-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, BaHETZtwoLgfGSo1uSGSq5MIin6M+gad50RxgdCu4mAoEXkG9Zc1aELOcggl5HuM LQBHIYbFy/7CWzrkAQ7vqA== 0000950129-97-003834.txt : 19970927 0000950129-97-003834.hdr.sgml : 19970927 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950129-97-003834 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 FILED AS OF DATE: 19970919 SROS: NYSE FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SEAGULL ENERGY CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000320321 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION & DISTRIBUTION [4923] IRS NUMBER: 741764876 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3/A SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-34841 FILM NUMBER: 97682680 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1001 FANNIN STE 1700 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77002-6714 BUSINESS PHONE: 7139514700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1001 FANNIN, SUITE 1700 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77002-6714 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: SEAGULL PIPELINE CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19830815 S-3/A 1 SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION - AMEND. #1 333-34841 1 AS FILED ON SEPTEMBER 18, 1997 REGISTRATION NO. 333-34841 ================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION --------------------- AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM S-3 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 --------------------- SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) --------------------- TEXAS 74-1764876 (State or other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.)
1001 FANNIN, SUITE 1700 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-6714 (713) 951-4700 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices) WILLIAM L. TRANSIER, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 1001 FANNIN, SUITE 1700 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-6714 (713) 951-4700 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) --------------------- Copies To: VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT 2300 FIRST CITY TOWER 425 LEXINGTON AVENUE HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-6760 NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10017-3909 ATTN: J. MARK METTS, ESQ. ATTN: GEORGE R. KROUSE, JR., ESQ. (713) 758-3820 (212) 455-2000
APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement. If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [ ] If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X] If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ] - --------------- If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier registration statement for the same offering. [ ] - --------------- If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. [ ] CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
=============================================================================================================== PROPOSED MAXIMUM AGGREGATE TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF OFFERING AMOUNT OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED(1)(2) PRICE(3)(4)(5)(6) REGISTRATION FEE - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Debt Securities(7).......................................... Preferred Stock............................................. Depositary Shares(8)........................................ Common Stock(9)............................................. Securities Warrants......................................... $100 $1(3) Total....................................................... ===============================================================================================================
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE. PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF RULE 429 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, THE PROSPECTUS CONTAINED IN THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ALSO RELATES TO $100,000,000 OF DEBT SECURITIES COVERED BY REGISTRANT'S REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 (REGISTRATION NO. 33-65118) AND $300,000,000 OF SECURITIES COVERED BY THE REGISTRANT'S REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 (REGISTRATION NO. 33- 64051). SUCH REGISTRATION STATEMENTS ARE ACCORDINGLY AMENDED TO REFLECT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN. (Footnotes on following page) ================================================================================ 2 (Footnotes from previous page) (1) Not specified as to each class of securities to be registered pursuant to General Instruction II(D) to Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. (2) This registration statement also covers such indeterminate amount of securities as may be issued in exchange for, or upon conversion or exercise of, as the case may be, the Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Securities Warrants registered hereunder. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder. (3) Previously paid. Pursuant to Rule 429 of the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Prospectus herein also relates to $100,000,000 of debt securities of the Registrant registered under Registration Statement No. 33-65118 (for which the registrant paid a filing fee of $109,375 on June 28, 1993) and $300,000,000 of securities of the Registrant registered under Registration Statement No. 33-64051 (for which the registrant paid a filing fee of $103,449 on November 7, 1995). (4) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) of the Rules and Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. (5) No separate consideration will be received for any securities registered hereunder that are issued in exchange for, or upon conversion of, as the case may be, the Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares registered hereunder. (6) The proposed maximum offering price per unit will be determined from time to time by the registrant in connection with, and at the time of, the issuance by the registrant of the securities registered hereunder. (7) The aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities may be increased if any Debt Securities are issued at an original issue discount by an amount such that the gross proceeds to be received by the registrant shall be equal to the above amount to be registered. Any offering of Debt Securities denominated other than in U.S. dollars will be treated as the equivalent of U.S. dollars based on the exchange rate applicable to the purchase of such Debt Securities at the time of initial offering. (8) Such indeterminate number of Depositary Shares to be evidenced by Depositary Receipts issued pursuant to a Deposit Agreement. In the event that the Registrant elects to offer to the public fractional interests in shares of the Preferred Stock registered hereunder, Depositary Receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing such fractional interests and such shares will be issued to the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement. (9) Including associated preferred stock purchase rights. Prior to the occurrence of certain events, the preferred stock purchase rights will not be evidenced or traded separately from the Common Stock. 3 INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE. PROSPECTUS [SEAGULL LOGO] SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION DEBT SECURITIES PREFERRED STOCK COMMON STOCK SECURITIES WARRANTS --------------------- Seagull Energy Corporation ("Seagull" or the "Company") may offer and sell, from time to time, (i) unsecured debt securities, in one or more series, consisting of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness (the "Debt Securities"), (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, in one or more series (the "Preferred Stock"), which may be issued in the form of depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts (the "Depositary Shares"), (iii) shares of common stock, par value $.10 per share (the "Common Stock"), accompanied by rights to purchase Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the "Rights"), and (iv) Securities Warrants ("Securities Warrants") to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock. The Company may offer and sell up to $300,000,100 aggregate public offering price of Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Common Stock and Securities Warrants (collectively, the "Securities"), and up to an additional $100,000,000 aggregate public offering price of Debt Securities. The specific terms of the particular Securities to be issued will be set forth in a supplement to this Prospectus (a "Prospectus Supplement"), which will be delivered together with this Prospectus, including, where applicable, (i) in the case of Debt Securities, the specific designation, aggregate principal amount, ranking as senior or senior subordinated Debt Securities, maturity, rate or rates (or method of determining the same) and time or times for the payment of interest, if any, any exchangeability or conversion terms or any terms for optional or mandatory redemption or repurchase, or payment of additional amounts or any sinking fund provisions and any other specific terms of such Debt Securities, will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, (ii) in the case of Preferred Stock, the specific designation, number of shares and liquidation value thereof and the dividend, liquidation, redemption, voting and other rights, including conversion or exchange rights, if any, and any other special terms, as well as whether interests in the Preferred Stock will be represented by Depositary Shares, (iii) in the case of Common Stock, the number of shares, and (iv) in the case of Securities Warrants, the number and terms thereof, the designation and number or amount of Securities issuable upon their exercise, the exercise price, the terms of the offering and sale thereof and, where applicable, the duration and detachability thereof. The Prospectus Supplement will also contain information regarding the initial public offering price, the net proceeds to the Company and, where applicable, the United States Federal income tax considerations relating to the Securities covered by the Prospectus Supplement. The Securities may be sold directly by the Company to investors, through agents designated from time to time or to or through underwriters or dealers. See "Plan of Distribution." If any agents of the Company or any underwriters are involved in the sale of any Securities in respect of which the Prospectus is being delivered, the names of such agents or underwriters and any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement. The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. under the symbol "SGO." The Prospectus Supplement will contain information about any listing on a securities exchange of the Securities covered by the Prospectus Supplement. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. --------------------- THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE SALES OF THE SECURITIES UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. September , 1997 4 AVAILABLE INFORMATION The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Reports, proxy statements and other information filed by the Company may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549; and at regional offices of the Commission at the Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and at 7 World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material may be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. Such material may also be inspected and copied at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. Certain of such material is also available on the Commission's World Wide Web site, http://www.sec.gov. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission, this Prospectus omits certain information contained in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") of which this Prospectus is a part. For such information, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto. Statements made in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract, agreement or other document are not necessarily complete; with respect to each such contract, agreement or other document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or incorporated by reference herein, reference is made to such contract, agreement or other document for a more complete description of the matter involved, and each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE The Company hereby incorporates by reference in this Prospectus the following documents previously filed with the Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act: (i) the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996; (ii) the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 1997 and June 30, 1997; (iii) the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 11, 1997 and (iv) the description of the Common Stock contained in the Registration Statement on Form 8-A declared effective by the Commission on January 30, 1981, together with the amendments on Form 8 filed with the Commission on January 29, 1981, January 30, 1981 and October 28, 1991. Each document filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the Securities pursuant hereto shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part of this Prospectus from the date of filing of such document. Any statement contained in this Prospectus or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of the Registration Statement and this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this Prospectus or in any subsequently filed document that also is or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of the Registration Statement or this Prospectus. The Company will provide without charge to each person to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, other than exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents). Requests should be directed to Investor Relations, Seagull Energy Corporation, 1001 Fannin, Suite 1700, Houston, Texas 77002, telephone (713) 951-4700. 2 5 THE COMPANY Seagull is an independent, international oil and natural gas company engaged primarily in exploring for and producing crude oil and natural gas. Its operations are conducted through two business segments, the most prominent of which, Oil and Gas Operations, involves primarily exploration and production ("E&P"). E&P operations consist of oil and gas exploration and production in the United States, Egypt, Cote d'Ivoire, Indonesia and the Russian Republic of Tatarstan. In addition, the Company has an interest in an exploration venture in the Irish Sea. Within its Oil and Gas Operations segment, the Company also includes its oil and gas marketing activities and its engineering, design, construction management and full-service operations of pipelines and related facilities for other parties. The Company's other operating segment, Alaska Transmission and Distribution, involves the operation as one unit, referred to as ENSTAR Alaska, of natural gas transmission and distribution systems which serve the greater Anchorage, Alaska area. The Company was incorporated in Texas in 1973 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Houston Oil & Minerals Corporation ("HO&M"). In March 1981, the Company became an independent entity as a result of the spinoff of its shares to the stockholders of HO&M. The Company's principal executive offices are located at 1001 Fannin, Suite 1700, Houston, Texas 77002, and the Company's telephone number is (713) 951-4700. The "Company" or "Seagull" refers to Seagull Energy Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise suggests. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain information included in the documents incorporated by reference this Prospectus and in any Prospectus Supplement may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Although the Company believes that such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will in fact occur. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include political developments in foreign countries, federal and state regulatory developments, the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, the timing and extent of success in discovering, developing and producing or acquiring oil and gas reserves and conditions of the capital and equity markets during the periods covered by the forward-looking statements. USE OF PROCEEDS Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities offered by this Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement (the "Offered Securities") will be added to the Company's general funds and used for general corporate purposes. Until so utilized, it is expected that such net proceeds will be invested in interest-bearing time deposits or short-term marketable securities. RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES The following table sets forth the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the Company for the periods indicated:
SIX MONTHS ENDED YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, JUNE 30, -------------------------------- 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 - --------------------- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- 2.79 2.10 1.00 0.97 2.15 1.52 ===== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====
3 6 On October 3, 1996, the Company acquired Global Natural Resources, Inc. ("Global") in a stock-for-stock merger accounted for as a pooling of interests. Accordingly, the financial statements of the Company for the period prior to October 3, 1996 have been restated to combine the results of Seagull and Global. For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges: (i) earnings consist of income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles plus fixed charges as described below, excluding capitalized interest for the period and (ii) fixed charges consist of interest expensed and capitalized and amortization of debt discount and expense relating to indebtedness. For the year ended December 31, 1994, the amount of earnings was not adequate to cover fixed charges by $1,059,000. There were no shares of Preferred Stock outstanding during any of the periods indicated above and therefore the combined ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred stock dividend requirements would have been the same as set forth above for all periods indicated. DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES The Debt Securities will be unsecured senior or senior subordinated debt of the Company and will be issued, in the case of Debt Securities that will be senior debt ("Senior Debt Securities"), under a Senior Indenture (the "Senior Debt Indenture") between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee, and, in the case of Debt Securities that will be senior subordinated debt ("Senior Subordinated Debt Securities"), under a Senior Subordinated Indenture (the "Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture") between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee. The Senior Debt Indenture and the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture are sometimes hereinafter referred to individually as an "Indenture" and collectively as the "Indentures." The Bank of New York (and any successor thereto as trustee under either Indenture) is hereinafter referred to as the "Trustee." The Indentures are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The following summaries of certain provisions of the Indentures and the Debt Securities do not purport to be complete and such summaries are subject to the detailed provisions of the applicable Indenture to which reference is hereby made for a full description of such provisions, including the definition of certain terms used herein. Section references in parentheses below are to sections in both Indentures unless otherwise indicated. Wherever particular sections or defined terms of the applicable Indenture are referred to, such sections or defined terms are incorporated herein by reference as part of the statement made, and the statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference. The Indentures are substantially identical, except for provisions relating to subordination. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO BOTH SENIOR AND SENIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES General. The Debt Securities will be unsecured senior or senior subordinated obligations of the Company and may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Neither of the Indentures limits the amount of Debt Securities that may be issued thereunder nor does either limit the aggregate unsecured indebtedness of the Company or any subsidiary thereof or limit the payment of dividends or the acquisition of stock of the Company. The Company currently conducts a substantial portion of its operations through subsidiaries. Consequently, the rights of the Company to receive assets of any subsidiary (and thus the ability of holders of Debt Securities to benefit indirectly from such assets) are subject to the prior claims of creditors of that subsidiary. Except to the extent set forth in any Prospectus Supplement, the Indentures do not, and the Debt Securities will not, contain any covenants or other provisions that are intended to afford holders of the Debt Securities special protection in the event of either a change of control of the Company or a highly leveraged transaction by the Company. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement for the following terms of and information relating to the Debt Securities offered by such Prospectus Supplement ("Offered Debt Securities") (to the extent such terms and information are applicable to such Offered Debt Securities): (i) the title of the Offered Debt Securities; (ii) classification as Senior Debt Securities or Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, aggregate principal amount, purchase price and denomination; (iii) the date or dates on which the Offered Debt Securities will mature; (iv) the method by which amounts payable in respect of principal, premium, if any, or 4 7 interest, if any, on or upon the redemption of such Offered Debt Securities may be calculated; (v) the interest rate or rates (or the method by which such will be determined), and the date or dates from which such interest, if any, will accrue; (vi) the date or dates on which such interest, if any, will be payable; (vii) the place or places where and the manner in which the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Offered Debt Securities will be payable and the place or places where the Offered Debt Securities may be presented for transfer; (viii) the right, if any, or obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, repay or purchase the Offered Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices (or the method by which such price or prices will be determined, or both) at which, the form or method of payment therefor if other than in cash and the terms and conditions upon which the Offered Debt Securities will be redeemed, repaid or purchased pursuant to any such obligation; (ix) any provision relating to the issuance of the Offered Debt Securities at an original issue discount; (x) if the amounts of payments of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Offered Debt Securities are to be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined; (xi) any applicable United States federal income tax consequences; (xii) the aggregate amount of outstanding indebtedness as of the most recent practicable date that would be senior to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities; and (xiii) any other specific terms of the Offered Debt Securities, including any deleted, modified or additional events of default, remedies or covenants provided with respect to such Offered Debt Securities, and any terms that may be required by or advisable under applicable laws or regulations. Unless otherwise specified in any Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities will be issuable in registered form and in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof (Section 2.7). No service charge will be made for any transfer or exchange of any Debt Securities but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith (Section 2.8). Debt Securities may bear interest at a fixed rate or a floating rate. Debt Securities bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below the prevailing market rate may be sold at a discount below their stated principal amount. Special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to any such discounted Debt Securities or to certain Debt Securities issued at par that are treated as having been issued at a discount for United States federal income tax purposes will be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In determining whether the holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities of any series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver under the Indentures, the principal amount of any series of Debt Securities originally issued at a discount from their stated principal amount that will be deemed to be outstanding for such purposes will be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof. Global Securities. The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities ("Global Securities") that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary (the "Depositary") identified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. Global Securities may be issued only in fully registered form and in either temporary or permanent form. Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual Debt Securities represented thereby, a Global Security (i) may not be transferred except as a whole and (ii) may only be transferred (A) by the Depositary for such Global Security to its nominee, (B) by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or (C) by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or nominee of such successor Depositary (Section 2.8). The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to a series of Debt Securities will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. The Company anticipates that the following provisions will generally apply to depositary arrangements. Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security or its nominee will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of the individual 5 8 Debt Securities represented by such Global Security to the accounts of persons that have accounts with such Depositary. Such accounts shall be designated by the dealers, underwriters or agents with respect to such Debt Securities or by the Company if such Debt Securities are offered and sold directly by the Company. Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to persons that have accounts with the applicable Depositary ("participants") or persons that may hold interests through participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by the applicable Depositary or its nominee (with respect to interests of participants) and the records of participants (with respect to interests of persons other than participants). The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security. So long as the Depositary for a Global Security or its nominee is the registered owner of such Global Security, such Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt Securities of the series represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the Indenture governing such Debt Securities. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have any of the individual Debt Securities of the series represented by such Global Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such Debt Securities in definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture governing such Debt Securities. Payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on individual Debt Securities represented by a Global Security registered in the name of a Depositary or its nominee will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security representing such Debt Securities. The Company expects that the Depositary for a series of Debt Securities or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, in respect of a Global Security representing any such Debt Securities, immediately will credit participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the principal amount of such Global Security for such Debt Securities as shown on the records of such Depositary or its nominee. The Company also expects that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in such Global Security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name." Such payments will be the responsibility of such participants. Neither the Company, the Trustee for such Debt Securities, any paying agent nor the registrar for such Debt Securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests of the Global Security for such Debt Securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests. If the Depositary for a series of Debt Securities is at any time unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depositary and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will issue individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange for the Global Security representing such series of Debt Securities. In addition, the Company may at any time and in its sole discretion, subject to any limitations described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Debt Securities, determine not to have any Debt Securities of a series represented by one or more Global Securities and, in such event, will issue individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange for the Global Security or Securities representing such series of Debt Securities. Further, if the Company so specifies with respect to the Debt Securities of a series, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security representing Debt Securities of such series may, on terms acceptable to the Company, the Trustee and the Depositary for such Global Security, receive individual Debt Securities of such series in exchange for such beneficial interests, subject to any limitations described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Debt Securities. In any such instance, an owner of a beneficial interest in a Global Security will be entitled to physical delivery of individual Debt Securities of the series represented by such Global Security equal in principal amount to such beneficial interest and to have such Debt Securities registered in its name. Individual Debt Securities of such series so issued will be issued in registered form and in denominations, unless otherwise specified by the Company, of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. 6 9 Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. At such time as any series of Debt Securities has been issued and is outstanding, Sale and Leaseback Transactions are prohibited unless (a) the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary owning such Principal Property would be entitled to incur Secured Debt equal to the amount realizable upon the sale or transfer of the property to be so leased secured by a mortgage on such property without equally and ratably securing such Debt Securities or (b) an amount equal to the value of the property so leased is applied to the retirement (other than mandatory retirement) of the Debt Securities of such series or certain other funded indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries ranking prior to or on a parity with the Debt Securities within 120 days of the effective date of any such arrangement (Section 3.7). Certain Definitions. The following definitions are applicable to the discussions of the Indentures (Article One). "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which the Company, or the Company and one or more Subsidiaries, or any one or more Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly own voting securities entitling any one or more of the Company and its Subsidiaries to elect a majority of the directors, either at all times, or so long as there is no default or contingency which permits the holders of any other class or classes of securities to vote for the election of one or more directors. "Principal Property" means any real property, manufacturing plant, processing plant, pipeline, office building, warehouse or other physical facility, or any other like depreciable or depletable asset of the Company or of any Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned at the date of the applicable Indenture or thereafter acquired (other than any facility thereafter acquired for the control or abatement of atmospheric pollutants or contaminants or water, noise, odor or other pollution), that in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company is of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as a whole; provided, however, that any such property shall not be deemed a Principal Property if such property does not have a fair value in excess of 3% of the total assets included on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. "Restricted Subsidiary" means (a) any currently existing Subsidiary whose principal assets and business are located in the United States or Canada, except certain sales financing, real estate and other Subsidiaries so designated, and (b) any Subsidiary that is designated by the Company to be a Restricted Subsidiary. "Secured Debt" means indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, and any other indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, on which interest is paid or payable (other than indebtedness owed by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company, by a Restricted Subsidiary to another Restricted Subsidiary or by the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary), that in any such case is secured by (a) a mortgage or other lien on any Principal Property of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or (b) a pledge, lien or other security interest on any shares of stock or indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary, or (c) in the case of any such indebtedness of the Company, a guaranty by any Restricted Subsidiary. The amount of Secured Debt at any time outstanding shall be the amount then owing thereon by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary. "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the aggregate amount of assets included on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items and after deducting therefrom (a) all current liabilities and (b) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, all in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means the sale or transfer by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of any Principal Property owned by it that has been in full operation for more than 120 days prior to such sale or transfer with the intention of taking back a lease on such property (other than a lease not exceeding 36 months) where the use by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary of such property will be discontinued on or before the expiration of the term of such lease. 7 10 Events of Default. Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement, an Event of Default is defined under each Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of any series issued under such Indenture as being: (a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Debt Securities of such series when due, continued for 30 days; (b) default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, with respect to Debt Securities of such series when due; (c) default in the payment or satisfaction of any sinking fund or other purchase obligation with respect to Debt Securities of such series when due; (d) default in the performance of any other covenant of the Company applicable to Debt Securities of such series, continued for 60 days after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding and; (e) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization (Section 5.1). If any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee, if given by the holders), may declare the principal (or, in the case of any series of Debt Securities originally issued at a discount from their stated principal amount, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all of the Debt Securities of such series and the interest, if any, accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately, but the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding, by notice in writing to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if all defaults under such Indenture are cured or waived (Section 5.1). Each Indenture provides that no holder of any series of Debt Securities then outstanding may institute any suit, action or proceeding with respect to, or otherwise attempt to enforce, such Indenture, unless (i) such holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of default and of the continuance thereof, (ii) the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of such series of Debt Securities then outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute such suit, action or proceeding and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require with respect thereto and (iii) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding; provided that, subject to the subordination provisions applicable to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, the right of any holder of any Debt Security to receive payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Debt Security, on or after the respective due dates, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder (Section 5.4). The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series then outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, provided that the Trustee may decline to follow such direction if the Trustee determines that such action or proceeding is unlawful or would involve the Trustee in personal liability (Section 5.7). The Company is required to furnish to the Trustee annually a certificate as to the compliance by the Company with all conditions and covenants under each Indenture (Section 4.3). Discharge and Defeasance. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company can discharge or defease its obligations with respect to each series of Debt Securities as set forth below (Article Ten). The Company may discharge all of its obligations (except those set forth below) to holders of any series of Debt Securities issued under either Indenture that have not already been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and that have either become due and payable or are by their terms due and payable within one year (or scheduled for redemption within one year) by irrevocably depositing with the Trustee cash or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined in such Indenture), or a combination thereof, as trust funds in an amount certified to be sufficient to pay when due the principal of and interest, if any, on all outstanding Debt Securities of such series and to make any mandatory sinking fund payments thereon when due. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company may also discharge at any time all of its obligations (except those set forth below) to holders of any series of Debt Securities issued 8 11 under either Indenture ("defeasance") if, among other things: (i) the Company irrevocably deposits with the Trustee cash or U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, as trust funds in an amount certified to be sufficient to pay when due the principal of and interest, if any, on all outstanding Debt Securities of such series and to make any mandatory sinking fund payments thereon when due and such funds have been so deposited for 91 days; (ii) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or cause a default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound; and (iii) the Company delivers to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that the holders of such series of Debt Securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and that defeasance will not otherwise alter the United States federal income tax treatment of such holders' principal and interest payments on such series of Debt Securities. Such opinion must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or a change in United States federal income tax law occurring after the date of the Indenture relating to the Debt Securities of such series, since such a result would not occur under current tax law (Section 10.1). Notwithstanding the foregoing, no discharge or defeasance described above shall affect the following obligations to or rights of the holders of any series of Debt Securities: (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Debt Securities of such series, (ii) rights of substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Debt Securities of such series, (iii) rights of holders of Debt Securities of such series to receive payments of principal thereof and premium, if any, and interest, if any, thereon, upon the original due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration), and to receive mandatory sinking fund payments thereon when due, if any, (iv) rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee, (v) rights of holders of Debt Securities of such series as beneficiaries with respect to property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them and (vi) obligations of the Company to maintain an office or agency in respect of Debt Securities of such series (Section 10.1). Modification of the Indenture. Each Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may enter into supplemental indentures without the consent of the holders of the Debt Securities to (a) evidence the assumption by a successor entity of the obligations of the Company under such Indenture, (b) add covenants or new events of default for the protection of the holders of such Debt Securities, (c) cure any ambiguity or correct any inconsistency in the Indenture, (d) establish the form and terms of Debt Securities of any series, (e) evidence the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee and (f) in the case of Senior Debt Securities, secure such Debt Securities (Section 8.1). Each Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee, with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of each series then outstanding and affected, to add any provisions to, or change in any manner or eliminate any of the provisions of, such Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or modify in any manner the rights of the holders of the Debt Securities of such series; provided that the Company and the Trustee may not, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding Debt Security affected thereby, (a) extend the stated final maturity of any Debt Security, reduce the principal amount thereof, reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest, if any, thereon, reduce or alter the method of computation of any amount payable on redemption, repayment or purchase by the Company, change the coin or currency in which principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any, are payable, reduce the amount of the principal of any original issue discount security payable upon acceleration or provable in bankruptcy, impair or affect the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment or repayment thereof or, if applicable, adversely affect any right of prepayment at the option of the holder or (b) reduce the aforesaid percentage in aggregate principal amount of Debt Securities of any series issued under such Indenture, the consent of the holders of which is required for any such modification (Section 8.2). The Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture may not be amended to alter the subordination of any outstanding Senior Subordinated Debt Securities without the written consent of each holder of Senior Indebtedness then outstanding that would be adversely affected thereby (Section 8.6 of the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture). 9 12 Conversion or Exchange Rights. The Prospectus Supplement for any Offered Debt Securities offered thereby will state the terms, if any, on which shares of such Offered Debt Securities are convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities of the Company or another person. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE SOLELY TO SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES General. Senior Debt Securities will be issued under the Senior Debt Indenture and will rank pari passu with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of the Company. Limitations on Liens. At such time as any series of Senior Debt Securities has been issued and is outstanding, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are prohibited from creating, incurring, assuming or guaranteeing any Secured Debt without making effective provision whereby the Senior Debt Securities then outstanding and any other indebtedness of or guaranteed by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary then entitled thereto, subject to applicable priorities of payment, shall be secured by such mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance equally and ratably with any and all other obligations and indebtedness thereby secured, so long as any such other obligations and indebtedness shall be so secured; provided, that if any such mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance securing such Indebtedness ceases to exist, such equal and ratable security for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt Securities shall automatically cease to exist without any further action; provided, further, that if such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the Senior Debt Securities, the mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance securing such subordinated Indebtedness shall be subordinate and junior to the mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance securing the Senior Debt Securities with the same relative priority as such Indebtedness shall have with respect to the Senior Debt Securities (Section 3.6 of the Senior Debt Indenture). The foregoing restrictions are not applicable to (i) certain purchase money mortgages, (ii) certain mortgages to finance construction on unimproved property, (iii) mortgages existing on property at the time of acquisition by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (iv) mortgages existing on the property or on the outstanding shares or indebtedness of a corporation at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, (v) mortgages on property of a corporation existing at the time such corporation is merged or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (vi) mortgages in favor of governmental bodies to secure certain payments of indebtedness, (vii) mortgages, security interests, pledges, liens or encumbrances existing on property owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries on the date of the applicable Indenture, (viii) mortgages, security interests, pledges, liens or encumbrances created pursuant to the creation of trusts or other arrangements funded solely with cash or securities of the type customarily subject to such arrangements in customary financial practice with respect to long-term or medium-term indebtedness for borrowed money, the sole purpose of which is to make provision for the retirement or defeasance, without prepayment of Indebtedness, (ix) mortgages, security interests, pledges, liens or encumbrances on the assets or properties of ENSTAR Natural Gas Company, a division of the Company, or on Alaska Pipeline Company, a Subsidiary of the Company (together, "ENSTAR Alaska"), (x) mortgages, security interests, pledges, liens or encumbrances securing (i) all or part of the cost of exploring, producing, gathering, processing, marketing, drilling or developing any properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or securing indebtedness incurred to provide funds therefor, or (ii) indebtedness incurred to finance all or part of the cost of acquiring, constructing, altering, improving or repairing any such property or assets, or securing indebtedness incurred to provide funds therefor; or (xi) extensions, renewals or replacements of the foregoing (Section 3.6 of the Senior Debt Indenture). Solely for the purpose of the foregoing exceptions, the term "mortgage" shall be deemed to include any arrangements in connection with a production payment or similar financing arrangement. Notwithstanding the foregoing restrictions, the Company and any one or more Restricted Subsidiaries may create, incur, assume or guarantee Secured Debt not otherwise permitted or excepted without equally and ratably securing the Senior Debt Securities of each series issued and outstanding under the Senior Debt Indenture if the sum of (a) the amount of such Secured Debt plus (b) the aggregate value of Sale and Leaseback Transactions (subject to certain exceptions) does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (excluding ENSTAR Alaska) (Section 3.6 of the Senior Debt Indenture). 10 13 Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance. No consolidation or merger of the Company, and no sale of substantially all of its property, shall be made with or to another corporation if any Principal Property of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary would become subject to any mortgage or lien (other than those permitted by Section 3.6 of the Senior Debt Indenture) unless prior thereto all Senior Debt Securities then outstanding are secured (equally and ratably, or with such other relative priority described above, with any other indebtedness of or guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary then entitled thereto) by a direct lien on any such Principal Property and certain other properties (Section 9.2 of the Senior Debt Indenture). Subject to the foregoing, the Company may, without the consent of the holders of Debt Securities, consolidate with, merge into or transfer, exchange or dispose of all of its properties to, any other corporation organized under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, provided that the successor corporation assumes all obligations of the Company under the Indentures and the Debt Securities and that certain other conditions are met. PROVISIONS APPLICABLE SOLELY TO SENIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES Certain Definitions. For purposes of the following discussion, the following definitions are applicable (Article One of the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture). "Indebtedness" is defined as, with respect to any person, (a) (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on indebtedness for money borrowed of such person evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar obligations, including any guaranty by such person of any indebtedness for money borrowed of any other person, evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar obligations, including any guarantee by such person of any indebtedness of money borrowed by any other person, whether any such indebtedness or guaranty is outstanding on the date of the Indenture or is thereafter created, assumed or incurred, (ii) the principal of and premium and interest, if any, on indebtedness for money borrowed, incurred, assumed or guaranteed by such person in connection with the acquisition by it or any of its subsidiaries of any other businesses, properties or other assets and (iii) lease obligations that such person capitalizes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13 promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other generally accepted accounting principles as may be from time to time in effect; (b) any other indebtedness of such person, including any indebtedness representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or interest therein, and any guaranty, endorsement or other contingent obligation of such person in respect of any indebtedness of another that is outstanding on the date of the Indenture or is thereafter created, assumed or incurred by such person; and (c) any amendments, modifications, refundings, renewals or extensions of any indebtedness or obligation described as Indebtedness in clauses (a) or (b) above. "Senior Indebtedness" is defined in the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture as Indebtedness of the Company outstanding at any time except (a) any Indebtedness as to which, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing the same, it is provided that such Indebtedness is not senior in right of payment to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, (b) the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, (c) any Indebtedness of the Company to a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Company, (d) interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency unless such interest is an allowed claim enforceable against the Company in a proceeding under federal or state bankruptcy laws and (e) trade payables. "Senior Subordinated Indebtedness" means the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities and any other Indebtedness of the Company that ranks pari passu with the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities. Any Indebtedness of the Company that is subordinate or junior by its terms in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company shall be subordinate to Senior Subordinated Indebtedness unless the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding specifically provides that such 11 14 Indebtedness (i) is to rank pari passu with other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and (ii) is not subordinated by its terms to any Indebtedness of the Company which is not Senior Indebtedness. "Subordinated Indebtedness" means the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, any other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and any other Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness. Subordination. The Senior Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent set forth in the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture, to all Senior Indebtedness of the Company. The Senior Subordinated Debt Securities will rank senior to all existing and future Indebtedness of the Company that is neither Senior Indebtedness nor Senior Subordinated Indebtedness, and only Indebtedness of the Company that is Senior Indebtedness will rank senior to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities in accordance with the subordination provisions of the Senior Subordinated Indenture. If (i) the Company should default in the payment of any principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Senior Indebtedness when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise or (ii) any other default with respect to Senior Indebtedness shall occur and the maturity of such Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated in accordance with its terms, then, upon written notice of such default to the Company by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or any trustee therefor, unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist or such acceleration shall have been rescinded, no direct or indirect payment (in cash, property, securities, by set-off or otherwise) will be made or agreed to be made for principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, or in respect of any redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities other than those made in capital stock of the Company (or cash in lieu of fractional shares thereof) (Sections 13.1 and 13.4 of the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture). If any default (other than a default described in the preceding paragraph) under the Senior Indebtedness, pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately or the expiration of any applicable grace periods occurs (a "Senior Nonmonetary Default"), then, upon the receipt by the Company and the Trustee of written notice thereof (a "Payment Notice") from or on behalf of holders of such Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to prohibit such payment and other action by the Company in accordance with the following provisions of this paragraph, the Company may not make any payment or take any other action that would be prohibited by the immediately preceding paragraph during the period (the "Payment Blockage Period") commencing on the date of receipt of such Payment Notice and ending on the earlier of (i) the date, if any, on which the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative notify the Trustee that such Senior Nonmonetary Default is cured or waived or ceases to exist or the Senior Indebtedness to which such Senior Nonmonetary Default relates is discharged or (ii) the 179th day after the date of receipt of such Payment Notice. Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence, the Company may resume payments on the Debt Securities after such Payment Blockage Period. If (i) (A) without the consent of the Company, a receiver, conservator, liquidator or trustee of the Company or of any of its property is appointed by the order or decree of any court or agency or supervisory authority having jurisdiction, and such decree or order remains in effect for more than 60 days or (B) the Company is adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent or (C) any of its property is sequestered by court order and such order remains in effect for more than 60 days or (D) a petition is filed against the Company under any state or federal bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or receivership law of any jurisdiction whether now or hereafter in effect, and is not dismissed within 60 days after such filing; or (ii) the Company (A) commences a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or other relief with respect to itself or its debt or other liabilities under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, or (B) consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or (C) fails generally to, or cannot, pay its debts generally as they become due or (D) takes any corporate action to authorize or effect any of the foregoing; or (iii) any Subsidiary of the 12 15 Company takes, suffers or permits to exist any of the events or conditions referred to in the foregoing clause (i) or (ii), then all Senior Indebtedness (including any interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any such proceedings) will first be paid in full before any payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other property, is made to any holder of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on such Senior Subordinated Debt Securities. Any payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other property (other than securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment the payment of which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in the subordination provisions with respect to the indebtedness evidenced by the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness then outstanding and to any securities issued in respect thereof under any such plan of reorganization or readjustment) that would otherwise (but for the subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable in respect of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities of any series will be paid or delivered directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders until all Senior Indebtedness (including any interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any such proceedings) has been paid in full. In the event of any such proceeding, after payment in full of all sums owing with respect to Senior Indebtedness, the holders of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, together with the holders of any obligations of the Company ranking on a parity with the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, will be entitled to be repaid from the remaining assets of the Company the amounts at that time due and owing on account of unpaid principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities and such other obligations before any payment or other distribution, whether in cash, property or otherwise, shall be made on account of any capital stock or obligations of the Company ranking junior to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities and such other obligations (Section 13.1 of the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture). If any payment or distribution of any character, whether in cash, securities or other property (other than securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment the payment of which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in the subordination provisions with respect to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness then outstanding and to any securities issued in respect thereof under any such plan of reorganization or readjustment), shall be received by the Trustee or any holder of any Senior Subordinated Debt Securities in contravention of any of the terms of the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture, such payment or distribution of securities will be received in trust for the benefit of, and will be paid over or delivered and transferred to, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness then outstanding in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior Indebtedness in full (Section 13.1 of the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture). By reason of such subordination, in the event of the insolvency of the Company, holders of Senior Indebtedness may receive more, ratably, than holders of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities. Such subordination will not prevent the occurrence of any Event of Default (as defined in the Indentures) or limit the right of acceleration in respect of the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities. Limitations on Liens. At such time as any series of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities has been issued and is outstanding, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are prohibited from creating, incurring, assuming or guaranteeing any Secured Debt that is expressly by its terms Subordinated Indebtedness without making effective provision whereby the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities then outstanding and any other indebtedness of or guaranteed by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary then entitled thereto, subject to applicable priorities of payment, shall be secured by such mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance equally and ratably with any and all other obligations and indebtedness thereby secured, so long as any such other obligations and indebtedness shall be so secured; provided, that if any such mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance securing such Subordinated Indebtedness ceases to exist, such equal and ratable security for the benefit of the holders of Senior Subordinated Debt Securities shall automatically cease to exist without any further action; provided, further, that if such Subordinated Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, the mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance securing such Subordinated Indebtedness shall be subordinate and junior 13 16 to the mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance securing the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities with the same relative priority as such Subordinated Indebtedness shall have with respect to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities (Section 3.6 of the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture). The foregoing restrictions are subject to the same exceptions applicable to the comparable restriction on Secured Debt contained in Section 3.6 of the Senior Debt Indenture. See "Provisions Applicable Solely to Senior Debt Securities -- Limitation on Liens." Consolidation, Merger, Sale or Conveyance. No consolidation or merger of the Company, and no sale of substantially all of its property, shall be made with or to another corporation if any Principal Property of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary would become subject to any mortgage or lien securing Subordinated Indebtedness (other than those permitted by Section 3.6 of the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture) unless prior thereto all Senior Subordinated Debt Securities then outstanding are secured (equally and ratably, or with such other relative priority described above, with any other indebtedness of or guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary then entitled thereto to the extent such indebtedness constitutes Subordinated Indebtedness) by a direct lien on any such Principal Property and certain other properties (Section 9.2 of the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture). Subject to the foregoing, the Company may, without the consent of the holders of Debt Securities, consolidate with, merge into or transfer, exchange or dispose of all of its properties to, any other corporation organized under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof or therein, provided that the successor corporation assumes all obligations of the Company under the Indentures and the Debt Securities and that certain other conditions are met. Limitation on Issuance of Certain Other Subordinated Indebtedness. The Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture provides that the Company will not issue, guarantee, assume or incur, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness that by its terms is both subordinate or junior in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness and senior in right of payment to the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities. (Section 3.8 of the Senior Subordinated Debt Indenture). CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE Pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, should a default occur with respect to either the Senior Debt Securities or the Senior Subordinated Debt Securities, The Bank of New York would be required to resign as Trustee under one of the Indentures within 90 days of such default unless such default were cured, duly waived or otherwise eliminated. The Bank of New York, the Trustee under both Indentures, makes loans to the Company in the normal course of business. DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK AND PREFERRED STOCK The Company's authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $.10 per share, and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, each of which is described below. The summary description of the capital stock of the Company contained herein is necessarily general and reference should be made in each case to the Company's Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Rights Agreement described below, which are exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. COMMON STOCK General. As of August 1, 1997, an aggregate of 63,175,401 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding, excluding shares held in treasury and 5,776,532 shares that had been reserved for issuance under the Company's employee stock option plans. Subject to any prior rights of the Preferred Stock then outstanding, holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividends as are declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. Subject to the voting rights, if any, of the Preferred Stock, all voting rights are vested in the holders of shares of Common Stock, each share being entitled to one vote. The holders of Common Stock are not entitled to cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. In the event 14 17 of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of Common Stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and any preferential amount to which the holders of Preferred Stock are entitled. The holders of Common Stock have no preemptive or conversion rights and are not subject to further calls or assessments by the Company. The Common Stock currently outstanding is, and the Common Stock to be issued hereunder will be, fully paid and nonassessable. Classified Board; Removal of Directors. The Bylaws of the Company provide that the members of the Company's Board of Directors are divided into three classes as nearly equal as possible. Each class is elected for a three-year term. At each annual meeting of shareholders, approximately one-third of the members of the Board of Directors are elected for a three-year term and the other directors remain in office until their three-year terms expire. Furthermore, the Bylaws of the Company provide that neither any director nor the Board of Directors may be removed without cause, and that any removal for cause would require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the outstanding capital stock entitled to vote for the election of directors. Thus, control of the Board of Directors cannot be changed in one year without removing the directors for cause as described above; rather, at least two annual meetings must be held before a majority of the members of the Board of Directors could be changed. The Bylaws of the Company provide that the Bylaw provisions related to the classified board and removal of directors cannot be altered, amended or repealed without the approval of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon. Preferred Stock Purchase Rights. In order to protect the Company's shareholders from coercive or unfair takeover tactics, the Company's Board of Directors on March 1, 1989 adopted a Share Purchase Rights Plan (the "Share Purchase Rights Plan"). Pursuant to the Share Purchase Rights Plan, the Company's Board of Directors declared a distribution of one right ("Right") to purchase, until March 22, 1999 (or, if earlier, the redemption of the Rights), a unit consisting of 1/100th of one share of Series B Preferred Stock (the "Unit") at an exercise price of $65.50 per Unit, subject to certain antidilution adjustments, for each outstanding share of Common Stock, and approved the further issuance of Rights for all shares of Common Stock that are subsequently issued. See "Preferred Stock -- Series B Preferred Stock" below. Accordingly, a Right will be issued for each share of Common Stock issued hereunder. Until certain specified conditions described below exist, the Rights will be represented by the certificates for the Common Stock and will not be exercisable or transferable apart from the certificates for the Common Stock. Generally, in the event that the Company is acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or 50% or more of the Company's consolidated assets or earning power is sold, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a Right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof at the then current exercise price of the Right, the number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company that at the time of such transaction will have a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. After the tenth day following the date on which any person or group of affiliated or associated persons (other than certain excepted persons) acquires beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (unless such person first acquires 20% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock pursuant to a cash tender offer for all of the Common Stock, which purchase increases such person's beneficial ownership to 85% or more of the outstanding Common Stock) (an "Acquiring Person") or during such time as there is an Acquiring Person, there shall be any reclassification of securities or recapitalization or reorganization of the Company or other transaction or series of transactions that has the effect of increasing by more than 1% the proportionate share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a Right, other than Rights beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person (which will thereafter be void), will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise that number of shares of Common Stock having a market value of two times the exercise price of the Right. The Rights have certain anti-takeover effects. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to a person or group that attempts to acquire the Company without conditioning the offer on a substantial number of Rights being acquired or approval of the Board. The Rights should not interfere with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board of Directors of the Company since, among other things, the Board of 15 18 Directors may, at its option, at any time until 10 days (subject to extension) following the date on which a person or group (other than certain excepted persons) acquires 20% or more of the outstanding Common Stock, redeem all but not less than all the then outstanding Rights at $.01 per Right. A Rights Agreement dated as of March 17, 1989, as amended, between the Company and The First National Bank of Boston, as Rights Agent (as amended, the "Rights Agreement"), specifies the terms of the Rights and the foregoing description of the Rights is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Rights Agreement, a copy of which is available upon written request to Investor Relations, Seagull Energy Corporation, 1001 Fannin, Suite 1700, Houston, Texas 77002, telephone (713) 951-4700. The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock of the Company is The First National Bank of Boston. PREFERRED STOCK The following description of the terms of the Preferred Stock sets forth certain general terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock to which any Prospectus Supplement may relate. Certain terms of a series of the Preferred Stock offered by any Prospectus Supplement will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of the Preferred Stock. If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the terms of any such series may differ from the terms set forth below. The following description of the Preferred Stock summarizes certain provisions of the Company's Articles of Incorporation and the form of Statement of Designations filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement to which this Prospectus relates and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Articles of Incorporation and such Statement of Designations that will be filed with the Commission promptly after the offering of such series of Preferred Stock. General. Under the Company's Articles of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is authorized, without further shareholder action, to provide for the issuance of up to 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock in one or more series, with such voting powers, or without voting powers, and with such designations and relative rights and preferences as shall be set forth in resolutions providing for the issuance thereof adopted by the Board of Directors. At present, 500,000 shares of Preferred Stock are designated as Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the "Series B Preferred Stock") in connection with the Share Purchase Rights Plan described above, although no such shares of Series B Preferred Stock are issued and outstanding. No other shares of Preferred Stock are issued, outstanding or designated as to series. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the authorization and issuance of a new series of Preferred Stock upon the rights of holders of the Common Stock and other series of Preferred Stock unless and until the Board of Directors determines the attributes of such new series of Preferred Stock and the specific rights of its holders. Such effects might include, however, (i) restrictions on dividends on Common Stock and other series of Preferred Stock if dividends on such new series of Preferred Stock have not been paid; (ii) dilution of the voting power of Common Stock and other series of Preferred Stock to the extent that such new series of Preferred Stock has voting rights, or to the extent that any such new series of Preferred Stock is convertible into Common Stock; (iii) dilution of the equity interest of Common Stock and other series of Preferred Stock; and (iv) limitation on the right of holders of Common Stock and other series of Preferred Stock to share in the Company's assets upon liquidation until satisfaction of any liquidation preference attributable to such new series of Preferred Stock. While the ability of the Company to issue Preferred Stock provides flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, its issuance could be used to impede an attempt by a third party to acquire a majority of the outstanding voting stock of the Company. The Preferred Stock will have the dividend, liquidation, redemption and voting rights set forth below unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of the Preferred Stock. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular series of the Preferred Stock offered thereby for specific terms, including: (i) the designation of such Preferred Stock, the number of shares offered and the liquidation value thereof; (ii) the price at which such Preferred Stock will be issued; (iii) the dividend rate (or method of calculation), the dates on which dividends shall be payable, whether such dividends shall be cumulative or noncumulative and, if cumulative, the dates from which dividends shall commence to accumulate; (iv) the liquidation preference thereof; (v) any redemption or sinking fund 16 19 provisions; (vi) any conversion or exchange provisions of such Preferred Stock; and (vii) any additional dividend, liquidation, redemption, sinking fund and other rights, preferences, limitations and restrictions of such Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock will, when issued, be fully paid and nonassessable. Unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of the Preferred Stock, each series of the Preferred Stock will rank on a parity as to dividends and distributions in the event of a liquidation with each other series of the Preferred Stock, if any, and senior to the Series B Preferred Stock. Holders of Preferred Stock will have no preemptive rights to subscribe for or purchase shares of capital stock. Dividend Rights. Holders of the Preferred Stock of each series will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of assets of the Company legally available therefor, cash dividends at such rates and on such dates as are set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of the Preferred Stock. Such rate may be fixed or variable or both. Each such dividend will be payable to the holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the Company on such record dates as will be fixed by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof. Dividends on any series of the Preferred Stock may be cumulative or noncumulative, as provided in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto. If the Board of Directors fails to declare a dividend payable on a dividend payment date on any series of Preferred Stock for which dividends are noncumulative, then the right to receive a dividend in respect of the dividend period ending on such dividend payment date will be lost, and the Company shall have no obligation to pay the dividend accrued for that period, whether or not dividends are declared for any future period. No full dividends will be declared or paid or set apart for payment on preferred stock of any series ranking, as to dividends, on a parity with or junior to any series of Preferred Stock for any period unless full dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid, or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart for such payment on such series of Preferred Stock for the then-current dividend period and, if such Preferred Stock is cumulative, all other dividend periods terminating on or before the date of payment of such full dividends. When dividends are not paid in full upon any series of the Preferred Stock and any other preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends with such series of the Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon such series of the Preferred Stock and any other preferred stock ranking on a parity as to dividends will be declared pro rata so that the amount of dividends declared per share on such series of the Preferred Stock and such other preferred stock will in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accrued dividends, including, in the case of cumulative Preferred Stock, accumulations, if any, in respect of prior dividend periods, per share on such series of the Preferred Stock and such other preferred stock bear to each other. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, unless full dividends, including, in the case of cumulative Preferred Stock, accumulations, if any, in respect of prior dividend periods, on all outstanding shares of any series of the Preferred Stock have been paid or declared and set aside for payment, no dividends (other than a dividend or distribution paid in shares of, or warrants, rights or options exercisable for or convertible into, Common Stock or another stock ranking junior to such series of the Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation) will be declared or paid or set aside for payment or other distributions made upon the Common Stock or any other stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with the Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation, nor will any Common Stock or any other stock of the Company ranking junior to or on a parity with such series of the Preferred Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any moneys be paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of any such stock) by the Company (except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Company ranking junior to such series of the Preferred Stock as to dividends and upon liquidation). No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments which may be in arrears. The amount of dividends payable for each dividend period will be computed by annualizing the applicable dividend rate and dividing by the number of dividend periods in a year, except that the amount of dividends payable for the initial dividend period or any period longer or short other than a full dividend period shall be computed on the basis of 30-day months and a 360-day year. 17 20 Each series of Preferred Stock will be entitled to dividends as described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series, which may be based upon one or more methods of determination. Different series of the Preferred Stock may be entitled to dividends at different dividend rates or based upon different methods of determination. Rights Upon Liquidation. In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of each series of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive out of assets of the Company available for distribution to stockholders, before any distribution of assets is made to holders of Common Stock or any other class of stock ranking junior to such series of the Preferred Stock upon liquidation, liquidating distributions in the amount set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of the Preferred Stock plus an amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current dividend period and, if such series of the Preferred Stock is cumulative, for all dividend periods prior thereto. If, upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the amounts payable with respect to the Preferred Stock of any series and any other shares of stock of the Company ranking as to any such distribution on a parity with such series of the Preferred Stock are not paid in full, the holders of the Preferred Stock of such series and of such other shares will share ratably in any such distribution of assets of the Company in proportion to the full respective preferential amounts to which they are entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidating distribution to which they are entitled, the holders of such series of Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Company. Neither the sale of all or substantially all the property or business of the Company nor the merger or consolidation of the Company into or with any other corporation shall be deemed to be a dissolution, liquidation or winding up, voluntary or involuntary, of the Company. Redemption. A series of the Preferred Stock may be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, and may be subject to mandatory redemption pursuant to a sinking fund, in each case upon terms, at the times and at the redemption prices set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series. The Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Stock that is subject to mandatory redemption will specify the number of shares of such series of Preferred Stock that will be redeemed by the Company in each year commencing after a date to be specified, at a redemption price per share to be specified, together with an amount equal to any accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date of redemption. The redemption price may be payable in cash, capital stock or in cash received from the net proceeds of the issuance of capital stock of the Company, as specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of Preferred Stock. If fewer than all the outstanding shares of any series of the Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, whether by mandatory or optional redemption, the selection of the shares to be redeemed will be determined by lot or pro rata as may be determined by the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof, or by any other method which may be determined by the Board of Directors or such committee to be equitable. From and after the date of redemption (unless default shall be made by the Company in providing for the payment of the redemption price), dividends shall cease to accrue on the shares of Preferred Stock called for redemption and all rights of the holders thereof (except the right to receive the redemption price) shall cease. In the event that full dividends, including accumulations in the case of cumulative Preferred Stock, on any series of the Preferred Stock have not been paid, such series of the Preferred Stock may not be redeemed in part and the Company may not purchase or acquire any shares of such series of the Preferred Stock otherwise than pursuant to a purchase or exchange offer made on the same terms to all holders of such series of the Preferred Stock. Conversion or Exchange Rights. The Prospectus Supplement for any series of the Preferred Stock will state the terms, if any, on which shares of such series are convertible into, or exchangeable for, securities of the Company or another person. Voting Rights. Unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors and indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of Preferred Stock, the holders of the Preferred Stock will not be entitled to vote, except as set forth below or except as expressly required by applicable law. In the event the 18 21 Company issues share of any series of Preferred Stock with voting rights, including any voting rights in the case of dividend arrearages, unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of Preferred Stock, each such share will be entitled to one vote on matters on which holders of such series of the Preferred Stock are entitled to vote. In the case of any series of Preferred Stock having one vote per share on matters on which holders of such series are entitled to vote, the voting power of such series, on matters on which holders of such series and holders of other series of preferred stock are entitled to vote as a single class, will depend on the number of shares in such series, not on the aggregate liquidation preference or initial offering price of the shares of such series of Preferred Stock. Except as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Stock, if at any time dividends on any series of Preferred Stock shall be in arrears in an amount equal to six quarterly dividends thereon, (which, with respect to any series of Preferred Stock whose dividend periods are other than quarterly, shall be deemed to be a number of dividend periods containing not less than 540 days), all holders of Preferred Stock on which dividends are in arrears and as to which similar voting rights have been conferred, voting as a class, irrespective of series, shall have the right to elect two directors. Directors so elected by such holders of Preferred Stock shall continue in office until their successors shall have been elected or until such time as all accrued and unpaid dividends for all previous dividend periods and for any current dividend period on all shares of such Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have been declared and paid or set apart for payment. The affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of any series of Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, will be required for any amendment, alteration or repeal, whether by merger, consolidation or otherwise, of the Articles of Incorporation that will (i) increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of such series or of Preferred Stock, (ii) increase or decrease the par value of the Preferred Stock, (iii) effect an exchange, reclassification or cancellation of all or part of the shares of such series or of the Preferred Stock, (iv) effect an exchange, or create a right of exchange, of all or any part of the shares of another class into the shares of such series or of Preferred Stock, (v) change the designations, preferences, limitations or relative rights of the shares of such series or the Preferred Stock, (vi) change the shares of such series or the Preferred Stock into the same or a different number of shares of the same class or series or another class or series, (vii) create a new class or series of shares having rights and preferences equal, prior or superior to the shares of such series or the Preferred Stock, or increase the rights and preferences of any class or series having rights and preferences equal, prior or superior to the shares of such series or the Preferred Stock, or increase the rights and preferences of any class or series having rights or preferences later or inferior to the shares of such series or the Preferred Stock in such a manner as to become equal, prior or superior to the shares of such class or series, (viii) divide the shares of Preferred Stock into series and fix and determine the designation of such series and the variations in the relative rights and preferences between the shares of such series, (ix) limit or deny the existing preemptive rights of the shares of such series or of the Preferred Stock, (x) cancel or otherwise affect dividends on the shares of such series or the Preferred Stock that had accrued but had not been declared or (xi) include in or delete from the Articles of Incorporation any provisions required or permitted to be included in the Articles of Incorporation of a close corporation within the meaning of the Texas Business Corporation Act. The foregoing provisions are not applicable to the designation of series by the Board of Directors in the manner described under the heading "General" above. If the holders of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as a class on a proposed amendment and the amendment would affect all series of such class (other than any series of which no shares are outstanding or any series that is not affected by the amendment) equally, then the holders of the separate series shall not be entitled to separate class votes, but shall instead vote together as one class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the approval of a proposed amendment to the Articles of Incorporation that would solely effect changes in the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights, including voting rights, of one or more series of shares that have been established by the Board of Directors as described above under the heading "General," shall not require the approval of the holders of the outstanding shares of any class or series other than such series if the preferences, limitations and relative rights of such series after giving effect to such amendment and of any series that may be established as a result of a reclassification of such series are, in each case, within those permitted to be fixed and determined by the Board of Directors with respect to the establishment of any new series of shares pursuant to the authority granted the Board of Directors as described above under the heading "General." 19 22 Series B Preferred Stock. In connection with the adoption of the Share Purchase Rights Plan described above, on March 1, 1989, the Company's Board of Directors designated 500,000 shares of the Company's authorized but unissued Preferred Stock as the Series B Preferred Stock. The terms of Series B Preferred Stock are such that one share of Series B Preferred Stock will be approximately equivalent to 100 shares of Common Stock. Each 1/100th of one share of Series B Preferred Stock has the same dividend and voting rights as one full share of Common Stock. In addition, each 1/100th of one share of Series B Preferred Stock has a minimum quarterly dividend of $.01, a liquidation preference and certain other rights preferential to Common Stock. Pursuant to the Share Purchase Rights Plan, Rights have been issued to the holders of the Common Stock, but such Rights have not yet become exercisable or transferable apart from the certificate for the Common Stock, and no shares of Series B Preferred Stock have been issued. DEPOSITARY SHARES General. The Company may, at its option, elect to offer fractional shares of Preferred Stock, rather than full shares of Preferred Stock. In the event such option is exercised, the Company will issue to the public receipts for Depositary Shares, each of which will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a particular series of Preferred Stock) of a share of a particular series of Preferred Stock as described below. The shares of any series of Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares will be deposited under a Deposit Agreement (the "Deposit Agreement") between the Company and a bank or trust company selected by the Company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 (the "Depositary"). Subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, each owner of a Depositary Share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Share, to all the rights and preferences of the Preferred Stock represented thereby (including dividend, voting, redemption and liquidation rights). The Depositary Shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the Deposit Agreement ("Depositary Receipts"). Depositary Receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of the offering. Copies of the forms of Deposit Agreement and Depositary Receipt are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part, and the following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibits. If required by law or applicable securities exchange rules, engraved Depositary Receipts will be prepared. Pending the preparation of definitive engraved Depositary Receipts, the Depositary may, upon the written order of the Company, issue temporary Depositary Receipts substantially identical to (and entitling the holders thereof to all the rights pertaining to) the definitive Depositary Receipts but not in definitive form. Definitive Depositary Receipts will be prepared thereafter without unreasonable delay, and temporary Depositary Receipts will be exchangeable for definitive Depositary Receipts at the Company's expense. Dividends and Other Distributions. The Depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received in respect of the Preferred Stock to the record holders of Depositary Shares relating to such Preferred Stock in proportion to the number of such Depositary Shares owned by such holders. In the event of a distribution other than in cash, the Depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of Depositary Shares entitled thereto, unless the Depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such distribution, in which case the Depositary may, with the approval of the Company, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to such holders. Redemption of Depositary Shares. If a series of Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares is subject to redemption, the Depositary Shares will be redeemed from the proceeds received by the Depositary resulting from the redemption, in whole or in part, of such series of Preferred Stock held by the Depositary. The redemption price per Depositary Share will be equal to the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share payable with respect to such series of the Preferred Stock. Whenever the Company redeems shares of Preferred Stock held by the Depositary, the Depositary will redeem as of the same redemption date the number of Depositary Shares representing the shares of Preferred Stock so redeemed. If fewer than all the 20 23 Depositary Shares are to be redeemed, the Depositary Shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as may be determined by the Depositary. Voting the Preferred Stock. Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, the Depositary will mail the information contained in such notice of meeting to the record holders of the Depositary Shares relating to such Preferred Stock. Each record holder of such Depositary Shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the Preferred Stock) will be entitled to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the amount of the Preferred Stock represented by such holder's Depositary Shares. The Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of the Preferred Stock represented by such Depositary Shares in accordance with such instructions, and the Company will agree to take all action that may be deemed necessary by the Depositary in order to enable the Depositary to do so. The Depositary will abstain from voting shares of the Preferred Stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of Depositary Shares representing such Preferred Stock. Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement. The form of Depositary Receipt evidencing the Depositary Shares and any provision of the Deposit Agreement may at any time be amended by agreement between the Company and the Depositary. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of Depositary Shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the Depositary Shares then outstanding. The Deposit Agreement may be terminated by the Company or the Depositary only if (i) all outstanding Depositary Shares have been redeemed or (ii) there has been a final distribution in respect of the Preferred Stock in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of Depositary Receipts. Charges of Depositary. The Company will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. The Company will pay charges of the Depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the Preferred Stock and any redemption of the Preferred Stock. Holders of Depositary Receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and such other charges, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of Preferred Stock upon surrender of Depositary Receipts, as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be for their accounts. Withdrawal of Preferred Stock. Upon surrender of Depositary Receipts at the principal office of the Depositary, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the owner of the Depositary Shares evidenced thereby is entitled to delivery of the number of whole shares of Preferred Stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by such Depositary Shares. Partial shares of Preferred Stock will not be issued. If the Depositary Receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of Depositary Shares in excess of the number of Depositary Shares representing the number of whole shares of Preferred Stock to be withdrawn, the Depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new Depositary Receipt evidencing such excess number of Depositary Shares. Holders of Preferred Stock thus withdrawn will not thereafter be entitled to deposit such shares under the Deposit Agreement or to receive Depositary Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares therefor. Miscellaneous. The Depositary will forward to holders of Depository Receipts all reports and communications from the Company that are delivered to the Depositary and that the Company is required to furnish to the holders of the Preferred Stock. Neither the Depositary nor the Company will be liable if it is prevented or delayed by law or any circumstance beyond its control in performing its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. The obligations of the Company and the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be limited to performance in good faith of their duties thereunder and they will not be obligated to prosecute or defend any legal proceeding in respect of any Depositary Shares or Preferred Stock unless satisfactory indemnity is furnished. They may rely upon written advice of counsel or accountants, or upon information provided by persons presenting Preferred Stock for deposit, holders of Depositary Receipts or other persons believed to be competent and on documents believed to be genuine. 21 24 Resignation and Removal of Depositary. The Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to the Company notice of its election to do so, and the Company may at any time remove the Depositary, any such resignation or removal to take effect upon the appointment of a successor Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor Depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company having its principal office in the United States and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES WARRANTS The Company may issue Securities Warrants for the purchase of Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock. Securities Warrants may be issued independently or together with Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock offered by any Prospectus Supplement and may be attached to or separate from any such Offered Securities. Each series of Securities Warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement (a "Securities Warrant Agreement") to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent (the "Securities Warrant Agent"), all as set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular issue of Securities Warrants. The Securities Warrant Agent will act solely as an agent of the Company in connection with the Securities Warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders of Securities Warrants or beneficial owners of Securities Warrants. The following summary of certain provisions of the Securities Warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all provisions of the Securities Warrant Agreements. Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the particular issue of Securities Warrants offered thereby for the terms of and information relating to such Securities Warrants, including, where applicable: (i) the designation, aggregate principal amount, currencies, denominations, and terms of the series of Debt Securities purchasable upon exercise of Debt Warrants and the price at which such Debt Securities may be purchased upon such exercise; (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable upon the exercise of Common Stock Warrants and the price at which such number of shares of Common Stock may be purchased upon such exercise; (iii) the number of shares and series of Preferred Stock and/or Depositary Shares purchasable upon the exercise of Preferred Stock Warrants and the price at which such number of shares of such series of Preferred Stock and/or Depositary Shares may be purchased upon such exercise; (iv) the date on which the right to exercise such Securities Warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire (the "Expiration Date"); (v) United States Federal income tax consequences applicable to such Securities Warrants; (vi) the amount of Securities Warrants outstanding as of the most recent practicable date; and (vii) any other terms of such Securities Warrants. Common Stock Warrants will be offered and exercisable for U.S. dollars only. Securities Warrants will be issued in registered form only. The exercise price for Securities Warrants will be subject to adjustment in accordance with the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Each Securities Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase such principal amount of Debt Securities or such number of shares of Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or calculable from, the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Securities Warrants, which exercise price may be subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in such Prospectus Supplement. After the close of business on the Expiration Date (or such later date to which such Expiration Date may be extended by the Company), unexercised Securities Warrants will become void. The place or places where, and the manner in which, Securities Warrants may be exercised shall be specified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Securities Warrants. Prior to the exercise of any Securities Warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock, holders of such Securities Warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon such exercise, including the right to receive payments of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Debt Securities purchasable upon such exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable Indenture, or to 22 25 receive payments of dividends, if any, on the Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock purchasable upon such exercise, or to exercise any applicable right to vote. PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION GENERAL The Company may sell Securities to or through underwriters or dealers, and also may sell Securities directly to one or more other purchasers or through agents. The Prospectus Supplement sets forth the names of any underwriters or agents involved in the sale of the Offered Securities and any applicable commissions or discounts. Underwriters, dealers or agents may offer and sell the Offered Securities at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or from time to time at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. In connection with the sale of the Securities, underwriters or agents may be deemed to have received compensation from the Company in the form of underwriting discounts or commissions and may also receive commissions from purchasers of the Securities for whom they may act as agent. Underwriters or agents may sell the Securities to or through dealers, and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agent. The Securities (other than the Common Stock), when first issued, will have no established trading market. Any underwriters or agents to or through whom Securities are sold by the Company for public offering and sale may make a market in such Securities, but such underwriters or agents will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any such Securities. Any underwriters, dealers or agents participating in the distribution of the Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any discounts and commissions received by them and any profit realized by them on resale of the Securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"). Underwriters, dealers or agents may be entitled, under agreements entered into with the Company, to indemnification against or contribution toward certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act. DELAYED DELIVERY ARRANGEMENTS If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as the Company's agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase Securities from the Company pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases will be subject to the condition that the purchase of the Securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts. LEGAL MATTERS Certain legal matters with respect to the validity of the Securities are expected to be passed upon for the Company by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., Houston, Texas and for the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, of a particular issue of Securities by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (a partnership which includes professional corporations), New York, New York. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett will rely upon Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. with respect to matters of Texas law. Mr. J. Evans Attwell, an attorney with Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., is a director of the Company. 23 26 EXPERTS The consolidated financial statements of Seagull Energy Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, incorporated by reference herein and elsewhere in the Registration Statement have been incorporated herein and in the Registration Statement in reliance upon the reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP covering the 1996 consolidated financial statements refers to a change in the Company's method of accounting for the impairment of long-lived assets and long-lived assets to be disposed of. Certain information with respect to the oil and gas reserves associated with a portion of the Company's oil and gas properties derived from the report of DeGolyer and MacNaughton, independent consulting petroleum engineers, has been included and incorporated by reference herein upon the authority of said firm as experts with respect to the matters covered by such report and in giving such report. Certain information with respect to the oil and gas reserves associated with a portion of the Company's oil and gas properties derived from the report of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., independent petroleum engineers, has been included and incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such firm as experts with respect to the matters contained therein. Certain information with respect to the oil and gas reserves associated with a portion of the Company's oil and gas properties derived from the report of Ryder Scott Company, independent petroleum engineers, has been included and incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon such firm as experts with respect to the matters contained therein. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS As used in this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement: With respect to volumes, "bcf" means billion cubic feet, "mcf" means thousand cubic feet, "mmbbls" means million barrels, one "bcfe" equals the energy equivalent of one bcf of natural gas, "mmcf/d" means million cubic feet per day, "mbbls/d" means thousand barrels per day, "bbls/d" means barrels per day and one "mmcfe/d" means the energy equivalent of one million cubic feet of natural gas per day. Unless otherwise indicated in this Prospectus or in any Prospectus Supplement, gas volumes are stated at the legal pressure base of the state or area in which the reserves are located and at 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Where crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids volumes are converted into natural gas equivalents, a ratio of six mcf to one barrel is used, which approximates the relative energy content of crude oil, condensate and natural gas liquids as compared to natural gas. When used in describing acreage on drilling locations, the term "net" refers to the total acres on drilling locations in which the Company has a working interest, multiplied by the percentage working interest owned by the Company. When used in describing production, the term "net" refers to the sum of (i) the total production in which the Company has a working interest, multiplied by the percentage of net revenue interest owned by the Company and (ii) the total production that is attributable to royalty interests held by the Company. "Proved" reserves refer to net proved developed and undeveloped reserves of crude oil, condensate, natural gas and natural gas liquids that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be economically recoverable in the future from known reservoirs under existing conditions. Proved "developed" reserves are those proved reserves reasonably expected to be recovered with existing equipment and operating methods, while proved "undeveloped" reserves are those proved reserves reasonably expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage, from existing wells where a relatively large expenditure is required and from acreage where an application of fluid injection or other improved recovery technique is contemplated (where such technique has been proved effective by actual tests in the area in the same reservoir or one with similar rock and fluid properties). THE RESERVE 24 27 VOLUMES PROVIDED IN AND INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT ARE ESTIMATES ONLY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS BEING EXACT QUANTITIES. THEY MAY OR MAY NOT BE ACTUALLY RECOVERED. MOREOVER, ESTIMATES OF PROVED RESERVES MAY INCREASE OR DECREASE AS A RESULT OF FUTURE OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY AND CHANGES IN MARKET CONDITIONS. A "reserve life index" is a measure of how long it will take to produce a quantity of reserves, calculated by dividing end of year reserves by annual production for the most recent fiscal year (in gas equivalents). An "infill" well is a well drilled between known producing wells to better exploit the reservoir. "Deliverability" refers to the volume of net production capability attributable to a well or group of wells. "Workover expenses" are the remedial costs incurred on producing wells to increase the rate of production. "Shut in" refers to the closing of the valves on a well so that it stops producing. 25 28 PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION The expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered are estimated as follows: Registration Fee............................................ $ 1 Blue Sky fees and expenses.................................. 5,000 Legal fees and expenses..................................... 100,000 Accounting fees and expenses................................ 35,000 Printing and engraving expenses............................. 100,000 Trustee's fees and expenses................................. 5,000 Depositary's fees and expenses.............................. 5,000 Miscellaneous expenses...................................... 9,999 -------- Total............................................. $260,000 ========
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS Article 2.02-1 of the Texas Business Corporation Act provides that any director or officer of a Texas corporation may be indemnified against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by him in connection with or in defending any action, suit or proceeding in which he is a party by reason of his position. With respect to any proceeding arising from actions taken in his official capacity, as a director or officer, he may be indemnified so long as it shall be determined that he conducted himself in good faith and that he reasonably believed that such conduct was in the corporation's best interest. In cases not concerning conduct in his official capacity as a director or officer, a director or officer may be indemnified so long as it shall be determined that he conducted himself in good faith and that he reasonably believed that his conduct was not opposed to the corporation's best interest. In the case of any criminal proceeding, a director or officer may be indemnified if he had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. If a director or officer is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in connection with such a proceeding, such indemnification is mandatory. Article VI of the Company's Bylaws requires the indemnification of officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by the Texas Business Corporation Act. The Company also has policies insuring its officers and directors against certain liabilities for actions taken in such capacities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933. Reference is made to Article Eleven of the Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, which was adopted by the Company's shareholders on May 11, 1988 and which provides as follows: "ARTICLE ELEVEN A director of the corporation shall not be liable to the corporation or its shareholders for monetary damages for an act or omission in the director's capacity as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) for any transaction from which the director received an improper benefit, whether or not the benefit resulted from an action taken within the scope of the director's office; (iv) for acts or omissions for which the liability of a director is expressly provided for by statute; or (v) for acts related to an unlawful stock repurchase or dividend payment. Any repeal or amendment of this Article by the shareholders of the corporation shall be prospective only, and shall not adversely affect any limitation on the liability of a director of the corporation existing at the time of such repeal or amendment. In addition to the circumstances in which a director of the corporation is not liable as set forth in the preceding sentences, a director shall not be II-1 29 liable to the fullest extent permitted by any provision of the statutes of Texas hereafter enacted that further limits the liability of a director." Effective as of August 28, 1989, Article 7.06.B of the Texas Miscellaneous Corporation Laws Act was amended to read in its entirety as follows: "B. The articles of incorporation of a corporation may provide that a director of the corporation shall not be liable, or shall be liable only to the extent provided in the articles of incorporation, to the corporation or its shareholders or members for monetary damages for an act or omission in the director's capacity as a director, except that this article does not authorize the elimination or limitation of the liability of a director to the extent the director is found liable for: (1) a breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders or members; (2) an act or omission not in good faith that constitutes a breach of duty of the director to the corporation or an act or omission that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; (3) a transaction from which the director received an improper benefit, whether or not the benefit resulted from an action taken within the scope of the director's office; or (4) an act or omission for which the liability of a director is expressly provided for by an applicable statute." ITEM 16. EXHIBITS ***1.1 -- Proposed Form of Underwriting Agreement. 2.1 -- Share Sale Agreement between Seagull Energy Canada Holding Company, 745910 Alberta Ltd., Seagull Energy Corporation and Rio Alto Exploration Ltd. in respect of the shares of Seagull Energy Canada Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 11, 1997) **4.1 -- Form of Debt Securities. ***4.2 -- Form of Senior Indenture among the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. ***4.3 -- Form of Senior Subordinated Indenture among the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. 4.4 -- Senior Indenture by and between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, dated as of July 15, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 1993). 4.5 -- Senior Subordinated Indenture by and between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, dated as of July 15, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 1993). 4.6 -- Specimen of 7 7/8% Senior Note due 2003 and resolutions adopted by the Chairman of the Board of Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 1993). 4.7 -- Specimen of 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2005 and resolutions adopted by the Chairman of the Board of Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 1993).
II-2 30 4.8 -- Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, including Articles of Amendment filed May 12, 1988, May 21, 1991, and May 21, 1993 with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas, that certain Statement of Relative Rights and Preferences related to the designation and issuance of the Company's $2.25 Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock, Series A, filed August 6, 1986 with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas and that certain Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Seagull Energy Corporation filed March 21, 1989 with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1993). *4.9 -- Bylaws of the Company as amended through March 7, 1997. 4.10 -- Rights Agreement dated as of March 17, 1989 between the Company and NCNB Texas National Bank, as Rights Agent, which includes the form of Statement of Resolution setting forth the terms of the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, as Exhibit A, the form of Right Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares as Exhibit C (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1993). 4.11 -- First Amendment to Rights Agreement by and between the Company and NationsBank of Texas, N.A. (formerly NCNB Texas National Bank) dated as of June 18, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-55426)). **4.12 -- Form of Securities Warrants. **4.13 -- Form of Depositary Agreement. **4.14 -- Form of Depositary Receipt. 4.15 -- Credit Agreement, U.S. $450 million Revolving Credit and Competitive Bid Facility, dated June 17, 1997, among Seagull Energy Corporation, The Chase Manhattan Bank, Individually and as Agent, and the other Banks signatory hereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997). 4.16 -- Credit Agreement, U.S. $100 million Revolving Credit Facility, dated June 17, 1997, among Seagull Energy Canada Ltd. and The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada, Individually and as Arranger and Administrative Agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Individually and as Paying Agent and Co-Agent, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Individually and as Co-Agent, and the other Banks signatory hereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997). **5.1 -- Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. *12.1 -- Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. ***23.1 -- Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. 23.2 -- Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1). *23.3 -- Consent of Ryder Scott Company, independent petroleum engineers. *23.4 -- Consent of DeGolyer and MacNaughton, independent consulting petroleum engineers. *23.5 -- Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., independent petroleum engineers. *24.1 -- Powers of Attorney. *25.1 -- Statements of eligibility of Trustee.
II-3 31 - --------------- * Filed previously. ** The Company will file any forms of Debt Securities, Securities Warrants, Depositary Receipts or Depositary Agreement, or any legal opinions, not previously so filed in a Current Report on Form 8-K. A qualified legal opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is filed herewith. *** Filed herewith. ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post effective amendment to this registration statement: (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions set forth in response to Item 15, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, II-4 32 unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. II-5 33 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement amendment to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Houston, State of Texas, on the 18th day of September, 1997. SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION By: /s/ BARRY J. GALT ----------------------------------- Barry J. Galt Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement Amendment has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE --------- ----- ---- /s/ J. EVANS ATTWELL* Director September 18, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------- J. Evans Attwell /s/ RICHARD J. BURGESS* Director September 18, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------- Richard J. Burgess /s/ MILTON CARROLL* Director September 18, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------- Milton Carroll /s/ THOMAS H. CRUIKSHANK* Director September 18, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------- Thomas H. Cruikshank /s/ JOHN W. ELIAS* Executive Vice President September 18, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------- and Director John W. Elias /s/ PETER J. FLUOR* Director September 18, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------- Peter J. Fluor /s/ BARRY J. GALT* Chairman of the Board, Chief September 18, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------- Executive Officer and Barry J. Galt Director (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ WILLIAM R. GRANT* Director September 18, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------- William R. Grant Director - --------------------------------------------------- Dean P. Guerin /s/ GORDON L. MCCONNELL* Vice President and Controller September 18, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------- (Principal Accounting Gordon L. McConnell Officer) /s/ RICHARD M. MORROW* Director September 18, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------- Richard M. Morrow
II-6 34
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE --------- ----- ---- /s/ DEE S. OSBORNE* Director September 18, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------- Dee S. Osborne Director - --------------------------------------------------- Sidney R. Petersen /s/ SAM F. SEGNAR* Director September 18, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------- Sam F. Segnar /s/ WILLIAM L. TRANSIER Senior Vice President and September 18, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------- Chief Financial Officer William L. Transier (Principal Financial Officer) /s/ ROBERT F. VAGT* Director September 18, 1997 - --------------------------------------------------- Robert F. Vagt Director - --------------------------------------------------- R. A. Walker *By: /s/ WILLIAM L. TRANSIER --------------------------------------------- William L. Transier, Attorney in Fact
II-7 35 EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION ------- ----------- ***1.1 -- Proposed Form of Underwriting Agreement.
2.1 -- Share Sale Agreement between Seagull Energy Canada Holding Company, 745910 Alberta Ltd., Seagull Energy Corporation and Rio Alto Exploration Ltd. in respect of the shares of Seagull Energy Canada Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 11, 1997) **4.1 -- Form of Debt Securities. ***4.2 -- Form of Senior Indenture among the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. ***4.3 -- Form of Senior Subordinated Indenture among the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee. 4.4 -- Senior Indenture by and between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, dated as of July 15, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 1993). 4.5 -- Senior Subordinated Indenture by and between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, dated as of July 15, 1993 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 1993). 4.6 -- Specimen of 7 7/8% Senior Note due 2003 and resolutions adopted by the Chairman of the Board of Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 1993). 4.7 -- Specimen of 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Note due 2005 and resolutions adopted by the Chairman of the Board of Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated August 4, 1993). 4.8 -- Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, including Articles of Amendment filed May 12, 1988, May 21, 1991, and May 21, 1993 with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas, that certain Statement of Relative Rights and Preferences related to the designation and issuance of the Company's $2.25 Convertible Exchangeable Preferred Stock, Series A, filed August 6, 1986 with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas and that certain Statement of Resolution Establishing Series of Shares of Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Seagull Energy Corporation filed March 21, 1989 with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1993). *4.9 -- Bylaws of the Company as amended through March 7, 1997. 4.10 -- Rights Agreement dated as of March 17, 1989 between the Company and NCNB Texas National Bank, as Rights Agent, which includes the form of Statement of Resolution setting forth the terms of the Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, as Exhibit A, the form of Right Certificate as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights to Purchase Preferred Shares as Exhibit C (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1993). 4.11 -- First Amendment to Rights Agreement by and between the Company and NationsBank of Texas, N.A. (formerly NCNB Texas National Bank) dated as of June 18, 1992 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 33-55426)). **4.12 -- Form of Securities Warrants.
36
EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION ------- ----------- **4.13 -- Form of Depositary Agreement. **4.14 -- Form of Depositary Receipt. 4.15 -- Credit Agreement, U.S. $450 million Revolving Credit and Competitive Bid Facility, dated June 17, 1997, among Seagull Energy Corporation, The Chase Manhattan Bank, Individually and as Agent, and the other Banks signatory hereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997). 4.16 -- Credit Agreement, U.S. $100 million Revolving Credit Facility, dated June 17, 1997, among Seagull Energy Canada Ltd. and The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada, Individually and as Arranger and Administrative Agent, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Individually and as Paying Agent and Co-Agent, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Individually and as Co-Agent, and the other Banks signatory hereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1997). **5.1 -- Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. *12.1 -- Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. ***23.1 -- Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. 23.2 -- Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1). *23.3 -- Consent of Ryder Scott Company, independent petroleum engineers. *23.4 -- Consent of DeGolyer and MacNaughton, independent consulting petroleum engineers. *23.5 -- Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., independent petroleum engineers. *24.1 -- Powers of Attorney. *25.1 -- Statements of eligibility of Trustee.
- --------------- * Filed previously. ** The Company will file any forms of Debt Securities, Securities Warrants, Depositary Receipts or Depositary Agreement, or any legal opinions, not previously so filed in a Current Report on Form 8-K. A qualified legal opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. is filed herewith. *** Filed herewith. EX-1.1 2 PROPOSED FORM OF UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT 1 EXHIBIT 1.1 SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION (a Texas corporation) Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Debt Securities and Warrants to Purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Debt Securities UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT September ___, 1997 MERRILL LYNCH & CO. Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated North Tower World Financial Center New York, New York 10281-1209 Ladies and Gentlemen: Seagull Energy Corporation, a Texas corporation (the "Company"), proposes to issue and sell (i) up to $300,000,100 aggregate initial public offering price of its (a) shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the "Common Stock"), accompanied by rights to purchase Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the "Rights"), (b) shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, in one or more series (the "Preferred Stock"), which may be issued in the form of depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts (the "Depositary Shares"), (c) unsecured senior or senior subordinated debt securities, in one or more series, consisting of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness (the "Debt Securities") as more fully described below, or (d) warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Debt Securities, or any combination thereof, and (ii) up to an additional $100,000,000 aggregate initial offering price of its Debt Securities, in each case, from time to time, in or pursuant to one or more offerings on terms to be determined at the time of sale. The Preferred Stock will be issued in one or more series and each series of Preferred Stock may vary, as applicable, as to the title, specific number of shares, rank, stated value, liquidation preference, dividend rate or rates (or method of calculation), dividend payment dates, redemption provisions, sinking fund requirements, conversion provisions (and terms of the related Underlying Securities (as defined below)) and any other variable terms as set forth in the applicable certificate of designations (each, the "Certificate of Designations") relating to such series of Preferred Stock. A series of Preferred Stock may be represented by Depositary Shares that are evidenced by depositary receipts (the "Depositary Receipts") issued pursuant to a deposit agreement (each, a "Deposit Agreement") among the Company, the depositary identified therein (the "Depositary") and the registered holders of the Depositary Receipts issued thereunder. The Debt Securities will be issued in one or more series as unsecured senior indebtedness (the "Senior Debt Securities") under an indenture dated as of ________, 1997 (the "Senior Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Senior Trustee"), or as senior subordinated indebtedness (the "Subordinated Debt Securities") under an indenture dated as of ________, 1997 (the "Subordinated Indenture", and collectively with the -1- 2 Senior Indenture, the "Indentures", and each, an "Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Subordinated Trustee", and collectively with the Senior Trustee, the "Trustees", and each, a "Trustee"). Each series of Debt Securities may vary, as applicable, as to title, aggregate principal amount, rank, interest rate or formula and timing of payments thereof, stated maturity date, redemption and/or repayment provisions, sinking fund requirements, conversion provisions (and terms of the related Underlying Securities) and any other variable terms established by or pursuant to the applicable Indenture. Each issue of Warrants will be issued pursuant to a separate warrant agreement (each, a "Warrant Agreement") between the Company and the warrant agent identified therein (each, a "Warrant Agent"). The Warrants may vary, as applicable, as to, among other terms, title, type, specific number, exercise dates or periods, exercise price(s), expiration date(s) and terms of the related Underlying Securities. As used herein, "Securities" shall mean the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Senior Debt Securities, Subordinated Debt Securities, Warrants, or any combination thereof, initially issuable by the Company, and "Underlying Securities" shall mean the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, as applicable, or upon conversion of the Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities, as applicable. Whenever the Company determines to make an offering of Securities through Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated ("Merrill Lynch"), or through an underwriting syndicate managed by Merrill Lynch, the Company will enter into an agreement (each, a "Terms Agreement") providing for the sale of such Securities to, and the purchase and offering thereof by, Merrill Lynch and such other underwriters, if any, selected by Merrill Lynch (the "Underwriters", which term shall include Merrill Lynch, whether acting as sole Underwriter or as a member of an underwriting syndicate, as well as any Underwriter substituted pursuant to Section 10 hereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as expressly provided in any Terms Agreement, nothing in this Underwriting Agreement shall obligate the Company to designate Merrill Lynch as an underwriter with respect to the offer and sale of any of the Securities. The Terms Agreement relating to the offering of Securities shall specify the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Securities to be initially issued (the "Initial Underwritten Securities"), the name of each Underwriter participating in such offering (subject to substitution as provided in Section 10 hereof) and the name of any Underwriter other than Merrill Lynch acting as co-manager in connection with such offering, the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Initial Underwritten Securities which each such Underwriter severally agrees to purchase, whether such offering is on a fixed or variable price basis and, if on a fixed price basis, the initial offering price, the price at which the Initial Underwritten Securities are to be purchased by the Underwriters, the form, time, date and place of delivery and payment of the Initial Underwritten Securities and any other material variable terms of the Initial Underwritten Securities, as well as the material variable terms of any related Underlying Securities. In addition, if applicable, such Terms Agreement shall specify whether the Company has agreed to grant to the Underwriters an option to purchase additional Securities to cover over-allotments, if any, and the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Securities subject to such option (the "Option Underwritten Securities"). As used herein, the term "Underwritten Securities" shall include the Initial Underwritten Securities and all or any portion of any Option Underwritten Securities. The Terms Agreement, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, may take the form of an exchange of any standard form of written telecommunication between the Company and Merrill Lynch, acting for itself and, if applicable, as representative of any other Underwriters. Each offering of Underwritten Securities through Merrill Lynch as sole Underwriter or through an underwriting syndicate managed by Merrill Lynch will be governed by this Underwriting Agreement, as supplemented by the applicable Terms Agreement. The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") (i) a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-65118), as amended (the "First Registration Statement"), (ii) a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 33-64051) as amended (the "Second Registration Statement") and (iii) a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-34841) [and pre-effective amendment[s] no[s]. __________ thereto] which acts as a post-effective -2- 3 amendment to each of the First Registration Statement and the Second Registration Statement, and pursuant to Rule 429 includes a combined prospectus for use with the securities covered by the First Registration Statement and the Second Registration Statement (the "Third Registration Statement"), for the registration of the Securities and the Underlying Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and the offering thereof from time to time in accordance with Rule 415 of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the "1933 Act Regulations"), and the Company has filed such post-effective amendments thereto as may be required prior to the execution of the applicable Terms Agreement. Such registration statements (as so amended, if applicable) have been declared effective by the Commission and each Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "1939 Act"). The First Registration Statement, the Second Registration Statement and the Third Registration Statement (as so amended, if applicable), including the information, if any, deemed to be a part thereof pursuant to Rule 430A(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations (the "Rule 430A Information") or Rule 434(d) of the 1933 Act Regulations (the "Rule 434 Information"), are referred to herein as the "Registration Statements"; and the final prospectus and the final prospectus supplement relating to the offering of the Underwritten Securities, in the form first furnished to the Underwriters by the Company for use in connection with the offering of the Underwritten Securities, are collectively referred to herein as the "Prospectus"; provided, however, that all references to the "Registration Statements" and the "Prospectus" shall also be deemed to include all documents incorporated therein by reference pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), prior to the execution of the applicable Terms Agreement; provided, further, that if the Company files a registration statement with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations (the "Rule 462 Registration Statement"), then, after such filing, all references to "Registration Statements" shall also be deemed to include the Rule 462 Registration Statement; and provided, further, that if the Company elects to rely upon Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations, then all references to "Prospectus" shall also be deemed to include the final or preliminary prospectus and the applicable term sheet or abbreviated term sheet (the "Term Sheet"), as the case may be, in the form first furnished to the Underwriters by the Company in reliance upon Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations, and all references in this Underwriting Agreement to the date of the Prospectus shall mean the date of the Term Sheet. A "preliminary prospectus" shall be deemed to refer to any prospectus used before the registration statement became effective and any prospectus that omitted, as applicable, the Rule 430A Information, the Rule 434 Information or other information to be included upon pricing in a form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations, that was used after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of the applicable Terms Agreement. For purposes of this Underwriting Agreement, all references to the Registration Statements, Prospectus, Term Sheet or preliminary prospectus or to any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be deemed to include any copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system ("EDGAR"). All references in this Underwriting Agreement to financial statements and schedules and other information which is "contained," "included" or "stated" (or other references of like import) in the Registration Statements, Prospectus or preliminary prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial statements and schedules and other information which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statements, Prospectus or preliminary prospectus, as the case may be; and all references in this Underwriting Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration Statements, Prospectus or preliminary prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include the filing of any document under the 1934 Act which is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statements, Prospectus or preliminary prospectus, as the case may be. SECTION 1. Representations and Warranties. (a) Representations and Warranties by the Company. The Company represents and warrants to Merrill Lynch, as of the date hereof, and to each Underwriter named in the applicable Terms Agreement, as of the date thereof, as of the Closing Time (as defined below) and, if applicable, as of each Date of Delivery (as defined below) (in each case, a "Representation Date"), as follows: -3- 4 (1) Compliance with Registration Requirements. The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act. Each of the Registration Statements and any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statements or any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information has been complied with. In addition, each Indenture has been duly qualified under the 1939 Act. At the respective times each Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto (including the filing of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Commission (the "Annual Report on Form 10-K")) became effective and at each Representation Date, the Registration Statements, any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and the 1939 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1939 Act (the "1939 Act Regulations"), and did not and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading. At the date of the Prospectus, at the Closing Time and at each Date of Delivery, if any, the Prospectus and any amendments and supplements thereto did not and will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations, the Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 434. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the representations and warranties in this subsection shall not apply to any statement contained in any Registration Statement or the Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished to the Company in writing by any Underwriter through Merrill Lynch expressly for use in any Registration Statement or the Prospectus. Each preliminary prospectus and prospectus filed as part of the Registration Statements as originally filed or as part of any amendment thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act, complied when so filed in all material respects with the 1933 Act Regulations, and each preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of Underwritten Securities will, at the time of such delivery, be identical to any electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T. (2) Incorporated Documents. Since the end of its latest fiscal year, the Company has filed all documents and amendments to previously filed documents required to be filed by it pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act. The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus, when they became effective or at the time they were or hereafter are filed with the Commission, were and will be timely filed and otherwise complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (the "1934 Act Regulations") and, when read together with the other information in the Prospectus, at the date of the Prospectus, at the Closing Time and at each Date of Delivery, if any, did not and will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. Copies of each of the documents incorporated by reference in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus prior to the date of this Underwriting Agreement and any applicable Terms Agreement, together with satisfactory evidence of the filing thereof, have been made available to the Underwriters. (3) Independent Accountants; Independent Petroleum Engineers. The accountants who certified the financial statements and any supporting schedules thereto included in the Registration Statements and -4- 5 the Prospectus are independent public accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations. Ryder Scott Company, DeGolyer and MacNaughton and Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., information derived from the reports of whom is set forth or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus, were, as of the date of each respective report, and are, as of the date hereof, independent petroleum engineers with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries. (4) Financial Statements. The financial statements of the Company included in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, as well as those financial statements, schedules and notes of any other entity included therein, present fairly the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, or such other entity, as the case may be, at the dates indicated and the statement of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, or such other entity, as the case may be, for the periods specified. Such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved. The supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus present fairly in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein. The selected financial data and the summary financial information included in the Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus. In addition, any pro forma financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and the related notes thereto included in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein, have been prepared in accordance with the Commission's rules and guidelines with respect to pro forma financial statements and have been properly compiled on the bases described therein, and the assumptions used in the preparation thereof are reasonable and the adjustments used therein are appropriate to give effect to the transactions and circumstances referred to therein. (5) No Material Adverse Change in Business. Since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no material adverse change in, or any adverse development that materially affects, the condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business (a "Material Adverse Effect"), (B) there have been no transactions entered into by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, other than those arising in the ordinary course of business, which are material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise and (C) except for regular dividends on the Company's common stock or preferred stock, in amounts per share that are consistent with past practice or the applicable charter document or supplement thereto, respectively, there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its capital stock. (6) Good Standing of the Company. The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as a Texas corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas and has all corporate power and authority necessary to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under, or as contemplated under, this Underwriting Agreement and the applicable Terms Agreement. The Company is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to so qualify or be in good standing could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. (7) Good Standing of Subsidiaries. Each subsidiary of the Company that is a corporation (a "Corporate Subsidiary") has been duly incorporated and each subsidiary of the Company that is a partnership (a "Partnership Subsidiary") has been duly organized and, in each case, is validly existing in -5- 6 good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as applicable, has corporate or partnership power and authority, as applicable, to own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus. Each Corporate Subsidiary is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and each Partnership Subsidiary that is a limited partnership is duly registered, in each case, to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to so qualify or be in good standing could not reasonably be expected, individually, or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. All of the issued and outstanding capital stock of each of the Corporate Subsidiaries has been duly authorized and is validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof and, except as otherwise stated in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus, all of such stock or other equity interests, as the case may be, of each subsidiary of the Company are owned by the Company, directly or indirectly, free and clear of any security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance, claim or equity. (8) Capitalization. If the Prospectus contains a "Capitalization" section purporting to set forth the authorized, issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company, then such information with respect to such shares is as set forth in the column entitled "Actual" under such section (except for subsequent issuances thereof, if any contemplated under this Underwriting Agreement, pursuant to reservations, agreements or employee benefit plans referred to in the Prospectus or pursuant to the exercise of convertible securities or options referred to in the Prospectus). If the Prospectus contains a "Capitalization" section purporting to set forth the authorized, issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company as adjusted to give effect to the sale of Underwritten Securities and the application of the net proceeds therefrom, then such information with respect to such shares and such proceeds is as set forth in the column entitled "Adjusted" under such section. All issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly authorized and validly issued by the Company and are fully paid and non-assessable with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof, and none of such shares of capital stock was issued in violation of preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company. (9) Authorization of this Underwriting Agreement and Terms Agreement. This Underwriting Agreement has been, and the applicable Terms Agreement as of the date thereof will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as rights to indemnity and contribution hereunder and thereunder may be limited by federal or state securities laws or the public policy underlying such laws, and except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law). (10) Authorization of Common Stock. If the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement include Common Stock, such Underwritten Securities have been, or as of the date of such Terms Agreement will have been, duly authorized by the Company for issuance and sale pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement and such Terms Agreement. Such Underwritten Securities, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement and such Terms Agreement against payment of the consideration therefor specified in such Terms Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be subject to preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company. No holder of such Underwritten Securities is or will be subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder. (11) Authorization of Preferred Stock and/or Depositary Shares. If the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement include Preferred Stock and/or Depositary Shares, such Underwritten Securities have been, or as of the date of such Terms Agreement will have been, duly -6- 7 authorized by the Company for issuance and sale pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement and such Terms Agreement. The applicable Preferred Stock, when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement and such Terms Agreement against payment of the consideration therefor, or for the related Depositary Shares, as the case may be, specified in such Terms Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be subject to preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company. In addition, upon deposit by the Company of any Preferred Stock represented by Depositary Shares with the applicable Depositary and the execution and delivery by such Depositary of the Depositary Receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares, in each case pursuant to the applicable Deposit Agreement, such Depositary Shares will represent legal and valid interests in such Preferred Stock. No holder of such Preferred Stock or Depositary Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares is or will be subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder. The applicable Certificate of Designations will be in full force and effect prior to the Closing Time. (12) Authorization of Deposit Agreement. If the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement include Depositary Shares or if Debt Securities are convertible into Depositary Shares representing Preferred Stock, the applicable Deposit Agreement has been, or prior to the issuance of such Depositary Shares will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, upon such authorization, execution and delivery, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law). Each registered holder of a Depositary Receipt under the applicable Deposit Agreement will be entitled to the proportional rights, preferences and limitations of the Preferred Stock represented by the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Depositary Receipt and to such other rights as are granted to such registered holder in such Deposit Agreement. (13) Authorization of Senior Debt Securities and/or Subordinated Debt Securities. If the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement include Senior Debt Securities and/or Subordinated Debt Securities, such Underwritten Securities have been, or as of the date of such Terms Agreement will have been, duly authorized by the Company for issuance and sale pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement and such Terms Agreement. Such Underwritten Securities, when issued and authenticated in the manner provided for in the applicable Indenture and delivered against payment of the consideration therefor specified in such Terms Agreement, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law), and except further as enforcement thereof may be limited by (A) requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a foreign or composite currency judgment in respect of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law or (B) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States. Such Underwritten Securities will be in the form contemplated by, and each registered holder thereof is entitled to the benefits of, the applicable Indenture. (14) Authorization of the Indentures. If the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement include Senior Debt Securities and/or Subordinated Debt Securities or if Preferred Stock is, or Depositary Shares representing Preferred Stock are, convertible into Debt Securities, each applicable Indenture has been, or prior to the issuance of the Debt Securities thereunder will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, upon such authorization, execution and delivery, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the -7- 8 Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law). (15) Authorization of Warrants. If the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement include Warrants, such Underwritten Securities have been, or as of the date of such Terms Agreement will have been, duly authorized by the Company for issuance and sale pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement and such Terms Agreement. Such Underwritten Securities, when issued and authenticated in the manner provided for the applicable Warrant Agreement and delivered against payment of the consideration therefor specified in such Terms Agreement, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits provided by such Warrant Agreement and enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law). (16) Authorization of Warrant Agreement. If the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement include Warrants, each applicable Warrant Agreement has been, or prior to the issuance of such Underwritten Securities will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, upon such authorization, execution and delivery, will constitute a valid and legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law). (17) Authorization of Underlying Securities. If the Underlying Securities related to the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement include Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares, such Underlying Securities have been, or as of the date of such Terms Agreement will have been, duly authorized and reserved for issuance by the Company upon exercise of the Common Stock Warrants or Preferred Stock Warrants, as applicable, or upon conversion of the related Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities, as applicable. If the Underlying Securities include Common Stock or Preferred Stock, such Underlying Securities, when issued upon such exercise or conversion, as applicable, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be subject to preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company. If the Underlying Securities include Depositary Shares, such Underlying Securities, upon deposit by the Company of the Preferred Stock represented thereby with the applicable Depositary and the execution and delivery by such Depositary of the Depositary Receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares, in each case pursuant to the applicable Deposit Agreement, will represent legal and valid interests in such Preferred Stock. No holder of such Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Receipts evidencing Depository Shares is or will be subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder. If the Underlying Securities related to the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement include Senior Debt Securities and/or Subordinated Debt Securities, such Underlying Securities have been, or as of the date of such Terms Agreement will have been, duly authorized for issuance by the Company upon the exercise of the Debt Security Warrants or upon conversion of the related Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares, as applicable. Such Underlying Securities, when issued and authenticated in the manner provided for in the applicable Indenture and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Debt Security Warrants or the related Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares, as applicable, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought -8- 9 by proceedings in equity or at law), and except further as enforcement thereof may be limited by (A) requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a foreign or composite currency judgment in respect of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law or (B) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States. (18) Descriptions of the Underwritten Securities, Underlying Securities, Indentures, Deposit Agreement and Warrant Agreement. The Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement and each applicable Indenture, Deposit Agreement and Warrant Agreement, as of the date of the Prospectus, and any Underlying Securities, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the related Underwritten Securities, will conform in all material respects to the statements relating thereto contained in the Prospectus and will be in substantially the form filed or incorporated by reference, as the case may be, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. (19) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of its articles or certificate of incorporation or by-laws (or partnership agreement, in the case of Partnership Subsidiaries) or in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of them may be bound, or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject (collectively, "Agreements and Instruments"), except for such defaults or violations the effect of which could not be reasonably expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect. The execution, delivery and performance of this Underwriting Agreement, the applicable Terms Agreement and each applicable Indenture, Warrant Agreement and Deposit Agreement and any other agreement or instrument entered into or issued or to be entered into or issued by the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Underwritten Securities as described under the caption "Use of Proceeds") and compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder and thereunder, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not (except as disclosed in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus), whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time or both, conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or result in the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets, properties or operations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any Agreements and Instruments (except for such conflicts, breaches, defaults, events or liens, charges or encumbrances that would not result in a Material Adverse Effect) nor will such action result in any violation of the articles or certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any applicable law, statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any government, government instrumentality (including the Alaska Public Utilities Commission) or court, domestic or foreign, having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries (or partnership agreement, in the case of Partnership Subsidiaries) or any of their assets, properties or operations. As used herein, a "Repayment Event" means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder's behalf) the right to require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries. (20) Absence of Proceedings. Except as set forth in the Registration Statements or the Prospectus, there is no action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or to the knowledge of the Company threatened, against or affecting the Company or any of its subsidiaries which is required to be disclosed in the Registration -9- 10 Statements and the Prospectus, or which might reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or which might reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the assets, properties or operations thereof or the consummation of the transactions contemplated under this Underwriting Agreement, the applicable Terms Agreement or any applicable Indenture, Warrant Agreement or Deposit Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and thereunder. The aggregate of all pending legal or governmental proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any of their respective assets, properties or operations is the subject which are not described in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. (21) Accuracy of Exhibits. There are no contracts or documents which are required to be described in the Registration Statements, the Prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference therein or to be filed as exhibits thereto which have not been so described and filed as required. (22) Absence of Further Requirements. Except as required by the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and applicable state or foreign securities laws, except for the qualification of each applicable Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act, and except such as already have been obtained, no filing with, or authorization, approval, consent, license, order registration, qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency, domestic or foreign, is necessary or required for the execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Underwriting Agreement or the applicable Terms Agreement or in connection with the transactions contemplated under this Underwriting Agreement, such Terms Agreement or any applicable Indenture, Deposit Agreement or Warrant Agreement. (23) Possession of Licenses and Permits. The Company and each of its subsidiaries possess such permits, licenses, franchises, approvals, consents and other authorizations (collectively, "Governmental Licenses") issued by the appropriate federal, state, local or foreign regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to own, lease and operate their respective properties and to conduct the business now operated by them, except where the failure to so possess would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and each of its subsidiaries have fulfilled and performed and are in compliance with the material terms and conditions of all such Governmental Licenses, except where the failure so to comply would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. All of the Governmental Licenses are valid and in full force and effect, except where the invalidity of such Governmental Licenses or the failure of such Governmental Licenses to be in full force and effect would not result in a Material Adverse Effect, and no event has occurred which allows, or after notice or lapse of time would allow, revocation or termination thereof or results in any other material impairment of the rights of the holder of any such Government License, except where such revocation, termination or other impairment would not, singly or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect. (24) Title to Property. The Company and each of its subsidiaries owns or has valid rights to use all items of real and personal property which are material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests, claims, restrictions or encumbrances of any kind which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. All oil and gas leases to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party are in full force and effect, and no default has occurred or is continuing thereunder which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. (25) Investment Company Act; Public Utility Holding Company Act. The Company is not, and upon the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities as herein contemplated and the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the Prospectus will not be, an "investment company" within the -10- 11 meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended or a "holding company" within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, or the rules or regulations thereunder. (26) Environmental Laws. Except as otherwise stated in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state, local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or judgment which violation could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. In the ordinary course of its business, the Company conducts a periodic review of the effect of any foreign, federal, state or local law or regulation relating to the protection of human health and safety, the environment or hazardous or toxic substances or wastes, pollutants or contaminants ("Environmental Laws") on the business, operations and properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, in the course of which it identifies and evaluates associated costs and liabilities (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license or approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties). On the basis of such review, the Company has concluded that, except as set forth in the Registration Statements or in the Prospectus, such associated costs and liabilities could not reasonably be expected to, singly or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. (27) Registration Rights. There are no contracts, agreements or understandings between the Company and any person granting such person the right to require the Company to include such securities in the securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statements. (28) Compliance with Cuba Act. The Company has complied with, and is and will be in compliance with, the provisions of that certain Florida act relating to disclosure of doing business with Cuba, codified as Section 517.075 of the Florida statutes, and the rules and regulations thereunder, or is exempt therefrom. (b) Officers' Certificates. Any certificate signed by any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries on behalf of the Company or any such subsidiary and delivered to any Underwriter or to counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Underwritten Securities shall be deemed a representation and warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby on the date of such certificate. SECTION 2. Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing. (a) Underwritten Securities. The several commitments of the Underwriters to purchase the Underwritten Securities pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement shall be deemed to have been made on the basis of the representations and warranties herein contained and shall be subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth. (b) Option Underwritten Securities. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company may grant, if so provided in the applicable Terms Agreement, an option to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of the Option Underwritten Securities set forth therein at a price per Option Underwritten Security equal to the price per Initial Underwritten Security, less an amount equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and paid or payable on the Initial Underwritten Securities but not payable on the Option Underwritten Securities. Such option, if granted, will expire 30 days after the date of such Terms Agreement, and may be exercised in whole or in part at one time only for the purpose of covering over-allotments which may be made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Initial Underwritten Securities upon notice by Merrill Lynch to the Company setting forth the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Option Underwritten Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising the option and the time, date and place of payment and delivery for such Option -11- 12 Underwritten Securities. Such time and date of payment and delivery ("Date of Delivery") shall be determined by Merrill Lynch, but shall not be later than seven full business days after the exercise of said option, nor in any event prior to the Closing Time, unless otherwise agreed upon by Merrill Lynch and the Company. If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of the Option Underwritten Securities, each of the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Option Underwritten Securities then being purchased which the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Initial Underwritten Securities each such Underwriter has severally agreed to purchase as set forth in such Terms Agreement bears to the total number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Initial Underwritten Securities, subject to such adjustments as Merrill Lynch in its discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of a fractional number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Option Underwritten Securities. (c) Payment. Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, the Initial Underwritten Securities shall be made at the offices of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 2300 First City Tower, Houston, Texas 77002, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by Merrill Lynch and the Company, at 10:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on the third (fourth, if the pricing occurs after 4:30 P.M. (Eastern time) on any given day) business day after the date of the applicable Terms Agreement (unless postponed in accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof), or such other time not later than ten business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by Merrill Lynch and the Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called "Closing Time"). In addition, in the event that the Underwriters have exercised their option, if any, to purchase any or all of the Option Underwritten Securities, payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of such Option Underwritten Securities, shall be made at the above-mentioned offices of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., 2300 First City Tower, Houston, Texas 77002, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by Merrill Lynch and the Company, on the relevant Date of Delivery as specified in the notice from Merrill Lynch to the Company. Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately available funds to a bank account designated by the Company, against delivery to Merrill Lynch for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the Underwritten Securities to be purchased by them. It is understood that each Underwriter has authorized Merrill Lynch, for its account, to accept delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Underwritten Securities which it has severally agreed to purchase. Merrill Lynch, individually and not as representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Underwritten Securities to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder. (d) Denominations; Registration. The Underwritten Securities, certificates for the Underwritten Securities or Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares, as applicable, shall be in such denominations and registered in such names as Merrill Lynch may request in writing at least one full business day prior to the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be. The Underwritten Securities, certificates for the Underwritten Securities or Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares, as applicable, will be made available for examination and packaging by Merrill Lynch in The City of New York not later than 10:00 A.M. (Eastern time) on the business day prior to the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be. SECTION 3. Covenants of the Company. The Company covenants with Merrill Lynch and with each Underwriter participating in the offering of Underwritten Securities, as follows: (a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests. The Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430A of the 1933 Act Regulations and/or Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations, if and as applicable, and will notify the Representative(s) and/or counsel for the Underwriters immediately, and confirm the notice in writing, of (i) the effectiveness of any post- -12- 13 effective amendment to the Registration Statements or the filing of any supplement or amendment to the Prospectus, (ii) the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) any request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statements or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information with respect thereto, and (iv) the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any preliminary prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the Underwritten Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes. The Company will file the Prospectus with the Commission pursuant to and in accordance with subparagraph (2) (or, if applicable and if consented to by you, subparagraph (5)) of Rule 424(b) not later than the second business day following the execution and delivery of any Terms Agreement and otherwise will promptly effect the filings necessary pursuant to Rule 424 and will take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain and notify the Representative(s) (and to confirm such notification in writing if requested by the Representative(s)) promptly whether the Prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424 was received for filing by the Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file the Prospectus. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the lifting thereof as soon as possible. (b) Filing of Amendments. For as long as a Prospectus is required to be delivered with respect to an offering of Underwritten Securities hereunder, the Company will give Merrill Lynch notice of its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statements (including any filing under Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations), any Term Sheet or any amendment, supplement or revision to either the prospectus included in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective or to the Prospectus, whether pursuant to the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise (including by filing any documents that would be incorporated by reference), will furnish Merrill Lynch with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file or use any such amendment, supplement or revision to which Merrill Lynch or counsel for the Underwriters shall reasonably object in writing. (c) Delivery of Registration Statements. The Company has furnished or will deliver to Merrill Lynch and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge, [FIVE SIGNED] copies of the Registration Statements as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by reference therein and documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein) and [SIGNED] copies of all consents and certificates of experts, and, as requested, will also deliver to Merrill Lynch, without charge, a sufficient number of conformed copies of the Registration Statements as originally filed and of each amendment thereto (without exhibits) for distribution of a copy to each of the other Underwriters. Copies of the Registration Statements and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to any electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T. (d) Delivery of Prospectuses. The Company will deliver to each Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus as such Underwriter may reasonably request, and the Company hereby consents to the use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act. The Company will furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, such number of copies of the Prospectus (or, if applicable, of the Prospectus as amended or supplemented after the effective date of the Third Registration Statement) as such Underwriter may reasonably request. The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to any electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T. -13- 14 (e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws. The Company will comply with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations so as to permit the completion of the distribution of the Underwritten Securities as contemplated in this Underwriting Agreement and the applicable Terms Agreement and in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus. If at any time when the Prospectus is required by the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act to be delivered in connection with sales of the Securities, any event shall occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters or for the Company, to amend any Registration Statement in order that such Registration Statement will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, or if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of such counsel, at any such time to amend any Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with any law, the Company will notify the Representative(s) promptly (and if requested by the Representative(s), confirm such notice in writing) and will promptly prepare and file with the Commission, subject to Section 3(b), such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make such Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply with such requirements, and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters, without charge, such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request. (f) Blue Sky Qualifications. The Company will use its best efforts, in cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Underwritten Securities and any related Underlying Securities for offering and sale under the applicable securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as Merrill Lynch may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect as long as required for the distribution of such Securities; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to consent to service of process (except service of process with respect to the offering and sale of such Securities) or to qualify as a foreign corporation or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject. In each jurisdiction in which the Underwritten Securities or any related Underlying Securities have been so qualified, the Company will file such statements and reports as may be required by the laws of such jurisdiction to continue such qualification in effect as long as required for the distribution of such Securities and to advise the Underwriters promptly of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose. (g) Earnings Statement. The Company will make generally available to its securityholders an earnings statement of the Company for the purposes of, and to provide the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act covering a period of 12 months beginning after the effective date of the Third Registration Statement, as soon as is reasonably practicable after the termination of such 12-month period but not later than 90 days after such termination. (h) Reservation of Securities. If the applicable Terms Agreement specifies that any related Underlying Securities include Common Stock, Preferred Stock and/or Depositary Shares, the Company will reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive or other similar rights, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock, as applicable, for the purpose of enabling the Company to satisfy any obligations to issue such Underlying Securities upon exercise of the related Warrants, as applicable, or upon conversion of the Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities, as applicable. -14- 15 (i) Use of Proceeds. The Company will use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Underwritten Securities in the manner specified in the Prospectus under "Use of Proceeds". (j) Listing. The Company will use its best efforts to effect the listing of the Underwritten Securities and any related Underlying Securities, prior to the Closing Time, on any national securities exchange or quotation system if and as specified in the applicable Terms Agreement. (k) Restriction on Sale of Securities. Between the date of the applicable Terms Agreement and the Closing Time or such other date specified in such Terms Agreement, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of Merrill Lynch, directly or indirectly, issue, sell, offer to sell, grant any option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of, the securities specified in such Terms Agreement. (l) Reporting Requirements. The Company, during the period when the Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, will file all documents (and any amendments to previously filed documents) required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1934 Act within the time periods required by the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act Regulations. The Company also will, upon request, furnish to Merrill Lynch and each of the other Underwriters for a period of five years from the date of this Agreement (i) copies of any reports or other communications which the Company shall send to its stockholders or shall from time to time publish or publicly disseminate, (ii) copies of all annual, quarterly and current reports filed with the Commission on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, or such other similar form as may be designated by the Commission, and (iii) such other non-confidential information as the Underwriters may reasonably request regarding the Company or its subsidiaries. SECTION 4. Payment of Expenses. (a) Expenses. The Company will pay all expenses incident to the performance of its obligations under this Underwriting Agreement or the applicable Terms Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statements (including financial statements and exhibits) as originally filed and of each amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing and delivery to the Underwriters of this Underwriting Agreement, any Terms Agreement, any Agreement among Underwriters, the Indentures, any Deposit Agreement, any Warrant Agreement and such other documents as may be required in connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the Underwritten Securities or any related Underlying Securities, (iii) the preparation, issuance and delivery of the Underwritten Securities and any related Underlying Securities, any certificates for the Underwritten Securities or such Underlying Securities or Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares, as applicable, to the Underwriters, including any transfer taxes and any stamp or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Underwritten Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of the Company's counsel, accountants and other advisors or agents (including transfer agents and registrars), as well as the fees and disbursements of the Trustees, any Depositary and any Warrant Agent, and their respective counsel, (v) the qualification of the Underwritten Securities and any related Underlying Securities under state securities laws in accordance with the provisions of Section 3(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in connection with the preparation, printing and delivery of the Blue Sky Survey and any Legal Investment Survey, and any amendment thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of copies of each preliminary prospectus, any Term Sheet, and the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, (vii) the fees charged by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations for the rating of the Underwritten Securities and any related Underlying Securities, if applicable, (viii) the fees and expenses incurred with respect to the listing of the Underwritten Securities and any related Underlying Securities, if applicable, (ix) the filing fees incident to the review, if any, by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") of the terms of the sale of the Underwritten Securities and any related Underlying Securities, and (x) the fees and expenses of any Underwriter acting in the capacity of a "qualified independent underwriter" (as defined in Section 2(l) of Schedule E of the bylaws of the NASD), if applicable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as expressly provided in clause (v) above or by Section 4(b), all legal fees and disbursements of counsel to the Underwriters shall be the sole responsibility of the Underwriters. -15- 16 (b) Termination of Agreement. If the applicable Terms Agreement is terminated by Merrill Lynch in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or Section 9(b)(i) hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters. SECTION 5. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations. The obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Underwritten Securities pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement are subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 1 hereof or in certificates of any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further conditions: (a) Effectiveness of Registration Statements. The Registration Statements, including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, have become effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statements shall have been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose shall have been initiated or be pending or threatened by the Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the Underwriters. A prospectus containing information relating to the description of the Underwritten Securities and any related Underlying Securities, the specific method of distribution and similar matters shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b)(1), (2), (3), (4) or (5), as applicable (or any required post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed and declared effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A), or, if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations, a Term Sheet including the Rule 434 Information shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b)(7). (b) Opinion of Counsel for Company. At Closing Time, Merrill Lynch shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel for the Company (or other counsel acceptable to the Underwriters), in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto and to such further effect as counsel to the Underwriters may reasonably request. (c) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters. At Closing Time, Merrill Lynch shall have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (a partnership which includes professional corporations), counsel for the Underwriters (or other counsel acceptable to the Underwriters), together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, with respect to certain matters. In giving such opinion, such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the State of New York, the federal law of the United States and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, upon the opinions of counsel satisfactory to Merrill Lynch. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and its subsidiaries and certificates of public officials. (d) Officers' Certificate. At Closing Time, there shall not have been, since the date of the applicable Terms Agreement or since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse change, or any adverse development that materially affects the condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and Merrill Lynch shall have received a certificate of the President or a Vice President of the Company and of the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Company, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and warranties in Section 1 are true and correct with the same force and effect as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Time, -16- 17 (iii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Time, and (iv) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of any of the Registration Statements has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been initiated or threatened by the Commission. (e) Accountant's Comfort Letter. At the time of the execution of the applicable Terms Agreement, Merrill Lynch shall have received from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP (or such other accountants reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters) a letter dated such date, in form and substance satisfactory to Merrill Lynch, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, containing statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants' "comfort letters" to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and certain financial information contained in the Registration Statements and the Prospectus. (f) Bring-down Comfort Letter. At Closing Time, Merrill Lynch shall have received from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP (or such other accountants reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters) a letter, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section 5, except that the specified date referred to shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Time. (g) Ratings. At Closing Time and at any relevant Date of Delivery, the Underwritten Securities shall have the ratings accorded by any "nationally recognized statistical rating organization", as defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) of the 1933 Act Regulations, if and as specified in the applicable Terms Agreement, and the Company shall have delivered to Merrill Lynch a letter, dated as of such date, from each such rating organization, or other evidence satisfactory to Merrill Lynch, confirming that the Underwritten Securities have such ratings. Since the time of execution of such Terms Agreement, there shall not have occurred a downgrading in the rating assigned to the Underwritten Securities, if applicable, or any of the Company's other securities by any such rating organization, and no such rating organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review its rating of the Underwritten Securities or any of the Company's other securities. (h) Approval of Listing. At Closing Time, the Underwritten Securities shall have been approved for listing, subject only to official notice of issuance, if and as specified in the applicable Terms Agreement. (i) No Objection. If the Registration Statement or an offering of Underwritten Securities has been filed with the NASD for review, the NASD shall not have raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of the underwriting terms and arrangements. (j) Lock-up Agreements. On the date of the applicable Terms Agreement, Merrill Lynch shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to it, each lock-up agreement, if any, specified in such Terms Agreement as being required to be delivered by the persons listed therein. (k) Over-Allotment Option. In the event that the Underwriters are granted an over-allotment option by the Company in the applicable Terms Agreement and the Underwriters exercise their option to purchase all or any portion of the Option Underwritten Securities, the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein and the statements in any certificates furnished by the Company or any of its subsidiaries hereunder shall be true and correct as of each Date of Delivery, and, at the relevant Date of Delivery, Merrill Lynch shall have received: -17- 18 (1) A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of the President or a Vice President of the Company and the chief financial officer or chief accounting officer of the Company, confirming that the certificate delivered at the Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(d) hereof remains true and correct as of such Date of Delivery. (2) The favorable opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P., counsel for the Company (or other counsel acceptable to the Underwriters), in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Underwritten Securities and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(b) hereof. (3) The favorable opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (a partnership which includes professional corporations), counsel for the Underwriters (or other counsel acceptable to the Underwriters), dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option Underwritten Securities and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(c) hereof. (4) A letter from KPMG Peat Marwick LLP (or such other accountants reasonably acceptable to the Underwriters), in form and substance satisfactory to Merrill Lynch and dated such Date of Delivery, substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to Merrill Lynch pursuant to Section 5(f) hereof, except that the "specified date" on the letter furnished pursuant to this paragraph shall be a date not more than three business days prior to such Date of Delivery. (l) Additional Documents. At Closing Time and at each Date of Delivery, counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities as herein contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained; and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities as herein contemplated shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to Merrill Lynch and counsel for the Underwriters. (m) Termination of Terms Agreement. If any condition specified in this Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled, the applicable Terms Agreement (or, with respect to the Underwriters' exercise of any applicable over-allotment option for the purchase of Option Underwritten Securities on a Date of Delivery after the Closing Time, the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Option Underwritten Securities on such Date of Delivery) may be terminated by Merrill Lynch by notice to the Company at any time at or prior to the Closing Time (or such Date of Delivery, as applicable), and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 and except that Sections 6, 7 and 8 shall survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect. SECTION 6. Indemnification. (a) Indemnification of Underwriters. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act as follows: (1) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statements (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434 Information deemed to be a part thereof, if applicable, or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact included in any preliminary prospectus -18- 19 or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (2) against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or of any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section 6(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the Company; and (3) against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by Merrill Lynch), reasonably incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above; provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter through Merrill Lynch expressly for use in the Registration Statements (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434 Information deemed to be a part thereof, if applicable, or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto). The foregoing indemnity with respect to any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement contained in or omission or alleged omission from a preliminary prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or any person controlling such Underwriter) from whom the person asserting any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense purchased any of the Underwritten Securities which are the subject thereof if the Company sustains the burden of proving that (i) such person was not sent or given a copy of the Prospectus (or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented), excluding documents incorporated by reference therein, at or prior to the written confirmation of sale of such Underwritten Securities to such person and (ii) the untrue statement contained in or omission from such preliminary prospectus was corrected in the Prospectus (or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented) and the Company had previously furnished copies thereof to such Underwriter. (b) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers. Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each of its officers who signed the Registration Statements, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions, or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statements (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434 Information deemed to be a part thereof, if applicable, or any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through Merrill Lynch expressly for use in the Registration Statements (or any amendment thereto) or such preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto). (c) Actions against Parties; Notification. Each indemnified party shall give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity agreement. In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by Merrill -19- 20 Lynch, and, in the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b) above, counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company. An indemnifying party may participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided, however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party. In no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own counsel for all indemnified parties in connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances. No indemnifying party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section 7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation, investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party. (d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse. If at any time an indemnified party shall have requested an indemnifying party to reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such indemnifying party of the aforesaid request, (ii) such indemnifying party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30 days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying party shall not have (A) to the extent it considers such request to be reasonable, reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such request, and (B) to the extent it does not consider such request to be reasonable, provided written notice to the indemnified party to that effect explaining the reasons therefor, in each case prior to the date of such settlement. SECTION 7. Contribution. If the indemnification provided for in Section 6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the Underwritten Securities pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and of the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the Underwritten Securities pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement shall be deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from the offering of such Underwritten Securities (before deducting expenses) received by the Company and the total underwriting discount received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, or, if Rule 434 is used, the corresponding location on the Term Sheet bear to the aggregate initial public offering price of such Underwritten Securities as set forth on such cover. The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or by -20- 21 the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7. The aggregate amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Underwritten Securities underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company. The Underwriters' respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in proportion to the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Initial Underwritten Securities set forth opposite their respective names in the applicable Terms Agreement, and not joint. SECTION 8. Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery. All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Underwriting Agreement or the applicable Terms Agreement or in certificates of officers of the Company submitted pursuant hereto or thereto shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or controlling person, or by or on behalf of the Company, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Underwritten Securities. SECTION 9. Termination. (a) Underwriting Agreement. This Underwriting Agreement (excluding the applicable Terms Agreement) may be terminated for any reason at any time by the Company or by Merrill Lynch upon the giving of written notice of such termination to the other party hereto. (b) Terms Agreement. Merrill Lynch may terminate the applicable Terms Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to the Closing Time or any relevant Date of Delivery, if, since the time of execution of such Terms Agreement, (i) there has been, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse change in, or any adverse development that materially affects, the condition, financial or otherwise, or the earnings, business affairs or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii) there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the United States or, if the Underwritten Securities or any related Underlying Securities include Debt Securities denominated or payable in, or indexed to, one or more foreign or -21- 22 composite currencies, in the international financial markets, or any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of Merrill Lynch, impracticable to market the Underwritten Securities or to enforce contracts for the sale of the Underwritten Securities, or (iii) trading in any securities of the Company has been suspended or limited by the Commission or the New York Stock Exchange, or if trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange or the American Stock Exchange or in the Nasdaq National Market has been suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by either of said exchanges or by order of the Commission, the NASD or any other governmental authority, or (iv) a banking moratorium has been declared by either Federal or New York authorities or, if the Underwritten Securities or any related Underlying Securities include Debt Securities denominated or payable in, or indexed to, one or more foreign or composite currencies, by the relevant authorities in the related foreign country or countries. (c) Liabilities. If this Underwriting Agreement or the applicable Terms Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 9, such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section 4 hereof, and provided further that Sections 6, 7 and 8 shall survive such termination and remain in full force and effect. SECTION 10. Default by One or More of the Underwriters. If one or more of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, to purchase the Underwritten Securities which it or they are obligated to purchase under the applicable Terms Agreement (the "Defaulted Securities"), then Merrill Lynch shall have the right, within 24 hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all, of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the terms herein set forth; if, however, Merrill Lynch shall not have completed such arrangements within such 24-hour period, then: (a) if the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Underwritten Securities to be purchased on such date pursuant to such Terms Agreement, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting obligations under such Terms Agreement bear to the underwriting obligations of all non-defaulting Underwriters, or (b) if the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Underwritten Securities to be purchased on such date pursuant to such Terms Agreement, such Terms Agreement (or, with respect to the Underwriters' exercise of any applicable over-allotment option for the purchase of Option Underwritten Securities on a Date of Delivery after the Closing Time, the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase, and the Company to sell, such Option Underwritten Securities on such Date of Delivery) shall terminate without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter. No action taken pursuant to this Section 10 shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter from liability in respect of its default. In the event of any such default which does not result in (i) a termination of the applicable Terms Agreement or (ii) in the case of a Date of Delivery after the Closing Time, a termination of the obligations of the Underwriters and the Company with respect to the related Option Underwritten Securities, as the case may be, either Merrill Lynch or the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements. -22- 23 SECTION 11. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication. Notices to the Underwriters shall be directed to Merrill Lynch at 1221 McKinney, Suite 2700, Houston, Texas 77010, attention of Alan J. Blackburn, Director, and notices to the Company shall be directed to it at 1001 Fannin, Suite 1700, Houston, Texas 77002-6714, attention of William L. Transier, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. SECTION 12. Parties. This Underwriting Agreement and the applicable Terms Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company, Merrill Lynch and, upon execution of such Terms Agreement, any other Underwriters and their respective successors. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Underwriting Agreement or such Terms Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters and the Company and their respective successors and the controlling persons and officers and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Underwriting Agreement or such Terms Agreement or any provision herein or therein contained. This Underwriting Agreement and such Terms Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof and thereof are intended to be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no other person, firm or corporation. No purchaser of Underwritten Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such purchase. SECTION 13. GOVERNING LAW AND TIME. THIS UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT AND ANY APPLICABLE TERMS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK CITY TIME. SECTION 14. Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof. SECTION 15. Counterparts. This Underwriting Agreement and any Terms Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. -23- 24 If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon this Underwriting Agreement, along with all counterparts, will become a binding agreement between Merrill Lynch and the Company in accordance with its terms. Very truly yours, SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION By: -------------------------------- Name: Title: CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED, as of the date first above written: MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED By: ----------------------------- Authorized Signatory -24- 25 Exhibit A SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION (a Texas corporation) [Type(s) of Underwritten Securities] TERMS AGREEMENT [Date] To: Seagull Energy Corporation 1001 Fannin, Suite 1700 Houston, Texas 77002-6714 Attn: [ ] Ladies and Gentlemen: We understand that Seagull Energy Corporation, a Texas corporation (the "Company"), proposes to issue and sell [ shares of its common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the "Common Stock")] [ shares of its preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Preferred Stock")] [in the form of depositary shares (the "Depositary Shares") each representing of a share of Preferred Stock] [$ aggregate principal amount of its [unsecured senior] [unsecured senior subordinated] debt securities (the "Debt Securities")] [ warrants (the "Common Stock Warrants") to purchase common stock, par value $0.10 per share] [ warrants (the "Preferred Stock Warrants") to purchase preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share [ warrants (the "Depositary Shares Warrants" to purchase Depositary Shares] [ warrants (the "Debt Security Warrants") to purchase $ aggregate principal amount of [unsecured senior] [senior subordinated] debt securities] ([such securities also being hereinafter referred to as] the "[Initial] Underwritten Securities"). Subject to the terms and conditions set forth or incorporated by reference herein, we [the underwriters named below (the "Underwriters")] offer to purchase [, severally and not jointly,] the [[number] [principal] [amount] of] Underwritten Securities [opposite their names set forth below] at the purchase price set forth below [, and a proportionate share of Option Underwritten Securities set forth below, to the extent any are purchased]. [Number] [Principal Amount] Underwriter of [Initial] Underwritten Securities ________________ Total [$] =========== A-1 26 The Underwritten Securities shall have the following terms: [Common Stock] Title: Number of shares: Number of Option Underwritten Securities: Initial public offering price per share: $ Purchase price per share: $ Listing requirements: Black-out provisions: Lock-up provisions: Other terms and conditions: Closing date and location: [Preferred Stock] Title: Rank: Ratings: Number of shares: Number of Option Underwritten Securities: Dividend rate (or formula) per share: $ Dividend payment dates: Stated value: $ Liquidation preference per share: $ Redemption provisions: Sinking fund requirements: Conversion provisions: Listing requirements: Black-out provisions: Lock-up provisions: Initial public offering price per share: $___ plus accumulated dividends, if any, from _____ Purchase price per share: $___ plus accumulated dividends, if any, from _____ Other terms and conditions: Closing date and location: [Depositary Shares] Title: Fractional amount of Preferred Stock represented by each Depositary Share: Ratings: Rank: Number of shares: Number of Option Underwritten Securities: Dividend rate (or formula) per share: Dividend payment dates: Liquidation preference per share: Redemption provisions: A-2 27 Sinking fund requirements: Conversion provisions: Listing requirements: Black-out provisions: Lock-up provisions: Initial public offering price per share: $____ plus accumulated dividends, if any, from ___ Purchase price per share: $____ plus accumulated dividends, if any, from ___ Other terms and conditions: Closing date and location: [Debt Securities] Title: Rank: Ratings: Aggregate principal amount: Denominations: Currency of payment: Interest rate or formula: Interest payment dates: Regular record dates: Stated maturity date: Redemption provisions: Sinking fund requirements: Conversion provisions: Listing requirements: Black-out provisions: Fixed or Variable Price Offering: [Fixed] [Variable] Price Offering If Fixed Price Offering, initial public offering price per share: % of the principal amount, plus accrued interest [amortized original issue discount], if any, from _________________. Purchase price per share: ___% of principal amount, plus accrued interest [amortized original issue discount], if any, from _________________. Form: Other terms and conditions: Closing date and location: [Common Stock] [Preferred Stock] [Depositary Share] [Debt Security] Warrants Title: Type: Number: Warrant Agent: Issuable jointly with [Common Stock] [Preferred Stock] [Depositary Share] [Debt Securities]: [Yes] [No] Number of [Common Stock] [Preferred Stock] [Depositary Share] [Debt Security] Warrants issued with each [share of Common Stock] [share of Preferred Stock] [Depositary Share] [$__________ principal amount of Debt Securities]: Date(s) from which or period(s) during which [Common Stock] [Preferred Stock] [Depositary Share] [Debt Security] Warrants are exercisable: Date(s) on which [Common Stock] [Preferred Stock] [Depositary Share] [Debt Security] Warrants expire: Exercise price(s): Initial public offering price: $ A-3 28 Purchase price: $ Title of Underlying Securities: [Number of shares] [Principal amount] purchasable upon exercise of one [Common Stock] [Preferred Stock] [Depositary Share] [Debt Security] Warrant: Terms of Underlying Securities: Other terms and conditions: Closing date and location: All of the provisions contained in the document attached as Annex I hereto entitled "Seagull Energy Corporation-- Common Stock, Warrants to Purchase Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Warrants to Purchase Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Warrants to Purchase Depositary Shares, Debt Securities and Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities-- Underwriting Agreement" are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein and shall be deemed to be a part of this Terms Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein. Terms defined in such document are used herein as therein defined. Please accept this offer no later than ____ o'clock P.M. (New York City time) on ______________ by signing a copy of this Terms Agreement in the space set forth below and returning the signed copy to us. Very truly yours, MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED By: ------------------------------- Authorized Signatory [Acting on behalf of itself and the other named Underwriters.] Accepted: SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION By: ------------------------- Name: Title: A-4 EX-4.2 3 FORM OF SENIOR INDENTURE - BONY 1 EXHIBIT 4.2 ================================================================================ SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK ______________ Senior Indenture Dated as of September 1, 1997 ================================================================================ 2 CROSS REFERENCE SHEET* _________________ Provisions of Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Indenture to be dated as of September 1, 1997 between SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION and The Bank of New York, Trustee:
Section of the Act Section of Indenture - ------------------ -------------------- 310(a)(1), (2) and (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.9 310(a)(3) and (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 310(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.8 and 6.10(a), (b) and (d) 310(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 311(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.13(a) and (c) 311(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.13(b) and (c) 311(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 312(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1 and 4.2(a) 312(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2(a) and (b)(i) and (ii) 312(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2(c) 313(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4(a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) 313(a)(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 313(b)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 313(b)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4(b) 313(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4(c) 313(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4(d) 314(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.3 314(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 314(c)(1) and (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.5 314(c)(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 314(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 314(e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.5 314(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 315(a), (c) and (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.1 315(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.8 315(e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.9 316(a)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.7 316(a)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not required 316(a) (last sentence) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.4 316(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.4 317(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.2 317(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.5(a) 318(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.7
__________ __________________________________ *This Cross Reference Sheet is not part of the Indenture. 3 ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS Affiliate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Authenticating Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Bankruptcy Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Board Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Business Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Consolidated Net Tangible Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Corporate Trust Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Depositary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ENSTAR Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Event of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Global Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Holder of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Securityholder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Issuer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Issuer Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Officers' Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Opinion of Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 original issue date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 original issue discount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Original Issue Discount Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Periodic Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Place of Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 principal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 principal amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Principal Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 record date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Responsible Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Restricted Subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sale and Leaseback Transaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Secured Debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Trust Indenture Act of 1939 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Unrestricted Subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 U.S. Government Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 vice president . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Yield to Maturity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
i 4 ARTICLE TWO SECURITIES SECTION 2.1 Forms Generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 SECTION 2.2 Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 SECTION 2.3 Amount Unlimited, Issuable in Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 SECTION 2.4 Authentication and Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 SECTION 2.5 Execution of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SECTION 2.6 Certificate of Authentication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SECTION 2.7 Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SECTION 2.8 Registration Transfer and Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 SECTION 2.9 Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 SECTION 2.10 Cancellation of Securities; Disposition Thereof. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 2.11 Temporary Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 2.12 CUSIP Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 ARTICLE THREE COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER SECTION 3.1 Payment of Principal and Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 3.2 Offices for Notices and Payments, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 3.3 No Interest Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 3.4 Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee's Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 3.5 Provision as to Paying Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 3.6 Restriction on Creation of Secured Debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 SECTION 3.7 Restriction on Sale and Leaseback Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 ARTICLE FOUR SECURITYHOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Issuer to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Securityholders . . . . . . . . . 17 SECTION 4.2 Preservation and Disclosure of Securityholders Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 SECTION 4.3 Reports by the Issuer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 SECTION 4.4 Reports by the Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITY HOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT SECTION 5.1 Events of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 SECTION 5.2 Payment of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 SECTION 5.3 Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 SECTION 5.4 Proceedings by Securityholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 SECTION 5.5 Proceedings by Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 SECTION 5.6 Remedies Cumulative and Continuing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 SECTION 5.7 Direction of Proceedings; Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 SECTION 5.8 Notice of Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 5.9 Undertaking to Pay Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
ii 5 ARTICLE SIX CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE SECTION 6.1 Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 6.2 Certain Rights of the Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 SECTION 6.3 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Disposition of Securities or Application of Proceeds Thereof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 SECTION 6.4 Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 SECTION 6.5 Moneys Held by Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 SECTION 6.6 Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 SECTION 6.7 Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers' Certificate, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 SECTION 6.8 Qualification of Trustee; Conflicting Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 SECTION 6.9 Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SECTION 6.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SECTION 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 6.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 ARTICLE SEVEN CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS SECTION 7.1 Evidence of Action Taken by Securityholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 SECTION 7.2 Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 SECTION 7.3 Holders to be Treated as Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 SECTION 7.4 Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 7.5 Right of Revocation of Action Taken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 7.6 Record Date for Consents and Waivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 ARTICLE EIGHT SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES SECTION 8.1 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 8.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 8.3 Effect of Supplemental Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 8.4 Documents to Be Given to Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 8.5 Notation on Securities in Respect of Supplemental Indentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 ARTICLE NINE CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE, EXCHANGE OR DISPOSITION SECTION 9.1 Issuer May Consolidate, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 SECTION 9.2 Securities to be Secured in Certain Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 SECTION 9.3 Successor Corporation to be Substituted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 SECTION 9.4 Opinion of Counsel to be Given Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
iii 6 ARTICLE TEN SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS SECTION 10.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 SECTION 10.2 Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 SECTION 10.3 Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 SECTION 10.4 Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 SECTION 10.5 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 ARTICLE ELEVEN MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS SECTION 11.1 Partners, Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt from Individual Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 SECTION 11.2 Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Holders of Securities . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 11.3 Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 11.4 Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Holders of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 11.5 Officers' Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to Be Contained Therein . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 11.6 Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 SECTION 11.7 Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act of 1939 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 SECTION 11.8 GOVERNING LAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 SECTION 11.9 Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 SECTION 11.10 Effect of Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 ARTICLE TWELVE REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUNDS SECTION 12.1 Applicability of Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 SECTION 12.2 Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 SECTION 12.3 Payment of Securities Called for Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 SECTION 12.4 Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SECTION 12.5 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
iv 7 THIS SENIOR INDENTURE, dated as of September 1, 1997 between SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (the "Issuer"), and The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the "Trustee"), W I T N E S S E T H: WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the issuance from time to time of its unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the "Securities") up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide, among other things, for the authentication, delivery and administration of the Securities; and WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms have been undertaken and completed; NOW, THEREFORE: In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities by the Holders (as hereinafter defined) thereof, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Securities as follows: ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.1 For all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto the following terms shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.1 (except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires). All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, including terms defined therein by reference to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of this Indenture (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires). All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the term "generally accepted accounting principles" means such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation. The words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The expressions "date of this Indenture", "date hereof", "date as of which this Indenture is dated" and "date of execution and delivery of this Indenture" and other expressions of similar import refer to the effective date of the original execution and delivery of this Indenture, viz. September 1, 1997. The terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular. "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. "Authenticating Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.14. 8 "Bankruptcy Code" means the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 United States Code Sections 101 et seq., or any successor statute thereto. "Board of Directors" means either the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any committee of such Board duly authorized to act on its behalf. "Board Resolution" means one or more resolutions, certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer to have been duly adopted or consented to by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect. "Business Day" means, with respect to any Security, a day that (a) in the Place of Payment (or in any of the Places of Payment, if more than one) in which amounts are payable, as specified in the form of such Security, and (b) in the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located, is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close. "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or, if at any time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, then the body performing such duties on such date. "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the aggregate amount of assets included on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items and after deducting therefrom (a) all current liabilities and (b) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, all in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office is, at the date as of which this Indenture is dated, located in New York, New York. "Depositary" means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.3 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Depositary" shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and, if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Depositary" as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Global Securities of such series. "ENSTAR Alaska" means (i) the division of the Issuer known on the date of this Indenture as ENSTAR Natural Gas Company, which owns on the date of this Indenture the gas distribution system in south-central Alaska, and (ii) Alaska Pipeline Company, an Alaska corporation and a Subsidiary of the Issuer, in each case together with successors and assigns. "Event of Default" means any event or condition specified as such in Section 5.1. "Global Security" means a Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Securities issued to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section 2.3 and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 2.4. "Holder", "Holder of Securities", "Securityholder" or other similar terms mean, in the case of any Security, the person in whose name such Security is registered in the security register kept by the Issuer for that purpose in accordance with the terms hereof. "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed and delivered or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented or both, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplement, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 that are deemed to be a part of and govern this 2 9 instrument and any such supplement, respectively, and shall include the forms and terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder. The term "interest" means, when used with respect to non-interest bearing Securities (including, without limitation, any Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after maturity or upon default in any other payment due on such Security), interest payable after maturity (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or redemption or otherwise) or after the date, if any, on which the Issuer becomes obligated to acquire a Security, whether upon conversion, by purchase or otherwise. "Issuer" means (except as otherwise provided in Section 6.8) Seagull Energy Corporation, a Texas corporation, and, subject to Article Nine, its successors and assigns. "Issuer Order" means a written statement, request or order of the Issuer which is signed in its name by the chairman of the Board of Directors, the president or any vice president of the Issuer. "Officers' Certificate", when used with respect to the Issuer, means a certificate signed by the chairman of the Board of Directors, the president, or any vice president and by the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the controller, any assistant controller, the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Issuer. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 11.5 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section 11.5. One of the officers signing an Officers' Certificate given pursuant to Section 4.3 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Issuer. "Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion in writing signed by the chief counsel of the Issuer or by such other legal counsel who may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer and who shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 11.5, if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section 11.5. The term "original issue date" of any Security (or portion thereof) means the earlier of (a) the date of such Security or (b) the date of any Security (or portion thereof) for which such Security was issued (directly or indirectly) on registration of transfer, exchange or substitution. The term "original issue discount" of any debt security, including any Original Issue Discount Security, means the difference between the principal amount of such debt security and the initial issue price of such debt security (as set forth in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security on the face of such Security). "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1. "Outstanding" (except as otherwise provided in Section 6.8), when used with reference to Securities, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, mean, as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except: (a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; (b) Securities (other than Securities of any series as to which the provisions of Article Ten hereof shall not be applicable), or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys or U.S. Government Obligations (as provided for in Section 10.1) in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Issuer) or shall have been set aside, segregated and held in trust by the Issuer for the Holders of such Securities (if the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent), provided that, if such Securities, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as herein provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and 3 10 (c) Securities which shall have been paid or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.9 (except with respect to any such Security as to which proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that such Security is held by a person in whose hands such Security is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer). In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the portion of the principal amount thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination (as certified by the Issuer to the Trustee) upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1. "Periodic Offering" means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the stated maturity or maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Issuer or its agents upon the issuance of such Securities. "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, estate, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof. "Place of Payment", when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of such series are payable as determined in accordance with Section 2.3. The term "principal" of a debt security, including any Security, means the amount (including, without limitation, if and to the extent applicable, any premium and, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, any accrued original issue discount, but excluding interest) that is payable with respect to such debt security as of any date and for any purpose (including, without limitation, in connection with any sinking fund, upon any redemption at the option of the Issuer, upon any purchase or exchange at the option of the Issuer or the holder of such debt security and upon any acceleration of the maturity of such debt security). The term "principal amount" of a debt security, including any Security, means the principal amount as set forth on the face of such debt security. "Principal Property" means any real property, manufacturing plant, processing plant, pipeline, office building, warehouse or other physical facility, or any other like depreciable or depletable asset of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary whether owned at September 1, 1997 or thereafter acquired (other than any facility thereafter acquired for the control or abatement of atmospheric pollutants or contaminants or water, noise, odor or other pollution) which in the opinion of the Board of Directors is of material importance to the total business conducted by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as a whole; provided, however, that any such property shall not be deemed a Principal Property if such property does not have a fair value in excess of 3% of the total assets included on a consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. The term "record date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7. "Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters. "Restricted Subsidiary" means (a) any Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary, and (b) any Subsidiary which was an Unrestricted Subsidiary but which, subsequent to the date hereof, is designated by the Issuer (by certified resolution of the Board of Directors delivered to the Trustee) to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Issuer may not designate any such Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if the Issuer would thereby breach any covenant or agreement herein contained (on the assumptions that any outstanding indebtedness of 4 11 such Subsidiary was incurred at the time of such designation and that any Sale and Leaseback Transaction to which such Subsidiary is then a party was entered into at the time of such designation). "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.7. "Secured Debt" means indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary and any other indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary on which interest is paid or payable (other than indebtedness owed by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer, by a Restricted Subsidiary to another Restricted Subsidiary or by the Issuer to a Restricted Subsidiary), that in any such case is secured by (a) a mortgage or other lien on any Principal Property of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, or (b) a pledge, lien or other security interest on any shares of stock or indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary, or (c) in the case of any such indebtedness of the Issuer, a guaranty by any Restricted Subsidiary. The amount of Secured Debt at any time outstanding shall be the amount then owing thereon by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary. "Security" or "Securities" (except as otherwise provided in Section 6.8) has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture or, as the case may be, Securities that have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture. "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which the Issuer, or the Issuer and one or more Subsidiaries, or any one or more Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly own voting securities entitling any one or more of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries to elect a majority of the directors, either at all times or, so long as there is no default or contingency which permits the holders of any other class or classes of securities to vote for the election of one or more directors. "Trust Indenture Act of 1939" (except as otherwise provided in Sections 8.1 and 8.2) means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture is originally executed. "Trustee" means the Person identified as "Trustee" in the first paragraph hereof and, subject to the provisions of Article Six, shall also include any successor trustee. "Trustee" shall also mean or include each Person who is then a trustee hereunder and, if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (a) any Subsidiary acquired or organized after the date hereof, provided, however, that such Subsidiary shall not be a successor, directly or indirectly, to any Restricted Subsidiary, and (b) any Subsidiary whose principal business and assets are located outside the United States of America, its territories and possessions and Canada or are located in Puerto Rico, and (c) any Subsidiary the principal business of which consists of financing or assisting in financing the acquisition or disposition of products of the Issuer or a Subsidiary by dealers, distributors or other customers, and (d) any Subsidiary the principal business of which is owning, leasing, dealing in or developing real property, and (e) any Subsidiary substantially all the assets of which consist of stock or other securities of a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the character described in clauses (a) through (d) of this paragraph, unless and until such Subsidiary shall have been designated to be a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of "Restricted Subsidiary". "U.S. Government Obligations" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1(B). The term "vice president," when used with respect to the Issuer or the Trustee, means any vice president, regardless of whether designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title "vice president." "Yield to Maturity" means the yield to maturity on a series of Securities, calculated at the time of issuance of such series, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series, and calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice or as otherwise provided in the terms of such series of Securities. 5 12 ARTICLE TWO SECURITIES SECTION 2.1 Forms Generally. The Securities of each series shall be substantially in such form (not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions (as set forth in a Board Resolution or, to the extent established pursuant to rather than set forth in a Board Resolution, an Officers' Certificate detailing such establishment) or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends or endorsements, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or with any rules of any securities exchange or to conform to general usage, all as may be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. SECTION 2.2 Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee's certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be substantially as follows: This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within mentioned Indenture. The Bank of New York, as Trustee By --------------------------- Authorized Signatory If at any time there shall be an Authenticating Agent appointed with respect to any series of Securities, then the Securities of such series shall bear, in addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternate Certificate of Authentication which shall be substantially as follows: This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within mentioned Indenture. The Bank of New York, as Trustee By --------------------------- as Authenticating Agent By --------------------------- Authorized Signatory SECTION 2.3 Amount Unlimited, Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series and the Securities of each such series shall rank equally and pari passu with the Securities of each other series and with all other unsecured and unsubordinated debt of the Issuer. There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions (and, to the extent established pursuant to rather than set forth in a Board Resolution, in an Officers' Certificate detailing such establishment) or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series: 6 13 (1) the designation of the Securities of the series, which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from the Securities of all other series; (2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.8, 2.9, 2.11, 8.5 or 12.3); (3) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable; (4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, on which any such interest shall be payable and on which a record shall be taken for the determination of Holders to whom any such interest is payable or the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates shall be determined or both; (5) the place or places where and the manner in which the principal of and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable (if other than as provided in Section 3.2) and the office or agency for the Securities of the series maintained by the Issuer pursuant to Section 3.2; (6) the right, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series, in whole or in part, at its option and the period or periods within which, the price or prices (or the method by which such price or prices shall be determined or both) at which, the form or method of payment therefor if other than in cash and any terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which (if different from the provisions of Article Twelve) Securities of the series may be so redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise; (7) the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series in whole or in part pursuant to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which the price or prices (or the method by which such price or prices shall be determined or both) at which, the form or method of payment therefor if other than in cash and any terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which (if different from the provisions of Article Twelve) Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; (8) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable; (9) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof; (10) whether Securities of the series will be issuable as Global Securities; (11) if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions; (12) any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to the Securities of such series; (13) any deleted, modified or additional events of default, remedies or covenants with respect to the Securities of such series; (14) whether the provisions of Section 10.1(C) will be applicable to Securities of such series; 7 14 (15) any provision relating to the issuance of Securities of such series at an original issue discount (including, without limitation, the issue price thereof, the rate or rates at which such original issue discount shall accrue, if any, and the date or dates from or to which or period or periods during which such original issue discount shall accrue at such rate or rates); (16) if the amounts of payments of principal of and interest on the Securities of such series are to be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined; and (17) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture). All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution or Officers' Certificate referred to above or as set forth in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to such Board Resolution, such Officers' Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. Any such Board Resolution or Officers' Certificate referred to above with respect to Securities of any series filed with the Trustee on or before the initial issuance of the Securities of such series shall be incorporated herein by reference with respect to Securities of such series and shall thereafter be deemed to be a part of the Indenture for all purposes relating to Securities of such series as fully as if such Board Resolution or Officers' Certificate were set forth herein in full. SECTION 2.4 Authentication and Delivery of Securities. The Issuer may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication together with the applicable documents referred to below in this Section 2.4, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities to, or upon the order of, the Issuer (contained in the Issuer Order referred to below in this Section 2.4) or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee and to such recipients as may be specified from time to time by an Issuer Order. The maturity date, original issue date, interest rate, if any, and any other terms of the Securities of such series shall be determined by or pursuant to such Issuer Order and procedures. If provided for in such procedures and agreed to by the Trustee, such Issuer Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral instructions from the Issuer or its duly authorized agent, which instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing. In authenticating the Securities of such series and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (in the case of subparagraphs (2), (3) and (4) below only at or before the time of the first request of the Issuer to the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series) and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, unless and until such documents have been superseded or revoked: (1) an Issuer Order requesting such authentication and setting forth delivery instructions if the Securities of such series are not to be delivered to the Issuer, provided that, with respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, (a) such Issuer Order may be delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee prior to the delivery to the Trustee of such Securities for authentication and delivery, (b) the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities of such series for original issue from time to time, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the aggregate principal amount established for such series, pursuant to an Issuer Order or pursuant to procedures acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by an Issuer Order, (c) the maturity date or dates, original issue date or dates, interest rate or rates, if any, and any other terms of Securities of such series shall be determined by an Issuer Order or pursuant to such procedures, (d) if provided for in such procedures, such Issuer Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Issuer or its duly authorized agent or agents, which oral instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing and (e) after the original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued, any separate request by the Issuer that the Trustee authenticate Securities of such series for original issuance will be deemed to be a certification by the Issuer that it is in compliance with all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of such Securities; 8 15 (2) the Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or executed supplemental indenture referred to in Sections 2.1 and 2.3 by or pursuant to which the forms and terms of the Securities of such series were established; (3) an Officers' Certificate setting forth the form or forms and terms of the Securities stating that the form or forms and terms of the Securities have been established pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.3 and comply with this Indenture and covering such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request; and (4) at the option of the Issuer, either an Opinion of Counsel, or a letter from legal counsel addressed to the Trustee permitting it to rely on an Opinion of Counsel, substantially to the effect that: (a) the form or forms of the Securities of such series have been duly authorized and established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; (b) in the case of an underwritten offering, the terms of the Securities of such series have been duly authorized and established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture, and, in the case of an offering that is not underwritten, certain terms of the Securities of such series have been established pursuant to a Board Resolution, an Officers' Certificate or a supplemental indenture in accordance with this Indenture, and when such other terms as are to be established pursuant to procedures set forth in an Issuer Order shall have been established, all such terms will have been duly authorized by the Issuer and will have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; (c) when the Securities of such series have been executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and delivered to and duly paid for by the purchasers thereof, they will have been duly issued under this Indenture and will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, and will be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture; and (d) the execution and delivery by the Issuer of, and the performance by the Issuer of its obligations under, the Securities of such series will not contravene any provision of applicable law or the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Issuer or any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is material to the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, or, to such counsel's knowledge after the inquiry indicated therein, any judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or any court having jurisdiction over the Issuer or any Subsidiary, and no consent, approval or authorization of any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Issuer of its obligations under the Securities, except such as are specified and have been obtained and such as may be required by the securities or blue sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities. In rendering such opinions, such counsel may qualify any opinions as to enforceability by stating that such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). Such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the State of Texas and the federal law of the United States, upon opinions of other counsel (copies of which shall be delivered to the Trustee), who shall be counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, in which case the opinion shall state that such counsel believes that both such counsel and the Trustee are entitled so to rely. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, such counsel has relied, to the extent such counsel deems proper, upon certificates of officers of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries and certificates of public officials. The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of any series under this Section 2.4 if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken by the Issuer or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or board of trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors or trustees or Responsible Officers shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee 9 16 to personal liability to existing Holders or would adversely affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities, this Indenture or otherwise. If the Issuer shall establish pursuant to Section 2.3 that the Securities of a series are to be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.4 and the Issuer Order with respect to such series, authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Securities of such series to be issued in the form of Global Securities and not yet canceled, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary's instructions, and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: "Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, this Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to the nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary." Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 2.3 must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any other applicable statute or regulation. SECTION 2.5 Execution of Securities. The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Issuer by the chairman of the Board of Directors, the president, any vice president or the treasurer of the Issuer, under its corporate seal which may, but need not, be attested by its secretary or one of its assistant secretaries. Such signatures may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such officers. The seal of the Issuer may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities. Typographical and other minor errors or defects in any such reproduction of the seal or any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee. In case any officer of the Issuer who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such officer before the Security so signed shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or disposed of by the Issuer, such Security nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Security had not ceased to be such officer of the Issuer; and any Security may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Security, shall be the proper officers of the Issuer, although at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer. SECTION 2.6 Certificate of Authentication. Only such Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, or its Authenticating Agent, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. The execution of such certificate by the Trustee or its Authenticating Agent upon any Security executed by the Issuer shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by an agent appointed pursuant to Section 6.14. SECTION 2.7 Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest. The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form in denominations established as contemplated by Section 2.3 or, with respect to the Securities of any series, if not so established, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The Securities of each series shall be numbered, lettered or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the officers of the Issuer executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee, as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Securities of each series shall bear interest, if any, from the date, and such interest, if any, shall be payable on the dates, established as contemplated by Section 2.3. 10 17 The Person in whose name any Security of any series is registered at the close of business on any record date applicable to a particular series with respect to any interest payment date for such series shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Security subsequent to the record date and prior to such interest payment date, except if and to the extent the Issuer shall default in the payment of the interest due on such interest payment date for such series, in which case such defaulted interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names Outstanding Securities for such series are registered (a) at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted interest) established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Issuer to the Holders of Securities not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date or (b) as determined by such other procedure as is mutually acceptable to the Issuer and the Trustee. The term "record date" as used with respect to any interest payment date (except a date for payment of defaulted interest) for the Securities of any series shall mean the date specified as such in the terms of the Securities of such series established as contemplated by Section 2.3, or, if no such date is so established, if such interest payment date is the first day of a calendar month, the fifteenth day of the next preceding calendar month or, if such interest payment date is the fifteenth day of a calendar month, the first day of such calendar month, whether or not such record date is a Business Day. SECTION 2.8 Registration Transfer and Exchange. The Issuer will keep at each office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.2 for each series of Securities a register or registers in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it will provide for the registration of Securities of each series and the registration of transfer of Securities of such series. Each such register shall be in written form in the English language or in any other form capable of being converted into such form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times such register or registers shall be open for inspection and available for copying by the Trustee. Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at any such office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.2, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series, maturity date, interest rate, if any, and original issue date in authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount. All Securities presented for registration of transfer shall (if so required by the Issuer or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing. At the option of the Holder thereof, Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a Security or Securities of such series having authorized denominations and an equal aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Securities to be exchanged at the agency of the Issuer that shall be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section 3.2. All Securities surrendered upon any exchange or transfer provided for in this Indenture shall be promptly canceled and returned to the Issuer. The Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer of Securities. No service charge shall be made for any such transaction or for any exchange of Securities of any series as contemplated by the immediately preceding paragraph. The Issuer shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Securities of any series for a period of 15 days next preceding the first mailing or publication of notice of redemption of Securities of such series to be redeemed, (b) any Securities selected, called or being called for redemption, in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not so to be redeemed or (c) any Security if the Holder thereof has exercised his right, if any, to require the Issuer to repurchase such Security in whole or in part, except the portion of such Security not required to be repurchased. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.8, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, a Global Security representing all or a part of the Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary. 11 18 If at any time the Depositary for any Securities of a series represented by one or more Global Securities notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Securities shall no longer be eligible under Section 2.4, the Issuer shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Securities is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days after the Issuer receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Issuer's election pursuant to Section 2.3 that such Securities be represented by one or more Global Securities shall no longer be effective and the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver Securities of such series in definitive registered form, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities. The Issuer may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by a Global Security or Securities. In such event the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, shall authenticate and deliver, Securities of such series in definitive registered form, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such Securities, in exchange for such Global Security or Securities. If specified by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.3 with respect to Securities represented by a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities of the same series in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuer and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, (i) to the Person specified by such Depositary, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person's beneficial interest in the Global Security; and (ii) to such Depositary a new Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to clause (i) above. Upon the exchange of a Global Security for Securities in definitive registered form in authorized denominations, such Global Security shall be canceled by the Trustee or an agent of the Issuer or the Trustee. Securities in definitive registered form issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or an agent of the Trustee or the Issuer or an agent of the Issuer. The Trustee or such agent shall deliver at its office such Securities to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered. All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange. SECTION 2.9 Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated, defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer in its discretion may execute, and upon the written request of any officer of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver a new Security of the same series, maturity date, interest rate, if any, and original issue date, bearing a number or other distinguishing symbol not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated or defaced Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substitute Security shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by the Trustee or the Issuer to indemnify and defend and to save each of the Trustee and the Issuer harmless and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof and in the case of mutilation or defacement, shall surrender the Security to the Trustee or such agent. 12 19 Upon the issuance of any substitute Security, the Issuer may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee or its agent) connected therewith. In case any Security which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer may instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated or defaced Security), if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as any of them may require to hold each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer and the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee evidence to the Trustee's satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof. Every substitute Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section by virtue of the fact that any such Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations of rights set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender. SECTION 2.10 Cancellation of Securities; Disposition Thereof. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange, or for credit against any payment in respect of a sinking or analogous fund, if surrendered to the Issuer or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee or any agent of the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee or its agent for cancellation or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be canceled by it; and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee or its agent shall return canceled Securities to the Issuer. If the Issuer or its agent shall acquire any of the Securities, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee or its agent for cancellation. SECTION 2.11 Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities for any series, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Securities for such series (printed, lithographed, typewritten or otherwise reproduced, in each case in form satisfactory to the Trustee). Temporary Securities of any series shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Securities of such series but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuer with the concurrence of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof. Temporary Securities may contain such references to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Security shall be executed by the Issuer and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities. Without unreasonable delay the Issuer shall execute and shall furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor without charge at each office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer for that purpose pursuant to Section 3.2 and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities of such series an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series having authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series, unless otherwise established pursuant to Section 2.3. SECTION 2.12 CUSIP Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee of any change in the "CUSIP" numbers. 13 20 ARTICLE THREE COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER SECTION 3.1 Payment of Principal and Interest. The Issuer covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of and interest, if any, on each of the Securities at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided in the Securities. SECTION 3.2 Offices for Notices and Payments, etc. So long as any of the Securities are Outstanding, the Issuer will maintain in each Place of Payment, an office or agency where the Securities may be presented for payment, an office or agency where the Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided, and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities or of this Indenture may be served. In case the Issuer shall at any time fail to maintain any such office or agency, or shall fail to give notice to the Trustee of any change in the location thereof, presentation may be made and notice and demand may be served in respect of the Securities or of this Indenture at the Corporate Trust Office. The Issuer hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office for each such purpose and appoints the Trustee as registrar and paying agent and as the agent upon whom notices and demands may be served with respect to the Securities. SECTION 3.3 No Interest Extension. In order to prevent any accumulation of claims for interest after maturity thereof, the Issuer will not directly or indirectly extend or consent to the extension of the time for the payment of any claim for interest on any of the Securities and will not directly or indirectly be a party to or approve any such arrangement by the purchase or funding of said claims or in any other manner; provided, however, that this Section 3.3 shall not apply in any case where an extension shall be made pursuant to a plan proposed by the Issuer to the Holders of all Securities of any series then Outstanding. SECTION 3.4 Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee's Office. The Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of the Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder. SECTION 3.5 Provision as to Paying Agent. (a) If the Issuer shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.5, (1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities and the Trustee; and (2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities when the same shall be due and payable; and (3) that it will, at any time during the continuance of any such failure, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent. (b) If the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest, if any, so becoming due and will notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor under the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities when the same shall become due and payable. (c) Anything in this Section 3.5 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by it, or any paying agent hereunder, as required by this Section 3.5, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained. 14 21 (d) Anything in this Section 3.5 to the contrary notwithstanding, any agreement of the Trustee or any paying agent to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 3.5 is subject to Sections 10.3 and 10.4. (e) Whenever the Issuer shall have one or more paying agents, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Securities, deposit with a paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal or interest, if any, so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal or interest, if any, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. SECTION 3.6 Restriction on Creation of Secured Debt. So long as any of the Securities are outstanding, the Issuer shall not at any time create, incur, assume or guarantee, and shall not cause, suffer or permit a Restricted Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or guarantee, any Secured Debt without making effective provision (and the Issuer covenants that in such case it will make or cause to be made such effective provision) whereby the Securities then Outstanding and any other indebtedness of or guaranteed by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary then entitled thereto, subject to applicable priorities of payment, shall be secured by such mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance equally and ratably with any and all other obligations and indebtedness thereby secured, so long as any such other obligations and indebtedness shall be so secured; provided, that if any such mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance securing such indebtedness ceases to exist, such equal and ratable security for the benefit of the Holders of Securities shall automatically cease to exist without any further action; provided further that if such indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the Securities, the mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance securing such indebtedness shall be subordinate and junior to the mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance securing the Securities with the same relative priority as such indebtedness shall have with respect to the Securities; provided further, that the foregoing covenants shall not be applicable to the following: (a)(i) Any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance on any property hereafter acquired (including acquisition through merger or consolidation) or constructed by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary and created contemporaneously with, or within twelve months after, such acquisition or the completion of construction to secure or provide for the payment of all or any part of the purchase price of such property or the cost of construction thereof, as the case may be; or (ii) any mortgage on property (including any unimproved portion of partially improved property) of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary created within twelve months of completion of construction of a new plant or plants on such property to secure all or part of the cost of such construction if, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, such property or such portion thereof was prior to such construction substantially unimproved for the use intended by the Issuer; or (iii) the acquisition of property subject to any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance upon such property existing at the time of acquisition thereof, whether or not assumed by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary; or (iv) any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance existing on the property or on the outstanding shares or indebtedness of a corporation or other entity at the time such corporation or other entity shall become a Restricted Subsidiary; or (v) any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance on property of a corporation or other entity existing at the time such corporation or other entity is merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of a corporation or other entity as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary; or (b) Mortgages on property of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in favor of the United States of America or any State thereof or any foreign government, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of any thereof, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of construction of the property subject to such mortgages; or (c) Any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance existing on property owned by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries on the date of this Indenture; or (d) Any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance created pursuant to the creation of trusts or other arrangements funded solely with cash, cash equivalents or other marketable investments or securities of the type customarily subject to such arrangements in customary financial practice with respect to long-term or 15 22 medium-term indebtedness for money borrowed, the sole purpose of which is to make provision for the retirement or defeasance, without prepayment of indebtedness; or (e) Any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance on the assets or properties of ENSTAR Alaska; or (f) Any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance securing (i) all or part of the cost of exploring, producing, gathering, processing, marketing, drilling or developing any properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or securing indebtedness incurred to provide funds therefor, or (ii) indebtedness incurred to finance all or part of the cost of acquiring, constructing, altering, improving or repairing any such property or assets, or securing indebtedness incurred to provide funds therefor; or (g) Any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part of any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance referred to in the foregoing subparagraphs (a) through (f); provided, however, that the principal amount of Secured Debt secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount outstanding at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement, and that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to the property which secured the mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance so extended, renewed or replaced and additions to such property. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.6, the Issuer and any one or more Restricted Subsidiaries may create, incur, assume or guarantee Secured Debt which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions in an aggregate amount that, without duplication, together with all other Secured Debt of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions (not including Secured Debt permitted to be secured under subparagraphs (a) through (g) above) and the aggregate value of the Sale and Leaseback Transactions (as defined in Section 3.7) in existence at such time (not including Sale and Leaseback Transactions the proceeds of which have been or will be applied in accordance with clause (b) of Section 3.7) does not at the time exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (excluding ENSTAR Alaska). Solely for purposes of subparagraphs (a) through (g) above, the term "mortgage" shall include any arrangements in connection with a production payment or similar financing arrangement. SECTION 3.7 Restriction on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, sell or transfer (except to the Issuer or to one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, or both) any Principal Property owned by it and which has been in full operation for more than 120 days prior to such sale or transfer with the intention (i) of taking back a lease on such property (other than a lease for a period not exceeding 36 months) and (ii) that the use by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary of such property will be discontinued on or before the expiration of the term of such lease (any such transaction being herein referred to as a "Sale and Leaseback Transaction"), unless (a) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.6, to incur Secured Debt equal in amount to the amount realized or to be realized upon such sale or transfer secured by a mortgage on the property to be leased without equally and ratably securing the Securities, or (b) the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall apply an amount equal to the value of the property so leased to the retirement (other than any mandatory retirement), within 120 days of the effective date of any such arrangement, of indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than such indebtedness owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) which was recorded as funded debt as of the date of its creation and which, in the case of such indebtedness of the Issuer, is not subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment of the Securities; provided, however, that the amount to be so applied to the retirement of such indebtedness shall be reduced by (i) the aggregate principal amount of any Securities delivered within 120 days of the effective date of any such arrangement to the Trustee for retirement and cancellation, and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of such indebtedness (other than the Securities) retired by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary within 120 days of the effective date of any such arrangement. The term "value" shall mean, with respect to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, as of any particular time, the amount equal to the greater of (i) the net proceeds of the sale of the property leased pursuant to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, or (ii) the fair value of such property at the time of entering into such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, as determined by the Board of Directors, in either case divided first by the number of full years of the 16 23 term of the lease and then multiplied by the number of full years of such term remaining at the time of determination, without regard to any renewal or extension options contained in the lease. ARTICLE FOUR SECURITYHOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Issuer to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Securityholders. The Issuer and any other obligor on the Securities covenant and agree that they will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Securities of each series: (a) semiannually and not more than 15 days after each March 1 and September 1, and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Issuer of any such request, provided that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the registrar for such series, such list shall not be required to be furnished. SECTION 4.2 Preservation and Disclosure of Securityholders Lists. (a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of each series of Securities (i) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1, and (ii) received by it in the capacity of registrar or paying agent for such series, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished. (b) In case three or more Holders of Securities (hereinafter referred to as "applicants") apply in writing to the Trustee and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders of Securities of a particular series (in which case the applicants must all hold Securities of such series) or with Holders of all Securities with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under such Securities and such application is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either (i) afford to such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, or (ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders of Securities of such series or of all Securities, as the case may be, whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application. If the Trustee shall elect not to afford to such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Securityholder of such series or all Holders of Securities, as the case may be, whose name and address appears in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2 a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to 17 24 the best interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or of all Securities, as the case may be, or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met, and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application. (c) Each and every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Issuer and the Trustee that neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 4.2, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under such subsection (b). SECTION 4.3 Reports by the Issuer. The Issuer covenants: (a) to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Issuer is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Issuer may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; or, if the Issuer is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in respect of a debt security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations; (b) to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Issuer with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; (c) if there are any Original Issue Discount Securities Outstanding, to file with the Trustee promptly after the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on such Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time; (d) to transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 4.4(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Issuer pursuant to subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 4.3 as may be required to be transmitted to such Holders by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission; and (e) furnish to the Trustee, not less than annually, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his knowledge of the Issuer's compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this subsection (e), such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates). 18 25 SECTION 4.4 Reports by the Trustee. (a) Within 60 days after January 1 of each year commencing with the year 1998, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities, as provided in subsection (c) of this Section, a brief report dated as of such January 1 with respect to any of the following events which may have occurred within the last 12 months (but if no such event has occurred within such period, no report need be transmitted): (i) any change to its eligibility under Section 6.9 and its qualification under Section 6.8; (ii) the creation of, or any material change to, a relationship specified in paragraph (i) through (x) of Section 6.8 (c); (iii) the character and amount of any advances (and if the Trustee elects so to state, the circumstances surrounding the making thereof) made by the Trustee (as such) which remain unpaid on the date of such report and for the reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge, prior to that of the Securities of any series, on any property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee, except that the Trustee shall not be required (but may elect) to report such advances if such advances so remaining unpaid aggregate not more than 1/2 of 1% of the principal amount of all Securities Outstanding on the date of such report; (iv) the amount, interest rate, if any, and maturity date of all other indebtedness owing by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to the Trustee in its individual capacity on the date of such report, with a brief description of any property held as collateral security therefor, except any indebtedness based upon a creditor relationship arising in any manner described in Section 6.13(b) (2), (3), (4) or (6); (v) any change to the property and funds, if any, physically in the possession of the Trustee (as such) on the date of such report; (vi) any additional issue of Securities which the Trustee has not previously reported; and (vii) any action taken by the Trustee in the performance of its duties under this Indenture which it has not previously reported and which in its opinion materially affects the Securities, except action in respect of a default, notice of which has been or is to be withheld by it in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.8. (b) The Trustee shall transmit to the Securityholders of each series, as provided in subsection (c) of this Section 4.4, a brief report with respect to the character and amount of any advances (and if the Trustee elects so to state, the circumstances surrounding the making thereof) made by the Trustee, as such, since the date of the last report transmitted pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.4 (or if no such report has yet been so transmitted, since the date of this Indenture) for the reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge prior to that of the Securities of such series on property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee and which it has not previously reported pursuant to this subsection (b), except that the Trustee shall not be required (but may elect) to report such advances if such advances remaining unpaid at any time aggregate 10% or less of the principal amount of all Securities Outstanding at such time, such report to be transmitted within 90 days after such time. (c) Reports pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted by mail: (i) to all Holders of Securities, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear upon the registry books of the Issuer; and (ii) to all other Persons to whom such reports are required to be transmitted pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. (d) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Securityholders, be furnished to the Issuer and be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which the Securities of any applicable series are listed and also with the Commission. The Issuer agrees to promptly notify the Trustee with respect to any series when and as the Securities of such series become admitted to trading on any national securities exchange or any delisting from trading thereon. 19 26 ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITY HOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT SECTION 5.1 Events of Default. "Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one or more of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default), unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series of Securities or in the form of Security, for such series: (a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or (b) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise; or (c) default in the payment or satisfaction of any sinking fund or other purchase obligation with respect to Securities of such series, as and when such obligation shall become due and payable as in this Indenture expressed; or (d) failure on the part of the Issuer duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Issuer in the Securities of such series or in this Indenture continued for a period of 60 days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been given to the Issuer by the Trustee by certified or registered mail, or to the Issuer and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding; or (e) without the consent of the Issuer a court having jurisdiction shall enter an order for relief with respect to the Issuer under the Bankruptcy Code or without the consent of the Issuer a court having jurisdiction shall enter a judgment, order or decree adjudging the Issuer a bankrupt or insolvent, or enter an order for relief for reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Issuer under the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state insolvency law and the continuance of any such judgment, order or decree is unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or (f) the Issuer shall institute proceedings for entry of an order for relief with respect to the Issuer under the Bankruptcy Code or for an adjudication of insolvency, or shall consent to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or shall file a petition seeking, or seek or consent to reorganization, arrangement, composition or relief under the Bankruptcy Code or any applicable state law, or shall consent to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, custodian, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Issuer or of substantially all of its property, or the Issuer shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors as recognized under the Bankruptcy Code; or (g) any other Event of Default provided with respect to the Securities of such series. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series then Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all of the Securities of such series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the principal (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all the Securities of such series and the interest, if any, accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture or in the Securities of such series. This provision, however, is subject to the condition that, if at any time after the 20 27 unpaid principal amount (or such specified amount) of the Securities of such series shall have been so declared due and payable and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Issuer shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest, if any, upon all of the Securities of such series and the principal of any and all Securities of such series which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest on overdue installments of interest, if any, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law and on such principal at the rate borne by the Securities of such series to the date of such payment or deposit) and the reasonable compensation, disbursements, expenses and advances of the Trustee, and any and all defaults under this Indenture, other than the nonpayment of such portion of the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, on Securities of such series which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured or shall have been waived in accordance with Section 5.7 or provision deemed by the Trustee to be adequate shall have been made therefor, then and in every such case the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, by written notice to the Issuer and to the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences; but no such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon. If any Event of Default with respect to the Issuer specified in Section 5.1(e) or 5.1(f) occurs, all unpaid principal amount (or, if the Securities of any series then Outstanding are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of each such series) and accrued interest on all Securities of each series then Outstanding shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act by the Trustee or any Securityholder. If the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Issuer, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken. Except with respect to an Event of Default pursuant to Section 5.1 (a), (b) or (c), the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Event of Default unless written notice thereof shall have been given to a Responsible Officer by the Issuer, a paying agent or any Securityholder. SECTION 5.2 Payment of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor. The Issuer covenants that (a) if default shall be made in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of any series then Outstanding as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of 30 days, or (b) if default shall be made in the payment of the principal of any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall have become due and payable, whether at maturity of the Securities of such series or upon redemption or by declaration or otherwise, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities, the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all such Securities of such series for principal or interest, if any, or both, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon the overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate borne by the Securities of such series; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including a reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and any expenses or liabilities incurred by the Trustee hereunder other than through its negligence or bad faith. If the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities of such series and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities of such series, wherever situated, the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable. If there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities of any series then Outstanding under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or if a receiver or trustee or similar official shall have been appointed for the property of the Issuer or such other obligor, or in the case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other 21 28 obligor upon the Securities of such series, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of such series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.2, shall be entitled and empowered by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities of such series, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities of such series, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of its charges and expenses, and any receiver, assignee or trustee or similar official in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, if the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for compensation and expenses, including counsel fees and expenses incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation, expenses and counsel fees and expenses out of the estate in any such proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, moneys, securities and other property which the Holders of the Securities of such series may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Securities, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities of the series in respect of which such judgment has been recovered. SECTION 5.3 Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.2 with respect to Securities of any series then Outstanding shall be applied in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys, upon presentation of the several Securities of such series, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid: FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses of collection and reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and of all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6 except as a result of its negligence or bad faith; SECOND: If the principal of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of interest, if any, on the Securities of such series, in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, if any, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate borne by the Securities of such series, such payment to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto; THIRD: If the principal of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Securities of such series for principal and interest, if any, with interest on the overdue principal and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate borne by the Securities of such series; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and interest, if any, without preference or priority of principal over interest or of interest over principal, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security over any other Security, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and accrued and unpaid interest; and FOURTH: To the payment of any surplus then remaining to the Issuer, its successors or assigns, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same. 22 29 No claim for interest which in any manner at or after maturity shall have been transferred or pledged separate or apart from the Securities to which it relates, or which in any manner shall have been kept alive after maturity by an extension (otherwise than pursuant to an extension made pursuant to a plan proposed by the Issuer to the Holders of all Securities of any series then Outstanding), purchase, funding or otherwise by or on behalf or with the consent or approval of the Issuer shall be entitled, in case of a default hereunder, to any benefit of this Indenture, except after prior payment in full of the principal of all Securities of any series then Outstanding and of all claims for interest not so transferred, pledged, kept alive, extended, purchased or funded. SECTION 5.4 Proceedings by Securityholders. No Holder of any Securities of any series then Outstanding shall have any right by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, and unless the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding, it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Security of such series with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture or of the Securities to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder of such Securities of such series, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference as to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture or the Securities, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders of Securities of such series. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, however, the right of any Holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder. SECTION 5.5 Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default hereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceedings in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law. SECTION 5.6 Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. All powers and remedies given by this Article Five to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Securityholders, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Securityholder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 5.4, every power and remedy given by this Article Five or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders. SECTION 5.7 Direction of Proceedings; Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series then Outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series; provided, however, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.1) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee shall determine upon advice of counsel that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors, its executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers or both shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in 23 30 personal liability. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series then Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except a default in the payment of interest, if any, on, or the principal of, the Securities of such series. Upon any such waiver the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 5.7, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Securities and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing. SECTION 5.8 Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default, with respect to Securities of any series then Outstanding, mail to all Holders of Securities of such series, as the names and the addresses of such Holders appear upon the Securities register, notice of all defaults known to the Trustee with respect to such series, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term "defaults" for the purpose of this Section 5.8 being hereby defined to be the events specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of Section 5.1, not including periods of grace, if any, provided for therein and irrespective of the giving of the written notice specified in said clause (d) but in the case of any default of the character specified in said clause (d) no such notice to Securityholders shall be given until at least 60 days after the giving of written notice thereof to the Issuer pursuant to said clause (d), as the case may be); provided, however, that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any of the Securities, or in the payment or satisfaction of any sinking fund or other purchase obligation, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers or both of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the best interests of the Securityholders. SECTION 5.9 Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the cost of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorney's fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.9 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of any series then Outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholders for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security against the Issuer on or after the due date expressed in such Security. ARTICLE SIX CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE SECTION 6.1 Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default. With respect to the Holders of any series of Securities issued hereunder, the Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a particular series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred with respect to such series, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (which has not been cured or waived) the Trustee shall exercise with respect to such series of Securities such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own wilful misconduct, except that (a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred: 24 31 (i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and (ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any statements, certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such statements, certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein); (b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and (c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders pursuant to Section 5.7 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture. None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such liability is not reasonably assured to it. SECTION 6.2 Certain Rights of the Trustee. Subject to Section 6.1: (a) the Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, Officers' Certificate or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties; (b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate or Issuer Order (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer; (c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice of such counsel promptly confirmed in writing shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel; (d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 5.1), unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred therein or thereby; (e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion, rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; (f) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, appraisal, 25 32 bond, debenture, note, coupon, security, or other paper or document unless requested in writing so to do by the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected then Outstanding; provided that, if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding; the reasonable expenses of every such investigation shall be paid by the Issuer or, if paid by the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee, shall be repaid by the Issuer upon demand; (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys not regularly in its employ and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder; and (h) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default of Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture. SECTION 6.3 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Disposition of Securities or Application of Proceeds Thereof. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture, of the Securities or of any prospectus used to sell the Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of any of the Securities or of the proceeds thereof. SECTION 6.4 Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, etc. The Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent and, subject to Sections 6.8 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Issuer and receive, collect, hold and retain collections from the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent. SECTION 6.5 Moneys Held by Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 10.4 hereof, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law. Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be under any liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder. SECTION 6.6 Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim. The Issuer covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as shall be agreed to in writing between the Issuer and the Trustee (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) and the Issuer covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by or on behalf of it in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all agents and other persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith. The Issuer also covenants to indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee), incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or the trusts hereunder and its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against or investigating any claim or liability in the premises. The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 6.6 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the resignation or removal of the Trustee. Such additional indebtedness shall be a senior claim to that of the Securities upon all property and 26 33 funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities, and the Securities are hereby subordinated to such senior claim. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1 or in connection with Article Five hereof, the expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the service in connection therewith are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law. SECTION 6.7 Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers' Certificate, etc. Subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, whenever in the administration of the trusts of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof. SECTION 6.8 Qualification of Trustee; Conflicting Interests. (a) If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest (as defined in subsection (c)), then within 90 days after ascertaining that it has such conflicting interest, and if the default (as defined in subsection (c)) to which such conflicting interest relates has not been cured or duly waived or otherwise eliminated before the end of such 90-day period, the Trustee shall either eliminate such conflicting interest or, except as otherwise provided below, resign, and the Issuer shall take prompt steps to have a successor appointed in the manner provided in Section 6.10. (b) If the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of subsection (a), the Trustee shall, within 10 days after the expiration of such 90-day period, transmit notice of such failure to the Securityholders in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 4.4 and, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, unless the Trustee's duty to resign is stayed as provided below, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee, and the appointment of a successor, if the Trustee fails, after written request thereof by such Securityholder, to comply with the provisions of subsection (a). Except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment, the Trustee shall not be required to resign as provided by this Section 6.8 if the Trustee shall have sustained the burden of proving, on application to the Commission and after opportunity for hearing thereon, that (i) the default under the Indenture may be cured or waived during a reasonable period and under the procedures described in such application, and (ii) a stay of the Trustee's duty to resign will not be inconsistent with the interests of Holders of the Securities. The filing of such an application shall automatically stay the performance of the duty to resign until the Commission orders otherwise. Any resignation of the Trustee shall become effective only upon the appointment of a successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.10 and such successor's acceptance of such an appointment. (c) For the purposes of this Section 6.8, the Trustee shall be deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to Securities of any series if the Securities of such series are in default (as determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.1, but exclusive of any period of grace or requirement of notice) and (i) the Trustee is trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Outstanding securities of any other series or is a trustee under another indenture under which any other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in any other securities, of the Issuer are outstanding, unless such other indenture is a collateral trust indenture under which the only collateral consists of Securities issued under this Indenture; provided that there shall be excluded from the operation of this paragraph (i), this Indenture with respect to 27 34 the Securities of any other series and there shall also be so excluded any other indenture or indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in other securities, of the Issuer are outstanding if (x) this Indenture is and, if applicable, this Indenture and any series issued pursuant to this Indenture and such other indenture or indentures are wholly unsecured and rank equally and such other indenture or indentures are hereafter qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, unless the Commission shall have found and declared by order pursuant to Section 305(b) or Section 307(c) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 that differences exist between the provisions of this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series and one or more other series, or the provisions of this Indenture and the provisions of such other indenture or indentures which are so likely to involve a material conflict of interest as to make it necessary in the public interest or for the protection of investors to disqualify the Trustee from acting as such under this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series and such other series, or under this Indenture or such other indenture or indentures, or (y) the Issuer shall have sustained the burden of proving, on application to the Commission and after opportunity for hearing thereon, that trusteeship under this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series and such other series, or under this Indenture and such other indenture or indentures is not so likely to involve a material conflict of interest as to make it necessary in the public interest or for the protection of investors to disqualify the Trustee from acting as such under this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series and such other series, or under this Indenture and such other indentures; (ii) the Trustee or any of its directors or executive officers is an underwriter for the Issuer; (iii) the Trustee directly or indirectly controls or is directly or indirectly controlled by or is under direct or indirect common control with an underwriter for the Issuer; (iv) the Trustee or any of its directors or executive officers is a director, officer, partner, employee, appointee, or representative of the Issuer, or of an underwriter (other than the Trustee itself) for the Issuer who is currently engaged in the business of underwriting, except that (x) one individual may be a director or an executive officer, or both, of the Trustee and a director or an executive officer, or both, of the Issuer, but may not be at the same time an executive officer of both the Trustee and the Issuer; (y) if and so long as the number of directors of the Trustee in office is more than nine, one additional individual may be a director or an executive officer, or both, of the Trustee and a director of the Issuer; and (z) the Trustee may be designated by the Issuer or by any underwriter for the Issuer to act in the capacity of transfer agent, registrar, custodian, paying agent, fiscal agent, escrow agent, or depositary, or in any other similar capacity, or, subject to the provisions of subsection (c) (i) of this Section, to act as trustee, whether under an indenture or otherwise; (v) 10% or more of the voting securities of the Trustee is beneficially owned either by the Issuer or by any director, partner or executive officer thereof, or 20% or more of such voting securities is beneficially owned, collectively, by any two or more of such persons; or 10% or more of the voting securities of the Trustee is beneficially owned either by an underwriter for the Issuer or by any director, partner, or executive officer thereof, or is beneficially owned, collectively, by any two or more such persons; (vi) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral security for an obligation which is in default, (x) 5% or more of the voting securities or 10% or more of any other class of security of the Issuer, not including the Securities issued under this Indenture and securities issued under any other indenture under which the Trustee is also trustee, or (y) 10% or more of any class of security of an underwriter for the Issuer; (vii) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral security for an obligation which is in default, 5% or more of the voting securities of any person who, to the knowledge of the Trustee, owns 10% or more of the voting securities of, or controls directly or indirectly or is under direct or indirect common control with, the Issuer; (viii) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral security for an obligation which is in default, 10% or more of any class security of any person who, to the knowledge of the Trustee, owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the Issuer; 28 35 (ix) the Trustee owns on the date of default (as determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.1, but exclusive of any period of grace or requirement of notice) or on any anniversary of such default while such default remains outstanding, in the capacity of executor, administrator, testamentary or inter vivos trustee, guardian, committee or conservator, or in any other similar capacity, an aggregate of 25% or more of the voting securities, or of any class of security, of any Person, the beneficial ownership of a specified percentage of which would have constituted a conflicting interest under paragraphs (vi), (vii) or (viii) of this subsection. As to any such securities of which the Trustee acquired ownership through becoming executor, administrator, or testamentary trustee of an estate which included them, the provisions of the preceding sentence shall not apply, for a period of two years from the date of such acquisition, to the extent that such securities included in such estate do not exceed 25% of such voting securities or 25% of any such class of security. Promptly after the dates of any such default and annually in each succeeding year that the Securities remain in default, the Trustee shall make a check of its holdings of such securities in any of the above-mentioned capacities as of such dates. If the Issuer fails to make payment in full of principal of or interest on any of the Securities when and as the same becomes due and payable, and such failure continues for 30 days thereafter, the Trustee shall make a prompt check of its holdings of such Securities in any of the above-mentioned capacities as of the date of the expiration of such 30-day period, and after such date, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, all such Securities so held by the Trustee, with sole or joint control over such Securities vested in it, shall, but only so long as such failure shall continue, be considered as though beneficially owned by the Trustee for the purposes of paragraphs (vi), (vii) and (viii) of this subsection; or (x) except under the circumstances described in paragraphs (1), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of Section 6.13(b), the Trustee shall be or shall become a creditor of the Issuer. For purposes of subsection (c) (i), the term "series of securities" or "series" means a series, class or group of securities issuable under an indenture pursuant to the terms of which holders of one such series may vote to direct the Trustee, or otherwise take action pursuant to a vote of such holders, separately from holders of another such series; provided that "series of securities" or "series" shall not include any series of securities issuable under an indenture if all such series rank equally and are wholly unsecured. The specification of percentages in subsections (c) (v) to (ix) inclusive of this Section 6.8 shall not be construed as indicating that the ownership of such percentages of the securities of a person is or is not necessary or sufficient to constitute direct or indirect control for the purposes of subsections (c) (iii) or (vii) of this Section. For the purposes of subsections (c) (vi), (vii), (viii) and (ix), of this Section 6.8, only, (A) the terms "security" and "securities" shall include only such securities as are generally known as corporate securities, but shall not include any note or other evidence of indebtedness issued to evidence an obligation to repay moneys lent to a person by one or more banks, trust companies, or banking firms, or any certificate of interest or participation in any such note or evidence of indebtedness; (B) an obligation shall be deemed to be in default when a default in payment of principal shall have continued for 30 days or more and shall not have been cured; and (C) the Trustee shall not be deemed to be the owner or holder of (x) any security which it holds as collateral security, as trustee or otherwise, for an obligation which is not in default as defined in clause (B) above, or (y) any security which it holds as collateral security under this Indenture, irrespective of any default hereunder, or (z) any security which it holds as agent for collection, or as custodian, escrow agent, or depositary, or in any similar representative capacity. Except as provided above, the word "security" or "securities" as used in this Section 6.8 shall mean any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, investment contract, voting trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas or other mineral rights, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a "security", or any 29 36 certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing. (d) For purposes of this Section 6.8: (i) the term "underwriter" when used with reference to the Issuer shall mean every person who, within a one year period prior to the time as of which the determination is made, was an underwriter of any security of the Issuer outstanding at the time of the determination; (ii) the term "director" shall mean any director of a corporation or any individual performing similar functions with respect to any organization whether incorporated or unincorporated; (iii) the term "person" shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint-stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization, or a government or political subdivision thereof; as used in this paragraph, the term "trust" shall include only a trust where the interest or interests of the beneficiary or beneficiaries are evidenced by a security; (iv) the term "voting security" shall mean any security presently entitling the owner or holder thereof to vote in the direction or management of the affairs of a person, or any security issued under or pursuant to any trust, agreement or arrangement whereby a trustee or trustees or agent or agents for the owner or holder of such security are presently entitled to vote in the direction or management of the affairs of a person; (v) the term "Issuer" shall mean any obligor upon the Securities; and (vi) the term "executive officer" shall mean the president, every vice president, every trust officer, the cashier, the secretary, and the treasurer of a corporation, and any individual customarily performing similar functions with respect to any organization whether incorporated or unincorporated, but shall not include the chairman of the board of directors. (e) The percentages of voting securities and other securities specified in this Section 6.8 shall be calculated in accordance with the following provisions: (i) a specified percentage of the voting securities of the Trustee, the Issuer or any other person referred to in this Section (each of whom is referred to as a "person" in this paragraph) means such amount of the outstanding voting securities of such person as entitles the holder or holders thereof to cast such specified percentage of the aggregate votes which the holders of all the outstanding voting securities of such person are entitled to cast in the direction or management of the affairs of such person; (ii) a specified percentage of a class of securities of a person means such percentage of the aggregate amount of securities of the class outstanding; (iii) the term "amount", when used in regard to securities, means the principal amount if relating to evidences of indebtedness, the number of shares if relating to capital shares, and the number of units if relating to any other kind of security; (iv) the term "outstanding" means issued and not held by or for the account of the issuer; the following securities shall not be deemed outstanding within the meaning of this definition: (A) securities of an issuer held in a sinking fund relating to securities of the issuer of the same class; (B) securities of an issuer held in a sinking fund relating to another class of securities of the issuer, if the obligation evidenced by such other class of securities is not in default as to principal or interest or otherwise; 30 37 (C) securities pledged by the issuer thereof as security for an obligation of the issuer not in default as to principal or interest or otherwise; and (D) securities held in escrow if placed in escrow by the issuer thereof; provided, that any voting securities of an issuer shall be deemed outstanding if any person other than the issuer is entitled to exercise the voting rights thereof; and (v) a security shall be deemed to be of the same class as another security if both securities confer upon the holder or holders thereof substantially the same rights and privileges; provided, that, in the case of secured evidences of indebtedness, all of which are issued under a single indenture, differences in the interest rates or maturity dates of various series thereof shall not be deemed sufficient to constitute such series different classes and provided, further, that, in the case of unsecured evidences of indebtedness, differences in the interest rates or maturity dates thereof shall not be deemed sufficient to constitute them securities of different classes, whether or not they are issued under a single indenture. SECTION 6.9 Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee. The Trustee for each series of Securities hereunder shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state or the District of Columbia having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, and which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal, state or District of Columbia authority, or a corporation or other Person permitted to act as trustee by the Commission. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. No obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of such obligor shall serve as trustee upon the Securities. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.9, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.10. SECTION 6.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee. (a) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign with respect to one or more or all series of Securities by giving written notice of resignation to the Issuer. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees with respect to the applicable series by written instrument in duplicate, executed by authority of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee or trustees. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed with respect to any series and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning trustee may, at the expense of the Issuer, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of the applicable series for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee. (b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur: (i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 6.8 with respect to any series of Securities after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months; or (ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any such Securityholder; or (iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Securities, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver or liquidator of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation; 31 38 then, in any such case, the Issuer may remove the Trustee with respect to the applicable series of Securities and appoint a successor trustee for such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months may on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee. (c) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series then Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series and appoint a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by delivering to the Trustee so removed, to the successor trustee so appointed and to the Issuer the evidence provided for in Section 7.1 of the action in that regard taken by the Securityholders. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed with respect to any series and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the delivery of such evidence of removal, the Trustee may, at the expense of the Issuer, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of the applicable series for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee. (d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee with respect to any series and any appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 6.10 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 6.11. SECTION 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.10 shall execute and deliver to the Issuer and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee with respect to all or any applicable series shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to such series of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee for such series hereunder; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Issuer or of the successor trustee, upon payment of its charges then unpaid, the trustee ceasing to act shall, subject to Section 10.4, pay over to the successor trustee all moneys at the time held by it hereunder and shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all such rights, powers, duties and obligations. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Issuer shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a prior claim upon all property or funds held or collected by such trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6. If a successor trustee is appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, the predecessor Trustee and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the predecessor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series as to which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts under separate indentures. No successor trustee with respect to any series of Securities shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 6.11 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 6.8 and eligible under the provisions of Section 6.9. Upon acceptance of appointment by any successor trustee as provided in this Section 6.11, the Issuer shall give notice thereof to the Holders of Securities of each series affected, by mailing such notice to such Holders at their 32 39 addresses as they shall appear on the registry books. If the Issuer fails to give such notice within ten days after acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be given at the expense of the Issuer. SECTION 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 6.8 and eligible under the provisions of Section 6.9, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities of any series shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and, in case at that time any of the Securities of any series shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificate shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities of such series or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities of any series in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation. SECTION 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer. (a) Subject to the provisions of this Section, if the Trustee shall be or shall become a creditor, directly or indirectly, secured or unsecured, of the Issuer within three months prior to a default, as defined in subsection (c) of this Section 6.13, or subsequent to such a default, then, unless and until such default shall be cured, the Trustee shall set apart and hold in a special account for the benefit of the Trustee individually, the Holders of the Securities and the holders of other indenture securities (as defined in this Section 6.13): (1) an amount equal to any and all reductions in the amount due and owing upon any claim as such creditor in respect of principal or interest, effected after the beginning of such three month period and valid as against the Issuer and its other creditors, except any such reduction resulting from the receipt or disposition of any property described in subsection (a) (2) of this section, or from the exercise of any right of set-off which the Trustee could have exercised if a petition in bankruptcy had been filed by or against the Issuer upon the date of such default; and (2) all property received by the Trustee in respect of any claim as such creditor, either as security therefor, or in satisfaction or composition thereof, or otherwise, after the beginning of such three month period, or an amount equal to the proceeds of any such property, if disposed of, subject, however, to the rights, if any, of the Issuer and its other creditors in such property or such proceeds. Nothing herein contained, however, shall affect the right of the Trustee: (A) to retain for its own account (i) payments made on account of any such claim by any Person (other than the Issuer) who is liable thereon, (ii) the proceeds of the bona fide sale of any such claim by the Trustee to a third Person, and (iii) distributions made in cash, securities or other property in respect of claims filed against the Issuer in bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state law; (B) to realize, for its own account, upon any property held by it as security for any such claim, if such property was so held prior to the beginning of such three month period; (C) to realize, for its own account, but only to the extent of the claim hereinafter mentioned, upon any property held by it as security for any such claim, if such claim was created after the beginning of such three month period and such property was received as security therefor simultaneously with the 33 40 creation thereof, and if the Trustee shall sustain the burden of proving that at the time such property was so received the Trustee had no reasonable cause to believe that a default as defined in subsection (c) of this Section would occur within three months; or (D) to receive payment on any claim referred to in paragraph (B) or (C), against the release of any property held as security for such claim as provided in such paragraph (B) or (C), as the case may be, to the extent of the fair value of such property. For the purposes of paragraphs (B), (C) and (D), property substituted after the beginning of such three month period for property held as security at the time of such substitution shall, to the extent of the fair value of the property released, have the same status as the property released, and, to the extent that any claim referred to in any of such paragraphs is created in renewal of or in substitution for or for the purpose of repaying or refunding any preexisting claim of the Trustee as such creditor, such claim shall have the same status as such pre-existing claim. If the Trustee shall be required to account, the funds and property held in such special account and the proceeds thereof shall be apportioned between the Trustee, the Securityholders and the holders of other indenture securities in such manner that the Trustee, such Securityholders and the holders of other indenture securities realize, as a result of payments from such special account and payments of dividends on claims filed against the Issuer in bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state law, the same percentage of their respective claims, figured before crediting to the claim of the Trustee anything on account of the receipt by it from the Issuer of the funds and property in such special account, and before crediting to the respective claims of the Trustee, such Securityholders and the holders of other indenture securities, dividends on claims filed against the Issuer in bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state law, but after crediting thereon receipts on account of the indebtedness represented by their respective claims from all sources other than from such dividends and from the funds and property so held in such special account. As used in this paragraph, with respect to any claim, the term "dividends" shall include any distribution with respect to such claim, in bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state law, whether such distribution is made in cash, securities or other property, but shall not include any such distribution with respect to the secured portion, if any, of such claim. The court in which such bankruptcy, receivership or proceeding for reorganization is pending shall have jurisdiction (i) to apportion between the Trustee, such Securityholders and the holders of other indenture securities, in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, the funds and property held in such special account and the proceeds thereof, or (ii) in lieu of such apportionment, in whole or in part, to give to the provisions of this paragraph due consideration in determining the fairness of the distributions to be made to the Trustee, such Securityholders and the holders of other indenture securities with respect to their respective claims, in which event it shall not be necessary to liquidate or to appraise the value of any securities or other property held in such special account or as security for any such claim, or to make a specific allocation of such distributions as between the secured and unsecured portions of such claims, or otherwise to apply the provisions of this paragraph as a mathematical formula. Any Trustee who has resigned or been removed after the beginning of such three month period shall be subject to the provisions of this subsection (a) as though such resignation or removal had not occurred. If any Trustee has resigned or been removed prior to the beginning of such three month period, it shall be subject to the provisions of this subsection (a) if and only if the following conditions exist: (i) the receipt of property or reduction of claim which would have given rise to the obligation to account, if such Trustee had continued as trustee, occurred after the beginning of such three month period; and (ii) such receipt of property or reduction of claim occurred within three months after such resignation or removal. (b) There shall be excluded from the operation of this Section 6.13 a creditor relationship arising from: (1) the ownership or acquisition of securities issued under any indenture or any security or securities having a maturity of one year or more at the time of acquisition by the Trustee; 34 41 (2) advances authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction or by this Indenture for the purpose of preserving any property which shall at any time be subject to the lien of this Indenture or of discharging tax liens or other prior liens or encumbrances thereon, if notice of such advance and of the circumstances surrounding the making thereof is given to the Securityholders at the time and in the manner provided in this Indenture; (3) disbursements made in the ordinary course of business in the capacity of trustee under an indenture, transfer agent, registrar, custodian, paying agent, fiscal agent or depositary, or other similar capacity; (4) an indebtedness created as a result of services rendered or premises rented or an indebtedness created as a result of goods or securities sold in a cash transaction as defined in subsection (c)(2) of this Section; (5) the ownership of stock or of other securities of a corporation organized under the provisions of Section 25 (a) of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, which is directly or indirectly a creditor of the Issuer; or (6) the acquisition, ownership, acceptance or negotiation of any drafts, bills of exchange, acceptances or obligations which fall within the classification of self-liquidating paper as defined in subsection (c) (3) of this Section. (c) As used in this Section 6.13: (1) the term "default" shall mean any failure to make payment in full of the principal of or interest on any of the Securities when and as such principal or interest becomes due and payable; (2) the term "cash transaction" shall mean any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand; (3) the term "self-liquidating paper" shall mean any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Issuer for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacture, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Issuer arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation; and (4) the term "Issuer" shall mean any obligor upon the Securities. SECTION 6.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent. As long as any Securities of a series remain Outstanding, the Trustee may, by an instrument in writing, appoint with the approval of the Issuer an authenticating agent (the "Authenticating Agent") which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities, including Securities issued upon exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption or pursuant to Section 2.9. Securities of each such series authenticated by such Authenticating Agent shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee. Whenever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities of any series by the Trustee or to the Trustee's Certificate of Authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent for such series and a Certificate of Authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by such Authenticating Agent. Such Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least 35 42 $50,000,000 (determined as provided in Section 6.9 with respect to the Trustee) and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted, or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency business of any Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be the Authenticating Agent with respect to all series of Securities for which it served as Authenticating Agent without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or such Authenticating Agent. Any Authenticating Agent may at any time, and if it shall cease to be eligible shall, resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Issuer. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Issuer. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.14 with respect to one or more series of Securities, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Issuer and the Issuer shall provide notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 11.4. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Authenticating Agent. The Issuer agrees to pay to the Authenticating Agent for such series from time to time reasonable compensation. The Authenticating Agent for the Securities of any series shall have no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as such at the direction of the Trustee. Sections 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 7.3 shall be applicable to any Authenticating Agent. ARTICLE SEVEN CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS SECTION 7.1 Evidence of Action Taken by Securityholders. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by a specified percentage in principal amount of the Securityholders of any or all series may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such specified percentage of Securityholders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee. Proof of execution of any instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Article Seven. SECTION 7.2 Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities. Subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy may be proved in the following manner: (a) The fact and date of the execution by any Holder of any instrument may be proved by the certificate of any notary public or other officer of any jurisdiction authorized to take acknowledgments of deeds or administer oaths that the person executing such instruments acknowledged to him the execution thereof, or by an affidavit of a witness to such execution sworn to before any such notary or other such officer. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of the authority of the person executing the same. (b) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security register or by a certificate of the Security registrar. SECTION 7.3 Holders to be Treated as Owners. The Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Security shall be registered upon the Security register for such series as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and 36 43 notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, interest, if any, on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. SECTION 7.4 Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Securities which are owned by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made or by any Affiliate of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver only securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities. In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice. Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers' Certificate listing and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Issuer to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described Persons; and, subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers' Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination. SECTION 7.5 Right of Revocation of Action Taken. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 7.1, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Security the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included among the serial numbers of the Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice at the Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in this Article Seven, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security provided that such revocation shall not become effective until three business days after such filing. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Security and of any Securities issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon any such Security. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Securities affected by such action. SECTION 7.6 Record Date for Consents and Waivers. The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, direct the Trustee to establish a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to (i) waive any past default with respect to the Securities of such series in accordance with Section 5.7 of the Indenture, (ii) consent to any supplemental indenture in accordance with Section 8.2 of the Indenture or (iii) waive compliance with any term, condition or provision of any covenant hereunder. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and any such Persons, shall be entitled to waive any such past default, consent to any such supplemental indenture or waive compliance with any such term, condition or provision, whether or not such Holder remains a Holder after such record date; provided, however, that unless such waiver or consent is obtained from the Holders, or duly designated proxies, of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series prior to the date which is the 180th day after such record date, any such waiver or consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect. ARTICLE EIGHT SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES SECTION 8.1 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders. The Issuer, when authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such action 37 44 and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Issuer Order), and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for one or more of the following purposes: (a) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Securities of one or more series any property or assets; (b) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Issuer, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Issuer pursuant to Article Nine; (c) to add to the covenants of the Issuer such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Issuer and the Trustee shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the protection of less than all series of Securities, stating that the same are expressly being included solely for the protection of such series), and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, however, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default; (d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make any other provisions as the Issuer may deem necessary or desirable, provided, however, that no such action shall adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Securities; (e) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 2.3; and (f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11. The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities then Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 8.2. SECTION 8.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article Seven) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding of any series affected by such supplemental indenture, the Issuer, when authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Issuer Order), and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date of execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such 38 45 series; provided, that no such supplemental indenture shall (a) extend the stated final maturity of the principal of any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest, if any, thereon (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, reduce the rate of accrual of original issue discount thereon), or reduce or alter the method of computation of any amount payable on redemption, repayment or purchase by the Issuer thereof (or the time at which any such redemption, repayment or purchase may be made), or make the principal thereof (including any amount in respect of original issue discount), or interest, if any, thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Securities or in accordance with the terms of the Securities, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.2, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for the payment thereof or, if the Securities provide therefor, any right of repayment or purchase at the option of the Securityholder, in each case without the consent of the Holder of each Security so affected, or (b) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities of any series, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Security so affected. No consent of any Holder of any Security shall be necessary under this Section 8.2 to permit the Trustee and the Issuer to execute supplemental indentures pursuant to Sections 8.1 and 9.2. A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant, Event of Default or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of Holders of Securities of such series, with respect to such covenant or provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series. Upon the request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Issuer Order) certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders of the Securities as aforesaid and other documents, if any, required by Section 7.1, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture. It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 8.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof. Promptly after the execution by the Issuer and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 8.2, the Trustee shall give notice thereof to the Holders of then Outstanding Securities of each series affected thereby, as provided in Section 11.4. Any failure of the Issuer to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture. SECTION 8.3 Effect of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, this Indenture shall be and shall be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of Securities of each series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and shall be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes. SECTION 8.4 Documents to Be Given to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall be entitled to receive an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Eight complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture. SECTION 8.5 Notation on Securities in Respect of Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article Eight may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee for such series as to any matter provided for by 39 46 such supplemental indenture or as to any action taken by Securityholders. If the Issuer or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Issuer, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of such series then Outstanding. ARTICLE NINE CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE, EXCHANGE OR DISPOSITION SECTION 9.1 Issuer May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms. Subject to the provisions of Section 9.3, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Issuer with or into any other corporation or corporations (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer), or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Issuer or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all the property and assets of the Issuer to any other corporation (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however, and the Issuer hereby covenants and agrees, that any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, exchange or other disposition shall be upon the conditions that (a) immediately after such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of the corporation (whether the Issuer or such other corporation) formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger, or to which such sale, lease, exchange or other disposition shall have been made, shall not be in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept or performed by the Issuer; (b) the corporation (if other than the Issuer) formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger, or to which such sale, lease, exchange or other disposition shall have been made, shall be a corporation organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; and (c) the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on all the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Issuer, shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee, by the corporation (if other than the Issuer) formed by such consolidation, or into which the Issuer shall have been merged, or by the corporation which shall have acquired or leased such property. SECTION 9.2 Securities to be Secured in Certain Events. If, upon any such consolidation, merger, or upon any such sale, lease, exchange or other disposition, or upon any acquisition by the Issuer by purchase or otherwise of all or any part of the properties of any other corporation, any Principal Property owned by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary immediately prior thereto would thereupon become subject to any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance, not permitted by Section 3.6 hereof, the Issuer, prior to such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, exchange or other disposition or acquisition, will by indenture supplemental hereto secure the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities then outstanding (equally and ratably, or with such other relative priority specified in Section 3.6, with any other indebtedness of or guaranteed by the Issuer then entitled thereto) by a direct lien on such Principal Property, together with any other properties and assets of the Issuer or of any such Restricted Subsidiary, whichever shall be the owner of any such Principal Property, which would thereupon become subject to any such mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance, prior to all liens other than any theretofore existing thereon. SECTION 9.3 Successor Corporation to be Substituted. In case of any such consolidation or merger or any sale, conveyance or lease of all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer and upon the assumption by the successor corporation, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Issuer, such successor corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for the Issuer, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part, and the Issuer (including any intervening successor to the Issuer which shall have become the obligor hereunder) shall be relieved of any further obligation under this Indenture and the Securities; provided, however, that in the case of a sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of the property and assets of the Issuer (including any such intervening successor), the Issuer (including any such intervening successor) shall continue to be liable on its obligations under this Indenture and the Securities to the extent, but only to the extent, of liability to pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities at the time, places and rate prescribed in this Indenture 40 47 and the Securities. Such successor corporation thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Issuer, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor corporation instead of the Issuer and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor corporation thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof. In case of any such consolidation or merger or any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Issuer, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities, thereafter to be issued, as may be appropriate. SECTION 9.4 Opinion of Counsel to be Given Trustee. The Trustee, subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, may receive an Officers' Certificate and Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, exchange or other disposition and any such assumption complies with the provisions of this Article Nine. ARTICLE TEN SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS SECTION 10.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. (A) If at any time (a) the Issuer shall have paid or caused to be paid the principal of and interest, if any, on all the Securities Outstanding (other than Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9) as and when the same shall have become due and payable, or (b) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities theretofore authenticated (other than Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9); and if, in any such case, the Issuer shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect, and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the satisfaction and discharge contemplated by this provision have been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging such satisfaction and discharging this Indenture. The Issuer agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred, and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably and properly rendered, by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Securities. (B) If at any time (a) the Issuer shall have paid or caused to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all the Securities of any series Outstanding (other than Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9) as and when the same shall have become due and payable, or (b) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of any series theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9), or (c) in the case of any series of Securities with respect to which the exact amount described in clause (ii) below can be determined at the time of making the deposit referred to in such clause (ii), (i) all the Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and (ii) the Issuer shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series, cash in an amount (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to the Issuer in accordance with Section 10.4) or direct obligations of the United States of America, backed by its full faith and credit ("U.S. Government Obligations"), maturing as to principal and interest, if any, 41 48 at such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of cash, or a combination thereof, sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (A) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all Securities of such series on each date that such principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, is due and payable, and (B) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Securities of such series; then the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the Securities of such series on the date of the deposit referred to in clause (ii) above and the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series shall no longer be in effect (except, in the case of clause (c) of this Section 10.1(B), as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such series, (ii) rights of substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities of such series, (iii) rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive payments of principal thereof and premium, if any, and interest, if any, thereon upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration), and remaining rights of the Holders of Securities of such series to receive mandatory sinking fund payments thereon, if any, when due, (iv) the rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, (v) the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them and (vi) the obligations of the Issuer under Section 3.2 with respect to Securities of such series) and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent contemplated by this provision have been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same. (C) The following provisions shall apply to the Securities of each series unless specifically otherwise provided in a Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto provided pursuant to Section 2.3. In addition to discharge of the Indenture pursuant to the next preceding paragraph, in the case of any series of Securities with respect to which the exact amount described in subparagraph (a) below can be determined at the time of making the deposit referred to in such subparagraph (a), the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the Securities of such a series on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) below, and the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series shall no longer be in effect (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such series, (ii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities of such series, (iii) rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive payments of principal thereof, premium, if any, and interest, if any, thereon upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration), and remaining rights of the Holders of Securities of such series to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (iv) the rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, (v) the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them and (vi) the obligations of the Issuer under Section 3.2 with respect to Securities of such series) and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent contemplated by this provision have been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same, if (a) with reference to this provision the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series (i) cash in an amount, or (ii) U.S. Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest, if any, at such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of cash, or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (A) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all Securities of such series on each date that such principal or interest, if any, is due and payable, and (B) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Securities of such series; 42 49 (b) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it is bound; and (c) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel based on the fact that (x) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (y), since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred. SECTION 10.2 Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities. Subject to Section 10.4, all moneys and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 10.1 shall be held in trust, and such moneys and all moneys from such U.S. Government Obligations shall be applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Issuer acting as its own paying agent), to the Holders of the particular Securities of such series for the payment or redemption of which such moneys and U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal and interest, if any, but such moneys and U.S. Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. SECTION 10.3 Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, all moneys then held by any paying agent under the provisions of this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities shall, upon demand of the Issuer, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys. SECTION 10.4 Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security of any series and not applied but remaining unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such principal or interest, if any, shall have become due and payable, shall, upon the written request of the Issuer and unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Issuer by the Trustee for such series or such paying agent, and the Holder of the Securities of such series shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property laws, thereafter look only to the Issuer for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease. SECTION 10.5 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 10.1 or the principal or interest received in respect of such obligations. ARTICLE ELEVEN MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS SECTION 11.1 Partners, Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt from Individual Liability. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer or director, as such, of the Issuer, or any partner of the Issuer or of any successor, either directly or through the Issuer or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities. 43 50 SECTION 11.2 Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Holders of Securities. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Securities, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities. SECTION 11.3 Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or on behalf of the Issuer shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. SECTION 11.4 Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Holders of Securities. Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities to or on the Issuer, or as required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, may be given or served by being deposited postage prepaid, first-class mail (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) addressed (until another address of the Issuer is filed by the Issuer with the Trustee) to Seagull Energy Corporation, 1001 Fannin, Suite 1700, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: Chairman of the Board. Any notice, direction, request or demand by the Issuer or any Holder of Securities to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or served by being deposited postage prepaid, first-class mail (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) addressed (until another address of the Trustee is filed by the Trustee with the Issuer) to The Bank of New York, 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, New York 10286, Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee Administration. Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder entitled thereto, at his last address as it appears in the Security register. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver. In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service, it shall be impracticable to mail notice to the Issuer when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be sufficient notice. SECTION 11.5 Officers' Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to Be Contained Therein. Upon any application or demand by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, or as required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished. Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.3(d)) and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with, and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with. Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous. Any 44 51 certificate, statement or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, information with respect to which is in the possession of the Issuer, upon the certificate, statement or opinion of or representations by an officer or officers of the Issuer, unless such counsel knows that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer or of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by an accountant or firm of accountants in the employ of the Issuer, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous. Any certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants filed with and directed to the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent. SECTION 11.6 Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. If the date of maturity of principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of any series or the date fixed for redemption, purchase or repayment of any such Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest, if any, or principal need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, purchase or repayment, and, in the case of payment, no interest shall accrue for the period after such date. SECTION 11.7 Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act of 1939. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included herein by any of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, or is deemed applicable to this Indenture by virtue of the provisions, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, such required provision shall control. SECTION 11.8 GOVERNING LAW. THIS INDENTURE AND EACH SECURITY SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SUCH STATE. SECTION 11.9 Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. SECTION 11.10 Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof. ARTICLE TWELVE REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUNDS SECTION 12.1 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity or to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified, as contemplated by Section 2.3 for Securities of such series. SECTION 12.2 Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions. Notice of redemption to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part at the option of the Issuer shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to such Holders of Securities of such series at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security register. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security of such series. 45 52 The notice of redemption to each such Holder shall specify the principal amount of each Security of such series held by such Holder to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price, the place or places of payment, the CUSIP number relating to such Securities, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that such redemption is pursuant to the mandatory or optional sinking fund, or both, if such be the case, that interest, if any, (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, original issue discount) accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in such notice and that on and after said date interest, if any, (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, original issue discount) thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. In case any Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued. The notice of redemption of Securities of any series to be redeemed at the option of the Issuer shall be given by the Issuer or, at the Issuer's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer. On or before the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section 12.2, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 3.5) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities of such series so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption. The Issuer will deliver to the Trustee at least 45 days prior to the date fixed for redemption (unless a shorter notice period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) an Officers' Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be redeemed. In case of a redemption at the election of the Issuer prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, prior to the giving of any notice of redemption to Holders pursuant to this Section, an Officers' Certificate stating that such restriction has been complied with. If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, in such manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair, Securities of such series to be redeemed. Securities may be redeemed in part in multiples equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series or any multiple thereof. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Securities of such series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities of any series shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed. SECTION 12.3 Payment of Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest, if any, accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Securities at the redemption price, together with interest, if any, accrued to said date) interest (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, original issue discount) on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and such Securities shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption (unless an earlier date shall be specified in a Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or executed supplemental indenture referred to in Sections 2.1 and 2.3 by or pursuant to which the form and terms of the Securities of such series were established) except as provided in Sections 6.5 and 10.4, to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment specified in said notice, said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the applicable redemption price, together with interest, if any, accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption; provided that payment of interest, if any, becoming due on or prior to the date fixed for redemption shall be payable to the Holders of Securities registered as such on the relevant record date subject to the terms and provisions of Sections 2.3 and 2.7 hereof. 46 53 If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the redemption price shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security) borne by such Security. Upon presentation of any Security redeemed in part only, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Security or Securities of such series, and of like tenor, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented. SECTION 12.4 Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption. Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least 45 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by either (a) the Issuer, or (b) a Person specifically identified in such written statement as an Affiliate of the Issuer. SECTION 12.5 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund payment", and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of the Securities of any series is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment". The date on which a sinking fund payment is to be made is herein referred to as the "sinking fund payment date". In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any series of Securities in cash, the Issuer may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities of such series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except upon redemption pursuant to the mandatory sinking fund) by the Issuer or receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except as aforesaid) by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10, (b) receive credit for optional sinking fund payments (not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section 12.5, or (c) receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) redeemed by the Issuer through any optional redemption provision contained in the terms of such series. Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price specified in such Securities. On or before the 60th day next preceding each sinking fund payment date for any series, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate (a) specifying the portion of the mandatory sinking fund payment to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion to be satisfied by credit of Securities of such series and the basis for such credit, (b) stating that none of the Securities of such series to be so credited has theretofore been so credited, (c) stating that no defaults in the payment of interest or Events of Default with respect to such series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured or otherwise ceased to exist) and are continuing, and (d) stating whether or not the Issuer intends to exercise its right to make an optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series and, if so, specifying the amount of such optional sinking fund payment which the Issuer intends to pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Any Securities of such series to be credited and required to be delivered to the Trustee in order for the Issuer to be entitled to credit therefor as aforesaid which have not theretofore been delivered to the Trustee shall be delivered for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10 to the Trustee with such Officers' Certificate (or reasonably promptly thereafter if acceptable to the Trustee). Such Officers' Certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee the Issuer shall become unconditionally obligated to make all the cash payments or payments therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Issuer, on or before any such 60th day, to deliver such Officers' Certificate and Securities (subject to the parenthetical clause in the second preceding sentence) specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election of the Issuer (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof, and (ii) that the Issuer will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section 12.5. If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $50,000, or a lesser sum if the Issuer shall so request with respect to the Securities of any particular 47 54 series, such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall be $50,000 or less and the Issuer makes no such request, then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $50,000 is available. The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 12.2, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said cash, as nearly as may be, and shall (if requested in writing by the Issuer) inform the Issuer of the serial numbers of the Securities of such series (or portions thereof) so selected. The Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer (or the Issuer, if it shall so request the Trustee in writing) shall cause notice of redemption of the Securities of such series to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 12.2 (and with the effect provided in Section 12.3) for the redemption of Securities of such series in part at the option of the Issuer. The amount of any sinking fund payments not so applied or allocated to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.5. Any and all sinking fund moneys held on the stated maturity date of the Securities of any particular series (or earlier, if such maturity is accelerated), which are not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series shall be applied, together with other moneys, if necessary, sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of, and interest, if any, on, the Securities of such series at maturity. On or before each sinking fund payment date, the Issuer shall pay to the Trustee in cash or shall otherwise provide for the payment of all interest, if any, accrued to the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date. The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or give any notice of redemption of Securities for such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a default in payment of interest on such Securities or of any Event of Default with respect to such series except that, where the giving of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Issuer a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such default or Event of Default shall occur, and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such default or Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under Article Five and held for the payment of all such Securities. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 5.7 or the default cured on or before the 60th day preceding the sinking fund payment date in any year, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this Section to the redemption of such Securities. 48 55 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of September 1, 1997. SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION By: --------------------------- Title: --------------------------- THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee By: --------------------------- Title: --------------------------- 49 EX-4.3 4 FORM OF SENIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE - BONY 1 Exhibit 4.3 ================================================================================ SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK ______________ Senior Subordinated Indenture Dated as of September 1, 1997 ================================================================================ 2 CROSS REFERENCE SHEET Provisions of Trust Indenture Act of 1939 and Indenture to be dated as of September 1, 1997, between SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION and The Bank of New York, Trustee:
Section of the Act Section of Indenture - ------------------ -------------------- 310(a)(1), (2) and (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.9 310(a)(3) and (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 310(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.8 and 6.10(a), (b) and (d) 310(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 311(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.13(a) and (c) 311(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.13(b) and (c) 311(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 312(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.1 and 4.2(a) 312(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2(a) and (b)(i) and (ii) 312(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2(c) 313(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4(a)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi) and (vii) 313(a)(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 313(b)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 313(b)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4(b) 313(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4(c) 313(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.4(d) 314(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.3 314(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 314(c)(1) and (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.5 314(c)(3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 314(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 314(e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.5 314(f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inapplicable 315(a), (c) and (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.1 315(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.8 315(e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.9 316(a)(1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.7 316(a)(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Not required 316(a) (last sentence) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.4 316(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.4 317(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.2 317(b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.5(a) 318(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.7
_________________ 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS Affiliate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Authenticating Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Bankruptcy Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Board Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Business Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Commission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Consolidated Net Tangible Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Corporate Trust Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Depositary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 ENSTAR Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Event of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Global Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Holder of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Securityholder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Issuer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Issuer Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Officers' Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Opinion of Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 original issue date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 original issue discount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Original Issue Discount Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Periodic Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Person . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Place of Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 principal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 principal amount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Principal Property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 record date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Responsible Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Restricted Subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Sale and Leaseback Transaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Secured Debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Senior Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Senior Subordinated Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Subordinated Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Trust Indenture Act of 1939 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Unrestricted Subsidiary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 U.S. Government Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 vice president . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Yield to Maturity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
i 4 ARTICLE TWO SECURITIES SECTION 2.1 Forms Generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 SECTION 2.2 Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 SECTION 2.3 Amount Unlimited, Issuable in Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 SECTION 2.4 Authentication and Delivery of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 SECTION 2.5 Execution of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 SECTION 2.6 Certificate of Authentication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 SECTION 2.7 Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 SECTION 2.8 Registration Transfer and Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 SECTION 2.9 Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 2.10 Cancellation of Securities; Disposition Thereof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 SECTION 2.11 Temporary Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 2.12 CUSIP Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ARTICLE THREE COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER SECTION 3.1 Payment of Principal and Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 3.2 Offices for Notices and Payments, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 3.3 No Interest Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 3.4 Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee's Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 SECTION 3.5 Provision as to Paying Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 SECTION 3.6 Restriction on Creation of Secured Debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 SECTION 3.7 Restriction on Sale and Leaseback Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 SECTION 3.8 Limitation on Issuance of Certain Other Subordinated Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 ARTICLE FOUR SECURITYHOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Issuer to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Securityholders . . . . . . . . . 17 SECTION 4.2 Preservation and Disclosure of Securityholders Lists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 SECTION 4.3 Reports by the Issuer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 SECTION 4.4 Reports by the Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITY HOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT SECTION 5.1 Events of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 SECTION 5.2 Payment of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 SECTION 5.3 Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 SECTION 5.4 Proceedings by Securityholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 SECTION 5.5 Proceedings by Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 SECTION 5.6 Remedies Cumulative and Continuing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 SECTION 5.7 Direction of Proceedings; Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 5.8 Notice of Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 5.9 Undertaking to Pay Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
ii 5 ARTICLE SIX CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE SECTION 6.1 Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 SECTION 6.2 Certain Rights of the Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 SECTION 6.3 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Disposition of Securities or Application of Proceeds Thereof . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 SECTION 6.4 Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 SECTION 6.5 Moneys Held by Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 SECTION 6.6 Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 SECTION 6.7 Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers' Certificate, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 SECTION 6.8 Qualification of Trustee; Conflicting Interests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 SECTION 6.9 Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SECTION 6.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 SECTION 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 SECTION 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 SECTION 6.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 ARTICLE SEVEN CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS SECTION 7.1 Evidence of Action Taken by Securityholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 SECTION 7.2 Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 SECTION 7.3 Holders to be Treated as Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 SECTION 7.4 Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 SECTION 7.5 Right of Revocation of Action Taken . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 7.6 Record Date for Consents and Waivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 ARTICLE EIGHT SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES SECTION 8.1 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 SECTION 8.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 SECTION 8.3 Effect of Supplemental Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 8.4 Documents to Be Given to Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 8.5 Notation on Securities in Respect of Supplemental Indentures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 8.6 Subordination Unimpaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 ARTICLE NINE CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE, EXCHANGE OR OTHER DISPOSITION SECTION 9.1 Issuer May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 SECTION 9.2 Securities to be Secured in Certain Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 SECTION 9.3 Successor Corporation to be Substituted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 SECTION 9.4 Opinion of Counsel to be Given Trustee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 ARTICLE TEN SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS SECTION 10.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 SECTION 10.2 Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 SECTION 10.3 Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 SECTION 10.4 Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 SECTION 10.5 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
iii 6 ARTICLE ELEVEN MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS SECTION 11.1 Partners, Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt from Individual Liability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 SECTION 11.2 Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Holders of Securities . . . . . . . . . 43 SECTION 11.3 Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 SECTION 11.4 Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Holders of Securities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 SECTION 11.5 Officers' Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to Be Contained Therein . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 11.6 Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 11.7 Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act of 1939 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 SECTION 11.8 GOVERNING LAW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 SECTION 11.9 Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 SECTION 11.10 Effect of Headings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 ARTICLE TWELVE REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUNDS SECTION 12.1 Applicability of Article . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 SECTION 12.2 Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 SECTION 12.3 Payment of Securities Called for Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 SECTION 12.4 Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption . . . . . . . . . . . 46 SECTION 12.5 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 ARTICLE THIRTEEN SUBORDINATION SECTION 13.1 Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 SECTION 13.2 Reliance on Certificate of Liquidating Agent; Further Evidence as to Ownership of Senior Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 SECTION 13.3 Payment Permitted If No Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 SECTION 13.4 Disputes with Holders of Certain Senior Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 SECTION 13.5 Trustee Not Charged with Knowledge of Prohibition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 SECTION 13.6 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 SECTION 13.7 Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 SECTION 13.8 Article Applicable to Paying Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 SECTION 13.9 Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Issuer or Holders of Senior Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 SECTION 13.10 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
iv 7 THIS SENIOR SUBORDINATED INDENTURE, dated as of September 1, 1997 between SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION, a Texas corporation (the "Issuer"), and The Bank of New York, a New York banking corporation, as trustee (the "Trustee"), W I T N E S S E T H: WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the issuance from time to time of its unsecured senior subordinated debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness to be issued in one or more series (the "Securities") up to such principal amount or amounts as may from time to time be authorized in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; WHEREAS, the Issuer has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide, among other things, for the authentication, delivery and administration of the Securities; and WHEREAS, all things necessary to make this Indenture a valid indenture and agreement according to its terms have been undertaken and completed; NOW, THEREFORE: In consideration of the premises and the purchases of the Securities by the Holders (as hereinafter defined) thereof, the Issuer and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders from time to time of the Securities as follows: ARTICLE ONE DEFINITIONS SECTION 1.1 For all purposes of this Indenture and of any indenture supplemental hereto the following terms shall have the respective meanings specified in this Section 1.1 (except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires). All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, including terms defined therein by reference to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in said Trust Indenture Act and in said Securities Act as in force at the date of this Indenture (except as herein otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise clearly requires). All accounting terms used herein and not expressly defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the term "generally accepted accounting principles" means such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the time of any computation. The words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision. The expressions "date of this Indenture", "date hereof", "date as of which this Indenture is dated" and "date of execution and delivery of this Indenture" and other expressions of similar import refer to the effective date of the original execution and delivery of this Indenture, viz. September 1, 1997. The terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular. "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, "control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing. "Authenticating Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.14. 8 "Bankruptcy Code" means the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 United States Code Sections 101 et seq., or any successor statute thereto. "Board of Directors" means either the Board of Directors of the Issuer or any committee of such Board duly authorized to act on its behalf. "Board Resolution" means one or more resolutions, certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer to have been duly adopted or consented to by the Board of Directors and to be in full force and effect. "Business Day" means, with respect to any Security, a day that (a) in the Place of Payment (or in any of the Places of Payment, if more than one) in which amounts are payable, as specified in the form of such Security, and (b) in the city in which the Corporate Trust Office is located, is not a day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close. "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or, if at any time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture such Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, then the body performing such duties on such date. "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the aggregate amount of assets included on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items and after deducting therefrom (a) all current liabilities and (b) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, all in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. "Corporate Trust Office" means the office of the Trustee at which the corporate trust business of the Trustee shall, at any particular time, be principally administered, which office is, at the date as of which this Indenture is dated, located in New York, New York. "Depositary" means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, the Person designated as Depositary by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.3 until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Depositary" shall mean or include each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and, if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Depositary" as used with respect to the Securities of any such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Global Securities of such series. "ENSTAR Alaska" means (i) the division of the Issuer known on the date of this Indenture as ENSTAR Natural Gas Company, which owns on the date of this Indenture the gas distribution system in south-central Alaska, and (ii) Alaska Pipeline Company, an Alaska corporation and a Subsidiary of the Issuer, in each case together with successors and assigns. "Event of Default" means any event or condition specified as such in Section 5.1. "Global Security" means a Security evidencing all or a part of a series of Securities issued to the Depositary for such series in accordance with Section 2.3 and bearing the legend prescribed in Section 2.4. "Holder", "Holder of Securities", "Securityholder" or other similar terms mean, in the case of any Security, the person in whose name such Security is registered in the security register kept by the Issuer for that purpose in accordance with the terms hereof. "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, (a) (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on indebtedness for money borrowed of such Person, indebtedness of such Person evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar obligations, and any guaranty by such Person of any indebtedness for money borrowed or indebtedness evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar obligations of any other Person, whether any such indebtedness or guaranty is outstanding on the date of this 2 9 Indenture or is thereafter created, assumed or incurred, (ii) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on indebtedness for money borrowed, incurred, assumed or guaranteed by such Person in connection with the acquisition by it or any of its subsidiaries of any other businesses, properties or other assets and (iii) lease obligations which such Person capitalizes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13 promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other generally accepted accounting principles as may be from time to time in effect; (b) any other indebtedness of such Person, including any indebtedness representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or interest therein, and any guaranty, endorsement or other contingent obligation of such Person in respect of any indebtedness of another that is outstanding on the date of this Indenture or is thereafter created, assumed or incurred by such Person; (c) obligations of such Person under interest rate, commodity or currency swaps, caps, collars, options and similar arrangements; (d) obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker's acceptance or similar credit transaction; and (e) any amendments, modifications, refundings, renewals or extensions of any indebtedness or obligation described as Indebtedness in clauses (a) through (d) above. "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed and delivered or, if amended or supplemented as herein provided, as so amended or supplemented or both, including, for all purposes of this instrument and any such supplement, the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 that are deemed to be a part of and govern this instrument and any such supplement, respectively, and shall include the forms and terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder. The term "interest" means, when used with respect to non-interest bearing Securities (including, without limitation, any Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after maturity or upon default in any other payment due on such Security), interest payable after maturity (whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or redemption or otherwise) or after the date, if any, on which the Issuer becomes obligated to acquire a Security, whether upon conversion, by purchase or otherwise. "Issuer" means (except as otherwise provided in Section 6.8) Seagull Energy Corporation, a Texas corporation, and, subject to Article Nine, its successors and assigns. "Issuer Order" means a written statement, request or order of the Issuer which is signed in its name by the chairman of the Board of Directors, the president or any vice president of the Issuer. "Officers' Certificate", when used with respect to the Issuer, means a certificate signed by the chairman of the Board of Directors, the president, or any vice president and by the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, the controller, any assistant controller, the secretary or any assistant secretary of the Issuer. Each such certificate shall include the statements provided for in Section 11.5 if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section 11.5. One of the officers signing an Officers' Certificate given pursuant to Section 4.3 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Issuer. "Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion in writing signed by the chief counsel of the Issuer or by such other legal counsel who may be an employee of or counsel to the Issuer and who shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 11.5, if and to the extent required by the provisions of such Section 11.5. The term "original issue date" of any Security (or portion thereof) means the earlier of (a) the date of such Security or (b) the date of any Security (or portion thereof) for which such Security was issued (directly or indirectly) on registration of transfer, exchange or substitution. 3 10 The term "original issue discount" of any debt security, including any Original Issue Discount Security, means the difference between the principal amount of such debt security and the initial issue price of such debt security (as set forth in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security on the face of such Security). "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1. "Outstanding" (except as otherwise provided in Section 6.8), when used with reference to Securities, shall, subject to the provisions of Section 7.4, mean, as of any particular time, all Securities authenticated and delivered by the Trustee under this Indenture, except: (a) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; (b) Securities (other than Securities of any series as to which the provisions of Article Ten hereof shall not be applicable), or portions thereof, for the payment or redemption of which moneys or U.S. Government Obligations (as provided for in Section 10.1) in the necessary amount shall have been deposited in trust with the Trustee or with any paying agent (other than the Issuer) or shall have been set aside, segregated and held in trust by the Issuer for the Holders of such Securities (if the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent), provided that, if such Securities, or portions thereof, are to be redeemed prior to the maturity thereof, notice of such redemption shall have been given as herein provided, or provision satisfactory to the Trustee shall have been made for giving such notice; and (c) Securities which shall have been paid or in substitution for which other Securities shall have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to the terms of Section 2.9 (except with respect to any such Security as to which proof satisfactory to the Trustee is presented that such Security is held by a person in whose hands such Security is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Issuer). In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be Outstanding for such purposes shall be the portion of the principal amount thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination (as certified by the Issuer to the Trustee) upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1. "Periodic Offering" means an offering of Securities of a series from time to time, the specific terms of which Securities, including, without limitation, the rate or rates of interest, if any, thereon, the stated maturity or maturities thereof and the redemption provisions, if any, with respect thereto, are to be determined by the Issuer or its agents upon the issuance of such Securities. "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint stock company, trust, estate, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof. "Place of Payment", when used with respect to the Securities of any series, means the place or places where the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities of such series are payable as determined in accordance with Section 2.3. The term "principal" of a debt security, including any Security, means the amount (including, without limitation, if and to the extent applicable, any premium and, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, any accrued original issue discount, but excluding interest) that is payable with respect to such debt security as of any date and for any purpose (including, without limitation, in connection with any sinking fund, upon any redemption at the option of the Issuer, upon any purchase or exchange at the option of the Issuer or the holder of such debt security and upon any acceleration of the maturity of such debt security). The term "principal amount" of a debt security, including any Security, means the principal amount as set forth on the face of such debt security. 4 11 "Principal Property" means any real property, manufacturing plant, processing plant, pipeline, office building, warehouse or other physical facility, or any other like depreciable or depletable asset of the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary whether owned at September 1, 1997 or thereafter acquired (other than any facility thereafter acquired for the control or abatement of atmospheric pollutants or contaminants or water, noise, odor or other pollution) which in the opinion of the Board of Directors is of material importance to the total business conducted by the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as a whole; provided, however, that any such property shall not be deemed a Principal Property if such property does not have a fair value in excess of 3% of the total assets included on a consolidated balance sheet of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied. The term "record date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.7. "Responsible Officer", when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters. "Restricted Subsidiary" means (a) any Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary, and (b) any Subsidiary which was an Unrestricted Subsidiary but which, subsequent to the date hereof, is designated by the Issuer (by certified resolution of the Board of Directors delivered to the Trustee) to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Issuer may not designate any such Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary if the Issuer would thereby breach any covenant or agreement herein contained (on the assumptions that any outstanding Indebtedness of such Subsidiary was incurred at the time of such designation and that any Sale and Leaseback Transaction to which such Subsidiary is then a party was entered into at the time of such designation). "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.7. "Secured Debt" means indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary and any other indebtedness of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary on which interest is paid or payable (other than indebtedness owed by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Issuer, by a Restricted Subsidiary to another Restricted Subsidiary or by the Issuer to a Restricted Subsidiary), that in any such case is secured by (a) a mortgage or other lien on any Principal Property of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary, or (b) a pledge, lien or other security interest on any shares of stock or indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary, or (c) in the case of any such indebtedness of the Issuer, a guaranty by any Restricted Subsidiary. The amount of Secured Debt at any time outstanding shall be the amount then owing thereon by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary. "Security" or "Securities" (except as otherwise provided in Section 6.8) has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture or, as the case may be, Securities that have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture. "Senior Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Issuer outstanding at any time except (a) any Indebtedness as to which, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing the same, it is provided that such Indebtedness is not senior in right of payment to the Securities, (b) the Securities, (c) any Indebtedness of the Issuer to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Issuer, (d) interest accruing after the filing of a petition initiating any proceeding referred to in Sections 5.1(e) and 5.1(f) unless such interest is an allowed claim enforceable against the Issuer in a proceeding under federal or state bankruptcy laws and (e) trade payables. "Senior Subordinated Indebtedness" means the Securities, the Issuer's 8 5/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2005 issued pursuant to the Senior Subordinated Indenture dated July 15, 1993 between the Issuer and The Bank of New York, as trustee, and any other Indebtedness of the Issuer that ranks pari passu with the Securities. Any Indebtedness of the Issuer that is subordinate or junior by its terms in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Issuer shall be subordinate to Senior Subordinated Indebtedness unless the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding specifically provides that such Indebtedness (i) is to rank pari passu with other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and (ii) is not subordinated by its terms to any Indebtedness of the Issuer which is not Senior Indebtedness. 5 12 "Subordinated Indebtedness" means the Securities, any other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and any other Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness. "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which the Issuer, or the Issuer and one or more Subsidiaries, or any one or more Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly own voting securities entitling any one or more of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries to elect a majority of the directors, either at all times or, so long as there is no default or contingency which permits the holders of any other class or classes of securities to vote for the election of one or more directors. "Trust Indenture Act of 1939" (except as otherwise provided in Sections 8.1 and 8.2) means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture is originally executed. "Trustee" means the Person identified as "Trustee" in the first paragraph hereof and, subject to the provisions of Article Six, shall also include any successor trustee. "Trustee" shall also mean or include each Person who is then a trustee hereunder and, if at any time there is more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities of such series. "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (a) any Subsidiary acquired or organized after the date hereof, provided, however, that such Subsidiary shall not be a successor, directly or indirectly, to any Restricted Subsidiary, and (b) any Subsidiary whose principal business and assets are located outside the United States of America, its territories and possessions and Canada or are located in Puerto Rico, and (c) any Subsidiary the principal business of which consists of financing or assisting in financing the acquisition or disposition of products of the Issuer or a Subsidiary by dealers, distributors or other customers, and (d) any Subsidiary the principal business of which is owning, leasing, dealing in or developing real property, and (e) any Subsidiary substantially all the assets of which consist of stock or other securities of a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the character described in clauses (a) through (d) of this paragraph, unless and until such Subsidiary shall have been designated to be a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to clause (b) of the definition of "Restricted Subsidiary". "U.S. Government Obligations" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 10.1(B). The term "vice president," when used with respect to the Issuer or the Trustee, means any vice president, regardless of whether designated by a number or a word or words added before or after the title "vice president." "Yield to Maturity" means the yield to maturity on a series of Securities, calculated at the time of issuance of such series, or, if applicable, at the most recent redetermination of interest on such series, and calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice or as otherwise provided in the terms of such series of Securities. ARTICLE TWO SECURITIES SECTION 2.1 Forms Generally. The Securities of each series shall be substantially in such form (not inconsistent with this Indenture) as shall be established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions (as set forth in a Board Resolution or, to the extent established pursuant to rather than set forth in a Board Resolution, an Officers' Certificate detailing such establishment) or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends or endorsements, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, as may be required to comply with any law or with any rules or regulations pursuant thereto, or with any rules of any securities exchange or to conform to general usage, all as may be determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the officers executing such Securities as evidenced by their execution of such Securities. 6 13 SECTION 2.2 Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee's certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be substantially as follows: This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within mentioned Indenture. The Bank of New York, as Trustee By ---------------------------------- Authorized Signatory If at any time there shall be an Authenticating Agent appointed with respect to any series of Securities, then the Securities of such series shall bear, in addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternate Certificate of Authentication which shall be substantially as follows: This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to in the within mentioned Indenture. The Bank of New York, as Trustee By ---------------------------------- as Authenticating Agent By ---------------------------------- Authorized Signatory SECTION 2.3 Amount Unlimited, Issuable in Series. The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Securities may be issued in one or more series and the Securities of each such series shall rank equally and pari passu with the Securities of each other series, but all Securities issued hereunder shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in Article Thirteen, to all Senior Indebtedness. There shall be established in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions (and, to the extent established pursuant to rather than set forth in a Board Resolution, in an Officers' Certificate detailing such establishment) or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the initial issuance of Securities of any series: (1) the designation of the Securities of the series, which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from the Securities of all other series; (2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.8, 2.9, 2.11, 8.5 or 12.3); (3) the date or dates on which the principal of the Securities of the series is payable; (4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue, on which any such interest shall be payable and on which a record shall be taken for the determination of Holders to whom any such interest is payable or the method by which such rate or rates or date or dates shall be determined or both; (5) the place or places where and the manner in which the principal of and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable (if other than as provided in Section 3.2) and the office or agency for the Securities of the series maintained by the Issuer pursuant to Section 3.2; 7 14 (6) the right, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series, in whole or in part, at its option and the period or periods within which, the price or prices (or the method by which such price or prices shall be determined or both) at which, the form or method of payment therefor if other than in cash and any terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which (if different from the provisions of Article Twelve) Securities of the series may be so redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to any sinking fund or otherwise; (7) the obligation, if any, of the Issuer to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series in whole or in part pursuant to any mandatory redemption, sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which the price or prices (or the method by which such price or prices shall be determined or both) at which, the form or method of payment therefor if other than in cash and any terms and conditions upon which and the manner in which (if different from the provisions of Article Twelve) Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation; (8) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be issuable; (9) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof; (10) whether Securities of the series will be issuable as Global Securities; (11) if the Securities of such series are to be issuable in definitive form (whether upon original issue or upon exchange of a temporary Security of such series) only upon receipt of certain certificates or other documents or satisfaction of other conditions, the form and terms of such certificates, documents or conditions; (12) any trustees, depositaries, authenticating or paying agents, transfer agents or registrars or any other agents with respect to the Securities of such series; (13) any deleted, modified or additional events of default, remedies or covenants with respect to the Securities of such series; (14) whether the provisions of Section 10.1(C) will be applicable to Securities of such series; (15) any provision relating to the issuance of Securities of such series at an original issue discount (including, without limitation, the issue price thereof, the rate or rates at which such original issue discount shall accrue, if any, and the date or dates from or to which or period or periods during which such original issue discount shall accrue at such rate or rates); (16) if the amounts of payments of principal of and interest on the Securities of such series are to be determined with reference to an index, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined; and (17) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture). All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical, except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided by or pursuant to the Board Resolution or Officers' Certificate referred to above or as set forth in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and may be issued from time to time, consistent with the terms of this Indenture, if so provided by or pursuant to such Board Resolution, such Officers' Certificate or in any such indenture supplemental hereto. Any such Board Resolution or Officers' Certificate referred to above with respect to Securities of any series filed with the Trustee on or before the initial issuance of the Securities of such series shall be incorporated herein by reference with respect to Securities of such series and shall thereafter be deemed to be a part of the Indenture for all 8 15 purposes relating to Securities of such series as fully as if such Board Resolution or Officers' Certificate were set forth herein in full. SECTION 2.4 Authentication and Delivery of Securities. The Issuer may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication together with the applicable documents referred to below in this Section 2.4, and the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and deliver such Securities to, or upon the order of, the Issuer (contained in the Issuer Order referred to below in this Section 2.4) or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee and to such recipients as may be specified from time to time by an Issuer Order. The maturity date, original issue date, interest rate, if any, and any other terms of the Securities of such series shall be determined by or pursuant to such Issuer Order and procedures. If provided for in such procedures and agreed to by the Trustee, such Issuer Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral instructions from the Issuer or its duly authorized agent, which instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing. In authenticating the Securities of such series and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (in the case of subparagraphs (2), (3) and (4) below only at or before the time of the first request of the Issuer to the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series) and (subject to Section 6.1) shall be fully protected in relying upon, unless and until such documents have been superseded or revoked: (1) an Issuer Order requesting such authentication and setting forth delivery instructions if the Securities of such series are not to be delivered to the Issuer, provided that, with respect to Securities of a series subject to a Periodic Offering, (a) such Issuer Order may be delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee prior to the delivery to the Trustee of such Securities for authentication and delivery, (b) the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities of such series for original issue from time to time, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding the aggregate principal amount established for such series, pursuant to an Issuer Order or pursuant to procedures acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by an Issuer Order, (c) the maturity date or dates, original issue date or dates, interest rate or rates, if any, and any other terms of Securities of such series shall be determined by an Issuer Order or pursuant to such procedures, (d) if provided for in such procedures, such Issuer Order may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Issuer or its duly authorized agent or agents, which oral instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing and (e) after the original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued, any separate request by the Issuer that the Trustee authenticate Securities of such series for original issuance will be deemed to be a certification by the Issuer that it is in compliance with all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery of such Securities; (2) the Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or executed supplemental indenture referred to in Sections 2.1 and 2.3 by or pursuant to which the forms and terms of the Securities of such series were established; (3) an Officers' Certificate setting forth the form or forms and terms of the Securities stating that the form or forms and terms of the Securities have been established pursuant to Sections 2.1 and 2.3 and comply with this Indenture and covering such other matters as the Trustee may reasonably request; and (4) at the option of the Issuer, either an Opinion of Counsel, or a letter from legal counsel addressed to the Trustee permitting it to rely on an Opinion of Counsel, substantially to the effect that: (a) the form or forms of the Securities of such series have been duly authorized and established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; (b) in the case of an underwritten offering, the terms of the Securities of such series have been duly authorized and established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture, and, in the case of an offering that is not underwritten, certain terms of the Securities of such series have been established pursuant to a Board Resolution, an Officers' Certificate or a supplemental indenture in accordance with this Indenture, and when such other terms as are to be established pursuant to procedures set forth in an Issuer Order shall have been established, all such terms will have been duly authorized by the Issuer and will have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; 9 16 (c) when the Securities of such series have been executed by the Issuer and authenticated by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and delivered to and duly paid for by the purchasers thereof, they will have been duly issued under this Indenture and will be valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuer, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, and will be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture; and (d) the execution and delivery by the Issuer of, and the performance by the Issuer of its obligations under, the Securities of such series will not contravene any provision of applicable law or the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Issuer or any agreement or other instrument binding upon the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries that is material to the Issuer and its Subsidiaries, considered as one enterprise, or, to such counsel's knowledge after the inquiry indicated therein, any judgment, order or decree of any governmental agency or any court having jurisdiction over the Issuer or any Subsidiary, and no consent, approval or authorization of any governmental body or agency is required for the performance by the Issuer of its obligations under the Securities, except such as are specified and have been obtained and such as may be required by the securities or blue sky laws of the various states in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities. In rendering such opinions, such counsel may qualify any opinions as to enforceability by stating that such enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, liquidation, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors and is subject to general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law). Such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the State of Texas and the federal law of the United States, upon opinions of other counsel (copies of which shall be delivered to the Trustee), who shall be counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, in which case the opinion shall state that such counsel believes that both such counsel and the Trustee are entitled so to rely. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion involves factual matters, such counsel has relied, to the extent such counsel deems proper, upon certificates of officers of the Issuer and its Subsidiaries and certificates of public officials. The Trustee shall have the right to decline to authenticate and deliver any Securities of any series under this Section 2.4 if the Trustee, being advised by counsel, determines that such action may not lawfully be taken by the Issuer or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors or board of trustees, executive committee or a trust committee of directors or trustees or Responsible Officers shall determine that such action would expose the Trustee to personal liability to existing Holders or would adversely affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities, this Indenture or otherwise. If the Issuer shall establish pursuant to Section 2.3 that the Securities of a series are to be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.4 and the Issuer Order with respect to such series, authenticate and deliver one or more Global Securities that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Securities of such series to be issued in the form of Global Securities and not yet canceled, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary's instructions, and (iv) shall bear a legend substantially to the following effect: "Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, this Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to the nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary." Each Depositary designated pursuant to Section 2.3 must, at the time of its designation and at all times while it serves as Depositary, be a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any other applicable statute or regulation. SECTION 2.5 Execution of Securities. The Securities shall be signed on behalf of the Issuer by the chairman of the Board of Directors, the president, any vice president or the treasurer of the Issuer, under its corporate seal which may, but need not, be attested by its secretary or one of its assistant secretaries. Such signatures may be the manual or facsimile signatures of the present or any future such officers. The seal of the Issuer may be in the form of a facsimile thereof and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Securities. Typographical and other 10 17 minor errors or defects in any such reproduction of the seal or any such signature shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any Security that has been duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee. In case any officer of the Issuer who shall have signed any of the Securities shall cease to be such officer before the Security so signed shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee or disposed of by the Issuer, such Security nevertheless may be authenticated and delivered or disposed of as though the person who signed such Security had not ceased to be such officer of the Issuer; and any Security may be signed on behalf of the Issuer by such persons as, at the actual date of the execution of such Security, shall be the proper officers of the Issuer, although at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture any such person was not such an officer. SECTION 2.6 Certificate of Authentication. Only such Securities as shall bear thereon a certificate of authentication substantially in the form hereinbefore recited, executed by the Trustee by the manual signature of one of its authorized signatories, or its Authenticating Agent, shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. The execution of such certificate by the Trustee or its Authenticating Agent upon any Security executed by the Issuer shall be conclusive evidence that the Security so authenticated has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder and that the Holder is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by an agent appointed pursuant to Section 6.14. SECTION 2.7 Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest. The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered form in denominations established as contemplated by Section 2.3 or, with respect to the Securities of any series, if not so established, in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The Securities of each series shall be numbered, lettered or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plan as the officers of the Issuer executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee, as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof. Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Securities of each series shall bear interest, if any, from the date, and such interest, if any, shall be payable on the dates, established as contemplated by Section 2.3. The Person in whose name any Security of any series is registered at the close of business on any record date applicable to a particular series with respect to any interest payment date for such series shall be entitled to receive the interest, if any, payable on such interest payment date notwithstanding any transfer or exchange of such Security subsequent to the record date and prior to such interest payment date, except if and to the extent the Issuer shall default in the payment of the interest due on such interest payment date for such series, in which case such defaulted interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose names Outstanding Securities for such series are registered (a) at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of payment of such defaulted interest) established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Issuer to the Holders of Securities not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date or (b) as determined by such other procedure as is mutually acceptable to the Issuer and the Trustee. The term "record date" as used with respect to any interest payment date (except a date for payment of defaulted interest) for the Securities of any series shall mean the date specified as such in the terms of the Securities of such series established as contemplated by Section 2.3, or, if no such date is so established, if such interest payment date is the first day of a calendar month, the fifteenth day of the next preceding calendar month or, if such interest payment date is the fifteenth day of a calendar month, the first day of such calendar month, whether or not such record date is a Business Day. SECTION 2.8 Registration Transfer and Exchange. The Issuer will keep at each office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.2 for each series of Securities a register or registers in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, it will provide for the registration of Securities of each series and the registration of transfer of Securities of such series. Each such register shall be in written form in the English language or in any other form capable of being converted into such form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times such register or registers shall be open for inspection and available for copying by the Trustee. Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at any such office or agency to be maintained for the purpose as provided in Section 3.2, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in the name of the transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series, maturity date, interest rate, if any, and original issue date in authorized denominations for a like aggregate principal amount. 11 18 All Securities presented for registration of transfer shall (if so required by the Issuer or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by, or be accompanied by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form satisfactory to the Issuer and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder or his attorney duly authorized in writing. At the option of the Holder thereof, Securities of any series (other than a Global Security, except as set forth below) may be exchanged for a Security or Securities of such series having authorized denominations and an equal aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of such Securities to be exchanged at the agency of the Issuer that shall be maintained for such purpose in accordance with Section 3.2. All Securities surrendered upon any exchange or transfer provided for in this Indenture shall be promptly cancelled and returned to the Issuer. The Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer of Securities. No service charge shall be made for any such transaction or for any exchange of Securities of any series as contemplated by the immediately preceding paragraph. The Issuer shall not be required to exchange or register a transfer of (a) any Securities of any series for a period of 15 days next preceding the first mailing or publication of notice of redemption of Securities of such series to be redeemed, (b) any Securities selected, called or being called for redemption, in whole or in part, except, in the case of any Security to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not so to be redeemed or (c) any Security if the Holder thereof has exercised his right, if any, to require the Issuer to repurchase such Security in whole or in part, except the portion of such Security not required to be repurchased. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.8, unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, a Global Security representing all or a part of the Securities of a series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such successor Depositary. If at any time the Depositary for any Securities of a series represented by one or more Global Securities notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Securities or if at any time the Depositary for such Securities shall no longer be eligible under Section 2.4, the Issuer shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to such Securities. If a successor Depositary for such Securities is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days after the Issuer receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the Issuer's election pursuant to Section 2.3 that such Securities be represented by one or more Global Securities shall no longer be effective and the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, will authenticate and deliver Securities of such series in definitive registered form, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such Securities in exchange for such Global Security or Securities. The Issuer may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by a Global Security or Securities. In such event the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Issuer Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such series, shall authenticate and deliver, Securities of such series in definitive registered form, in any authorized denominations, in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such Securities, in exchange for such Global Security or Securities. If specified by the Issuer pursuant to Section 2.3 with respect to Securities represented by a Global Security, the Depositary for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in exchange in whole or in part for Securities of the same series in definitive registered form on such terms as are acceptable to the Issuer and such Depositary. Thereupon, the Issuer shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge, (i) to the Person specified by such Depositary, a new Security or Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations as requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Person's beneficial interest in the Global Security; and 12 19 (ii) to such Depositary a new Global Security in a denomination equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to clause (i) above. Upon the exchange of a Global Security for Securities in definitive registered form in authorized denominations, such Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee or an agent of the Issuer or the Trustee. Securities in definitive registered form issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 2.8 shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee or an agent of the Trustee or the Issuer or an agent of the Issuer. The Trustee or such agent shall deliver at its office such Securities to or as directed by the Persons in whose names such Securities are so registered. All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid and legally binding obligations of the Issuer, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange. SECTION 2.9 Mutilated, Defaced, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities. In case any temporary or definitive Security shall become mutilated, defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer in its discretion may execute, and upon the written request of any officer of the Issuer, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver a new Security of the same series, maturity date, interest rate, if any, and original issue date, bearing a number or other distinguishing symbol not contemporaneously outstanding, in exchange and substitution for the mutilated or defaced Security, or in lieu of and in substitution for the Security so destroyed, lost or stolen. In every case the applicant for a substitute Security shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as may be required by the Trustee or the Issuer to indemnify and defend and to save each of the Trustee and the Issuer harmless and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof and in the case of mutilation or defacement, shall surrender the Security to the Trustee or such agent. Upon the issuance of any substitute Security, the Issuer may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee or its agent) connected therewith. In case any Security which has matured or is about to mature or has been called for redemption in full shall become mutilated or defaced or be destroyed, lost or stolen, the Issuer may instead of issuing a substitute Security, pay or authorize the payment of the same (without surrender thereof except in the case of a mutilated or defaced Security), if the applicant for such payment shall furnish to the Issuer and to the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee such security or indemnity as any of them may require to hold each of them harmless, and, in every case of destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Issuer and the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee evidence to the Trustee's satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof. Every substitute Security of any series issued pursuant to the provisions of this Section by virtue of the fact that any such Security is destroyed, lost or stolen shall constitute an additional contractual obligation of the Issuer, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone and shall be entitled to all the benefits of (but shall be subject to all the limitations of rights set forth in) this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of such series duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Securities shall be held and owned upon the express condition that, to the extent permitted by law, the foregoing provisions are exclusive with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities and shall preclude any and all other rights or remedies notwithstanding any law or statute existing or hereafter enacted to the contrary with respect to the replacement or payment of negotiable instruments or other securities without their surrender. SECTION 2.10 Cancellation of Securities; Disposition Thereof. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange, or for credit against any payment in respect of a sinking or analogous fund, if surrendered to the Issuer or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee or any agent of the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee or its agent for cancellation or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be canceled by it; and no Securities shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by any of the provisions of this Indenture. The Trustee or its agent shall return canceled Securities to the Issuer. If the Issuer or its agent shall acquire any of the Securities, such acquisition 13 20 shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the indebtedness represented by such Securities unless and until the same are delivered to the Trustee or its agent for cancellation. SECTION 2.11 Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation of definitive Securities for any series, the Issuer may execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver temporary Securities for such series (printed, lithographed, typewritten or otherwise reproduced, in each case in form satisfactory to the Trustee). Temporary Securities of any series shall be issuable in any authorized denomination, and substantially in the form of the definitive Securities of such series but with such omissions, insertions and variations as may be appropriate for temporary Securities, all as may be determined by the Issuer with the concurrence of the Trustee as evidenced by the execution and authentication thereof. Temporary Securities may contain such references to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Every temporary Security shall be executed by the Issuer and be authenticated by the Trustee upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as the definitive Securities. Without unreasonable delay the Issuer shall execute and shall furnish definitive Securities of such series and thereupon temporary Securities of such series may be surrendered in exchange therefor without charge at each office or agency to be maintained by the Issuer for that purpose pursuant to Section 3.2 and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange for such temporary Securities of such series an equal aggregate principal amount of definitive Securities of the same series having authorized denominations. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of such series, unless otherwise established pursuant to Section 2.3. SECTION 2.12 CUSIP Numbers. The Issuer in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will notify the Trustee of any change in "CUSIP" numbers. ARTICLE THREE COVENANTS OF THE ISSUER SECTION 3.1 Payment of Principal and Interest. The Issuer covenants and agrees that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of and interest, if any, on each of the Securities at the place, at the respective times and in the manner provided in the Securities. SECTION 3.2 Offices for Notices and Payments, etc. So long as any of the Securities are Outstanding, the Issuer will maintain in each Place of Payment, an office or agency where the Securities may be presented for payment, an office or agency where the Securities may be presented for registration of transfer and for exchange as in this Indenture provided, and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the Issuer in respect of the Securities or of this Indenture may be served. In case the Issuer shall at any time fail to maintain any such office or agency, or shall fail to give notice to the Trustee of any change in the location thereof, presentation may be made and notice and demand may be served in respect of the Securities or of this Indenture at the Corporate Trust Office. The Issuer hereby initially designates the Corporate Trust Office for each such purpose and appoints the Trustee as registrar and paying agent and as the agent upon whom notices and demands may be served with respect to the Securities. SECTION 3.3 No Interest Extension. In order to prevent any accumulation of claims for interest after maturity thereof, the Issuer will not directly or indirectly extend or consent to the extension of the time for the payment of any claim for interest on any of the Securities and will not directly or indirectly be a party to or approve any such arrangement by the purchase or funding of said claims or in any other manner; provided, however, that this Section 3.3 shall not apply in any case where an extension shall be made pursuant to a plan proposed by the Issuer to the Holders of all Securities of any series then Outstanding. SECTION 3.4 Appointments to Fill Vacancies in Trustee's Office. The Issuer, whenever necessary to avoid or fill a vacancy in the office of the Trustee, will appoint, in the manner provided in Section 6.10, a Trustee, so that there shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder. 14 21 SECTION 3.5 Provision as to Paying Agent. (a) If the Issuer shall appoint a paying agent other than the Trustee, it will cause such paying agent to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section 3.5, (1) that it will hold all sums held by it as such agent for the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities (whether such sums have been paid to it by the Issuer or by any other obligor on the Securities) in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities and the Trustee; and (2) that it will give the Trustee notice of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities when the same shall be due and payable; and (3) that it will, at any time during the continuance of any such failure, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such paying agent. (b) If the Issuer shall act as its own paying agent, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities, set aside, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities a sum sufficient to pay such principal or interest, if any, so becoming due and will notify the Trustee of any failure to take such action and of any failure by the Issuer (or by any other obligor under the Securities) to make any payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities when the same shall become due and payable. (c) Anything in this Section 3.5 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Issuer may, at any time, for the purpose of obtaining a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, or for any other reason, pay or cause to be paid to the Trustee all sums held in trust by it, or any paying agent hereunder, as required by this Section 3.5, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the trusts herein contained. (d) Anything in this Section 3.5 to the contrary notwithstanding, any agreement of the Trustee or any paying agent to hold sums in trust as provided in this Section 3.5 is subject to Sections 10.3 and 10.4. (e) Whenever the Issuer shall have one or more paying agents, it will, on or before each due date of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Securities, deposit with a paying agent a sum sufficient to pay the principal or interest, if any, so becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such principal or interest, if any, and (unless such paying agent is the Trustee) the Issuer will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. SECTION 3.6 Restriction on Creation of Secured Debt. So long as any of the Securities are outstanding, the Issuer shall not at any time create, incur, assume or guarantee, and shall not cause, suffer or permit a Restricted Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or guarantee, any Secured Debt that is expressly by its terms Subordinated Indebtedness without making effective provision (and the Issuer covenants that in such case it will make or cause to be made such effective provision) whereby the Securities then Outstanding and any other indebtedness of or guaranteed by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary then entitled thereto, subject to applicable priorities of payment, shall be secured by such mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance equally and ratably with any and all other obligations and indebtedness thereby secured, so long as any such other obligations and indebtedness shall be so secured; provided, that if any such mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance securing such Subordinated Indebtedness ceases to exist, such equal and ratable security for the benefit of the Holders of Securities shall automatically cease to exist without any further action; provided further that if such Subordinated Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the Securities, the mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance securing such Subordinated Indebtedness shall be subordinate and junior to the mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrancesecuring the Securities with the same relative priority as such Subordinated Indebtedness shall have with respect to the Securities; provided further, that the foregoing covenants shall not be applicable to the following: (a)(i) Any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance on any property hereafter acquired (including acquisition through merger or consolidation) or constructed by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary and created contemporaneously with, or within twelve months after, such acquisition or the completion of construction to secure or provide for the payment of all or any part of the purchase price of such property or the cost of construction thereof, as the case may be; or (ii) any mortgage on property (including any unimproved portion of partially improved 15 22 property) of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary created within twelve months of completion of construction of a new plant or plants on such property to secure all or part of the cost of such construction if, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, such property or such portion thereof was prior to such construction substantially unimproved for the use intended by the Issuer; or (iii) the acquisition of property subject to any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance upon such property existing at the time of acquisition thereof, whether or not assumed by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary; or (iv) any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance existing on the property or on the outstanding shares or indebtedness of a corporation or other entity at the time such corporation or other entity shall become a Restricted Subsidiary; or (v) any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance on property of a corporation or other entity existing at the time such corporation or other entity is merged into or consolidated with the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of a corporation or other entity as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary; or (b) Mortgages on property of the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary in favor of the United States of America or any State thereof or any foreign government, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political subdivision of any thereof, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of construction of the property subject to such mortgages; or (c) Any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance existing on property owned by the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries on the date of this Indenture; or (d) Any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance created pursuant to the creation of trusts or other arrangements funded solely with cash, cash equivalents or other marketable investments or securities of the type customarily subject to such arrangements in customary financial practice with respect to long-term or medium-term Indebtedness for money borrowed, the sole purpose of which is to make provision for the retirement or defeasance, without prepayment, of Indebtedness; or (e) Any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance on the assets or properties of ENSTAR Alaska; or (f) Any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance securing (i) all or part of the cost of exploring, producing, gathering, processing, marketing, drilling or developing any properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or securing Indebtedness incurred to provide funds therefor, or (ii) Indebtedness incurred to finance all or part of the cost of acquiring, constructing, altering, improving or repairing any such property or assets, or securing Indebtedness incurred to provide funds therefor; or (g) Any extension, renewal or replacement (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements) in whole or in part of any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance referred to in the foregoing subparagraphs (a) through (f); provided, however, that the principal amount of Secured Debt secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount outstanding at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement, and that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to the property which secured the mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance so extended, renewed or replaced and additions to such property. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.6, the Issuer and any one or more Restricted Subsidiaries may create, incur, assume or guarantee Secured Debt which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions in an aggregate amount that, without duplication, together with all other Secured Debt of the Issuer and its Restricted Subsidiaries which would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions (not including Secured Debt permitted to be secured under subparagraphs (a) through (g) above) and the aggregate value of the Sale and Leaseback Transactions (as defined in Section 3.7) in existence at such time (not including Sale and Leaseback Transactions the proceeds of which have been or will be applied in accordance with clause (b) of Section 3.7) does not at the time exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (excluding ENSTAR Alaska). Solely for purposes of subparagraphs (a) through (g) above, the term "mortgage" shall include any arrangements in connection with a production payment or similar financing arrangement. SECTION 3.7 Restriction on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Issuer will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, sell or transfer (except to the Issuer or to one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, or both) any 16 23 Principal Property owned by it and which has been in full operation for more than 120 days prior to such sale or transfer with the intention (i) of taking back a lease on such property (other than a lease for a period not exceeding 36 months) and (ii) that the use by the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary of such property will be discontinued on or before the expiration of the term of such lease (any such transaction being herein referred to as a "Sale and Leaseback Transaction"), unless (a) the Issuer or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.6, to incur Secured Debt equal in amount to the amount realized or to be realized upon such sale or transfer secured by a mortgage on the property to be leased without equally and ratably securing the Securities, or (b) the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary shall apply an amount equal to the value of the property so leased to the retirement (other than any mandatory retirement), within 120 days of the effective date of any such arrangement, of indebtedness for money borrowed by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than such indebtedness owned by the Issuer or any Restricted Subsidiary) which was recorded as funded debt as of the date of its creation and which, in the case of such indebtedness of the Issuer, is not subordinate and junior in right of payment to the prior payment of the Securities; provided, however, that the amount to be so applied to the retirement of such indebtedness shall be reduced by (i) the aggregate principal amount of any Securities delivered within 120 days of the effective date of any such arrangement to the Trustee for retirement and cancellation, and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of such indebtedness (other than the Securities) retired by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary within 120 days of the effective date of any such arrangement. The term "value" shall mean, with respect to a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, as of any particular time, the amount equal to the greater of (i) the net proceeds of the sale of the property leased pursuant to such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, or (ii) the fair value of such property at the time of entering into such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, as determined by the Board of Directors, in either case divided first by the number of full years of the term of the lease and then multiplied by the number of full years of such term remaining at the time of determination, without regard to any renewal or extension options contained in the lease. SECTION 3.8 Limitation on Issuance of Certain Other Subordinated Indebtedness. The Issuer shall not issue, guarantee, assume or incur, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness which by its terms is both (a) subordinate or junior in right of payment to Senior Indebtedness and (b) senior in right of payment to the Securities. ARTICLE FOUR SECURITYHOLDERS LISTS AND REPORTS BY THE ISSUER AND THE TRUSTEE SECTION 4.1 Issuer to Furnish Trustee Information as to Names and Addresses of Securityholders. The Issuer and any other obligor on the Securities covenant and agree that they will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee a list in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of the Securities of each series: (a) semiannually and not more than 15 days after each March 1 and September 1, and (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after receipt by the Issuer of any such request, provided that if and so long as the Trustee shall be the registrar for such series, such list shall not be required to be furnished. SECTION 4.2 Preservation and Disclosure of Securityholders Lists. (a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, all information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of each series of Securities (i) contained in the most recent list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1, and (ii) received by it in the capacity of registrar or paying agent for such series, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 4.1 upon receipt of a new list so furnished. (b) In case three or more Holders of Securities (hereinafter referred to as "applicants") apply in writing to the Trustee and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such applicant has owned a Security for a period of at least six months preceding the date of such application, and such application states that the applicants desire to communicate with other Holders of Securities of a particular series (in which case the applicants must all hold Securities 17 24 of such series) or with Holders of all Securities with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under such Securities and such application is accompanied by a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which such applicants propose to transmit, then the Trustee shall, within five Business Days after the receipt of such application, at its election, either (i) afford to such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, or (ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders of Securities of such series or of all Securities, as the case may be, whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2, and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Securityholders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application. If the Trustee shall elect not to afford to such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Securityholder of such series or all Holders of Securities, as the case may be, whose name and address appears in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.2 a copy of the form of proxy or other communication which is specified in such request, with reasonable promptness after a tender to the Trustee of the material to be mailed and of payment, or provision for the payment, of the reasonable expenses of mailing, unless within five days after such tender, the Trustee shall mail to such applicants and file with the Commission, together with a copy of the material to be mailed, a written statement to the effect that, in the opinion of the Trustee, such mailing would be contrary to the best interests of the Holders of Securities of such series or of all Securities, as the case may be, or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the Commission, after opportunity for a hearing upon the objections specified in the written statement so filed, shall enter an order refusing to sustain any of such objections or if, after the entry of an order sustaining one or more of such objections, the Commission shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all the objections so sustained have been met, and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Securityholders with reasonable promptness after the entry of such order and the renewal of such tender; otherwise the Trustee shall be relieved of any obligation or duty to such applicants respecting their application. (c) Each and every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Issuer and the Trustee that neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this Section 4.2, regardless of the source from which such information was derived, and that the Trustee shall not be held accountable by reason of mailing any material pursuant to a request made under such subsection (b). SECTION 4.3 Reports by the Issuer. The Issuer covenants: (a) to file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Issuer is required to file the same with the Commission, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the Commission may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Issuer may be required to file with the Commission pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; or, if the Issuer is not required to file information, documents or reports pursuant to either of such Sections, then to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in respect of a debt security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations; (b) to file with the Trustee and the Commission, in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Issuer with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture as may be required from time to time by such rules and regulations; 18 25 (c) if there are any Original Issue Discount Securities Outstanding, to file with the Trustee promptly after the end of each calendar year (i) a written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily rates and accrual periods) accrued on such Securities as of the end of such year and (ii) such other specific information relating to such original issue discount as may then be relevant under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time. (d) to transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities within 30 days after the filing thereof with the Trustee, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 4.4(c), such summaries of any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Issuer pursuant to subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 4.3 as may be required to be transmitted to such Holders by rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the Commission; and (e) furnish to the Trustee, not less than annually, a brief certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer as to his knowledge of the Issuer's compliance with all conditions and covenants under this Indenture. For purposes of this subsection (e), such compliance shall be determined without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided under this Indenture. Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Issuer's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates). SECTION 4.4 Reports by the Trustee. (a) Within 60 days after January 1 of each year commencing with the year 1998, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to the Holders of Securities, as provided in subsection (c) of this Section, a brief report dated as of such January 1 with respect to any of the following events which may have occurred within the last 12 months (but if no such event has occurred within such period, no report need be transmitted): (i) any change to its eligibility under Section 6.9 and its qualification under Section 6.8; (ii) the creation of, or any material change to, a relationship specified in paragraph (i) through (x) of Section 6.8 (c); (iii) the character and amount of any advances (and if the Trustee elects so to state, the circumstances surrounding the making thereof) made by the Trustee (as such) which remain unpaid on the date of such report and for the reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge, prior to that of the Securities of any series, on any property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee, except that the Trustee shall not be required (but may elect) to report such advances if such advances so remaining unpaid aggregate not more than 1/2 of 1% of the principal amount of all Securities Outstanding on the date of such report; (iv) the amount, interest rate, if any, and maturity date of all other indebtedness owing by the Issuer (or by any other obligor on the Securities) to the Trustee in its individual capacity on the date of such report, with a brief description of any property held as collateral security therefor, except any indebtedness based upon a creditor relationship arising in any manner described in Section 6.13(b) (2), (3), (4) or (6); (v) any change to the property and funds, if any, physically in the possession of the Trustee (as such) on the date of such report; (vi) any additional issue of Securities which the Trustee has not previously reported; and (vii) any action taken by the Trustee in the performance of its duties under this Indenture which it has not previously reported and which in its opinion materially affects the Securities, except action in respect of a default, notice of which has been or is to be withheld by it in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.8. (b) The Trustee shall transmit to the Securityholders of each series, as provided in subsection (c) of this Section 4.4, a brief report with respect to the character and amount of any advances (and if the Trustee elects so to state, the circumstances surrounding the making thereof) made by the Trustee, as such, since the date of the last report transmitted pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a) of this Section 4.4 (or if no such report has yet been so 19 26 transmitted, since the date of this Indenture) for the reimbursement of which it claims or may claim a lien or charge prior to that of the Securities of such series on property or funds held or collected by it as Trustee and which it has not previously reported pursuant to this subsection (b), except that the Trustee shall not be required (but may elect) to report such advances if such advances remaining unpaid at any time aggregate 10% or less of the principal amount of all Securities Outstanding at such time, such report to be transmitted within 90 days after such time. (c) Reports pursuant to this Section shall be transmitted by mail: (i) to all Holders of Securities, as the names and addresses of such Holders appear upon the registry books of the Issuer; and (ii) to all other Persons to whom such reports are required to be transmitted pursuant to Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. (d) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Securityholders, be furnished to the Issuer and be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which the Securities of any applicable series are listed and also with the Commission. The Issuer agrees to promptly notify the Trustee with respect to any series when and as the Securities of such series become admitted to trading on any national securities exchange or delisted from trading thereon. ARTICLE FIVE REMEDIES OF THE TRUSTEE AND SECURITY HOLDERS ON EVENT OF DEFAULT SECTION 5.1 Events of Default. "Event of Default", wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, means any one or more of the following events (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and whether it shall be occasioned by the provisions of Article Thirteen or otherwise), unless it is either inapplicable to a particular series or it is specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the Board Resolution or supplemental indenture establishing such series of Securities or in the form of Security, for such series: (a) default in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or (b) default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable either at maturity, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise; or (c) default in the payment or satisfaction of any sinking fund or other purchase obligation with respect to Securities of such series, as and when such obligation shall become due and payable as in this Indenture expressed; or (d) failure on the part of the Issuer duly to observe or perform any other of the covenants or agreements on the part of the Issuer in the Securities of such series or in this Indenture continued for a period of 60 days after the date on which written notice of such failure, requiring the same to be remedied, shall have been given to the Issuer by the Trustee by certified or registered mail, or to the Issuer and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding; or (e) without the consent of the Issuer a court having jurisdiction shall enter an order for relief with respect to the Issuer under the Bankruptcy Code or without the consent of the Issuer a court having jurisdiction shall enter a judgment, order or decree adjudging the Issuer a bankrupt or insolvent, or enter an order for relief for reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Issuer under the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state insolvency law and the continuance of any such judgment, order or decree is unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or (f) the Issuer shall institute proceedings for entry of an order for relief with respect to the Issuer under the Bankruptcy Code or for an adjudication of insolvency, or shall consent to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or shall file a petition seeking, or seek or consent to reorganization, arrangement, composition 20 27 or relief under the Bankruptcy Code or any applicable state law, or shall consent to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of a receiver, custodian, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or similar official of the Issuer or of substantially all of its property, or the Issuer shall make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors as recognized under the Bankruptcy Code; or (g) any other Event of Default provided with respect to the Securities of such series. If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series then Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then and in each and every such case, unless the principal of all of the Securities of such series shall have already become due and payable, either the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, by notice in writing to the Issuer (and to the Trustee if given by Securityholders), may declare the principal (or, if the Securities of such series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of such series) of all the Securities of such series and the interest, if any, accrued thereon to be due and payable immediately, and upon any such declaration the same shall become and shall be immediately due and payable, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture or in the Securities of such series. This provision, however, is subject to the condition that, if at any time after the unpaid principal amount (or such specified amount) of the Securities of such series shall have been so declared due and payable and before any judgment or decree for the payment of the moneys due shall have been obtained or entered as hereinafter provided, the Issuer shall pay or shall deposit with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all matured installments of interest, if any, upon all of the Securities of such series and the principal of any and all Securities of such series which shall have become due otherwise than by acceleration (with interest on overdue installments of interest, if any, to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law and on such principal at the rate borne by the Securities of such series to the date of such payment or deposit) and the reasonable compensation, disbursements, expenses and advances of the Trustee, and any and all defaults under this Indenture, other than the nonpayment of such portion of the principal amount of and accrued interest, if any, on Securities of such series which shall have become due by acceleration, shall have been cured or shall have been waived in accordance with Section 5.7 or provision deemed by the Trustee to be adequate shall have been made therefor, then and in every such case the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, by written notice to the Issuer and to the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences; but no such rescission and annulment shall extend to or shall affect any subsequent default, or shall impair any right consequent thereon. If any Event of Default with respect to the Issuer specified in Section 5.1(e) or 5.1(f) occurs, all unpaid principal amount (or, if the Securities of any series then Outstanding are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of each such series) and accrued interest on all Securities of each series then Outstanding shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act by the Trustee or any Securityholder. If the Trustee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under this Indenture and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned because of such rescission or annulment or for any other reason or shall have been determined adversely to the Trustee, then and in every such case the Issuer, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall be restored respectively to their several positions and rights hereunder, and all rights, remedies and powers of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken. Except with respect to an Event of Default pursuant to Section 5.1 (a), (b) or (c), the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Event of Default unless written notice thereof shall have been given to a Responsible Officer by the Issuer, a paying agent or any Securityholder. SECTION 5.2 Payment of Securities on Default; Suit Therefor. The Issuer covenants that (a) if default shall be made in the payment of any installment of interest upon any of the Securities of any series then Outstanding as and when the same shall become due and payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of 30 days, or (b) if default shall be made in the payment of the principal of any of the Securities of such series as and when the same shall have become due and payable, whether at maturity of the Securities of such series or upon redemption or by declaration or otherwise, then, upon demand of the Trustee, the Issuer will pay to the Trustee, for the benefit of the Holders of the Securities, the whole amount that then shall have become due and payable on all such Securities of such series for principal or interest, if any, or both, as the case may be, with interest upon the overdue principal and (to the extent that payment of such interest is enforceable under applicable law) upon the overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate borne by the Securities of such series; and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the 21 28 costs and expenses of collection, including a reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and any expenses or liabilities incurred by the Trustee hereunder other than through its negligence or bad faith. If the Issuer shall fail forthwith to pay such amounts upon such demand, the Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, shall be entitled and empowered to institute any actions or proceedings at law or in equity for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such action or proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce any such judgment or final decree against the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities of such series and collect in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities of such series, wherever situated, the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable. If there shall be pending proceedings for the bankruptcy or for the reorganization of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities of any series then Outstanding under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or if a receiver or trustee or similar official shall have been appointed for the property of the Issuer or such other obligor, or in the case of any other similar judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or other obligor upon the Securities of such series, or to the creditors or property of the Issuer or such other obligor, the Trustee, irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of such series shall then be due and payable as therein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Trustee shall have made any demand pursuant to the provisions of this Section 5.2, shall be entitled and empowered by intervention in such proceedings or otherwise to file and prove a claim or claims for the whole amount of principal and interest, if any, owing and unpaid in respect of the Securities of such series, and, in case of any judicial proceedings, to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and of the Securityholders allowed in such judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities of such series, its or their creditors, or its or their property, and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims, and to distribute the same after the deduction of its charges and expenses, and any receiver, assignee or trustee or similar official in bankruptcy or reorganization is hereby authorized by each of the Securityholders to make such payments to the Trustee, and, if the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for compensation and expenses, including counsel fees and expenses incurred by it up to the date of such distribution. To the extent that such payment of reasonable compensation, expenses and counsel fees and expenses out of the estate in any such proceedings shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, moneys, securities and other property which the Holders of the Securities of such series may be entitled to receive in such proceedings, whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Indenture, or under any of the Securities, may be enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the Securities, or the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative thereto, and any such suit or proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities of the series in respect of which such judgment has been recovered. SECTION 5.3 Application of Moneys Collected by Trustee. Any moneys collected by the Trustee pursuant to Section 5.2 with respect to Securities of any series then Outstanding shall be applied in the order following, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee for the distribution of such moneys, upon presentation of the several Securities of such series, and stamping thereon the payment, if only partially paid, and upon surrender thereof, if fully paid: FIRST: To the payment of costs and expenses of collection and reasonable compensation to the Trustee, its agents, attorneys and counsel, and of all other expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee pursuant to Section 6.6 except as a result of its negligence or bad faith; SECOND: If the principal of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall not have become due and be unpaid, to the payment of interest, if any, on the Securities of such series, in the order of the maturity of the installments of such interest, if any, with interest (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon the overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate borne by the Securities of such series, such payment to be made ratably to the Persons entitled thereto; THIRD: If the principal of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall have become due, by declaration or otherwise, to the payment of the whole amount then owing and unpaid upon the Securities of such 22 29 series for principal and interest, if any, with interest on the overdue principal and (to the extent that such interest has been collected by the Trustee) upon overdue installments of interest, if any, at the rate borne by the Securities of such series; and in case such moneys shall be insufficient to pay in full the whole amounts so due and unpaid upon the Securities of such series, then to the payment of such principal and interest, if any, without preference or priority of principal over interest or of interest over principal, or of any installment of interest over any other installment of interest, or of any Security over any other Security, ratably to the aggregate of such principal and accrued and unpaid interest; and FOURTH: To the payment of any surplus then remaining to the Issuer, its successors or assigns, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same. No claim for interest which in any manner at or after maturity shall have been transferred or pledged separate or apart from the Securities to which it relates, or which in any manner shall have been kept alive after maturity by an extension (otherwise than pursuant to an extension made pursuant to a plan proposed by the Issuer to the Holders of all Securities of any series then Outstanding), purchase, funding or otherwise by or on behalf or with the consent or approval of the Issuer shall be entitled, in case of a default hereunder, to any benefit of this Indenture, except after prior payment in full of the principal of all Securities of any series then Outstanding and of all claims for interest not so transferred, pledged, kept alive, extended, purchased or funded. SECTION 5.4 Proceedings by Securityholders. No Holder of any Securities of any series then Outstanding shall have any right by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture to institute any suit, action or proceeding in equity or at law upon or under or with respect to this Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or similar official, or for any other remedy hereunder, unless such Holder previously shall have given to the Trustee written notice of default and of the continuance thereof, as hereinbefore provided, and unless the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute such action, suit or proceeding in its own name as Trustee hereunder and shall have offered to the Trustee such reasonable indemnity as it may require against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred therein or thereby, and the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, shall have neglected or refused to institute any such action, suit or proceeding, it being understood and intended, and being expressly covenanted by the Holder of every Security of such series with every other taker and Holder and the Trustee, that no one or more Holders of Securities of such series shall have any right in any manner whatever by virtue of or by availing of any provision of this Indenture or of the Securities to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other Holder of such Securities of such series, or to obtain or seek to obtain priority over or preference as to any other such Holder, or to enforce any right under this Indenture or the Securities, except in the manner herein provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all Holders of Securities of such series. Notwithstanding any other provisions in this Indenture, but subject to Article Thirteen, the right of any Holder of any Security to receive payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on such Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Security, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder. SECTION 5.5 Proceedings by Trustee. In case of an Event of Default hereunder, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this Indenture by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of such rights, either by suit in equity or by action at law or by proceedings in bankruptcy or otherwise, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in this Indenture, or to enforce any other legal or equitable right vested in the Trustee by this Indenture or by law. SECTION 5.6 Remedies Cumulative and Continuing. All powers and remedies given by this Article Five to the Trustee or to the Securityholders shall, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed cumulative and not exclusive of any thereof or of any other powers and remedies available to the Trustee or the Securityholders, by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to enforce the performance or observance of the covenants and agreements contained in this Indenture, and no delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Securityholder to exercise any right or power accruing upon any default occurring and continuing as aforesaid shall impair any such right or power, or shall be construed to be a waiver of any such default or an acquiescence therein; and, subject to the provisions of Section 5.4, every power and 23 30 remedy given by this Article Five or by law to the Trustee or to the Securityholders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as shall be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Securityholders. SECTION 5.7 Direction of Proceedings; Waiver of Defaults by Majority of Securityholders. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series then Outstanding shall have the right to direct the time, method, and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series; provided, however, that (subject to the provisions of Section 6.1) the Trustee shall have the right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee shall determine upon advice of counsel that the action or proceeding so directed may not lawfully be taken or if the Trustee in good faith by its board of directors, its executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers or both shall determine that the action or proceeding so directed would involve the Trustee in personal liability. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series then Outstanding may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any past default or Event of Default hereunder and its consequences except a default in the payment of interest, if any, on, or the principal of, the Securities of such series. Upon any such waiver the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities of such series shall be restored to their former positions and rights hereunder, respectively; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Whenever any default or Event of Default hereunder shall have been waived as permitted by this Section 5.7, said default or Event of Default shall for all purposes of the Securities and this Indenture be deemed to have been cured and to be not continuing. SECTION 5.8 Notice of Defaults. The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default, with respect to Securities of any series then Outstanding, mail to all Holders of Securities of such series, as the names and the addresses of such Holders appear upon the Securities register, notice of all defaults known to the Trustee with respect to such series, unless such defaults shall have been cured before the giving of such notice (the term "defaults" for the purpose of this Section 5.8 being hereby defined to be the events specified in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of Section 5.1, not including periods of grace, if any, provided for therein and irrespective of the giving of the written notice specified in said clause (d) but in the case of any default of the character specified in said clause (d) no such notice to Securityholders shall be given until at least 60 days after the giving of written notice thereof to the Issuer pursuant to said clause (d), as the case may be); provided, however, that, except in the case of default in the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any of the Securities, or in the payment or satisfaction of any sinking fund or other purchase obligation, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee, or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers or both of the Trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the best interests of the Securityholders. SECTION 5.9 Undertaking to Pay Costs. All parties to this Indenture agree, and each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof shall be deemed to have agreed, that any court may in its discretion require, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the cost of such suit, and that such court may in its discretion assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorney's fees and expenses, against any party litigant in such suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by such party litigant; but the provisions of this Section 5.9 shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Trustee, to any suit instituted by any Securityholder, or group of Securityholders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of the Securities of any series then Outstanding, or to any suit instituted by any Securityholders for the enforcement of the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security against the Issuer on or after the due date expressed in such Security. ARTICLE SIX CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE SECTION 6.1 Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee; During Default; Prior to Default. With respect to the Holders of any series of Securities issued hereunder, the Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a particular series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred with respect to such series, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. In case an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred (which has not been cured or waived) the Trustee shall exercise with respect to such series of Securities such of the rights and powers 24 31 vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own wilful misconduct, except that (a) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series and after the curing or waiving of all such Events of Default with respect to such series which may have occurred: (i) the duties and obligations of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture, and the Trustee shall not be liable except for the performance of such duties and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and (ii) in the absence of bad faith on the part of the Trustee, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon any statements, certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such statements, certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein); (b) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer or Responsible Officers of the Trustee, unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and (c) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction of the Holders pursuant to Section 5.7 relating to the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Indenture. None of the provisions contained in this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur personal financial liability in the performance of any of its duties or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if there shall be reasonable ground for believing that the repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such liability is not reasonably assured to it. SECTION 6.2 Certain Rights of the Trustee. Subject to Section 6.1: (a) the Trustee may rely conclusively and shall be protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, Officers' Certificate or any other certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties; (b) any request, direction, order or demand of the Issuer mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an Officers' Certificate or Issuer Order (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed); and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be evidenced to the Trustee by a copy thereof certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer; (c) the Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and any advice of such counsel promptly confirmed in writing shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon in accordance with such advice or Opinion of Counsel; (d) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the trusts or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Securityholders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture 25 32 (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 5.1), unless such Securityholders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred therein or thereby; (e) the Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith and believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion, rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture; (f) prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default, the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, appraisal, bond, debenture, note, coupon, security, or other paper or document unless requested in writing so to do by the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series affected then Outstanding; provided that, if the payment within a reasonable time to the Trustee of the costs, expenses or liabilities likely to be incurred by it in the making of such investigation is, in the opinion of the Trustee, not reasonably assured to the Trustee by the security afforded to it by the terms of this Indenture, the Trustee may require reasonable indemnity against such expenses or liabilities as a condition to proceeding; the reasonable expenses of every such investigation shall be paid by the Issuer or, if paid by the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee, shall be repaid by the Issuer upon demand; (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or attorneys not regularly in its employ and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or negligence on the part of any such agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder; and (h) the Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default of Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture. SECTION 6.3 Trustee Not Responsible for Recitals, Disposition of Securities or Application of Proceeds Thereof. The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Issuer, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for the correctness of the same. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Indenture, of the Securities or of any prospectus used to sell the Securities. The Trustee shall not be accountable for the use or application by the Issuer of any of the Securities or of the proceeds thereof. SECTION 6.4 Trustee and Agents May Hold Securities; Collections, etc. The Trustee or any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent and, subject to Sections 6.8 and 6.13, may otherwise deal with the Issuer and receive, collect, hold and retain collections from the Issuer with the same rights it would have if it were not the Trustee or such agent. SECTION 6.5 Moneys Held by Trustee. Subject to the provisions of Section 10.4 hereof, all moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by mandatory provisions of law. Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be under any liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder. SECTION 6.6 Compensation and Indemnification of Trustee and Its Prior Claim. The Issuer covenants and agrees to pay to the Trustee from time to time, and the Trustee shall be entitled to, such compensation as shall be agreed to in writing between the Issuer and the Trustee (which shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust) and the Issuer covenants and agrees to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by or on behalf of it in accordance with any of the provisions of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its counsel and of all agents and other persons not regularly in its employ) except any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence or bad faith. The Issuer also covenants to indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, claim or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based on the income of the Trustee), incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture 26 33 or the trusts hereunder and its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself against or investigating any claim or liability in the premises. The obligations of the Issuer under this Section 6.6 to compensate and indemnify the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee and to pay or reimburse the Trustee and each predecessor Trustee for expenses, disbursements and advances shall constitute additional indebtedness hereunder and shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the resignation or removal of the Trustee and shall not be subordinate to the payment of Senior Indebtedness pursuant to Article Thirteen. Such additional indebtedness shall be a senior claim to that of the Securities upon all property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities, and the Securities are hereby subordinated to such senior claim. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with an Event of Default specified in Section 5.1 or in connection with Article Five hereof, the expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel) and the compensation for the service in connection therewith are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any bankruptcy law. SECTION 6.7 Right of Trustee to Rely on Officers' Certificate, etc. Subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, whenever in the administration of the trusts of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking or suffering or omitting any action hereunder, such matter (unless other evidence in respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee, and such certificate, in the absence of negligence or bad faith on the part of the Trustee, shall be full warrant to the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or omitted by it under the provisions of this Indenture upon the faith thereof. SECTION 6.8 Qualification of Trustee; Conflicting Interests. (a) If the Trustee has or shall acquire any conflicting interest (as defined in subsection (c)), then within 90 days after ascertaining that it has such conflicting interest, and if the default (as defined in subsection (c)) to which such conflicting interest relates has not been cured or duly waived or otherwise eliminated before the end of such 90-day period, the Trustee shall either eliminate such conflicting interest or, except as otherwise provided below, resign, and the Issuer shall take prompt steps to have a successor appointed in the manner provided in Section 6.10. (b) If the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of subsection (a), the Trustee shall, within 10 days after the expiration of such 90-day period, transmit notice of such failure to the Securityholders in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 4.4 and, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, unless the Trustee's duty to resign is stayed as provided below, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of Securities for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee, and the appointment of a successor, if the Trustee fails, after written request thereof by such Securityholder, to comply with the provisions of subsection (a). Except in the case of a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security, or in the payment of any sinking or purchase fund installment, the Trustee shall not be required to resign as provided by this Section 6.8 if the Trustee shall have sustained the burden of proving, on application to the Commission and after opportunity for hearing thereon, that (i) the default under the Indenture may be cured or waived during a reasonable period and under the procedures described in such application, and (ii) a stay of the Trustee's duty to resign will not be inconsistent with the interests of Holders of the Securities. The filing of such an application shall automatically stay the performance of the duty to resign until the Commission orders otherwise. Any resignation of the Trustee shall become effective only upon the appointment of a successor trustee in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.10 and such successor's acceptance of such an appointment. (c) For the purposes of this Section 6.8, the Trustee shall be deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to Securities of any series if the Securities of such series are in default (as determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.1, but exclusive of any period of grace or requirement of notice) and 27 34 (i) the Trustee is trustee under this Indenture with respect to the Outstanding securities of any other series or is a trustee under another indenture under which any other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in any other securities, of the Issuer are outstanding, unless such other indenture is a collateral trust indenture under which the only collateral consists of Securities issued under this Indenture; provided that there shall be excluded from the operation of this paragraph (i), this Indenture with respect to the Securities of any other series and there shall also be so excluded any other indenture or indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest or participation in other securities, of the Issuer are outstanding if (x) this Indenture is and, if applicable, this Indenture and any series issued pursuant to this Indenture and such other indenture or indentures are wholly unsecured and rank equally and such other indenture or indentures are hereafter qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, unless the Commission shall have found and declared by order pursuant to Section 305(b) or Section 307(c) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 that differences exist between the provisions of this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series and one or more other series, or the provisions of this Indenture and the provisions of such other indenture or indentures which are so likely to involve a material conflict of interest as to make it necessary in the public interest or for the protection of investors to disqualify the Trustee from acting as such under this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series and such other series, or under this Indenture or such other indenture or indentures, or (y) the Issuer shall have sustained the burden of proving, on application to the Commission and after opportunity for hearing thereon, that trusteeship under this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series and such other series, or under this Indenture and such other indenture or indentures is not so likely to involve a material conflict of interest as to make it necessary in the public interest or for the protection of investors to disqualify the Trustee from acting as such under this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series and such other series, or under this Indenture and such other indentures; (ii) the Trustee or any of its directors or executive officers is an underwriter for the Issuer; (iii) the Trustee directly or indirectly controls or is directly or indirectly controlled by or is under direct or indirect common control with an underwriter for the Issuer; (iv) the Trustee or any of its directors or executive officers is a director, officer, partner, employee, appointee, or representative of the Issuer, or of an underwriter (other than the Trustee itself) for the Issuer who is currently engaged in the business of underwriting, except that (x) one individual may be a director or an executive officer, or both, of the Trustee and a director or an executive officer, or both, of the Issuer, but may not be at the same time an executive officer of both the Trustee and the Issuer; (y) if and so long as the number of directors of the Trustee in office is more than nine, one additional individual may be a director or an executive officer, or both, of the Trustee and a director of the Issuer; and (z) the Trustee may be designated by the Issuer or by any underwriter for the Issuer to act in the capacity of transfer agent, registrar, custodian, paying agent, fiscal agent, escrow agent, or depositary, or in any other similar capacity, or, subject to the provisions of subsection (c) (i) of this Section, to act as trustee, whether under an indenture or otherwise; (v) 10% or more of the voting securities of the Trustee is beneficially owned either by the Issuer or by any director, partner or executive officer thereof, or 20% or more of such voting securities is beneficially owned, collectively, by any two or more of such persons; or 10% or more of the voting securities of the Trustee is beneficially owned either by an underwriter for the Issuer or by any director, partner, or executive officer thereof, or is beneficially owned, collectively, by any two or more such persons; (vi) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral security for an obligation which is in default, (x) 5% or more of the voting securities or 10% or more of any other class of security of the Issuer, not including the Securities issued under this Indenture and securities issued under any other indenture under which the Trustee is also trustee, or (y) 10% or more of any class of security of an underwriter for the Issuer; (vii) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral security for an obligation which is in default, 5% or more of the voting securities of any person who, to the knowledge of the Trustee, owns 10% or more of the voting securities of, or controls directly or indirectly or is under direct or indirect common control with, the Issuer; 28 35 (viii) the Trustee is the beneficial owner of, or holds as collateral security for an obligation which is in default, 10% or more of any class security of any person who, to the knowledge of the Trustee, owns 50% or more of the voting securities of the Issuer; (ix) the Trustee owns on the date of default (as determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.1, but exclusive of any period of grace or requirement of notice) or on any anniversary of such default while such default remains outstanding, in the capacity of executor, administrator, testamentary or inter vivos trustee, guardian, committee or conservator, or in any other similar capacity, an aggregate of 25% or more of the voting securities, or of any class of security, of any Person, the beneficial ownership of a specified percentage of which would have constituted a conflicting interest under paragraphs (vi), (vii) or (viii) of this subsection. As to any such securities of which the Trustee acquired ownership through becoming executor, administrator, or testamentary trustee of an estate which included them, the provisions of the preceding sentence shall not apply, for a period of two years from the date of such acquisition, to the extent that such securities included in such estate do not exceed 25% of such voting securities or 25% of any such class of security. Promptly after the dates of any such default and annually in each succeeding year that the Securities remain in default, the Trustee shall make a check of its holdings of such securities in any of the above-mentioned capacities as of such dates. If the Issuer fails to make payment in full of principal of or interest on any of the Securities when and as the same becomes due and payable, and such failure continues for 30 days thereafter, the Trustee shall make a prompt check of its holdings of such Securities in any of the above-mentioned capacities as of the date of the expiration of such 30-day period, and after such date, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, all such Securities so held by the Trustee, with sole or joint control over such Securities vested in it, shall, but only so long as such failure shall continue, be considered as though beneficially owned by the Trustee for the purposes of paragraphs (vi), (vii) and (viii) of this subsection; or (x) except under the circumstances described in paragraphs (1), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of Section 6.13(b), the Trustee shall be or shall become a creditor of the Issuer. For purposes of subsection (c) (i), the term "series of securities" or "series" means a series, class or group of securities issuable under an indenture pursuant to the terms of which holders of one such series may vote to direct the Trustee, or otherwise take action pursuant to a vote of such holders, separately from holders of another such series; provided that "series of securities" or "series" shall not include any series of securities issuable under an indenture if all such series rank equally and are wholly unsecured. The specification of percentages in subsections (c) (v) to (ix) inclusive of this Section 6.8 shall not be construed as indicating that the ownership of such percentages of the securities of a person is or is not necessary or sufficient to constitute direct or indirect control for the purposes of subsections (c) (iii) or (vii) of this Section. For the purposes of subsections (c) (vi), (vii), (viii) and (ix), of this Section 6.8, only, (A) the terms "security" and "securities" shall include only such securities as are generally known as corporate securities, but shall not include any note or other evidence of indebtedness issued to evidence an obligation to repay moneys lent to a person by one or more banks, trust companies, or banking firms, or any certificate of interest or participation in any such note or evidence of indebtedness; (B) an obligation shall be deemed to be in default when a default in payment of principal shall have continued for 30 days or more and shall not have been cured; and (C) the Trustee shall not be deemed to be the owner or holder of (x) any security which it holds as collateral security, as trustee or otherwise, for an obligation which is not in default as defined in clause (B) above, or (y) any security which it holds as collateral security under this Indenture, irrespective of any default hereunder, or (z) any security which it holds as agent for collection, or as custodian, escrow agent, or depositary, or in any similar representative capacity. Except as provided above, the word "security" or "securities" as used in this Section 6.8 shall mean any note, stock, treasury stock, bond, debenture, evidence of indebtedness, certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement, collateral trust certificate, preorganization certificate or subscription, transferable share, 29 36 investment contract, voting trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, fractional undivided interest in oil, gas or other mineral rights, or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a "security", or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing. (d) For purposes of this Section 6.8: (i) the term "underwriter" when used with reference to the Issuer shall mean every person who, within a one year period prior to the time as of which the determination is made, was an underwriter of any security of the Issuer outstanding at the time of the determination; (ii) the term "director" shall mean any director of a corporation or any individual performing similar functions with respect to any organization whether incorporated or unincorporated; (iii) the term "person" shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint-stock company, a trust, an unincorporated organization, or a government or political subdivision thereof; as used in this paragraph, the term "trust" shall include only a trust where the interest or interests of the beneficiary or beneficiaries are evidenced by a security; (iv) the term "voting security" shall mean any security presently entitling the owner or holder thereof to vote in the direction or management of the affairs of a person, or any security issued under or pursuant to any trust, agreement or arrangement whereby a trustee or trustees or agent or agents for the owner or holder of such security are presently entitled to vote in the direction or management of the affairs of a person; (v) the term "Issuer" shall mean any obligor upon the Securities; and (vi) the term "executive officer" shall mean the president, every vice president, every trust officer, the cashier, the secretary, and the treasurer of a corporation, and any individual customarily performing similar functions with respect to any organization whether incorporated or unincorporated, but shall not include the chairman of the board of directors. (e) The percentages of voting securities and other securities specified in this Section 6.8 shall be calculated in accordance with the following provisions: (i) a specified percentage of the voting securities of the Trustee, the Issuer or any other person referred to in this Section (each of whom is referred to as a "person" in this paragraph) means such amount of the outstanding voting securities of such person as entitles the holder or holders thereof to cast such specified percentage of the aggregate votes which the holders of all the outstanding voting securities of such person are entitled to cast in the direction or management of the affairs of such person; (ii) a specified percentage of a class of securities of a person means such percentage of the aggregate amount of securities of the class outstanding; (iii) the term "amount", when used in regard to securities, means the principal amount if relating to evidences of indebtedness, the number of shares if relating to capital shares, and the number of units if relating to any other kind of security; (iv) the term "outstanding" means issued and not held by or for the account of the issuer; the following securities shall not be deemed outstanding within the meaning of this definition: (A) securities of an issuer held in a sinking fund relating to securities of the issuer of the same class; (B) securities of an issuer held in a sinking fund relating to another class of securities of the issuer, if the obligation evidenced by such other class of securities is not in default as to principal or interest or otherwise; 30 37 (C) securities pledged by the issuer thereof as security for an obligation of the issuer not in default as to principal or interest or otherwise; and (D) securities held in escrow if placed in escrow by the issuer thereof; provided, that any voting securities of an issuer shall be deemed outstanding if any person other than the issuer is entitled to exercise the voting rights thereof; and (v) a security shall be deemed to be of the same class as another security if both securities confer upon the holder or holders thereof substantially the same rights and privileges; provided, that, in the case of secured evidences of indebtedness, all of which are issued under a single indenture, differences in the interest rates or maturity dates of various series thereof shall not be deemed sufficient to constitute such series different classes and provided, further, that, in the case of unsecured evidences of indebtedness, differences in the interest rates or maturity dates thereof shall not be deemed sufficient to constitute them securities of different classes, whether or not they are issued under a single indenture. SECTION 6.9 Persons Eligible for Appointment as Trustee. The Trustee for each series of Securities hereunder shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state or the District of Columbia having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000, and which is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal, state or District of Columbia authority, or a corporation or other Person permitted to act as trustee by the Commission. If such corporation publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of the aforesaid supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. No obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of such obligor shall serve as trustee upon the Securities. In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.9, the Trustee shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect specified in Section 6.10. SECTION 6.10 Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee. (a) The Trustee, or any trustee or trustees hereafter appointed, may at any time resign with respect to one or more or all series of Securities by giving written notice of resignation to the Issuer. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor trustee or trustees with respect to the applicable series by written instrument in duplicate, executed by authority of the Board of Directors, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the resigning Trustee and one copy to the successor trustee or trustees. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed with respect to any series and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning trustee may, at the expense of the Issuer, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of the applicable series for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee. (b) In case at any time any of the following shall occur: (i) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 6.8 with respect to any series of Securities after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months; or (ii) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.9 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Issuer or by any such Securityholder; or (iii) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting with respect to any series of Securities, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver or liquidator of the Trustee or of its property shall be appointed, or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation; 31 38 then, in any such case, the Issuer may remove the Trustee with respect to the applicable series of Securities and appoint a successor trustee for such series by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of such series for at least six months may on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee. (c) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of each series then Outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee with respect to Securities of such series and appoint a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by delivering to the Trustee so removed, to the successor trustee so appointed and to the Issuer the evidence provided for in Section 7.1 of the action in that regard taken by the Securityholders. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed with respect to any series and have accepted appointment within 30 days after the delivery of such evidence of removal, the Trustee may, at the expense of the Issuer, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Securityholder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security or Securities of the applicable series for at least six months may, subject to the provisions of Section 5.9, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any such court for the appointment of a successor trustee. Such court may thereupon, after such notice, if any, as it may deem proper and prescribe, appoint a successor trustee. (d) Any resignation or removal of the Trustee with respect to any series and any appointment of a successor trustee with respect to such series pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 6.10 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided in Section 6.11. SECTION 6.11 Acceptance of Appointment by Successor Trustee. Any successor trustee appointed as provided in Section 6.10 shall execute and deliver to the Issuer and to its predecessor trustee an instrument accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the predecessor trustee with respect to all or any applicable series shall become effective and such successor trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and obligations with respect to such series of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as trustee for such series hereunder; but, nevertheless, on the written request of the Issuer or of the successor trustee, upon payment of its charges then unpaid, the trustee ceasing to act shall, subject to Section 10.4, pay over to the successor trustee all moneys at the time held by it hereunder and shall execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor trustee all such rights, powers, duties and obligations. Upon request of any such successor trustee, the Issuer shall execute any and all instruments in writing for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor trustee all such rights and powers. Any trustee ceasing to act shall, nevertheless, retain a prior claim upon all property or funds held or collected by such trustee to secure any amounts then due it pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.6. If a successor trustee is appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Issuer, the predecessor Trustee and each successor trustee with respect to the Securities of any applicable series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the predecessor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series as to which the predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts under separate indentures. No successor trustee with respect to any series of Securities shall accept appointment as provided in this Section 6.11 unless at the time of such acceptance such successor trustee shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 6.8 and eligible under the provisions of Section 6.9. Upon acceptance of appointment by any successor trustee as provided in this Section 6.11, the Issuer shall give notice thereof to the Holders of Securities of each series affected, by mailing such notice to such Holders at their addresses as they shall appear on the registry books. If the Issuer fails to give such notice within ten days after 32 39 acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee, the successor trustee shall cause such notice to be given at the expense of the Issuer. SECTION 6.12 Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business of Trustee. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided that such corporation shall be qualified under the provisions of Section 6.8 and eligible under the provisions of Section 6.9, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto, anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding. In case at the time such successor to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Securities of any series shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and, in case at that time any of the Securities of any series shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Securities either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor Trustee; and in all such cases such certificate shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities of such series or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have; provided, that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or to authenticate Securities of any series in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation. SECTION 6.13 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Issuer. (a) Subject to the provisions of this Section, if the Trustee shall be or shall become a creditor, directly or indirectly, secured or unsecured, of the Issuer within three months prior to a default, as defined in subsection (c) of this Section 6.13, or subsequent to such a default, then, unless and until such default shall be cured, the Trustee shall set apart and hold in a special account for the benefit of the Trustee individually, the Holders of the Securities and the holders of other indenture securities (as defined in this Section 6.13): (1) an amount equal to any and all reductions in the amount due and owing upon any claim as such creditor in respect of principal or interest, effected after the beginning of such three month period and valid as against the Issuer and its other creditors, except any such reduction resulting from the receipt or disposition of any property described in subsection (a) (2) of this section, or from the exercise of any right of set-off which the Trustee could have exercised if a petition in bankruptcy had been filed by or against the Issuer upon the date of such default; and (2) all property received by the Trustee in respect of any claim as such creditor, either as security therefor, or in satisfaction or composition thereof, or otherwise, after the beginning of such three month period, or an amount equal to the proceeds of any such property, if disposed of, subject, however, to the rights, if any, of the Issuer and its other creditors in such property or such proceeds. Nothing herein contained, however, shall affect the right of the Trustee: (A) to retain for its own account (i) payments made on account of any such claim by any Person (other than the Issuer) who is liable thereon, (ii) the proceeds of the bona fide sale of any such claim by the Trustee to a third Person, and (iii) distributions made in cash, securities or other property in respect of claims filed against the Issuer in bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state law; (B) to realize, for its own account, upon any property held by it as security for any such claim, if such property was so held prior to the beginning of such three month period; (C) to realize, for its own account, but only to the extent of the claim hereinafter mentioned, upon any property held by it as security for any such claim, if such claim was created after the beginning of such three month period and such property was received as security therefor simultaneously with the creation thereof, and if the Trustee shall sustain the burden of proving that at the time such property was so received the Trustee had 33 40 no reasonable cause to believe that a default as defined in subsection (c) of this Section would occur within three months; or (D) to receive payment on any claim referred to in paragraph (B) or (C), against the release of any property held as security for such claim as provided in such paragraph (B) or (C), as the case may be, to the extent of the fair value of such property. For the purposes of paragraphs (B), (C) and (D), property substituted after the beginning of such three month period for property held as security at the time of such substitution shall, to the extent of the fair value of the property released, have the same status as the property released, and, to the extent that any claim referred to in any of such paragraphs is created in renewal of or in substitution for or for the purpose of repaying or refunding any preexisting claim of the Trustee as such creditor, such claim shall have the same status as such pre-existing claim. If the Trustee shall be required to account, the funds and property held in such special account and the proceeds thereof shall be apportioned between the Trustee, the Securityholders and the holders of other indenture securities in such manner that the Trustee, such Securityholders and the holders of other indenture securities realize, as a result of payments from such special account and payments of dividends on claims filed against the Issuer in bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state law, the same percentage of their respective claims, figured before crediting to the claim of the Trustee anything on account of the receipt by it from the Issuer of the funds and property in such special account, and before crediting to the respective claims of the Trustee, such Securityholders and the holders of other indenture securities, dividends on claims filed against the Issuer in bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state law, but after crediting thereon receipts on account of the indebtedness represented by their respective claims from all sources other than from such dividends and from the funds and property so held in such special account. As used in this paragraph, with respect to any claim, the term "dividends" shall include any distribution with respect to such claim, in bankruptcy or receivership or in proceedings for reorganization pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or applicable state law, whether such distribution is made in cash, securities or other property, but shall not include any such distribution with respect to the secured portion, if any, of such claim. The court in which such bankruptcy, receivership or proceeding for reorganization is pending shall have jurisdiction (i) to apportion between the Trustee, such Securityholders and the holders of other indenture securities, in accordance with the provisions of this paragraph, the funds and property held in such special account and the proceeds thereof, or (ii) in lieu of such apportionment, in whole or in part, to give to the provisions of this paragraph due consideration in determining the fairness of the distributions to be made to the Trustee, such Securityholders and the holders of other indenture securities with respect to their respective claims, in which event it shall not be necessary to liquidate or to appraise the value of any securities or other property held in such special account or as security for any such claim, or to make a specific allocation of such distributions as between the secured and unsecured portions of such claims, or otherwise to apply the provisions of this paragraph as a mathematical formula. Any Trustee who has resigned or been removed after the beginning of such three month period shall be subject to the provisions of this subsection (a) as though such resignation or removal had not occurred. If any Trustee has resigned or been removed prior to the beginning of such three month period, it shall be subject to the provisions of this subsection (a) if and only if the following conditions exist: (i) the receipt of property or reduction of claim which would have given rise to the obligation to account, if such Trustee had continued as trustee, occurred after the beginning of such three month period; and (ii) such receipt of property or reduction of claim occurred within three months after such resignation or removal. (b) There shall be excluded from the operation of this Section 6.13 a creditor relationship arising from: (1) the ownership or acquisition of securities issued under any indenture or any security or securities having a maturity of one year or more at the time of acquisition by the Trustee; (2) advances authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction or by this Indenture for the purpose of preserving any property which shall at any time be subject to the lien of this 34 41 Indenture or of discharging tax liens or other prior liens or encumbrances thereon, if notice of such advance and of the circumstances surrounding the making thereof is given to the Securityholders at the time and in the manner provided in this Indenture; (3) disbursements made in the ordinary course of business in the capacity of trustee under an indenture, transfer agent, registrar, custodian, paying agent, fiscal agent or depositary, or other similar capacity; (4) an indebtedness created as a result of services rendered or premises rented or an indebtedness created as a result of goods or securities sold in a cash transaction as defined in subsection (c)(2) of this Section; (5) the ownership of stock or of other securities of a corporation organized under the provisions of Section 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended, which is directly or indirectly a creditor of the Issuer; or (6) the acquisition, ownership, acceptance or negotiation of any drafts, bills of exchange, acceptances or obligations which fall within the classification of self-liquidating paper as defined in subsection (c) (3) of this Section. (c) As used in this Section 6.13: (1) the term "default" shall mean any failure to make payment in full of the principal of or interest on any of the Securities when and as such principal or interest becomes due and payable; (2) the term "cash transaction" shall mean any transaction in which full payment for goods or securities sold is made within seven days after delivery of the goods or securities in currency or in checks or other orders drawn upon banks or bankers and payable upon demand; (3) the term "self-liquidating paper" shall mean any draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation which is made, drawn, negotiated or incurred by the Issuer for the purpose of financing the purchase, processing, manufacture, shipment, storage or sale of goods, wares or merchandise and which is secured by documents evidencing title to, possession of, or a lien upon the goods, wares or merchandise or the receivables or proceeds arising from the sale of the goods, wares or merchandise previously constituting the security, provided the security is received by the Trustee simultaneously with the creation of the creditor relationship with the Issuer arising from the making, drawing, negotiating or incurring of the draft, bill of exchange, acceptance or obligation; and (4) the term "Issuer" shall mean any obligor upon the Securities. SECTION 6.14 Appointment of Authenticating Agent. As long as any Securities of a series remain Outstanding, the Trustee may, by an instrument in writing, appoint with the approval of the Issuer an authenticating agent (the "Authenticating Agent") which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities, including Securities issued upon exchange, registration of transfer, partial redemption or pursuant to Section 2.9. Securities of each such series authenticated by such Authenticating Agent shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee. Whenever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities of any series by the Trustee or to the Trustee's Certificate of Authentication, such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent for such series and a Certificate of Authentication executed on behalf of the Trustee by such Authenticating Agent. Such Authenticating Agent shall at all times be a corporation organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust powers, having a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 (determined as provided in Section 6.9 with respect to the Trustee) and subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authority. Any corporation into which any Authenticating Agent may be merged or converted, or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which any Authenticating Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency business of any Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be the Authenticating Agent with respect to all series of Securities for which it served as Authenticating 35 42 Agent without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of the Trustee or such Authenticating Agent. Any Authenticating Agent may at any time, and if it shall cease to be eligible shall, resign by giving written notice of resignation to the Trustee and to the Issuer. The Trustee may at any time terminate the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Issuer. Upon receiving such a notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time any Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6.14 with respect to one or more series of Securities, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Issuer and the Issuer shall provide notice of such appointment to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 11.4. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder shall become vested with all rights, powers, duties and responsibilities of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as Authenticating Agent. The Issuer agrees to pay to the Authenticating Agent for such series from time to time reasonable compensation. The Authenticating Agent for the Securities of any series shall have no responsibility or liability for any action taken by it as such at the direction of the Trustee. Sections 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 7.3 shall be applicable to any Authenticating Agent. ARTICLE SEVEN CONCERNING THE SECURITYHOLDERS SECTION 7.1 Evidence of Action Taken by Securityholders. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by a specified percentage in principal amount of the Securityholders of any or all series may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such specified percentage of Securityholders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee. Proof of execution of any instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Issuer, if made in the manner provided in this Article Seven. SECTION 7.2 Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities. Subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, the execution of any instrument by a Securityholder or his agent or proxy may be proved in the following manner: (a) The fact and date of the execution by any Holder of any instrument may be proved by the certificate of any notary public or other officer of any jurisdiction authorized to take acknowledgments of deeds or administer oaths that the person executing such instruments acknowledged to him the execution thereof, or by an affidavit of a witness to such execution sworn to before any such notary or other such officer. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of the authority of the person executing the same. (b) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security register or by a certificate of the Security registrar. SECTION 7.3 Holders to be Treated as Owners. The Issuer, the Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Security shall be registered upon the Security register for such series as the absolute owner of such Security (whether or not such Security shall be overdue and notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing thereon) for the purpose of receiving payment of or on account of the principal of and, subject to the provisions of this Indenture, interest, if any, on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Issuer nor the Trustee nor any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. SECTION 7.4 Securities Owned by Issuer Deemed Not Outstanding. In determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any or all series have concurred in any direction, consent or waiver under this Indenture, Securities which are owned by the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made or by any Affiliate of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities with respect to which such determination is being made shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination, except that for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be 36 43 protected in relying on any such direction, consent or waiver only securities which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Issuer or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Issuer or any other obligor on the Securities. In case of a dispute as to such right, the advice of counsel shall be full protection in respect of any decision made by the Trustee in accordance with such advice. Upon request of the Trustee, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee promptly an Officers' Certificate listing and identifying all Securities, if any, known by the Issuer to be owned or held by or for the account of any of the above-described Persons; and, subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, the Trustee shall be entitled to accept such Officers' Certificate as conclusive evidence of the facts therein set forth and of the fact that all Securities not listed therein are Outstanding for the purpose of any such determination. SECTION 7.5 Right of Revocation of Action Taken. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 7.1, of the taking of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action, any Holder of a Security the serial number of which is shown by the evidence to be included among the serial numbers of the Securities the Holders of which have consented to such action may, by filing written notice at the Corporate Trust Office and upon proof of holding as provided in this Article Seven, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security provided that such revocation shall not become effective until three business days after such filing. Except as aforesaid any such action taken by the Holder of any Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders and owners of such Security and of any Securities issued in exchange or substitution therefor or on registration of transfer thereof, irrespective of whether or not any notation in regard thereto is made upon any such Security. Any action taken by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any or all series, as the case may be, specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders of all the Securities affected by such action. SECTION 7.6 Record Date for Consents and Waivers. The Issuer may, but shall not be obligated to, direct the Trustee to establish a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to (i) waive any past default with respect to the Securities of such series in accordance with Section 5.7 of the Indenture, (ii) consent to any supplemental indenture in accordance with Section 8.2 of the Indenture or (iii) waive compliance with any term, condition or provision of any covenant hereunder. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and any such Persons, shall be entitled to waive any such past default, consent to any such supplemental indenture or waive compliance with any such term, condition or provision, whether or not such Holder remains a Holder after such record date; provided, however, that unless such waiver or consent is obtained from the Holders, or duly designated proxies, of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of such series prior to the date which is the 180th day after such record date, any such waiver or consent previously given shall automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect. ARTICLE EIGHT SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES SECTION 8.1 Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Securityholders. The Issuer, when authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Issuer Order), and the Trustee may from time to time and at any time enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date of the execution thereof) for one or more of the following purposes: (a) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge to the Trustee as security for the Securities of one or more series any property or assets; (b) to evidence the succession of another corporation to the Issuer, or successive successions, and the assumption by the successor corporation of the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Issuer pursuant to Article Nine; 37 44 (c) to add to the covenants of the Issuer such further covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions as the Issuer and the Trustee shall consider to be for the protection of the Holders of all or any series of Securities, (and if such covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions are to be for the protection of less than all series of Securities, stating that the same are expressly being included solely for the protection of such series) and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an Event of Default permitting the enforcement of all or any of the several remedies provided in this Indenture as herein set forth; provided, however, that in respect of any such additional covenant, restriction, condition or provision such supplemental indenture may provide for a particular period of grace after default (which period may be shorter or longer than that allowed in the case of other defaults) or may provide for an immediate enforcement upon such an Event of Default or may limit the remedies available to the Trustee upon such an Event of Default or may limit the right of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series to waive such an Event of Default; (d) to cure any ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision contained herein or in any supplemental indenture, or to make any other provisions as the Issuer may deem necessary or desirable, provided, however, that no such action shall adversely affect the interests of the Holders of the Securities; (e) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.1 and 2.3; and (f) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 6.11. The Trustee is hereby authorized to join with the Issuer in the execution of any such supplemental indenture, to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained and to accept the conveyance, transfer, assignment, mortgage or pledge of any property thereunder, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Any supplemental indenture authorized by the provisions of this Section may be executed without the consent of the Holders of any of the Securities then Outstanding, notwithstanding any of the provisions of Section 8.2. SECTION 8.2 Supplemental Indentures with Consent of Securityholders. With the consent (evidenced as provided in Article Seven) of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding of any series affected by such supplemental indenture, the Issuer, when authorized by a resolution of its Board of Directors (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Issuer Order), and the Trustee may, from time to time and at any time, enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto (which shall conform to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at the date of execution thereof) for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture or of any supplemental indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series; provided, that no such supplemental indenture shall (a) extend the stated final maturity of the principal of any Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest, if any, thereon (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, reduce the rate of accrual of original issue discount thereon), or reduce or alter the method of computation of any amount payable on redemption, repayment or purchase by the Issuer thereof (or the time at which any such redemption, repayment or purchase may be made), or make the principal thereof (including any amount in respect of original issue discount), or interest, if any, thereon payable in any coin or currency other than that provided in the Securities or in accordance with the terms of the Securities, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon an acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to Section 5.1 or the amount thereof provable in bankruptcy pursuant to Section 5.2, or impair or affect the right of any Securityholder to institute suit for the payment thereof or, if the Securities provide therefor, any right of repayment or purchase at the option of the Securityholder, in each case without the consent of the Holder of each Security so affected, or (b) reduce the aforesaid percentage of Securities of any series, the consent of the Holders of which is required for any such supplemental indenture, without the consent of the Holders of each Security so affected. No consent of any Holder 38 45 of any Security shall be necessary under this Section 8.2 to permit the Trustee and the Issuer to execute supplemental indentures pursuant to Sections 8.1 and 9.2. A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant, Event of Default or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of Holders of Securities of such series, with respect to such covenant or provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series. Upon the request of the Issuer, accompanied by a copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors (which resolution may provide general terms or parameters for such action and may provide that the specific terms of such action may be determined in accordance with or pursuant to an Issuer Order) certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Issuer authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders of the Securities as aforesaid and other documents, if any, required by Section 7.1, the Trustee shall join with the Issuer in the execution of such supplemental indenture unless such supplemental indenture affects the Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such supplemental indenture. It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Securityholders under this Section 8.2 to approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall be sufficient if such consent shall approve the substance thereof. Promptly after the execution by the Issuer and the Trustee of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Section 8.2, the Trustee shall give notice thereof to the Holders of then Outstanding Securities of each series affected thereby, as provided in Section 11.4. Any failure of the Issuer to give such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture. SECTION 8.3 Effect of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, this Indenture shall be and shall be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Issuer and the Holders of Securities of each series affected thereby shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and shall be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes. SECTION 8.4 Documents to Be Given to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 6.1 and 6.2, shall be entitled to receive an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article Eight complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture. SECTION 8.5 Notation on Securities in Respect of Supplemental Indentures. Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions of this Article Eight may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee for such series as to any matter provided for by such supplemental indenture or as to any action taken by Securityholders. If the Issuer or the Trustee shall so determine, new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the Trustee and the Issuer, to any modification of this Indenture contained in any such supplemental indenture may be prepared by the Issuer, authenticated by the Trustee and delivered in exchange for the Securities of such series then Outstanding. SECTION 8.6 Subordination Unimpaired. This Indenture may not be amended to alter the subordination of any Outstanding Securities without the written consent of each holder of Senior Indebtedness then outstanding that would be adversely affected thereby. ARTICLE NINE CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE, LEASE, EXCHANGE OR OTHER DISPOSITION SECTION 9.1 Issuer May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms. Subject to the provisions of Section 9.3, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities shall prevent any consolidation or merger of the Issuer with 39 46 or into any other corporation or corporations (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer), or successive consolidations or mergers in which the Issuer or its successor or successors shall be a party or parties, or shall prevent any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all the property and assets of the Issuer to any other corporation (whether or not affiliated with the Issuer) authorized to acquire and operate the same; provided, however, and the Issuer hereby covenants and agrees, that any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, exchange or other disposition shall be upon the conditions that (a) immediately after such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of the corporation (whether the Issuer or such other corporation) formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger, or to which such sale, lease, exchange or other disposition shall have been made, shall not be in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be kept or performed by the Issuer; (b) the corporation (if other than the Issuer) formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger, or to which such sale, lease, exchange or other disposition shall have been made, shall be a corporation organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; and (c) the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on all the Securities, according to their tenor, and the due and punctual performance and observance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Issuer, shall be expressly assumed, by supplemental indenture satisfactory in form to the Trustee executed and delivered to the Trustee, by the corporation (if other than the Issuer) formed by such consolidation, or into which the Issuer shall have been merged, or by the corporation which shall have acquired or leased such property. SECTION 9.2 Securities to be Secured in Certain Events. If, upon any such consolidation, merger, or upon any such sale, lease, exchange or other disposition or upon any acquisition by the Issuer by purchase or otherwise of all or any part of the properties of any other corporation, any Principal Property owned by the Issuer or a Restricted Subsidiary immediately prior thereto would thereupon become subject to any mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance, not permitted by Section 3.6 hereof, the Issuer, prior to such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, exchange or other disposition or acquisition, will by indenture supplemental hereto secure the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities then outstanding (equally and ratably, or with such other relative priority specified in Section 3.6, with any other indebtedness of or guaranteed by the Issuer then entitled thereto, but only to the extent that such indebtedness is Subordinated Indebtedness) by a direct lien on such Principal Property, together with any other properties and assets of the Issuer or of any such Restricted Subsidiary, whichever shall be the owner of any such Principal Property, which would thereupon become subject to any such mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien or encumbrance, prior to all liens other than any theretofore existing thereon and other than liens securing Senior Indebtedness. SECTION 9.3 Successor Corporation to be Substituted. In case of any such consolidation or merger or any sale, conveyance or lease of all or substantially all of the property of the Issuer and upon the assumption by the successor corporation, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on all of the Securities and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Issuer, such successor corporation shall succeed to and be substituted for the Issuer, with the same effect as if it had been named herein as the party of the first part, and the Issuer (including any intervening successor to the Issuer which shall have become the obligor hereunder) shall be relieved of any further obligation under this Indenture and the Securities; provided, however, that in the case of a sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of the property and assets of the Issuer (including any such intervening successor), the Issuer (including any such intervening successor) shall continue to be liable on its obligations under this Indenture and the Securities to the extent, but only to the extent, of liability to pay the principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities at the time, places and rate prescribed in this Indenture and the Securities. Such successor corporation thereupon may cause to be signed, and may issue either in its own name or in the name of the Issuer, any or all of the Securities issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee; and, upon the order of such successor corporation instead of the Issuer and subject to all the terms, conditions and limitations in this Indenture prescribed, the Trustee shall authenticate and shall deliver any Securities which previously shall have been signed and delivered by the officers of the Issuer to the Trustee for authentication, and any Securities which such successor corporation thereafter shall cause to be signed and delivered to the Trustee for that purpose. All the Securities so issued shall in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Securities theretofore or thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Securities had been issued at the date of the execution hereof. 40 47 In case of any such consolidation or merger or any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of the Issuer, such changes in phraseology and form (but not in substance) may be made in the Securities, thereafter to be issued, as may be appropriate. SECTION 9.4 Opinion of Counsel to be Given Trustee. The Trustee, subject to Sections 6.1 and 6.2, may receive an Officers' Certificate and Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, exchange or other disposition and any such assumption complies with the provisions of this Article Nine. ARTICLE TEN SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; UNCLAIMED MONEYS SECTION 10.1 Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture. (A) If at any time (a) the Issuer shall have paid or caused to be paid the principal of and interest, if any, on all the Securities Outstanding (other than Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9) as and when the same shall have become due and payable, or (b) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities theretofore authenticated (other than Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9); and if, in any such case, the Issuer shall also pay or cause to be paid all other sums payable hereunder by the Issuer, then this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect, and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to the satisfaction and discharge contemplated by this provision have been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging such satisfaction and discharging this Indenture. The Issuer agrees to reimburse the Trustee for any costs or expenses thereafter reasonably and properly incurred, and to compensate the Trustee for any services thereafter reasonably and properly rendered, by the Trustee in connection with this Indenture or the Securities. (B) If at any time (a) the Issuer shall have paid or caused to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all the Securities of any series Outstanding (other than Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9) as and when the same shall have become due and payable, or (b) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities of any series theretofore authenticated (other than any Securities of such series which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section 2.9), or (c) in the case of any series of Securities with respect to which the exact amount described in clause (ii) below can be determined at the time of making the deposit referred to in such clause (ii), (i) all the Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation shall have become due and payable, or are by their terms to become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption, and (ii) the Issuer shall have irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series, cash in an amount (other than moneys repaid by the Trustee or any paying agent to the Issuer in accordance with Section 10.4) or direct obligations of the United States of America, backed by its full faith and credit ("U.S. Government Obligations"), maturing as to principal and interest, if any, at such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of cash, or a combination thereof, sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (A) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all Securities of such series on each date that such principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, is due and payable, and (B) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Securities of such series; then the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the Securities of such series on the date of the deposit referred to in clause (ii) above and the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series shall no longer be in effect (except, in the case of clause (c) of this Section 10.1(B), as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such series, (ii) rights of substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities of such series, (iii) rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive payments of principal thereof and premium, if any, and interest, if any, thereon upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration), and remaining rights of the Holders of Securities of such series to receive mandatory sinking fund payments thereon, if any, when due, (iv) the rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, (v) the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them 41 48 and (vi) the obligations of the Issuer under Section 3.2 with respect to Securities of such series) and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent contemplated by this provision have been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same. (C) The following provisions shall apply to the Securities of each series unless specifically otherwise provided in a Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or indenture supplemental hereto provided pursuant to Section 2.3. In addition to discharge of the Indenture pursuant to the next preceding paragraph, in the case of any series of Securities with respect to which the exact amount described in subparagraph (a) below can be determined at the time of making the deposit referred to in such subparagraph (a), the Issuer shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness on all the Securities of such a series on the 91st day after the date of the deposit referred to in subparagraph (a) below, and the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series shall no longer be in effect (except as to (i) rights of registration of transfer and exchange of Securities of such series, (ii) substitution of mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities of such series, (iii) rights of Holders of Securities of such series to receive payments of principal thereof, premium, if any, and interest, if any, thereon upon the original stated due dates therefor (but not upon acceleration), and remaining rights of the Holders of Securities of such series to receive mandatory sinking fund payments, if any, (iv) the rights, obligations, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder, (v) the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series as beneficiaries hereof with respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of them and (vi) the obligations of the Issuer under Section 3.2 with respect to Securities of such series) and the Trustee, on demand of the Issuer accompanied by an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent contemplated by this provision have been complied with, and at the cost and expense of the Issuer, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same, if (a) with reference to this provision the Issuer has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee as funds in trust, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of Securities of such series (i) cash in an amount, or (ii) U.S. Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest, if any, at such times and in such amounts as will insure the availability of cash, or (iii) a combination thereof, sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay (A) the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all Securities of such series on each date that such principal or interest, if any, is due and payable, and (B) any mandatory sinking fund payments on the dates on which such payments are due and payable in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Securities of such series; (b) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Issuer is a party or by which it is bound; and (c) the Issuer has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel based on the fact that (x) the Issuer has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (y), since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable United States federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of the Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times, as would have been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred. SECTION 10.2 Application by Trustee of Funds Deposited for Payment of Securities. Subject to Section 10.4, all moneys and U.S. Government Obligations deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 10.1 shall be held in trust, and such moneys and all moneys from such U.S. Government Obligations shall be applied by it to the payment, either directly or through any paying agent (including the Issuer acting as its own paying agent), to the Holders of the particular Securities of such series for the payment or redemption of which such moneys and U.S. Government Obligations have been deposited with the Trustee, of all sums due and to become due thereon for principal and interest, if any, but such moneys and U.S. Government Obligations need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. SECTION 10.3 Repayment of Moneys Held by Paying Agent. In connection with the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to Securities of any series, all moneys then held by any paying agent under the 42 49 provisions of this Indenture with respect to such series of Securities shall, upon demand of the Issuer, be repaid to it or paid to the Trustee and thereupon such paying agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such moneys. SECTION 10.4 Return of Moneys Held by Trustee and Paying Agent Unclaimed for Two Years. Any moneys deposited with or paid to the Trustee or any paying agent for the payment of the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security of any series and not applied but remaining unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such principal or interest, if any, shall have become due and payable, shall, upon the written request of the Issuer and unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property law, be repaid to the Issuer by the Trustee for such series or such paying agent, and the Holder of the Securities of such series shall, unless otherwise required by mandatory provisions of applicable escheat or abandoned or unclaimed property laws, thereafter look only to the Issuer for any payment which such Holder may be entitled to collect, and all liability of the Trustee or any paying agent with respect to such moneys shall thereupon cease. SECTION 10.5 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Issuer shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 10.1 or the principal or interest received in respect of such obligations. ARTICLE ELEVEN MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS SECTION 11.1 Partners, Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors of Issuer Exempt from Individual Liability. No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in this Indenture, or in any Security, or because of any indebtedness evidenced thereby, shall be had against any incorporator, as such or against any past, present or future stockholder, officer or director, as such, of the Issuer, or any partner of the Issuer or of any successor, either directly or through the Issuer or any successor, under any rule of law, statute or constitutional provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding or otherwise, all such liability being expressly waived and released by the acceptance of the Securities by the Holders thereof and as part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities. SECTION 11.2 Provisions of Indenture for the Sole Benefit of Parties and Holders of Securities. Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, expressed or implied, shall give or be construed to give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors and the Holders of the Senior Indebtedness and the Holders of the Securities, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture or under any covenant or provision herein contained, all such covenants and provisions being for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and of the Holders of the Securities. SECTION 11.3 Successors and Assigns of Issuer Bound by Indenture. All the covenants, stipulations, promises and agreements in this Indenture contained by or on behalf of the Issuer shall bind its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not. SECTION 11.4 Notices and Demands on Issuer, Trustee and Holders of Securities. Any notice or demand which by any provision of this Indenture is required or permitted to be given or served by the Trustee or by the Holders of Securities to or on the Issuer, or as required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, may be given or served by being deposited postage prepaid, first-class mail (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) addressed (until another address of the Issuer is filed by the Issuer with the Trustee) to Seagull Energy Corporation, 1001 Fannin, Suite 1700, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: Chairman of the Board. Any notice, direction, request or demand by the Issuer or any Holder of Securities to or upon the Trustee shall be deemed to have been sufficiently given or served by being deposited postage prepaid, first-class mail (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) addressed (until another address of the Trustee is filed by the Trustee with the Issuer) to The Bank of New York, 101 Barclay Street, Floor 21 West, New York, New York 10286, Attention: Corporate Trust Trustee Administration. Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of Securities, such notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder entitled thereto, at his last address as it appears in the Security register. Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such 43 50 notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver. In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail service, it shall be impracticable to mail notice to the Issuer when such notice is required to be given pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then any manner of giving such notice as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee shall be deemed to be sufficient notice. SECTION 11.5 Officers' Certificates and Opinions of Counsel; Statements to Be Contained Therein. Upon any application or demand by the Issuer to the Trustee to take any action under any of the provisions of this Indenture, or as required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the Issuer shall furnish to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent have been complied with, except that in the case of any such application or demand as to which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture relating to such particular application or demand, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished. Each certificate or opinion provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.3(d)) and delivered to the Trustee with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include (a) a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition, (b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based, (c) a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with, and (d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such condition or covenant has been complied with. Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by counsel, unless such officer knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters, information with respect to which is in the possession of the Issuer, upon the certificate, statement or opinion of or representations by an officer or officers of the Issuer, unless such counsel knows that the certificate, statement or opinion or representations with respect to the matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous. Any certificate, statement or opinion of an officer of the Issuer or of counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to accounting matters, upon a certificate or opinion of or representations by an accountant or firm of accountants in the employ of the Issuer, unless such officer or counsel, as the case may be, knows that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to the accounting matters upon which his certificate, statement or opinion may be based as aforesaid are erroneous, or in the exercise of reasonable care should know that the same are erroneous. Any certificate or opinion of any independent firm of public accountants filed with and directed to the Trustee shall contain a statement that such firm is independent. SECTION 11.6 Payments Due on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. If the date of maturity of principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities of any series or the date fixed for redemption, purchase or repayment of any such Security shall not be a Business Day, then payment of interest, if any, or principal need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the date of maturity or the date fixed for redemption, purchase or repayment, and, in the case of payment, no interest shall accrue for the period after such date. SECTION 11.7 Conflict of Any Provision of Indenture with Trust Indenture Act of 1939. If and to the extent that any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision included in this Indenture which is required to be included herein by any of Sections 310 to 317, inclusive, or is deemed applicable to this Indenture by virtue of the provisions, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, such required provision shall control. 44 51 SECTION 11.8 GOVERNING LAW. THIS INDENTURE AND EACH SECURITY SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND FOR ALL PURPOSES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF SUCH STATE. SECTION 11.9 Counterparts. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. SECTION 11.10 Effect of Headings. The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof. ARTICLE TWELVE REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES AND SINKING FUNDS SECTION 12.1 Applicability of Article. The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any series which are redeemable before their maturity or to any sinking fund for the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified, as contemplated by Section 2.3 for Securities of such series. SECTION 12.2 Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions. Notice of redemption to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part at the option of the Issuer shall be given by mailing notice of such redemption by first class mail, postage prepaid, at least 30 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to such Holders of Securities of such series at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security register. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not the Holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice by mail, or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Security of a series designated for redemption as a whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security of such series. The notice of redemption to each such Holder shall specify the principal amount of each Security of such series held by such Holder to be redeemed, the date fixed for redemption, the redemption price, the place or places of payment, the CUSIP number relating to such Securities, that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities, that such redemption is pursuant to the mandatory or optional sinking fund, or both, if such be the case, that interest, if any, (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, original issue discount) accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in such notice and that on and after said date interest, if any, (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, original issue discount) thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue. In case any Security of a series is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and shall state that on and after the date fixed for redemption, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued. The notice of redemption of Securities of any series to be redeemed at the option of the Issuer shall be given by the Issuer or, at the Issuer's request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Issuer. On or before the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section 12.2, the Issuer will deposit with the Trustee or with one or more paying agents (or, if the Issuer is acting as its own paying agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 3.5) an amount of money sufficient to redeem on the redemption date all the Securities of such series so called for redemption at the appropriate redemption price, together with accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption. The Issuer will deliver to the Trustee at least 45 days prior to the date fixed for redemption (unless a shorter notice period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) an Officers' Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities to be redeemed. In case of a redemption at the election of the Issuer prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, prior to the giving of any notice of redemption to Holders pursuant to this Section, an Officers' Certificate stating that such restriction has been complied with. If less than all the Securities of a series are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select, in such manner as it shall deem appropriate and fair, Securities of such series to be redeemed. Securities may be redeemed in part in multiples equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of such series or any multiple thereof. The Trustee shall 45 52 promptly notify the Issuer in writing of the Securities of such series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities of such series selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities of any series shall relate, in the case of any Security redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount of such Security which has been or is to be redeemed. SECTION 12.3 Payment of Securities Called for Redemption. If notice of redemption has been given as above provided, the Securities or portions of Securities specified in such notice shall become due and payable on the date and at the place or places stated in such notice at the applicable redemption price, together with interest, if any, accrued to the date fixed for redemption, and on and after said date (unless the Issuer shall default in the payment of such Securities at the redemption price, together with interest, if any, accrued to said date) interest (or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, original issue discount) on the Securities or portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to accrue, and such Securities shall cease from and after the date fixed for redemption (unless an earlier date shall be specified in a Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or executed supplemental indenture referred to in Sections 2.1 and 2.3 by or pursuant to which the form and terms of the Securities of such series were established) except as provided in Sections 6.5 and 10.4, to be entitled to any benefit or security under this Indenture, and the Holders thereof shall have no right in respect of such Securities except the right to receive the redemption price thereof and unpaid interest to the date fixed for redemption. On presentation and surrender of such Securities at a place of payment specified in said notice, said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Issuer at the applicable redemption price, together with interest, if any, accrued thereon to the date fixed for redemption; provided that payment of interest, if any, becoming due on or prior to the date fixed for redemption shall be payable to the Holders of Securities registered as such on the relevant record date subject to the terms and provisions of Sections 2.3 and 2.7 hereof. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the redemption price shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate of interest or Yield to Maturity (in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security) borne by such Security. Upon presentation of any Security redeemed in part only, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Issuer, a new Security or Securities of such series, and of like tenor, of authorized denominations, in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the Security so presented. SECTION 12.4 Exclusion of Certain Securities from Eligibility for Selection for Redemption. Securities shall be excluded from eligibility for selection for redemption if they are identified by registration and certificate number in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee at least 45 days prior to the last date on which notice of redemption may be given as being owned of record and beneficially by, and not pledged or hypothecated by either (a) the Issuer, or (b) a Person specifically identified in such written statement as an Affiliate of the Issuer. SECTION 12.5 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds. The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of the Securities of any series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund payment", and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of the Securities of any series is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment". The date on which a sinking fund payment is to be made is herein referred to as the "sinking fund payment date". In lieu of making all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to any series of Securities in cash, the Issuer may at its option (a) deliver to the Trustee Securities of such series theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except upon redemption pursuant to the mandatory sinking fund) by the Issuer or receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) theretofore purchased or otherwise acquired (except as aforesaid) by the Issuer and delivered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10, (b) receive credit for optional sinking fund payments (not previously so credited) made pursuant to this Section 12.5, or (c) receive credit for Securities of such series (not previously so credited) redeemed by the Issuer through any optional redemption provision contained in the terms of such series. Securities so delivered or credited shall be received or credited by the Trustee at the sinking fund redemption price specified in such Securities. On or before the 60th day next preceding each sinking fund payment date for any series, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate (a) specifying the portion of the mandatory sinking fund payment to be satisfied 46 53 by payment of cash and the portion to be satisfied by credit of Securities of such series and the basis for such credit, (b) stating that none of the Securities of such series to be so credited has theretofore been so credited, (c) stating that no defaults in the payment of interest or Events of Default with respect to such series have occurred (which have not been waived or cured or otherwise ceased to exist) and are continuing, and (d) stating whether or not the Issuer intends to exercise its right to make an optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series and, if so, specifying the amount of such optional sinking fund payment which the Issuer intends to pay on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Any Securities of such series to be credited and required to be delivered to the Trustee in order for the Issuer to be entitled to credit therefor as aforesaid which have not theretofore been delivered to the Trustee shall be delivered for cancellation pursuant to Section 2.10 to the Trustee with such Officers' Certificate (or reasonably promptly thereafter if acceptable to the Trustee). Such Officers' Certificate shall be irrevocable and upon its receipt by the Trustee the Issuer shall become unconditionally obligated to make all the cash payments or payments therein referred to, if any, on or before the next succeeding sinking fund payment date. Failure of the Issuer, on or before any such 60th day, to deliver such Officers' Certificate and Securities (subject to the parenthetical clause in the second preceding sentence) specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute, on and as of such date, the irrevocable election of the Issuer (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof, and (ii) that the Issuer will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section 12.5. If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $50,000, or a lesser sum if the Issuer shall so request with respect to the Securities of any particular series, such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall be $50,000 or less and the Issuer makes no such request, then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $50,000 is available. The Trustee shall select, in the manner provided in Section 12.2, for redemption on such sinking fund payment date a sufficient principal amount of Securities of such series to absorb said cash, as nearly as may be, and shall (if requested in writing by the Issuer) inform the Issuer of the serial numbers of the Securities of such series (or portions thereof) so selected. The Trustee, in the name and at the expense of the Issuer (or the Issuer, if it shall so request the Trustee in writing) shall cause notice of redemption of the Securities of such series to be given in substantially the manner provided in Section 12.2 (and with the effect provided in Section 12.3) for the redemption of Securities of such series in part at the option of the Issuer. The amount of any sinking fund payments not so applied or allocated to the redemption of Securities of such series shall be added to the next cash sinking fund payment for such series and, together with such payment, shall be applied in accordance with the provisions of this Section 12.5. Any and all sinking fund moneys held on the stated maturity date of the Securities of any particular series (or earlier, if such maturity is accelerated), which are not held for the payment or redemption of particular Securities of such series shall be applied, together with other moneys, if necessary, sufficient for the purpose, to the payment of the principal of, and interest, if any, on, the Securities of such series at maturity. On or before each sinking fund payment date, the Issuer shall pay to the Trustee in cash or shall otherwise provide for the payment of all interest, if any, accrued to the date fixed for redemption on Securities to be redeemed on such sinking fund payment date. The Trustee shall not redeem or cause to be redeemed any Securities of a series with sinking fund moneys or give any notice of redemption of Securities for such series by operation of the sinking fund during the continuance of a default in payment of interest on such Securities or of any Event of Default with respect to such series except that, where the giving of notice of redemption of any Securities shall theretofore have been made, the Trustee shall redeem or cause to be redeemed such Securities, provided that it shall have received from the Issuer a sum sufficient for such redemption. Except as aforesaid, and subject to Article Thirteen, any moneys in the sinking fund for such series at the time when any such default or Event of Default shall occur, and any moneys thereafter paid into the sinking fund, shall, during the continuance of such default or Event of Default, be deemed to have been collected under Article Five and held for the payment of all such Securities. In case such Event of Default shall have been waived as provided in Section 5.7 or the default cured on or before the 60th day preceding the sinking fund payment date in any year, such moneys shall thereafter be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date in accordance with this Section to the redemption of such Securities. 47 54 ARTICLE THIRTEEN SUBORDINATION SECTION 13.1 Securities Subordinated to Senior Indebtedness. (a) The Issuer covenants and agrees, and each Holder of Securities of each series, by his acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that anything in this Indenture or the Securities of any series to the contrary notwithstanding, the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities of each series is subordinate and junior in right of payment, to the extent provided herein, to all Senior Indebtedness, whether outstanding on the date of execution of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed, and that the subordination is for the benefit of the holders of Senior Indebtedness, but the Securities shall in all respects rank pari passu with all other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Issuer. The Securities shall rank senior to all existing and future Indebtedness of the Issuer that is neither Senior Indebtedness nor Senior Subordinated Indebtedness and only Indebtedness of the Issuer that is Senior Indebtedness shall rank senior to the Securities in accordance with the provisions set forth herein. (b) Subject to Section 13.4, if (i) the Issuer shall default in the payment of any principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Senior Indebtedness when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration of acceleration or otherwise, or (ii) any other default shall occur with respect to Senior Indebtedness and the maturity of such Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated in accordance with its terms, then, upon written notice of such default to the Issuer by the holders of Senior Indebtedness or any trustee therefor, unless and until, in either case, the default has been cured or waived, and any such acceleration has been rescinded or such Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, no direct or indirect payment (in cash, property, securities, by set-off or otherwise) shall be made or agreed to be made on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any of the Securities, or in respect of any redemption, retirement, purchase or other acquisition of any of the Securities other than those made in capital stock of the Issuer (or cash in lieu of fractional shares thereof). (c) If any default (other than a default described in paragraph (b)) shall occur under the Senior Indebtedness, pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods occurs (a "Senior Nonmonetary Default"), then, upon the receipt by the Issuer and the Trustee of written notice thereof (a "Payment Notice") from or on behalf of holders of such Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to prohibit such payment and other action by the Issuer in accordance with the following provisions of this paragraph, the Issuer may not make any payment or take any other action that would be prohibited by paragraph (b) above during the period (the "Payment Blockage Period") commencing on the date of receipt of such Payment Notice and ending on the earlier of (i) the date, if any, on which the holders of such Senior Indebtedness or their representative notify the Trustee that such Senior Nonmonetary Default is cured or waived or ceases to exist or the Senior Indebtedness to which such Senior Nonmonetary Default relates is discharged or (ii) the 179th day after the date of receipt of such Payment Notice. Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence, the Issuer may resume payments on the Securities after such Payment Blockage Period. (d) If (i) (A) without the consent of the Issuer, a receiver, conservator, liquidator or trustee of the Issuer or of any of its property is appointed by the order or decree of any court or agency or supervisory authority having jurisdiction, and such decree or order remains in effect for more than 60 days or (B) the Issuer is adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent or (C) any of its property is sequestered by court order and such order remains in effect for more than 60 days or (D) a petition is filed against the Issuer under any state or federal bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or receivership law of any jurisdiction whether now or hereafter in effect (including without limitation the Bankruptcy Code), and is not dismissed within 60 days after such filing; or (ii) the Issuer (A) commences a voluntary case or other proceeding seeking liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency, readjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or other relief with respect to itself or its debt or other liabilities under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or hereafter in effect (including without limitation the Bankruptcy Code) or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any substantial part of its property, or (B) consents to any such relief or to the appointment of or taking possession by any such official in an involuntary case or other proceeding commenced against it, or (C) fails generally to, or cannot, pay its debts generally as they become due or (D) takes any corporate action to authorize or effect any of the foregoing; or (iii) any Subsidiary of the Issuer takes, suffers or permits to exist any of the events or conditions referred to in the foregoing clause (i) or (ii), then all Senior Indebtedness (including any interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any such proceedings) shall first be paid in full before any payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other 48 55 property, shall be made to any Holder of any Securities on account thereof. Any payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other property (other than securities of the Issuer or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment the payment of which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in these subordination provisions with respect to the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities, to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness then outstanding and to any securities issued in respect thereof under any such plan of reorganization or readjustment) which would otherwise (but for these subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable in respect of the Securities of any series shall be paid or delivered directly to the holders of Senior Indebtedness in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders until all Senior Indebtedness (including any interest thereon accruing after the commencement of any such proceedings) shall have been paid in full. In the event of any such proceeding, after payment in full of all sums owing with respect to Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the Securities, together with the holders of any obligations of the Issuer ranking on a parity with the Securities, shall be entitled to be paid from the remaining assets of the Issuer the amounts at the time due and owing on account of unpaid principal of and interest, if any, on the Securities and such other obligations before any payment or other distribution, whether in cash, property or otherwise, shall be made on account of any capital stock or any obligations of the Issuer ranking junior to the Securities and such other obligations. (e) If, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of any character, whether in cash, securities or other property (other than securities of the Issuer or any other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment the payment of which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in the subordination provisions with respect to the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities, to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness then outstanding and to any securities issued in respect thereof under any such plan of reorganization or readjustment), shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder in contravention of any of the terms hereof, such payment or distribution of securities shall be received in trust for the benefit of and shall be paid over or delivered and transferred to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness then outstanding in accordance with the priorities then existing among such holders for application to the payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, to the extent necessary to pay all such Senior Indebtedness in full. In the event of the failure of the Trustee or any Holder to endorse or assign any such payment, distribution or security, each holder of Senior Indebtedness is hereby irrevocably authorized to endorse or assign the same. (f) No present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness shall be prejudiced in the right to enforce subordination of the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities by any act or failure to act on the part of the Issuer or any Holder of Securities. Nothing contained herein shall impair, as between the Issuer and the Holders of Securities of each series, the obligation of the Issuer to pay to such Holders the principal of and interest, if any, on such Securities or prevent the Trustee or the Holder from exercising all rights, powers and remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law or hereunder upon a default or Event of Default hereunder, all subject to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to receive cash, securities or other property otherwise payable or deliverable to the Holders. (g) Senior Indebtedness shall not be deemed to have been paid in full unless the holders thereof shall have received cash, securities or other property equal to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness then outstanding. Upon the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of Securities of each series shall be subrogated to all rights of any holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive any further payment or distributions applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities of such series shall have been paid in full and such payments or distributions received by such Holders, by reason of such subrogation, of cash, securities or other property which otherwise would be paid or distributed to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, shall, as between the Issuer and its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, on the one hand, and such Holders, on the other hand, be deemed to be a payment by the Issuer on account of Senior Indebtedness, and not on account of the Securities of such series. (h) The provisions of this Section 13.1 shall not impair any rights, interests, remedies or powers of any secured creditor of the Issuer in respect of any security interest the creation of which is not prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture. (i) The securing of any obligations of the Issuer, otherwise ranking on a parity with the Securities or ranking junior to the Securities, shall not be deemed to prevent such obligations from constituting, respectively, obligations ranking on a parity with the Securities or ranking junior to the Securities. 49 56 SECTION 13.2 Reliance on Certificate of Liquidating Agent; Further Evidence as to Ownership of Senior Indebtedness. Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Issuer, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely upon an order or decree issued by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution or winding up or liquidation or reorganization or arrangement proceedings are pending or upon a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors or other Person making such payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders, for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of the Issuer, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article Thirteen. In the absence of any such bankruptcy trustee, receiver, assignee or other Person, the Trustee shall be entitled to rely upon written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee or representative on behalf of such holder) as evidence that such Person is a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or is such a trustee or representative). If the Trustee determines, in good faith, that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness to participate in any payment or distributions pursuant to this Article Thirteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, as to the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, and as to other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article Thirteen, and if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. SECTION 13.3 Payment Permitted If No Default. Nothing contained in this Article Thirteen or elsewhere in this Indenture, or in any of the Securities, shall prevent (a) the Issuer at any time, except during the pendency of any default with respect to Senior Indebtedness described in Section 13.1(b) or Section 13.1(c) or of any of the events described in Section 13.1(d), from making payments of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities, or (b) the application by the Trustee or any paying agent of any moneys deposited with it hereunder to payments of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Securities, if, at the time of such deposit, the Trustee or such paying agent, as the case may be, did not have the written notice provided for in Section 13.5 of any event prohibiting the making of such deposit, or if, at the time of such deposit (whether or not in trust) by the Issuer with the Trustee or paying agent (other than the Issuer) such payment would not have been prohibited by the provisions of this Article Thirteen, and the Trustee or any paying agent shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary received by it on or after such date. SECTION 13.4 Disputes with Holders of Certain Senior Indebtedness. Any failure by the Issuer to make any payment on or under any Senior Indebtedness, other than any Senior Indebtedness as to which the provisions of this Section 13.4 shall have been waived by the Issuer in the instrument or instruments by which the Issuer incurred, assumed, guaranteed or otherwise created such Senior Indebtedness, shall not be deemed a default under Section 13.1 if (i) the Issuer shall be disputing its obligation to make such payment or perform such obligation, and (ii) either (A) no final judgment relating to such dispute shall have been issued against the Issuer which is in full force and effect and is not subject to further review, including a judgment that has become final by reason of the expiration of the time within which a party may seek further appeal or review, or (B) if a judgment that is subject to further review or appeal has been issued, the Issuer shall in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or other proceeding for review, and a stay of execution shall have been obtained pending such appeal or review. SECTION 13.5 Trustee Not Charged with Knowledge of Prohibition. Anything in this Article Thirteen or elsewhere in this Indenture contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall not at any time be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of any payment of moneys to or by the Trustee and shall be entitled to assume conclusively that no such facts exists and that no event specified in clauses (a) and (b) of Section 13.1 has happened unless and until the Trustee shall have received an Officers' Certificate to the effect or notice in writing to that effect signed by or on behalf of the holder or holders, or the representatives, of Senior Indebtedness who shall have been certified by the Issuer or otherwise established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee to be such holder or holders or representatives or from any trustee under any indenture pursuant to which such Senior Indebtedness shall be outstanding; provided, however, that, if the Trustee shall not have received the Officers' Certificate or notice provided for in this Section 13.5 at least three Business Days preceding the date upon which by the terms hereof any moneys become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of either the principal of or interest, if any, on any Security), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such moneys and apply the same to the purpose for which they were received and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it within three Business Days preceding such date. The Issuer shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee and to each paying agent of any 50 57 facts that would prohibit any payment of moneys to or by the Trustee or any paying agent, and the Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the curing of any default or the elimination of any other fact or condition preventing such payment or distribution unless and until the Trustee shall have received an Officers' Certificate to such effect. SECTION 13.6 Trustee to Effectuate Subordination. Each Holder of Securities by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as between such Holder and holders of Senior Indebtedness as provided in this Article Thirteen and appoints the Trustee its attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes. SECTION 13.7 Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article Thirteen with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness and nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article Thirteen shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 6.6. SECTION 13.8 Article Applicable to Paying Agents. In case at any time any paying agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Issuer and be then acting hereunder, the term "Trustee" as used in this Article Thirteen shall in such case (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as extending to and including such paying agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if the paying agent were named in this Article Thirteen in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that Sections 13.5 and 13.7 shall not apply to the Issuer if it acts as paying agent. SECTION 13.9 Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Issuer or Holders of Senior Indebtedness. No right of any present or future holders of any Senior Indebtedness to enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Issuer or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Issuer with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or be otherwise charged with. The holders of Senior Indebtedness, may at any time or from time to time and in their absolute direction, change the manner, place or terms of payment, change or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, any such Senior indebtedness, or amend or supplement any instrument pursuant to which any such Senior Indebtedness is issued or by which it may be secured, or release any security therefor, or exercise or refrain from exercising any other of their rights under the Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the waiver of default thereunder, all without notice to or assent from the Holders of the Securities or the Trustee and without affecting the obligations of the Issuer, the Trustee or the Holders of Securities under this Article Thirteen. SECTION 13.10 Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness, and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute money or assets to Securityholders or the Issuer. With respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants or obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article Thirteen and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee. 51 58 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, effective as of September 1, 1997. SEAGULL ENERGY CORPORATION By: --------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee By: --------------------------------- Title: --------------------------------- 52 EX-5.1 5 OPINION OF VINSON & ELKINS 1 EXHIBIT 5.1 VINSON & ELKINS ATTORNEYS AT LAW VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. 2300 FIRST CITY TOWER 1001 FANNIN STREET HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002-6760 TELEPHONE (713) 758-2222 FAX (713) 758-2346 WRITER'S TELEPHONE WRITER'S FAX (713) 758-2222 (713) 758-2346 September 18, 1997 Seagull Energy Corporation 1001 Fannin Suite 1700 Houston, Texas 77060 Re: Seagull Energy Corporation (the "Company"): Registration Statement on Form S-3 No. 333-34841 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") Ladies and Gentlemen: We have acted as counsel for the Company, a Texas corporation, relating to the Company's (i) unsecured debt securities, in one or more series, consisting of notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness (the "Debt Securities"), (ii) shares of preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, in one or more series (the "Preferred Stock"), which may be issued in the form of depositary shares evidenced by depositary receipts (the "Depositary Shares"), (iii) shares of common stock, par value $.10 per share (the "Common Stock"), accompanied by rights to purchase Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the "Rights"), and (iv) Securities Warrants ("Securities Warrants") to purchase Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares or Common Stock to be issued from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act for an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $100. Each capitalized term used herein, unless otherwise defined herein, has the meaning ascribed to it in the Registration Statement. Before rendering our opinion, we examined certain corporate records of the Company, including its Articles of Incorporation, its Bylaws, and certain resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company. We also examined the Registration Statement, together with the exhibits thereto, and such certificates of officers of the Company, other documents and records as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of this opinion. As to matters of fact relevant to the opinions expressed herein, and as to factual matters arising in connection with our examination of corporate documents, records and other documents and writings, we relied upon certificates and other communications of corporate officers of the Company, without further investigation as to the facts set forth therein. 2 Seagull Energy Corporation Page 2 September 18, 1997 In connection with this opinion, we have assumed that (i) the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), will have become effective; (ii) a Prospectus Supplement will have been prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") describing the Securities offered thereby; (iii) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the appropriate Prospectus Supplement; (iv) a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; and (v) any Securities issuable upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any Security being offered will be duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange or exercise. Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that: (a) with respect to Debt Securities to be issued under either of the Indentures, when (i) the Indentures have been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended; (ii) the Board (as hereinafter defined) has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of such Debt Securities, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters; and (iii) such Debt Securities have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Indenture and either (a) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, or (b) upon exercise of any other Security, in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board, such Debt Securities will be legally issued and will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as such enforcement is subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other law relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally and general principles of equity; (b) with respect to shares of Preferred Stock, when (i) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance and terms of the shares of Preferred Stock, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters, including the adoption of a statement establishing relative rights and preferences relating to such Preferred Stock and the filing of such statement with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas; and (ii) certificates representing the shares of Preferred Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (a) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, or (b) upon exercise of any other Security, in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such exercise as approved by the Board, for 3 Seagull Energy Corporation Page 3 September 18, 1997 the consideration approved by the Board, the shares of Preferred Stock will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable; (c) with respect to the Depositary Shares, when the terms of the Depositary Shares and of their issuance and sale have been duly established in conformity with applicable law, the Deposit Agreement relating to the Depositary Shares has been duly executed and delivered, and the Preferred Stock that is represented by Depositary Shares has been duly issued and delivered to the depositary as contemplated in paragraph (b) above, and Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares have been duly issued against the deposit of Preferred Stock in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary Receipts will be validly issued; (d) with respect to shares of Common Stock, when (i) the Board of Directors of the Company or, to the extent permitted by Article 2.13 of the Texas Business Corporation Act, a duly constituted and acting committee thereof (such Board of Directors or committee being referred to herein as the "Board"), has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the issuance of and the terms of the offering of the shares of Common Stock and related matters; and (ii) certificates representing the shares of Common Stock have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered either (a) in accordance with the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Common Stock) provided for therein, or (b) upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Security in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such conversion, exchange or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board (not less than the par value of the Common Stock), (X) the shares of Common Stock will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and (Y) the Rights, assuming that they are issued prior to the Distribution Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to the redemption or termination of the Rights, will be validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and the holders thereof will be entitled to the benefits of the Rights Agreement; provided, however, that we express no opinion as to the anti-dilution provision contained in the Rights Agreement; and (e) with respect to the Securities Warrants, when (i) the Board has taken all necessary corporate action to approve the creation of and the issuance and terms of the Securities Warrants, the terms of the offering thereof and related matters; (ii) the Securities Warrant Agreement and other agreements relating to the Securities Warrants have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the warrant agent appointed by the Company; and (iii) the Securities Warrants or certificates representing the Securities Warrants have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the appropriate Securities 4 Seagull Energy Corporation Page 4 September 18, 1997 Warrant Agreement, any other agreements relating to the Securities Warrants and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein, the Securities Warrants will be duly authorized and validly issued. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. By giving such consent, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder. For purposes of this opinion, we assume that the securities to be issued pursuant to the Registration Statement will be issued in compliance with all applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws. Very truly yours, VINSON & ELKINS L.L.P. EX-23.1 6 CONSENT OF KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP 1 EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS The Board of Directors Seagull Energy Corporation: We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-34841) of Seagull Energy Corporation of our report dated January 27, 1997, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Seagull Energy Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, which report is incorporated by reference in the December 31, 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Seagull Energy Corporation and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus. Our report on the consolidated financial statements refers to a change in the Company's method of accounting for the impairment of long-lived assets and for long-lived assets to be disposed of. /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Houston, Texas September 17, 1997 -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----