0001193125-12-463819.txt : 20121113 0001193125-12-463819.hdr.sgml : 20121112 20121109185249 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-12-463819 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3ASR PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 8 FILED AS OF DATE: 20121113 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20121109 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20121113 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000007332 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311] IRS NUMBER: 710205415 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-184882 FILM NUMBER: 121195053 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2350 N. SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY EAST STREET 2: SUITE 125 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77032 BUSINESS PHONE: 2816184700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2350 N. SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY EAST STREET 2: SUITE 125 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77032 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: ARKANSAS WESTERN GAS CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19790917 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: SEECO, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001561689 IRS NUMBER: 710489977 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AR FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-184882-03 FILM NUMBER: 121195056 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2350 NORTH SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY EAST STREET 2: SUITE 125 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77032 BUSINESS PHONE: 281-618-4700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2350 NORTH SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY EAST STREET 2: SUITE 125 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77032 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Southwestern Energy Production Co CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001561690 IRS NUMBER: 710358796 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AR FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-184882-01 FILM NUMBER: 121195054 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2350 NORTH SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY EAST STREET 2: SUITE 125 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77032 BUSINESS PHONE: 281-618-4700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2350 NORTH SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY EAST STREET 2: SUITE 125 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77032 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Southwestern Energy Services Co CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001561699 IRS NUMBER: 710794468 STATE OF INCORPORATION: AR FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-184882-02 FILM NUMBER: 121195055 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2350 NORTH SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY EAST STREET 2: SUITE 125 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77032 BUSINESS PHONE: 281-618-4700 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2350 NORTH SAM HOUSTON PARKWAY EAST STREET 2: SUITE 125 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77032 S-3ASR 1 d433909ds3asr.htm FORM S-3ASR Form S-3ASR
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2012

Registration No. 333-

 

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Southwestern Energy Company

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   71-0205415
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2350 North Sam Houston Parkway East

Suite 125

Houston, Texas 77032

(281) 618-4700

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

 

Mark K. Boling

President, V+ Development Solutions,

General Counsel and Secretary

Southwestern Energy Company

2350 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 125

Houston, Texas 77032

(281) 618-4700

  

William F. Gorin

James D. Small

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

One Liberty Plaza

New York, New York 10006-1470

(212) 225-2000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,

including area code, of agent for service)

  

(Copies of all communications, including communications sent

to agent for service)

 

 

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 (the “Securities Act”), 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 effective registration statement for the same offering:  ¨

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box:  x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box:  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of each class of securities to be registered  

Amount to be registered/

Proposed maximum offering price per unit/

Proposed maximum offering price/

Amount of registration fee

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (1)

Debt Securities

Guarantees of Senior Debt Securities (2)

  (3)

 

 

(1) Including such indeterminate number of shares of common stock as may be issued from time to time (i) at an indeterminate price or (ii) upon conversion or exchange of debt securities registered hereunder, to the extent any such securities are, by their terms, convertible into or exchangeable for shares of common stock.
(2) Subsidiaries of Southwestern Energy Company listed on the Table of Additional Registrants below may fully and unconditionally guarantee on an unsecured basis Southwestern Energy Company’s senior debt securities. Pursuant to Rule 457(n), no separate fee is payable with respect to the guarantees of such senior debt securities being registered concurrently.
(3) An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price of the securities being registered as may from time to time be sold at indeterminate prices. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, Southwestern Energy Company is deferring payment of all of the related registration fees.

 

 

 


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TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANT GUARANTORS

 

 

Name of Additional

Registrants*

  State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization
  Primary SICC Number   I.R.S. Employer Identification
Number

SEECO, Inc.

  Arkansas   1311   71-0489977
Southwestern Energy Production Company   Arkansas   1311   71-0358796
Southwestern Energy Services Company   Arkansas   1311   71-0794468

 

 

* The address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, for each of the additional registrants’ principal executive offices are the same as Southwestern Energy Company. The name, address, including zip code of the agent for service for each of the additional registrants are the same as Southwestern Energy Company.


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LOGO

COMMON STOCK

DEBT SECURITIES

 

 

We may offer from time to time in one or more issuances:

 

  shares of our common stock, or

 

  one or more series of unsecured debt securities, which may be senior notes or debentures or other unsecured evidences of indebtedness.

We may also issue common stock upon the conversion or exchange of debt securities issued under this prospectus. These securities are collectively referred to in this prospectus as the “securities.”

We will offer the securities in an amount and on terms to be determined by market conditions and other circumstances at the time of the offering.

Our common stock is quoted on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SWN.” The last reported sale price of our common stock on November 8, 2012 was $34.16 per share.

We will provide the specific terms of these securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable supplement carefully before you invest.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or 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 securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

The date of this prospectus is November 9, 2012.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     PAGE  

About this Prospectus

     i   

Where You Can Find More Information

     1   

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

     1   

About Southwestern Energy Company

     2   

Risk Factors

     2   

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

     2   

Reserve Estimates

     4   

Use of Proceeds

     5   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     5   

Description of Common Stock

     6   

Description of Debt Securities

     9   

Book-Entry Issuance

     26   

Plan of Distribution

     28   

Legal Opinions

     30   

Experts

     30   

 

 

We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about the offering that is different from, or in addition to, that contained in this prospectus, the related registration statement or in any of the materials that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We do not take any responsibility for, and can provide no assurances as to, the reliability of any information that others may provide to you. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to sell, or solicitations of offers to purchase, the securities offered by this prospectus are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this prospectus does not extend to you. The information contained in this prospectus speaks only as of the date of this prospectus unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies.

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that Southwestern Energy Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a “shelf” registration process. Under this process, we may offer the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer securities, we will provide you with a prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and terms of the securities being offered. The prospectus supplement and pricing supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement or pricing supplement. We may only use this prospectus to sell securities if it is accompanied by a prospectus supplement and any applicable pricing supplement.

To understand the terms of our securities, you should carefully read this document with the related prospectus supplement. Together they give the specific terms of the securities we are offering. You should also read the documents we have referred you to in “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” below for information on our company and our financial statements before investing in our securities.

In this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated or as the context otherwise requires, the terms “Southwestern Energy,” “SWN,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Southwestern Energy Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. Unless otherwise stated, currency amounts in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement are stated in United States dollars, or “$.”

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference room. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also access the information we file electronically with the SEC through our website at http://www.swn.com. You may also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about Southwestern Energy at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC relating to the securities. As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information we have included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits we file with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement and the exhibits for more information about the securities and us. The registration statement and the exhibits are available at the SEC’s public reference room or through the Internet.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus certain information we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information filed with the SEC after the date of this prospectus will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus and in our other filings with the SEC. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents listed below (other than portions of these documents that are either (1) described in paragraphs (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3) or (e)(5) of Item 407 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC; or (2) furnished under applicable SEC rules rather than filed and exhibits furnished in connection with such items):

 

   

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011;

 

   

our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2012;

 

   

our definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on April 5, 2012, and the definitive additional materials on Schedule 14A filed on April 5, 2012;

 

   

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2012, February 29, 2012, March 6, 2012, June 21, 2012, August 6, 2012, November 2, 2012 and November 7, 2012; and

 

   

the description of our common stock contained in our current report on Form 8-K/A dated August 3, 2006, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating that description.

Any future filings that we make with the SEC, pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, for so long as the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part remains effective, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus from the date such documents are filed (other than information in the documents or filings that is deemed not to be filed).

You may request a copy of these filings and any other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus (excluding any exhibits to those filings unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into this filing) and a copy of the indenture and other agreements referred to in this prospectus, at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address and telephone number:

Southwestern Energy Company

2350 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 125

Houston, Texas 77032

Attention: Investor Relations

Telephone: (281) 618-4700

The above filings are also available to the public on our website at http://www.swn.com. (We have included our website address as an inactive textual reference and do not intend it to be an active link to our website. Information on our website is not part of this prospectus.)

 

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ABOUT SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY

Our Company

We are an independent oil and gas exploration and production company with core areas of operations in Arkansas and Pennsylvania targeting the unconventional shale gas plays in the Fayetteville Shale and the Marcellus Shale, respectively. In addition, we engage in exploration activities in order to test new plays, which we refer to as New Ventures. We also focus on creating and capturing additional value at and beyond the wellhead through our natural gas gathering and marketing business.

Corporate Information

Southwestern Energy Company is a Delaware corporation. Our principal executive offices are located at 2350 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 125, Houston, Texas 77032, and our main telephone number at that location is (281) 618-4700. Our website is located at http://www.swn.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information included on, or linked from, our website (other than to the extent specified elsewhere herein), and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus.

RISK FACTORS

The securities to be offered by this prospectus may involve a high degree of risk. These risks will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to each such security. Certain risk factors relating to our business are set forth in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Those risk factors may be supplemented and amended by any risk factors set forth in a prospectus supplement. You should consider carefully those risk factors and the other information set forth elsewhere in this prospectus any applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein when making any decision to invest in our securities.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains or incorporates by reference statements that may be deemed to be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements appear in a number of places in the documents we incorporate by reference. All statements that address activities, outcomes and other matters that should or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, statements regarding the financial position, business strategy, production and reserve growth and other plans and objectives for our future operations, are forward-looking statements. Although we believe the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance. We have no obligation and make no undertaking to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.

Forward-looking statements include the items identified in the preceding paragraph, information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations and other statements contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus identified by words such as “anticipate,” “project,” “intend,” “estimate,” “expect,” “believe,” “predict,” “budget,” “projection,” “goal,” “plan,” “forecast,” “target” or similar expressions.

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. They are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect our operations, markets, products, services and prices and cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. In addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with forward-looking statements, risks,

 

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uncertainties and factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in any forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to:

 

   

the timing and extent of changes in market conditions and prices for natural gas and oil (including regional basis differentials);

 

   

our ability to fund our planned capital investments;

 

   

our ability to transport our production to the most favorable markets or at all;

 

   

the timing and extent of our success in discovering, developing, producing and estimating reserves;

 

   

the economic viability of, and our success in drilling, our large acreage position in the Fayetteville Shale play overall as well as relative to other productive shale gas plays;

 

   

the impact of government regulation, including any increase in severance or similar taxes, legislation relating to hydraulic fracturing, the climate and over-the-counter derivatives;

 

   

the costs and availability of oilfield personnel, services and drilling supplies, raw materials, and equipment, including pressure pumping equipment and crews;

 

   

our ability to determine the most effective and economic fracture stimulation for the Fayetteville Shale play and Marcellus Shale play;

 

   

our future property acquisition or divestiture activities;

 

   

the impact of the adverse outcome of any material litigation against us;

 

   

the effects of weather;

 

   

increased competition and regulation;

 

   

the financial impact of accounting regulations and critical accounting policies;

 

   

the comparative cost of alternative fuels;

 

   

conditions in capital markets, changes in interest rates and the ability of our lenders to provide us with funds as agreed;

 

   

credit risk relating to the risk of loss as a result of non-performance by our counterparties; and

 

   

any other factors listed in the reports we have filed and may file with the SEC.

We caution you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, incident to the exploration for and development, production and sale of natural gas and oil. These risks include, but are not limited to, commodity price volatility, third-party interruption of sales to market, inflation, lack of availability of goods and services, environmental risks, drilling and other operating risks, regulatory changes, the uncertainty inherent in estimating proved natural gas and oil reserves and in projecting future rates of production and timing of development expenditures and the other risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” or elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011, and our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed subsequently thereto.

Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties described above or elsewhere in an Annual Report on Form 10-K, a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or an Current Reports on Form 8-K occur, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results and plans could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. We specifically disclaim all responsibility to publicly update any information contained in a forward-looking statement or any forward-looking statement in its entirety and therefore disclaim any resulting liability for potentially related damages.

In addition, this prospectus contains or incorporates by reference estimates regarding market data, which are based on our internal estimates, independent industry publications, reports by market research firms and/or other

 

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published independent sources. In each case, we believe those estimates are reasonable. However, market data is subject to change and cannot always be verified with complete certainty due to limits on the availability and reliability of raw data, the voluntary nature of the data gathering process and other limitations and uncertainties inherent in any statistical survey of market data. As a result, you should be aware that market data set forth herein or incorporated herein by reference, and estimates and beliefs based on such data, may not be reliable.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.

RESERVE ESTIMATES

This prospectus and certain documents incorporated herein by reference contain estimates of our proved natural gas and oil reserves and the estimated future net revenues from such reserves. Those estimates are based upon various assumptions, including assumptions required by the SEC, relating to natural gas and oil prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital investments, taxes and availability of funds. The process of estimating natural gas and oil reserves is complex. This process requires significant decisions and assumptions in the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data for each reservoir. Therefore, those estimates are inherently imprecise.

Actual future production, natural gas and oil prices, revenues, taxes, development investments, operating expenses and quantities of recoverable natural gas and oil reserves will most likely vary from those estimated. Such variances may be material. Any significant variance could materially affect the estimated quantities and present value of reserves set forth in this prospectus. Our properties may also be susceptible to hydrocarbon drainage from production by other operators on adjacent properties. In addition, we may adjust estimates of proved reserves to reflect production history, results of exploration and development, prevailing natural gas and oil prices and other factors, many of which are beyond our control.

Historically, a significant portion of our reserves have been proved undeveloped reserves and proved developed non-producing reserves. Proved undeveloped reserves and proved developed non-producing reserves, by their nature, are less certain than proved developed producing reserves. Estimates of reserves in the non-producing categories are nearly always based on volumetric calculations rather than the performance data used to estimate producing reserves. Recovery of proved undeveloped reserves requires significant capital investments and successful drilling operations. Recovery of proved developed non-producing reserves requires capital investments to recomplete into the zones behind pipe and is subject to the risk of a successful recompletion. Production revenues from proved undeveloped and proved developed non-producing reserves will not be realized, if at all, until sometime in the future.

The reserve data assumes that we will make significant capital investments to develop our reserves. Although we have prepared estimates of our natural gas and oil reserves and the costs associated with these reserves in accordance with industry standards, we cannot assure you that the estimated costs are accurate, that development will occur as scheduled or that the actual results will be as estimated.

You should not assume that the present value of future net cash flows referred to in this prospectus or the documents incorporated by reference herein is the current fair value of our estimated natural gas and oil reserves. In accordance with SEC requirements, the estimated discounted future net cash flows from proved reserves are generally based on average prices over the preceding twelve months and costs as of the date of the estimate. Actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than the prices and costs as of the date of the estimate. Any changes in consumption by gas purchasers or in governmental regulations or taxation could also affect actual future net cash flows. The timing of both the production and the expenses from the development and production of natural gas and oil properties will affect the timing of actual future net cash flows from proved reserves and their present value. In addition, the 10% discount factor, which is required by the SEC to be used in calculating discounted future net cash flows for reporting purposes, is not necessarily the most accurate discount factor for our company.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, the net proceeds we receive from the sale of securities described by this prospectus and such prospectus supplement will be used for general corporate purposes. General corporate purposes may include the repayment of outstanding debt, the purchase of our common stock, investments in or extensions of credit to our subsidiaries, or the financing of possible acquisitions or business expansion. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily or applied to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purpose. Pending application for specific purposes, the net proceeds may be invested in marketable securities.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

Our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 and each of the five years in the period ended December 31, 2011 is set forth below.

 

     Quarter ended
September 30,
     Years ended December 31,  
     2012      2011      2010      2009      2008      2007  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges1

     —           11.42x         12.48x         —           12.15x         8.12x   

For the purpose of this calculation, “earnings” consists of (loss) income from continuing operations before income taxes, income on equity method investments, fixed charges (excluding interest capitalized and amortization of interest capitalized). “Fixed charges” consists of interest expensed and capitalized, amortization of debt discount and related issuance costs and the component of rental expense believed by management to be representative of the interest factor thereon.

Due to the non-cash full cost-ceiling impairments, our earnings were insufficient to cover our fixed charges for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 and for the year ended December 31, 2009, by approximately $237.3 million and $84.6 million, respectively.

 

 

1 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2012 and year ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded a non-cash full cost ceiling impairment of $441.5 and $907.8 million, respectively. Excluding impairment, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would be 7.15 and 11.59 for the quarter-ended September 30, 2012 and year-ended December 31, 2009, respectively.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

As of the date of this prospectus, we are authorized to issue up to 1,250,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of September 30, 2012, we had approximately 350,415,917 shares of common stock issued (including approximately 66,791 shares held in treasury) and had reserved approximately 13,006,254 shares of common stock for issuance under various employee or director incentive compensation and option plans.

We may issue additional shares of our common stock at times and under circumstances so as to have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share, our net tangible book value per share and on the equity ownership of the holders of our common stock. If we issue shares of our common stock, the prospectus supplement relating to an offering will set forth the information regarding any dilutive effect of that offering.

The following description is a summary of the material provisions of our common stock but does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, our certificate of incorporation and our bylaws, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. You should refer to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws for additional information.

Common Stock

Listing

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “SWN.” Any additional common stock that we issue will also be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, unless otherwise indicated in a prospectus supplement.

Dividends

We do not currently pay cash dividends on our capital stock and we do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination to pay cash dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will be dependent upon our financial condition, results of operation, capital requirements and other factors that our board of directors deems to be relevant.

Fully Paid

All of our outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable. Any additional shares of common stock will also be fully paid and non-assessable.

Voting Rights

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters voted on by our stockholders, including the election of directors.

Other Provisions

We will notify holders of our common stock of any stockholders’ meetings in accordance with applicable law. If we liquidate, dissolve or wind-up, whether voluntarily or not, our common stockholders will share equally in the assets remaining after we pay our creditors. Our board of directors may make rules and regulations concerning the transfer of shares of our common stock from time to time, in accordance with our bylaws. Holders of our common stock will have no conversion, sinking fund or redemption rights.

 

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Preferred Stock

Our board of directors has the authority, without further action by our stockholders, to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in one or more series. Our board of directors may designate the number of shares constituting any series and the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of such preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preference and sinking fund terms, but no shares of any series of preferred stock may be issued without the approval of shareholders if (i) the voting rights of the shares of such series would be materially disproportionate to the voting rights of the shares of common stock or (ii) the shares of such series would be convertible into a materially disproportionate number of shares of common stock, in each case taking into account the issue price of the shares of such series and the fair market value of the shares of common stock at the time of such issuance. The issuance of our preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that holders of common stock will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation.

Our board of directors has designated 1,000,000 shares of our preferred stock as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, or Series A Preferred Stock, and reserved such shares for issuance under our stockholders’ rights plan. The rights and preferences of the Series A Preferred Stock include, among other things, the following:

Dividends

Holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors, quarterly dividends payable in cash on the 1st day of March, June, September and December in each year (each such date a “Quarterly Dividend Payment Date”), commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or fraction of a share of the Series A Preferred Stock, in an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (i) $0.10 or (ii) subject to adjustment, 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 1,000 times the aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of the common stock or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of the common stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on our common stock since the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a share of the Series A Preferred Stock.

Liquidation Preference

With respect to the distribution of our assets upon liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock are entitled to receive an amount equal to $1.00 per share prior to any distribution to holders of our common stock or other ranking junior stock. Holders of our common stock are then entitled to ratable and proportionate catch-up payments. Thereafter, holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and holders of our common stock will receive their ratable and proportionate share of the remaining assets to be distributed, on a per share basis.

Voting Rights

Each share of the Series A Preferred Stock entitles the holder thereof to 1,000 votes, subject to adjustment, on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders. Except as otherwise set forth in our certificate of designation relating to the Series A Preferred Stock or as provided by law, the holders of shares of the Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of our common stock vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders.

Other Provisions

A detailed description of the Series A Preferred Stock may be found in the certificate of designation attached as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 3 to our registration statement on Form 8-A dated April 9, 2009, which you may obtain as described under “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

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Transfer Agent

The transfer agent and registrar of our common stock is Computershare Trust Company N.A.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws and Delaware Law

The following provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the following provisions of Delaware law may have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing a change of control of us.

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws include provisions:

 

   

authorizing blank check preferred stock, which we could issue with voting, liquidation, dividend and other rights superior to our common stock;

 

   

limiting the liability of, and providing indemnification to, our directors and officers;

 

   

requiring advance notice of proposals by our stockholders for business to be conducted at stockholder meetings and for nominations of candidates for election to our board of directors; and

 

   

controlling the procedures for the conduct of our board and stockholder meetings and the election, appointment and removal of our directors.

The Delaware General Corporation Law

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner.

Section 203 defines a “business combination” as a merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to an interested stockholder. Section 203 defines an “interested stockholder” as a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or, in some cases, within three years prior, did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock. Under Section 203, a business combination between us and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless:

 

   

our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholders becoming an interested stockholder prior to the date the person attained that status;

 

   

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding, for purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and shares issued under employee stock plans under which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held under the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

 

   

the business combination is approved by our board of directors on or subsequent to the date the person became an interested stockholder and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66  2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

This provision has an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our board of directors, including discouraging takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of our common stock. With approval of our stockholders, we could amend our certificate of incorporation in the future to elect not to be governed by this provision. This election would be effective 12 months after the adoption of the amendment and would not apply to any business combination between us and any person who became an interested stockholder on or before the adoption of the amendment.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

We will issue the debt securities in one or more series under an indenture between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee, as such indenture may be supplemented in connection with any particular issuance.

In this section, the terms “we,” “our,” “us” and “Southwestern Energy Company” refer solely to Southwestern Energy Company and not its subsidiaries, and references to the “guarantors” are to SEECO, Inc., Southwestern Energy Production Company and Southwestern Energy Services Company, each of which is our direct or indirect subsidiary and may be a guarantor of our senior debt securities if so specified as such in the relevant prospectus supplement with respect to any series of debt securities, and also to any other subsidiary of Southwestern Energy Company that may be specified as a guarantor in the relevant prospectus supplement with respect to any series of debt securities.

References to “debt securities” include both the debt securities and any guarantees, except where otherwise indicated or as the context otherwise requires. References to “holders” mean those who have debt securities registered in their names on the books that we or the trustee maintain for that purpose, and not those who own beneficial interests in debt securities issued in book-entry form through The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, or in debt securities registered in street name. Owners of beneficial interests in debt securities should refer to “Book-Entry Issuance” below.

We have summarized below the material provisions of the indenture and the debt securities, or indicated which material provisions will be described in the related prospectus supplement. For further information, you should read the indenture, as it may be supplemented in connection with any particular issuance. The indenture is an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the indenture.

We will describe the particular terms and conditions of any series of debt securities offered in a prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement, which we will file with the SEC, may or may not modify the general terms found in this prospectus. For a complete description of any series of debt securities, you should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to that series of debt securities.

General

The debt securities that we may offer under the indenture are not limited in aggregate principal amount. We may issue debt securities at one or more times in one or more series. Each series of debt securities may have different terms. The terms of any series of debt securities will be described in, or determined by action taken pursuant to, a resolution of our board of directors or a committee appointed by our board of directors or in a supplement to the indenture relating to that series.

We are not obligated to issue all debt securities of one series at the same time and, unless otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement, we may reopen a series, without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of that series, for the issuance of additional debt securities of that series. Additional debt securities of a particular series will have the same terms and conditions as outstanding debt securities of such series (except for the issue date, the offering price and certain other terms that may be specified in any prospectus supplement relating to such issuance), and will be consolidated with, and form a single series with, such outstanding debt securities.

The debt securities issued by us will be unsecured obligations and will rank equally with all of our other unsecured senior indebtedness, and any guarantees will be senior unsecured obligations of the guarantors.

 

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The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will state the price or prices at which the debt securities will be offered and will contain the specific terms of that series. These terms may include the following:

 

   

the title of the series;

 

   

the purchase price, denomination and any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the series;

 

   

the date or dates on which each of the principal of and premium, if any, on the securities of the series is payable and the method of determination thereof;

 

   

the rate or rates at which the securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of calculating such rate or rates of interest;

 

   

the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the interest payment dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the record date, if any;

 

   

if the series will have the benefit of any guarantees, the terms and conditions of any guarantee or guarantees and the identities of any guarantors;

 

   

the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on securities of the series shall be payable;

 

   

the place or places where the securities may be exchanged or transferred;

 

   

the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which, securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at our option, if we are to have that option with respect to the applicable series;

 

   

our obligation, if any, to redeem or purchase securities of the series in whole or in part pursuant to any sinking fund or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of a holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the other terms and conditions upon which securities of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

 

   

if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which securities of the series are issuable;

 

   

if the payments of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on the securities of the series are to be made, at our or a holder’s election, in a currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) other than that in which such securities are denominated or designated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which such payments are to be made, the terms and conditions of such payments and the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments shall be determined, and the particular provisions applicable thereto;

 

   

if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the securities of the series shall be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on a currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) other than that in which the securities of the series are denominated or designated to be payable), the index, formula or other method by which such amounts shall be determined;

 

   

if, other than the principal amount thereof, any portion of the principal amount of securities of the series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof pursuant to an event of default or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

 

   

any modifications of or additions to the events of default or our covenants with respect to securities of the series;

 

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under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on the securities of the series to persons who are not U.S. persons in respect of taxes or similar charges withheld or deducted and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the securities rather than pay those additional amounts (and the term of any such option);

 

   

whether the securities of the series will be subject to legal defeasance or covenant defeasance;

 

   

if other than the trustee, the identity of the registrar and any paying agent;

 

   

if the securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in part in global form, (i) the depositary for such global securities, (ii) the form of any legend which shall be borne by such global security, (iii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any securities of the series in global form may exchange such interests for certificated securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination, and (iv) the circumstances under which any such exchange may occur; and

 

   

any other terms of the series.

Guarantees

To the extent that any guarantees are specified in the prospectus supplement with respect to any series of debt securities, the guarantors specified therein will guarantee the full and punctual payment of principal, premium, if any, interest, and any other amounts that may become due and payable by us in respect of the debt securities. The guarantee of any subsidiary guarantor may be released under certain circumstances. If we exercise our legal or covenant defeasance option with respect to the debt securities of a particular series as described below under “—Defeasance” or if we satisfy our obligations under the indenture as provided below under “—Satisfaction and Discharge,” then all of the subsidiary guarantees relating to such debt securities will be released. Further, if no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture, a subsidiary guarantor will be unconditionally released and discharged from its guarantee of each series of debt securities for which it provides a guarantee:

 

   

automatically upon any sale, exchange or transfer, whether by way of merger or otherwise, to any person that is not our affiliate, of all of our equity interests in the subsidiary guarantor;

 

   

automatically upon the liquidation and dissolution of the subsidiary guarantor; or

 

   

following delivery of a written notice by us to the trustee, upon the release of all guarantees or other obligations of the subsidiary guarantor with respect to the obligations of us or any of our subsidiaries under our senior credit facility (as it may be amended or replaced from time to time); provided that if at any time following any release of a subsidiary guarantor from its guarantee of the debt securities of a particular series pursuant to this bullet point, the subsidiary guarantor again guarantees, becomes a co-obligor with respect to or otherwise provides direct credit support for any of the obligations of us or any of our subsidiaries under our senior credit facility (as it may be amended or replaced from time to time), then we will cause the subsidiary guarantor to again guarantee such debt securities in accordance with the indenture.

Change of Control Event

Unless specified to the contrary in the prospectus supplement with respect to any series of debt securities, if a change of control event occurs, each holder will have the right, pursuant to the terms set forth in the indenture, to require us to repurchase all or any part (in an amount equal to at least the minimum denomination of such series of Securities as specified in the terms thereof or an integral multiple as specified in excess thereof) of such holder’s debt securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of such debt securities plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and premium or liquidated damages, if any, up to but excluding the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on any relevant record date to receive interest due on the related relevant interest payment date).

 

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Within 30 days following a change of control event, if we have not (prior to the change of control event) sent a redemption notice for all such securities in connection with any optional redemption that may be permitted pursuant to the terms of each outstanding series of debt securities, we will mail a notice (the “change of control offer”) to each holder of such debt securities to which this provision applies, with a copy to the trustee, stating among other matters:

 

  (1) that a change of control event has occurred and that such holder has the right to require us to purchase such holder’s debt securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of such debt securities plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and premium or liquidated damages, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of holders of record on a record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date) (the “change of control payment”);

 

  (2) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed) (the “change of control payment date”);

 

  (3) that any debt securities not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

 

  (4) that unless we default in the payment of the change of control payment, all debt securities accepted for payment pursuant to the change of control offer will cease to accrue interest on the change of control payment date;

 

  (5) that holders electing to have any debt securities purchased pursuant to a change of control offer will be required to surrender such debt securities (in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the relevant security settlement and clearance organization, if any, if in global form), with appropriate documentation, to the paying agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the business day preceding the change of control payment date;

 

  (6) that holders will be entitled to withdraw their tendered debt securities and their election to require us to purchase such debt securities, provided that the paying agent receives, not later than the close of business on the business day preceding the change of control payment date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder of the debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities tendered for purchase, and a statement that such holder is withdrawing its tendered debt securities and its election to have such debt securities purchased pursuant to the change of control offer;

 

  (7) that if we are repurchasing less than all of the debt securities surrendered, the holders of the remaining debt securities will be issued new debt securities, and such new debt securities will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the debt securities surrendered, provided that the unpurchased portion of the debt securities must be equal to at least the minimum denomination of such series of debt securities as specified in the relevant prospectus supplement, and in integral multiples of any specified minimum denomination in excess thereof; and

 

  (8) the procedures determined by us, consistent with the indenture, that a holder must follow in order to have its debt securities repurchased.

On the change of control payment date, we will, to the extent lawful:

 

  (1) accept for payment all debt securities or portions of debt securities (of at least the minimum denomination of such series of debt securities as specified in the relevant prospectus supplement, and in integral multiples of any specified minimum denomination in excess thereof) properly tendered pursuant to the change of control offer;

 

  (2) deposit with the paying agent an amount equal to the change of control payment in respect of all debt securities or portions of debt securities properly tendered and not properly withdrawn; and

 

  (3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the trustee the debt securities so accepted together with an officer’s certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of debt securities or portions of such debt securities being purchased by us.

 

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The paying agent will promptly mail to each holder of the debt securities of a particular series properly tendered and not properly withdrawn the change of control payment for such debt securities, and the trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each holder new debt securities equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the debt securities surrendered, if any; provided that each such new debt security will be in a principal amount of at least the minimum denomination of such series of debt securities as specified in the relevant prospectus supplement, and in integral multiples of any specified minimum denomination in excess thereof.

If the change of control payment date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, and additional interest, if any, will be paid to the person in whose name debt securities are registered at the close of business on such record date, and no further interest will be payable to holders who tender pursuant to the change of control offer.

Unless specified to the contrary in the prospectus supplement with respect to any series of debt securities, the provisions described above will be applicable to any change of control event whether or not any other provisions of the indenture are applicable. Except as described above with respect to a change of control event or as otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement with respect to any series of debt securities, the indenture does not contain provisions that permit the holders to require us to repurchase or redeem our debt securities in the event of a takeover, recapitalization or similar transaction. In addition, we will not be required to make a change of control offer with respect to any series of debt securities upon a change of control event if a third party makes the change of control offer with respect to such series of debt securities in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the indenture applicable to a change of control offer made by us and purchases all debt securities to which such offer applies that are validly tendered and not withdrawn under such change of control offer.

We will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with any required repurchase of debt securities as a result of a change of control event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of the indenture, or compliance with the change of control event provisions of the indenture would constitute a violation of any such laws or regulations, we will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached our obligations described in the indenture by virtue of our compliance with such securities laws or regulations.

Our ability to repurchase debt securities pursuant to a change of control offer may be limited by a number of factors. The occurrence of certain of the events that constitute a change of control would constitute a default under our senior credit facility. In addition, certain events that may constitute a change of control under our senior credit facility and cause a default under that agreement will not constitute a change of control or a change of control event under the indenture. Our future indebtedness or that of our subsidiaries may also contain prohibitions of certain events that would constitute a change of control or require such indebtedness to be repurchased upon a change of control or a change of control event. Moreover, the exercise by the holders of their right to require us to repurchase debt securities following a change of control in connection with a change in control event could cause a default under such indebtedness, even if the change of control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase on us. Finally, our ability to pay cash to the holders upon a repurchase may be limited by our then existing financial resources. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available when necessary to make any required repurchases. Even if sufficient funds were otherwise available, the terms of our senior credit facility and other and/or future indebtedness may, prohibit our prepayment or repurchase of debt securities before their scheduled maturity. Consequently, if we are not able to prepay any such other indebtedness containing similar restrictions or obtain requisite consents, we will be unable to fulfill any repurchase obligations we may have if holders of debt securities exercise their repurchase rights following a change of control, which would result in a default under the indenture. A default under the indenture may result in a cross-default under our senior credit facility. The provisions described above may deter certain mergers, tender offers and other takeover attempts involving us.

 

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We have no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a change of control, although it is possible that we could decide to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, we could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancings or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a change of control or a change of control event under the indenture, but that could increase the amount of indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise affect our capital structure or credit ratings. Restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness are contained in the covenants described under “Covenants—Limitation on Liens” and “Covenants—Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.” Such restrictions in the indenture can be waived only with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of a particular series then outstanding with respect to such series of debt securities. Except for the limitations contained in such covenants, however, the indenture will not contain any covenants or provisions that may afford holders of the debt securities protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.

The definition of “change of control” includes a disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Southwestern Energy Company (determined on a consolidated basis). Although there is a limited body of case law interpreting the phrase “substantially all,” there is no precise established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, in certain circumstances there may be a degree of uncertainty as to whether a particular transaction would involve a disposition of “all or substantially all” of the property or assets of a person. As a result, it may be unclear as to whether a change of control has occurred and whether a holder of debt securities may require us to make an offer to repurchase such debt securities as described above.

The provisions under the indenture relative to our obligation to make an offer to repurchase debt securities as a result of a change of control event may be waived or modified or terminated with respect to each series of debt securities with the written consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for such debt securities ) prior to the occurrence of such change of control event.

Under the indenture:

 

   

capital stock” means, as to any person, any and all shares, units of beneficial interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such person, including any preferred stock, but excluding any debt securities or other indebtedness convertible into such equity.

 

   

change of control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

 

  (1) any “person,” as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, becoming the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting power of the voting stock of Southwestern Energy Company; provided that a transaction in which Southwestern Energy Company becomes a subsidiary of another person shall not constitute a change of control if, immediately following such transaction, (a) the persons who were stockholders of Southwestern Energy Company immediately prior to such transaction continue to beneficially own, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, 50% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting stock of such other person of whom Southwestern Energy Company has become a subsidiary and (b) no person other than such other person of whom Southwestern Energy Company has become a subsidiary beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting power of the voting stock of Southwestern Energy Company;

 

  (2)

the merger or consolidation of Southwestern Energy Company with or into another person or the merger of another person with or into Southwestern Energy Company, or the sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of Southwestern Energy Company (determined on a consolidated basis) to another person, other than (i) (A) a transaction following which in the case of a merger or consolidation transaction, holders of securities that represented 100% of the voting stock of Southwestern Energy Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or

 

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  indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the voting stock of the surviving person (or any parent thereof) in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction or (B) a transaction that would be permitted under the proviso to clause (1) of this definition of “change of control” or (ii) in the case of a sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all assets transaction, a transaction in which each transferee becomes an obligor in respect of the debt securities of the relevant series and a subsidiary of the transferor of such assets; or

 

  (3) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of Southwestern Energy Company.

 

   

change of control event” means the occurrence of either of the following: (1) if the debt securities of a particular series do not have an investment grade rating from both of the rating agencies on the first day of the trigger period, such debt securities of such series are downgraded by at least one rating category (e.g., from BB+ to BB or Ba1 to Ba2) from the applicable rating thereof on the first day of the trigger period by both of the rating agencies on any date during the trigger period, or (2) if the debt securities of a particular series have an investment grade rating from both of the rating agencies on the first day of the trigger period, such debt securities cease to have an investment grade rating from both of the ratings agencies on any date during the trigger period; provided, however, that for so long as any of our existing senior notes are outstanding, if we are required to offer to purchase any such existing senior notes as a result of the occurrence of a change of control (as defined in such existing senior notes), then the occurrence of such change of control shall constitute a change of control event. For purposes of the foregoing, “existing senior notes” means shall mean (i) such series of such senior notes may be specified in the prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities or (i) if no such series as specified in such prospectus supplement as described in clause (i), each series of senior notes issued by Southwestern Energy Company (whether or not guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries) that is outstanding on the original issue date of the relevant series of debt securities (excluding any issuance of additional securities of such series).

If a rating agency is not providing a rating for the debt securities of a particular series at the commencement of the trigger period, a change of control event shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to such rating agency as a result of the related change of control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no change of control event will be deemed to have occurred in connection with any particular change of control unless and until such change of control has actually occurred.

 

   

investment grade rating” means a rating by any rating agency equal to or greater than (i) BBB- by S&P or (ii) Baa3 by Moody’s or (iii) the equivalent thereof under any new ratings system if the ratings system of either such agency shall be modified after the date hereof, or (iv) the equivalent rating or any other Ratings Agency selected by Southwestern Energy Company as provided by the definition of Ratings Agency.

 

   

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

   

Ratings Agency” means any of (1) Moody’s, (2) S&P; or (3) if S&P or Moody’s ceases to rate the debt securities of a particular series or ceases to make a rating on debt securities of a particular series publicly available, an entity registered as a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (registered as such pursuant to Rule 17g-1 of the Exchange Act) then making a rating on such debt securities publicly available selected by Southwestern Energy Company (as certified by an officer’s certificate), which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s, as the case may be.

 

   

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

 

   

trigger period” means the period commencing on the day of the first public announcement by us of any change of control (or pending change of control) and ending 60 days following consummation of such change of control (which trigger period will be extended following consummation of a change of control for so long as either of the rating agencies has publicly announced that it is considering a possible ratings downgrade related to such change of control).

 

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voting stock” of a person means all classes of capital stock of such person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

Covenants

Except as described below or in the prospectus supplement with respect to any series of debt securities, we are not restricted by the indenture from incurring, assuming or becoming liable for any type of debt or other obligations, from paying dividends or making distributions on our capital stock or purchasing or redeeming our capital stock. The indenture does not require the maintenance of any financial ratios or specified levels of net worth or liquidity. In addition, with certain exceptions, the indenture does not contain any covenants or other provisions that would limit our right to incur additional indebtedness. The indenture does not contain any provisions that would require us to repurchase or redeem or otherwise modify the terms of any of the debt securities upon a change in control or other events that may adversely affect the creditworthiness of the debt securities, for example, a highly leveraged transaction.

Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus supplement, covenants contained in the indenture, which are summarized below, will apply to the series of debt securities to which the prospectus supplement relates so long as any of the debt securities of that series are outstanding.

Limitation on Liens. We will not, and will not permit any of our subsidiaries to, incur, assume or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money secured by a lien on any (a) productive property, (b) any principal transmission facility or (c) any shares of stock of any subsidiary (collectively, (a), (b) and (c), “principal property”), if the sum, without duplication, of:

 

   

the aggregate principal amount of all secured debt (other than secured debt referred to in clauses (i) – (viii) below); and

 

   

all attributable debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions involving any principal property (other than sale and leaseback provisions permitted pursuant to the second paragraph of the covenant “—Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions” below),

exceeds 15% of our consolidated assets, unless we provide that the debt securities will be secured equally and ratably with (or, at our option, prior to) such secured debt.

The provisions described in the foregoing paragraph do not apply to liens incurred, assumed or guaranteed that do not arise from indebtedness for borrowed money and, without limiting the foregoing, also do not apply to liens on principal property:

 

  (i) with respect to any series of debt securities, any lien (A) existing as of the date of the issue date of such series of debt securities (excluding any subsequent issuance of additional securities of such series) or (B) relating to a contract or arrangement that was entered into by us or any of our subsidiaries prior to the issue date of such series of debt securities (excluding any subsequent issuance of additional securities of such series);

 

  (ii) upon any principal property (including any related contract rights) existing at the time of acquisition thereof by us or any of our subsidiaries (whether such acquisition is direct or by acquisition of stock, assets or otherwise, provided any such lien is not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition);

 

  (iii) securing indebtedness under credit facilities of any subsidiary that is not a guarantor of debt securities, provided that the aggregate principal amount of any indebtedness under such credit facilities shall not exceed $250.0 million at any time outstanding;

 

  (iv)

upon or with respect to any property (including any related contract rights) acquired, constructed, refurbished or improved by us or any of our subsidiaries (including, but not limited to, liens to

 

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  secure all or any part of the cost of construction, alteration or repair of any building, equipment, facility or other improvement on, all or any part of such property, including any pipeline financing) after the issue date of such series of debt securities (excluding any subsequent issuance of additional securities of such series) which are created, incurred or assumed contemporaneously with, or within 360 days after, the latest to occur of the acquisition (whether by acquisition of stock, assets or otherwise), completion of construction, refurbishment or improvement, or the commencement of commercial operation, of such property (or, in the case of liens on contract rights, the completion of construction or the commencement of commercial operation of the facility to which such contract rights relate, regardless of the date when the contract was entered into) to secure or provide for the payment of any part of the purchase price of such property or the cost of such construction, refurbishment or improvement; provided, however, that in the case of any such construction, refurbishment or improvement, the lien shall relate only to indebtedness reasonably incurred to finance such construction, refurbishment or improvement;

 

  (v) securing indebtedness owing by any of our subsidiaries to us or to other subsidiaries;

 

  (vi) arising from the deposit of funds or securities in trust for the purpose of decreasing or defeasing indebtedness;

 

  (vii) for the sole purpose of extending, renewing or replacing (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements), in whole or in part, any lien referred to in the foregoing subsections (i), (ii), (iv) or (vi) above or this subsection (vii), or of any indebtedness secured thereby; provided, however, that the principal amount of indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of indebtedness at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement, and that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to all or part of the property subject to the lien so extended, renewed or replaced (plus refurbishment of or improvements on or to such property); and

 

  (viii) any ordinary course lien arising, but only so long as continuing, in the ordinary course of our business or the business of our subsidiaries.

In all of the cases set forth above, notwithstanding any stated limitation on the assets that may be subject to such lien, a lien on a specified asset or group or type of assets may include liens on all improvements, additions and accessions thereto and all products and proceeds thereof (including, without limitation, dividends, distributions and increases in respect thereof).

Under the indenture:

 

   

attributable debt” means, in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted from the respective due dates thereof to such date at the rate per annum equal to the interest rate implicit in such lease) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended); provided, however, that if such sale and leaseback transaction results in a capital lease obligation, the amount of indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “capital lease obligation.”

 

   

capital lease obligation” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP, and the stated maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

 

   

consolidated assets” means, with respect to us as at any date, our total assets as they appear on our most recently prepared consolidated balance sheet as of the end of a fiscal quarter.

 

   

credit facilities” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, our senior credit facility), in each case with banks, investment banks, insurance companies, mutual funds and/or other

 

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institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from (or sell receivables to) such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, extended, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced (in each case with credit facilities), supplemented or otherwise modified (in whole or in part and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time.

 

   

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, consistently applied.

 

   

ordinary course lien” means any:

 

  (i) lien incurred in the ordinary course of business to secure the obtaining of advances or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property;

 

  (ii) lien created by any interest or title of a lessor under any lease entered into by us or any subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and covering only the assets so leased;

 

  (iii) lien that is a contractual right of set-off (a) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of indebtedness, (b) relating to pooled deposits or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or (c) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (iv) oil, gas or mineral leases arising in the ordinary course of business where the liens arise from the rights of lessors;

 

  (v) customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts that are not for speculative purposes and arise in the ordinary course of business, including swap agreements, but only to the extent the liens encumber cash, cash equivalents, securities, certificates of deposits or similar investments or accounts only containing such items;

 

  (vi) lien arising from the sale or other transfer in the ordinary course of business of (A) crude oil, natural gas, other petroleum hydrocarbons or other minerals in place for a period of time until, or in an amount such that, the purchaser or other transferee will realize therefrom a specified amount of money (however determined) or a specified amount of such minerals, or (B) any other interest in property of the character commonly referred to as a “production payment,” “overriding royalty,” “forward sale” or similar interest;

 

  (vii) lien in favor of the United States of America, any State, any foreign country or any department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of any such jurisdiction, 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 cost of constructing, refurbishing, developing or improving any property subject thereto, including without limitation, liens to secure indebtedness of pollution control or industrial revenue bond type; and

 

  (viii) lien arising from any right which any municipal or governmental body or agency may have by virtue of any franchise, license, contract or statute to purchase, or designate a purchaser of or order the sale of, any property of us or any subsidiary upon payment of reasonable compensation therefor or to terminate any franchise.

 

   

principal transmission facility” means any transportation or distribution facility, including pipelines, of us or any subsidiary of ours located in the United States of America other than (i) any such facility which

 

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in the opinion of our Board of Directors is not of material importance to the business conducted by us and our subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) any such facility in which interests are held by us or by one or more of our subsidiaries or by us and one or more of our subsidiaries and by others and the aggregate interest held by us and all of our subsidiaries does not exceed 50%.

 

   

productive property” means any property interest owned by us or any subsidiary of ours in land (including submerged land and rights in and to oil, gas and mineral leases) located in the United States of America classified by us or such subsidiary, as the case may be, as productive of crude oil, natural gas or other petroleum hydrocarbons in paying quantities; provided that such term shall not include any exploration or production facilities on said land, including any drilling or producing platform.

 

   

sale and leaseback transaction” means any direct or indirect arrangement with any person or to which any such person is a party, providing for the leasing to us or our subsidiary of any property, whether owned at the date of the indenture or thereafter acquired, which has been or is to be sold or transferred by us or such subsidiary to such person or to any other person to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such person on the security of such property, in each case provided that the completion of construction or the commencement of commercial operation of the property subject to such transaction shall have occurred more than 180 days prior thereto.

 

   

secured debt” means any indebtedness for borrowed money incurred, assumed or guaranteed by us or one of our subsidiaries that is secured by a lien.

 

   

swap agreement” means (a) any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement, including any such obligations or liabilities under any master agreement; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of us or any of our subsidiaries shall be a “swap agreement.”

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Neither we nor any of our subsidiaries may enter into, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable with respect to any sale and leaseback transaction involving any principal property, unless after giving effect thereto the sum, without duplication, of

 

   

the aggregate principal amount of all secured debt (other than secured debt permitted by clauses (i) – (viii) in the second paragraph of the covenant “– Limitation on Liens” above); and

 

   

all attributable debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions (other than those referred to in the following paragraph)

does not exceed 15% of our consolidated assets.

This restriction shall not apply to any sale and leaseback transaction if, within 180 days from the effective date of such sale and leaseback transaction, we apply or our subsidiary applies an amount not less than the greater of:

 

   

the net proceeds of the sale of the property leased pursuant to such arrangement; or

 

   

the fair value of the property;

 

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to retire its funded debt, including, for this purpose, any currently maturing portion of such funded debt, or to purchase other property having a fair value at least equal to the fair value of the property leased in such sale and leaseback transaction. This restriction also does not apply to any sale and leaseback transaction (A) between us and any of our subsidiaries or between any of our subsidiaries or (B) for which, at the time the transaction is entered into, the term of the related lease to us or our subsidiary of the property sold pursuant to such transaction is three years or less.

Funded debt” means all indebtedness for borrowed money owed or guaranteed by us or any of our subsidiaries and any other indebtedness which, under GAAP, would appear as indebtedness on our most recent consolidated balance sheet, which matures by its terms more than 12 months from the date of such consolidated balance sheet or which matures by its terms in less than 12 months but by its terms is renewable or extendible beyond 12 months from the date of such consolidated balance sheet at the option of the borrower.

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets. The indenture provides that we may not consolidate with or merge into any other person or sell, convey or transfer all or substantially all of our assets (determined on a consolidated basis) to any person, unless:

 

   

either (i) in the case of a consolidation or merger, the Company is the continuing or surviving person or (ii) the person formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged or the person which acquires our assets is organized in the United States of America (including any state or the District of Columbia) and expressly assumes by supplemental indenture the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest on the debt securities and the performance of every covenant of the indenture on our part;

 

   

immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default, shall have happened and be continuing; and

 

   

we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or transfer and a supplemental indenture, if applicable, comply with the indenture and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

Upon such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or transfer, the successor corporation formed by such consolidation or into which we are merged or to which such sale, conveyance or transfer is made will succeed to, and be substituted for, us under the indenture, and the predecessor corporation shall be released from all obligations and covenants under the indenture and the debt securities.

Events of Default, Notice and Waiver

The indenture provides that if an event of default shall have occurred and be continuing with respect to any series of debt securities, then either the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of that series may declare to be due and payable immediately the outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of the affected series, together with interest, if any, accrued thereon; provided, however, that if the event of default is any of certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, all the debt securities, together with interest, if any, accrued thereon, will become immediately due and payable without further action or notice on the part of the trustee or the holders.

Under the indenture, an event of default with respect to the debt securities of any series is any one of the following events:

 

  (1) default for 30 days or more in payment of any interest on any debt security of that series or any coupon appertaining thereto or any additional amount payable with respect to debt securities of such series as specified in the applicable prospectus supplement when due;

 

  (2) default in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on any debt security of that series when and as due at maturity or on redemption or otherwise, or in the making of a mandatory sinking fund payment of any debt securities of that series when and as due;

 

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  (3) default for 90 days or more after written notice to us by the trustee for such series or by the holders of 25% in aggregate principal amount of the debt securities of such series then outstanding, in any material respect in the performance of any other agreement in the debt securities of that series or in the indenture (or in any supplemental indenture or board resolution referred to therein) under which the debt securities of that series have been issued;

 

  (4) the failure to pay the principal of or interest on indebtedness for borrowed money of us or any significant subsidiary (within the meaning of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act) within any applicable grace period after payment is due or the principal thereof is accelerated by holders thereof because of a default and the total principal amount of such indebtedness in either case exceeds $100.0 million and such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled within 30 days or such indebtedness is not repaid in full within 30 days; provided that such event of default will be cured or waived, without further action upon the part of either the trustee or any holder, if (i) the default that resulted in the acceleration of such other indebtedness is cured or waived and (ii) the acceleration is rescinded or annulled;

 

  (5) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization of us or our significant subsidiaries;

 

  (6) in the case where a guarantor guarantees such debt securities, except as otherwise provided in the indenture, any subsidiary guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect, or any subsidiary guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under its subsidiary guarantee; and

 

  (7) any other event of default provided with respect to debt securities of that series.

The indenture provides that the trustee will, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default with respect to the debt securities of any series, give to the holders of debt securities of such series notice of such default known to it, unless cured or waived; provided that except in the case of default in the payment of principal, or interest or premium, if any, on any debt security of such series or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to debt securities of such series, the trustee will be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the trustee in good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the holders of debt securities of such series. The term “default” for the purpose of this provision means any event that is, or after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become, an event of default.

The indenture contains a provision entitling the trustee, subject to the duty of the trustee during the continuance of an event of default to act with the required standard of care, to be indemnified by the holders before proceeding to exercise any right or power under the indenture at the request of such holders. The indenture provides that the holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of any series may, subject to certain exceptions, on behalf of the holders of debt securities of such series direct the time, method and place of conducting proceedings for remedies available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee.

The indenture includes a covenant that we will file annually with the trustee a certificate of no default, or specifying any default that exists.

In certain cases, the holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of any series may on behalf of the holders of debt securities of such series rescind a declaration of acceleration or waive any past default or event of default with respect to the debt securities of that series except a default not theretofore cured in payment of the principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on any debt security of such series or in respect of a provision which under the indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the holder of each such debt security.

No holder of a debt security of any series will have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to the indenture or the debt securities of any series or for any remedy thereunder unless:

 

   

such holder shall have previously given to the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default;

 

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the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of such series have also made such a written request;

 

   

such holder or holders have provided indemnity satisfactory to the trustee to institute such proceeding as trustee;

 

   

the trustee has failed to institute such proceeding within 90 calendar days of such notice; and

 

   

during or prior to such 90-day period, the trustee has not received from the holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the debt securities of such series a direction inconsistent with such request.

However, such limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities for enforcement of payment of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on such debt securities on or after the respective due dates expressed in such debt securities after any applicable grace periods have expired.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sole remedy for an event of default resulting from:

 

   

any breach of any obligation of Southwestern Energy Company to file or furnish any documents or reports required to be filed or furnished, as the case may be, with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or

 

   

any failure to comply with the requirements of Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”), or the reporting obligations under the indenture;

will be liquidated damages, and holders will not have any right under the indenture to accelerate the maturity of the securities of any series as a result of any such breach except as described below. If an event of default relating to any such obligation continues for 90 days after notice thereof is given in accordance with the indenture, we will pay liquidated damages at an annual rate equal to:

 

   

0.25% per annum of the outstanding principal amount of the securities from the 90th day following such notice to but not including the 180th day following such notice (or such shorter period until such event of default has been cured or waived); and

 

   

0.50% per annum of the outstanding principal amount of the securities from the 180th day following such notice to but not including the 365th day following such notice (or such shorter period until such event of default has been cured or waived).

On such 365th day (or earlier, if such event of default is cured or waived prior to such 365th day), liquidated damages will cease to accrue, and the securities will be subject to acceleration as provided above if the event of default is continuing. Any such liquidated damages shall be paid to holders in the manner and at the times set forth in the indenture.

Modification and Waiver

The trustee and we may amend or supplement the indenture or the debt securities of any series without the consent of any holder, in order to:

 

   

cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

 

   

provide for the assumption of our obligations to the holders in the case of a merger or consolidation of us as permitted by the indenture;

 

   

provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities;

 

   

to add guarantees with respect to the securities or to secure the securities;

 

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to add to the covenants of Southwestern Energy Company or any guarantor for the benefit of holders of all or any series of securities or to surrender any right or power conferred on us in the indenture;

 

   

to add any additional events of default with respect to all or any series of securities;

 

   

comply with SEC requirements in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

   

make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the holders of all or any series of debt securities and that does not adversely affect any such holder in any material respect;

 

   

evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee and to add to or change any of the provisions of the indenture as are necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts by more than one trustee;

 

   

to establish the form or terms of securities of any series;

 

   

to make any change necessary to make the indenture or the debt securities of any series consistent with the description of such securities in this prospectus or any related prospectus supplement relating to such debt securities;

 

   

to correct or supplement any provision of the indenture that may be inconsistent with any other provision of the indenture or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under the indenture, so long as such actions shall not adversely affect the interests of any holder; or

 

   

to change or eliminate any of the provisions of the indenture; provided that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no security outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of that provision.

In addition, except as described below, modifications and amendments of the indenture or the debt securities of any series may be made by the trustee and us with the consent of the holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the debt securities affected by such modification or amendment. However, no such modification or amendment may, without the consent of each holder affected thereby:

 

   

reduce the principal amount of securities of any series whose holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

   

reduce the rate of or change or have the effect of changing the time for payment of interest, including defaulted interest, on any securities;

 

   

reduce the principal amount of or change or have the effect of changing the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of, any securities, or change the date on which any securities may be subject to redemption, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or the redemption price therefor;

 

   

change the currency in which the debt securities are payable from that stated in the securities;

 

   

make any change to the provisions of the indenture entitling each holder to receive payment of principal of, premium and interest on such securities on or after the stated maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date) or to bring suit to enforce such payment, or permitting holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding securities to waive defaults or events of default;

 

   

amend, change or modify in any material respect any obligation we have to make and consummate a change of control offer in respect of a change of control event that has occurred, to the extent required under the terms of any series of debt securities;

 

   

eliminate or modify in any manner the obligations of a guarantor with respect to its guarantee which adversely affects holders in any material respect, except as expressly otherwise provided for in the indenture; or

 

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• change any obligation of us to maintain an office or agency in the place and for the purposes specified in the indenture.

Defeasance

The indenture provides that we will be discharged from any and all obligations in respect of the debt securities of any series (except for certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities, to replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities, to maintain paying agencies and hold monies for payment in trust and to pay the principal of and interest, if any, on such debt securities), upon the irrevocable deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government securities, which through the payment of interest and principal thereof in accordance with their terms provides money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, in respect of the debt securities of such series on the stated maturity date of such principal and any installment of principal, or interest or premium, if any. Also, the establishment of such a trust will be conditioned on the delivery by us to the trustee of an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the trustee to the effect that, based upon applicable U.S. federal income tax law or a ruling published by the United States Internal Revenue Service, such a defeasance and discharge will not be deemed, or result in, a taxable event with respect to the holders. For the avoidance of doubt, such an opinion would require a change in current U.S. tax law.

We may also omit to comply with the restrictive covenants, if any, of any particular series of debt securities, other than our covenant to pay the amounts due and owing with respect to such series of debt securities. Thereafter, any such omission shall not be an event of default with respect to the debt securities of such series, upon the deposit with the trustee, in trust, of money and/or U.S. government securities which through the payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms provides money in an amount sufficient to pay any installment of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, in respect of debt securities of such series on the stated maturity date of such principal or installment of principal, or interest or premium, if any. Our obligations under the indenture and the debt securities of such series other than with respect to such covenants shall remain in full force and effect. Also, the establishment of such a trust will be conditioned on the delivery by us to the trustee of an opinion of counsel to the effect that such a defeasance and discharge will not be deemed, or result in a taxable event with respect to the holders.

In the event we exercise our option to omit compliance with certain covenants as described in the preceding paragraph and the debt securities of such series are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any event of default, then the amount of monies and U.S. government securities on deposit with the trustee will be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of such series at the time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default. We shall in any event remain liable for such payments as provided in the debt securities of such series.

Satisfaction and Discharge

At our option, we may satisfy and discharge the indenture with respect to the debt securities of any series (except for specified obligations of the trustee and ours, including, among others, the obligations to apply money held in trust) when:

 

   

either (a) all debt securities of such series previously authenticated and delivered under the indenture have been delivered to the trustee for cancellation or (b) all debt securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the trustee for cancellation have become due and payable, will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year, or are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the trustee, and we have deposited or caused to be deposited with the trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on debt securities of such series;

 

   

we have paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable under the indenture with respect to the debt securities of such series by us; and

 

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we have delivered to the trustee an officer’s certificate and an opinion of counsel, each to the effect that all conditions precedent relating to the satisfaction and discharge of the indenture as to such series have been satisfied.

Regarding the Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., is the trustee under the indenture. We maintain banking and other commercial relationships with the trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business.

The indenture contains certain limitations on the right of the trustee, should it become a creditor of ours within three months of, or subsequent to, a default by us to make payment in full of principal of, or interest on, any series of debt securities issued pursuant to the indenture when and as the same becomes due and payable, to obtain payment of claims, or to realize for its own account on property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise, unless and until such default is cured. However, the trustee’s rights as a creditor of ours will not be limited if the creditor relationship arises from, among other things:

 

   

the ownership or acquisition of securities issued under any indenture or having a maturity of one year or more at the time of acquisition by the trustee;

 

   

certain advances authorized by a receivership or bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction or by the indenture;

 

   

disbursements made in the ordinary course of business in its capacity as indenture trustee, transfer agent, registrar, custodian or paying agent or in any other similar capacity;

 

   

indebtedness created as a result of goods or securities sold in a cash transaction or services rendered or premises rented; or

 

   

the acquisition, ownership, acceptance or negotiation of certain drafts, bills of exchange, acceptances or other obligations.

The indenture does not prohibit the trustee from serving as trustee under any other indenture to which we may be a party from time to time or from engaging in other transactions with us. If the trustee acquires any conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act and any debt securities issued pursuant to any indenture are in default, it must eliminate such conflict or resign.

Conversion or Exchange Rights

The prospectus supplement will describe the terms, if any, on which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock. These terms will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. These provisions may allow or require the number of shares of common stock to be received by holders of such series of debt securities to be adjusted.

 

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BOOK-ENTRY ISSUANCE

Our common stock is cleared and settled though DTC, a securities depositary. The transfer agent and registrar of our common stock is Computershare Trust Company N.A.

Most series of debt securities will also be book-entry securities. Upon issuance, all book-entry debt securities of the same issue will be represented by one or more fully registered global securities. Each global security will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC and will be registered in the name of DTC or a nominee of DTC. DTC will thus be the only registered holder of these securities and will be considered the sole owner of the securities.

Purchasers may only hold interests in securities through DTC if they are participants in the DTC system. Purchasers may also hold interests through a securities intermediary – a bank, brokerage house or other institution that maintains securities accounts for customers – that has an account with DTC or its nominee. DTC will maintain accounts showing the securities holdings of its participants, and these participants will in turn maintain accounts showing the securities holdings of their customers. Some of these customers may themselves be securities intermediaries holding securities for their customers. Thus, each beneficial owner of a book-entry security will hold that security indirectly through a hierarchy of intermediaries, with DTC at the “top” and the beneficial owner’s own securities intermediary at the “bottom.”

The securities owned by a beneficial owner that represent an interest in a global security will be evidenced solely by entries on the books of the beneficial owner’s securities intermediary. Such a beneficial owner generally will not be entitled to have the securities represented by the global securities registered in its name and will not be considered the owner. In most cases, a beneficial owner will also not be able to obtain a paper certificate evidencing the holder’s ownership of securities. The book-entry system for holding securities eliminates the need for physical movement of certificates. The laws of some jurisdictions require some purchasers of securities to take physical delivery of their securities in definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer book-entry securities.

Unless otherwise specified in the prospectus supplement with respect to a series of debt securities, beneficial owner of book-entry securities represented by a global security may exchange the securities for definitive or paper securities only if:

 

   

DTC is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such global security and we are unable to find a qualified replacement for DTC within 90 days.

 

   

at any time DTC ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days.

 

   

we in our sole discretion decide to allow some or all book-entry securities to be exchangeable for definitive securities in registered form.

 

   

Or certain other events provided in the indenture should occur, including the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under the indenture followed by a request from holders of debt securities as provided in the indenture.

Any global security that is exchangeable will be exchangeable in whole for definitive securities in registered form with the same terms, and in the case of debt securities, in an equal aggregate principal amount in denominations of $1,000 and whole multiples of $1,000. Definitive securities will be registered in the name or names of the person or persons specified by DTC in a written instruction to the registrar of the securities. DTC may base its written instruction upon directions it receives from its participants.

In this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, for book-entry securities, references to actions taken by security holders will mean actions taken by DTC upon instructions from its participants, and

 

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references to payments and notices of redemption to security holders will mean payments and notices of redemption to DTC as the registered holder of the securities for distribution to participants in accordance with DTC’s procedures.

DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Exchange Act. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC. We will not have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, beneficial ownership interests in the book-entry securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the securities:

 

   

to or through underwriters or dealers for resale;

 

   

through agents; or

 

   

directly to other purchasers.

The related prospectus supplement will set forth the terms of the offering of the securities, including the following:

 

   

the names of any underwriters or agents;

 

   

the purchase price;

 

   

the net proceeds to us;

 

   

any delayed delivery arrangements;

 

   

any underwriting discounts and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation;

 

   

the initial public offering price;

 

   

any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers; and

 

   

any commissions paid to agents.

If underwriters are used in the sale, the securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. The securities may be either offered to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase securities will be subject to conditions precedent and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities of a series if any are purchased. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

Securities may be sold directly by us or through agents designated by us from time to time. Any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to that agent will be set forth, in the related prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in the related prospectus supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any of these sales in the prospectus supplement.

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Each series of debt securities will be a new issue of securities with no established trading market. Underwriters and agents may from time to time purchase and sell the securities described in this prospectus and the relevant prospectus supplement in the secondary market, but are not obligated to do so. No assurance can be

 

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given that there will be a secondary market for the securities or liquidity in the secondary market if one develops. From time to time, underwriters and dealers may make a market in the securities.

In order to facilitate the offering of the securities, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of these securities or any other securities the prices of which may be used to determine payments on these securities. Specifically, the underwriters may over-allot in connection with the offering, creating a short position in the securities for their own accounts. In addition, to cover over-allotments or to stabilize the price of the securities or of any other securities, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the securities or any other securities in the open market. Finally, in any offering of the securities through a syndicate of underwriters, the underwriting syndicate may reclaim selling concessions allowed to an underwriter or a dealer for distributing the securities in the offering, if the syndicate repurchases previously distributed securities in transactions to cover syndicate short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market price of the securities above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities, and may end any of these activities at any time.

Underwriters named in a prospectus supplement are, and dealers and agents named in a prospectus supplement may be, deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with the securities offered thereby, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

One or more firms, referred to as “remarketing firms,” may also offer or sell the securities, if the prospectus supplement so indicates, in connection with a remarketing arrangement upon their purchase. Remarketing firms will act as principals for their own accounts or as agents for us. These remarketing firms will offer or sell the securities in accordance with a redemption or repayment pursuant to the terms of the securities. The prospectus supplement will identify any remarketing firm and the terms of its agreement, if any, with us and will describe the remarketing firm’s compensation. Remarketing firms may be deemed to be underwriters in connection with the securities they remarket. Remarketing firms may be entitled under agreements that may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act and may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of business.

Unless indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we do not expect to apply to list the debt securities on a securities exchange.

We may have agreements with the agents, dealers and underwriters to indemnify them against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make as a result of those civil liabilities.

Agents and underwriters may be engaged in transactions with, or perform commercial or investment banking or other services for, us or our subsidiaries or affiliates, in the ordinary course of business.

We will estimate our expenses associated with any offering of common stock or debt securities in the prospectus supplement or pricing supplement relating to such offering.

 

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LEGAL OPINIONS

The validity of the securities offered herein will be passed upon for us by Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, New York, New York or such other law firm or firms as may be specified in the relevant prospectus supplement. If the securities are distributed in an underwritten offering, underwriters will be advised by their own legal counsel with respect to any offering.

EXPERTS

The financial statements and management’s assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

Estimates of our oil and gas reserves and related future net cash flows and the present value thereof were based on a reserve audit prepared by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., Houston, Texas, an independent petroleum engineering firm. We have included or incorporated those estimates in this offering memorandum in reliance upon the authority of such firm as an expert in such matters.

 

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

     Amount*  

SEC registration fee

   $   

Legal fees and expenses

   $ *

Accounting fees and expenses

   $ *

Printing fees

   $ *

Rating agency fees

   $ *

Trustee’s fees and expenses

   $ *

Miscellaneous

   $ *
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ *

 

* Deferred in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r).
** These fees are calculated based on the number of issuances and the amount of securities offered and accordingly cannot be estimated at this time.

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Delaware

Southwestern Energy Company (“Southwestern Energy”) is a Delaware corporation and its directors and officers are indemnified pursuant to Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the DGCL.

Subsection (a) of Section 145 of the DGCL empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that the person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe the person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that the person’s conduct was unlawful.

Subsection (b) of Section 145 of the DGCL empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person acted in any of the capacities set forth in the immediately preceding paragraph above, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by the person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if the person acted in good faith and in a manner the person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine

 

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upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

Subsection (d) of Section 145 of the DGCL provides that any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145 (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the circumstances because the person has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145. Such determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the stockholders.

Section 145 of the DGCL further provides that to the extent a present or former director or officer of a corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in the defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of Section 145, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith and that such expenses may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in Section 145 of the DGCL; that any indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section 145 shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled; that any indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, Section 145 shall, unless otherwise provided when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of such person’s heirs, executors and administrators; and empowers the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liabilities under Section 145.

Under Article SEVENTH of Southwestern Energy’s certificate of incorporation, Southwestern Energy will indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized or permitted by law, and such right to indemnification shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or officer of Southwestern Energy and shall inure to the benefit of his or her heirs, executors and personal and legal representatives.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides that a certificate of incorporation may contain a provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Arkansas

Each of registrants SEECO, Inc. (“SEECO”) Southwestern Energy Production Company (“SEPCO”) and Southwestern Energy Services Company (“SES”) is an Arkansas corporation, and each of their respective directors and officers are entitled to indemnification under the Arkansas Business Corporation Act of 1987, as amended from time to time (the “Arkansas Business Corporation Act”).

 

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Section 4-27-850 of the Arkansas Business Corporation Act permits a corporation, under specified circumstances, to indemnify any person against expenses (including attorney’s fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by third parties by reason of the fact that such person was acting in the capacity of a director, officer, employee or agent if such person acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reason to believe their conduct was unlawful. In a derivative action, i.e., one by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification may be made only for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by directors, officers, employees or agents in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only with respect to a matter as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that the defendant directors, officers, employees or agents are fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability.

The bylaws of each of SEECO, SEPCO and SES provide that each such entity shall, to the fullest extent permitted by the Arkansas Business Corporation Act, indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant thereto.

In addition, pursuant to Section 4-27-202 of the Arkansas Business Corporation Act, the Articles of Incorporation of each of SEECO, SEPCO and SES, as they may have been amended, provide that each such registrant’s directors will not be personally liable to such registrant or its stockholders for monetary damages resulting from breaches of their fiduciary duty as directors except (a) for any breach of the duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (b) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (c) under section 4-27-833 of the Arkansas Business Corporation Act, which makes directors liable for unlawful dividends or unlawful distributions, (d) for transactions from which directors derive improper personal benefit or (e) for any action, omission, transaction, or breach of a director’s duty creating any third-party liability to any person or entity other than the corporation or stockholder.

General

Southwestern Energy, on behalf of itself and each of SEECO, SEPCO and SES, maintains directors’ and officer’s reimbursement and liability insurance pursuant to standard form policies. The risks covered by such policies include certain liabilities under the securities laws.

In addition, Southwestern Energy, on behalf of itself and each of SEECO, SEPCO and SES, has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its and their directors and officers under which it agreed to provide indemnification and expense reimbursement.

Item 16. EXHIBITS

See “Exhibits Index,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17. Undertakings

Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

  (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

  (ii)

to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a

 

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  fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

  (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4) That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

 

  (i) each prospectus filed by the Registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

  (ii) each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5) or (b)(7) as part of the registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii) or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which the prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary

 

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offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

  (i) any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

 

  (ii) any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

 

  (iii) the portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

 

  (iv) any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(6) 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.

(7) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of the Act.

(8) 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 foregoing provisions, 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, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrants 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 Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

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SIGNATURES OF ISSUER

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas, on November 9, 2012.

 

SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY
By:   /s/ R. Craig Owen
  R. Craig Owen
  Senior Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

We, the undersigned officers and directors of Southwestern Energy Company, hereby, severally constitute and appoint R. Craig Owen as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her, and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, (i) to act on, sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, and any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, (ii) to act on, sign and file with the SEC or any state securities commission or regulatory agency all such certificates, instruments, agreements and other documents as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with this registration statement and any amendments thereto, (iii) to act on and file any supplement to any prospectus included in the Registration Statement or any such amendment or any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and (iv) to take any and all other actions that may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requested and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might do or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. This document may be executed in counterparts that when so executed shall constitute one registration statement, notwithstanding that all of the undersigned are not signatories to the original of the same counterpart.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Steven L. Mueller

Steven L. Mueller

  

President, Chief Executive Officer

and Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  November 9, 2012
    

/s/ R. Craig Owen

R. Craig Owen

  

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

  November 9, 2012

/s/ Josh C. Anders

Josh C. Anders

   Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)   November 9, 2012

 

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Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Lewis E. Epley, Jr.

Lewis E. Epley, Jr.

   Director   November 9, 2012

/s/ John D. Gass

John D. Gass

   Director   November 9, 2012

/s/ Robert L. Howard

Robert L. Howard

   Director   November 9, 2012

/s/ Catherine A. Kehr

Catherine A. Kehr

   Director   November 9, 2012

/s/ Greg D. Kerley

Greg D. Kerley

   Director   November 9, 2012

/s/ Harold M. Korell

Harold M. Korell

   Director, Chairman of the Board   November 9, 2012

/s/ Vello A. Kuuskraa

Vello A. Kuuskraa

   Director   November 9, 2012

/s/ Kenneth R. Mourton

Kenneth R. Mourton

   Director   November 9, 2012

/s/ Elliott Pew

Elliott Pew

   Director   November 9, 2012

/s/ Charles E. Scharlau

Charles E. Scharlau

   Director   November 9, 2012

/s/ Alan H. Stevens

Alan H. Stevens

   Director   November 9, 2012

 

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SIGNATURES OF GUARANTOR

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas, on November 9, 2012.

 

SEECO, INC.
By:   /s/ R. Craig Owen
  R. Craig Owen
  Senior Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

We, the undersigned officers and directors of SEECO, Inc., hereby, severally constitute and appoint R. Craig Owen as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her, and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, (i) to act on, sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, and any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, (ii) to act on, sign and file with the SEC or any state securities commission or regulatory agency all such certificates, instruments, agreements and other documents as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with this registration statement and any amendments thereto, (iii) to act on and file any supplement to any prospectus included in the Registration Statement or any such amendment or any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and (iv) to take any and all other actions that may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requested and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might do or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. This document may be executed in counterparts that when so executed shall constitute one registration statement, notwithstanding that all of the undersigned are not signatories to the original of the same counterpart.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ William J. Way

William J. Way

  

Executive Vice President; Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  November 9, 2012

/s/ R. Craig Owen

R. Craig Owen

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer; Director

(Principal Financial Officer)

  November 9, 2012

/s/ Josh C. Anders

Josh C. Anders

  

Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

  November 9, 2012

/s/ Mark K. Boling

Mark K. Boling

   Director   November 9, 2012

 

II-8


Table of Contents

SIGNATURE OF GUARANTOR

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas, on November 9, 2012.

 

SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY

    PRODUCTION COMPANY

By:   /s/ R. Craig Owen
  R. Craig Owen
  Senior Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

We, the undersigned officers and directors of Southwestern Energy Production Company, hereby, severally constitute and appoint R. Craig Owen as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her, and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, (i) to act on, sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, and any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, (ii) to act on, sign and file with the SEC or any state securities commission or regulatory agency all such certificates, instruments, agreements and other documents as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with this registration statement and any amendments thereto, (iii) to act on and file any supplement to any prospectus included in the Registration Statement or any such amendment or any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and (iv) to take any and all other actions that may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requested and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might do or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. This document may be executed in counterparts that when so executed shall constitute one registration statement, notwithstanding that all of the undersigned are not signatories to the original of the same counterpart.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ William J. Way

William J. Way

  

Executive Vice President; Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  November 9, 2012

/s/ R. Craig Owen

R. Craig Owen

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer; Director

(Principal Financial Officer)

 
November 9, 2012

/s/ Josh C. Anders

Josh C. Anders

  

Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

  November 9, 2012

/s/ Mark K. Boling

Mark K. Boling

   Director   November 9, 2012

 

II-9


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES OF GUARANTOR

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas, on November 9, 2012.

 

SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY SERVICES

    COMPANY

By:   /s/ R. Craig Owen
  R. Craig Owen
  Senior Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer

We, the undersigned officers and directors of Southwestern Energy Services Company, hereby, severally constitute and appoint R. Craig Owen as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her, and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, (i) to act on, sign and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, and any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, (ii) to act on, sign and file with the SEC or any state securities commission or regulatory agency all such certificates, instruments, agreements and other documents as may be necessary or appropriate in connection with this registration statement and any amendments thereto, (iii) to act on and file any supplement to any prospectus included in the Registration Statement or any such amendment or any subsequent registration statement filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, and (iv) to take any and all other actions that may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requested and necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might do or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. This document may be executed in counterparts that when so executed shall constitute one registration statement, notwithstanding that all of the undersigned are not signatories to the original of the same counterpart.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ William J. Way

William J. Way

  

Executive Vice President; Director

(Principal Executive Officer)

  November 9, 2012

/s/ R. Craig Owen

R. Craig Owen

  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer; Director

(Principal Financial Officer)

 
November 9, 2012

/s/ Josh C. Anders

Josh C. Anders

  

Controller

(Principal Accounting Officer)

  November 9, 2012

/s/ Steven L. Mueller

Steven L. Mueller

   Director   November 9, 2012

/s/ Mark K. Boling

Mark K. Boling

   Director   November 9, 2012

 

II-10


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index

 

EXHIBIT NO.

    
  1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
  3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Southwestern Energy Company. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 24, 2010).
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Southwestern Energy Company, effective May 22, 2012 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 29, 2012).
  4.1    Form of Indenture, between Southwestern Energy Company and The Bank of New York Mellon, N.A., as trustee (relating to debt securities).
  4.2    Specimen of common stock certificate (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A dated August 3, 2006).
  4.3*    Form of debt securities.
  5.1    Opinion of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP.
12.1    Statement of computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.
23.1    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2    Consent of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP (contained in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this registration statement).
23.3    Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.
24.1    Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).
25.1    Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1.

 

* To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a document filed by Southwestern Energy Company that will be incorporated by reference herein.

 

II-11

EX-4.1 2 d433909dex41.htm FORM OF INDENTURE Form of Indenture

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY,

as ISSUER

AND

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as TRUSTEE

INDENTURE

Dated as of                     

 

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE I   
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE   
Section 1.01.  

Definitions

     1   
Section 1.02.  

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

     15   
Section 1.03.  

Rules of Construction

     15   
ARTICLE II   
THE SECURITIES   
Section 2.01.  

Forms Generally

     16   
Section 2.02.  

Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication

     17   
Section 2.03.  

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

     17   
Section 2.04.  

Execution and Authentication

     20   
Section 2.05.  

Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest

     21   
Section 2.06.  

Registration, Transfer and Exchange

     21   
Section 2.07.  

Book-Entry Provisions for Global Securities

     24   
Section 2.08.  

Global Security Legend

     26   
Section 2.09.  

Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities

     27   
Section 2.10.  

Temporary Securities

     28   
Section 2.11.  

Cancellation of Securities

     28   
Section 2.12.  

CUSIP and ISIN Numbers

     29   
Section 2.13.  

Defaulted Interest

     29   
Section 2.14.  

Additional Securities

     30   
ARTICLE III   
COVENANTS   
Section 3.01.  

Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and, Interest

     31   
Section 3.02.  

Maintenance of Office or Agency

     31   
Section 3.03.  

Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust; Unclaimed Money

     31   
Section 3.04.  

Existence

     33   
Section 3.05.  

Reports by the Company

     33   
Section 3.06.  

Annual Compliance Certificate; Notice of Defaults or Events of Default

     33   
Section 3.07.  

Limitation on Liens

     33   
Section 3.08.  

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions

     34   
Section 3.09.  

Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Event

     34   
Section 3.10.  

Waiver of Certain Covenants

     36   
Section 3.11.  

Further Instruments and Acts

     36   

 

-i-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  
ARTICLE IV   
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS   
Section 4.01.  

When the Company May Merge, Etc

     36   
Section 4.02.  

Successor Corporation Substituted

     37   
Section 4.03.  

Opinion of Counsel to Trustee

     37   
ARTICLE V   
REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES   
Section 5.01.  

Applicability of Article

     37   
Section 5.02.  

Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions

     37   
Section 5.03.  

Payment of Securities Called for Redemption

     39   
ARTICLE VI   
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES   
Section 6.01.  

Events of Default

     40   
Section 6.02.  

Acceleration

     42   
Section 6.03.  

Other Remedies

     43   
Section 6.04.  

Waiver of Past Defaults

     43   
Section 6.05.  

Control by Majority

     43   
Section 6.06.  

Limitation on Suits

     44   
Section 6.07.  

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

     44   
Section 6.08.  

Collection Suit by Trustee

     45   
Section 6.09.  

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

     45   
Section 6.10.  

Priorities

     46   
Section 6.11.  

Undertaking for Costs

     46   
ARTICLE VII   
TRUSTEE   
Section 7.01.  

Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee

     46   
Section 7.02.  

Rights of Trustee

     48   
Section 7.03.  

Individual Rights of Trustee

     49   
Section 7.04.  

Trustee’s Disclaimer

     49   
Section 7.05.  

Notice of Default

     50   
Section 7.06.  

Reports by the Trustee to Holders. The Trustee shall comply with Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act

     50   
Section 7.07.  

Compensation and Indemnity

     50   

 

-ii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  
Section 7.08.  

Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee

     51   
Section 7.09.  

Successor Trustee by Merger

     54   
Section 7.10.  

Eligibility; Disqualification

     54   
Section 7.11.  

Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

     54   
Section 7.12.  

Communications with the Trustee

     55   
ARTICLE VIII   
DEFEASANCE   
Section 8.01.  

Applicability of the Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance

     55   
Section 8.02.  

Legal Defeasance and Discharge

     55   
Section 8.03.  

Covenant Defeasance

     56   
Section 8.04.  

Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

     56   
Section 8.05.  

Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

     57   
Section 8.06.  

Repayment to the Company

     58   
Section 8.07.  

Indemnity for Moneys and U.S. Government Obligations Held in Trust

     58   
Section 8.08.  

Reinstatement

     58   
ARTICLE IX   
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE   
Section 9.01.  

Satisfaction and Discharge

     59   
Section 9.02.  

Application of Trust Money

     60   
ARTICLE X   
AMENDMENTS   
Section 10.01.  

Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders

     60   
Section 10.02.  

With Consent of Holders

     61   
Section 10.03.  

Effect of Supplemental Indenture

     62   
Section 10.04.  

Compliance with TIA; Documents to Be Given to Trustee

     63   
Section 10.05.  

Notation on or Exchange of Securities

     63   
Section 10.06.  

Trustee to Sign Amendments and Supplements

     63   
ARTICLE XI   

SECURITY GUARANTEES

  

Section 11.01.  

Applicability of the Article; Company’s Option to Implement Security Guarantees

     64   

 

-iii-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  
Section 11.02.  

Security Guarantees

     64   
Section 11.03.  

Limitation on Liability; Termination; Release and Discharge

     65   
Section 11.04.  

Guarantors May Consolidate, Etc., on Certain Terms

     66   
Section 11.05.  

Right of Contribution

     66   
Section 11.06.  

No Subrogation

     67   

ARTICLE XII

CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

  

  

Section 12.01.  

Evidence of Action Taken by Holders

     67   
Section 12.02.  

Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities; Record Date

     67   
Section 12.03.  

Who May Be Deemed Owners of Securities

     68   
Section 12.04.  

Record Date for Action by Holders

     68   
Section 12.05.  

Right of Revocation of Action Taken

     68   

ARTICLE XIII

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

  

  

Section 13.01.  

Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders

     69   
Section 13.02.  

Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders

     69   
Section 13.03.  

Reports by the Trustee

     70   

ARTICLE XIV

MISCELLANEOUS

  

  

Section 14.01.  

Trust Indenture Act Controls

     71   
Section 14.02.  

Notices

     71   
Section 14.03.  

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

     72   
Section 14.04.  

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

     72   
Section 14.05.  

Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar

     73   
Section 14.06.  

Legal Holidays

     73   
Section 14.07.  

Parties

     73   
Section 14.08.  

Governing Law, Etc

     74   
Section 14.09.  

No Recourse Against Others

     74   
Section 14.10.  

Successors

     75   
Section 14.11.  

Duplicate and Counterpart Originals

     75   
Section 14.12.  

Severability

     75   

 

-iv-


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  
Section 14.13.  

Table of Contents; Headings

     75   
Section 14.14.  

Patriot Act Compliance

     75   

 

-v-


INDENTURE, dated as of                         , between Southwestern Energy Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, as Trustee (the “Trustee”).

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Company’s unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the “Securities”), to be issued hereunder in one or more series as provided in this Indenture.

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.01. Definitions .

Additional Securities” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.14.

Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement, or otherwise. No natural person who is an executive officer or director of such Person shall, solely by virtue of such position, be deemed to control such Person.

Agent Members” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.07(b).

Attributable Debt” means, in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted from the respective due dates thereof to such date at the rate per annum equal to the interest rate implicit in such lease) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended); provided, however, that if such Sale and Leaseback Transaction results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation” below.

Authenticating Agent” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.04(e).

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar Federal, state or non-U.S. law for the relief of debtors.

Bankruptcy Law Event of Default” means:

(1) the entry by a court of competent jurisdiction of: (i) a decree or order for relief in respect of any Bankruptcy Party in an involuntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law or (ii) a decree or order (A) adjudging any Bankruptcy Party a bankrupt or insolvent, (B) approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement,

 

1


adjustment or composition of, or in respect of, any Bankruptcy Party under any Bankruptcy Law, (C) appointing a Custodian of any Bankruptcy Party or of all or substantially all of the property of the Company on a consolidated basis, or (D) ordering the winding-up or liquidation of the affairs of any Bankruptcy Party , and in each case, the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60 consecutive calendar days; or

(2)(i) the commencement by any Bankruptcy Party of a voluntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, (ii) the consent by any Bankruptcy Party to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of any Bankruptcy Party in an involuntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law against any Bankruptcy Party , (iii) the filing by any Bankruptcy Party of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any Bankruptcy Law, (iv) the consent by any Bankruptcy Party to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a Custodian of any Bankruptcy Party or of any substantial part of the property of the Company on a consolidated basis, (v) the making by any Bankruptcy Party of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (vi) the approval by stockholders of any Bankruptcy Party of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of such Bankruptcy Party.

Bankruptcy Party” means the Company or any Significant Subsidiary of the Company.

Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors, management committee or similar governing body of such Person or any duly authorized committee thereof.

Board Resolution” means, with respect to any Person, a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of such Person to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of such Person and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification.

Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions are authorized or required by law or regulation to close in New York City.

Capital Lease Obligation” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of indebtedness represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in accordance with GAAP; and the stated maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

Capital Stock” means, as to any Person, any and all shares, units of beneficial interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any preferred stock, but excluding any debt securities or other indebtedness convertible into such equity.

Certificated Securities” means Securities in physical certificated form issued, in registered form, pursuant to Section 2.07(e) in exchange for interest in a Global Security or otherwise.

 

2


Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) any “person,” as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, becoming the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; provided that a transaction in which the Company becomes a Subsidiary of another Person shall not constitute a Change of Control if, immediately following such transaction, (a) the Persons who were stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such transactions continue to beneficially own, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, 50% or more of the voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock of such other Person of whom the Company has become a Subsidiary and (b) no Person other than such other Person of whom the Company has become a Subsidiary beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company;

(2) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company (determined on a consolidated basis) to another Person, other than (i) (A) a transaction following which in the case of a merger or consolidated transaction, holders of securities that represented 100% of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such transaction (or other securities into which such securities are converted as part of such merger or consolidation transaction) own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person (or any parent thereof) in such merger or consolidation transaction immediately after such transaction or (B) a transaction that would be permitted under the proviso to clause (1) of this definition of “Change of Control”; or (ii) in the case of a sale, lease or other disposition of assets transaction, a transaction in which each transferee becomes an obligor in respect of the Securities of the relevant series and a Subsidiary of the transferor of such assets; or

(3) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Change of Control Event” means the occurrence of either of the following:

(1) if the Securities of a particular series do not have an Investment Grade Rating from both of the Rating Agencies on the first day of the Trigger Period, such Securities of such series are downgraded by at least one rating category (e.g., from BB+ to BB or Ba1 to Ba2) from the applicable rating thereof on the first day of the Trigger Period by both of the Rating Agencies on any date during the Trigger Period; or

(2) if the Securities of a particular series have an Investment Grade Rating from both of the Rating Agencies on the first day of the Trigger Period, such Securities cease to have an Investment Grade Rating by both of the Rating Agencies on any date during the Trigger Period;

provided, however, that for so long as any of the Company’s Existing Senior Securities are outstanding, if the Company is required to offer to purchase any such Existing Senior Securities as a result of the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in such Existing Senior Securities), then the occurrence of such Change of Control shall constitute a Change of Control Event.

 

3


For purposes of the foregoing, “Existing Senior Securities” means shall mean (i) such series of such senior notes may be specified in the terms of such series of Securities or (i) if no such series are specified as described in clause (i), each series of senior notes issued by the Company (whether or not guaranteed by any of its Subsidiaries) that is outstanding on the original issue date of the relevant series of Securities (excluding any issuance of Additional Securities of such series).

If a Rating Agency is not providing a rating for the Securities of a particular series at the commencement of the Trigger Period, a Change of Control Event shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to such Rating Agency as a result of the related Change of Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Change of Control Event will be deemed to have occurred in connection with any particular Change of Control unless and until such Change of Control has actually occurred.

Change of Control Notice” means notice of a Change of Control Offer made with respect to Securities of a specified series pursuant to Section 3.09, which shall be mailed first-class, postage prepaid, to each record Holder as shown on the Security Register within 30 days following a Change of Control Event, with a copy to the Trustee, which notice shall govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer and shall state:

(1) that a Change of Control Event has occurred and that pursuant to Section 3.09, such Holder has the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such Holder’s Securities of such series for the Change of Control Payment;

(2) the Change of Control Payment Date;

(3) that any Securities or portions thereof not properly tendered will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

(4) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment with respect thereto, all Securities or portions thereof accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest from and after the Change of Control Payment Date;

(5) that any Holder electing to have any Securities or portions thereof purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender such Securities (in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the relevant security settlement and clearance organization, if any, if in global form), with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Securities completed, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the Change of Control Notice prior to the close of business on the Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6) that any Holder shall be entitled to withdraw its tendered Securities or portions thereof and such election to require the Company to purchase such Securities or portions thereof, provided that the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter, setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Securities tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing such tendered Securities and such Holder’s election to have such Securities or portions thereof purchased pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

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(8) that any Holder electing to have Securities purchased pursuant to the Change of Control Offer must specify the principal amount that is being tendered for purchase, which principal amount must be equal to at least the minimum denomination of such series of Securities as specified in the relevant terms of such series of Securities, and in integral multiples of any specified minimum denominations in excess thereof;

(9) that any Holder of Securities whose Securities are being purchased only in part will be issued new Securities equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal in principal amount to at least the minimum denomination of such series of Securities as specified in the relevant terms of such series of Securities, and in integral multiples of any specified minimum denominations in excess thereof;

(10) that the Trustee will return to the Holder of a Global Security that is being purchased in part, such Global Security with a notation on Schedule A thereof adjusting the principal amount thereof to be equal to the unpurchased portion of such Global Security;

(11) the procedures determined by the Company, consistent with the Indenture, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Securities or any portion thereof purchased; and

(12) any other information necessary to enable any Holder to tender Securities and to have such Securities purchased pursuant to Section 3.09.

Change of Control Offer” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.09.

Change of Control Payment” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.09.

Change of Control Payment Date” means a Business Day no earlier than 30 calendar days nor later than 60 calendar days subsequent to the date that a Change of Control Notice is mailed (other than as may be required by law).

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Company” means the party named as such in the introductory paragraph to this Indenture and its successors and assigns, including any Successor Company that becomes such in accordance with Article IV.

Company Order” means a written order of the Company signed by an Officer of the Company.

Consolidated Assets” means the Company’s total assets as they appear on the Company’s most recently prepared consolidated balance sheet as of the end of a fiscal quarter.

Corporate Trust Office” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be principally administered, which office at the date hereof is

 

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located at 2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1020, Chicago, Illinois 60602, Attention: Corporate Trust, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Company). For purposes of Section 2.06 and 3.02, the Corporate Trust Office shall be located at The Bank of New York Mellon, First Floor, 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286, or such other address in New York City as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address in New York City as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the Company)

Covenant Defeasance” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.03.

Credit Facilities” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Senior Credit Facility), in each case with banks, investment banks, insurance companies, mutual funds and/or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from (or sell receivables to) such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, extended, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced (in each case with credit facilities), supplemented or otherwise modified (in whole or in part and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time.

Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

Defaulted Interest” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.05(d).

Depositary” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors and assigns, or such other depositary institution hereinafter appointed by the Company that is a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act.

Event of Default” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 6.01.

Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Existing Senior Securities” shall have the meaning set forth in the definition of “Change of Control Event.”

Funded Debt” means all indebtedness for borrowed money owed or guaranteed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and any other indebtedness which, under GAAP, would appear as indebtedness on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company, which matures by its terms more than 12 months from the date of such consolidated balance sheet or which matures by its terms in less than 12 months but by its terms is renewable or extendible beyond 12 months from the date of such consolidated balance sheet at the option of the borrower.

 

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GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, consistently applied.

Global Securities” and “Global Security” each has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.07(a).

Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 11.02(a).

Holder” or other similar terms mean a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the Security Register.

Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time, and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated hereunder.

Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

Investment Grade Rating” means a rating by any Rating Agency equal to or greater than (i) BBB- by S&P or (ii) Baa3 by Moody’s, or (iii) the equivalent thereof under any new ratings system if the ratings system of either such agency shall be modified after the date hereof, or (iv) the equivalent rating or any other Ratings Agency selected by the Company as provided by the definition of Ratings Agency.

Legal Defeasance” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 8.02.

Legal Holiday” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 14.06.

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, security interest, conditional sale or other title retention agreement or other encumbrance of any nature whatsoever.

Maturity Date,” when used with respect to any Security, means the stated due date on which the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.

Notice of Default” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 7.05.

Officer” means, when used in connection with any action to be taken by the Company or a Security Guarantor, as the case may be, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Controller or the Secretary of the Company or such Security Guarantor, as the case may be.

 

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Officer’s Certificate” means, when used in connection with any action to be taken by the Company or a Security Guarantor, as the case may be, a certificate signed by an Officer of the Company or such Security Guarantor, respectively, and delivered to the Trustee.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion of counsel, who, unless otherwise indicated in this Indenture, may be an employee of or counsel for the Company, or any of its Subsidiaries or any Security Guarantor, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

Ordinary Course Lien” means any:

(1) Lien incurred in the ordinary course of business to secure the obtaining of advances or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property;

(2) Lien created by any interest or title of a lessor under any lease entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business and covering only the assets so leased;

(3) Lien that is a contractual right of set-off (a) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of indebtedness, (b) relating to pooled deposits or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or (c) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered in the ordinary course of business;

(4) oil, gas or mineral leases arising in the ordinary course of business where the Lien arises from the rights of lessors;

(5) customary initial deposits and margin deposits and any similar Lien attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts that are not for speculative purposes and arise in the ordinary course of business, including Swap Agreements, but only to the extent the Liens encumber cash, cash equivalents, securities, certificates of deposits or similar investments or accounts only containing such items;

(6) Lien arising from the sale or other transfer in the ordinary course of business of (A) crude oil, natural gas, other petroleum hydrocarbons or other minerals in place for a period of time until, or in an amount such that, the purchaser or other transferee will realize therefrom a specified amount of money (however determined) or a specified amount of such minerals, or (B) any other interest in property of the character commonly referred to as a “production payment,” “overriding royalty,” “forward sale” or similar interest;

(7) Lien in favor of the United States of America, any State, any foreign country or any department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of any such jurisdiction, 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 cost of constructing, refurbishing, developing or improving any property subject thereto, including without limitation, any Lien to secure indebtedness of pollution control or industrial revenue bond type; and

 

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(8) Lien arising from any right which any municipal or governmental body or agency may have by virtue of any franchise, license, contract or statute to purchase, or designate a purchaser of or order the sale of, any property of the Company or any Subsidiary upon payment of reasonable compensation therefor or to terminate any franchise.

Outstanding” means, when used with reference to Securities of a series, subject to the provisions of Article XII, means, as of the date of determination, all Securities of such series previously authenticated and delivered under this Indenture, except:

(1) Securities theretofor canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;

(2) Securities, or portions thereof, for the payment, redemption or, in the case of a Change of Control Offer, purchase of which money in the necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Security Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the Company, any Security Guarantor, an Affiliate of the Company or a third party (if the Company, such Security Guarantor, such Affiliate or such third party is acting as the Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if the Securities (or portions thereof) are to be redeemed or purchased, notice of such redemption or purchase has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

(3) Securities which have been surrendered pursuant to Section 2.09 or in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the Company; and

(4) solely to the extent provided in Article VIII, Securities which are subject to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance as provided in Article VIII;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series have given any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, Securities of such series owned by the Company, a Security Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver, only Securities of such series which a Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities of such series 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 the Securities of such series and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

 

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Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any Securities on behalf of the Company. The Company may act as Paying Agent with respect to any Securities issued hereunder. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent that the Company may authorize.

Payment Office,” when used with respect to the Securities of or within any series, means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Securities are payable as specified as contemplated by Sections 2.03 and 3.01.

Permitted Lien” means any Lien incurred, assumed or guaranteed that do not arise from indebtedness for borrowed money and, without limiting the foregoing, also do not apply to Liens on Principal Property:

(1) with respect to any series of Securities, any Lien (A) existing as of the issue date of such series of Securities (excluding any subsequent issuance of Additional Securities of such series) or (B) relating to a contract or arrangement that was entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the issue date of such series of Securities (excluding any subsequent issuance of Additional Securities of such series);

(2) upon any Principal Property (including any related contract rights) existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether such acquisition is direct or by acquisition of stock, assets or otherwise, provided any such Lien is not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition);

(3) securing indebtedness under Credit Facilities of any Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Security Guarantor; provided that the aggregate principal amount of any indebtedness under such Credit Facilities shall not exceed $250.0 million at any time outstanding;

(4) upon or with respect to any property (including any related contract rights) acquired, constructed, refurbished or improved by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including, but not limited to, any Lien to secure all or any part of the cost of construction, alteration or repair of any building, equipment, facility or other improvement on, all or any part of such property, including any pipeline financing) after the issue date of such series of Securities (excluding any subsequent issuance of Additional Securities of such series) which are created, incurred or assumed contemporaneously with, or within 360 days after, the latest to occur of the acquisition (whether by acquisition of stock, assets or otherwise), completion of construction, refurbishment or improvement, or the commencement of commercial operation, of such property (or, in the case of Liens on contract rights, the completion of construction or the commencement of commercial operation of the facility to which such contract rights relate, regardless of the date when the contract was entered into) to secure or provide for the payment of any part of the purchase price of such property or the cost of such construction, refurbishment or improvement; provided, however, that in the case of any such construction, refurbishment or improvement, the Lien shall relate only to indebtedness reasonably incurred to finance such construction, refurbishment or improvement;

(5) securing indebtedness owing by any of the Company’s Subsidiaries to the Company or to other Subsidiaries;

 

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(6) arising from the deposit of funds or securities in trust for the purpose of decreasing or defeasing indebtedness;

(7) for the sole purpose of extending, renewing or replacing (or successive extensions, renewals or replacements), in whole or in part, any Lien referred to in the foregoing subsections (1), (2), (4), (6) or this subsection (7) of this definition of “Permitted Liens”, or of any indebtedness secured thereby; provided, however, that the principal amount of indebtedness secured thereby shall not exceed the principal amount of indebtedness at the time of such extension, renewal or replacement, and that such extension, renewal or replacement shall be limited to all or part of the property subject to the Lien so extended, renewed or replaced (plus refurbishment of or improvements on or to such property); and

(8) any Ordinary Course Lien arising, but only so long as continuing, in the ordinary course of the Company’s business or the business of the Company’s Subsidiaries.

In each case set forth above, notwithstanding any stated limitation on the assets that may be subject to such Lien, a Lien on a specified asset or group or type of assets may include Liens on all improvements, additions and accessions thereto and all products and proceeds thereof (including, without limitation, dividends, distributions and increases in respect thereof).

Permitted Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means:

(1) any Sale and Leaseback Transaction if, within 180 days from the effective date of such Sale and Leaseback Transaction, the Company applies or any of its Subsidiaries applies an amount not less than the greater of:

(A) the net proceeds of the sale of the property leased pursuant to such arrangement; or

(B) the fair value of the property

to retire its Funded Debt, including, for this purpose, any currently maturing portion of such Funded Debt, or to purchase other property having a fair value at least equal to the fair value of the property leased in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction; or

(2) any Sale and Leaseback Transaction:

(A) between the Company and any of its Subsidiaries or between any of the Company’s Subsidiaries; or

(B) for which, at the time the transaction is entered into, the term of the related lease to the Company or its Subsidiary of the property sold pursuant to such transaction is three years or less.

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

 

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Principal Amount” means, when used with respect to any Security, the amount of principal of such Security that could be declared due and payable pursuant to Section 6.02.

Principal Property” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 3.07.

Principal Transmission Facility” means any transportation or distribution facility, including pipelines, of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company located in the United States of America other than (i) any such facility which in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company is not of material importance to the business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) any such facility in which interests are held by the Company or by one or more of its Subsidiaries or by the Company and one or more of its Subsidiaries and by others and the aggregate interest held by the Company and all of its Subsidiaries does not exceed 50%.

Productive Property” means any property interest owned by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company in land (including submerged land and rights in and to oil, gas and mineral leases) located in the United States of America classified by the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, as productive of crude oil, natural gas or other petroleum hydrocarbons in paying quantities; provided that such term shall not include any exploration or production facilities on said land, including any drilling or producing platform.

Ratings Agency” means any of:

(1) Moody’s;

(2) S&P; or

(3) if S&P or Moody’s ceases to rate the Securities of a particular series or ceases to make a rating on the Securities of a particular series publicly available, an entity registered as a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” (registered as such pursuant to Rule 17g-1 of the Exchange Act) then making a rating on such Securities publicly available selected by the Company (as certified by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee), which shall be substituted for S&P or Moody’s, as the case may be.

Redemption Price” means, when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the price (including premium, if any) at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture and such Securities.

Registrar” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.06(a).

Regular Record Date” for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as contemplated by Section 2.03.

Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any direct or indirect arrangement with any Person (other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company), or to which any such Person is a party, providing for the leasing to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company of any property, whether owned as of the date of this Indenture or thereafter acquired, which has been

 

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or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or such Subsidiary to such Person, or to any other Person (other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) to whom funds have been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property, in each case provided that the completion of construction or the commencement of commercial operation of the property subject to such transaction shall have occurred more than 180 days prior thereto.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument the SEC is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

Secured Debt” means any indebtedness for borrowed money incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company or one its Subsidiaries that is secured by a Lien.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Security” or “Securities” means any of the Company’s Security or Securities, as the case may be, issued and authenticated pursuant to this Indenture.

Security Custodian” means the custodian with respect to any Global Security appointed by the Depositary, or any successor Person thereto, and shall initially be the Trustee with respect to each series of Securities unless otherwise specified in the terms thereof.

Security Guarantee” means, at any time, the guarantee of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities by each Securities Guarantor pursuant to Article XI.

Security Guarantor” means, at any time, each Person guaranteeing Securities under this Indenture pursuant to Article XI.

Security Register(s)” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.06.

Senior Credit Facility” means the Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated February 14, 2011 among Southwestern Energy Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Bank of America, N.A., Wells Fargo Bank N.A., The Royal Bank of Scotland PLC, Citigroup, N.A., and the other lenders named therein, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, as such agreement has been or may be amended, restated or replaced from time to time.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that would be a “significant subsidiary” of the Company as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the date of this Indenture.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a division of the McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor to the ratings agency business thereof.

Special Record Date” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 2.13(a).

Stated Maturity” means, when used with respect to any Security or any installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, the date specified in such Security or a coupon representing such installment of interest as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

 

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Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, limited liability company, association, partnership or other legal entity of which, in the case of a corporation, more than 50% of the issued and outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether at the time capital stock or any other class or classes of such corporation has or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency) or, in the case of any partnership or other legal entity, more than 50% of the ordinary equity capital interests, is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such Person, by such Person and one or more of its other Subsidiaries or by one or more of such Person’s other Subsidiaries.

Successor Company” has the meaning assigned to it in Section 4.01(a).

Swap Agreement” means (a) any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement, including any such obligations or liabilities under any master agreement; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, Officers, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall be a “Swap Agreement.”

Trigger Period” means the period commencing on the day of the first public announcement by the Company of any Change of Control (or pending Change of Control) and ending 60 days following consummation of such Change of Control (which Trigger Period will be extended following consummation of a Change of Control for so long as either of the Rating Agencies has publicly announced that it is considering a possible ratings downgrade related to such Change of Control).

Trust Indenture Act” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in force at the date as of which this Indenture was originally executed, and “TIA,” when used in respect of an indenture supplemental hereto, means such Act as in force at the time such indenture supplemental hereto becomes effective.

Trust Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer assigned to Corporate Trust department (or any successor division or unit) of the Trustee located at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, and for the purposes of Section 7.01(c)(2) and the second sentence of Section 7.05 shall also include any other officer of the Trustee to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

 

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Trustee” means the party named as such in the introductory paragraph of this Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and, thereafter, “Trustee” shall mean or include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder; provided, however, that if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series shall mean only the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

U.S. Government Obligations” means direct obligations (or certificates representing an ownership interest in such obligations) of the United States of America (including any agency or instrumentality thereof) for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged and which are not callable or redeemable at the issuer’s option.

U.S. Legal Tender” means such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts.

Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.

SECTION 1.02. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the rights or duties that would be imposed by any of Sections 310 to 317 of the Trust Indenture Act through operation of Section 318(c) thereof on any Person if this Indenture were qualified under the Trust Indenture Act, such imposed duties shall control.

The following Trust Indenture Act term used in this Indenture has the following meaning:

“obligor” on the Securities means the Company, each Security Guarantor and any successor obligor upon the Securities.

All other Trust Indenture Act terms used in this Indenture, other than any other term that is defined in Section 1.01, that are defined by the Trust Indenture Act, defined in the Trust Indenture Act by reference to another statute, or defined by rules or regulations of the SEC have the meanings assigned to them by such definitions.

SECTION 1.03. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(c) “or” is not exclusive;

(d) “including” means including without limitation;

 

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(e) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

(f) references to payment of principal of the Securities shall include applicable premium, if any;

(g) 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; and

(h) references herein to Article and Section numbers are references to Articles and Sections, respectively, of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires.

ARTICLE II

THE SECURITIES

SECTION 2.01. Forms Generally. (a) The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the forms as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such notations, legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required by law, stock exchange rule or Depositary rule or usage or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Officer or Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of the Securities. If the form of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section 2.04 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities.

(b) The Trustee’s certificate of authentication on all Securities shall be in substantially the form set forth in Section 2.02.

(c) 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 Officer or Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such Securities.

 

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SECTION 2.02. Form of Trustee’s Certificate of Authentication. The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the following form:

“This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
  Authorized Signatory”

SECTION 2.03. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. (a) The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

(b) The Securities may be issued from time to time in one or more series. Prior to the issuance of Securities of any series, there shall be established in or pursuant to (i) a Board Resolution; (ii) action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution and (subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.05) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officer’s Certificate; or (iii) one or more indentures supplemental hereto:

(1) the title of the Securities of such series (which shall distinguish the Securities of such series from all other Securities issued pursuant to the Indenture);

(2) the purchase price, denomination and any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for any Securities of such series authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, in lieu of, or in exchange for, other Securities of such series pursuant to Sections 2.04, 2.06, 2.07, 2.09, 2.11, 3.09, 5.02 or 10.05);

(3) the date or dates on which the principal of and premium, if any, on the Securities of such series is payable or the method of determination thereof;

(4) the rate or rates at which the Securities of such series shall bear interest, if any, or the method of calculating such rate or rates of interest;

(5) the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue or the method by which such date or dates shall be determined, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date, if any, for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;

(6) if the Securities of such series will have the benefit of any Security Guarantees, the terms and conditions of any such guarantee or guarantees and the identities of any Security Guarantor or Guarantors;

 

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(7) the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on Securities of the series shall be payable;

(8) the place or places where the Securities may be exchanged or transferred;

(9) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which, and the other terms and conditions upon which Securities of such series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option, and, if other than as provided in Section 5.02, the manner in which the particular Securities of such series (if less than all Securities of such series are to be redeemed) are to be selected for redemption;

(10) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase Securities of such series in whole or in part pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which, and the other terms and conditions upon which Securities of such series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

(11) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of such series shall be issuable;

(12) if the payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of such series are to be made, at the election of the Company or a Holder, in a currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) other than that in which such Securities are denominated or designated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) in which such payments are to be made, the terms and conditions of such payments and the manner in which the exchange rate with respect to such payments shall be determined, and the particular provisions applicable thereto;

(13) if the amount of payments of principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities of such series shall be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which index, formula or method may be based, without limitation, on a currency or currencies (including currency unit or units) other than that in which the Securities of such series are denominated or designated to be payable), the index, formula or other method by which such amounts shall be determined;

(14) if, other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of such series which shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity Date thereof pursuant to Section 6.02 or the method by which such portion shall be determined;

(15) any modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or the covenants of the Company or any Security Guarantor set forth in this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series;

 

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(16) under what circumstances, if any, the Company will pay additional amounts on the Securities of such series held by a Person who is not a U.S. Person in respect of taxes or similar charges withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to redeem such Securities rather than pay such additional amounts (and the terms of any such option);

(17) if either or both of Section 8.02 and Section 8.03 shall be inapplicable to the Securities of such series (provided, that if no such inapplicability shall be specified, then both Section 8.02 and Section 8.03 shall be applicable to the Securities of such series);

(18) if other than the Trustee, the identity of the Registrar and any Paying Agent;

(19) if the Securities of such series shall be issued in whole or in part in global form, (i) the Depositary for such Global Securities; (ii) the form of any legend in addition to or in lieu of that in Section 2.08 which shall be borne by such Global Securities; (iii) whether beneficial owners of interests in any Securities of the series in global form may exchange such interests for Certificated Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination; and (iv) if other than as provided in Section 2.07, the circumstances under which any such exchange may occur; and

(20) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 10.01, but which may modify or delete any provision of this Indenture insofar as it applies to such series), including any terms which may be required by or advisable under the laws of the United States of America or regulations thereunder or advisable (as determined by the Company) in connection with the marketing of Securities of the series.

(c) All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided (i) by a Board Resolution; (ii) by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution and (subject to Sections 2.04 and 2.05) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officer’s Certificate; or (iii) in any such indenture supplemental hereto. All Securities of any one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuances of Additional Securities of such series, which shall be issued pursuant to Section 2.14 below.

(d) If any of the terms of the Securities of any series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officer’s Certificate setting forth, or providing the manner for determining, the terms of the Securities of such series, and an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant thereto in connection with the issuance of any Securities of such series shall be delivered to the Trustee prior to the authentication and delivery thereof.

 

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SECTION 2.04. Execution and Authentication. (a) Upon the execution and delivery of this Indenture, or from time to time thereafter, any one or more Officers of the Company (one of whom in each case shall be the Chairman of the Board, any Vice Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President of the Company) may execute Securities on behalf of the Company and such Securities shall be delivered to the Trustee for authentication.

(b) The Securities shall be signed for the Company by one or more Officers of the Company (one of whom in each case shall be the Chairman of the Board, any Vice Chairman of the Board, the President, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer or any Vice President of the Company), by manual or facsimile signature, with or without a corporate seal affixed thereon. If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall be valid nevertheless, and any Security may be signed on behalf of the Company by such Persons as at the actual date of execution of such Security shall be the proper Officers of the Company, as the case may be, even though at the date of the execution and delivery of this Indenture any such Person was not such Officer.

(c) Upon execution and delivery to the Trustee of Securities of a series together with all documents and certificates required by this Indenture, the Trustee shall thereupon authenticate and make available for delivery said Securities upon receipt of a Company Order, without any further action by the Company. Such Company Order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which such issue of Securities is to be authenticated.

(d) A Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually authenticates the Security substantially in the form hereinabove recited. The signed certificate of authentication of the Trustee on a Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security has been duly and validly authenticated and issued under this Indenture.

(e) The Trustee may appoint an agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, any such Authenticating Agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by the Authenticating Agent.

(f) In case a Successor Company has executed an indenture supplemental hereto with the Trustee pursuant to Article IV, any of the Securities authenticated or delivered prior to such transaction may, from time to time, at the request of the Successor Company, be exchanged for other Securities executed in the name of the Successor Company with such changes in phraseology and form as may be appropriate, but otherwise identical to the Securities surrendered for such exchange and of like principal amount; and the Trustee, upon Company Order of the Successor Company, shall authenticate and deliver Securities as specified in such order for the purpose of such exchange. If Securities shall at any time be authenticated and delivered in any new name of a Successor Company pursuant to this Section 2.04(f) in exchange or substitution for or upon registration of transfer of any Securities, such Successor Company, at the option of the Holders but without expense to them, shall provide for the exchange of all Securities at the time Outstanding for Securities authenticated and delivered in such new name.

 

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SECTION 2.05. Denomination and Date of Securities; Payments of Interest. (a) The Securities shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.03. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities, the Securities shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. The Securities shall be numbered, lettered, or otherwise distinguished in such manner or in accordance with such plans as the Officer(s) of the Company executing the same may determine with the approval of the Trustee.

(b) Any of the Securities may be issued with appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and variations, and may have imprinted or otherwise reproduced thereon such legend or legends, 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, including those required by Section 2.04, or with the rules of any securities market in which the Securities are admitted to trading, or to conform to general usage.

(c) Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication, shall bear interest from the applicable date and shall be payable on the Interest Payment Dates specified on the face of the form of such Security. Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(d) The person in whose name any Security is registered at the close of business on any Regular Record Date with respect to any Interest Payment Date 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 Regular Record Date and prior to such Interest Payment Date, except if and to the extent the Company shall default in the payment of the interest due on such Interest Payment Date, in which case such defaulted interest (“Defaulted Interest”), plus (to the extent lawful) any interest payable on the Defaulted Interest, shall be paid to the persons in whose names Outstanding Securities are registered at the close of business on a subsequent record date (which shall be not less than five Business Days prior to the date of such payment) established by notice given by mail by or on behalf of the Company to the Holders of Securities not less than 15 days preceding such subsequent record date.

SECTION 2.06. Registration, Transfer and Exchange. (a) The Securities are issuable only in registered form. The Company shall maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York (the “Registrar”) and, for each series of Securities, a register or registers (the “Security Register(s)”) where, subject to such reasonable regulations as the Registrar may prescribe, Securities may be presented for payment and for the service of notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and the Indenture. The Registrar shall keep the Security Register(s) and will register the ownership of, and will register the transfer of, Securities as provided in this Article. Such Security Register or Security Registers shall be in written form in the English language or in any other form capable

 

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of being converted into such form within a reasonable time. At all reasonable times such Security Register or Security Registers shall be open for inspection by the Trustee. The initial Registrar shall be the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office. The Company may appoint one or more co-Registrars and one or more Paying Agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-Registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional Paying Agents.

(b) The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-Registrar not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the Trust Indenture Act. Any such agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of each such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-Registrar or transfer agent.

(c) Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security of any series at each such office or agency, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery in the name of the designated transferee or transferees a new Security or Securities of the same series, in each case, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate Principal Amount; provided that any Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar or co-Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

(d) At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (except a Global Security) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal amount and Stated Maturity, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

(e) A Holder may transfer a Security only by written application to the Registrar stating the name of the proposed transferee and otherwise complying with the terms of this Indenture. No such transfer shall be effected until, and such transferee shall succeed to the rights of a Holder only upon, final acceptance and registration of the transfer by the Registrar in the Security Register. Prior to the registration of any transfer by a Holder as provided herein, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-Registrar and any of their respective agents shall treat the person in whose name the Security is registered as the owner thereof for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not the Security shall be overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-Registrar or any of their respective agents shall be affected by notice to the contrary. Furthermore, any Holder of a Global Security shall, by acceptance of such Global Security, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Security may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by the Holder of such Global Security (or its agent) and that ownership of a beneficial interest in the Security shall be required to be reflected in a book entry. When Securities are presented to the Registrar or a co-Registrar with a request to register the transfer or to exchange them for an

 

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equal Principal Amount of Securities of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if the requirements for such transactions set forth herein are met. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges and subject to the other terms and conditions of this Article II, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Securities and Certificated Securities at the Registrar’s or co-Registrar’s request.

(f) No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessments or similar governmental charges payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charges payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.09, 5.03 or 10.05). No service charge to any Holder shall be made for any such transaction.

(g) Neither the Registrar nor the Company shall be required to exchange or register a transfer of:

(i) any Securities of any series for a period beginning 15 days next preceding the first mailing of notice of redemption of Securities of such series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business of the day of such mailing;

(ii) any Securities of any series selected, called or being called for redemption except, in the case of any Security of such series where public notice has been given that such Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not so to be redeemed;

(iii) any Securities of any series for which a Change of Control Offer has been made and which Securities have been tendered to the Company pursuant to such Offer and not withdrawn; or

(iv) any Securities of any series for a period beginning 15 days before an Interest Payment Date and ending on such Interest Payment Date.

(h) All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange of Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

(i) The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to this Article II. The Company shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable written notice to the Registrar.

(j) None of the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

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SECTION 2.07. Book-Entry Provisions for Global Securities. (a) If Securities of or within a series are issuable in whole or in part in global form (such Securities in global form, “Global Securities”, and each such Security in global form, a “Global Security”), then each Global Security of such series initially shall:

(i) be registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary;

(ii) be delivered to the Security Custodian;

(iii) bear the appropriate legend as set forth in Section 2.08.

Any Global Security may be represented by more than one certificate. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Securities may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Security Custodian and the Depositary or its nominee as provided in this Indenture.

(b) Except as provided below, members of, or participants in, the Depositary (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depositary, or the Security Custodian, or under any Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee, the Security Custodian, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and any of their respective agents as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee, the Security Custodian, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any of their respective agents from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by Depositary or impair, as between Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of an owner of a beneficial interest in any Global Security. The registered Holder of a Global Security may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent members, to take any action that a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.

(c) None of the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall have any responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner in a Global Security, an Agent Member or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any Agent Member, with respect to any ownership interest in the Securities or with respect to the delivery to any Agent Member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Securities and this Indenture shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of the Global Security). Except to the extent otherwise set forth in this Section 2.7, the rights of beneficial owners in the Global Security shall be exercised only through the

 

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Depositary subject to its applicable procedures. Except to the extent otherwise set forth in this Section 2.7, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar shall be entitled to rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners. The Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Security Registrar shall be entitled to deal with the Depositary, and any nominee thereof, that is the registered holder of any Global Security for all purposes of this Indenture relating to such Global Security (including the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest and additional amounts, if any, and the giving of instructions or directions by or to the owner or holder of a beneficial ownership interest in such Global Security) as the sole holder of such Global Security and shall have no obligations to the beneficial owners thereof. None of the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall have any responsibility or liability for any acts or omissions of the Depositary with respect to such Global Security, for the records of any such Depositary, including records in respect of beneficial ownership interests in respect of any such Global Security, for any transactions between the Depositary and any Agent Member or between or among the Depositary, any such Agent Member and/or any holder or owner of a beneficial interest in such Global Security, or for any transfers of beneficial interests in any such Global Security.

(d) Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in Global Securities will not be entitled to receive Certificated Securities.

(i) The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the Securities of a series issued in the form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such Global Securities.

(ii) Certificated Securities shall be issued to all owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security in exchange for such interests if:

 

  (A) The Depositary (1) notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such Global Security, or (2) ceases to be qualified to serve as Depositary and, in either case, a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice;

 

  (B) The Company, at its option, executes and delivers to the Trustee and Registrar a Company Order that such Global Security shall be so exchangeable; or

 

  (C) An Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from Depositary or any other Holder of a Global Security.

(e) In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 2.07, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of such Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in such Global Security to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and

 

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make available for delivery, one or more Certificated Securities of like tenor and amount. In connection with the exchange of an entire Global Security for Certificated Securities pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 2.07, such Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and upon receipt of a Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Certificated Securities of such series of like tenor and terms and in authorized denominations.

(f) Transfers of a Global Security shall be limited to transfers of such Global Security in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary for such series, its successors or their respective nominees. If at any time the Depositary for the Securities of such series notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary or if at any time the Depositary shall no longer be qualified to serve as Depositary, the Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series. If a successor Depositary for the Securities of such series is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, Certificated Securities shall be issued to all owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security in exchange for such interests as provided in subsection (c) above.

(g) Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Security may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary. Any beneficial interest in a Global Security that is transferred to a person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in another Global Security will, upon transfer, cease to be an interest in the first such Global Security and become an interest in the second such Global Security and, accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer restrictions, if any, and other procedures applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Security for as long as it remains such an interest.

(h) In the event that Certificated Securities are not issued to each Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Security promptly after the Registrar has received a request from the Holder of a Global Security to issue such Certificated Securities in accordance with Section 2.07(c)(ii)(C), the Company expressly acknowledges, with respect to the right of any Holder to pursue a remedy pursuant to Section 6.06 or Section 6.07 hereof, the right of any beneficial Holder of Notes to pursue such remedy with respect to the portion of the Global Security that represents such beneficial Holder’s Securities as if such Certificated Securities had been issued.

SECTION 2.08. Global Security Legend. Any Global Security shall bear a legend in substantially the following form on the face thereof, or in such other form as may be necessary or appropriate to reflect the arrangements with or to comply with the requirements of any Depositary:

“THIS IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO HEREINAFTER, AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF THE DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY, WHICH MAY BE TREATED BY THE COMPANY, THE TRUSTEE AND ANY AGENT THEREOF AS OWNER AND HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY FOR ALL PURPOSES.

 

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UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.”

SECTION 2.09. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Securities. (a) If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for any such mutilated Security or in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a replacement Security of like tenor and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously Outstanding, if: (i) the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York are met, (ii) the Holder satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee and the Company, and (iii) neither the Company nor the Trustee has received notice that such Security has been acquired by a protected purchaser. If required by the Trustee or the Company, such Holder shall furnish an affidavit of loss and indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, any Security Guarantor, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar, any co-Registrar and the Security Custodian from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced.

(b) Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section 2.09, the Company 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 of the Company (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee and counsel) in connection therewith.

(c) Every new Security issued pursuant to this Section 2.09 in exchange for any mutilated Security, or in lieu of any destroyed, lost or stolen Security, shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, any Security Guarantor and any other obligor upon the Securities, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities duly issued hereunder.

 

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(d) 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 apparently destroyed, lost or stolen, the Company may, instead of issuing a substitute Security of the same series, 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 Company and to the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee such security or indemnity as any of them may require to save each of them harmless from all risks, however remote, and, in every case of apparent destruction, loss or theft, the applicant shall also furnish to the Company and the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the apparent destruction, loss or theft of such Security and of the ownership thereof.

(e) The provisions of this Section 2.09 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

SECTION 2.10. Temporary Securities. Pending the preparation and delivery of Certificated Securities of any series, the Company may execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery temporary Certificated Securities of such series. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities, including such reference to any provisions of this Indenture as may be appropriate. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and execute and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities; provided, that such execution and authentication shall be upon the same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with like effect, as for the definitive Securities of such series. After the preparation of definitive Securities, the temporary Securities shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities at any office or agency maintained by the Company for that purpose and such exchange shall be without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities, the Company shall execute and, upon Company Order and delivery to the Trustee of any other documents and certificates required by this Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor one or more definitive Securities of such series representing an equal principal amount of Securities of such series. Until so exchanged, the Holder of temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as a Holder of definitive Securities.

SECTION 2.11. Cancellation of Securities. All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of transfer or exchange, if surrendered to the Company or any agent of the Company or the Trustee, shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or, if surrendered to the Trustee, shall be cancelled 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 shall dispose of cancelled Securities in its customary manner and policy of disposal and in accordance with prudent business practices. If the Company 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 for cancellation.

 

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SECTION 2.12. CUSIP and ISIN Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities of any series may use a “CUSIP” and, if desired or required, an “ISIN” number (if then generally in use), and, if desired, other similar identifying number or numbers. The Trustee shall use the CUSIP numbers or ISIN numbers, as the case may be, in notices of redemption, exchange or similar transactions as a convenience to Holders of such series; provided, that any such notice shall 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 redemption or exchange 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 Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers, ISIN numbers or such other identifying numbers as may be in use at such time.

SECTION 2.13. Defaulted Interest. Unless otherwise specified in the terms of any series of Securities, when any installment of interest with respect to any series of Securities becomes Defaulted Interest, such installment shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holders in whose names the Securities of such series were registered on the Regular Record Date applicable to such installment of interest, and such Defaulted Interest (including any interest on such Defaulted Interest) shall be paid by the Company, at its election, as provided in Section 2.13(a) or (b) below.

(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest (including any interest payable on such Defaulted Interest) to the Holders in whose names the Securities of the relevant series are registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest (a “Special Record Date”), which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Holders entitled to such Defaulted Interest as provided in this Section 2.13(a). Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be not more than 15 calendar days and not less than ten calendar days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than ten calendar days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be sent, first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Securities Register, not less than ten calendar days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been mailed as aforesaid, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Holders in whose names the Securities are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to Section 2.13(b); or

 

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(b) Alternatively, the Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest (including any interest on such Defaulted Interest) in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of such series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Section 2.13(b), such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee. The Trustee shall in the name and at the expense of the Company cause prompt notice of the proposed payment and the date thereof to be sent, first-class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder at such Holder’s address as it appears in the Security Register.

SECTION 2.14. Additional Securities. (a) The Company may, from time to time, subject to compliance with any other applicable provisions of this Indenture and the relevant Securities, without the consent of the Holders, create and issue pursuant to this Indenture additional Securities of any series of Securities (“Additional Securities”) that shall have terms and conditions identical to those of the other Outstanding Securities, except with respect to:

(i) the issue date;

(ii) the amount of interest payable on the first Interest Payment Date after issuance of the Additional Securities;

(iii) the issue price;

(iv) any adjustments necessary in order to conform to and ensure compliance with the Securities Act (or other applicable securities laws), the Code and any registration rights or similar agreement applicable to such Additional Securities, which are not adverse in any material respect to the Holder of any Outstanding Securities (other than such Additional Securities); and

(v) certain other terms that may be specified in any prospectus supplement relating to such issuance.

The Securities of a series previously issued and any Additional Securities in respect of such series of Securities shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.

(b) With respect to Additional Securities of any series of Securities, the Company will set forth in an Officer’s Certificate pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, copies of which will be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:

(i) the series and aggregate principal amount of such Additional Securities to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture; and

(ii) the issue date and the issue price of such Additional Securities; provided that no Additional Securities may not be issued at a price that would cause such Additional Securities to have “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Code, as amended, unless such Additional Securities have a separate CUSIP number from other Securities.

 

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ARTICLE III

COVENANTS

SECTION 3.01. Payment of Principal, Premium, if any, and, Interest. The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of the Holders of each series of Securities that it will duly and punctually pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of the Securities of such series, any coupons appertaining thereto and this Indenture. An installment of principal, premium, if any, or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date money designated for and sufficient to pay the installment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, the Company may, to the extent it is required to do so by law, deduct or withhold income or other similar taxes imposed by the United States of America from principal, premium or interest payments hereunder.

SECTION 3.02. Maintenance of Office or Agency. (a) The Company shall maintain a Payment Office where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of any such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

(b) The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies (in or outside the City of New York) where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind any such designation; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in accordance with the requirements set forth above for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

(c) Unless otherwise specified pursuant to the terms of the Securities of any series, the Trustee shall initially serve as Paying Agent with respect to each series of Securities.

SECTION 3.03. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust; Unclaimed Money. (a) If the Company or an Affiliate of the Company shall at any time act as the Company’s own Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, the Company or such Affiliate, as the case may be, will, on or before each due date of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any of the Securities of such series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, or interest so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise

 

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disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its action or failure so to act. Upon any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law with respect to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company that is acting as Paying Agent with respect to any series of Securities, the Trustee shall replace the Company or such Affiliate as Paying Agent with respect to such series of Securities.

(b) When the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of Securities, the Company will cause each such Paying Agent for any series of Securities (other than the Trustee) to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

(i) comply with the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent;

(ii) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on Securities of such series in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

(iii) give the Trustee notice of any Default by the Company or any Security Guarantor (or any other obligor upon the Securities of such series) in the making of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities of such series; and

(iv) at any time during the continuance of any such Default, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Securities of such series.

(c) The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Security Guarantor) shall be released from all further liability with respect to such money.

(d) Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of any principal, premium or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Order, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security and coupon, if any, shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each Business Day and of general circulation in the Borough

 

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of Manhattan, The City of New York, or at the discretion of the Company cause to be mailed to such Holder, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 calendar days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

SECTION 3.04. Existence. Subject to Article IV, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence.

SECTION 3.05. Reports by the Company. The Company covenants and agrees that it shall file with the Trustee, within 30 days after it files such annual and quarterly reports, information, documents and other reports with the SEC, copies of its annual report and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, that any such annual and quarterly reports, information, documents and other reports and information filed with the SEC may be provided by the Company to the Trustee electronically. The Company shall comply with the other provisions of Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. Delivery of such information, documents and reports to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute actual or constructive knowledge or notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

SECTION 3.06. Annual Compliance Certificate; Notice of Defaults or Events of Default. The Company covenants and agrees to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate that complies with Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of the Company, they would normally have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default under this Indenture and whether or not the signers know of any Default or Event of Default under this Indenture that occurred during such period. If they do, the certificate shall describe such Default or Event of Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Company also shall comply with any other applicable requirements of Section 314(a)(4) of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 3.07. Limitation on Liens. The Company covenants and agrees that it shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, incur, assume, or guarantee any indebtedness for borrowed money secured by a Lien on (a) any Productive Property, (b) any Principal Transmission Facility or (c) any shares of stock of any Subsidiary (collectively (a), (b) and (c), “Principal Property”), if the sum, without duplication, of

 

  (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Secured Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries (other than Secured Debt secured by a Permitted Lien); and

 

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  (ii) all Attributable Debt of the Company or its Subsidiaries in respect of Sale and Leaseback Transactions involving any Principal Property (other than Permitted Sale and Leaseback Transactions),

exceeds 15% of the Company’s Consolidated Assets, unless the Company provides that the Securities and the Security Guarantees will be secured equally and ratably with (or, at the Company’s option, prior to) such Secured Debt.

SECTION 3.08. Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions. The Company covenants and agrees that neither it nor any of its Subsidiaries shall enter into, assume, guarantee or otherwise become liable with respect to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction involving any Principal Property, unless, after giving effect thereto the sum, without duplication of:

 

  (a) the aggregate principal amount of all Secured Debt (other than Secured Debt secured by a Permitted Lien); and

 

  (b) all Attributable Debt in respect of such Sale and Leaseback Transactions (other than Permitted Sale and Leaseback Transactions),

does not exceed 15% of the Company’s Consolidated Assets. This Section 3.08 shall not apply to any Permitted Sale and Leaseback Transaction.

SECTION 3.09. Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control Event.

(a) Unless specified to the contrary in the terms of a series of Securities, if a Change of Control Event occurs, each Holder shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part (in an amount equal to at least the minimum denomination of such series of Securities as specified in the terms thereof or an integral multiple as specified in excess thereof) of such Holder’s Securities at a purchase price, in cash, equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such Holder’s Securities, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and premium or liquidated damages, if any, up to but excluding the date of purchase (the “Change of Control Payment”), subject to the right of Holders on any relevant Regular Record Date to receive interest on the related relevant Interest Payment Date as described in Section 3.09(c) below. Within 30 days following a Change of Control Event, if the Company has not (prior to the Change of Control Event) sent a redemption notice for all the Securities in connection with an optional redemption permitted by Article V of this Indenture, the Company shall mail a Change of Control Notice (the “Change of Control Offer”) to each Holder, with a copy to the Trustee. On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent lawful:

(i) accept for payment all Securities or portions of Securities (of at least the minimum denomination of such series of Securities as specified in the terms thereof or an integral multiple as specified in excess thereof) properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

 

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(ii) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Securities or portions of Securities properly tendered and not properly withdrawn; and

(iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Securities so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Securities or portions thereof being purchased by the Company.

(b) The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to each Holder of Securities properly tendered and not withdrawn the Change of Control Payment for such Securities, and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Security equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Security shall be in a principal amount of at least the minimum denomination of such series of Securities as specified in the terms thereof or an integral multiple as specified in excess thereof. Any Security so accepted for payment shall cease to accrue interest on and after the Change of Control Payment Date unless the Company defaults in making the Change of Control Payment.

(c) If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after a Record Date for the payment of interest and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name the relevant Security is registered at the close of business on such Record Date, and no further interest shall be payable to Holders who tender pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

(d) Unless specified to the contrary in the terms of a series of Securities, the provisions described above shall be applicable to any Change of Control Event, except as described in this Section 3.09 or in the terms of the series of such Securities, whether or not any other provisions of this Indenture are applicable.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer with respect to any series of Securities upon a Change of Control Event if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer with respect to such series of Securities in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Securities to which such offer applies that are validly tendered and not properly withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.

(f) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with any required repurchase of Securities as a result of a Change of Control Event. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Indenture, or compliance with the Change of Control Event provisions of this Indenture would constitute a violation of any such laws or regulations, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue of its compliance with such securities laws or regulations.

 

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SECTION 3.10. Waiver of Certain Covenants. The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision, or condition set forth in the provisions of any supplemental indenture specified in such supplemental indenture, with respect to the Securities of any series if the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by act of such Holders in accordance with Section 12.01, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such term, provision, or condition, but no such waiver will extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision, or condition will remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 3.11. Further Instruments and Acts. The Company and each Security Guarantor shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper or as the Trustee may reasonably request to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

ARTICLE IV

CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS

SECTION 4.01. When the Company May Merge, Etc. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person or sell, convey or transfer all or substantially all of its assets (determined on a consolidated basis) to any Person, unless:

(a) either (i) in the case of a consolidation or merger, the Company shall be the continuing or surviving Person or (ii) the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer the assets of the Company substantially as an entirety (the “Successor Company”) shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America or any State or the District of Columbia, and shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest, if any, on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture of the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

(b) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no Default, shall have happened and be continuing; and

(c) the Company or the Successor Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or transfer and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been complied with.

 

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SECTION 4.02. Successor Company Substituted. Upon any such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance or transfer in accordance with Section 4.01 hereof, the Successor Company shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall instead refer to the Successor Company and not to Southwestern Energy Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein, and the predecessor Person shall be released from all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or transfer, 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 4.03. Opinion of Counsel to Trustee. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, may receive an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer, lease, exchange or other disposition complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

ARTICLE V

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 5.01. Applicability of Article. Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.03 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article.

SECTION 5.02. Notice of Redemption; Partial Redemptions. (a) The Company shall give or cause the Trustee (in the name and at the expense of the Company) to give notice of redemption to the Holders of Securities of any series to be redeemed as a whole or in part by mailing notice of such redemption by first-class mail, postage prepaid, not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption, to each Holders of the Securities to be redeemed at their last addresses as they shall appear in the Security Register; provided, however, that redemption notices may be given more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of a series of Securities pursuant to Article VIII of this Indenture or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture. If the Trustee does not give the redemption notice, the Company shall deliver a copy of the notice to the Trustee. 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 designated for redemption as a whole or in part, shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Security.

 

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All notices of redemption shall state:

(i) the series of Securities to be redeemed (including CUSIP, ISIN or other identifying numbers, although no representation need be made as to the accuracy or correctness of such CUSIP, ISIN or other identifying numbers);

(ii) the date fixed for redemption;

(iii) the Redemption Price (or the method by which it will be determined) and the amount of any accrued interest or premium payable upon redemption;

(iv) whether the Company is redeeming all the Outstanding Securities of such series;

(v) if the Company is not redeeming all Outstanding Securities of such series, the aggregate principal amount of Securities that the Company is redeeming, the aggregate principal amount of Securities that will be Outstanding after the partial redemption and the identification of the particular Securities, or portions of the particular Securities, that the Company is redeeming;

(vi) if the Company is redeeming only part of a Security, the notice that relates to that Security shall state that on and after the redemption date, upon surrender of the Security, the Holder will receive without charge a new Security or Securities of authorized denominations for the principal amount of the Security remaining unredeemed;

(vii) the place or places where a Holder must surrender its Securities for payment of the Redemption Price;

(viii) that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of such Securities;

(ix) that interest accrued to the date fixed for redemption will be paid as specified in said notice; and

(x) that on and after said date interest thereon or on the portions thereof to be redeemed will cease to accrue.

(b) If the Company is not redeeming all Outstanding Securities of a series, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed pro rata, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (provided that, in the case of Global Securities, the Depositary shall select Global Securities for redemption pursuant to its applicable procedures). The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed.

(c) For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities 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.

 

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(d) On or prior to 10:00 a.m. New York City time on the redemption date specified in the notice of redemption given as provided in this Section, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as Paying Agent, set aside, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 3.03) an amount of money in immediately available funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and accrued interest, if any, on, all the Securities of a series that the Company is redeeming on that date. Trustee or Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest, if any, on all Securities to be redeemed.

SECTION 5.03. Payment of Securities Called for Redemption. (a) If the Company, or the Trustee on behalf of the Company, gives notice of redemption in accordance with this Article V, the Securities, or the portions of the Securities, called for redemption in such notice shall, on the date fixed for redemption, become due and payable at the Redemption Price specified in the notice (together with accrued interest, if any, to the date fixed for redemption), and from and after such date (unless the Company shall default in the payment of such Securities at the Redemption Price and accrued interest) the Securities or the portions of Securities so called for redemption shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of such Securities for redemption in accordance with the redemption notice, said Securities or the specified portions thereof shall be paid and redeemed by the Company at the applicable Redemption Price, together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption; provided that any payment of interest becoming due on the date fixed for redemption shall be payable to the holders of such Securities registered as such on the relevant Regular Record Date subject to the terms and provisions of Section 2.05 hereof.

(b) If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal shall, until paid or duly provided for, bear interest from the date fixed for redemption at the rate borne by the Security.

(c) Upon surrender of any Security that is to be redeemed in part, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to or on the order of the Holder of such Security at the expense of the Company, a new Security or Securities of any authorized denominations as requested by the Holder, in an aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered; provided that each new Security shall be in a principal amount equal to the minimum denomination of such series of Securities or any or any minimum specified integral multiple in excess thereof.

 

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ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. (a) An “Event of Default” occurs with respect to the Securities of any series if:

(i) the Company defaults for 30 days or more in the payment of any interest on any Security of that series or any coupon appertaining thereto or any additional amount payable with respect to any Security of that series as specified pursuant to Section 2.03(b)(17) when due;

(ii) the Company defaults in the payment of the principal, or premium if any, on any Security of that series at its Maturity Date when and as due, or in the making of a mandatory sinking fund payment when and as due by the terms of the Securities of that series;

(iii) the Company defaults for 90 days or more after written notice to the Company by the Trustee or by the Holders of at least 25% of the Principal Amount of Securities of such series then Outstanding (which notice shall specify the non-compliance and state that it is a “Notice of Default” under the Indenture), in any material respect in the performance of any other agreement in the Indenture with respect to any Security of that series (other than an agreement, covenant or provision for which non-compliance is elsewhere in this Section 6.01 specifically dealt with);

(iv) principal of or interest on any indebtedness for borrowed money of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (including indebtedness under this Indenture) is not paid within any applicable grace period after such payment is due, or the principal thereof is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default, and the total principal amount of such indebtedness, whether it exists as of the date of this Indenture or shall hereafter be created, in either case exceeds $100,000,000, and such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled within 30 days or such indebtedness is not paid in full within 30 days; provided that such Event of Default will be cured or waived, without further action upon the part of either the Trustee or any Holder, if (A) the default that resulted in the acceleration of such other indebtedness is cured or waived; and (B) the acceleration is rescinded or annulled

(v) a Bankruptcy Law Event of Default;

(vi) in the case where a Security Guarantor guarantees such Securities, except as otherwise provided for in this Indenture, any Security Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect, or any Security Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligation under its Security Guarantee; or

(vii) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that series.

The foregoing will constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sole remedy of Holders of the Securities for an Event of Default resulting from

 

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  (i) any breach of the Company’s or any Security Guarantor’s obligation to file or furnish any documents or reports required to be filed or furnished, as the case may be, with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; or

 

  (ii) any failure to comply with the requirements of Section 314(a)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act or of Section 3.05 of this Indenture;

shall, for the first 365 days after the giving of notice of the occurrence of such an Event of Default, consist exclusively of liquidated damages (“liquidated damages”), and Holders shall not have any right under the Indenture to accelerate the maturity of the Securities of any series as a result of any such breach except as described in this paragraph (b). If an Event of Default relating to any such obligation continues for 90 days after notice thereof is given in accordance with the Indenture, the Company shall pay liquidated damages to the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series at an annual rate equal to:

 

  (i)

0.25% per annum of the Principal Amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series from the 90th day following such notice to but not including the 180th day following such notice (or such shorter period until such Event of Default has been cured or waived); and

 

  (ii)

0.50% per annum of the Principal Amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series from the 180th day following such notice to but not including the 365th day following such notice (or such shorter period until such Event of Default has been cured or waived).

On such 365th day (or earlier, if such Event of Default is cured or waived prior to such 365th day), such liquidated damages shall cease to accrue, and such Securities shall be subject to acceleration as provided above if the Event of Default is continuing. This paragraph (b) will not affect the rights of Holders in the event of the occurrence of any other Event of Default.

If liquidated damages are payable under this paragraph (b), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate to that effect stating the date on which such liquidated damages are or shall become payable. Unless and until a Trust Officer receives at the Corporate Trust Office such an Officer’s Certificate, the Trustee may assume without inquiry that no liquidated damages are or shall be payable. If the Company is required to pay any liquidated damages pursuant to this paragraph (b), the Company shall provide a direction or order in the form of a written notice to the Trustee (and if the Trustee is not the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent) of the Company’s obligation to pay such liquidated damages no later than three Business Days prior to date on which any such liquidated damages are scheduled to be paid; provided that the Company shall make payments of all liquidated damages no later than the first Interest Payment Date subsequent to the 365th day following such notice (or such shorter period if such Event of Default has been cured or waived and liquidated damages have ceased to accrue). Such notice shall set forth the amount of liquidated damages to be paid by the Company on such payment date and direct the Trustee (or, if the Trustee is not the Paying Agent, the Paying Agent) to make payment to the extent it receives funds from the Company to do so. The Trustee shall pay the liquidated damages to the Holders of record of each relevant series of Securities in the Security Register as of the close of business on the Business Day prior to the date on which such

 

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payment is made; provided that any liquidated damages payable as of the Maturity Date of any series of Securities shall be paid to the Holder receiving the payment of the principal amount of such Securities. The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities to determine whether liquidated damages are payable, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of the amount of liquidated damages owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of such liquidated damages.

SECTION 6.02. Acceleration. (a) If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(v) above with respect to the Company) shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee, by written notice to the Company, or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate Principal Amount of the then Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the unpaid principal of (and premium, if any) and any accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities of the affected series to be immediately due and payable. Any such notice shall specify the Event of Default and that it is a “Notice of Acceleration.” If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a)(v) above occurs with respect to the Company, then the unpaid principal of (and premium, if any) and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Securities shall ipso facto become immediately due and payable without further notice or action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

(b) At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to the Securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this Article VI provided, the Holders of a majority in Principal Amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

(i) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay:

(A) all overdue interest on all of the Securities of that series;

(B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) Securities of that series which has become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in the Securities of that series;

(C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in the Securities of that series; and

(D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements, and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel and

(ii) all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of that series, other than the non-payment of the principal of the Securities of that series which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 6.04.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or Event of Default or impair any rights relating thereto.

 

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SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies. (a) If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities of such series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities of such series or this Indenture.

(b) The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities of such series or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. Any such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been recovered. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities of any series then Outstanding may, by written notice to the Trustee, on behalf of the Holders of all of the Securities of such series waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on any Security of such series. The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons entitled to waive any past default hereunder. If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to waive any default hereunder, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority. (a) With respect to the Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in aggregate Principal Amount of the then Outstanding Securities of that series, on behalf of all Holders of the Outstanding Securities of that series, may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedies available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. Subject to Sections 7.01 and 7.02, however, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of that series or that may involve or cause the Trustee any potential liability unless the Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

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(b) Upon receipt by the Trustee of any such direction with respect to the Securities of such series, a record date shall automatically and without any other action by any Person be set for determining the Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series entitled to join in such direction, which record date shall be the close of business on the day the Trustee receives such direction. The Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date (or their duly appointed agents), and only such Persons, shall be entitled to join in such direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date.

SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits. No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute any proceeding with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of the applicable series for any remedy thereunder, unless:

(i) such Holder shall have previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default;

(ii) Holders of at least 25% in aggregate Principal Amount of the then Outstanding Securities of that series have also made such a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(iii) such Holder or Holders of the Securities have provided to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense in connection with the institution of such proceedings;

(iv) the Trustee does not comply with the request delivered in clause (ii) within 90 days; and

(v) during or prior to such 90-day period, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding have not given the Trustee a written direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such request;

provided, however, that the limitations in this Section 6.06 do not apply to a suit initiated by a Holder for the enforcement of payment of the principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on such Securities on or after the respective due dates expressed in such Securities after any applicable grace periods have expired.

A Holder may not use this Indenture either to prejudice the rights of, or to obtain a preference or priority over, another Holder of Securities of the same series in case of any Event of Default described in clause (i), (ii) or (vi) of Section 6.01 or of another Holder of any series of Securities in the case of any Event of Default described in clauses (iii), (iv) or (v) of Section 6.01

SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 6.06), the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of (and premium, if any) or interest, if any, on any Security of any series held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates, redemption dates or repurchase dates expressed in this Indenture or in such series of Securities, or to bring 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.

 

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SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(i) or (ii) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or any Security Guarantor (if any) for the whole amount then due and owing (together with applicable interest on any overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest) and the amounts provided in Section 7.07.

SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

(a) The Trustee is authorized to (irrespective of whether the principal of the Securities of such series is then due):

(i) 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 (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Securities of such series allowed in any bankruptcy, insolvency, liquidation or other judicial proceedings relative to the Company, any Security Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities, or their respective creditors or properties; and

(ii) collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable in respect of any such claims and distribute them in accordance with this Indenture.

Any receiver, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator (or other similar official) in any such proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, taxes, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agent and counsel, and any other amounts due to the Trustee pursuant to Section 7.07. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, 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, money, securities and other properties which the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of any series or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

(b) Nothing in this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of any series or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

 

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SECTION 6.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money, or any money or property distributable pursuant to this Article after the occurrence of any Event of Default, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

FIRST: to the Trustee (including and predecessor trustee), its agents and counsel for amounts due under Section 7.07;

SECOND: if the Holders proceed against the Company directly without the Trustee in accordance with this Indenture, to Holders for their collection costs;

THIRD: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities of any series for principal and interest, if any, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities of such series for principal and interest, respectively; and

FOURTH: to the Company or, to the extent the Trustee collects any amount pursuant to Article XI hereof from any Security Guarantor, to such Security Guarantor, or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may, upon at least five Business Days notice to the Company, fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs. 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, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by the Company, a suit by a Holder of Securities of the affected series pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of Outstanding Securities.

ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.01. Duties and Responsibilities of the Trustee. The Trustee, with respect to the Securities of any series, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default with respect to the Securities of such series which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties with respect to such series as are specifically set forth in this Indenture.

 

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(a) If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of a series has occurred and is continuing (and has not been cured or waived), the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture with respect to such series and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties 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 its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions 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, statements, opinions or conclusions stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own bad faith or willful misconduct, except that:

(i) this paragraph (c) does not limit the effect of paragraphs (b) and (f) of this Section 7.01;

(ii) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Trust Officer or Trust Officers unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(iii) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Sections 6.02, 6.04, 7.05 or otherwise exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee under this Indenture.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.

(e) All moneys received by the Trustee shall, until used or applied as herein provied, be held in trust by the Trustee for the purposes for which they were received, but need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. Neither the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be under any liability for interest on any moneys received by it hereunder, except as otherwise agreed with the Company.

 

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(f) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. This Section 7.01 is in furtherance of and subject to Sections 315 and 316 of the Trust Indenture Act.

(g) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Article VII and to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act.

(h) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

(i) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request, order or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and liabilities that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(j) Wherever in this Article VII a negligence, misconduct or bad faith standard with respect to the Trustee is referred to, it shall mean a negligence, misconduct or bad faith standard as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee. Subject to Section 7.01:

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting on any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document;

(b) Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Order 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 Company. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith and reasonably believed by it to be authorized or within the discretion or rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture;

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care by it hereunder;

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes, suffers or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers; provided that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith;

 

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(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or any Opinion of Counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and any series of Securities shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel;

(f) If the Trustee shall reasonably determine it necessary or advisable after due inquiry of the Company, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company, during normal business hours upon reasonable prior notice, and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation;

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or has received written notice from the Company or any Holder of any event that is in fact such a default at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture;

(h) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and to each agent, Custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder;

(i) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of the Officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded;

(j) Anything in this Indenture notwithstanding, in no event shall the Trustee be liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including but not limited to loss of profit), even if the Trustee has been advised as to the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action; and

(k) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority and governmental action.

SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities of any series and may otherwise deal with the Company, any Security Guarantors or any of their respective Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest pursuant to Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee, or resign. Any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-Registrar may do the same with like rights and duties. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

SECTION 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or of the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from any of the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of any of the Securities or in any Securities other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication, except that the Trustee represents that it is duly authorized to execute and deliver this Indenture, authenticate the Securities and perform its obligations hereunder and that the

 

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statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 supplied to the Company, are true and accurate, subject to the qualifications set forth therein. The Trustee shall not be responsible to make any calculation with respect to any matter under this Indenture, unless it agrees to do so in writing with the Company. The Trustee shall have no duty to monitor or investigate the Company’s compliance with or the breach of, or cause to be performed or observed, any representation, warranty or covenant made in this Indenture.

SECTION 7.05. Notice of Default. If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Securities of any series and if a Trust Officer has actual knowledge thereof, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder of Securities of such series, in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, notice of the Default or Event of Default (“Notice of Default”) within 90 days after the occurrence thereof (unless such Default or Event of Default has been waived or cured prior to such mailing). Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, or interest or premium, if any, of any Security of such series (including payments pursuant to the redemption or required repurchase provisions of such Security, if any) or in the payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Securities of such series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors and/or Trust Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of Securities of such series.

SECTION 7.06. Reports by the Trustee to Holders. The Trustee shall comply with Section 313 of the Trust Indenture Act. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever any Securities become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. (a) The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, costs of preparing and reviewing reports, certificates and other documents, costs of preparation and mailing of notices to Holders and reasonable costs of counsel retained by the Trustee in connection with the delivery of an opinion of counsel or otherwise, in addition to the compensation for its services, except for any such expense, disbursement or advance as may arise from its negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants, experts and other Persons not regularly in its employ.

(b) The Company shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all loss, liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by it without negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith on its part in connection with the acceptance and administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of

 

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enforcing this Indenture (including this Section 7.07) and of defending itself against any claims (whether asserted by any Holder, the Company, any Security Guarantor or otherwise). The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel; provided that the Company shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes the Trustee’s defense, and, in the reasonable judgment of outside counsel to the Trustee, there is no conflict of interest between the Company and the Trustee in connection with such defense. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith.

(c) To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on a particular Security. The Trustee’s right to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.07 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or indebtedness of the Company.

(d) The Company’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section 7.07 shall survive the discharge of the Securities, the termination for any reason of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee. When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services in connection with the occurrence of a Bankruptcy Law Event of Default, the expenses (including the reasonable charges and expenses of its counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law; provided that this shall not affect the Trustee’s rights as set forth in this Section 7.07 or Section 7.11. “Trustee” for purposes of this Section shall include any predecessor Trustee; provided, however, that the negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith of any Trustee hereunder shall not affect the rights of any other Trustee hereunder.

SECTION 7.08. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor Trustee. (a) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by giving written notice of resignation to the Company and to the Holders of Securities of such series, such notice to the Holders to be given by mailing (by first-class mail) the same within 30 days after such notice is given to the Company. Upon receiving such notice of resignation, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor trustee 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. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment within 60 days after the mailing of such notice of resignation, the resigning trustee may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor trustee, or any Holder of the Securities of the affected series who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities of the affected series for at least six months may, 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.

 

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(b) The Company shall remove the Trustee if:

(i) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.10 and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder of Securities;

(ii) the Trustee shall fail to comply with the provisions of Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act, after written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or Securities for at least six months;

(iii) the Trustee shall be adjudged as bankrupt or insolvent;

(iv) 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; or

(v) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

then, in any such case, the Company may remove the Trustee and appoint a successor trustee by written instrument, in duplicate, executed by order of the Board of Directors of the Company, one copy of which instrument shall be delivered to the Trustee so removed and one copy to the successor trustee, or, subject to Section 315(e) of the Trust Indenture Act, any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Security or 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 trustee. 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 any series at the time outstanding may at any time remove the Trustee for that series and appoint a successor trustee by delivering to the Trustee so removed, to the successor trustee so appointed and to the Company the evidence provided for in Section 12.01 of the action in that regard taken by the Holders. If no successor trustee shall have been so appointed and have accepted appointment 60 days after the mailing of such notice of removal, the trustee being removed may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction 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 and any appointment of a successor trustee pursuant to any of the provisions of this Section 7.08 shall become effective upon acceptance of appointment by the successor trustee as provided herein.

(e) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all Holders of Securities of such series as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register. Each notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

 

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(f) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of its charges and subject to its lien provided for in Section 7.07, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

(g) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which:

(i) shall contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates;

(ii) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee; and

(iii) 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 hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee. Upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

 

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(h) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

(i) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under the Trust Indenture Act.

(j) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger. (a) If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another Person, the resulting, surviving or transferee Person without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided, that such entity shall otherwise be qualified and eligible under this Article VII.

(b) In case at the time such successor or successors to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Securities shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Securities so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Securities 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 to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Securities 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 in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall apply only to its successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation.

SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the Trust Indenture Act are met.

SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent indicated.

 

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SECTION 7.12. Communications with the Trustee. Any and all notices, certificates, opinions or filings with the SEC required or permitted to be provided by the Company to the Trustee under this indenture shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered, sent via an internationally recognized overnight delivery service or sent by facsimile or electronic transmission to the address or telecopy number of the Corporate Trust Office.

ARTICLE VIII

DEFEASANCE

SECTION 8.01. Applicability of the Article; Company’s Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance. Unless pursuant to Section 2.03 provision is made for the inapplicability of either or both of (a) defeasance of the Securities of a series under Section 8.02 or (b) covenant defeasance of the Securities of a series under Section 8.03, then the provisions of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other provisions of this Article, shall be applicable to the Securities of such series, and the Company may, at its option, by resolution of the Board of Directors, at any time, elect to have either Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 applied to the Outstanding Securities of a series upon compliance with the conditions set forth in this Article VIII.

SECTION 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 8.04, be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to such Outstanding Securities on the date all of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Securities of such series, which shall thereafter be deemed to be Outstanding only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 8.02, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(i) the rights of Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04 hereof, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Securities when such payments are due;

(ii) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 2.10, 3.02, 8.05, 8.06 and 8.07 hereof;

(iii) the rights (including indemnity rights under Article VII), powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith; and

 

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(iv) the Company’s obligations under this Article VIII.

Subject to compliance with this Article VIII, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof with respect to the Securities of such series.

SECTION 8.03. Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company shall, subject to the satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 8.04, be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in Article III (other than Sections 3.01, 3.02, 3.03 and 3.10) and Section 4.01 hereof and the covenants contained in any supplemental indenture applicable to such series, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities of such series shall thereafter be deemed not Outstanding for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed Outstanding for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities shall not be deemed Outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01(a)(iii), (iv) or (vi) hereof with respect to Outstanding Securities of such series, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and of the Securities of such series shall be unaffected thereby.

SECTION 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. The Company may exercise its Legal Defeasance option or its Covenant Defeasance option with respect to the Outstanding Securities of a particular series only if:

(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.10 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article VIII applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities: (i) an amount in such currency, currencies or currency unit in which such Securities and any related coupons are then specified as payable at Stated Maturity, or (ii) non-callable U.S. Government Obligations that through the scheduled payment of interest and principal in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (iii) a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay and discharge, and that shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge, the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Outstanding Securities on the stated maturity date of such principal and any installment of principal, or interest or premium, if any;

 

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(b) In the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that: (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date hereof, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(c) In the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(d) No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as Section 6.01(a)(v) hereof is concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 124th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period);

(e) Such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound (other than a breach, violation or default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit);

(f) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit made by the Company pursuant to its election under Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of the affected Securities over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company, or others;

(g) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel, subject to customary exceptions and qualifications, reasonably acceptable to the Trustee to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and

(h) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.

SECTION 8.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, the Trustee shall hold in trust all money, U.S. Legal Tender and/or non-

 

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callable U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with it in respect of the Outstanding Securities of a particular series pursuant to this Article VIII. The Trustee shall apply the deposited money and the U.S. Legal Tender from the U.S. Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment of principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Securities.

SECTION 8.06. Repayment to the Company. Notwithstanding anything in this Article VIII to the contrary, (a) the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any excess money, non-callable U.S. Government Obligations or other securities held by them as provided in Section 8.04 hereof upon payment of all the obligations with respect to the relevant series of Securities under this Indenture (such excess to be determined in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants and expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a) hereof)), and (b) subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any money or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations held by them as provided in Section 8.04 hereof for the payment of principal of, premium or interest on the Securities that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to the money will be deemed general creditors of the Company with respect to the money and must look only to the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.

SECTION 8.07. Indemnity for Moneys and U.S. Government Obligations Held in Trust. The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the moneys or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof, other than any such tax, fee or other charge that by law is for the account of the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series.

SECTION 8.08. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. Legal Tender, other moneys or non-callable U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII, as the case may be, by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities of the relevant series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article VIII until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such U.S. Legal Tender, other moneys or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII; provided, however, that, if the Company has made any payment of principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on any Security because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Security to receive such payment from the U.S. Legal Tender, other moneys or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE IX

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

SECTION 9.01. Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect with respect to any series of Securities (except as to any surviving rights or registration of transfer, exchange or conversion of the Securities of such series expressly provided for in the Indenture or in the form of Security for such series) as to all Outstanding Notes of such series of Securities when:

(a) either

(i) all Securities of such series theretofor executed, authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Securities of such series that have been replaced or paid and Securities of such series for whose payment money has theretofor been (x) deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust or (y) paid to any State or the District of Columbia pursuant to its unclaimed property or similar laws) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(ii) all Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation

(A) have become due and payable; or

(B) will become due and payable at their stated maturity within one year; or

(C) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company,

and the Company, in the case of (A), (B) or (C) above, has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, as trust funds in trust for the purpose, money in the amount in the currency or currency units in which the Securities of such series are payable, sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such series of Securities not theretofor delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable), or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be, together with irrevocable instructions from the Company directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment;

(b) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable hereunder with respect to such Securities; and

 

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(c) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each to the effect that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been satisfied.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture the obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 7.07 and, if money shall have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (ii) of paragraph (a) of this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 9.02 and the last paragraph of Section 3.03 shall survive.

SECTION 9.02. Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 3.03, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent), as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS

SECTION 10.01. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders. (a) The Company, the Security Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of any series without the consent of any Holder:

(i) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;

(ii) to comply with Article IV in respect of the assumption by a Successor Company of the obligations of the Company under the Securities of any or all series and this Indenture;

(iii) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, provided, however, that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code;

(iv) to add guarantees with respect to the Securities or to secure the Securities;

(v) to add to the covenants of the Company or any Security Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company in the Indenture;

(vi) to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities;

(vii) to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with effecting or maintaining the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;

 

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(viii) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of all or any series of Securities or that does not, in the opinion of the Trustee, adversely affect the rights of any Holder of such Securities in any material respect;

(ix) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee and to add to or change any of the provisions of the Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one trustee;

(x) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 2.01 and 2.03;

(xi) to make any change necessary to make the Indenture, the Securities of any series or the Security Guarantee relating to any series of Securities, as applicable, consistent with the description of the Securities in the prospectus or any related prospectus supplement relating to such Securities;

(xii) to correct or supplement any provision of the Indenture that may be inconsistent with any other provision of the Indenture or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided, such actions shall not adversely affect the interests of any Holder; or

(xiii) to change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture; provided, that any such change or elimination shall become effective only when there is no Security Outstanding of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture which is entitled to the benefit of any such provision.

(b) After an amendment or supplement under this Section 10.01 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Holders of the affected Securities a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 10.01.

SECTION 10.02. With Consent of Holders. (a) Subject to Section 10.01, except as provided in the next succeeding paragraphs, the Company, the Security Guarantors, if any, and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities of any series without notice to any Holder but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding affected by such modification or amendment (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such Securities). Without the consent of each Holder affected hereby, however, an amendment or waiver may not:

(i) reduce the principal amount of Securities of any series whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(ii) reduce the rate of or change or have the effect of changing the time for payment of interest, including Defaulted Interest, on any Securities;

 

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(iii) reduce the principal amount of or change or have the effect of changing the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of, any Securities, or change the date on which any Securities may be subject to redemption, or reduce any premium payable upon the redemption thereof or the Redemption Price therefor;

(iv) make any Securities payable in money other than that stated in the Securities;

(v) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture entitling each Holder to receive payment of principal of, premium and interest on such Securities on or after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the redemption date) or to bring suit to enforce such payment, or permitting Holders of a majority in principal amount of Outstanding Notes to waive Defaults or Events of Default;

(vi) amend, change or modify in any material respect any obligation of the Company to make and consummate a Change of Control Offer in respect of a Change of Control Event that has occurred, to the extent any such Change of Control Offer may be required under the terms of any series of Securities;

(vii) eliminate or modify in any manner the obligations of a Security Guarantor with respect to its Security Guarantee which adversely affects Holders in any material respect, except as expressly otherwise provided for in this Indenture; or

(viii) change any obligation of the Company to maintain an office or agency in the place and for the purposes specified in Section 3.02.

Subject to Section 6.04, the Holder or Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding may waive any existing Default or compliance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities of any series affected by such default or compliance.

(b) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 10.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

(c) After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement o waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding affected may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or such Securities.

SECTION 10.03. Effect of Supplemental Indenture. Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture pursuant to the provisions hereof, this Indenture shall be and be deemed to be modified and amended in accordance therewith and the respective rights, limitations of rights, obligations,

 

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duties and immunities under this Indenture of the Trustee, the Company and the Holders shall thereafter be determined, exercised and enforced hereunder subject in all respects to such modifications and amendments, and all the terms and conditions of any such supplemental indenture shall be and be deemed to be part of the terms and conditions of this Indenture for any and all purposes.

SECTION 10.04. Compliance with TIA; Documents to Be Given to Trustee. Every such supplemental indenture shall comply with the TIA as then in effect. The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, may receive an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel as conclusive evidence that any such supplemental indenture complies with the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

SECTION 10.05. Notation on or Exchange of Securities. Securities authenticated and delivered after the adoption of any amendment or supplement pursuant to the provisions of this Article may bear a notation approved by the Trustee as to form (but not as to substance) as to any matter provided for by such amendment or supplement or as to any action taken at any such meeting. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Securities of any series then Outstanding will execute and upon Company Order the Trustee will authenticate and make available for delivery new Securities of such series that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue new Securities shall not affect the validity of such amendment or supplement.

SECTION 10.06. Trustee to Sign Amendments and Supplements. Upon receipt of a Company Order accompanied by a resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors authorizing the execution of a supplemental indenture pursuant to Section 10.01 or Section 10.02 hereof, and upon receipt by the Trustee of:

(i) the documents described in Section 10.04 hereof; and

(ii) with respect to an amendment pursuant to Section 10.02, evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid,

the Trustee shall join with the Company in the execution of any amendment, supplement or waiver, including any supplemental indenture, and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations which may be therein contained, unless such amendment, supplement or waiver 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 amendment, supplement or waiver. In signing such amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and to receive, and (subject to Sections 7.01 and 7.02) shall be fully protected in relying upon such evidence as it deems appropriate, including, without limitation, solely an Opinion of Counsel and an Officer’s Certificate stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that all conditions precedent to the execution of such amendment, supplement or waiver have been complied with.

 

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ARTICLE XI

SECURITY GUARANTEES

SECTION 11.01. Applicability of the Article; Company’s Option to Implement Security Guarantees. If pursuant to Section 2.03 provision is made for the applicability of either Security Guarantees with respect to the Securities of a series under this Article XI, then the provisions of this Article XI, together with the other provisions of the Securities of such series, shall be applicable to the Securities of such series, as such provisions may be modified by any supplemental indenture in respect of such series of Securities.

SECTION 11.02. Security Guarantees. (a) Each Security Guarantor hereby fully and unconditionally guarantees, jointly and severally with each other Security Guarantor, to each Holder and the Trustee, the full and punctual payment when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of the obligations (such guaranteed obligations, the “Guaranteed Obligations”) of the Securities of any series that are subject to Security Guarantees. Unless terminated hereunder, each such Security Guarantor further agrees (to the extent permitted by law) that such obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from it, and that it shall remain bound by the provisions of this Article XI, to the extent otherwise applicable, notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any such obligation. Each Security Guarantor hereby agrees to pay, in addition to the amounts stated above, any and all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee or the Holders in enforcing or exercising any rights under any Security Guarantee.

(b) Each Security Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company of any of the obligations under such Securities or this Indenture and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Security Guarantor waives notice of any default under this Indenture, the Securities of such series or any other agreement. The obligations of each Security Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (i) the failure of any Holder to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other Person under this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement or otherwise; (ii) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (iii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Securities of such series or any other agreement; (iv) the release of any security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the obligations under the Securities or this Indenture; (v) the failure of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy against the other Security Guarantors with respect to the Securities of such series; or (vi) any change in the ownership of the Company.

(c) Each Security Guarantor further agrees that its Security Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder to any security held for payment of the obligations under such Securities.

(d) The obligations of each Security Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than payment of the obligations under the Securities in full), including any claim of waiver, release, surrender,

 

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alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the obligations under the Securities or this Indenture. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Security Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the obligations under the Securities or this Indenture, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Security Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of such Security Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

(e) Each Security Guarantor further agrees that its Security Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any of the Company’s obligations with respect to the Securities of such series is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.

(f) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which the Trustee or any Holder has at law or in equity against each Security Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay any of the Company’s obligations with respect to the Securities of such series when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, each Security Guarantor hereby promises to and will, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders an amount equal to the sum of:

(i) the unpaid amount of such obligations then due and owing; and

(ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such obligations under the Securities and this Indenture then due and owing (but only to the extent not prohibited by law);

provided, that any delay by the Trustee in giving such written demand shall in no event affect any Security Guarantor’s obligations under its Security Guarantee.

(g) Each Security Guarantor further agrees that, as between such Security Guarantor on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand:

(i) the maturity of the obligations with respect to Securities of such series guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in this Indenture for the purposes of its Security Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of such obligations; and

(ii) in the event of any such declaration of acceleration of such obligations, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Security Guarantor for the purposes of such Security Guarantee.

SECTION 11.03. Limitation on Liability; Termination; Release and Discharge.

 

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(a) The obligations of each Security Guarantor hereunder with respect to the Securities of any series shall be limited to the maximum amount as shall, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Security Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Security Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Security Guarantor under its Security Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Security Guarantor under its Security Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law.

(b) If no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, a Security Guarantor will be released and relieved of its obligations under its Security Guarantee:

(i) automatically upon any sale, exchange or transfer, whether by way of merger or otherwise, to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company, of all of the Company’s direct or indirect equity interests in the Security Guarantor;

(ii) automatically upon the liquidation and dissolution of the Security Guarantor;

(iii) following delivery of a written notice by the Company to the Trustee, upon the release of all guarantees or other obligations of the Security Guarantor with respect to the obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under the Senior Credit Facility; provided that if at any time following any release of a Security Guarantor from its guarantee of the Securities pursuant to this subsection (iii), the Security Guarantor again guarantees, becomes a co-obligor with respect to or otherwise provides direct credit support for any of the obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under the Senior Credit Facility, then the Company shall cause the Security Guarantor to again guarantee the Securities in accordance with this Indenture.

(c) If there is a Legal Defeasance or a Covenant Defeasance, or if the Company satisfies its obligations under the Securities pursuant to Section 9.01, then all of the Security Guarantors will be released and relieved of their obligations under their respective Security Guarantees.

SECTION 11.04. Reserved. [Reserved].

SECTION 11.05. Right of Contribution. Each Security Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a Security Guarantee will be entitled, upon payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations under the Securities, to a contribution from each other Security Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Security Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment, based on the respective net assets of all the Security Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP. The provisions of this Section 11.05 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of each Security Guarantor to the Trustee and the Holders and each Security Guarantor shall remain liable to the Trustee and the Holders for the full amount guaranteed by such Security Guarantor hereunder.

 

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SECTION 11.06. No Subrogation. Each Security Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations until payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of all the Company’s obligations under the relevant Securities. If any amount shall be paid to any Security Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the such obligations shall not have been paid in full in cash or cash equivalents, such amount shall be held by such Security Guarantor in trust for the Trustee and the Holders, segregated from other funds of such Security Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Security Guarantor, be turned over to the Trustee in the exact form received by such Security Guarantor (duly endorsed by such Security Guarantor to the Trustee, if required), to be applied against the such obligations.

ARTICLE XII

CONCERNING THE HOLDERS

SECTION 12.01. Evidence of Action Taken by Holders. Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders of any series may be embodied in and evidenced:

(a) by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly appointed in writing;

(b) by the record of the Holders of Securities of such series voting in favor thereof at any meeting of Holders duly called and held; or

(c) by a combination of such instrument or instruments and any such record of such a meeting of Holders;

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 7.01 and 7.02) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Article.

SECTION 12.02. Proof of Execution of Instruments and of Holding of Securities; Record Date. Subject to Sections 7.01 and 7.02, the execution of any instrument by a Holder or his agent or proxy may be proved in accordance with such reasonable rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the Trustee or in such manner as shall be satisfactory to the Trustee. The holding of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register or by a certificate of the Registrar thereof. The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of holders of Securities entitled to vote or consent to any action referred to in Section 12.01, which record date may be set at any time or from time to time by notice to the Trustee, for any date or dates (in the case of any adjournment or resolicitation) not more than 90 days nor less than 20 days prior to the proposed date of such vote or consent, and thereafter, notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, only holders of Securities of record on such record date shall be entitled to so vote or give such consent or to withdraw such vote or consent.

 

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SECTION 12.03. Who May Be Deemed Owners of Securities. The Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent and any Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name any Security of any series shall be registered in the Security Register on the applicable record date 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 premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Security and for all other purposes; and neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any paying agent nor any Registrar shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. All such payments so made to, or upon the order of, any Holders shall be valid, and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and discharge the liability of moneys payable upon any such Security.

SECTION 12.04. Record Date for Action by Holders. Whenever in this Indenture it is provided that Holders of a specified percentage in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of any series may take any action (including the making of any demand or request, the giving of any direction, notice, consent or waiver or the taking of any other action), other than any action taken at a meeting of Holders of such series, the Company, pursuant to a resolution of its Board of Directors, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series then Outstanding, may request the Trustee to fix a record date for determining Holders entitled to notice of and to take any such action. In case the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified shall desire to request Holders of such series to take any action and shall request the Trustee to fix a record date with respect thereto by written notice setting forth in reasonable detail the Holder action to be requested, the Trustee shall promptly (but in any event within five days of receipt of such request) fix a record date that shall be a business day not less than 15 nor more than 20 days after the date on which the Trustee receives such request. If the Trustee shall fail to fix a record date as hereinabove provided, then the Company or the Holders of Securities of such series in the amount above specified may fix the same by mailing written notice thereof (the record date so fixed to be a business day not less than 15 nor more than 20 days after the date on which such written notice shall be given) to the Trustee. If a record date is fixed according to this Section 12.04, only persons shown as Holders of the Securities of such series on the Security Register at the close of business on the record date so fixed shall be entitled to take the requested action and the taking of such action by the Holders of Securities of such series on the record date of the required percentage of the aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities shall be binding on all Holders of such series; provided, that the taking of the requested action by the Holders of Securities of such series on the record date of the percentage in aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities in connection with such action shall have been evidenced to the Trustee, as provided in Section 12.01, not later than 180 days after such record date.

SECTION 12.05. Right of Revocation of Action Taken. At any time prior to (but not after) the evidencing to the Trustee, as provided in Section 12.01, of the taking

 

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of any action by the Holders of the percentage in aggregate Principal Amount of the Securities of any series 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 of the series 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, revoke such action so far as concerns such Security. 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, 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 series specified in this Indenture in connection with such action shall be conclusively binding upon the Company, the Trustee and the holders of all the Securities of such series.

ARTICLE XIII

HOLDERS’ LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

SECTION 13.01. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders. The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee:

(a) semi-annually, not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date for each series of Securities, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of Securities as of such Regular Record Date (unless the Trustee has such information), or if there is no Regular Record Date for interest for such series of Securities, semi-annually, upon such dates as are set forth in the Board Resolution or indenture supplemental hereto authorizing such series, and

(b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;

provided, however, that so long as the Trustee is the Registrar, no such list shall be required to be furnished.

SECTION 13.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

(a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 13.01 and the names and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as the Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in Section 13.01 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

(b) If three or more Holders (referred to in this Section 13.02(b) as “applicants”) apply in writing to the Trustee, and furnish to the Trustee reasonable proof that each such

 

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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 with respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities and 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 such applicants access to the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 13.02(a); or

(ii) inform such applicants as to the approximate number of Holders whose names and addresses appear in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 13.02(a), and as to the approximate cost of mailing to such Holders the form of proxy or other communication, if any, specified in such application.

If the Trustee shall elect not to afford such applicants access to such information, the Trustee shall, upon the written request of such applicants, mail to each Holder whose name and address appears in the information preserved at the time by the Trustee in accordance with Section 13.02(a) 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 SEC, 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 interest of the Holders or would be in violation of applicable law. Such written statement shall specify the basis of such opinion. If the SEC, 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 SEC shall find, after notice and opportunity for hearing, that all objections so sustained have been met and shall enter an order so declaring, the Trustee shall mail copies of such material to all such Holders 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) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the disclosure of any such information as to the names and addresses of the Holders in accordance with Section 13.02(b), 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 Section 13.02(b).

SECTION 13.03. Reports by the Trustee. (a) The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto. If required by Section 313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall, within 60 days after each May 15th following the date of this Indenture (commencing May 15, 2008) deliver to Holders a brief report, dated as of such May 15th, which complies with the provisions of such Section 313(a).

 

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(b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each securities exchange upon which Securities of any series are listed, with the SEC and with the Company. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any securities exchange and of any delisting thereof.

ARTICLE XIV

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 14.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the Trust Indenture Act, the provision required by the Trust Indenture Act shall control.

SECTION 14.02. Notices.

(a) Any notice or communication shall be in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

if to the Company: Southwest Energy Company, 2350 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 125, Houston, Texas 77032;

if to the Trustee: The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., 2 North LaSalle Street, Suite 1020, Chicago, Illinois 60602, Attention: Corporate Trust.

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

(b) Any notice or communication mailed to a registered Holder shall be mailed or delivered by an overnight delivery service to the Holder at the Holder’s address as it appears on the Security Register and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed or delivered within the time prescribed. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. In case by reason of suspension of regular mail service or by reason of any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such notification to Holders as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, shall constitute a sufficient notification to such Holders for every purpose hereunder.

(c) Any notices or communications given to the Trustee shall be effective only upon actual receipt by the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, and any notices or communications given to the Company shall be effective only upon actual receipt by the Company at the address shown in Section 14.02(a).

(d) Any notice or communication delivered to the Company under the provisions herein shall constitute notice to the Security Guarantors, if any.

(e) The Trustee shall have the right, but shall not be required, to rely upon and comply with instructions and directions sent by e-mail, facsimile and other similar unsecured electronic methods by Persons believed by the Trustee to be authorized to give instructions and directions on behalf of the Company; provided that no such reliance shall be permitted in cases of willful misconduct, bad faith or negligence. The Trustee shall have no duty or obligation to

 

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verify or confirm that the person who sent such instructions or directions is, in fact, a person authorized to give instructions or directions on behalf of the Company; and (absent negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct) the Trustee shall have no liability for any losses, liabilities, costs or expenses incurred or sustained by the Company as a result of such reliance upon or compliance with such notices, instructions, directions or other communications. The Company shall use all reasonable endeavors to ensure that any such notices, instructions, directions or other communications transmitted to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture are complete and correct. Any such notices, instructions, directions or other communications shall be conclusively deemed to be valid instructions from the Company to the Trustee for the purposes of this Indenture.

(f) 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. The Trustee may waive notice to it of any provision herein, and such waiver shall be deemed to be for its convenience and discretion. 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.

(g) Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, any Security Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

SECTION 14.03. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

  (a) an Officer’s Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

  (b) 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.

SECTION 14.04. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:

(1) a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

 

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(2) 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;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.

Any certificate, statement or opinion of an Officer of the Company 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 or information which is in the possession of the Company, upon the certificate, statement or opinion of or representations by an Officer or Officers of the Company 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 Company 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 Company unless such Officer or counsel 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.

SECTION 14.05. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by, or a meeting of, Holders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

SECTION 14.06. Legal Holidays. A “Legal Holiday” is a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which commercial banking institutions are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to be closed in New York City. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.

SECTION 14.07. Parties. Nothing expressed or mentioned herein is intended or shall be construed to give any Person, firm or corporation, other than the Holders of the Securities and the Trustee, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Indenture or any provision herein contained.

 

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SECTION 14.08. Governing Law, Etc.

(a) THIS INDENTURE (INCLUDING ANY SECURITY GUARANTEES) AND THE SECURITIES OF ANY SERIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO, AND EACH HOLDER OF A SECURITY BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE OR THE SECURITIES OF ANY SERIES OR ANY TRANSACTION RELATED HERETO OR THERETO TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

(b) Each of the Company and any Security Guarantor hereby:

(i) agrees that any suit, action or proceeding against it arising out of or relating to this Indenture (including any Security Guarantees) or the Securities of any series, as the case may be, may be instituted in any Federal or state court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York;

(ii) waives to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding, and any claim that any suit, action or proceeding in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum;

(iii) irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any suit, action or proceeding;

(iv) agrees that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court shall be conclusive and binding may be enforced in the courts of the jurisdiction of which it is subject by a suit upon judgment; and

(v) agrees that service of process by mail to the addresses specified herein shall constitute personal service of such process on it in any such suit, action or proceeding.

(c) Nothing in this Section 14.08 shall affect the right of the Trustee or any Holder of Securities to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.

SECTION 14.09. No Recourse Against Others. An incorporator, director, officer, employee, stockholder or controlling Person, as such, of the Company or any Security Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under any Security of any series, this Indenture or any Security Guarantee or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting of the Securities of such series, each Holder shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities of such series.

 

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SECTION 14.10. Successors. All agreements of the Company and any Security Guarantor in this Indenture and the Securities of any series shall bind its respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

SECTION 14.11. Duplicate and Counterpart Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or electronic format (i.e., “pdf” or “tif”) transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or electronic format (i.e., “pdf” or “tif”) shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

SECTION 14.12. Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities of any series shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 14.13. Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

SECTION 14.14. PATRIOT ACT Compliance. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT ACT the Trustee, like all financial institutions, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each Person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT ACT.

 

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SIGNATURES

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed, all as of                         .

 

SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY, as Company
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
EX-5.1 3 d433909dex51.htm OPINION OF CLEARY GOTTLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP <![CDATA[Opinion of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP]]>

Exhibit 5.1

[Letterhead of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP]

November 9, 2012

Southwestern Energy Company

2350 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 125

Houston, TX 77032

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Southwestern Energy Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) in connection with the Company’s preparation of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the offering, from time to time, of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”) and the offering, from time to time, of unsecured senior debt securities (the “Debt Securities”, and together with the Common Stock, the “Securities”). The Debt Securities may in certain circumstances be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by each of the guarantors listed in the Registration Statement (the “Guarantors” and, together with the Company, the “Registrants”). The Debt Securities will be issued under an indenture (the “Indenture”), among the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (the “Trustee”), which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. The Indenture may in certain circumstances provide for the issuance of guarantees of the Debt Securities by the Guarantors (the “Guarantees”).

The Securities being registered under the Registration Statement will have an indeterminate aggregate initial offering price and aggregate principal amount and will be offered on a continuous or delayed basis pursuant to the provisions of Rule 415 under the Securities Act.

In arriving at the opinions expressed below, we have reviewed the following documents:

(a) the Registration Statement and the documents incorporated by reference therein;

(b) a specimen of the Common Stock;

(c) a form of the Indenture, filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; and

(d) copies of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware and the corporate secretary of the Company, respectively.

In addition, we have reviewed the originals or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of all such corporate records of the Company and such other documents, and we have made such investigations of law, as we have deemed appropriate as a basis for the opinions expressed below.


Southwestern Energy Company, et al., p. 2

 

In rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies. In addition, we have assumed and have not verified the accuracy as to factual matters of each document we have reviewed.

Based on the foregoing, and subject to the further assumptions and qualifications set forth below, it is our opinion that:

1. With respect to the Debt Securities, when the specific terms of a series of Debt Securities of the Company have been specified in (i) an officer’s certificate of the Company, which has been executed and delivered to the trustee by an officer of the Company authorized to do so, and (ii) if applicable, in a supplemental indenture, such series of Debt Securities will have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action and, when executed and authenticated as specified in the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor pursuant to the terms described in the Registration Statement and as specified by an officer of the Company authorized to do so, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with the terms of such series and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

2. If and to the extent the specific terms of a series such of Debt Securities provide for a Guarantee by a Guarantor, when such Debt Securities and Guarantees have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action and, when such Debt Securities have been executed and authenticated as specified in the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor pursuant to the terms described in the Registration Statement, such Guarantees will constitute valid and binding obligations of any such Guarantor, enforceable in accordance with the terms of such series and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.

3. With respect to shares of Common Stock to be offered via the Registration Statement, when 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 Company’s Board of Directors or in accordance with resolutions thereof, upon payment of the consideration therefor (which may not be 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 thereof or the instrument governing such security providing for such conversion, exchange or exercise as approved by the Company’s Board of Directors or in accordance with resolutions thereof, for the consideration thereby approved (which may not be less than the par value of the Common Stock), the shares of Common stock will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

Insofar as the foregoing opinions relate to the validity, binding effect or enforceability of any agreement or obligation of the Registrants, (x) we have assumed that each of the Registrants and each other party to such agreement or obligation has satisfied or, prior to the issuance of the Securities, will satisfy, those legal requirements that are applicable to it to the extent necessary to make such agreement or obligation enforceable against it and (y) such opinions are subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general principles of equity.


Southwestern Energy Company, et al., p. 3

 

In rendering the opinions expressed above, we have further assumed that (i) when executed, the Indenture will conform to form thereof we have reviewed; (ii) the applicable Registrants will authorize the offering and issuance of the Securities and will duly authorize, approve and establish the final terms and conditions thereof, which terms will conform to the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement and, in the case of the Debt Securities, to the terms of the Indenture, and will not violate any applicable law, conflict with any matter of public policy, result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon the Company or violate any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company; (iii) the applicable Registrants will duly authorize, execute and deliver any agreement necessary with respect to the Securities or contemplated by the Securities or the Registration Statement and will take any other appropriate additional corporate action; (iv) the Securities will be offered, issued, sold and delivered in compliance with applicable law and any requirements therefor set forth in any corporate action authorizing such Securities and in the manner contemplated by the Registration Statement and the Indenture; (v) the Securities will be offered, sold and delivered to, and paid for by, the purchasers thereof at the price specified in, and in accordance with the terms of, an agreement or agreements duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto; and (vi) if issued in certificated form, certificates representing the Securities will be duly executed and delivered and, to the extent required by any applicable agreement, duly authenticated and countersigned, and if issued in book-entry form, the Securities will be duly registered to the extent required by any applicable agreement.

In rendering the opinions expressed in paragraph 1 above, we have assumed that each series of Debt Securities will be issued with an original aggregate principal amount (or in the case of Debt Securities issued at original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) of $2,500,000 or more.

The foregoing opinions are limited to the federal law of the United States of America, the law of the State of New York, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Limited Liability Company Act of the State of Delaware.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm in the Registration Statement and the related prospectus under the caption “Legal Matters.” In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are experts with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including this Exhibit, within the meaning of the term “expert” as used in the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission issued thereunder. The opinions expressed herein are rendered on and as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to advise you or any other person, or to make any investigations, as to any legal developments or factual matters arising subsequent to the date hereof that might affect the opinions expressed herein.

 

Very truly yours,
CLEARY GOTTLIEB STEEN & HAMILTON LLP
By  

/s/ William F. Gorin

  William F. Gorin, a Partner
EX-12.1 4 d433909dex121.htm STATEMENT OF COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Statement of computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges

Exhibit 12.1

SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

($ in 000’s)

 

     Quarter ended
September 30,
    Years ended December 31,  
     2012     2011     2010     2009     2008     2007  

Earnings:

            

Add:

            

Income (loss) before income taxes

   $ (230,570   $ 1,050,990      $ 995,492      $ (52,155   $ 919,532      $ 357,374   

Fixed charges

     33,197        97,609        84,740        77,766        79,785        48,802   

Amortization of capitalized interest

     9,204        12,083        10,336        7,636        5,401        4,176   

Deduct:

            

Interest capitalized

     (15,915     (45,652     (32,916     (40,209     (34,532     (13,792

Noncontrolling interest

     —          —          285        142        (587     (345
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings for computation

   $ (204,084   $ 1,115,030      $ 1,057,937      $ (6,820   $ 969,599      $ 396,215   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed charges:

            

Gross interest expense

   $ 25,463      $ 65,421      $ 57,144      $ 55,581      $ 61,152      $ 36,191   

Amortization of debt issuance/discount

     982        3,455        1,610        1,633        1,691        832   

Portion of rents representative of interest

     6,752        28,733        25,986        20,552        16,942        11,778   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total fixed charges

   $ 33,197      $ 97,609      $ 84,740      $ 77,766      $ 79,785      $ 48,801   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     —   1      11.42        12.48        —   1      12.15        8.12   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings insufficient to cover fixed charges

   $ (237,281     N/A        N/A      $ (84,586     N/A        N/A   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 

During the quarter-ended September 30, 2012 and year-ended December 31, 2009, the Company recorded a non-cash full cost ceiling impairment of $441.5 and $907.8 million, respectively. Excluding the impairment, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges would be 7.15 and 11.59 for the quarter-ended September 30, 2012 and year-ended December 31, 2009, respectively.

EX-23.1 5 d433909dex231.htm CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 27, 2012 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Southwestern Energy Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Houston, Texas

November 9, 2012

EX-23.3 6 d433909dex233.htm CONSENT OF NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC. <![CDATA[Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc.]]>

Exhibit 23.3

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PETROLEUM ENGINEERS AND GEOLOGISTS

As independent petroleum engineers, we hereby consent to (a) the use of our audit letter report dated January 30, 2012 relating to the proved reserves of gas and oil, as of December 31, 2011, for the Southwestern Energy Company, and (b) the use of our name and the references to us as experts in Southwestern Energy Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on November 9, 2012.

 

NETHERLAND, SEWELL & ASSOCIATES, INC.
By:  

/s/ Danny D. Simmons

  Danny D. Simmons, P.E.
  President and Chief Operating Officer

Houston, Texas

November 9, 2012

EX-25.1 7 d433909dex251.htm STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY OF TRUSTEE ON FORM T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1

Exhibit 25.1

 

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A

CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

¨ CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)

 

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

N/A   95-3571558

(Jurisdiction of incorporation

if not a U.S. national bank)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

400 South Hope Street, Suite 400

Los Angeles, California

  90017
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Legal Department

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.

One Wall Street, 15th Floor

New York, NY 10286

(212) 635-1270

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

SOUTHWESTERN ENERGY COMPANY

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   71-0205415

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

2350 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 125

Houston, Texas

  77032
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

 

 

Debt Securities

and related guarantees

(Title of the indenture securities)

 

 

 


Item 1. General information.

Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

  (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

 

Name

  

Address

Comptroller of the Currency –

United States Department of the Treasury

   Washington, D.C. 20219
Federal Reserve Bank    San Francisco, California 94105
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation    Washington, D.C. 20429

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Yes.

 

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor.

If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None.

 

Item 16. List of Exhibits.

Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as an exhibit hereto, pursuant to Rule 7a-29 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Act”) and 17 C.F.R. 229.10(d).

 

  1. A copy of the articles of association of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (Exhibit 1 to Form T-1 filed on September 8, 2008 in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-135006)

 

  2. A copy of certificate of authority of the trustee to commence business. (Exhibit 2 to Form T-1 filed January 11, 2005 in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-121948).

 

  3. A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate trust powers. (Exhibit 3 to Form T-1 filed on September 8, 2008 in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-135006).

 

  4. A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee. (Exhibit 4 to Form T-1 filed on September 8, 2008 in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-135006).

 

  6. The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act. (Exhibit 6 to Form T-1 filed on September 8, 2008 in connection with Registration Statement No. 333-135006).

 

  7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the Trustee published pursuant to law or to the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

  8. Not applicable.

 

  9. Not applicable.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, the trustee, The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., a banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago, and State of Illinois, on the 9th day of November, 2012.

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON

TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

By:   /s/ Richard Tarnas
Name:   Richard Tarnas
Title:   Vice President


EXHIBIT 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

of 400 South Hope Street, Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90071

At the close of business September 30, 2012, published in accordance with Federal regulatory authority instructions.

 

                 Dollar
Amounts in
Thousands
 

ASSETS

        

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

        

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

           752   

Interest-bearing balances

           384   

Securities:

        

Held-to-maturity securities

           0   

Available-for-sale securities

           664,282   

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

        

Federal funds sold

           66,500   

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

           0   

Loans and lease financing receivables:

        

Loans and leases held for sale

           0   

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

     0         

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

     0         

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

           0   

Trading assets

           0   

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

           6,314   

Other real estate owned

           0   

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

           0   

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

           0   

Not applicable

        

Intangible assets:

        

Goodwill

           856,313   

Other Intangible Assets

           166,282   

Other assets

           127,866   
        

 

 

 

Total assets

         $ 1,888,693   
        

 

 

 


                 Dollar
Amounts in
Thousands
 

LIABILITIES

        

Deposits:

        

In domestic offices

           535   

Noninterest-bearing

        535      

Interest-bearing

        0      

Not applicable

        

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

        

Federal funds purchased

           0   

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

           0   

Trading liabilities

           0   

Other borrowed money:

        

(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

           0   

Not applicable

        

Not applicable

        

Subordinated notes and debentures

           0   

Other liabilities

           230,606   

Total liabilities

           231,141   

Not applicable

        

EQUITY CAPITAL

        

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

           0   

Common stock

           1,000   

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

           1,121,520   

Retained earnings

           530,026   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

           5,006   

Other equity capital components

           0   

Total bank equity capital

           1,657,552   

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

           0   

Total equity capital

           1,657,552   
        

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity capital (sum of items 21 and 28)

           1,888,693   
        

 

 

 

I, Karen Bayz, Vice President of the above-named bank do hereby declare that the Reports of Condition and Income (including the supporting schedules) for this report date have been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

Karen Bayz   )    Vice President

We, the undersigned directors (trustees), attest to the correctness of the Report of Condition (including the supporting schedules) for this report date and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

Troy L. Kilpatrick, President   )   
Frank P. Sulzberger, MD   )    Directors (Trustees)
William D. Lindelof, VP   )   
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