indemnified Party” has the meaning specified in Section 8.04(b).

Initial Guarantor” means Ovintiv Canada ULC, a British Columbia corporation.

Interest Period” means, for each Term SOFR Loan comprising part of the same Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Term SOFR Loan or the date of the Conversion of any Base Rate Loan into such Term SOFR Loan and ending on the final day of the period selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions below and, thereafter, each subsequent period commencing on the final day of the immediately preceding Interest Period and ending on the final day of the period selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions below. The duration of each such Interest Period shall be one, three or six months, as the Borrower may select in a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation; provided, however:

(a) the Borrower may not select any Interest Period that ends after the Maturity Date;

(b) whenever the final day of any Interest Period would otherwise occur on a day other than a Business Day, the final day of such Interest Period shall, subject to clause (a) above, be extended to occur on the next succeeding Business Day, provided, however, if such extension would cause the final day of such Interest Period to occur in the next following calendar month, the final day of such Interest Period shall occur on the immediately preceding Business Day;

(c) whenever the first day of any Interest Period occurs on a day of an initial calendar month for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month that succeeds such initial calendar month by the number of months equal to the number of months in such Interest Period, such Interest Period shall end on the last Business Day of such succeeding calendar month; and

(d) no tenor that has been removed from this definition pursuant to Section 2.09(c)(iv) shall be available for specification in any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation.

Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

Investment Grade” means a Debt Rating not lower than BBB- from S&P, Baa3 from Moody’s or BBB- from Fitch (or, if applicable pursuant to Section 1.05, an equivalent Debt Rating from a rating agency selected by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent as a replacement agency (including a Substitute Rating Entity)).

JPMorgan” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Lead Arrangers” means JPMorgan, MSSF, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Citibank N.A. and TD Securities (USA) LLC.

Lender Insolvency Event” means that (i) a Lender or its Parent Company is insolvent, or is generally unable to pay its debts as they become due, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, or makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or (ii) such Lender or its Parent Company is the subject of a bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation or similar proceeding, or a receiver, trustee, conservator, intervenor or sequestrator or similar Person charged with the reorganization or liquidation of its business or custodian has been appointed for such Lender or its Parent Company, or such Lender or its Parent Company has taken any action in furtherance of or indicating its consent to or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment.

 

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Lender-Related Person” has the meaning specified in Section 8.04(f).

Lenders” means, collectively, each Person listed on Schedule I hereto or that shall become a party hereto pursuant to Section 8.07, other than any Person that shall have ceased to be a party hereto pursuant to Section 8.07.

Lien” means any lien, security interest, mortgage, hypothecation or other charge or encumbrance of any kind.

Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(a).

Loan Documents” means this Agreement, the Guarantee and any collateral agreement or guarantee entered as contemplated by Sections 5.02(b), 5.02(f) and 5.04.

Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor Subsidiary.

Margin Stock” has the meaning specified in Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board, as in effect from time to time.

Material Adverse Change” means any material adverse change in the business, operations, properties, assets or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

Material Adverse Effect” means any act, event or condition that has a material adverse effect on (a) the consolidated financial condition and operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Borrower to pay any amounts owing from time to time under this Agreement or (c) the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that in no event shall fluctuations in commodity prices for oil and/or natural gas be regarded as an act, event or condition that in and of itself has a Material Adverse Effect.

Material Subsidiary” means from time to time (a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower which, on a Consolidated basis for such Subsidiary and its Subsidiaries, has assets which have a value, as reflected on the Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower most recently delivered to the Lenders hereunder, in excess of 10% of the value of the Consolidated Assets of the Borrower as reflected therein without giving effect to the non-cash ceiling test impairments and other changes as a consequence of Encana Corporation’s adoption of GAAP, and (b) any other Subsidiary so designated by the Borrower; provided that the Initial Guarantor shall in any event be a Material Subsidiary.

Maturity Date” means the date that is 364 days after the Funding Date or, if such date is not a Business Day, then the immediately preceding Business Day.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investor Service, Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business

MSSF” means Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.

Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions, or has within any of the preceding five plan years made or accrued an obligation to make contributions.

Multiple Employer Plan” means a single employer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, that (a) is maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate and at least one Person other than the Borrower and the ERISA Affiliates or (b) was so maintained and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate could have liability under Section 4064 or 4069 of ERISA in the event such plan has been or were to be terminated.

 

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Net Cash Proceeds” means:

(a) with respect to any Disposition, the excess, if any, of (i) the cash actually received by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries in connection therewith (including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so received) over (ii) the sum of (A) payments made to retire any Indebtedness that is secured by the assets subject to such Disposition and that is required to be repaid in connection with the sale, transfer or other disposition thereof, (B) the reasonable fees, costs and expenses incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection therewith (including attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees and investment banking fees), (C) taxes reasonably estimated to be payable in connection with such Disposition (including sales, use and other transfer taxes, deed or mortgage recording taxes) and (D) the amount of reserves established by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in good faith and pursuant to commercially reasonable practices for adjustment in respect of the sale price of the property or assets subject to such Disposition in accordance with GAAP; provided that if the amount of such reserves exceeds the required amount thereof, then such excess, upon the determination thereof, shall then constitute Net Cash Proceeds and shall be deemed then actually received by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; provided, further, that other than with respect to Net Cash Proceeds from any Specified Asset Sale, if the Borrower shall have given written notice to the Administrative Agent that the Borrower or its Subsidiaries intend to reinvest such Net Cash Proceeds within 180 days of receipt thereof in long-term assets to be used in the business of the Borrower and/or its Subsidiaries or to fund acquisitions or similar investments, such Net Cash Proceeds (or the portion thereof specified in such notice) shall not constitute “Net Cash Proceeds” and shall not be subject to the mandatory Commitment reduction or prepayment of Loans provisions set forth in Sections 2.06(d) or 2.11(b), as applicable (provided that to the extent such Net Cash Proceeds are not so reinvested by the end of such 180-day period (or, to the extent committed to be reinvested within such 180-day period, within 270 days of receipt thereof), the portion thereof not so reinvested shall then constitute “Net Cash Proceeds” and shall be deemed then actually received by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and shall be subject to the mandatory Commitment reduction or prepayment of Loans provisions set forth in Sections 2.06(d) and 2.11(b), as applicable);

(b) with respect to any Debt Incurrence, the excess, if any, of (i) the cash actually received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection therewith (or, solely for purposes of reductions of Commitments under Section 2.06(d), received into escrow, provided that the conditions to release from escrow are no less favorable to the Borrower than the conditions set forth in Section 3.02 (as reasonably determined by the Borrower)) over (ii) the underwriting or issuance discounts, commissions, fees and other reasonable expenses incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection therewith; and

(c) with respect to any Equity Issuance, the excess, if any, of (i) the cash actually received by the Borrower in connection therewith over (ii) the underwriting or issuance discounts, commissions, fees and other reasonable expenses incurred by the Borrower in connection therewith; provided that no Net Cash Proceeds will be required to be applied pursuant to the mandatory Commitment reduction or prepayment of Loans provisions set forth in Sections 2.06(d) and 2.11(b) until such time as the aggregate amount of all Net Cash Proceeds received by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries since the Signing Date from Equity Issuances by the Borrower (excluding Equity Issuances referred to in clauses (a) and (b) of such term) exceeds $25,000,000.

The Dollar equivalent of Net Cash Proceeds which are denominated in a currency other than Dollars shall be determined based on the rate at which such other currency may be exchanged into Dollars at the close of business on the date of receipt by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries of such Net Cash Proceeds as published by Refinitiv or any other publicly available information service that provides such rate of exchange.

Non-Approving Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.17(b).

 

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Non-Recourse Assets” means (a) for purposes of the definitions of “Consolidated Net Worth” and “Consolidated Tangible Assets” the Borrower’s proportion (determined on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) of assets owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (b) for all other purposes, assets owned directly or indirectly by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, and in case of clauses (a) and (b), which meet all of the following conditions: (i) the assets represent a specific Project, whether alone or in association with others, (ii) debt for borrowed money is owed to one or more Non-Recourse Creditor(s), was incurred for the purpose of financing the costs of such Project and the recourse of such creditors in relation to such debt is limited to the assets of such Project (including equity interests and investments in any Non-Recourse Subsidiary), and (iii) neither the Borrower nor any Material Subsidiary is liable or has issued a guarantee in respect of any such debt, other than any such debt or any such guarantee in respect of which the recourse thereunder is limited to the assets of such Project (including equity interests and investments in any Non-Recourse Subsidiary); provided that upon all such debt to all such creditors in respect of any such assets being repaid, such assets shall then cease to be Non-Recourse Assets.

Non-Recourse Creditor” means an arm’s-length creditor whose recourse is limited to Non-Recourse Assets, to the exclusion of any and all other recourse, whether directly or indirectly, by way of guarantees or otherwise, against the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary in respect of such debt or liability referred to in the definition of Non-Recourse Assets except for non-recourse guarantees and/or non-recourse pledges which are limited in recourse to equity interests and investments in any Non-Recourse Subsidiary.

Non-Recourse Debt” means debt incurred for the purpose of financing the costs of a specific Project and due or otherwise owing to a Non-Recourse Creditor.

Non-Recourse Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary whose material assets are Non-Recourse Assets.

Notice of Borrowing” means a request by the Borrower for a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.02(a), which shall be in writing and substantially the form approved by the Administrative Agent and separately provided to the Borrower.

Notice of Conversion/Continuation” means a request by the Borrower to Convert or Continue a Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.10, which shall be in writing and substantially the form approved by the Administrative Agent and separately provided to the Borrower.

NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it, acting reasonably; provided further that if any of the aforesaid rates as so determined be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

NYFRB’s Website” means the website of the NYFRB at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source.

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Treasury Department.

Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to any Lender or the Administrative Agent, taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such Lender or the Administrative Agent and the jurisdiction imposing such tax (other than connections arising from such Lender or the Administrative Agent having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document, or sold or assigned an interest in any Loan, Commitment or Loan Document).

Other Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.15(b).

 

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Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar transactions denominated in Dollars by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on the NYFRB’s Website from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate.

Parent Company” means, with respect to a Lender, the bank holding company (as defined in Federal Reserve Board Regulation Y), if any, of such Lender, and/or any Person owning, beneficially or of record, directly or indirectly, a majority of the shares of such Lender.

Participant” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.07(d).

Participant Register” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.07(d).

Patriot Act” means the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

Payment” has the meaning specified in Section 7.08(c).

Payment Notice” has the meaning specified in Section 7.08(c).

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (or any successor).

Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture, limited liability company or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof.

Plan” means a Single Employer Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan, in each case that is subject to ERISA.

Prime Rate” means the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H. 15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.

Project” means the acquisition, construction and development of previously undeveloped or newly acquired assets forming an economic unit capable of generating sufficient cash flow, on the basis of reasonable initial assumptions, to cover the operating costs and debt service required to finance the undertaking relating to such assets over a period of time which is less than the projected economic life of the assets, and includes any commercial operation for which such assets were so acquired, constructed or developed and which is subsequently carried on with such assets by such economic unit and, for certainty, includes each such Project which exists as of the date of this Agreement or which is acquired, created or comes into existence after such date.

PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

Public Material Subsidiary” means any Material Subsidiary that has had Publicly Traded Securities at all times since such Material Subsidiary first became a Material Subsidiary.

 

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Publicly Traded Securities” means (a) securities of a corporation which are listed on any stock exchange and are entitled to share without limitation in a distribution of the assets of such corporation upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of such corporation and includes any securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities; and (b) with respect to a partnership, limited liability company or other entity, means securities of such partnership, limited liability company or other entity which are listed on any stock exchange and represent income interests or capital interests in such partnership, limited liability company or other entity and includes any securities convertible or exchangeable into such securities.

Purchase Money Mortgage” means any mortgage, hypothecation, charge or other encumbrance on property or assets created, issued or assumed to secure a Purchase Money Obligation in respect of such property or assets and also means any agreement or other instrument entered into for the acquisition of or right to acquire any property or assets or any interest therein in which agreement or instrument there is reserved or which obligates the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary to pay a royalty, rent or percentage of profits or proceeds won from such property or assets and which charges or secures such property or assets or interest therein or the lands containing the same with the payment thereof and includes any extension, renewal, refunding or refinancing thereof so long as the principal amount outstanding immediately prior to the date of such extension, renewal, refunding or refinancing is not increased; provided that such mortgage, hypothecation, charge, encumbrance, agreement or other instrument is created, issued or assumed prior to, concurrently with or within 180 days following the acquisition of such property or assets, except in the case of property or assets on which improvements are constructed, installed or added, in which case the same shall be created or issued within a period of 180 days after Substantial Completion of such improvements.

Purchase Money Obligation” means any Indebtedness assumed as, or issued and incurred to provide funds to pay, all or part of (a) the purchase price (which shall be deemed to include any costs of construction or installation) of any property or assets acquired after the date of this Agreement or (b) the cost of improvements made after the date of this Agreement to any property or assets.

Rating Agency” has the meaning specified in Section 1.05(a).

Reduction/Prepayment Event” means:

(a) any Disposition;

(b) any Debt Incurrence; and

(c) any Equity Issuance.

Reference Time” with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (a) if such Benchmark is the Term SOFR, 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, on the day that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the date of such setting, (b) if such Benchmark is the Daily Simple SOFR, 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, on the day that is four U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the date of such setting or (c) if such Benchmark is none of the Term SOFR or Daily Simple SOFR, the time determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

Register” has the meaning specified in Section 8.07(c).

Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Release” means a releasing, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, disposing, spraying, abandonment, depositing, seeping, placing or dumping.

Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto.

 

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Relevant Subsidiary” means, on any date, any corporation or other Person of which Voting Shares or other interests carrying more than 50% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding Voting Shares or other interests are owned, directly or indirectly, by or for the Borrower and/or by or for any corporation or other Person in like relation to the Borrower and includes any corporation in like relation to a Relevant Subsidiary; provided, however, such term shall not include any corporations or other Persons (or their respective Relevant Subsidiaries) which have Publicly Traded Securities where the aggregate amount of assets of all such corporations or other Persons does not exceed 20% of the Consolidated Assets of the Borrower at the time and from time to time.

Required Lenders” means at any time Lenders having (a) prior to the funding of the Loans on the Funding Date, Commitments representing in excess of 50% of all the Commitments in effect at such time and (b) on and after the funding of the Loans on the Funding Date, Loans representing in excess of 50% of the aggregate principal amount of all the Loans outstanding at such time; provided that if any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender at such time, there shall be excluded from the determination of Required Lenders at such time the Commitment or Loans of such Lender at such time.

Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

Restricted Property” means any oil, gas or mineral property of a primary nature located in Canada or the United States and any facilities located in Canada or the United States directly related to the mining, processing or manufacture of hydrocarbons or minerals, or any of the constituents thereof or the derivatives therefrom and includes Voting Shares or other interests of a corporation or other Person which owns such property or facilities, but does not include (a) any property or facilities used in connection with or necessarily incidental to the purchase, sale, storage, transportation or distribution of Restricted Property, (b) any property which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Borrower, is not materially important to the total business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as an entirety, or (c) any portion of a particular property which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Borrower, is not materially important to the use or operation of such property.

Restricted Subsidiary” means on any date, any Relevant Subsidiary which owns at the time Restricted Property; provided, however, such term shall not include a Relevant Subsidiary of the Borrower if the amount of the Borrower’s share of Shareholders’ Equity of such Subsidiary constitutes, at the time of determination, less than 2% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Borrower; provided, further, that the Initial Guarantor shall in any event be a Restricted Subsidiary.

Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is the subject or target of any Sanctions (at the time of this Agreement, the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, the so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, the Crimea, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, North Korea and Syria).

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, any Person listed in any Sanctions-specific list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the United States Department of State, the United Nations Security Council or the Government of Canada.

Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by a Sanctions Authority that are applicable to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries; provided that, with respect to economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by the United Nations Security Council, they shall constitute “Sanctions” only to the extent such sanctions or trade embargoes are not inconsistent with Applicable Law in Canada.

Sanctions Authority” means any of: (a) the federal government of Canada; (b) the federal government of the United States of America; (c) the United Nations Security Council; or (d) the respective governmental institutions, departments and agencies of any of the foregoing, including OFAC and the United States Department of State; and “Sanctions Authorities” means all of the foregoing Sanctions Authorities, collectively.

 

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S&P” means S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc., and any successor to its rating agency business.

Second Amending Agreement to Canadian Credit Agreement” means that certain Second Amending Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, to the Existing Canadian Credit Agreement.

Seller” means Paramount Resources Ltd., a body corporate incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta.

Senior Financial Officer” means a Loan Party’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Executive Vice President, Vice-President, Finance, Comptroller, Assistant Comptroller, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or any other officer of such Loan Party having a similar title or position.

Shareholders’ Equity” means the aggregate amount of shareholders’ equity (including but not limited to share capital, contributed surplus and retained earnings) of a Person as shown on the most recent annual audited or unaudited interim Consolidated balance sheet of such Person and computed in accordance with GAAP.

Signing Date” means November 13, 2024.

Similar Business” shall mean any business, the majority of whose revenues are derived from (a) business or activities conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Effective Date, (b) any business that is a natural outgrowth or reasonable extension, development or expansion of any such business or any business similar, reasonably related, incidental, complementary or ancillary to any of the foregoing, or (c) any business that in the Borrower’s good faith business judgment constitutes a reasonable diversification of businesses conducted by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries.

Single Employer Plan” means a single employer plan, as defined in Section 4001(a)(15) of ERISA, that (a) is maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate and no Person other than the Borrower and the ERISA Affiliates or (b) was so maintained and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate could have liability under Section 4069 of ERISA in the event such plan has been or were to be terminated.

Skydive PSA” means Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of November 13, 2024, among the Borrower, Ovintiv Royalty Holdings LLC and FourPoint Resources, LLC, together with all exhibits, schedules, appendices and other attachments thereto.

SOFR” means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.

SOFR Administrator” means the NYFRB (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).

SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the NYFRB’s Website or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.

Specified Asset Sale” means any sale, transfer or other disposition of any or all of the assets described in the Skydive PSA (as in effect on the Signing Date), whether such sale, transfer or other disposition is consummated pursuant to the Skydive PSA or otherwise.

Specified Permitted Lender” means a Person (a) that has been agreed to by the Borrower in writing (including by e-mail) to be a prospective Lender (including any prospective Lender set forth in the syndication plan agreed to among the Borrower, JPMorgan and MSSF), (b) that is a lender under any of the Existing Credit Agreements or (c) that is a commercial or investment bank that, in the case of this clause (c), at the time of such assignment has a corporate rating (however denominated) or senior unsecured, noncredit enhanced long term indebtedness rating from S&P that is BBB- or higher or from Moody’s that is Baa3 or higher.

 

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Specified Representations” means the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4.01(a)(i) (solely with respect to the Borrower and the Initial Guarantor), Section 4.01(b) (in the case of clause (ii) thereof, solely with respect to any of the Existing Credit Agreements and the Existing Indentures), Section 4.01(d), Section 4.01(h), Section 4.01(k)(ii), Section 4.01(m), Section 4.01(o) and Section 4.01(p).

Subsidiary” of any Person means: (a) any corporation of which Voting Shares issued by such corporation and carrying more than 50% of the voting rights attached to all outstanding Voting Shares issued by such corporation are owned, directly or indirectly, by or for such Person and/or by or for any corporation in like relation to such Person and includes any corporation in like relation to a Subsidiary; and (b) any partnership, limited liability company or other business entity of which at least a majority of the outstanding income interest or capital interests are at the time directly, indirectly or beneficially owned or controlled by such Person or one or more of its Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.

Substantial Completion” means, with respect to an improvement, the point at which the improvement is ready for use or is being used for the purpose for which it was intended.

Syndication Agent” means MSSF.

Taxes” has the meaning specified in Section 2.15(a).

Term SOFR” means, with respect to any Term SOFR Borrowing and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the commencement of such tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, as such rate is published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator.

Term SOFR Borrowing” means any Borrowing comprised of Term SOFR Loans.

Term SOFR Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate determined on the basis of the Adjusted Term SOFR in accordance with this Agreement (other than solely as a result of clause (c) of the definition of Base Rate).

Term SOFR Reference Rate” means, for any day and time (such day, the “Term SOFR Determination Day”), with respect to any Term SOFR Borrowing and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the rate per annum published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and identified by the Administrative Agent as the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR. If by 5:00 pm, New York City time, on such Term SOFR Determination Day, the “Term SOFR Reference Rate” for the applicable tenor has not been published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR has not occurred, then the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such Term SOFR Determination Day will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate was published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator, so long as such first preceding Business Day is not more than five U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Day.

Ticking Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a).

Ticking Fee Accrual Period” has the meaning specified in Section 2.05(a).

 

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Transactions” means (a) the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties of the Loan Documents, the borrowing of Loans and the use of the proceeds thereof, (b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Loan Parties (as defined in the Two-Year Term Credit Agreement) of the Two-Year Term Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Two-Year Term Credit Agreement), the borrowing of the Loans (as defined in the Two-Year Term Credit Agreement) and the use of the proceeds thereof, (c) the execution and delivery by the Loan Parties of the Amendment No. 1 to U.S. Credit Agreement and the Second Amending Agreement to Canadian Credit Agreement, as applicable, and the performance by the Loan Parties of the Existing U.S. Credit Agreement and the Existing Canadian Credit Agreement in connection with such amendments, (d) the consummation of the Acquisition and the related transactions, including the delivery by the Seller to the Initial Guarantor of the BofM NIL (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date), and (e) the payment of fees and expenses in connection with the foregoing.

Two-Year Term Credit Agreement” means that certain Two-Year Term Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof, among the Borrower, JPMorgan, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto.

Type” refers to the determination whether a Loan is a Base Rate Loan, a Term SOFR Loan or, if applicable pursuant to Section 2.09, a Daily Simple SOFR Loan.

UK Financial Institutions” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any Person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.

Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (a) a Saturday, (b) a Sunday or (c) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.

Value” means:

(a) United States or Canadian dollar funds or debt instruments of the Government of the United States or any of its states or Canada or any of its provinces maturing within 12 months; and

(b) in respect of any other assets of the Borrower, the fair market value of such assets as determined by the Board of Directors of the Borrower.

Voting Shares” means shares of any class of any corporation carrying voting rights under all circumstances, provided that, for the purposes of this definition, shares which only carry the right to vote conditionally on the happening of an event shall not be considered Voting Shares, nor shall any shares be deemed to cease to be Voting Shares solely by reason of a right to vote accruing to shares of another class or classes by reason of the happening of such an event, or solely because the right to vote may not be exercisable under the charter of the corporation.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means (a) any corporation of which 100% of the outstanding shares having by the terms thereof ordinary voting power to vote with respect to the election of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether at the time shares of any other class or classes of such corporation might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency, unless the contingency has occurred and then only for so long as it continues) is at the time directly, indirectly or beneficially owned or controlled by the Borrower or one or more of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or by the Borrower and one or more of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries, or (b) any partnership or other entity of which 100% of the outstanding income interests and capital interests is at the time directly, indirectly or beneficially owned or controlled by the Borrower or one or more of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or by the Borrower and one or more of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.

 

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Withdrawal Liability” has the meaning specified in Part I of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means (a) with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule; and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that Person or any other Person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.

SECTION 1.02. Terms Generally. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”. The words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all real and personal, tangible and intangible assets and properties. The word “law” shall be construed as referring to all statutes, rules, regulations, codes and other laws (including official rulings and interpretations thereunder having the force of law or with which affected Persons customarily comply), and all judgments, orders, writs and decrees, of all Governmental/Judicial Bodies. In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” shall mean “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each shall mean “to but excluding”. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein and unless the context requires otherwise, (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein (including this Agreement or any other Loan Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to any restrictions on assignment set forth herein) and, in the case of any Governmental/Judicial Body, any other Governmental/Judicial Body that shall have succeeded to any or all functions thereof, (c) any definition of or reference to any statute, rule or regulation shall be construed as referring thereto as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (including by succession of comparable successor laws), (d) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof and (e) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement.

SECTION 1.03. Accounting Principles. Where the character or amount of any asset or liability or item of revenue or expense or amount of equity is required to be determined, or any consolidation or other accounting computation is required to be made for the purpose of this Agreement or any other document related hereto, such determination or calculation shall to the extent applicable and except as otherwise specified herein or as otherwise in writing by the parties, be made in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis; provided that

(a) if (i) there is any change in GAAP from such principles applied in the preparation of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 4.01(e), that is material in respect of the calculation of any financial term set forth in this Agreement (the “Financial Terms”), or (ii) the Borrower adopts a material change in an accounting policy in order to more appropriately present events or transactions in its financial statements, the Borrower shall give prompt notice (the “Accounting Change Notice”) of such change to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (any change described in clause (i) or (ii), an “Accounting Change”);

 

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(b) if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment of any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of such Accounting Change (or if, within forty-five (45) days of receipt of an Accounting Change Notice, the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders request an amendment of any provision hereof for such purpose), then the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders shall in good faith attempt to agree on a revised method of calculating such Financial Terms so as to reflect equitably such Accounting Change with the desired result that the result of the evaluation of the Borrower’s financial condition shall be substantially the same after such Accounting Change as if such Accounting Change had not been made; provided that such provision shall be applied on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision is amended in accordance herewith; and

(c) for the avoidance of doubt, if no notice of a desire to revise the method of calculating the Financial Terms in respect of an Accounting Change is given by either the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders within the applicable time period described in clause (b) above, then the method of calculating the Financial Terms shall not be revised in response to such Accounting Change and all amounts to be determined pursuant to the Financial Terms shall be determined after giving effect to such Accounting Change.

If a Compliance Certificate is delivered in respect of a Fiscal Quarter or Fiscal Year in which an Accounting Change is implemented without giving effect to any revised method of calculating any of the Financial Terms, and subsequently, as provided above, the method of calculating one or more of the Financial Terms is revised in response to such Accounting Change, the Borrower shall deliver a revised Compliance Certificate. Any Event of Default which arises as a result of the Accounting Change and which is cured by this Section 1.03 shall be deemed to have never occurred.

SECTION 1.04. Interest Rates; Benchmark Notification. The interest rate on Loans may be derived from an interest rate benchmark that may be discontinued or is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, Section 2.09(c) provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission, performance or any other matter related to any interest rate used in this Agreement, or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof, including, without limitation, whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the existing interest rate being replaced or have the same volume or liquidity as did any existing interest rate prior to its discontinuance or unavailability. The Administrative Agent and its Affiliates and/or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of any interest rate used in this Agreement or any alternative, successor or replacement rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) and/or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrower. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any interest rate used in this Agreement, any component thereof, or rates referenced in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other Person for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.

SECTION 1.05. Certain Matters Related to Ratings. For the purposes hereof:

(a) the long term debt of the Borrower shall not be considered to be “not rated” (or to like effect) by S&P, Moody’s or Fitch (each, a “Rating Agency”) by reason of such Rating Agency ceasing to carry on the business of providing ratings of the long term debt of corporate borrowers based on creditworthiness assessments. If two of the Rating Agencies cease carrying on the business of providing ratings of the long term debt of corporate borrowers based on creditworthiness assessments, then for purposes of calculating “Applicable Margin” and the definition of “Investment Grade”, the rating of the remaining Rating Agency only shall be utilized;

(b) if all of the Rating Agencies cease carrying on the business of providing ratings of the long term debt of corporate borrowers based on creditworthiness assessments, then:

 

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(i) the Borrower and the Lenders shall attempt in good faith for a period of thirty (30) days thereafter to determine substitute definitions for or amendments to the Applicable Margin and Investment Grade, which may include attempting to agree on some other entity (which may include a debt rating agency or a nationally recognized securities dealer) (a “Substitute Rating Entity”) to assign a rating to the long term debt of the Borrower as contemplated in the following clause (ii) and to agree, if necessary, on the ratings of such Substitute Rating Entity which most closely correspond to those in the definitions of Applicable Margin and Investment Grade, as applicable (“Equivalent Ratings”); and

(ii) if by the end of such thirty (30) day period the Borrower and the Lenders have not agreed upon substitute definitions for or amendments to the Applicable Margin and Investment Grade, as applicable, pursuant to the preceding clause (i), then during a period of sixty (60) days thereafter, the Borrower and the Lenders shall, if such has not already been accomplished, continue to attempt in good faith to agree on a Substitute Rating Entity and, if applicable, Equivalent Ratings and, if a Substitute Rating Entity has been agreed on, the Borrower shall attempt to obtain from the Substitute Rating Entity a rating (“Substitute Rating”) for the long term debt of the Borrower;

it being agreed that:

(iii) during the thirty (30) day and sixty (60) day periods contemplated in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), or such part thereof which elapses before an alternate approach is finally established as contemplated in such clauses (i) and (ii), the rates applicable from time to time in accordance with the Applicable Margin and based on the rating applicable to the long term debt of the Borrower immediately before the commencement of the thirty (30) day period contemplated in the preceding clause (i) shall apply;

(iv) if a Substitute Rating Entity and, if applicable, Equivalent Ratings have been agreed on and the Substitute Rating Entity has established a Substitute Rating for the long term debt of the Borrower by or before the expiration of the sixty (60) day period contemplated in the preceding clause (ii), then thereupon and thereafter the same shall apply and, if applicable, the Applicable Margin and the definition of Investment Grade shall be deemed to have been amended to incorporate the Equivalent Ratings in place of the ratings referred to in the Applicable Margin and the definition of Investment Grade; provided the Substitute Rating shall be subject to review by the Substitute Rating Entity from time to time (but not more often than once in any 12 month period) at the request of either the Borrower or the Administrative Agent given in writing to the other (any such review to determine whether the Substitute Rating should change to another rating category or, if applicable, Equivalent Rating for the long term debt of the Borrower) and if any such review results in a change in the Substitute Rating, then thereupon and thereafter (subject to further reviews as aforesaid) the same shall apply; and

(v) if an alternate approach has not been finally established as contemplated in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) by the expiration of the sixty (60) day period referred to in the preceding clause (ii), then the rates applicable from time to time in accordance with the Applicable Margin and based on the rating applicable to the long term debt of the Borrower immediately before the commencement of the thirty (30) day period contemplated in the preceding clause (i) shall continue to apply;

(c) the rating categories and ratings of any Rating Agency or Substitute Rating Entity referred to herein shall include any equivalent rating category or rating of such Rating Agency or Substitute Rating Entity which replaces the same; and

(d) any reference in this Section 1.05 to the long term debt of the Borrower (or to like effect) shall be deemed to be a reference to the senior unsecured non-convertible publicly-held long term debt of the Borrower.

 

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SECTION 1.06. Divisions. For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized and acquired on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.

SECTION 1.07. Effectuation of Transactions. All references herein to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on the Funding Date shall be deemed to be references to such Persons, and all the representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in this Agreement on the Funding Date shall be deemed made, in each case, after giving effect to the Transactions to occur on the Funding Date, unless the context otherwise requires.

ARTICLE II

AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF THE LOANS

SECTION 2.01. The Loans. (a) Each Lender severally agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, to make a loan (collectively, the “Loans”) to the Borrower in Dollars in a single drawing on the Funding Date in a principal amount not to exceed its Commitment. Amounts borrowed that are repaid or prepaid in respect of the Loans may not be reborrowed.

(b) Each Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Loans of the same Type made by the Lenders ratably according to their respective Commitments. At the commencement of each Interest Period for any Term SOFR Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof; provided that a Term SOFR Borrowing that results from a Continuation of an outstanding Term SOFR Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to such outstanding Borrowing. At the time that each Base Rate Borrowing is made, such Borrowing shall be in a minimum aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.

SECTION 2.02. Making of the Loans. (a) To request a Borrowing, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent a Notice of Borrowing, signed by a Senior Financial Officer of the Borrower (provided that if such Notice of Borrowing is delivered through an Approved Borrower Portal, then the foregoing signature requirement may be waived by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) not later than (x) 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the third U.S. Government Securities Business Day prior to the date of the proposed Borrowing in the case of a Term SOFR Borrowing or (y) 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing in the case of a Base Rate Borrowing. The Administrative Agent shall give to each Lender prompt notice of its receipt thereof. Each Notice of Borrowing shall specify (i) the requested date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day and the expected Funding Date, (ii) the Type of Loans comprising such Borrowing, which shall be Term SOFR Loans, Base Rate Loans or, if applicable pursuant to Section 2.09, Daily Simple SOFR Loans, (iii) the aggregate amount of such Borrowing, (iv) in the case of a Borrowing consisting of Term SOFR Loans, the initial Interest Period for such Borrowing and (v) the location and number of the Borrower’s account (or such other account as shall be specified by the Borrower and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent) to which funds are to be disbursed. Each Lender shall, before 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of such Borrowing (in the case of a Borrowing consisting of Term SOFR Loans), and before 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date of such Borrowing (in the case of a Base Rate Borrowing), make available for the account of its Applicable Lending Office to the Administrative Agent at the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Lenders, in same day funds, such Lender’s ratable portion (based on the Lenders’ respective Commitments) of such Borrowing. After the Administrative Agent’s receipt of such funds, the Administrative Agent will make such funds available to the Borrower at the account designated by the Borrower in such Notice of Borrowing.

(b) Anything in Section 2.02(a) to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) the Borrower may not request Term SOFR Loans for any Borrowing if the obligation of the Lenders to make Term SOFR Loans shall then be suspended pursuant to Section 2.09, and (ii) the Term SOFR Loans may not be outstanding as part of more than twenty separate Borrowings.

 

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(c) Each Notice of Borrowing shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower; provided that a Notice of Borrowing may, at the Borrower’s option, be conditioned on the consummation (or substantially concurrent consummation) of the Acquisition on the date of the requested Borrowing, in which case the Notice of Borrowing may be withdrawn by the Borrower by e-mail notice to the Administrative Agent if such condition is not satisfied (which must be received by the Administrative Agent not later than the time by which the Lenders are required to make available to the Administrative Agent their respective Loans as set forth above). In the case of any Borrowing that the related Notice of Borrowing specifies is to be comprised of Term SOFR Loans, the Borrower shall indemnify each Lender against any loss, cost or expense incurred by such Lender as a result of any withdrawal of such Notice of Borrowing or any failure to fulfill on or before the date specified in such Notice of Borrowing for such Borrowing the conditions set forth in Article III, including, without limitation, any loss (excluding loss of anticipated profits), cost or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender to fund the Loan to be made by such Lender as part of such Borrowing when such Loan, as a result of such withdrawal or failure, is not made on such date.

(d) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the expected Funding Date that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender’s ratable portion (based on the Lenders’ respective Commitments) of such Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such portion available to the Administrative Agent on such date in accordance with Section 2.02(a) and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent such Lender shall not have so made such ratable portion of any Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, such Lender agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent on demand such Lender’s ratable portion of such Borrowing and all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection therewith together with interest thereon at the NYFRB Rate for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent; provided, however, that notwithstanding such obligation, if such Lender fails to so pay, the Borrower covenants and agrees that, without prejudice to any rights the Borrower may have against such Lender, the Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent upon demand therefor by the Administrative Agent such Lender’s ratable portion of such Borrowing and all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection therewith together with interest thereon at the rate of interest applicable to such Borrowing, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent. The amount payable to the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be set forth in a certificate delivered by the Administrative Agent to such Lender and the Borrower (which certificate shall contain reasonable details concerning the calculation of the amount payable) and shall be prima facie evidence thereof, in the absence of manifest error. If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such amount, such amount so repaid shall constitute such Lender’s Loan as part of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement.

(e) The failure of any Lender to make the Loan to be made by it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make its Loan, but the Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make the Loan to be made by such other Lender.

SECTION 2.03. [Reserved].

SECTION 2.04. [Reserved].

SECTION 2.05. Fees. (a) Ticking Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, a ticking fee (the “Ticking Fee”) in Dollars at a rate per annum equal to 0.20% on the daily amount of such Lender’s Commitment (with the amount of any Commitment in effect being calculated on any date after giving effect to any prior reduction in Commitments pursuant to Sections 2.06), which shall accrue from and including (i) February 11, 2025 to but excluding (ii) the earlier of (A) the Funding Date and (B) the date of termination of the Commitments (such period, the “Ticking Fee Accrual Period”), which Ticking Fee shall be fully earned and payable on the last day of the Ticking Fee Accrual Period; provided that no Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any Ticking Fee for any period during which such Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and the Borrower shall not be required to pay such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to such Defaulting Lender).

 

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(b) Duration Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender, a duration fee (the “Duration Fee”) in Dollars in an amount equal to 0.125% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans of such Lender outstanding at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date that is six months after the Funding Date. The Duration Fee shall be fully earned on such date and shall be due and payable on the Business Day immediately following such date.

(c) Administrative Agent’s Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account such fees as may from time to time be agreed in writing between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

SECTION 2.06. Termination or Reduction of the Commitments. (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time, upon prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, to terminate in whole or reduce ratably in part the Commitments of the Lenders, provided that each partial reduction shall be in the aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.

(b) The Borrower shall have the right, at any time, to terminate the Commitment of a Defaulting Lender upon prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, provided that such termination will not be deemed to be a waiver or release of any claim the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender, including, without limitation, in respect of any breach of such Defaulting Lender of its obligations under this Agreement prior to such termination.

(c) Unless previously terminated, the Commitment of each Lender shall automatically terminate on the earlier of (i) immediately after the making of the Loan by such Lender on the Funding Date and (ii) the Commitment Termination Date. The Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent with prompt written notice of the occurrence of the Commitment Termination Date; provided that no notice shall be required if the applicable event giving rise to such occurrence is publicly announced.

(d) In the event and on each occasion that, after the Effective Date and prior to the termination of all the Commitments, the Borrower or any Subsidiary receives Net Cash Proceeds in respect of any Reduction/Prepayment Event, the Commitments then outstanding shall automatically and permanently reduce by an amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds (or if less, by an amount equal to the Commitments then outstanding), with such reduction to be effective on the date of the receipt (including, for the avoidance of doubt, deemed receipt thereof in accordance with the definition of the term “Net Cash Proceeds”) of such Net Cash Proceeds by the Borrower or any Subsidiary. The Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent with prompt written notice of any Reduction/Prepayment Event (or any other event specified in the definition of the term “Net Cash Proceeds”) giving rise to a mandatory Commitment reduction pursuant to this Section 2.06(d), specifying in reasonable detail the date and amount of such reduction (and including a calculation in reasonable detail of the amount of such Net Cash Proceeds).

(e) The Administrative Agent shall give each Lender prompt notice of any notice received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower with respect to any reduction of the Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.06. Each reduction of the Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.06 (other than pursuant to clause (b) above) shall be made ratably among the Lenders in proportion to their respective Commitments. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments shall be permanent. Each reduction of Commitments shall be accompanied by Ticking Fees accrued to the date of such reduction on the amount of the Commitments so reduced.

SECTION 2.07. Repayment of Loans. On the Maturity Date, the Borrower shall repay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of the Lenders the aggregate principal amount of the Loans outstanding on the Maturity Date.

 

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SECTION 2.08. Interest. (a) Scheduled Interest. The Borrower shall pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Loan owing to each Lender from the date of such Loan until such principal amount shall be paid in full, at the following rates per annum:

(i) Base Rate Loans. Subject to Section 2.08(b), during such periods as such Loan is a Base Rate Loan, a rate per annum equal at all times to the sum of (A) the Base Rate in effect from time to time plus (B) the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time, payable in arrears on the final day of each March, June, September and December during such periods and on the date such Base Rate Loan shall be Converted or paid in full and on the Maturity Date.

(ii) Term SOFR Loans. Subject to Section 2.08(b), during such periods as such Loan is a Term SOFR Loan, a rate per annum equal at all times, during each Interest Period for such Loan, to the sum of (A) the Adjusted Term SOFR for such Interest Period for such Loan, plus (B) the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time, payable in arrears on the final day of such Interest Period and, if such Interest Period has a duration of more than three months, on each day that occurs during such Interest Period every three months from the first day of such Interest Period and on the date such Term SOFR Loan shall be Converted or paid in full and on the Maturity Date.

(iii) Daily Simple SOFR Loans. If applicable pursuant to Section 2.09 and subject to Section 2.08(b), during such periods as such Loan is a Daily Simple SOFR Loan, a rate per annum equal at all times to the sum of (A) the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR in effect from time to time plus (B) the Applicable Margin in effect from time to time, payable in arrears on each date that is on the numerically corresponding day in each calendar month that is one month after the borrowing of, or Conversion to, such Daily Simple SOFR Loan (or, if there is no such corresponding day in such month, then the last day of such month), and on the date such Daily Simple SOFR Loan shall be paid in full and on the Maturity Date.

(b) Default Interest. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under Section 6.01(a), the Borrower shall pay interest on (i) the unpaid principal amount of each Loan owing to each Lender, payable in arrears on the dates referred to in clause (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) above, at a rate per annum equal at all times to 1% per annum above the rate per annum required to be paid on such Loan pursuant to clause (a)(i), (a)(ii) or (a)(iii) above and (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by law, the amount of any interest, fee or other amount payable hereunder that is not paid when due, from the date such amount shall be due until such amount shall be paid in full, payable in arrears on the date such amount shall be paid in full and on demand, at a rate per annum equal at all times to 1% per annum above the rate per annum required to be paid on Base Rate Loans pursuant to clause (a)(i) above.

SECTION 2.09. Interest Rate Determination. (a) Subject to Section 2.09(c), with respect to any Term SOFR Borrowing, if prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term SOFR Borrowing:

(i) the Required Lenders notify the Administrative Agent that (A) the Adjusted Term SOFR for such Interest Period will not adequately reflect the cost to such Required Lenders of making, funding or maintaining their respective Term SOFR Loans included in such Borrowing for such Interest Period or (B) the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR will not adequately reflect the cost to such Required Lenders of making, funding or maintaining their respective Daily Simple SOFR Loans; or

(ii) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that (A) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Term SOFR for such Interest Period (including because the Term SOFR Reference Rate is not available or published on a current basis) or (B) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR;

then the Administrative Agent shall forthwith so notify (which may be by telephone) the Borrower and the Lenders as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until (A) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (B) the Borrower delivers a new Notice of Conversion/Continuation in accordance with Section 2.10 or a new Notice of Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.02, any Notice of Conversion/Continuation that requests to Convert any Borrowing to, or to Continue any Borrowing as, a Term SOFR Borrowing for such Interest Period and any Notice of

 

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Borrowing that requests a Term SOFR Borrowing for such Interest Period shall instead be deemed to be a Notice of Conversion/Continuation or a Notice of Borrowing, as applicable, for (x) a Daily Simple SOFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not also the subject of Section 2.09(a)(i) or 2.09(a)(ii) or (y) a Base Rate Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is also the subject of Section 2.09(a)(i) or 2.09(a)(ii). Furthermore, if any Term SOFR Loan or Daily Simple SOFR Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrower’s receipt of the notice from the Administrative Agent referred to in this Section 2.09(a) with respect to the Adjusted Term SOFR or the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR, as the case may be, then until (1) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect thereto and (2) the Borrower delivers a new Notice of Conversion/Continuation in accordance with Section 2.10 or a new Notice of Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.02, (x) any impacted Term SOFR Loan shall, on the last day of the then existing Interest Period applicable to such Loan, Convert to, and shall constitute, (i) a Daily Simple SOFR Loan so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not also the subject of Section 2.09(a)(i) or 2.09(a)(ii) or (ii) a Base Rate Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is also the subject of Section 2.09(a)(i) or 2.09(a)(ii) and (y) any Daily Simple SOFR Loan shall, on such day, Convert to, and shall constitute, a Base Rate Loan.

(b) Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default under Section 6.01(a), (i) each Term SOFR Loan will automatically, on the final day of the then existing Interest Period therefor, Convert into a Base Rate Loan and (ii) the obligation of the Lenders to Convert Loans into Term SOFR Loans shall be suspended.

(c) (i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (A) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (a) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark (including any related adjustments) for all purposes hereunder and under any other Loan Document in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document and (B) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (b) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark for all purposes hereunder and under any other Loan Document in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the fifth Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders.

(ii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(iii) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrower and the Lenders of (A) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, (B) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (C) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (D) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to clause (c)(iv) below and (E) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 2.09, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 2.09.

(iv) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (A) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR) and either (x) any tenor for such Benchmark is not

 

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displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (y) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is or will be no longer representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (B) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (A) above either (x) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (y) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.

(v) Upon the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrower may revoke any request for a borrowing of, Conversion to or Continuation of a Term SOFR Borrowing to be made, Converted or Continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, the Borrower will be deemed to have converted any request for a Term SOFR Borrowing into a request for a borrowing of or Conversion to (A) a Daily Simple SOFR Borrowing so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (B) a Base Rate Borrowing if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event. Furthermore, if any Term SOFR Loan is outstanding on the date of the Borrower’s receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to the Adjusted Term SOFR, then until such time as a Benchmark Replacement is implemented pursuant to this Section 2.09, any Term SOFR Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan Convert to, and shall constitute, (x) a Daily Simple SOFR Loan so long as the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is not the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event or (y) a Base Rate Loan if the Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR is the subject of a Benchmark Transition Event. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of the Base Rate based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of the Base Rate.

SECTION 2.10. Optional Conversion or Continuation of Loans. Subject to Section 2.09, the Borrower may on any Business Day, upon delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, signed by a Senior Financial Officer of the Borrower (provided that if such Notice of Conversion/Continuation is delivered through an Approved Borrower Portal, then the foregoing signature requirement may be waived by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on (x) the third Business Day prior to the date of the proposed Conversion to, or Continuation of any Borrowing as, a Term SOFR Borrowing and (y) the date of the proposed Conversion to Base Rate Borrowing, Convert the whole or any part of any Borrowing of one Type into a Borrowing of the other Type or to Continue any Term SOFR Borrowing for a new Interest Period; provided, however, any Conversion or Continuation of Term SOFR Loans shall be made only on the final day of the Interest Period applicable to such Term SOFR Loans and any Conversion of Base Rate Loans into Term SOFR Loans shall be in an amount not less than $1,000,000 and no Conversion of any Loans shall result in more separate Borrowings than permitted under Section 2.02(b). Each Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall, within the restrictions specified above, specify (i) the date of such Conversion or Continuation, which shall be a Business Day, (ii) the Borrowing to be Converted or Continued (and, if different options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case the information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall be specified for each resulting Borrowing), (iii) whether the resulting Borrowing is to be Term SOFR Borrowing, a Base Rate Borrowing or, if applicable pursuant to Section 2.09, a Daily Simple SOFR Borrowing and (iv) if the resulting Borrowing is a Term SOFR Borrowing, the duration of the Interest Period for such Borrowing. The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions of the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and the Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing. Each Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower. If the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Notice of Conversion/Continuation with respect to a Term SOFR Borrowing prior to the final day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein and subject to Section 2.09, on the final day of such Interest Period such Borrowing shall be continued as a Term SOFR Borrowing for an additional Interest Period of one month.

 

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SECTION 2.11. Prepayments of Loans. (a) The Borrower may upon notice given to the Administrative Agent not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, (i) on the date of prepayment of any Base Rate Borrowing, (ii) at least three Business Days prior to the date of prepayment of any Term SOFR Borrowing and (iii) at least three U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the date of prepayment of any Daily Simple SOFR Borrowing (if such Type of Borrowing is applicable pursuant to Section 2.09), stating the proposed date (which shall be a Business Day) and aggregate principal amount of the prepayment, and if such notice is given (and not withdrawn as set forth below) the Borrower shall, prepay the outstanding principal amount of the Loans comprising part of the same Borrowing in whole or ratably in part; provided, however, each partial prepayment of Loans shall be in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Each such notice shall be irrevocable; provided that a notice may state that such notice is conditioned upon the occurrence of one or more events specified therein, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified date of prepayment) if such condition is not satisfied.

(b) In the event and on each occasion that, after the making of the Loans on the Funding Date, the Borrower or any Subsidiary receives any Net Cash Proceeds in respect of any Reduction/Prepayment Event, then the Borrower shall, on or prior to the first Business Day after such Net Cash Proceeds are received (including, for the avoidance of doubt, deemed receipt thereof in accordance with the definition of the term “Net Cash Proceeds”) by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, prepay Borrowings in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) the aggregate principal amount of Loans then outstanding and (ii) 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds. The Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent with prompt written notice of any Reduction/Prepayment Event (or any other event specified in the definition of the term “Net Cash Proceeds”) giving rise to a mandatory prepayment of Loans pursuant to this Section 2.11(b), specifying in reasonable detail the date and amount of such prepayment (and including a calculation in reasonable detail of the amount of such Net Cash Proceeds) and the Borrowing or Borrowings to be prepaid.

(c) All prepayments of any Borrowing will be without penalty or premium (subject to, in the case of any prepayment of a Term SOFR Borrowing prior to the final day of the applicable Interest Period, the Borrower’s obligations pursuant to Section 8.04(c)), and will be applied pro rata to the Loans included in such Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied by accrued interest to the date of prepayment on the principal amount prepaid.

SECTION 2.12. Increased Costs. (a) If, due to either (i) the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation subsequent to the date hereof or (ii) the compliance with any written guideline or request from any central bank or other governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law), announced, issued, made or imposed subsequent to the date hereof, there shall be any increase in the cost to any Lender of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining any Loan (excluding for purposes of this Section 2.12 any such increased costs resulting from (i) Taxes or Other Taxes (as to which Section 2.15 shall govern), (ii) taxes considered excluded from “Taxes” under Section 2.15(a)(i), (iii) Taxes for which a Lender is not entitled to indemnification under Section 2.15(a) or Section 2.15(b) as a result of the failure of such Lender to provide the Borrower with the appropriate form, certificate or other document described in Section 2.15(e), and (iv) FATCA), then the Borrower shall from time to time, upon demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender for such increased cost. A certificate as to the amount of such increased cost, submitted to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent by such Lender, shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay to such Lender such amounts unless such Lender at such time shall be generally assessing such amounts on a non-discriminatory basis against borrowers under agreements having provisions similar to this paragraph.

(b) If any Lender acting reasonably determines that compliance with any law or regulation or any written guideline or request from any central bank or other governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law) affects or would affect the amount of capital or liquidity required or expected to be maintained by such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender and that the amount of such capital or liquidity is increased by or based upon the existence of such Lender’s Commitment or other commitments of such type or Loans or other loans of such type, then, upon demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender, from time to time as specified by such Lender, additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender or such corporation in the light of such circumstances, to the extent that such Lender reasonably determines such increase in capital or liquidity to be allocable

 

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to the existence of such Lender’s Commitment or Loans; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be obligated to pay to such Lender such amounts unless such Lender at such time shall be generally assessing such amounts on a non-discriminatory basis against borrowers under agreements having provisions similar to this paragraph. A certificate as to such amounts, submitted to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent by such Lender, shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error in the calculation of such amounts.

(c) Failure or delay on the part of any Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than three months prior to the date that such Lender notifies the Borrower of the circumstances giving rise to such increased costs or reductions, and of such Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the circumstance giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the three-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

(d) For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 2.12 shall apply to all requests, rules, guidelines or directives concerning capital adequacy or liquidity (i) issued in connection with the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and (ii) promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

SECTION 2.13. [Reserved].

SECTION 2.14. Payments and Computations. (a) The Borrower shall make each payment hereunder, irrespective of any right of counterclaim or set-off, not later than 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the day when due in Dollars to the Administrative Agent at the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by it for such purpose by notice to the Borrower in same day funds, except that payments pursuant to Sections 2.12, 2.15 and 8.04 shall be made directly to the Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent will promptly thereafter cause to be distributed like funds relating to the payment of principal, interest, Ticking Fees and Duration Fees ratably (subject to the proviso set forth in Section 2.05(a)) to the Lenders to which such amounts shall be payable for the account of their respective Applicable Lending Offices. Upon its acceptance of an Assignment and Assumption and recording of the information contained therein in the Register pursuant to Section 8.07(c), from and after the effective date specified in such Assignment and Assumption, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments hereunder in respect of the interest assigned thereby to the Lender assignee thereunder, and the parties to such Assignment and Assumption shall make all appropriate adjustments in such payments for periods prior to such effective date directly between themselves.

(b) The Borrower hereby authorizes each Lender, if and to the extent payment owed to such Lender is not made when due hereunder, to charge from time to time against any or all of the Borrower’s accounts with such Lender any amount so due.

(c) All computations of interest based on the rate of interest referred to in clause (a) of the definition of the term “Base Rate” shall be made by the Administrative Agent on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and all computations of interest based on the Adjusted Term SOFR or the rate of interest referred to in clause (b) or (c) of the definition of the term “Base Rate” and of Ticking Fees shall be made by the Administrative Agent on the basis of a year of 360 days, in each case for the actual number of days (including the first day but excluding the final day) occurring in the period for which such interest or fees are payable. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an interest rate hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

(d) Whenever any payment hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the immediately succeeding Business Day (except as provided in the definition of “Maturity Date”), and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of payment of interest or fee, as the case may be; provided, however, if such extension would cause payment of interest on or principal of Term SOFR Loans to be made in the next following calendar month, such payment shall be made on the immediately preceding Business Day.

 

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(e) Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Lenders hereunder that the Borrower will not make such payment in full, the Administrative Agent may assume that the Borrower has made such payment in full to the Administrative Agent on such date and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, cause to be distributed to each Lender on such due date an amount equal to the amount then due such Lender. If and to the extent the Borrower shall not have so made such payment in full to the Administrative Agent, each Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such amount distributed to such Lender together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is distributed to such Lender until the date such Lender repays such amount to the Administrative Agent, at the NYFRB Rate.

SECTION 2.15. Taxes. (a) Subject to Sections 2.15(e), (f) and (h), any and all payments by the Borrower under any Document and Loan Document shall be made, in accordance with Section 2.14, except as required by Applicable Law, free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto imposed by the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein or any other jurisdiction from or through which the Borrower makes payment hereunder, excluding, (i) in the case of each Lender and the Administrative Agent, taxes imposed on its overall net income or capital, branch profits taxes and franchise taxes imposed on it in lieu of net income taxes by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) is organized or any political subdivision thereof and, in the case of each Lender, taxes imposed on its overall net income or capital, branch profits taxes and franchise taxes imposed on it in lieu of net income taxes, by the jurisdiction in which the principal office or such Lender’s Applicable Lending Office is located or any political subdivision thereof, and (ii) any United States withholding tax imposed under FATCA (all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings and liabilities in respect of payments under any Document or Loan Document being hereinafter referred to as “Taxes”). If the Borrower shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable under any Document or Loan Document to any Lender or the Administrative Agent, or, if the Administrative Agent shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum paid or payable under any Document or Loan Document to any Lender, (i) the sum payable by the Borrower shall be increased by the Borrower as may be necessary so that, after making all required deductions (including deductions, whether by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.15) such Lender and the Administrative Agent receive an amount equal to the sum they each would have received had no such deductions been made (for example, and without limitation of the generality of the foregoing, if the sum paid or payable hereunder from or in respect of which the Borrower or the Administrative Agent shall be required to deduct any Taxes is interest, the interest payable by such Borrower shall be increased by the Borrower as may be necessary so that, after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional interest), such Lender and the Administrative Agent each receive interest equal to the interest they each would have received had no such deduction been made), (ii) the Borrower (or, as the case may be and as required by applicable law, the Administrative Agent) shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower (or, as the case may be and as required by applicable law, the Administrative Agent) shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with Applicable Law.

(b) In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any present or future stamp or documentary taxes or similar levies that arise from any payment made under any Document or Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or registration of, performing under, or otherwise with respect to, any Document or Loan Document, except any such taxes or similar levies that are Other Connection Taxes imposed with respect to an assignment (other than an assignment made pursuant to Section 2.17(b)) (hereinafter referred to as “Other Taxes”).

(c) Subject to Sections 2.15(e) and 2.15(f), the Borrower shall indemnify each Lender and the Administrative Agent for and hold each Lender and the Administrative Agent harmless against the full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes imposed on or paid by such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) and any liability (including penalties, additions to tax, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto. This indemnification shall be made within thirty (30) days from the date such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) makes written demand therefor.

(d) Within thirty (30) days after the date of any payment of Taxes by or on behalf of the Borrower, the Borrower shall furnish to the Administrative Agent, at its address referred to in Section 8.02, the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing such payment to the extent such a receipt is issued therefor, or other written proof of payment thereof that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

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(e)

(i) Any Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made under any Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, at the time or times reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding two sentences, the completion, execution and submission of such documentation (other than such documentation set forth in paragraphs (e)(ii), (iii) and (iv) of this Section) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion, execution or submission would subject such Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of such Lender.

(ii) Each Lender that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code, on or prior to the date of its execution and delivery of this Agreement or on the date of the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which it becomes a Lender, as the case may be, and from time to time thereafter as requested in writing by the Borrower or upon the obsolescence, expiration or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Lender (but only so long as such Lender remains lawfully able to do so), shall provide each of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with an executed copy of Internal Revenue Service Form W-9s or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto as required herein, in each case, certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax. If any Lender fails to deliver Internal Revenue Service Form W-9 or any subsequent versions thereof or successors thereto as required herein, then the Borrower may withhold from any payment to such Lender the applicable backup withholding tax imposed by the Internal Revenue Code and remit such amount to the applicable taxation authority if required by Applicable Law, without reduction, and such Lender shall not be entitled to any additional amounts under this Section 2.15 with respect to Taxes imposed by the United States by reason of such failure.

(iii) Each Lender that is not a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code, on or prior to the date of its execution and delivery of this Agreement or on the date of the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which it becomes a Lender, as the case may be, and from time to time thereafter as requested in writing by the Borrower or upon the obsolescence, expiration or invalidity of any form previously delivered by such Lender (but only so long as such Lender remains lawfully able to do so), shall provide each of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower with an executed copy of Internal Revenue Service form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E or W-8ECI, as appropriate, or any successor or other form or documentation prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service, certifying that such Lender is exempt from or entitled to a reduced rate of United States withholding tax on payments pursuant to this Agreement and, (a) in the case of a Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption from U.S. federal withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to payments of “portfolio interest,” a statement substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1, or (b) to the extent a Lender is not the beneficial owner, executed copies of Internal Revenue Service form W-8IMY, accompanied by Internal Revenue Service form W-8ECI, Internal Revenue Service form W-8BEN, Internal Revenue Service form W-8BEN-E, a statement substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 or Exhibit F-3, Internal Revenue Service Form W-9, and/or other certification documents from each beneficial owner, as applicable; provided that if the Lender is a partnership and one or more direct or indirect partners of such Lender are claiming the portfolio interest exemption, such Lender may provide a

 

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statement substantially in the form of Exhibit F-4 on behalf of each such direct and indirect partner. If the form provided by a Lender under this Section 2.15 at the time such Lender first becomes a party to this Agreement indicates a United States interest withholding tax rate in excess of zero, withholding tax at such rate shall be considered excluded from Taxes unless and until such Lender provides the appropriate forms certifying that a lesser rate applies, whereupon withholding tax at such lesser rate only shall be considered excluded from Taxes for periods governed by such appropriate form; provided, however, if at the date of the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which a Lender assignee becomes a party to this Agreement or at the date such Lender changes its Applicable Lending Office, the Lender assignor (or the Lender, if applicable) was entitled to payments under subsection (a) in respect of United States withholding tax with respect to interest paid at such date, then, to such extent, the term Taxes shall include (in addition to withholding taxes that may be imposed in the future or other amounts otherwise includable in Taxes) United States withholding tax, if any, applicable with respect to the Lender assignee on such date. If any form or document referred to in this subsection (e) requires the disclosure of information, other than information necessary to compute the tax payable and information required on the date hereof by Internal Revenue Service form W-8BEN, W- 8BEN-E or W-8ECI, that the Lender reasonably considers to be confidential, the Lender shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and shall not be obligated to include in such form or document such confidential information.

(iv) If a payment made to a Lender would be subject to United States federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrower, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested in writing by the Borrower, such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested in writing by the Borrower as may be necessary for the Borrower to comply with its obligations under FATCA, to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. For purposes of this Section 2.15(e)(iv), FATCA shall include any Treasury regulations or interpretations thereof.

(f) For any period with respect to which a Lender has failed to provide the Borrower with the appropriate form, certificate or other document described in Section 2.15(e), such Lender shall not be entitled to indemnification under Section 2.15(a) or Section 2.15(c) with respect to Taxes imposed by reason of such failure.

(g) In the event that an additional payment is made under Section 2.15(a) or Section 2.15(c) for the account of any Lender and such Lender, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, determines that it has finally and irrevocably received or been granted a credit against or release or remission for, or repayment of, any tax paid or payable by it in respect of or calculated with reference to the deduction or withholding giving rise to such additional payment, such Lender shall, to the extent that it determines that it can do so without prejudice to the retention of the amount of such credit, relief, remission or repayment, pay to the Borrower such amount as such Lender shall, in its sole discretion, have determined to be attributable to such deduction or withholding and which will leave such Lender (after such payment) in no worse position than it would have been in if the Borrower had not been required to make such deduction or withholding; provided that the Borrower, upon the request of such Lender, agrees to pay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus penalties, interest and other reasonable charges) to such Lender in the event such Lender is required to repay such credit, relief, remission or repayment to the applicable taxation authority. Nothing herein contained shall interfere with the right of a Lender to arrange its tax affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit nor oblige any Lender to claim any tax credit or to disclose any information relating to its tax affairs or any computations in respect thereof or require any Lender to do anything that would prejudice its ability to benefit from any other credits, reliefs, remissions or repayments to which it may be entitled.

SECTION 2.16. Sharing of Payments, Etc. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or fees payable to it hereunder resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate principal amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or such fees greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then

 

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the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and the fees payable to them; provided that:

(i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest; and

(ii) the provisions of this Section 2.16 shall not be construed to apply to (x) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement (including the application of funds arising from the existence of a Defaulting Lender) or (y) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this Section 2.16 shall apply).

The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender by delivering payment pursuant to this Section 2.16 may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

SECTION 2.17. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders. (a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.12 or requires the Borrower to pay additional amounts to any Lender or any governmental authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 2.15, then such Lender shall (at the request of the Borrower) use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or Affiliates, if, in the good faith judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 2.12 or 2.15, as the case may be, in the future, and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise cause more than an insubstantial disadvantage to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(b) Replacement of Lenders. If (i) the Borrower becomes obligated to pay additional amounts to any Lender pursuant to Section 2.12 or 2.15, (ii) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, (iii) any Lender is a Disqualified Lender or (iv) any Lender does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (x) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 8.01 and (y) has been approved by the Required Lenders (a “Non-Approving Lender”), then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 8.07), all of its interests, rights (other than its existing rights to payments pursuant to Section 2.12 or 2.15) and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that:

(i) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee (if any) specified in Section 8.07;

(ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 8.04(c)) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);

(iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.12 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.15, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;

 

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(iv) such assignment does not conflict with applicable law; and

(v) in the case of any assignment resulting from a Lender becoming a Non-Approving Lender, the applicable assignee shall have consented to the applicable amendment, waiver or consent.

A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply. Each party hereto agrees that an assignment and delegation required pursuant to this Section 2.17(b) may be effected pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the assignee and that the Lender required to make such assignment and delegation need not be a party thereto.

SECTION 2.18. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Loans shall be used by the Borrower solely to finance, in part, the cash portion of the purchase price for the Acquisition and to pay fees, costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions.

SECTION 2.19. [Reserved].

SECTION 2.20. Evidence of Debt. (a) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan owing to such Lender from time to time, including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time hereunder.

(b) The Register maintained by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.07(c) shall record (i) the date, amount and Type of each Loan made hereunder and, if applicable, the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the terms of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to and accepted by it, (iii) the amount of any principal or interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender hereunder and (iv) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower hereunder and each Lender’s share thereof.

(c) Entries made in good faith by the Administrative Agent in the Register pursuant to subsection (b) above, shall be prima facie evidence of the amount of principal and interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to each Lender under this Agreement, absent manifest error; provided, however, that the failure of the Administrative Agent to make an entry, or any finding that an entry is incorrect, in the Register shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement.

SECTION 2.21. Defaulting Lenders. (a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then the following provisions shall apply:

(i) the Ticking Fee shall cease to accrue on the amount of the Commitment of such Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 2.05(a); and

(ii) the Commitment and the Loans of such Defaulting Lender shall not be included in determining whether the Required Lenders or any other requisite Lenders have taken or may take any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document (including any consent to any amendment, waiver or other modification pursuant to Section 8.01); provided that any amendment, waiver or other modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or all Lenders affected thereby shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 8.01, require the consent of such Defaulting Lender in accordance with the terms hereof.

(b) No Commitment of any Lender shall be increased or otherwise affected, and, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Section 2.21, performance by the Borrower of its obligations shall not be excused or otherwise modified as a result of the operation of this Section 2.21. The rights and remedies against a Defaulting Lender under this Section 2.21 are in addition to any other rights and remedies which the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have against such Defaulting Lender.

 

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(c) If the Borrower and the Administrative Agent agree in writing in their discretion that a Lender that is a Defaulting Lender should no longer be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein, such Lender will take such actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be appropriate in connection with such Lender ceasing to be a Defaulting Lender; provided, that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to payments made by or on behalf of the Borrower while such Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change in the status as a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from such Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

ARTICLE III

CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS AND LENDING

SECTION 3.01. Conditions Precedent to the Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective on and as of the first date on which the following conditions precedent have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 8.01); provided that the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans are further subject to the satisfaction (or waiver in accordance with Section 8.01) of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 3.02:

(a) The Administrative Agent shall have executed a counterpart of this Agreement and the Guarantee, and the Administrative Agent shall have received a counterpart of this Agreement and the Guarantee executed by each of the other parties hereto and thereto (which, subject to Section 8.12(b), may include any Electronic Signatures transmitted by emailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page).

(b) The Borrower shall have paid all fees and expenses payable by it on or prior to the Effective Date under this Agreement, the Commitment Letter and the Fee Letters (in the case of expenses, to the extent invoiced at least two Business Days prior to the Effective Date).

(c) On the Effective Date, the following statements shall be true and the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate signed by the President, a Vice President or a Senior Financial Officer of the Borrower, dated the Effective Date, stating that:

(i) the representations and warranties by each Loan Party contained in each Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Effective Date (unless already qualified by materiality, in which case such representations and warranties are true and correct in all respects on and as of the Effective Date); and

(ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing.

(d) The Administrative Agent shall have received:

(i) A certificate of the Secretary, the Corporate Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or a Senior Financial Officer of each Loan Party, dated the Effective Date, attaching (A) the names and true signatures of the officers of such Loan Party authorized to sign the Loan Documents and the other documents to be delivered by such Loan Party hereunder, (B) certified copies of the resolutions of the board of directors or other applicable governing body of such Loan Party approving the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the transactions contemplated thereby, (C) a copy of the certificate of incorporation or comparable organizational document of such Loan Party, certificated as of a recent date prior to the Effective Date, (D) a copy of the by-laws or comparable organizational document of such Loan Party and (E) a good standing (or equivalent) certificate for such Loan Party from the relevant authority of its jurisdiction of organization (to the extent applicable in such jurisdiction) dated as of a recent date.

 

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(ii) An opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, special New York counsel to the Borrower and the Initial Guarantor, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(iii) An opinion of Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP, special Canadian counsel to the Initial Guarantor, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received, at least three Business Days prior to the Effective Date, all documentation and other information regarding the Borrower and the Initial Guarantor requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in writing of the Borrower at least ten Business Days prior to the Effective Date.

(f) If (i) such information is requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender of the Borrower at least ten Business Days prior to the Effective Date and (ii) the Borrower and/or the Initial Guarantor qualify as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, then the Administrative Agent and each requesting Lender shall receive, at least three days prior to the Effective Date, in connection with the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, a Beneficial Ownership Certification with respect to the Borrower and/or the Initial Guarantor.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the occurrence of the Effective Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.

SECTION 3.02. Conditions Precedent to the Funding Date. The obligation of each Lender to make a Loan hereunder is subject to the occurrence of the Effective Date and the satisfaction (or waiver in accordance with Section 8.01) of the following conditions:

(a) The Acquisition shall have been consummated, or will be consummated substantially concurrently with the funding of the Loans on the Funding Date, in all material respects in accordance with the terms of the Acquisition Agreement. The Acquisition Agreement shall not have been amended, supplemented or modified in any respect, or any provision or condition therein waived, or any consent granted thereunder (directly or indirectly, including any consent deemed granted as a result of a failure to object and including any modification of the terms of the Acquisition Agreement pursuant to the provisions thereof that expressly allow such modification if “mutually agreed by Ovintiv Canada and the Seller” or phrases to similar effect), by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, if such amendment, supplementation, modification, waiver or consent would be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders without each of JPMorgan’s and MSSF’s prior written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, delayed or conditioned), it being understood and agreed that (i) JPMorgan’s and MSSF’s consent shall be deemed to have been given if JPMorgan and MSSF do not object in writing to a written request for such consent within three Business Days after such written request is delivered to each of them, (ii)(A) any amendment, supplement, modification, waiver or consent that results in a cumulative increase in the purchase price payable under the Acquisition Agreement in excess of an amount equal to 15% of the base purchase price under the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date shall be deemed to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders (and any amendment, supplement, modification, waiver or consent that results in a cumulative increase in the purchase price not in excess of such amount shall be deemed not to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders) and (B) any amendment, supplement, modification, waiver or consent that results in a cumulative reduction in the purchase price payable under the Acquisition Agreement in excess of an amount equal to 15% of the base purchase price under the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date shall be deemed to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders (and any amendment, supplement, modification, waiver or consent that results in a cumulative reduction not in excess of such amount shall be deemed not to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders), but only so long as, in the case of any such reduction in the cash consideration, the commitments under the Two-Year Term Credit Agreement (and, upon the reduction thereof to zero, the Commitments) are reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis, (iii) any purchase price increases or reductions effected in accordance with Section 2.3(b), 2.3(c) or 2.3(d) of the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date (but, for avoidance of doubt, excluding any such adjustment referred to in such Section (or elsewhere in the Acquisition Agreement) as being “mutually agreed by Ovintiv Canada and the Seller” or phrases to similar effect (which, for further avoidance of doubt, does not include any agreement as between the Initial Guarantor and the Seller as to the calculation of any adjustments referred to in Section 2.3(b), 2.3(c) or 2.3(d) of the Acquisition Agreement in accordance with the terms thereof as in effect on the Signing Date)) shall not be deemed to be an amendment, supplement, modification, waiver or consent for purposes of this Section 3.02(a) (including for purposes of clause (ii) above) and shall be permitted without the consent of JPMorgan

 

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or MSSF, provided that the commitments under the Two-Year Term Credit Agreement (and, upon the reduction thereof to zero, the Commitments) shall be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by the net amount of the reduction, if any, in the cash consideration effected in accordance with Section 2.3(b), 2.3(c) or 2.3(d) of the Acquisition Agreement and (iv) any amendment, waiver or other modification of the provisions in Section 13.4 of the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date (and any definition set forth in, or any other provision of, the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date to the extent that an amendment, waiver or other modification of such definition or other provision would amend, waive or otherwise modify the substance of Section 13.4 of the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date) shall be deemed to be materially adverse to the interests of the Lenders.

(b) Between the date of the Acquisition Agreement and the Closing Date (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date) there shall have not been any fact, circumstance or event resulting in a Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date).

(c) The Seller shall have delivered to the Initial Guarantor the BofM NIL (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date) executed by the holder of the Paramount Lender Security (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date), releasable substantially concurrently with the funding of the Loans hereunder.

(d) The Lead Arrangers shall have received (i) audited consolidated balance sheets and the related audited consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity and cash flows of the Borrower for each of the most recent three fiscal years ending at least 60 days prior to the Funding Date and (ii) unaudited consolidated condensed balance sheets and the related unaudited consolidated condensed statements of earnings, comprehensive income (loss), changes in equity and cash flows of the Borrower for each fiscal quarter (other than the fourth fiscal quarter) ended since the date of the Borrower’s most recent audited balance sheet delivered pursuant to clause (i) above and at least 40 days prior to the Funding Date, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding quarter and the corresponding portion of the Borrower’s previous fiscal year, in each case, prepared in accordance with GAAP; provided that the filing of the required financial statements on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q or Form 8-K by the Borrower will be deemed to satisfy the applicable foregoing requirements, so long as a subsequent Form 8-K, Item 4.02 has not been filed with respect to the financial statements included therein.

(e) The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate signed by the President, a Vice President or a Senior Financial Officer of the Borrower, dated the Funding Date and stating that the conditions precedent set forth in Sections 3.02(a) and 3.02(i) have been satisfied and setting forth the aggregate amount of any reductions in the Commitments hereunder occurring pursuant to Section 2.06(d).

(f) The Administrative Agent shall have received a solvency certificate from the chief financial officer of the Borrower, dated the Effective Date and substantially in the form of Exhibit G.

(g) The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.02(a).

(h) The Borrower shall have paid all fees and expenses payable by it on or prior to the Funding Date under this Agreement, the Commitment Letter and the Fee Letters (in the case of expenses, to the extent invoiced at least two Business Days prior to the Funding Date).

(i) At the time of and after giving effect to the borrowing and application of the Loans on the Funding Date, (i) there shall not exist any Event of Default under Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(e) (with respect to the Borrower or the Initial Guarantor); (ii)(A) the Paramount Fundamental Representations and Warranties (as defined in, and as set forth in, the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date) shall be true and correct in all material respects (having regard to the Transaction, taken as a whole) when made and as of the Closing Time, and Paramount shall have delivered Paramount’s Officer’s Certificate certifying the same and (B) all representations and warranties of the Seller in Section 5.1 of the Acquisition Agreement (other than the Paramount Fundamental Representations and Warranties) that are material to the interests of the Lenders (in their capacities as such) shall be true and correct in all respects (having regard to the Transaction, taken as a whole) when made and as of the Closing Time (without giving effect to any “materiality” or Material Adverse Effect or similar qualification contained therein), except where the failure of such representations and warranties to be so true and correct would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and

 

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Paramount shall have delivered Paramount’s Officer’s Certificate certifying the same; and (iii) the Specified Representations shall be true and correct in all material respects (unless already qualified by materiality or “material adverse effect”, in which case they shall be true and correct in all respects). For the purposes of this Section 3.02(i), each of “Closing”, “Closing Time”, “Material Adverse Effect”, “Officer’s Certificate”, “Paramount” and “Transaction” has the meaning set forth in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date.

The Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the occurrence of the Funding Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.

ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

SECTION 4.01. Representations and Warranties of the Borrower. The Borrower represents and warrants, on the Effective Date (other than with respect to Section 4.01(o)) and the Funding Date, as follows:

(a) Each of the Borrower, the Guarantor Subsidiaries and each Material Subsidiary (i) is a Person duly continued organized, formed or incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its continuance, organization, formation or incorporation, (ii) is duly qualified to carry on business in all jurisdictions in which it carries on any business, except to the extent the failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect, and (iii) has full power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as presently conducted.

(b) The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which it is a party, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, are within such Loan Party’s corporate or other organizational powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action of such Loan Party and do not contravene (i) such Loan Party’s articles, charter, by-laws or similar organizational documents or (ii) any law or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting such Loan Party.

(c) No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body or any other third party is required for the due execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which it is a party.

(d) Each Loan Document has been duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is a party thereto. Each Loan Document is the legal, valid and binding obligation of each Loan Party thereto, enforceable against such Loan Party in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that such enforceability may be limited by any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally from time to time in effect and may be subject to the discretion of courts with respect to the granting of equitable remedies and to the power of courts to stay proceedings for the execution of judgments.

(e) Each of (i) the Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at December 31, 2023, and the related Consolidated statements of earnings, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year then ended, accompanied by an opinion of the Borrower’s auditors thereon, and (ii) the Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at September 30, 2024, and the related Consolidated statements of earnings, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter and the portion of the fiscal year then ended, copies of which have been made available to the Lenders prior to the Effective Date, fairly present the Consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at such dates and the Consolidated results of the operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the periods ended on such dates, all in accordance with GAAP consistently applied (in the case of clause (ii) above, subject to year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes). Since December 31, 2023, there has been no Material Adverse Change.

(f) There is no action, suit, litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, including any Environmental Action, pending or, to the best of the Borrower’s knowledge after reasonable investigation, overtly threatened, before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator that (i) is reasonably likely to be determined adversely, and if determined adversely, would have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) purports to affect adversely the legality, validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby.

 

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(g) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, and their respective operations and properties, comply in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders, except where the failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(h) Neither the Borrower nor any of the Guarantor Subsidiaries is an Investment Company, as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

(i) The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries have filed, have caused to be filed or have been included in all tax returns (federal, state, local and foreign) required to be filed or, in the case of income taxes, required to be filed and where the failure to do so would cause the imposition of a penalty or interest, and in each case have paid all taxes shown thereon to be due, together with applicable interest and penalties other than taxes that are being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and as to which appropriate reserves are being maintained, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

(j) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect:

(i) no ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur with respect to any Plan;

(ii) Schedule SB (Actuarial Information) to the most recent annual report (Form 5500 Series) for each Plan, copies of which have been filed with the Internal Revenue Service, is complete and accurate and fairly presents the funding status of such Plan, and since the date of such Schedule SB there has been no material adverse change in such funding status;

(iii) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or is reasonably expected to incur any Withdrawal Liability to any Multiemployer Plan;

(iv) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan has been terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, and no such Multiemployer Plan is reasonably expected to be terminated, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA; and

(v) with respect to each scheme or arrangement mandated by a government other than the United States (a “Foreign Government Scheme or Arrangement”) and with respect to each employee benefit plan maintained or contributed to by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not subject to United States law (a “Foreign Plan”):

(A) Any employer and employee contributions required by law or by the terms of any Foreign Government Scheme or Arrangement or any Foreign Plan have been made, or, if applicable, accrued, in accordance with normal accounting practices.

(B) The fair market value of the assets of each funded Foreign Plan, the liability of each insurer for any Foreign Plan funded through insurance or the book reserve established for any Foreign Plan, together with any accrued contributions, is sufficient to procure or provide for the accrued benefit obligations, as of the date hereof, with respect to all current and former participants in such Foreign Plan according to the actuarial assumptions and valuations most recently used to account for such obligations in accordance with applicable GAAP.

 

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(C) Each Foreign Plan required to be registered has been registered and has been maintained in good standing with applicable regulatory authorities.

(k) Foreign Assets Control Regulations, etc.

(i) None of the Borrower, any Guarantor Subsidiary or any of the Material Subsidiaries is a Sanctioned Person or located, organized or ordinarily resident in a Sanctioned Country.

(ii) No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be knowingly used (A) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person known by the Borrower to be in violation of any Anti-Corruption Laws, except to the extent that any such violation would not have a Material Adverse Effect or adversely affect the Administrative Agent or any Lender in any material respect, (B) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities or business or transaction of or with any Person known to the Borrower to be a Sanctioned Person, or in any country known to the Borrower to be a Sanctioned Country, or (C) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to the Borrower, any Guarantor Subsidiary or any of the Material Subsidiaries, except to the extent that any such violation would not have a Material Adverse Effect or adversely affect the Administrative Agent or any Lender in any material respect.

(iii) The Borrower has implemented and maintains in effect standards and procedures designed to ensure compliance by the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers, employees and agents with Anti-Corruption Laws and the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective directors, officers and employees and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, their respective agents, are in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws in all material respects.

Where used in this Section 4.01(k), references to “knowingly” or “known” means the actual knowledge of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, General Counsel, Assistant General Counsel, Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer of the Borrower.

(l) To the knowledge of the Borrower, all information, materials and documents (other than any information expressly disclaimed by the Borrower and projections and forecasts) prepared by the Borrower and delivered to the Administrative Agent in connection with this Agreement are true and accurate in all material respects as of the date of this Agreement except to the extent that any inaccuracy would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(m) Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying Margin Stock. No proceeds of the Loans will be used for a purpose which violates Regulations T, U or X of the Federal Reserve Board.

(n) Neither the Borrower nor any Guarantor Subsidiary is an Affected Financial Institution.

(o) As of the Funding Date, after giving effect to the consummation of the Transactions, including the making of the Loans hereunder, and after giving effect to the application of the proceeds thereof, (i) the fair value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, exceeds, on a Consolidated basis, their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, (ii) the present fair saleable value of the property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, is greater than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability, on a Consolidated basis, of their debts and other liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such debts and other liabilities become absolute and matured, (iii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, are able to pay their debts and liabilities, subordinated, contingent or otherwise, as such liabilities become absolute and matured and (iv) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a Consolidated basis, are not engaged in, and are not about to engage in, business for which they have unreasonably small capital. For purposes of this Section 4.01(o), the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that would reasonably be expected to become an actual and matured liability.

(p) The Borrower, its Subsidiaries and their respective officers and employees and, to the knowledge of the Borrower, their respective directors, are in compliance in all material respects with the Patriot Act.

 

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ARTICLE V

COVENANTS OF THE BORROWER

SECTION 5.01. Affirmative Covenants. So long as any principal or interest on any Loan, or any fee payable hereunder, shall remain unpaid or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, the Borrower will:

(a) Compliance with Laws, Etc. Comply, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to comply, in all material respects with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders, such compliance to include, without limitation, compliance with ERISA, the requirements applicable to each Foreign Plan and Environmental Laws, except where the failure to so comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Payment of Taxes, Etc. Pay and discharge, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay and discharge, before the same shall become delinquent, (i) all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its property and (ii) all lawful claims that, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon its property; provided, however, that neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to pay or discharge any such tax, assessment, charge or claim that is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and as to which appropriate reserves are being maintained, unless and until any Lien resulting therefrom which is material to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries attaches to its property and becomes enforceable against its other creditors.

(c) Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, insurance on all of its or their property which is of an insurable nature against such risks, in such amounts and in such manner as is usual in the case of corporations similarly situated and operating generally similar property and with such reputable insurance companies or associations as the Borrower may select; provided that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may from time to time adopt other methods or plans of protection, including self-insurance, against such risks in substitution or partial substitution for the aforesaid insurance if such plans or methods shall, in the opinion of the appropriate senior officers of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, be in its or their best interest, and neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to keep insured any of its property in respect of which insurance is being provided by others for its benefit.

(d) Preservation of Corporate Existence, Etc. Subject to Section 5.02(a), maintain, and cause each other Loan Party to maintain, its corporate existence.

(e) Visitation Rights. At any reasonable time upon reasonable prior notice, permit the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders or any agents or representatives thereof, at their own cost, to examine and make copies of and abstracts from the records and books of account of, and visit the properties of, the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries, and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries with any of their senior officers or directors and with their independent auditors.

(f) Keeping of Books. Keep, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to keep, proper books of record and account, in which full and correct entries shall be made of all financial transactions and the assets and business of the Borrower and each such Subsidiary in accordance with GAAP.

(g) Maintenance of Properties, Etc. Maintain and preserve, and cause each of its Material Subsidiaries to maintain and preserve, its properties and assets that are used or useful in the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, except that nothing contained in this Section shall prevent the Borrower or its Material Subsidiaries (i) from selling, leasing or otherwise disposing of any of its or their property or assets in one or a series of related transactions if the cumulative effect of such actions would not have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) from ceasing to operate any of its or their property, assets or business, when in the opinion of the appropriate officers of the Borrower or its Material Subsidiaries it shall be advisable and in its or their best interests to do so.

 

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(h) Reporting Requirements. Furnish to the Administrative Agent for further distribution to the Lenders:

(i) as soon as available and in any event within sixty-five (65) days after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of the Borrower, the Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower as of the end of such Fiscal Quarter and the Consolidated statements of earnings and cash flows of the Borrower for the period commencing at the end of the previous fiscal year and ending with the end of such Fiscal Quarter, with a statement (subject to year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes) by the chief financial officer or comptroller of the Borrower stating that such Consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, together with a Compliance Certificate (it being understood that the delivery by the Borrower of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) or a registration statement on Form S-1 or Form S-4 shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 5.01(h)(i) to the extent such annual reports or registration statement include the information specified in this Section 5.01(h)(i));

(ii) as soon as available and in any event within ninety-five (95) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a copy of the Consolidated financial statements of the Borrower comprising the Consolidated balance sheet, the Consolidated statement of earnings, the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity and the Consolidated statement of cash flows pertaining to such fiscal year, together with the report and opinion of its independent auditors thereon confirming that such financial statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, together with a Compliance Certificate (it being understood that the delivery by the Borrower of annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) or a registration statement on Form S-1 or Form S-4 shall satisfy the requirements of this Section 5.01(h)(ii) to the extent such annual reports or registration statements include the information specified in this Section 5.01(h)(ii));

(iii) in the case of each Default, as soon as possible and in any event within ten days after a Senior Financial Officer, General Counsel or Assistant General Counsel of the Borrower has acquired knowledge of facts which constitute or give rise to such Default and provided that such Default is continuing on the date of such statement, a statement of the chief financial officer or chief executive officer of the Borrower setting forth details of such Default and the action that the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto;

(iv) promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of all reports that the Borrower sends to any of its securityholders, and copies of all reports and registration statements that the Borrower or any Subsidiary files with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any national securities exchange;

(v) promptly after the commencement thereof, notice of all actions and proceedings before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of the type described in Section 4.01(f);

(vi) (A) ERISA Events and ERISA Reports. (x) Promptly and in any event within ten days after the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know that any ERISA Event which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect has occurred, a statement of the chief financial officer of the Borrower describing such ERISA Event and the action, if any, that the Borrower or such ERISA Affiliate has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto and (y) on the date any records, documents or other information must be furnished to the PBGC with respect to any Plan pursuant to Section 4010 of ERISA, a copy of such records, documents and information;

(B) Plan Terminations. Promptly and in any event within three Business Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, copies of each notice from the PBGC stating its intention to terminate any Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Plan;

 

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(C) Plan Annual Reports. Promptly (x) and in any event within thirty days after the filing thereof with the Internal Revenue Service, copies of each Schedule SB (Actuarial Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) with respect to each Plan maintained, sponsored or contributed to by the Borrower and (y) upon the request of the Administrative Agent, a copy of the Schedule SB with respect to any other Plan;

(D) Multiemployer Plan Notices. Promptly and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan, copies of each notice concerning (x) the imposition of Withdrawal Liability by any such Multiemployer Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (y) the termination, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA, of any such Multiemployer Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (z) the amount of liability incurred, or that may be incurred, by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in connection with any event described in clause (x) or (y); and

(vii) at the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, such other information, report, certificates or other matters affecting its material business, affairs, financial condition, property or assets or the material business, affairs, financial condition, property or assets of any Material Subsidiary, as the Administrative Agent or such Lender may reasonably request, excluding any such information, report, certificates or other matters relating to any Person other than the Borrower or any of its Affiliates which the Borrower is prohibited from disclosing to the Lenders pursuant to a confidentiality agreement between the Borrower and such Person.

(i) Environmental Covenants.

(i) Without limiting the generality of Section 5.01(a), the Borrower shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries and any other party acting under their direction to, conduct their business and operations so as to comply at all times with all Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits if the consequence of a failure to comply could reasonably be expected, either alone or in conjunction with any other such noncompliance, to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(ii) If the Borrower or its Subsidiaries shall:

(A) receive or give any notice that a violation of any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit has or may have been committed or is about to be committed by the same, if such violation could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(B) receive any notice that a complaint, proceeding or order has been filed or is about to be filed against the same alleging a violation of or liability under any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit, if such violation or liability could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; or

(C) receive any notice requiring the Borrower or a Subsidiary, as the case may be, to take any action in connection with the Release of Hazardous Materials into the environment or alleging that the Borrower or a Subsidiary may be liable or responsible for costs associated with a response to or to clean-up a Release of Hazardous Materials into the environment or any damages caused thereby, if such action or liability could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

the Borrower shall promptly provide the Administrative Agent with a copy of such notice and shall, or shall cause its Subsidiary to, furnish to the Administrative Agent from time to time all reasonable information requested by the Administrative Agent relating to the same.

 

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(iii) The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent promptly of any event or occurrence of which it is aware which could reasonably be expected to result in any violation of or liability under any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit if such event or occurrence could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(j) Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions. Maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures to ensure compliance by the Borrower with its representation and warranty in Section 4.01(k).

(k) Maintenance of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Capitalization Ratio. Maintain, as of the last day of each Fiscal Quarter, as reported to the Lenders in accordance with Section 5.01(h), a Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Capitalization Ratio which does not exceed 60%.

(l) Use of Proceeds. Use, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to use, the Proceeds of the Loans solely as set forth in Section 2.18.

SECTION 5.02. Negative Covenants. So long as any principal or interest on any Loan, or any fee payable hereunder, shall remain unpaid or any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, the Borrower will not, unless the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower otherwise agree in writing in accordance with Section 8.01:

(a) Mergers, etc. Enter into or participate in, or permit any Guarantor Subsidiary to enter into or participate in, any transaction which would result in the amalgamation, consolidation or merger of the Borrower or such Guarantor Subsidiary into any other Person or the sale, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Borrower’s undertaking and assets (determined on a Consolidated basis) to another Person, unless:

(i) except in the case of the amalgamation, consolidation or merger of any Loan Party with one or more Subsidiaries or the transfer of all or substantially all of any Loan Party’s undertaking and assets to one or more Subsidiaries, at least two Debt Ratings of the successor or transferee are Investment Grade (unless the Required Lenders approve any such transaction where the Debt Ratings of the successor or transferee are not Investment Grade);

(ii) in the case of any amalgamation, consolidation or merger involving the Borrower or any such sale, transfer, conveyance lease or other disposition, the successor or transferee shall be a corporation organized under the laws of a State of the United States of America;

(iii) the successor or transferee executes and delivers to the Administrative Agent such documents, if any, as may, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, be necessary to confirm the assumption by the successor or transferee of the obligations of such Loan Party under the Loan Documents to which it is a party; and

(iv) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received all information regarding the successor or transferee reasonably requested in connection with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and, if applicable, the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, including any related necessary documentation.

(b) Negative Pledge. (i) Create, or permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to create, any mortgage, hypothecation, charge or other encumbrance on any of its or their property or assets, present or future, to secure Indebtedness, unless at or prior thereto the Loans (prior to the occurrence of the Funding Date, up to the maximum aggregate amount of the Commitments then in effect), are equally and ratably secured by such property or assets or, at the option of the Borrower, security in the form of other property having at such time a Value equal to (x) prior to the Funding Date, 150% of the aggregate Commitments at such time or (y) on and after the Funding Date, 150% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans outstanding at such time is extended to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders; provided, however, that the preceding shall not apply to or operate to prevent the following:

 

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(A) liens or other encumbrances, not related to the borrowing of money, incurred or arising by operation of law or in the ordinary course of business or incidental to the ownership of property or assets;

(B) pre-existing encumbrances on property or assets when acquired (including by way of lease);

(C) encumbrances or obligations to incur encumbrances (including under indentures, trust deeds and similar instruments) on property or assets of another Person existing at the time such other Person becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower, or is liquidated or merged into, or amalgamated or consolidated with, the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower or at the time of the sale, lease or other disposition to the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of such other Person, provided that such encumbrances were not incurred in anticipation of such other Person becoming a Subsidiary of the Borrower;

(D) encumbrances given by the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in compliance with contractual commitments in existence at the date hereof or entered into prior to a Restricted Subsidiary becoming a Restricted Subsidiary;

(E) giving security by the Borrower or a Subsidiary in favor of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

(F) creating, issuing or suffering to exist or becoming liable on, or giving or assuming, any Purchase Money Mortgage;

(G) creating, issuing or suffering to exist or becoming liable on, or giving or assuming any mortgage, hypothecation, charge or other encumbrance in connection with Indebtedness which, by its terms, is non-recourse to the Borrower or the Restricted Subsidiary;

(H) giving security on any specific property or asset in favor of a government within or outside the United States or any political subdivision, department, agency or instrumentality thereof to secure the performance of any covenant or obligation to or in favor of or entered into at the request of any such authorities where such security is required pursuant to any contract, statute, order or regulation;

(I) giving, in the ordinary course of business and for the purpose of carrying on the same, security on current assets to any bank or banks or others to secure any obligations repayable on demand or maturing, including any right of extension or renewal, within 12 months after the date such obligation is incurred;

(J) giving security on property or assets of whatsoever nature other than Restricted Property; provided, however, security on Restricted Property may be given to secure obligations incurred or guarantees of obligations incurred in connection with or necessarily incidental to the purchase, sale, storage, transportation or distribution of such Restricted Property or of the products derived from such Restricted Property;

(K) encumbrances arising under partnership agreements, oil and natural gas leases, overriding royalty agreements, net profits agreements, production payment agreements, royalty trust agreements, master limited partnership agreements, farm-out agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, storage, transportation, distribution, gathering or processing of Restricted Property, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, operating agreements, production sales contracts (including security in respect of take or pay or similar obligations thereunder), area of mutual interest agreements, natural gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, which in each of the foregoing cases is customary in the oil and natural gas business, and other agreements which are customary in the oil and natural gas business, provided in all instances that such encumbrance is limited to the property or assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement;

 

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(L) any encumbrance on any properties or facilities or any interest therein, construction thereon or improvement thereto incurred to secure all or any part of any Indebtedness relating to the reclamation and clean-up of such properties, facilities and interests and surrounding lands whether or not owned by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary, the plugging or abandonment of wells and the decommissioning or removal of structures or facilities located on such properties or facilities provided such Indebtedness is incurred prior to, during or within two years after the completion of reclamation and clean-up or such other activity;

(M) encumbrances in respect of the joint development, operation or present or future reclamation, clean-up or abandonment of properties, facilities and surrounding lands or related production or processing as security in favor of any other owner or operator of such assets for the Borrower’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s portion of the costs and expenses of such development, operation, reclamation, clean-up or abandonment;

(N) encumbrances on assets or property (including oil sands property) securing: (I) all or any portion of the cost of acquisition (directly or indirectly), surveying, exploration, drilling, development, extraction, operation, production, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of all or any part of such assets or property and the plugging and abandonment of wells thereon, (II) all or any portion of the cost of acquiring (directly or indirectly), developing, constructing, altering, improving, operating or repairing any assets or property (or improvements on such assets or property) used or to be used in connection with such assets or property, whether or not located (or located from time to time) at or on such assets or property, (III) Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to provide funds for the activities set forth in clauses (I) and (II) above, provided such Indebtedness is incurred prior to, during or within two years after the completion of acquisition, construction or such other activities referred to in clauses (I) and (II) above, and (IV) Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to refinance Indebtedness incurred for the purposes set forth in clauses (I) and (II) above. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, costs incurred after the date hereof with respect to clauses (I) or (II) above shall include costs incurred for all facilities relating to such assets or property, or to projects, ventures or other arrangements of which such assets or property form a part or which relate to such assets or property, which facilities shall include, without limitation, Facilities, whether or not in whole or in part located (or from time to time located) at or on such assets or property;

(O) encumbrances granted in the ordinary course of business in connection with Financial Instrument Obligations;

(P) deposits referred to in clause (a) of the proviso to the definition of Consolidated Debt to Consolidated Capitalization Ratio; and

(Q) any extension, renewal, alteration, refinancing, replacement, exchange or refunding (or successive extensions, renewals, alterations, refinancings, replacements, exchanges or refundings) of all or part of any encumbrance referred to in the foregoing clauses; provided, however, that (i) such new encumbrance shall be limited to all or part of the property or assets which was secured by the prior encumbrance plus improvements on such property or assets and (ii) the Indebtedness, if any, secured by the new encumbrance is not increased from the amount of the Indebtedness secured by the prior encumbrance then existing at the time of such extension, renewal, alteration, refinancing, replacement, exchange or refunding, plus an amount necessary to pay fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such extensions, renewals, alterations, refinancings, replacements, exchanges or refundings;

 

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and provided further that (I) in any event, the Borrower and any Restricted Subsidiary shall be entitled to give security that would otherwise be prohibited hereby so long as the aggregate Indebtedness outstanding and secured under this clause (I) and the aggregate Indebtedness outstanding and secured under Section 5.02(b)(i)(N) does not at the time of giving such security exceed an amount equal to 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Borrower at such time and (II) in no event shall the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary be entitled to give security that would otherwise be permitted by Section 5.02(b)(i)(N) if such security secures Indebtedness which exceeds an amount equal to 10% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Borrower at such time.

(ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing, transactions such as the sale (including any forward sale) or other transfer of (A) oil, gas, minerals or other resources of a primary nature, whether in place or when produced, for a period of time until, or in an amount such that, the purchaser will realize therefrom a specified amount of money or a specified rate of return (however determined), or a specified amount of such oil, gas, minerals, or other resources of a primary nature, or (B) any other interest in property of the character commonly referred to as a “production payment”, will not constitute secured Indebtedness for purposes of Section 5.02(b)(i) and will not result in the Borrower being required to secure the Loans.

(iii) In the event security has been provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in accordance with this Section 5.02(b) and, prior to the Funding Date, the maximum principal amount of the Commitments is thereafter permanently reduced at any time or from time to time or, after the Funding Date, the Loans are thereafter prepaid at any time or from time to time, the Borrower may request once in each calendar year, and the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall grant at the Borrower’s expense, discharges of security as will ensure that the remaining security has a Value at such time equal to, to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders acting reasonably, (x) prior to the Funding Date, 150% of the aggregate Commitments at such time or (y) on and after the Funding Date, 150% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans outstanding at such time.

(c) [Reserved].

(d) Change in Nature of Business. Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Effective Date hereof, provided that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may engage in any Similar Business.

(e) Financing Debt of Certain Subsidiaries. Permit:

(i) the aggregate Financing Debt of all Material Subsidiaries (other than any Material Subsidiary that is a Guarantor Subsidiary), on a Consolidated basis; plus, without duplication

(ii) the aggregate Indebtedness secured by security interests over Restricted Property given by the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary in favor of Subsidiaries (other than Guarantor Subsidiaries) which are not Material Subsidiaries; plus, without duplication

(iii) the aggregate Financing Debt of Finance Co.; plus, without duplication

(iv) the amount by which the aggregate Financing Debt of any Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than Finance Co. or a Material Subsidiary) exceeds an aggregate of $750,000,000 and which Financing Debt is guaranteed by the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary (whether directly or indirectly through corporate law applicable to unlimited liability companies),

to exceed 17.5% of Consolidated Tangible Assets as of the last day of each Fiscal Quarter, as reported to the Lenders in accordance with Section 5.01(h); provided that, for the purpose of calculating the aggregate Financing Debt referred to in (i) above or the aggregate Indebtedness referred to in (ii) above, there shall be excluded (A) the Financing Debt of any Public Material Subsidiary or (B) any such Indebtedness secured by security interests over Restricted Property of any Public Material Subsidiary for so long as, in regard to any case referred to in (A) or (B), Publicly Traded Securities of the relevant Public Material Subsidiary are listed on any stock exchange and for 120 days (or such longer period as the Required Lenders may allow in their sole discretion) after the date that Publicly Traded Securities of such Public Material Subsidiary cease to be so listed.

 

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(f) Financial Assistance by Material Subsidiaries. If any Material Subsidiary or Subsidiary thereof gives, grants or becomes subject to any guarantee, indemnity or other form of financial assistance to or in favor of any Person in respect of Financing Debt of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary, other than in respect of the Loans or any Centralized Banking Arrangements (each such guarantee, indemnity or other form of financial assistance, other than a guarantee, indemnity or other form of financial assistance in respect of the Loans or any Centralized Banking Arrangements, being a “Third Party Guarantee”), then the Borrower shall ensure that such Material Subsidiary or Subsidiary thereof duly executes and delivers to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders a guarantee or other instrument on no less favorable terms, with such changes thereto as may be necessary in the context and acceptable to the Administrative Agent, acting reasonably, so that the obligations thereunder rank at least pari passu with the obligations under such Third Party Guarantee; provided, however, that:

(i) a Material Subsidiary or Subsidiary thereof shall be entitled to give, grant or become subject to a Third Party Guarantee in respect of Financing Debt of wholly-owned direct or indirect Subsidiaries of such Material Subsidiary; and

(ii) a Material Subsidiary or Subsidiary thereof which is a direct or indirect wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Material Subsidiary shall be entitled to give, grant or become subject to a Third Party Guarantee in respect of Financing Debt of a Material Subsidiary or Subsidiary thereof of which (in either case) it is directly or indirectly a wholly-owned Subsidiary,

in either case, for so long as such wholly-owned Subsidiaries remain, directly or indirectly, wholly-owned by such Material Subsidiary, without being required by this Section 5.02(g) to execute and deliver a guarantee or other instrument to the Administrative Agent in accordance with the foregoing; and provided further, however, that a Subsidiary which is not a Material Subsidiary need not execute and deliver such a guarantee or other instrument if and for so long as such Subsidiary, together with each other such Subsidiary which has given, granted, or become subject to a Third Party Guarantee and which has not executed and delivered a guarantee or other instrument to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders hereunder, has assets which have a value, as reflected in the Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower most recently delivered to the Lenders hereunder, of 10% or less of the value of the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries reflected therein (without giving effect to the non-cash ceiling test impairments and other changes as a consequence of Encana Corporation’s adoption of GAAP). Any Material Subsidiary that provides a guarantee to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders in accordance with this Section shall also provide such other documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, and (ii) to the extent such Material Subsidiary qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, shall provide to any Lender that so requests a Beneficial Ownership Certification.

If any Subsidiary that provides a guarantee to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders in accordance with this Section is released from its Third Party Guarantee(s) (other than as a result of any payment being made under such Third Party Guarantee(s)), then, upon the request of the Borrower or such Subsidiary for the release of such guarantee and provided that no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such release, such guarantee shall also be released (and the Administrative Agent shall promptly execute such documents and instruments as the Borrower or such Subsidiary may reasonably request to evidence such release).

SECTION 5.03. Actions in Respect of Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided in Section 5.01 or Section 5.02 whereby the Borrower has covenanted to cause any Subsidiary to do or not to do any act or thing and (a) such Subsidiary is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; (b) the Borrower does not control the day to day operations of such Subsidiary (by operation of contract or otherwise); and (c) the portion of the Consolidated Tangible Assets of the Borrower attributable to all of the Subsidiaries that meet the requirements of clauses (a) and (b) does not exceed 10% of the value of the Consolidated Tangible Assets of the Borrower, as measured as of the end of the immediately preceding fiscal year, the Borrower shall have complied with its covenants in that regard if it shall have used all reasonable efforts to cause such Subsidiary to comply with the requirements of Sections 5.01 and 5.02 or to remedy any breaches thereof; and with respect to any breach of Section 5.01 or Section 5.02 caused by any Subsidiary acting or failing to act in the manner required by such Section, the Borrower’s obligation to use its reasonable efforts to prevent or remedy such breach shall only be applicable from and after the date that the Borrower becomes aware of such breach or the date the Borrower becomes aware such breach may occur, as the case may be; provided that this Section 5.03 shall not apply to (i) the covenants contained in Section 5.01(k), 5.01(l), 5.02(e) or 5.02(f), or (ii) any covenant if the breach thereof could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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SECTION 5.04. Certain Guaranty and Collateral Matters.

(a) No Subsidiary (other than the Initial Guarantor) may be an obligor under any of the Existing Credit Agreements (or any refinancing or replacement thereof) or any of the Existing Indentures (or any refinancing or replacement thereof) unless, substantially concurrently therewith, such Subsidiary becomes a Guarantor Subsidiary hereunder and delivers such other documents and certificates as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

(b) None of the Existing Credit Agreements (or any refinancing or replacement thereof) or any of the Existing Indentures (or any refinancing or replacement thereof) may be secured by any Liens on any assets or properties of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (other than, in the case of the Existing U.S. Credit Agreement or the Existing Canadian Credit Agreement (or, in each case, any refinancing or replacement thereof), cash collateral in respect of letters of credit), unless the Loans and all other obligations of the Borrower or any Guarantor Subsidiary arising under the Loan Documents are equally and ratably secured by Liens on all such assets or properties on a pari passu basis (and all such Liens shall be subject to a customary intercreditor agreement reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent).

ARTICLE VI

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. If any of the following events (“Events of Default”) shall occur and be continuing:

(a) the Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan when the same becomes due and payable; or the Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or make any other payment of fees or other amounts payable under this Agreement within five Business Days after the same becomes due and payable; or

(b) any representation or warranty made or deemed made by any Loan Party in any Loan Document or by any Loan Party (or any of its officers) in connection with any Loan Document shall prove to have been incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made; or

(c) (i) the Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 5.01(d), (h)(iii), (k) or (l) or in Section 5.02 or 5.04; or (ii) any Loan Party shall fail to perform or observe any other term, covenant or agreement contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed if such failure shall remain unremedied for 45 days after written notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent or any Lender; or

(d) the Borrower or any Subsidiary (i) shall default in making payment when due of any Financing Debt (including all net obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary pursuant to currency, interest rate and commodity price hedging and swap agreements, but excluding borrowings under this Agreement) (“Extended Financing Debt”) in an amount in excess of the greater of $200,000,000 and two (2%) percent of Consolidated Net Worth and such default is not remedied by the Borrower or such Subsidiary or is not waived by the lender or counterparty in respect of such Extended Financing Debt (including the lessor under any Finance Lease) within two Business Days or any longer grace or cure period that is available under applicable documentation to remedy such default, or (ii) causes or permits to exist any default or event of default under any agreement or agreements evidencing Extended Financing Debt if such default or event of default results in the acceleration of the payment of an aggregate amount of Extended Financing Debt in excess of the greater of $200,000,000 and two (2%) percent of Consolidated Net Worth; or

 

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(e) the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries shall generally not pay its debts as such debts become due, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts generally, or shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; or any proceeding shall be instituted by or against the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries seeking to adjudicate it a bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any material part of its property (other than any Non-Recourse Assets) and, in the case of any such proceeding instituted against it (but not instituted by it), either such proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for a period of sixty (60) days, or any of the actions sought in such proceeding (including, without limitation, the entry of an order for relief against, or the appointment of a receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official for it or for any material part of its property (other than any Non-Recourse Assets)) shall occur; or the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the actions set forth in this subsection (e); or

(f) any final judgment or order (subject to no further right of appeal) is rendered against the Borrower or any Material Subsidiary for the payment of money in excess of the greater of $200,000,000 and two (2%) percent of Consolidated Net Worth (other than any such judgment or order in favor of a lender that is a Non-Recourse Creditor, in respect of which such lender’s recourse pursuant to such judgment or order or otherwise is limited to the specific Project in respect of which the debt which is the subject of such judgment or order was granted was incurred) and under which enforcement proceedings have commenced and have not been stayed, and which remains undischarged or unstayed for a period of forty-five (45) days; provided that any such final judgment or order rendered only with respect to a Material Subsidiary which is not a Restricted Subsidiary shall not be an Event of Default if the Borrower would (in the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders as evidenced by their signatures on a confirmation thereof) be able to satisfy the financial tests set forth in Sections 5.01(k) and 5.02(e), calculated as of the date of such final judgment or order (and not as of the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter), which tests shall be conducted after provision has been made for the payment of such final judgment or order; or

(g) any final non-monetary judgment or order (subject to no further right of appeal) shall be rendered against the Borrower or any of its Material Subsidiaries that could be reasonably expected to have (i) a Material Adverse Effect, and there shall be any period of thirty (30) consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order shall not be in effect or (ii) an adverse effect on the legality, validity or enforceability of the Loan Documents; or

(h) a Change in Control shall occur; or

(i) any material provision of any Loan Document shall for any reason cease to be valid and binding on or enforceable against the Loan Parties party thereto, or any Loan Party shall so state in writing, in each case, other than as a result of a release of any Guarantor Subsidiary from its obligations under such Loan Document as expressly provided in this Agreement or such Loan Document; or

(j) the Borrower or any of its respective ERISA Affiliates shall incur, or, in the reasonable opinion of the Required Lenders, shall be reasonably likely to incur, liability in excess of $200,000,000 in the aggregate as a result of one or more of the following: (i) the occurrence of any ERISA Event; (ii) the partial or complete withdrawal of the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan; or (iii) the termination within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA of a Multiemployer Plan;

then, and in any such event, but subject to the next following paragraph, the Administrative Agent (i) shall at the request, or may with the consent, of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare the obligation of each Lender to make Loans to be terminated, whereupon the same shall forthwith terminate and (ii) shall at the request, or may with the consent, of the Required Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Loans, all interest thereon and all other amounts payable under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the Loans, all such interest and all such amounts shall become and be forthwith due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; provided, further, however, in the event of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Federal Bankruptcy Code, (A) the obligation of each Lender to make Loans shall automatically be terminated and (B) the Loans, all such interest and all such amounts shall automatically become and be due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or any notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.

 

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Notwithstanding the foregoing, prior to the funding of the Loans on the Funding Date, neither the Lenders nor the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to terminate the Commitments due to an Event of Default (other than any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or, with respect to the Borrower or the Initial Guarantor, Section 6.01(e) that shall have occurred and is continuing); provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, (a) the making of Loans shall be subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 3.02, and nothing in this paragraph shall affect the rights of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to such conditions, (b) if applicable, the Commitments shall reduce as provided under Sections 2.06, (c) nothing in this paragraph shall affect the rights, remedies or entitlements (or the ability to exercise the same) of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders with respect to any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or, with respect to the Borrower or the Initial Guarantor, Section 6.01(e) and (d) the acceleration of the Loans, interest thereon and other amounts payable under the Loan Documents shall be permitted at any time after the funding of the Loans on the Funding Date to the extent that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at such time.

ARTICLE VII

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

SECTION 7.01. Appointment and Authority. Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints JPMorgan to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Without limiting the foregoing, each of the Lenders hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver, and to perform its obligations under, each of the Loan Documents to which the Administrative Agent is a party, and to exercise all rights, powers and remedies that the Administrative Agent may have under such Loan Documents. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and the Borrower shall not have rights as a third-party beneficiary of any of such provisions, other than its right of approval set forth in Section 7.06(a). It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties.

SECTION 7.02. Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for, and generally engage in any kind of business with, the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

SECTION 7.03. Exculpatory Provisions. (a) The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. The motivations of the Administrative Agent are commercial in nature and not to invest in the general performance or operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:

(i) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;

(ii) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith to be provided, for herein or in the other Loan Documents) and, unless and until revoked in writing, such direction shall

 

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be binding upon each Lender; provided that (A) the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its reasonable opinion or on the reasonable advice of counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any debtor relief law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any debtor relief law and (B) the Administrative Agent may seek clarification or direction from the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith to be provided, for herein or in the other Loan Documents) prior to the exercise of any such directed action and may refrain from acting until such clarification or direction has been provided; and

(iii) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in the Loan Documents), or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct (such absence to be presumed unless otherwise determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment). The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice (stating it is a “notice of default”) describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent in writing by the Borrower or a Lender. Nothing in this Agreement shall require the Administrative Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, sufficiency, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document (including, for the avoidance of doubt, in connection with the Administrative Agent’s reliance on any Electronic Signature transmitted by emailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article III or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items (which on their face purport to be such items) expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrative Agent (i) shall not be liable for, or be responsible for any loss, cost or expense suffered by the Borrower or any Lender as a result of, any determination that any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, or the effective date of such status, it being further understood and agreed that the Administrative Agent shall not have any obligation to determine whether any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, and (ii) shall not have any duty to ascertain, monitor or enforce compliance with the list of Disqualified Lenders and will not have any liability with respect to any assignment or participation made to a Disqualified Lender, it being further understood and agreed that the Administrative Agent will be authorized to disclose the list of Disqualified Lenders to the Lenders and the Lenders will be authorized to disclose such list, on a confidential basis, to potential assignees and participants.

SECTION 7.04. Reliance by Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance

 

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with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

SECTION 7.05. Indemnification. The Lenders severally agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties (in such capacity (or acting on behalf of the Administrative Agent in such capacity) and to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower), ratably according to the Lenders’ respective pro rata shares (determined as of the time that the applicable indemnity payment is sought), from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever that may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against the Administrative Agent, its sub-agents or any of their respective Related Parties in any way relating to or arising out of any Loan Document or the Loans, any action taken or omitted by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document or the consummation, performance or enforcement of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Document or the Loans (collectively, the “Indemnified Costs”), provided that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of the Indemnified Costs resulting from the Administrative Agent’s gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and non-appealable judgment. Without limitation of the foregoing, each Lender agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent promptly upon demand for its pro rata share of any out-of-pocket expenses (including counsel fees) incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, amendment or enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of, or legal advice in respect of rights or responsibilities under, any Loan Document, to the extent that the Administrative Agent is not reimbursed for such expenses by the Borrower. In the case of any investigation, litigation or proceeding giving rise to any Indemnified Costs, this Section 7.05 applies whether any such investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by the Administrative Agent, any Lead Arranger, the Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent, any Lender or a third party. The respective obligations of the Lenders under this Section are several and not joint and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to satisfy its obligations hereunder. For purposes of this Section, a Lender’s “pro rata share” shall be determined based upon its share of the sum of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans or Commitments at the time outstanding or in effect (or most recently outstanding or in effect, if the foregoing shall no longer be outstanding or in effect at such time).

SECTION 7.06. Resignation of Administrative Agent. (a) The Administrative Agent may at any time give written notice of its resignation to the Lenders and the Borrower and may be removed at any time with or without cause by the Required Lenders. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation or removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the prior approval of the Borrower so long as no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (which approval will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within sixty (60) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation or the Required Lenders’ removal of the retiring Administrative Agent (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above. Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

(b) With effect from the Resignation Effective Date (i) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders hereunder, the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and (ii) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Administrative Agent, and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other

 

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Loan Documents. The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring or removed Administrative Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 8.04, as well as any exculpatory, reimbursement and indemnification provisions set forth in any other Loan Document, shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent (including for this purpose holding any collateral security following the retirement or removal of the Administrative Agent as contemplated by clause (i) above).

SECTION 7.07. Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory and indemnity provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the Commitments as well as activities as Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non-appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

SECTION 7.08. Acknowledgements of Lenders. (a) Each Lender represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility, (ii) in participating as a Lender, it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and in providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender, in each case in the ordinary course of business, and not for the purpose of investing in the general performance or operations of the Borrower, or for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument such as a security (and each Lender agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing, such as a claim under federal or state securities laws), (iii) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Lead Arranger, the Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent or any other Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder and (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Lead Arranger, the Syndication Agent, any Documentation Agent or any other Lender, or any of the Related Parties of any of the foregoing, and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

(b) Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Agreement on the Effective Date, or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be delivered to, or be approved by or satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders on the Effective Date or the Funding Date.

(c) (i) Each Lender hereby agrees that (x) if the Administrative Agent notifies such Lender that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Lender from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (whether as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees or otherwise; individually and collectively, a “Payment”) were erroneously transmitted to such Lender (whether or not known to such Lender), and demands the return of such Payment (or a portion thereof), such Lender shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, specify in writing), return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or

 

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portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon (except to the extent waived in writing by the Administrative Agent) in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect, and (y) to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Lender shall not assert, and hereby waives, as to the Administrative Agent, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Payments received, including without limitation any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender under this Section 7.08(c) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(ii) Each Lender hereby further agrees that if it receives a Payment from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such Payment (a “Payment Notice”) or (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a Payment Notice, it shall be on notice, in each such case, that an error has been made with respect to such Payment. Each Lender agrees that, in each such case, or if it otherwise becomes aware a Payment (or portion thereof) may have been sent in error, such Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, upon demand from the Administrative Agent, it shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, specify in writing), return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon (except to the extent waived in writing by the Administrative Agent) in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect.

(iii) The Borrower hereby agrees that (x) in the event an erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) is not recovered from any Lender that has received such Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Lender with respect to such amount and (y) an erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any obligations owed by the Borrower under the Loan Documents, except, in each case, to the extent such erroneous Payment is, and solely with respect to the amount of such erroneous Payment that is, comprised of funds received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower or any other Loan Party for the purpose of making such erroneous Payment.

(iv) Each party’s obligations under this Section 7.08(c) shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all obligations of the Borrower under any Loan Document.

SECTION 7.09. No Other Duties, etc. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the Lead Arrangers, the Syndication Agent or the Documentation Agents shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent or a Lender hereunder.

SECTION 7.10. Certain ERISA Matters.

(a) Each Lender (i) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (ii) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and its respective Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(A) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of the Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans or the Commitments;

 

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(B) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96- 23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, and the conditions for exemptive relief thereunder are and will continue to be satisfied in connection therewith;

(C) (1) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Part VI of PTE 84-14), (2) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement, (3) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (g) of Part I of PTE 84-14 and (4) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Part I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement; or

(D) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

(b) In addition, unless either (i) sub-clause (A) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (ii) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (D) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of the Borrower, that none of the Administrative Agent or any of its respective Affiliates is a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Commitments and this Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

SECTION 7.11. Posting of Communications; Approved Borrower Portal. (a) The Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make the Communications available to the Lenders by posting the Communications on the Approved Electronic Platform. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree that the Borrower may, but shall not be obligated to, make any Borrower Communications to the Administrative Agent through an Approved Borrower Portal.

(b) Although each of the Approved Electronic Platform and the Approved Borrower Portal and its primary web portal are secured with generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent from time to time (including, as of the Effective Date, a user ID/password authorization system) and the Approved Electronic Platform is secured through a per-deal authorization method whereby each user may access the Approved Electronic Platform only on a deal-by-deal basis, each of the Lenders and the Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure, that the Administrative Agent is not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives or contacts of the Borrower that are added to the Approved Electronic Platform or the Approved Borrower Portal, and that there may be confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution. Each of the Lenders and the Borrower hereby approves distribution of (i) the Communications through the Approved Electronic Platform and (i) the Borrower Communications through the Approved Borrower Platform and, in each case, understands and assumes the risks of such distribution.

 

 

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(c) EACH OF THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM, THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL, THE COMMUNICATIONS AND THE BORROWER COMMUNICATIONS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE APPLICABLE PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE BORROWER COMMUNICATIONS, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PORTAL OR THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM, THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL, THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE BORROWER COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE APPLICABLE PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM, THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL, THE COMMUNICATIONS OR THE BORROWER COMMUNICATIONS,. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY ARRANGER, THE SYNDICATION AGENT, ANY DOCUMENTATION AGENT OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RELATED PARTIES (COLLECTIVELY, “APPLICABLE PARTIES”) HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY, ANY LENDER OR ANY OTHER PERSON FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF THE BORROWER’S OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT’S TRANSMISSION OF COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THE APPROVED ELECTRONIC PLATFORM OR THE BORROWER’S TRANSMISSION OF BORROWER COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL, EXCEPT, IN THE CASE OF ANY APPLICABLE PARTY, FOR DIRECT DAMAGES TO ANY BORROWER TO THE EXTENT SUCH DAMAGES ARE FOUND IN A FINAL NON-APPEALABLE JUDGMENT BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO HAVE RESULTED FROM SUCH APPLICABLE PARTY’S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.

(d) Each of the Lenders and the Borrower agrees that the Administrative Agent may, but (except as may be required by applicable law) shall not be obligated to, store (i) the Borrower Communications on the Approved Borrower Portal or (i) the Communications on the Approved Electronic Platform, in each case, in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s generally applicable document retention procedures and policies.

(e) Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Borrower to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document.

ARTICLE VIII

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 8.01. Amendments, Etc. (a) No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, nor consent to any departure by any Loan Party therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and, in the case of this Agreement, signed by the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower or, in the case of any other Loan Document, signed by the Loan Parties party thereto and the Administrative Agent, in each case with the consent of the Required Lenders, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided, however, (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Lenders, do any of the following: (A) change the percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Loans or the number of Lenders, in each case, that shall be required for the Lenders or any of them to take any action hereunder or (B) amend Section 2.16 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby or amend this Section 8.01 and (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by each Lender directly affected thereby, do any of the following: (A) increase or extend the Commitments (including any extension as a result of any amendment or waiver of the definition of the term “Commitment Termination Date”), (B) reduce the principal of, or rate of interest on, the Loans or any fees payable hereunder or (C) postpone any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Loans or any fees payable to the Lenders hereunder; provided that no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above to take such action, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 8.01(a):

 

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(i) any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be amended by an agreement in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency so long as, in each case, the Lenders shall have received at least five Business Days’ prior written notice thereof and the Administrative Agent shall not have received, within five Business Days of the date of such notice to the Lenders, a written notice from the Required Lenders stating that the Required Lenders object to such amendment;

(ii) no consent with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be required of any Defaulting Lender, except with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification referred to in clause (ii)(A), (ii)(B) or (ii)(C) of the first proviso in Section 8.01(a) and then only in the event such Defaulting Lender shall be directly affected by such amendment, waiver or other modification;

(iii) in the case of any amendment, waiver or other modification referred to in the first proviso of Section 8.01(a), no consent with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be required of any Lender that receives payment in full of the principal of and interest accrued on each Loan made by such Lender, and all other amounts owing to or accrued for the account of such Lender under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, at the time such amendment, waiver or other modification becomes effective and whose Commitments terminate by the terms and upon the effectiveness of such amendment, waiver or other modification;

(iv) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be amended in the manner provided in Sections 2.09(c) and 5.02(a)(iii); and

(v) the Administrative Agent may enter into collateral, guarantee and intercreditor agreements as contemplated by Sections 5.02(b), 5.02(f) and 5.04.

(c) The Administrative Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the concurrence of any Lender, execute amendments, waivers or other modifications on behalf of such Lender. Any amendment, waiver or other modification effected in accordance with this Section shall be binding upon each Person that is at the time thereof a Lender and each Person that subsequently becomes a Lender.

SECTION 8.02. Notices, Etc. (a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by e-mail as follows:

(i) if to the Borrower, to it at the following address: at Republic Plaza, 370 17th Street, Suite 1700, Denver, Colorado, 80202, USA, Attention: Treasurer, e-mail: Troy.Cudmore@ovintiv.com, Evan.Anderson@ovintiv.com, and Anna.Chu@ovintiv.com;

(ii) if to the Administrative Agent from the Borrower, to JPMorgan at the address (or e-mail) separately provided to the Borrower;

(iii) if to the Administrative Agent from any Lender, to JPMorgan at the address (or e-mail) set forth in the Administrative Questionnaire; and

(iv) if to a Lender, to it at its address (or e-mail) set forth in its Administrative Questionnaire.

Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received. Notices delivered through e-mail or other electronic communications shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).

 

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(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may, in addition to e-mail, be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including Internet or intranet websites) or using the Approved Electronic Platform pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender has notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by such electronic communication or using the Approved Electronic Platform. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion and in addition to e-mail, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by other electronic communications (including an Approved Borrower Portal) pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices or communications posted to the Approved Electronic Platform shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient, at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i), of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii) above, if such notice, e-mail or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient.

(c) Change of Address, etc. Any party hereto may change its address or e-mail for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto (or, in the case of any change by a Lender, by notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent).

SECTION 8.03. No Waiver; Remedies. No failure on the part of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right under any Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right. The remedies herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

SECTION 8.04. Costs and Expenses. (a) The Borrower agrees to pay promptly upon presentation of a statement of account all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arrangers, the Syndication Agent and the Documentation Agents in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification and amendment of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the other documents to be delivered hereunder or thereunder, including, without limitation, (i) all due diligence, syndication (including printing, distribution and bank meetings), transportation, computer, duplication, appraisal, consultant, audit and insurance expenses and (ii) the reasonable and documented fees and expenses of a single counsel for the Administrative Agent with respect thereto and with respect to advising the Administrative Agent as to its rights and responsibilities under this Agreement (and, if reasonably deemed by the Administrative Agent to be necessary, of a single firm of Canadian counsel and a single firm of local counsel in each other appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions)). The Borrower further agrees to pay promptly on demand all reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (including, without limitation, reasonable and documented counsel fees and expenses (which shall be limited to one firm of counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (and, if reasonably deemed by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to be necessary, of a single firm of Canadian counsel and a single firm of local counsel in each other appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions)) (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, where the Person affected by such conflict notifies the Borrower of such conflict, of another firm of counsel for the affected Persons similarly situated (and, if reasonably deemed by such affected Persons to be necessary, one additional firm of Canadian counsel and one additional firm of local counsel in each other appropriate jurisdiction)), in connection with the enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings or otherwise) of any of the Loan Documents, including, without limitation, reasonable and documented fees and expenses of counsel (as described above) in connection with the enforcement of rights under this Section 8.04(a).

 

 

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(b) In addition to any liability of the Borrower under any other provisions of this Agreement, the Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arrangers, the Syndication Agent, the Documentation Agents and each Lender and each of their respective Related Parties (each, an “Indemnified Party”) from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, fees, charges and disbursements of counsel, but limited to the reasonable and documented fees, charges and disbursements of one firm of counsel representing all of the Indemnified Parties, taken as a whole, and, if reasonably deemed by the Indemnified Parties to be necessary, of a single firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction (which may include a single special counsel acting in multiple jurisdictions) for all the Indemnified Parties, taken as a whole (and, in the case of an actual or perceived conflict of interest, where the Person affected by such conflict notifies the Borrower of such conflict, of another firm of counsel for the affected Indemnified Parties similarly situated (and, if reasonably deemed by the applicable Indemnified Parties to be necessary, one additional firm of local counsel in each appropriate jurisdiction))), that may be incurred by or asserted or awarded against any Indemnified Party (including, without limitation, in connection with any investigation, litigation or proceeding or the preparation of a defense in connection therewith), in each case, arising out of or in connection with or by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, except (i) in the case of any Indemnified Party, to the extent such claim, damage, loss, liability or expense is found in a final, non-appealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted primarily from such Indemnified Party’s bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct and (ii) to any claim, damage, loss, liability or expense that does not involve an act or omission of the Borrower or its Affiliates and that is brought by an Indemnified Party against any other Indemnified Party (other than any claims, actions, suits, inquiries, litigation, investigation or proceeding against any of the Administrative Agent, any Lead Arranger, the Syndication Agent or any Documentation Agent in its capacity or in fulfilling its role as such). In the case of an investigation, litigation or proceeding to which the indemnity in this Section 8.04(b) applies, such indemnity will be effective whether or not such investigation, litigation or other proceeding is brought by the Borrower, any of its directors, security holders or creditors, an Indemnified Party or any other Person or an Indemnified Party is otherwise a party thereto.

(c) If any payment of principal of, or Conversion of, any Term SOFR Loan is made by the Borrower to or for the account of a Lender other than on the final day of the Interest Period for such Loan, as a result of a payment, prepayment or Conversion pursuant to this Agreement or acceleration of the maturity of the Loans pursuant to Section 6.01, the Borrower shall, promptly upon demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender any amounts required to compensate such Lender for any additional losses, costs or expenses that it may reasonably incur as a result of such payment or Conversion, including, without limitation, any loss (excluding loss of anticipated profits), cost or expense incurred by reason of the liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by any Lender to fund or maintain such Loan. The amount payable to the Administrative Agent hereunder shall be set forth in a certificate delivered by the applicable Lender to the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (which certificate shall contain reasonable details concerning the calculation of the amount payable) and shall be prima facie evidence thereof, in the absence of manifest error.

(d) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Borrower contained in Sections 2.12 and 2.15 and in this Section 8.04 shall survive the payment in full of principal, interest and all other amounts payable hereunder.

(e) The Borrower agrees not to assert any claim against any of the Administrative Agent, the Lead Arrangers, the Syndication Agent, the Documentation Agents or any Lender or any of their respective Affiliates or their or their Affiliates’ respective officers, directors, employees, agents or advisors (each, a “Lender-Related Person”), on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of or otherwise relating to any of the Loan Documents, any of the transactions contemplated herein or the actual or proposed use of the proceeds of the Loans. No Lender-Related Person shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet, the Approved Electronic Platform and the Approved Borrower Portal) in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

SECTION 8.05. Right of Set-off. (a) Upon (i) the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default and (ii) the making of the request or the granting of the consent specified by Section 6.01 by the Required Lenders to authorize the Administrative Agent to declare the Loans due and payable pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.01, each Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to

 

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time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Lender or such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement, whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower after any such set-off and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application. The rights of each Lender and its Affiliates under this Section 8.05 are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) that such Lender and its respective Affiliates may have.

(b) To the extent permitted by applicable law, at any time a Lender is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) of the definition thereof, or while a Lender Insolvency Event exists with respect to such Lender or its Lender Parent, the Borrower is hereby authorized without prior notice to such Defaulting Lender or to any other Person, such notice being expressly waived by such Defaulting Lender, to set-off and apply any and all deposits (general and special but excluding security deposits) held by such Defaulting Lender (or any Subsidiary of such Defaulting Lender) to or for the credit of or the account of the Borrower against and on account of the Loans and any accrued interest owing by the Borrower to such Defaulting Lender under this Agreement, regardless of whether the obligations in respect of such deposits or Loans are contingent or unmatured. The Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent and the applicable Defaulting Lender with prompt notice of the exercise of any of its rights under this Section; provided that:

(i) any Centralized Banking Arrangements shall take priority over the Borrower’s rights under this Section;

(ii) prior to receipt of such notice by the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to reflect such set-off in the allocation of its payments to Lenders under Section 2.14; and

(iii) after receipt of such notice by the Administrative Agent, such Defaulting Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to rely on such notice and to allocate payments from the Borrower to the Lenders in a manner which gives effect to such set-off (notwithstanding any provisions in Section 2.14 to the contrary); and the Borrower agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent and its Related Parties from any claims made against any of them by a Defaulting Lender in connection with this Section 8.05(b), all in accordance with Section 11.2 (and for such purposes a claim from a Defaulting Lender shall be deemed to be a third party claim).

SECTION 8.06. Binding Effect; Integration. This Agreement shall become effective as provided in Section 3.01 and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns, except that (other than as expressly provided in Section 5.02(a)(iii)) the Borrower shall not have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest herein without the prior written consent of all Lenders (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower shall be null and void). This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any separate fee letters entered into in connection with the credit facility provided for herein constitute the entire agreement among the parties hereto relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof, including the commitments of the Lenders and, if applicable, their Affiliates with respect to the credit facility established hereunder under the Commitment Letter or any commitment advices submitted by any Lender (but do not supersede any provisions of the Commitment Letter that by the terms thereof survive the effectiveness of this Agreement, all of which provisions shall remain in full force and effect).

SECTION 8.07. Assignments and Participations. (a) Generally. No Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Section, or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of paragraph (f) of this Section (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

 

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(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:

(i) Minimum Amounts.

(A) (A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment or the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and

(B) (B) in any case not described in paragraph (b)(i)(A) of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment or the aggregate principal amount of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if “Trade Date” is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $10,000,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed).

(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Commitment assigned.

(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section and, in addition:

(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless (x) such assignment is to any Specified Permitted Lender, (y) after the Funding Date, (1) an Event of Default under Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(e) has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided that, the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to an assignment unless it shall have objected thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within ten Business Days after having received notice thereof; and

(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender.

(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, for its acceptance and recording in the Register, an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500; provided that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the case of any assignment. The assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.

(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made to (A) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates, (B) any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person that, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute any of the foregoing Persons described in this clause (B), or (C) any Disqualified Lender.

(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person (or a company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof).

 

 

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Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.12, 2.15 and 8.04 and subject to the obligations of Section 7.05 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment; provided, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no assignment by a Defaulting Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section.

(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in the United States a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the “Register”). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person (or a company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural person or relative(s) thereof) or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or other Affiliates) (each, a “Participant”) in all or a portion of such Lender’s rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, each Lender shall be responsible for the indemnity under Section 8.05 with respect to any payments made by such Lender to its Participant(s).

Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver described in clause (ii) of the first proviso in Section 8.01(a) that affects such Participant. The Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.12 and 2.15 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 2.17 as if it were an assignee under paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 8.05 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 2.15 as though it were a Lender.

Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each Participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each Participant’s interest in the obligations under the Loan Documents (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any Participant or any information relating to a Participant’s interest in any commitments, loans, letters of credit or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan, letter of credit or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations or any successor regulation. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

 

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(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 2.12 or 2.15 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrower’s prior written consent. A Participant that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside of the United States shall not be entitled to the benefits of Section 2.15 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 2.15(e) as though it were a Lender.

(f) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank or other central banking authority; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.

SECTION 8.08. Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agree to maintain the confidentiality of the Confidential Information, except that Confidential Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its Related Parties, independent auditors and other experts on a confidential and “need to know” basis; (b) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, with respect to which such Person shall seek the confidential treatment of such Confidential Information); (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process; (d) to any other party hereto; (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder; (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement, or (ii) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to the Borrower, its Subsidiaries, and its or their obligations under this Agreement, the Bridge Facility or any other Funded Debt or payments hereunder or thereunder; (g) on a confidential basis, to (i) any rating agency in connection with rating the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or the indebtedness under this Agreement or (ii) the CUSIP Service Bureau or any similar agency in connection with the issuance and monitoring of CUSIP numbers with respect to the indebtedness under this Agreement; (h) solely with respect to data about the transaction of the type customarily provided to such entities, to market data collectors and similar services providers to such Person in connection with the administration and management of the credit facility hereunder or (i) otherwise with the consent of the Borrower. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 8.08 shall prohibit any Person from voluntarily disclosing or providing any Confidential Information within the scope of this confidentiality provision to any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory organization to the extent that any such prohibition on disclosure set forth in this Section 8.08 shall be prohibited by the laws or regulations applicable to such organization.

SECTION 8.09. Patriot Act. Each Lender that is subject to the Patriot Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

SECTION 8.10. Governing Law. This Agreement, and any claim, controversy, dispute or cause of action (whether in contract or tort or otherwise) based upon, arising out of or relating to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York; provided that (a) the determination of the accuracy of any representation and warranty of the Seller set forth in the Acquisition Agreement and any materiality or Material Adverse Effect (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date) standard applicable to any such representation and warranty and (b) the determination of whether the Acquisition has been consummated in accordance with the terms of the Acquisition Agreement shall, in each case, be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the province of Alberta and Applicable Laws (as defined in the Acquisition Agreement as in effect on the Signing Date) of Canada, without regard to principles of conflicts of law that would direct the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

 

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SECTION 8.11. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 8.12. Execution in Counterparts; Electronic Execution. (a) This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

(b) Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of (x) this Agreement, (y) any other Loan Document and/or (z) any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any notice delivered pursuant to Section 8.02), certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or the transactions contemplated hereby and/or thereby (each an “Ancillary Document”) that is an Electronic Signature transmitted by emailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement, such other Loan Document or such Ancillary Document, as applicable. The words “execution”, “signed”, “signature”, “delivery”, and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by emailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept Electronic Signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent and pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (i) to the extent the Administrative Agent has agreed to accept any Electronic Signature, the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders shall be entitled to rely on such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Guarantor Subsidiary without further verification thereof and without any obligation to review the appearance or form of any such Electronic Signature and (ii) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by a manually executed counterpart. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower hereby (A) agrees that, for all purposes, including, without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Loan Parties, Electronic Signatures transmitted by emailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page and/or any electronic images of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, (B) agrees that the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders may, at its option, create one or more copies of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document in the form of an imaged electronic record in any format, which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, and destroy the original paper document (and all such electronic records shall be considered an original for all purposes and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record), (C) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the legal effect, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document based solely on the lack of paper original copies of this Agreement, such other Loan Document and/or such Ancillary Document, respectively, including with respect to any signature pages thereto and (D) waives any claim against any Lender-Related Person for any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damages or liabilities of any kind arising solely from the Administrative Agent’s and/or any Lender’s reliance on or use of Electronic Signatures and/or transmissions by emailed .pdf or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page, including any liabilities arising as a result of the failure of the Borrower to use any available security measures in connection with the execution, delivery or transmission of any Electronic Signature.

 

 

73


SECTION 8.13. Jurisdiction, Etc. (a) Each of the parties hereto unconditionally agrees that it will not commence any action, litigation or proceeding of any kind or description, whether in law or equity, whether in contract or in tort or otherwise, against the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Related Party of the foregoing in any way relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, in any forum other than the courts of the State of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action, litigation or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law.

(b) Each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action, litigation or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action, litigation or proceeding in any such court.

(c) Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 8.02. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Loan Document will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

SECTION 8.14. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE LENDERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR THE ACTIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY LENDER IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, PERFORMANCE OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

SECTION 8.15. Interest Rate Limitation. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts that are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) that may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the NYFRB Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

SECTION 8.16. Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document may be subject to the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(a) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an the applicable Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an Affected Financial Institution; and

(b) the effects of any Bail-In Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

 

 

74


(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such Affected Financial Institution, its parent entity, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the Write-Down and Conversion Powers of the applicable Resolution Authority.

SECTION 8.17. No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility. In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (a) (i) no fiduciary, advisory or agency relationship between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and any Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent or any Lender is intended to be or has been created in respect of the transactions contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents, irrespective of whether any Lead Arranger, the Administrative Agent or any Lender has advised or is advising the Borrower or any Subsidiary on other matters, (ii) the arranging and other services regarding this Agreement provided by the Lead Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower and its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Lead Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, (iii) the Borrower has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent that it has deemed appropriate and (iv) the Borrower is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; and (b) (i) the Lead Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary for the Borrower or any of its Affiliates, or any other Person; (ii) none of the Lead Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders has any obligation to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (iii) the Lead Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and their respective branches and Affiliates may be engaged, for their own accounts or the accounts of customers, in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower and its Affiliates, and none of the Lead Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower or its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by Law, the Borrower hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against any of the Lead Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transaction contemplated hereby.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]

 

 

75


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.

 

OVINTIV INC.,
     By:  

/s/ Corey D. Code

    Name: Corey D. Code
    Title: Executive Vice-President & Chief Financial Officer

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as a Lender and as the Administrative Agent,
  By:  

/s/ Sofia Barrera Jaime

       Name: Sofia Barrera Jaime
    Title: Vice President

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.

By:  

/s/ Gannon McMorrow

  Name: Gannon McMorrow
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

Bank of Baroda, London Branch

By:  

/s/ Swapan Halder

  Name: Swapan Halder
  Title: Chief Manager

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

By:  

/s/ Ryan Shea

  Name: Ryan Shea
  Title: Executive Director
For any Lender requiring a second signature block:
By:  

/s/ Eric Hamilton

  Name: Eric Hamilton
  Title: Director

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

Citibank N.A.

By:  

/s/ Todd Mogil

  Name: Todd Mogil
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

Royal Bank of Canada

By:  

/s/ Bryn Davies

  Name: Bryn Davies
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

 

The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch

By:  

/s/ Tyrone Nicholson

  Name: Tyrone Nicholson
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

 

Bank of Montreal

By:  

/s/ Morgan Driscoll

  Name: Morgan Driscoll
  Title: Director
For any Lender requiring a second signature block:
By:  

/s/ Darren Thomas

  Name: Darren Thomas
  Title: Managing Director, on behalf of its Chicago Branch

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

 

The Bank of Nova Scotia

By:  

/s/ Michael Linder

  Name: Michael Linder
  Title: Director
For any Lender requiring a second signature block:
By:  

/s/ Claire Bergh

  Name: Claire Bergh
  Title: Associate Director

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

 

National Bank of Canada

By:  

/s/ James Dexter

  Name: James Dexter
  Title: Authorized Signatory
For any Lender requiring a second signature block:
By:  

/s/ Chuck Warnica

  Name: Chuck Warnica
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

 

State Bank of India, New York Branch

By:  

/s/ Devendra Panwar

  Name: Devendra Panwar
  Title: Vice President and Head (Credit Management Cell)

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

 

Bank of America, N.A.

By:  

/s/ Salman Samar

  Name: Salman Samar
  Title: Director

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

 

Bank of China Limited, Chicago Branch

By:  

/s/ Libo Sun

  Name: Libo Sun
  Title: SVP & Branch Manager

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

Barclays Bank PLC

By:  

/s/ Sydney G. Dennis

  Name: Sydney G. Dennis
  Title: Director

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

By:  

/s/ Andrew B. Vernon

  Name: Andrew B. Vernon
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Canada Branch

By:  

/s/ James K.G. Campbell

  Name: James K.G. Campbell
  Title: Director

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

MUFG Bank, Ltd.

By:  

/s/ Anastasiya Bykov

  Name: Anastasiya Bykov
  Title: Manager

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

PNC Bank, National Association

By:  

/s/ Denise Davis

  Name: Denise Davis
  Title: Managing Director

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

Truist Bank

By:  

/s/ Greg Krablin

  Name: Greg Krablin
  Title: Director

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]


      LENDER SIGNATURE PAGE TO OVINTIV INC. ASSET-SALE TERM CREDIT AGREEMENT

 

Name of Institution:

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

By:  

/s/ Zachary Kramer

  Name: Zachary Kramer
  Title: Executive Director

 

[Ovintiv Inc. Asset-Sale Term Credit Agreement Signature Page]