0001047469-15-004695.txt : 20150513 0001047469-15-004695.hdr.sgml : 20150513 20150513082840 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001047469-15-004695 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3ASR PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 15 FILED AS OF DATE: 20150513 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20150513 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20150513 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CONOCOPHILLIPS CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001163165 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PETROLEUM REFINING [2911] IRS NUMBER: 010562944 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-204107 FILM NUMBER: 15856509 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: CONOCOPHILLIPS STREET 2: 600 NORTH DAIRY ASHFORD ROAD CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77079 BUSINESS PHONE: 2812931000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: CONOCOPHILLIPS STREET 2: 600 NORTH DAIRY ASHFORD ROAD CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77079 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: CORVETTEPORSCHE CORP DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20011204 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CONOCOPHILLIPS CO CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000078214 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PETROLEUM REFINING [2911] IRS NUMBER: 730400345 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-204107-01 FILM NUMBER: 15856510 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: PHILLIPS BUILDING STREET 2: 800 PLAZA OFFICE BUILDING CITY: BARTLESVILLE STATE: OK ZIP: 74004 BUSINESS PHONE: 9186616600 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: PHILLIPS PETROLEUM CO DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 S-3ASR 1 a2224669zs-3asr.htm S-3ASR

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 13, 2015

Registration Nos. 333-            

333-      -01


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT



UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933



ConocoPhillips
ConocoPhillips Company

(Exact name of each registrant
as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  01-0562944
73-0400345

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
600 North Dairy Ashford
Houston, Texas 77079
(281) 293-1000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of each registrant's
principal executive offices)
  Janet Langford Kelly
Senior Vice President, Legal,
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
ConocoPhillips
600 North Dairy Ashford
Houston, Texas 77079
(281) 293-1000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone
number, including area code, of agent for service)



Copy to:
William S. Anderson
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
711 Louisiana, Suite 2300
Houston, Texas 77002-2770
(713) 221-1122



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 to be offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. o

             If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ý

             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. o

             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. o

             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. ý

             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. o

             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 ý   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o



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(1)(2)

 

Senior Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities of ConocoPhillips

   
 

Senior Debt Securities of ConocoPhillips Company

   
 

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of ConocoPhillips

   
 

Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of ConocoPhillips

   
 

Warrants of ConocoPhillips

   
 

Depositary Shares of ConocoPhillips

   
 

Stock Purchase Contracts of ConocoPhillips

   
 

Stock Purchase Units of ConocoPhillips

   
 

Prepaid Stock Purchase Contracts of ConocoPhillips

   
 

Guarantees of the Senior Debt Securities of ConocoPhillips
by ConocoPhillips Company(3)

   
 

Guarantees of the Senior Debt Securities of ConocoPhillips Company by
ConocoPhillips(3)

   

 

(1)
There is being registered hereunder such indeterminate number or amount of senior and subordinated debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, warrants, depositary shares, stock purchase contracts, stock purchase units and prepaid stock purchase contracts of ConocoPhillips and senior debt securities of ConocoPhillips Company as may from time to time be issued at indeterminate prices and as may be issuable upon conversion, redemption, exchange, exercise or settlement of any securities registered hereunder, including under any applicable antidilution provisions.

(2)
In reliance on Rule 456(b) and Rule 457(r) under the Securities Act, ConocoPhillips hereby defers payment of the registration fee required in connection with this Registration Statement.

(3)
ConocoPhillips also is registering under this Registration Statement all guarantees and other obligations that it may have with respect to the senior debt securities that may be issued by ConocoPhillips Company. ConocoPhillips Company is registering under this Registration Statement all guarantees and other obligations that it may have with respect to the senior debt securities that may be issued by ConocoPhillips. No separate consideration will be received for such guarantees or any other such obligations. Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no registration fee is required with respect to such guarantees or obligations.

   


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PROSPECTUS

LOGO

 
   
   
ConocoPhillips   ConocoPhillips   ConocoPhillips
Company

Subordinated Debt
Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Warrants
Depositary Shares
Stock Purchase Contracts
or Units
Prepaid Stock Purchase
Contracts

 

Senior Debt Securities
guaranteed as
described in
this prospectus by
ConocoPhillips
Company

 

Senior Debt Securities
guaranteed as
described in
this prospectus by
ConocoPhillips



We will provide the specific terms of the securities in supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any supplement carefully before you invest. ConocoPhillips common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "COP."



        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined whether this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

   

The date of this prospectus is May 13, 2015


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a joint registration statement that we have filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") using a "shelf" registration process. Using this process, we may offer any combination of 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 use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement and, if applicable, a pricing supplement that will describe the specific terms of the offering. The prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement may also add to, update or change the information contained in this prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus, the prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement, in addition to the information contained in the documents we refer to under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."


ABOUT CONOCOPHILLIPS

        ConocoPhillips is the world's largest independent exploration and production company, based on production and proved reserves. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, ConocoPhillips had operations and activities in 27 countries as of March 31, 2015. ConocoPhillips' principal executive office is located at 600 North Dairy Ashford, Houston, Texas 77079, telephone (281) 293-1000.


ABOUT CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY

        ConocoPhillips Company is a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips. Its principal executive offices are located at 600 North Dairy Ashford, Houston, Texas 77079, telephone (281) 293-1000. In this prospectus, we refer to ConocoPhillips Company as "CPCo."

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

        ConocoPhillips files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read and copy these materials at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You can obtain information about the operation of the SEC's public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains information ConocoPhillips has filed electronically with the SEC, which you can access over the Internet at www.sec.gov. You can also obtain information about ConocoPhillips at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. CPCo does not file separate reports, proxy statements or other information with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").

        This prospectus is part of a joint registration statement we have filed with the SEC relating to the securities we may offer. 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 and schedules we file with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement, exhibits and schedules for more information about us and the securities. The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are available at the SEC's public reference room or through its Internet site.

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information ConocoPhillips has filed with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information we incorporate by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and later information that ConocoPhillips files with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings ConocoPhillips makes with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any such Current Report on Form 8-K that is not deemed filed under the Exchange Act) until the termination of this offering. The documents we incorporate by reference are:

    ConocoPhillips' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, as filed with the SEC on February 24, 2015;

    ConocoPhillips' proxy statement for the 2015 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on March 27, 2015;

    ConocoPhillips' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2015, as filed with the SEC on May 5, 2015;

    ConocoPhillips' Current Report on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on January 16, 2015; and

    the description of ConocoPhillips common stock contained in ConocoPhillips' Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on August 30, 2002, as that description may be updated from time to time.

        We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, a copy of any document incorporated by reference into this prospectus, other than exhibits to any such document not specifically described above by oral request or by written request at the following address:

ConocoPhillips
Shareholder Relations Department
P. O. Box 2197
Houston, Texas 77079-2197
Telephone: (281) 293-6800

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        You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement. We have not authorized any person, including any salesman or broker, to provide information other than that provided in this prospectus, the prospectus supplement or any pricing supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of the securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should assume that the information in this prospectus, the prospectus supplement and any pricing supplement is accurate only as of the date on its cover page and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference.

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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

        This prospectus, including the information we incorporate by reference, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You can identify our forward-looking statements by the words "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "budget," "continue," "could," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "seek," "should," "will," "would," "expect," "objective," "projection," "forecast," "goal," "guidance," "outlook," "effort," "target" and similar expressions.

        We based the forward-looking statements on ConocoPhillips' current expectations, estimates and projections about ConocoPhillips and the industries in which it operates in general. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance as they involve assumptions that, while made in good faith, may prove to be incorrect, and involve risks and uncertainties we cannot predict. In addition, we based many of these forward-looking statements on assumptions about future events that may prove to be inaccurate. Accordingly, ConocoPhillips' actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what we have expressed or forecast in the forward-looking statements. Any differences could result from a variety of factors, including the following:

    fluctuations in crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, liquefied natural gas ("LNG") and natural gas liquids prices;

    potential failures or delays in achieving expected reserve or production levels from existing and future oil and gas developments due to operating hazards, drilling risks and the inherent uncertainties in predicting reserves and reservoir performance;

    unsuccessful exploratory drilling activities or the inability to obtain access to exploratory acreage;

    unexpected changes in costs or technical requirements for constructing, modifying or operating exploration and production facilities;

    legislative and regulatory initiatives further regulating hydraulic fracturing, methane emissions, flaring or water disposal;

    lack of, or disruptions in, adequate and reliable transportation for our crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, LNG and natural gas liquids;

    inability to timely obtain or maintain permits, including those necessary for drilling and/or development, construction of LNG terminals or regasification facilities; comply with government regulations; or make capital expenditures required to maintain compliance;

    failure to complete definitive agreements and feasibility studies for, and to timely complete construction of, announced and future exploration and production and LNG development;

    potential disruption or interruption of our operations due to accidents, extraordinary weather events, civil unrest, political events, terrorism, cyber attacks or infrastructure constraints or disruptions;

    international monetary conditions and exchange controls;

    substantial investment or reduced demand for products as a result of existing or future environmental rules and regulations, use of competing energy sources or the development of alternative energy sources;

    liability for remedial actions, including removal and reclamation obligations, under environmental regulations;

    liability resulting from litigation;

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    general domestic and international economic and political developments, including armed hostilities; expropriation of assets; changes in governmental policies relating to crude oil, bitumen, natural gas, LNG and natural gas liquids pricing, regulation, or taxation; other political, economic or diplomatic developments; and international monetary fluctuations;

    volatility in the commodity futures markets;

    changes in tax and other laws, regulations (including alternative energy mandates), or royalty rules applicable to our business;

    competition in the oil and gas exploration and production industry;

    limited access to capital or significantly higher cost of capital related to illiquidity or uncertainty in the domestic or international financial markets;

    delays in, or our inability to, execute asset dispositions;

    inability to obtain economical financing for development, construction or modification of facilities and general corporate purposes;

    the operation and financing of our joint ventures; and

    the factors generally described in Item 1A—Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities will be used for general corporate purposes, including repayment or refinancing of debt, acquisitions, working capital, capital expenditures and repurchases and redemptions of securities. Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of other short-term indebtedness.


RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO COMBINED
FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

        The following table presents the historical ratio of earnings to fixed charges of ConocoPhillips for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2014. ConocoPhillips had no preferred stock outstanding for any period presented, and accordingly its ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends is the same as its ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

 
  Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2015
  Year Ended December 31,  
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges:
  2014   2013   2012   2011   2010  

ConocoPhillips

    (1)   8.2x     10.6x     11.1x     10.8x     11.1x  

(1)
Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $344 million in the three months ended March 31, 2015.

        For purposes of this table, "earnings" consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests that have not incurred fixed charges, plus fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest but including amortization of amounts previously capitalized), plus distributions greater (or minus distributions less) than equity in earnings of equity method investees of ConocoPhillips. "Fixed charges" consist of interest (including capitalized interest) on all debt, amortization of debt discounts and expenses incurred on issuance, interest expenses relating to guaranteed debt of fifty-percent-or-less-owned companies and that portion of rental expense believed to represent interest.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE DEBT SECURITIES

        The debt securities of ConocoPhillips covered by this prospectus will be general unsecured obligations of ConocoPhillips. ConocoPhillips will issue senior debt securities fully and unconditionally guaranteed by CPCo on a senior unsecured basis under an indenture among ConocoPhillips, as issuer, CPCo, as guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. We refer to this indenture as the ConocoPhillips senior indenture. ConocoPhillips will issue subordinated debt securities under an indenture between ConocoPhillips and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. We refer to this indenture as the subordinated indenture.

        The debt securities of CPCo covered by this prospectus will be general unsecured obligations of CPCo. CPCo will issue senior debt securities fully and unconditionally guaranteed by ConocoPhillips on a senior unsecured basis under an indenture among CPCo, as issuer, ConocoPhillips, as guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. We refer to this indenture as the CPCo senior indenture. We refer to the ConocoPhillips senior indenture and the CPCo senior indenture as the senior indentures and to the debt securities issued thereunder as the senior debt securities. We refer to the senior indentures and the subordinated indenture collectively as the indentures.

        The ConocoPhillips senior indenture and the CPCo senior indenture will be substantially identical, except for the identity of the issuer and guarantor. The ConocoPhillips senior indenture and the subordinated indenture will be substantially identical, except for provisions relating to subordination and covenants.

        We have summarized material provisions of the indentures, the debt securities and the guarantees below, including the defined terms under "—Glossary." This summary is not complete. We have filed the forms of senior indentures and the form of subordinated indenture with the SEC as exhibits to the registration statement, and you should read the indentures for provisions that may be important to you.

        In this summary description of the debt securities, unless we state otherwise or the context clearly indicates otherwise, all references to ConocoPhillips mean ConocoPhillips only and all references to CPCo mean ConocoPhillips Company only.

Provisions Applicable to Each Indenture

        General.    Neither the ConocoPhillips senior indenture nor the subordinated indenture limits the amount of debt securities that may be issued under the applicable indenture, and neither limits the amount of other unsecured debt or securities that ConocoPhillips may issue. ConocoPhillips may issue debt securities under the ConocoPhillips senior indenture and the subordinated indenture from time to time in one or more series, each in an amount authorized prior to issuance. As of May 12, 2015, no securities are outstanding under either the ConocoPhillips senior indenture or the subordinated indenture.

        The CPCo senior indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued under that indenture and does not limit the amount of other unsecured debt or securities that CPCo may issue. CPCo may issue debt securities under the CPCo senior indenture from time to time in one or more series, each in an amount authorized prior to issuance. As of May 12, 2015, no securities are outstanding under the CPCo senior indenture.

        Each of ConocoPhillips and CPCo conducts substantially all its operations through subsidiaries, and those subsidiaries generate substantially all of ConocoPhillips' and CPCo's operating income and cash flow. As a result, distributions or advances from those subsidiaries are the principal source of funds necessary to meet the debt service obligations of ConocoPhillips and CPCo. Contractual provisions or laws, as well as the subsidiaries' financial condition and operating requirements, may limit the ability of ConocoPhillips or CPCo to obtain cash from its subsidiaries that it requires to pay its debt service obligations, including any payments required to be made under the debt securities. In

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addition, holders of the debt securities will have a junior position to the claims of creditors of the subsidiaries of ConocoPhillips or CPCo, as applicable, on their assets and earnings.

        Other than the restrictions contained in the senior indentures on liens and sale/leaseback transactions described below under "—Provisions Applicable Solely to Senior Debt Securities—Restrictive Covenants," none of the indentures contains any covenants or other provisions designed to protect holders of the debt securities if ConocoPhillips or CPCo participates in a highly leveraged transaction or upon a change of control. The indentures also do not contain provisions that give holders the right to require ConocoPhillips or CPCo to repurchase their securities in the event of a decline in ConocoPhillips' or CPCo's credit ratings for any reason, including as a result of a takeover, recapitalization or similar restructuring or otherwise.

        Terms.    The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities being offered will include specific terms relating to the offering. These terms will include some or all of the following:

    whether ConocoPhillips or CPCo will issue the debt securities;

    whether the debt securities will be senior or subordinated debt securities;

    the price at which ConocoPhillips or CPCo will issue the debt securities;

    the title of the debt securities;

    the total principal amount of the debt securities;

    whether the debt securities will be issued in individual certificates to each holder or in the form of temporary or permanent global securities held by a depositary on behalf of holders;

    the date or dates on which the principal of and any premium on the debt securities will be payable;

    any interest rate, the date from which interest will accrue, interest payment dates and record dates for interest payments;

    any right to extend or defer the interest payment periods and the duration of the extension;

    whether and under what circumstances any additional amounts with respect to the debt securities will be payable;

    the place or places where payments on the debt securities will be payable;

    any provisions for optional redemption or early repayment;

    any provisions that would require the redemption, purchase or repayment of debt securities;

    the denominations in which the debt securities will be issued;

    whether payments on the debt securities will be payable in foreign currency or currency units or another form and whether payments will be payable by reference to any index or formula;

    the portion of the principal amount of debt securities that will be payable if the maturity is accelerated, if other than the entire principal amount;

    any additional means of defeasance of the debt securities, any additional conditions or limitations to defeasance of the debt securities or any changes to those conditions or limitations;

    any changes or additions to the events of default or covenants described in this prospectus;

    any restrictions or other provisions relating to the transfer or exchange of debt securities;

    any terms for the conversion or exchange of the debt securities for other securities of ConocoPhillips, CPCo or any other entity;

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    with respect to the subordinated indenture, any changes to the subordination provisions for the subordinated debt securities; and

    any other terms of the debt securities not inconsistent with the applicable indenture.

        ConocoPhillips and CPCo may sell the debt securities at a discount, which may be substantially below their stated principal amount. These debt securities may bear no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates. If ConocoPhillips or CPCo sells these debt securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe any material United States federal income tax consequences and other special considerations.

        If ConocoPhillips or CPCo sells any of the debt securities for any foreign currency or currency unit or if payments on the debt securities are payable in any foreign currency or currency unit, the applicable prospectus supplement will describe the restrictions, elections, tax consequences, specific terms and other information relating to those debt securities and the foreign currency or currency unit.

        Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets.    The indentures generally permit a consolidation or merger involving ConocoPhillips or, with respect to the senior indentures, CPCo. They also permit ConocoPhillips or CPCo, as applicable, to lease, transfer or dispose of all or substantially all of its assets. Each of ConocoPhillips and, with respect to the senior indentures, CPCo has agreed, however, that it will not consolidate with or merge into any entity (other than, with respect to the senior indentures, ConocoPhillips or CPCo, as applicable) or lease, transfer or dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any entity (other than, with respect to the senior indentures, ConocoPhillips or CPCo, as applicable) unless:

    it is the continuing person; or

    if it is not the continuing person, the resulting entity or transferee is organized and existing under the laws of any United States jurisdiction and assumes the performance of its covenants and obligations under the indentures and the due and punctual payments on the debt securities or the performance of the related guarantees, as applicable; and

    in either case, immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default would occur and be continuing or would result from the transaction.

        Upon any such consolidation, merger or asset lease, transfer or disposition involving ConocoPhillips or, with respect to the senior indentures, CPCo, the resulting entity or transferee will be substituted for ConocoPhillips or CPCo, as applicable, under the applicable indenture and debt securities. In the case of an asset transfer or disposition other than a lease, ConocoPhillips or CPCo, as applicable, will be released from the applicable indenture.

        Modification and Waiver.    Each indenture may be amended or supplemented if the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of all series issued under that indenture that are affected by the amendment or supplement (acting as one class) consent to it. Without the consent of the holder of each debt security affected, however, no modification may:

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

    reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on the debt security;

    reduce the principal of, any premium on or any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to, or change the stated maturity of, any debt security or reduce the amount of the principal of an original issue discount security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the maturity thereof;

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    reduce any premium payable on the redemption of the debt security or change the time at which the debt security may or must be redeemed;

    change any obligation to pay additional amounts on the debt security;

    make payments on the debt security payable in currency other than as originally stated in the debt security;

    impair the holder's right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to the debt security;

    make any change in the percentage of principal amount of debt securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to make any change in the provision related to modification;

    with respect to the subordinated indenture, modify the provisions relating to the subordination of any subordinated debt security in a manner adverse to the holder of that security; or

    waive a continuing default or event of default regarding any payment on the debt securities.

        Each indenture may be amended or supplemented or any provision of that indenture may be waived without the consent of any holders of debt securities issued under that indenture in certain circumstances, including:

    to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

    to provide for the assumption of the obligations under the indenture of ConocoPhillips or, with respect to the senior indentures, CPCo by a successor upon any merger, consolidation or asset transfer permitted under the indenture;

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

    to provide any security for, any guarantees of or any additional obligors on any series of debt securities or, with respect to the ConocoPhillips senior indenture, the related guarantees;

    to comply with any requirement to effect or maintain the qualification of that indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939;

    to add covenants that would benefit the holders of any debt securities or to surrender any rights ConocoPhillips or, with respect to the senior indentures, CPCo has under the indenture;

    to add events of default with respect to any debt securities;

    to make any change that does not adversely affect any outstanding debt securities of any series issued under that indenture in any material respect;

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

    to supplement any of the provisions of an indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of debt securities; provided, however, that any such action shall not adversely affect the interest of the holders of debt securities of such series or any other series of debt securities in any material respect; and

    to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee with respect to the debt securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of an indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts thereunder by more than one trustee.

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        The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series (or, in some cases, of all debt securities issued under the applicable indenture, voting as one class) may waive any existing or past default or event of default with respect to those debt securities. Those holders may not, however, waive any default or event of default in any payment on any debt security or compliance with a provision that cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each holder affected.

        Defeasance.    When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of the obligations of ConocoPhillips or CPCo, as applicable, under the indentures. If any combination of funds or government securities are deposited with the trustee under an indenture sufficient to make payments on the debt securities of a series issued under that indenture on the dates those payments are due and payable, then, at the option of ConocoPhillips, or with respect to the CPCo senior indenture, CPCo, either of the following will occur:

    ConocoPhillips and, with respect to the senior indentures, CPCo will be discharged from its or their obligations with respect to the debt securities of that series and, if applicable, the related guarantees ("legal defeasance"); or

    ConocoPhillips and, with respect to the senior indentures, CPCo will no longer have any obligation to comply with the restrictive covenants, the merger covenant and other specified covenants under the applicable indenture, and the related events of default will no longer apply ("covenant defeasance").

        If a series of debt securities is defeased, the holders of the debt securities of the series affected will not be entitled to the benefits of the applicable indenture, except for obligations to register the transfer or exchange of debt securities, replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities or maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust. In the case of covenant defeasance, the obligation of ConocoPhillips or, with respect to the CPCo senior indenture, CPCo to pay principal, premium and interest on the debt securities and, if applicable, CPCo's or ConocoPhillips' guarantees of the payments will also survive.

        Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the debt securities to recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect.

        Governing Law.    New York law will govern the indentures and the debt securities.

        Trustee.    Wells Fargo Bank, National Association will be the trustee under the senior indentures and will be the trustee under the subordinated indenture. Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and its affiliates perform certain commercial banking services for us for which they receive customary fees and are lenders under various outstanding credit facilities of subsidiaries of ConocoPhillips.

        If an event of default occurs under an indenture and is continuing, the trustee under that indenture will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of that person's own affairs. The trustee will become obligated to exercise any of its powers under that indenture at the request of any of the holders of any debt securities issued under that indenture only after those holders have offered the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it.

        Each indenture contains limitations on the right of the trustee, if it becomes a creditor of ConocoPhillips or, if applicable, CPCo, to obtain payment of claims or to realize on certain property received for any such claim, as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in other transactions with ConocoPhillips and, if applicable, CPCo. If, however, it acquires any conflicting interest, it must eliminate that conflict or resign within 90 days after ascertaining that it has a

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conflicting interest and after the occurrence of a default under the applicable indenture, unless the default has been cured, waived or otherwise eliminated within the 90-day period.

        Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer.    The debt securities will be issued in registered form, without interest coupons. There will be no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange of the debt securities. However, payment of any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable for that registration may be required.

        Debt securities of any series will be exchangeable for other debt securities of the same series, the same total principal amount and the same terms but in different authorized denominations in accordance with the applicable indenture. Holders may present debt securities for registration of transfer at the office of the security registrar or any transfer agent ConocoPhillips or, if applicable, CPCo designates. The security registrar or transfer agent will effect the transfer or exchange if its requirements and the requirements of the applicable indenture are met.

        The trustee will be appointed as security registrar for the debt securities. If a prospectus supplement refers to any transfer agents ConocoPhillips or, if applicable, CPCo initially designates, ConocoPhillips or, if applicable, CPCo may at any time rescind that designation or approve a change in the location through which any transfer agent acts. ConocoPhillips and CPCo are required to maintain an office or agency for transfers and exchanges in each place of payment. ConocoPhillips and CPCo may at any time designate additional transfer agents for any series of debt securities.

        In the case of any redemption, ConocoPhillips or, if applicable, CPCo will not be required to register the transfer or exchange of:

    any debt security during a period beginning 15 business days prior to the mailing of the relevant notice of redemption or repurchase and ending on the close of business on the day of mailing of such notice; or

    any debt security that has been called for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt security being redeemed in part.

        Payment and Paying Agents.    Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, payments on the debt securities will be made in U.S. dollars at the office of the trustee and any paying agent. At the option of ConocoPhillips, or with respect to the CPCo senior debt securities, CPCo, however, payments may be made by wire transfer for global debt securities or by check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the payment as it appears in the security register. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, interest payments may be made to the person in whose name the debt security is registered at the close of business on the record date for the interest payment.

        Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, the trustee under the applicable indenture will be designated as the paying agent for payments on debt securities issued under that indenture.

        ConocoPhillips or CPCo, as applicable, may at any time designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agent or approve a change in the office through which any paying agent acts.

        If the principal of or any premium or interest on debt securities of a series is payable on a day that is not a business day, the payment will be made on the following business day. For these purposes, unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, a "business day" is any day that is not a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in any of New York, New York; Houston, Texas or a place of payment on the debt securities of that series is authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

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        Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the trustee and paying agent will pay to us upon written request any money held by them for payments on the debt securities that remains unclaimed for two years after the date upon which that payment has become due. After payment to us, holders entitled to the money must look to us for payment. In that case, all liability of the trustee or paying agent with respect to that money will cease.

        Book-Entry Debt Securities.    The debt securities of a series may be issued in the form of one or more global debt securities that would be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the prospectus supplement. Global debt securities may be issued in either temporary or permanent form. We will describe in the prospectus supplement the terms of any depositary arrangement and the rights and limitations of owners of beneficial interests in any global debt security.

Provisions Applicable Solely to Senior Debt Securities

        Ranking.    The ConocoPhillips senior debt securities will constitute senior debt of ConocoPhillips and will rank equally with all of its unsecured and unsubordinated debt from time to time outstanding. The CPCo senior debt securities will constitute senior debt of CPCo and will rank equally with all of its unsecured and unsubordinated debt from time to time outstanding.

        Guarantee.    Pursuant to the ConocoPhillips senior indenture, CPCo will fully and unconditionally guarantee on a senior unsecured basis the full and prompt payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the senior debt securities issued by ConocoPhillips when and as the payment becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or otherwise. The guarantees provide that in the event of a default in the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on a ConocoPhillips senior debt security, the holder of that debt security may institute legal proceedings directly against CPCo to enforce the guarantees without first proceeding against ConocoPhillips. The guarantees will rank equally with all of CPCo's other unsecured and unsubordinated debt from time to time outstanding.

        Pursuant to the CPCo senior indenture, ConocoPhillips will fully and unconditionally guarantee on a senior unsecured basis the full and prompt payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the senior debt securities issued by CPCo when and as the payment becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or otherwise. The guarantees provide that in the event of a default in the payment of principal of or any premium or interest on a CPCo senior debt security, the holder of that debt security may institute legal proceedings directly against ConocoPhillips to enforce the guarantees without first proceeding against CPCo. The guarantees will rank equally with all of ConocoPhillips' other unsecured and unsubordinated debt from time to time outstanding.

        Restrictive Covenants.    ConocoPhillips has agreed to two principal restrictions on its activities for the benefit of holders of the ConocoPhillips senior debt securities and CPCo senior debt securities. The restrictive covenants summarized below will apply to a series of senior debt securities of ConocoPhillips or CPCo (unless waived or amended) as long as any of those debt securities are outstanding, unless the prospectus supplement for the series states otherwise. We have used in this summary description capitalized terms that we have defined below under "—Glossary."

Limitation on Liens

        ConocoPhillips has agreed that it and its Principal Domestic Subsidiaries will issue, assume or guarantee Debt for borrowed money secured by a lien upon a Principal Property or shares of stock or Debt of any Principal Domestic Subsidiary only if the outstanding senior debt securities are secured equally and ratably with or prior to the Debt secured by that lien. If the senior debt securities are so secured, ConocoPhillips has the option to secure any of its and its Subsidiaries' other Debt or

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obligations equally and ratably with or prior to the Debt secured by the lien and, accordingly, equally and ratably with the senior debt securities. This covenant has exceptions that permit:

            (a)   with respect to the ConocoPhillips senior indenture, liens existing on the date ConocoPhillips first issues a series of senior debt securities under such indenture and, with respect to the CPCo senior indenture, liens existing on the date CPCo first issues a series of senior debt securities under such indenture;

            (b)   liens on the property, assets, stock, equity or Debt of any entity existing at the time ConocoPhillips or a Subsidiary acquires that entity or its property or at the time the entity becomes a Subsidiary or a Principal Domestic Subsidiary or at the time such entity is merged into or consolidated with ConocoPhillips or a Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of an entity as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to ConocoPhillips or a Subsidiary;

            (c)   liens on assets either:

      existing at the time of acquisition of the assets,

      securing all of part of the cost of acquiring, constructing, improving, developing or expanding the assets, or

      securing Debt incurred to finance all or part of the purchase price of the assets or the cost of constructing, improving, developing or expanding the assets that was incurred before, at the time of or within two years after the later of the acquisition, the completion of construction, improvement, development or expansion or the commencement of commercial operation of the assets;

            (d)   liens on specific assets to secure Debt incurred to provide funds for the cost of exploration, drilling or development of those assets;

            (e)   intercompany liens;

            (f)    liens securing industrial development, pollution control or other revenue bonds of a domestic government entity;

            (g)   liens on personal property, other than shares of stock or debt of any Principal Domestic Subsidiary, securing loans maturing in less than one year;

            (h)   liens on a Principal Property arising in connection with the sale of accounts receivable resulting from the sale of oil or gas at the wellhead;

            (i)    statutory or other liens arising in the ordinary course of business and relating to amounts that are not yet delinquent or are being contested in good faith; and

            (j)    any extensions, substitutions, replacements or renewals of the above-described liens or any Debt secured by these liens if both:

      the new lien is limited to the property (plus any improvements) secured by the original lien, and

      the amount of Debt secured by the new lien and not otherwise permitted does not materially exceed the amount of Debt refinanced plus any premium or fee payable in connection with any such extension, substitution, replacement or renewal.

        In addition, without securing the senior debt securities as described above, ConocoPhillips and its Principal Domestic Subsidiaries may issue, assume or guarantee Debt that this covenant would otherwise restrict in a total principal amount that, when added to all other outstanding Debt of ConocoPhillips and its Principal Domestic Subsidiaries that this covenant would otherwise restrict and

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the total amount of Attributable Debt outstanding for Sale/Leaseback Transactions, does not exceed a "basket" equal to 10% of Consolidated Adjusted Net Assets. When calculating this total principal amount, we exclude from the calculation Attributable Debt from Sale/Leaseback Transactions in connection with which ConocoPhillips or a Subsidiary has purchased property or retired or defeased Debt as described in clause (b) below under "Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions."

        The following types of transactions do not create "Debt" secured by "liens" within the meaning of this covenant:

            (a)   the sale or other transfer of either:

      oil, gas or other minerals in place for a period of time until, or in an amount such that, the purchaser will realize from those minerals a specified amount of money or a specified amount of those minerals, or

      any other interest in property commonly referred to as a "production payment"; and

            (b)   the mortgage or pledge of any property of ConocoPhillips or a Subsidiary in favor of the United States, any state of the United States or any department, agency or instrumentality of either, to secure payments under any contract or statute.

Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions

        ConocoPhillips has agreed that it and any of its Principal Domestic Subsidiaries will enter into a Sale/Leaseback Transaction only if at least one of the following applies:

            (a)   ConocoPhillips or that Principal Domestic Subsidiary could incur Debt in a principal amount equal to the Attributable Debt for that Sale/Leaseback Transaction and, without violating the "Limitation on Liens" covenant, could secure that Debt by a lien on the property to be leased without equally and ratably securing the senior debt securities.

            (b)   Within the period beginning one year before the closing of the Sale/Leaseback Transaction and ending one year after the closing, ConocoPhillips or any Subsidiary applies the net proceeds of the Sale/Leaseback Transaction either:

      to the voluntary defeasance or retirement of any senior debt securities issued under the ConocoPhillips senior indenture (in the case of the ConocoPhillips senior indenture), senior debt securities issued under the CPCo senior indenture (in the case of the CPCo senior indenture) or any Funded Debt, or

      to the acquisition, exploration, drilling, development, construction, improvement or expansion of one or more Principal Properties.

        Any net proceeds that are not applied for the purposes described in (b) will be subject to the limitation described in (a). For purposes of these calculations, the net proceeds of the Sale/Leaseback Transaction means the net proceeds of the sale or transfer of the property leased in the Sale/Leaseback Transaction (or, if greater, the fair value of that property at the time of the Sale/Leaseback Transaction as determined by ConocoPhillips' board of directors).

Provisions Applicable to Senior Debt Securities under the ConocoPhillips Senior Indenture and Subordinated Debt Securities

        Events of Default.    Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following are events of default with respect to a series of debt securities:

    failure to pay interest on that series of debt securities for 30 days when due;

    failure to pay principal of or any premium on that series of debt securities when due;

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    failure to pay any sinking fund payment for 30 days when due;

    failure to comply with any covenant or agreement in that series of debt securities or the applicable indenture (other than an agreement or covenant that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of other series of debt securities) for 90 days after written notice by the trustee or by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities issued under that indenture that are affected by that failure;

    specified events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of ConocoPhillips and, with respect to the senior debt securities, CPCo; and

    any other event of default provided for that series of debt securities.

        A default under one series of debt securities will not necessarily be a default under another series. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the debt securities of any default or event of default (except in any payment on the debt securities) if the trustee considers it in the interest of the holders of the debt securities to do so.

        If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the default (or, in some cases, 25% in principal amount of all debt securities issued under the applicable indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may declare the principal of and all accrued and unpaid interest on those debt securities to be due and payable. If an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs, the principal of and interest on all the debt securities issued under the applicable indenture will become immediately due and payable without any action on the part of the trustee or any holder. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the default (or, in some cases, of all debt securities issued under the applicable indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may in some cases rescind this accelerated payment requirement.

        A holder of a debt security of any series issued under an indenture may pursue any remedy under that indenture only if:

    the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

    the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy;

    the holders offer to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

    the trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and offer of indemnity; and

    during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

This provision does not, however, affect the right of a holder of a debt security to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment.

        In most cases, holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series (or of all debt securities issued under the applicable indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may direct the time, method and place of:

    conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee; and

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    exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee relating to or arising as a result of an event of default.

        The ConocoPhillips senior indenture requires ConocoPhillips and CPCo, and the subordinated indenture requires ConocoPhillips, to file each year with the trustee a written statement as to their compliance with the covenants contained in the applicable indenture.

Provisions Applicable Solely to Senior Debt Securities under the CPCo Senior Indenture

        Events of Default.    Unless otherwise described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the following are events of default with respect to a series of debt securities:

    failure to pay interest on that series of debt securities for 30 days when due;

    failure to pay principal of or any premium on that series of debt securities when due;

    failure to pay any sinking fund payment for 30 days when due;

    failure to comply with any covenant or agreement in that series of debt securities or the CPCo senior indenture (other than an agreement or covenant that has been included in the indenture solely for the benefit of other series of debt securities) for 90 days after written notice by the trustee or by the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities issued under that indenture that are affected by that failure;

    specified events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of ConocoPhillips and CPCo; and

    any other event of default provided for that series of debt securities;

        A default under one series of debt securities will not necessarily be a default under another series. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of the debt securities of any default or event of default (except in any payment on the debt securities) if the trustee considers it in the interest of the holders of the debt securities to do so.

        If an event of default for any series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the default (or, in some cases, 25% in principal amount of all debt securities issued under the CPCo senior indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may declare the principal of and all accrued and unpaid interest on those debt securities to be due and payable. If an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs, the principal of and interest on all the debt securities issued under the CPCo senior indenture will become immediately due and payable without any action on the part of the trustee or any holder. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series affected by the default (or, in some cases, of all debt securities issued under the CPCo senior indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may in some cases rescind this accelerated payment requirement.

        A holder of a debt security of any series issued under the CPCo senior indenture may pursue any remedy under that indenture only if:

    the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;

    the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series make a written request to the trustee to pursue the remedy;

    the holders offer to the trustee indemnity satisfactory to the trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

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    the trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and offer of indemnity; and

    during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

This provision does not, however, affect the right of a holder of a debt security to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment.

        In most cases, holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series (or of all debt securities issued under the applicable indenture that are affected, voting as one class) may direct the time, method and place of:

    conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee; and

    exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee relating to or arising as a result of an event of default.

        The CPCo senior indenture requires ConocoPhillips and CPCo to file each year with the trustee a written statement as to their compliance with the covenants contained in the applicable indenture.

Glossary

        "Attributable Debt" means the present value of the rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in the Sale/Leaseback Transaction. To determine that present value, we use a discount rate equal to the lease rate of the Sale/Leaseback Transaction. For these purposes, rental payments do not include any amounts required to be paid for taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, assessments, utilities, operating and labor costs and other items that do not constitute payments for property rights. In the case of any lease that the lessee may terminate by paying a penalty, if the net amount (including payment of the penalty) would be reduced if the lessee terminated the lease on the first date that it could be terminated, then this lower net amount will be used.

        "Consolidated Adjusted Net Assets" means the total amount of assets of ConocoPhillips and its consolidated subsidiaries less:

    all current liabilities (excluding liabilities that are extendable or renewable at ConocoPhillips' option to a date more than 12 months after the date of calculation and excluding current maturities of long-term debt); and

    total prepaid expenses and deferred charges.

ConocoPhillips will calculate its Consolidated Adjusted Net Assets based on its most recent quarterly balance sheet.

        "Debt" means all notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of debt for money borrowed.

        "Funded Debt" means all Debt that matures on or is renewable to a date more than one year after the date the Debt is incurred.

        "Principal Domestic Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary (1) that has substantially all its assets in the United States, (2) that owns a Principal Property and (3) in which ConocoPhillips' capital investment, together with any intercompany loans to that Subsidiary and any debt of that Subsidiary guaranteed by ConocoPhillips or any other Subsidiary, exceeds $100 million. CPCo is a Principal Domestic Subsidiary of ConocoPhillips.

        "Principal Property" means any oil or gas producing property located onshore or offshore of the United States or any refinery or manufacturing plant located in the United States. This term excludes any property, refinery or plant that in the opinion of ConocoPhillips' board of directors is not

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materially important to the total business conducted by ConocoPhillips and its consolidated subsidiaries. This term also excludes any transportation or marketing facilities or assets.

        "Sale/Leaseback Transaction" means any arrangement with anyone under which ConocoPhillips or a Subsidiary leases any Principal Property that ConocoPhillips or that Subsidiary has sold or transferred or will sell or transfer to that person. This term excludes the following:

    temporary leases for a term of not more than three years;

    intercompany leases;

    leases of a Principal Property executed by the time of or within 12 months after the latest of the acquisition, the completion of construction or improvement, or the commencement of commercial operation of the Principal Property; and

    arrangements under any provision of law with an effect similar to the former Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

        "Subsidiary" means an entity at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by ConocoPhillips or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by ConocoPhillips and one or more other Subsidiaries.

Provisions Applicable Solely to Subordinated Debt Securities

        Ranking.    The subordinated debt securities will rank junior to all Senior Debt of ConocoPhillips and may rank equally with or senior to other subordinated debt of ConocoPhillips that may be outstanding from time to time.

        Subordination.    Under the subordinated indenture, payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on the subordinated debt securities will generally be subordinated and junior in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, ConocoPhillips may not make any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on the subordinated debt securities if it fails to pay the principal, interest, premium or any other amounts on any Senior Debt when due.

        The subordination does not affect ConocoPhillips' obligation, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay, when due, the principal of and any premium and interest on the subordinated debt securities. In addition, the subordination does not prevent the occurrence of any default under the subordinated indenture.

        The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of Senior Debt that ConocoPhillips may incur. As a result of the subordination of the subordinated debt securities, if ConocoPhillips becomes insolvent, holders of subordinated debt securities may receive less on a proportionate basis than other creditors.

        Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, "Senior Debt" will mean all debt, including guarantees, of ConocoPhillips, unless the debt states that it is not senior to the subordinated debt securities or other junior debt of ConocoPhillips. Senior Debt with respect to a series of subordinated debt securities could include other series of debt securities issued under the subordinated indenture.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

        The following description of ConocoPhillips' common stock, preferred stock, certificate of incorporation and bylaws is a summary only and is subject to the complete text of ConocoPhillips' certificate of incorporation and bylaws, which we have filed as exhibits to the registration statement. You should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you.

        ConocoPhillips is authorized to issue 2.5 billion shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and 500 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.

Common Stock

        Each holder of ConocoPhillips common stock is entitled to one vote per share in the election of directors and on all other matters submitted to the vote of stockholders. However, except as otherwise required by law, holders of ConocoPhillips common stock are not entitled to vote on any amendment to ConocoPhillips' certificate of incorporation that relates solely to the terms of any series of ConocoPhillips preferred stock if holders of the ConocoPhillips preferred stock are entitled to vote on the amendment under ConocoPhillips' certificate of incorporation or Delaware law. There are no cumulative voting rights, meaning that the holders of a majority of the shares of ConocoPhillips common stock voting for the election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election.

        Subject to the rights of the holders of any ConocoPhillips preferred stock that may be outstanding from time to time, each share of ConocoPhillips common stock will have an equal and ratable right to receive dividends as may be declared by the ConocoPhillips board of directors out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, and, in the event of the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ConocoPhillips, will be entitled to share equally and ratably in the assets available for distribution to ConocoPhillips stockholders. No holder of ConocoPhillips common stock will have any preemptive or other subscription rights to purchase or subscribe for any securities of ConocoPhillips.

        ConocoPhillips common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "COP." The transfer agent for the common stock is Computershare Shareowner Services LLC.

Preferred Stock

        ConocoPhillips' board of directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, to issue up to 500 million shares of preferred stock in one or more series and to fix the number of shares and terms of each series. The board may determine the designation and other terms of each series, including, among others:

    dividend rights;

    voting powers;

    preemptive rights;

    conversion rights;

    redemption rights; and

    liquidation preferences.

        The prospectus supplement relating to any series of preferred stock ConocoPhillips is offering will include specific terms relating to the offering and the name of any transfer agent for that series. We will file the form of the preferred stock with the SEC before we issue any of it, and you should read it for provisions that may be important to you. The prospectus supplement will include some or all of the following terms:

    the title of the preferred stock;

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    the maximum number of shares of the series;

    the dividend rate or the method of calculating the dividend, the date from which dividends will accrue and whether dividends will be cumulative;

    any liquidation preference;

    any optional redemption provisions;

    any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to redeem or purchase the preferred stock;

    any terms for the conversion or exchange of the preferred stock for other securities of us or any other entity;

    whether ConocoPhillips has elected to issue depositary shares with respect to the preferred stock as described below under "Description of Depositary Shares";

    any voting rights; and

    any other preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights or any qualifications, limitations or restrictions on the rights of the shares.

        The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desired flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could adversely affect the voting power of holders of ConocoPhillips' common stock. It also could affect the likelihood that holders of the common stock will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation.

Anti-Takeover Provisions of ConocoPhillips' Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

        ConocoPhillips' certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions that could delay or make more difficult the acquisition of control of ConocoPhillips through a hostile tender offer, open market purchases, proxy contest, merger or other takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in his or her best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price of ConocoPhillips' common stock.

Authorized but Unissued Stock

        ConocoPhillips has 2.5 billion authorized shares of common stock and 500 million authorized shares of preferred stock. One of the consequences of ConocoPhillips' authorized but unissued common stock and undesignated preferred stock may be to enable ConocoPhillips' board of directors to make more difficult or to discourage an attempt to obtain control of ConocoPhillips. If, in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations, ConocoPhillips' board of directors determined that a takeover proposal was not in ConocoPhillips' best interest, the board could authorize the issuance of those shares without stockholder approval, subject to limits imposed by the New York Stock Exchange. The shares could be issued in one or more transactions that might prevent or make the completion of a proposed change of control transaction more difficult or costly by:

    diluting the voting or other rights of the proposed acquiror or insurgent stockholder group;

    creating a substantial voting block in institutional or other hands that might undertake to support the position of the incumbent board; or

    effecting an acquisition that might complicate or preclude the takeover.

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        In this regard, ConocoPhillips' certificate of incorporation grants its board of directors broad power to establish the rights and preferences of the authorized and unissued preferred stock. ConocoPhillips' board could establish one or more series of preferred stock that entitle holders to:

    vote separately as a class on any proposed merger or consolidation;

    cast a proportionately larger vote together with ConocoPhillips common stock on any transaction or for all purposes;

    elect directors having terms of office or voting rights greater than those of other directors;

    convert preferred stock into a greater number of shares of ConocoPhillips common stock or other securities;

    demand redemption at a specified price under prescribed circumstances related to a change of control of ConocoPhillips; or

    exercise other rights designed to impede a takeover.

Stockholder Action by Written Consent; Special Meetings of Stockholders

        ConocoPhillips' certificate of incorporation provides that no action that is required or permitted to be taken by its stockholders at any annual or special meeting may be taken by written consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting, and that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by the board of directors or the chairman of the board.

Advance Notice Procedure for Director Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

        ConocoPhillips' bylaws provide the manner in which stockholders may give notice of stockholder nominations and other business to be brought before an annual meeting. In general, to bring a matter before an annual meeting or to nominate a candidate for director, a stockholder must give notice of the proposed matter or nomination not less than 90 and not more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary date of the immediately preceding meeting. If the annual meeting is not within 30 days before or after the anniversary date of the preceding annual meeting, the stockholder notice must be received not earlier than the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (1) 90 days prior to the date of the annual meeting or (2) if the first public announcement of the date of such annual meeting is less than 100 days prior to the date of the annual meeting, the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which notice of the annual meeting was mailed or first publicly disclosed.

        These procedures may limit the ability of stockholders to nominate candidates for director and bring other business before a stockholders meeting, including the consideration of any transaction that could result in a change of control and that might result in a premium to ConocoPhillips' stockholders.

Fair Price Provision

        ConocoPhillips' certificate of incorporation requires that specified business combinations involving a person or entity that beneficially owns 15% or more of the outstanding shares of ConocoPhillips voting stock or that is an affiliate of that person, which we refer to as a related person, must be approved by (1) at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the voting stock and (2) at least 662/3% of the votes entitled to be cast by the voting stock other than voting stock owned by the related person. These supermajority requirements do not apply if:

    a majority of the directors who are unaffiliated with the related person and who were in office before the related person became a related person approve the transaction; or

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    specified fair price conditions are met that in general provide that the payment received by the stockholders in the business combination is not less than the amount the related person paid or agreed to pay for any shares of ConocoPhillips' voting stock acquired within one year of the business combination.

Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

        Amendments to ConocoPhillips' certificate of incorporation generally must be approved by the board of directors and by a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote on the amendment, and, if applicable, by majority of the outstanding stock of each class or series entitled to vote on the amendment as a class or series.

        Under the ConocoPhillips' certificate of incorporation, the affirmative vote of shares representing not less than 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the voting stock is required to alter, amend or adopt any provision inconsistent with or repeal the provisions that, among others, (1) control the constitution of the board of directors, (2) deny stockholders the right to call a special meeting or to act by written consent, (3) limit or eliminate the liability of directors to ConocoPhillips and (4) set the 80% supermajority threshold applicable with respect to the provisions above.

        Additionally, the affirmative vote of shares representing (1) not less than 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by the voting stock, voting together as a single class, and (2) not less than 662/3% of the votes entitled to be cast by the voting stock not owned, directly or indirectly, by any related person is required to amend, repeal, or adopt any provisions inconsistent with, the fair price provision described above.

        ConocoPhillips' bylaws have similar supermajority vote requirements for provisions relating to, among others, special stockholder meetings; prohibition on action by stockholder written consent; nominating directors and bringing business before an annual stockholder meeting; the number, classification and qualification of directors; filling vacancies on the board of directors; and removing directors.

Limitation of Liability of Directors

        To the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, ConocoPhillips' directors will not be personally liable to ConocoPhillips or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. Delaware law currently permits the elimination of all liability for breach of fiduciary duty, except liability:

    for any breach of the duty of loyalty to ConocoPhillips or its stockholders;

    for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

    for unlawful payment of a dividend or unlawful stock purchases or redemptions; and

    for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

        As a result, neither ConocoPhillips nor its stockholders have the right, through stockholders' derivative suits on ConocoPhillips' behalf, to recover monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, including breaches resulting from grossly negligent behavior, except in the situations described above.

Delaware Anti-Takeover Law

        ConocoPhillips is a Delaware corporation and is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which regulates corporate acquisitions. Section 203 prevents an "interested

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stockholder," which is defined generally as a person owning 15% or more of a corporation's voting stock, or any affiliate or associate of that person, from engaging in a broad range of "business combinations" with the corporation for three years after becoming an interested stockholder unless:

    the board of directors of the corporation had previously approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder's becoming an interested stockholder;

    upon completion of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder's becoming an interested stockholder, that person owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers and shares owned in employee stock plans in which participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

    following the transaction in which that person became an interested stockholder, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock not owned by the interested stockholder.

        Under Section 203, the restrictions described above also do not apply to specific business combinations proposed by an interested stockholder following the announcement or notification of designated extraordinary transactions involving the corporation and a person who had not been an interested stockholder during the previous three years or who became an interested stockholder with the approval of a majority of the corporation's directors, if such extraordinary transaction is approved or not opposed by a majority of the directors who were directors prior to any person becoming an interested stockholder during the previous three years or were recommended for election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such directors.

        Section 203 may make it more difficult for a person who would be an interested stockholder to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period.

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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

        ConocoPhillips may issue warrants to purchase any combination of debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, rights or other securities of ConocoPhillips or any other entity. ConocoPhillips may issue warrants independently or together with other securities. Warrants sold with other securities may be attached to or separate from the other securities. ConocoPhillips will issue warrants under one or more warrant agreements between it and a warrant agent that we will name in the prospectus supplement.

        The prospectus supplement relating to any warrants ConocoPhillips is offering will include specific terms relating to the offering. We will file the form of any warrant agreement with the SEC, and you should read the warrant agreement for provisions that may be important to you. The prospectus supplement will include some or all of the following terms:

    the title of the warrants;

    the aggregate number of warrants offered;

    the designation, number and terms of the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock, rights or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the warrants, and procedures by which the number of securities purchasable may be adjusted;

    the exercise price of the warrants;

    the dates or periods during which the warrants are exercisable;

    the designation and terms of any securities with which the warrants are issued;

    if the warrants are issued as a unit with another security, the date, if any, on and after which the warrants and the other security will be separately transferable;

    if the exercise price is not payable in U.S. dollars, the foreign currency, currency unit or composite currency in which the exercise price is denominated;

    any minimum or maximum amount of warrants that may be exercised at any one time; and

    any terms, procedures and limitations relating to the transferability, exchange or exercise of the warrants.

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

General

        ConocoPhillips may elect to offer shares of its preferred stock represented by depositary shares. The shares of any series of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares will be deposited under a separate deposit agreement between ConocoPhillips and a bank or trust company we will name in the prospectus supplement.

        Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each holder of a depositary share will be entitled, proportionately, to all the rights, preferences and privileges of the preferred stock represented by that depositary share, including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion, exchange and liquidation rights. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued under the deposit agreement. Each receipt will represent the applicable interest in a number of shares of a particular series of the preferred stock, which we will describe in the prospectus supplement.

        We have summarized below selected provisions of the deposit agreement, the related depositary shares and depositary receipts evidencing those shares. This summary is not complete. We will file the form of deposit agreement and the form of depositary receipts with the SEC before ConocoPhillips issues any depositary shares, and you should read those documents for provisions that may be important to you.

        A holder of depositary shares will be entitled to receive the whole number of shares of preferred stock underlying those depositary shares. Holders will not be entitled to receive fractional shares. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the whole number of shares to be withdrawn, the depositary will deliver to that holder at the same time a new depositary receipt for the excess number of depositary shares.

Dividends and Other Distributions

        The depositary will distribute all cash dividends or other cash distributions received with respect to the preferred stock to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders.

        If there is a distribution other than in cash, the depositary will distribute property received by it to the record holders of depositary receipts in proportion, insofar as possible, to the number of depositary shares owned by those holders. If the depositary determines that it is not feasible to make such a distribution, it may, with ConocoPhillips' approval, adopt any method that it deems equitable and practicable to effect the distribution, including a sale of the property and distribution of the net proceeds from the sale to the holders.

        The amount distributed in any of the above cases will be reduced by any amount ConocoPhillips or the depositary is required to withhold on account of taxes.

Conversion and Exchange

        If any preferred stock underlying the depositary shares is subject to provisions relating to its conversion or exchange as described in the prospectus supplement, each record holder of depositary shares will have the right or obligation to convert or exchange those depositary shares in accordance with those provisions.

Redemption of Depositary Shares

        Whenever ConocoPhillips redeems a share of preferred stock held by the depositary, the depositary will redeem on the same redemption date a proportionate number of depositary shares representing the shares of preferred stock redeemed. The redemption price per depositary share will be

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equal to the aggregate redemption price payable with respect to the number of shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares. If fewer than all the depositary shares are to be redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or proportionately as ConocoPhillips may determine.

Voting

        Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock underlying the depositary shares are entitled to vote, the depositary will mail the information contained in the notice to the record holders of the depositary receipts. Each record holder of the depositary receipts on the record date, which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock, may then instruct the depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights pertaining to the number of shares of preferred stock underlying that holder's depositary shares. The depositary will try, as far as practicable, to vote the number of shares of preferred stock underlying the depositary shares in accordance with the instructions, and ConocoPhillips will agree to take all reasonable action that the depositary deems necessary to enable the depositary to do so. The depositary will abstain from voting the preferred stock to the extent that it does not receive specific written instructions from holders of depositary shares representing the preferred stock.

Record Date

        Whenever:

    any cash dividend or other cash distribution becomes payable, any distribution other than cash is made, or any rights, preferences or privileges are offered with respect to the preferred stock, or

    the depositary receives notice of any meeting at which holders of preferred stock are entitled to vote or of which holders of preferred stock are entitled to notice, or of the mandatory conversion of or any election by ConocoPhillips to call for the redemption of any preferred stock,

the depositary will in each instance fix a record date, which will be the same as the record date for the preferred stock, for the determination of the holders of depositary receipts:

    who will be entitled to receive the dividend, distribution, rights, preferences or privileges or the net proceeds of any sale, or

    who will be entitled to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting or to receive notice of the meeting or the redemption or conversion.

Amendment and Termination of the Deposit Agreement

        ConocoPhillips and the depositary may at any time agree to amend the form of depositary receipt and any provision of the deposit agreement. However, any amendment that adversely alters the rights of holders of depositary shares in any material respect will not be effective unless the amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The deposit agreement may be terminated by ConocoPhillips or by the depositary only if all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or if a final distribution on the underlying preferred stock has been made to the holders of the depositary shares in connection with the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of ConocoPhillips.

Charges of Depositary

        ConocoPhillips will pay all charges of the depositary, including:

    charges in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock;

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    the initial issuance of the depositary receipts;

    the distribution of information to the holders of depositary receipts with respect to matters on which preferred stock is entitled to vote; and

    withdrawals of the preferred stock by the holders of depositary receipts or upon redemption or conversion of the preferred stock.

Holders of depositary shares will pay taxes (including any transfer taxes) and other governmental charges and any other charges expressly provided in the deposit agreement to be at the expense of those holders.

Resignation and Removal of Depositary

        The depositary may at any time resign or be removed by ConocoPhillips. Any resignation or removal will become effective upon the acceptance by the depositary's successor of its appointment. If ConocoPhillips has not appointed a successor depositary and the successor depositary has not accepted its appointment within 60 days after the depositary delivered a resignation notice to ConocoPhillips, the depositary may terminate the deposit agreement.

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DESCRIPTION OF STOCK PURCHASE CONTRACTS
AND STOCK PURCHASE UNITS

        ConocoPhillips may issue stock purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from ConocoPhillips, and ConocoPhillips to sell to the holders, or for ConocoPhillips to issue in exchange for other securities, a specified number of shares of ConocoPhillips common stock or preferred stock (or a range of numbers of shares in accordance with a predetermined formula) at a future date or dates or upon the occurrence of specified events. The price per share of common stock or preferred stock may be fixed at the time the stock purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the stock purchase contracts.

        ConocoPhillips may issue the stock purchase contracts separately or as a part of units, often known as stock purchase units, consisting of a stock purchase contract and any combination of:

    senior debt securities or subordinated debt securities of ConocoPhillips, or

    debt obligations of third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities,

securing the holder's obligations to purchase the common stock or preferred stock under the stock purchase contracts.

        The stock purchase contracts may require ConocoPhillips to make periodic payments to the holders of the stock purchase units or vice versa, and those payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The stock purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations in a specified manner, and in specified circumstances, ConocoPhillips may deliver newly issued prepaid stock purchase contracts, often known as prepaid securities, upon release to a holder of any collateral securing that holder's obligations under the original stock purchase contract.

        The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units and, if applicable, prepaid securities. That description will not be complete. For more information, you should review the stock purchase contracts and, if applicable, the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements relating to those stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units and any prepaid securities and the document under which the prepaid securities will be issued. We will file forms of these documents with the SEC before ConocoPhillips issues any stock purchase contracts or stock purchase units and, if applicable, prepaid securities.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

        We may sell the securities in and outside the United States through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers or through agents.

Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers

        If we use underwriters in the sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities 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. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.

        During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if such offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, these activities may be discontinued at any time.

        If we use dealers in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The dealers participating in any sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any sale of those securities. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.

Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents

        We may sell the securities directly. In that event, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents we designate from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities, and we will describe any commissions payable by us to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases 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 of 1933 with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.

Delayed Delivery Contracts

        If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the

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prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.

General Information

        We may have agreements with the agents, dealers and underwriters to indemnify them against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make. Agents, dealers and underwriters may engage in transactions with us or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.


LEGAL MATTERS

        The validity of the securities offered by ConocoPhillips and CPCo will be passed upon for us by Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, Houston, Texas, our outside counsel. Any underwriters will be advised about legal matters relating to any offering by their own legal counsel.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements of ConocoPhillips appearing in ConocoPhillips' Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2014 (including condensed consolidating financial information and financial statement schedule appearing therein) and the effectiveness of ConocoPhillips' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2014, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

        DeGolyer and MacNaughton, an independent petroleum engineering consulting firm, performed a process review of the processes and controls used within ConocoPhillips in its preparation of proved reserves estimates as of December 31, 2014. This process review report appeared as an exhibit to ConocoPhillips' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and is incorporated by reference herein in reliance on the authority of such firm as experts in such matters.

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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.    Other Expenses of Issuance of Distribution

        The following table sets forth expenses payable by ConocoPhillips in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered. All the amounts shown are estimates.

SEC registration fee

             *

Printing expenses

            

Legal fees and expenses

            

Accounting fees and expenses

            

Fees and expenses of trustee and counsel

            

Rating agency fees

            

Miscellaneous

            

Total

            

*
Applicable SEC registration fees have been deferred in accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act of 1933 and are not estimable at this time.

Estimated expenses are not presently known. The foregoing sets forth the general categories of expenses (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) that ConocoPhillips anticipates it will incur in connection with the offering of securities under this Registration Statement. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Item 15.    Indemnification of Directors and Officers

ConocoPhillips and ConocoPhillips Company

        Delaware law permits a corporation to adopt a provision in its certificate of incorporation eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a director, but not an officer in his or her capacity as such, to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except that such provision shall not limit the liability of a director for (1) any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (2) acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3) liability under section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law for unlawful payment of dividends or stock purchases or redemptions, or (4) any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. ConocoPhillips' amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, to the fullest extent of Delaware law, no ConocoPhillips director shall be liable to ConocoPhillips or ConocoPhillips stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. The certificate of incorporation of ConocoPhillips Company ("CPCo") has similar provisions with respect to its directors.

        Under Delaware law, a corporation may indemnify any individual made a party or threatened to be made a party to any type of proceeding, other than an action by or in the right of the corporation, because he or she is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of the corporation or was serving at the request of the corporation as an officer, director, employee or agent of another corporation or entity against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such proceeding: (1) if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation; or (2) in the case of a criminal proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful. A corporation may indemnify any individual made a party or threatened to be made a party

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to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit brought by or in the right of the corporation because he or she was an officer, director, 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 or other entity, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such action or suit if he or she acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, provided that such indemnification will be denied if the individual is found liable to the corporation unless, in such a case, the court determines the person is nonetheless entitled to indemnification for such expenses. A corporation must indemnify a present or former director or officer who successfully defends himself or herself in a proceeding to which he or she was a party because he or she was a director or officer of the corporation against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her. Expenses incurred by an officer or director, or any employees or agents as deemed appropriate by the board of directors, in defending civil or criminal proceedings may be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such proceedings upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of such director, officer, employee or agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation. The Delaware law regarding indemnification and expense advancement is not exclusive of any other rights which may be granted by ConocoPhillips' amended and restated certificate of incorporation or bylaws, a vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, agreement or otherwise.

        Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, termination of any proceeding by conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not, of itself, create a presumption that such person is prohibited from being indemnified.

        ConocoPhillips' bylaws provide for the indemnification and advancement of expenses of any individual made, or threatened to be made, a party to an action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director or officer of ConocoPhillips or is or was a director or officer of ConocoPhillips serving as an officer, director, employee or agent of any other enterprise at the request of ConocoPhillips to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law. CPCo's bylaws have similar provisions. However, neither ConocoPhillips nor CPCo will indemnify a director or officer who commences any proceeding (except for proceedings to enforce rights of indemnification), unless the commencement of that proceeding was authorized or consented to by the respective company's board of directors.

Item 16.    Exhibits*

Exhibit
No.
   
  Description
  3.1     Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ConocoPhillips (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to ConocoPhillips' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on July 30, 2008; SEC File No. 001-32395).

 

3.2

 


 

Amended and Restated By-laws of ConocoPhillips, as amended and restated as of December 6, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to ConocoPhillips' Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 10, 2013; SEC File No. 001-32395).

 

3.3.1

 


 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ConocoPhillips Company (formerly known as Phillips Petroleum Company) (included as Exhibit A to the Certificate of Merger filed by Phillips Petroleum Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 30, 2002) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4.1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of ConocoPhillips, ConocoPhillips Company, ConocoPhillips Trust I and ConocoPhillips Trust II filed with the SEC on December 4, 2012; Registration Nos. 333-179626, 333-179626-01, 333-179626-02 and 333-179626-03).

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Exhibit
No.
   
  Description
  3.3.2     Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ConocoPhillips Company (formerly known as Phillips Petroleum Company) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4.2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of ConocoPhillips, ConocoPhillips Company, ConocoPhillips Trust I and ConocoPhillips Trust II filed with the SEC on December 4, 2012; Registration Nos. 333-179626, 333-179626-01, 333-179626-02 and 333-179626-03).

 

3.4

 


 

Bylaws of ConocoPhillips Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of ConocoPhillips, ConocoPhillips Company, ConocoPhillips Trust I and ConocoPhillips Trust II filed with the SEC on December 4, 2012; Registration Nos. 333-179626, 333-179626-01, 333-179626-02 and 333-179626-03).

 

4.1

 


 

Form of Indenture among ConocoPhillips, as issuer, CPCo, as guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, in respect of senior debt securities of ConocoPhillips (the "ConocoPhillips Senior Indenture").

 

4.2

 


 

Form of Indenture between ConocoPhillips, as issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, in respect of subordinated debt securities of ConocoPhillips (the "Subordinated Indenture").

 

4.3

 


 

Form of Indenture among ConocoPhillips Company, as issuer, ConocoPhillips, as guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, in respect of senior debt securities of ConocoPhillips Company (the "CPCo Senior Indenture").

 

4.4

 


 

Specimen certificate representing common stock, par value $.01 per share, of ConocoPhillips (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in ConocoPhillips' Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on December 7, 2001; Registration No. 333-74798).

 

5.1

 


 

Opinion of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP with respect to legality of the securities offered hereby.

 

12.1

 


 

Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges of ConocoPhillips for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of ConocoPhillips for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2015; SEC File No. 001-32395).

 

12.2

 


 

Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges of ConocoPhillips for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of ConocoPhillips for the period ended March 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on May 5, 2015; SEC File No. 001-32395).

 

23.1

 


 

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

 

23.2

 


 

Consent of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).

 

23.3

 


 

Consent of DeGolyer and MacNaughton.

 

24.1

 


 

Powers of Attorney of directors and officers of ConocoPhillips and CPCo (included on the signature pages of the Registration Statement).

 

25.1

 


 

Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the ConocoPhillips Senior Indenture.

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Table of Contents

Exhibit
No.
   
  Description
  25.2     Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the Subordinated Indenture.

 

25.3

 


 

Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the CPCo Senior Indenture.

*
ConocoPhillips will file as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K (i) any underwriting, remarketing or agency agreement relating to the securities offered hereby, (ii) the instruments setting forth the terms of any debt securities, preferred stock, warrants, depositary shares or stock purchase contracts, (iii) any additional required opinions of counsel with respect to legality of the securities offered hereby and (iv) any required opinion of counsel to ConocoPhillips as to certain tax matters relative to the securities offered hereby.

Item 17.    Undertakings

        (a)   The undersigned Registrants hereby undertake:

            (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;

               (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; 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 (a)(1)(i), (a)(1)(ii) and (a)(1)(iii) of this section 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 Exchange Act, 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, 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.

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Table of Contents

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

              (A)  Each prospectus filed by a 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

              (B)  Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a 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 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 that 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 a Registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:

              Each undersigned Registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of such 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, such 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 such 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 such undersigned Registrant or used or referred to by such undersigned Registrant;

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

              (iv)  Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by such undersigned Registrant to the purchaser.

        (b)   The undersigned Registrants hereby further undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of a Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) 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.

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        (c)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrants pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, each Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of such 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, such 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 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned 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 the City of Houston, State of Texas, on May 13, 2015.

    ConocoPhillips

 

 

By:

 

/s/ JEFF W. SHEETS

Jeff W. Sheets
Executive Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below appoints Jeff W. Sheets and Janet Langford Kelly, and each of them, severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, of ConocoPhillips, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and all documents or instruments necessary or appropriate to enable ConocoPhillips to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on May 13, 2015.

Signature
 
Title

 

 

 
/s/ RYAN M. LANCE

Ryan M. Lance
  Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ JEFF W. SHEETS

Jeff W. Sheets

 

Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ GLENDA M. SCHWARZ

Glenda M. Schwarz

 

Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

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Signature
 
Title

 

 

 
/s/ RICHARD L. ARMITAGE

Richard L. Armitage
  Director

/s/ RICHARD H. AUCHINLECK

Richard H. Auchinleck

 

Director

/s/ CHARLES E. BUNCH

Charles E. Bunch

 

Director

/s/ JAMES E. COPELAND, JR.

James E. Copeland, Jr.

 

Director

/s/ GAY HUEY EVANS

Gay Huey Evans

 

Director

/s/ JOHN V. FARACI

John V. Faraci

 

Director

/s/ JODY FREEMAN

Jody Freeman

 

Director

/s/ ARJUN N. MURTI

Arjun N. Murti

 

Director

/s/ ROBERT A. NIBLOCK

Robert A. Niblock

 

Director

/s/ HARALD J. NORVIK

Harald J. Norvik

 

Director

II-8


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SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned 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 the City of Houston, State of Texas, on May 13, 2015.

    ConocoPhillips Company

 

 

By:

 

/s/ JEFF W. SHEETS

Jeff W. Sheets
Executive Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer


POWER OF ATTORNEY

        Each person whose signature appears below appoints Jeff W. Sheets and Janet Langford Kelly, and each of them, severally, as his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys-in-fact and agent or agents, each of whom shall be authorized to act with or without the other, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead in his or her capacity as a director or officer or both, as the case may be, of ConocoPhillips Company, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and all documents or instruments necessary or appropriate to enable ConocoPhillips Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with full power and authority to each of said attorneys-in-fact and agents to do and perform in the name and on behalf of each such director or officer, or both, as the case may be, each and every act whatsoever that is necessary, appropriate or advisable in connection with any or all of the above-described matters and to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on May 13, 2015.

Signature
 
Title

 

 

 
/s/ RYAN M. LANCE

Ryan M. Lance
  Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ JEFF W. SHEETS

Jeff W. Sheets

 

Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

/s/ GLENDA M. SCHWARZ

Glenda M. Schwarz

 

Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ JANET LANGFORD KELLY

Janet Langford Kelly

 

Director

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EXHIBIT INDEX*

Exhibit
No.
   
  Description
3.1     Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ConocoPhillips (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to ConocoPhillips' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on July 30, 2008; SEC File No. 001-32395).

3.2

 


 

Amended and Restated By-laws of ConocoPhillips, as amended and restated as of December 6, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to ConocoPhillips' Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on December 10, 2013; SEC File No. 001-32395).

3.3.1

 


 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ConocoPhillips Company (formerly known as Phillips Petroleum Company) (included as Exhibit A to the Certificate of Merger filed by Phillips Petroleum Company with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on August 30, 2002) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4.1 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of ConocoPhillips, ConocoPhillips Company, ConocoPhillips Trust I and ConocoPhillips Trust II filed with the SEC on December 4, 2012; Registration Nos. 333-179626, 333-179626-01, 333-179626-02 and 333-179626-03).

3.3.2

 


 

Certificate of Amendment to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of ConocoPhillips Company (formerly known as Phillips Petroleum Company) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4.2 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of ConocoPhillips, ConocoPhillips Company, ConocoPhillips Trust I and ConocoPhillips Trust II filed with the SEC on December 4, 2012; Registration Nos. 333-179626, 333-179626-01, 333-179626-02 and 333-179626-03).

3.4

 


 

Bylaws of ConocoPhillips Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 of ConocoPhillips, ConocoPhillips Company, ConocoPhillips Trust I and ConocoPhillips Trust II filed with the SEC on December 4, 2012; Registration Nos. 333-179626, 333-179626-01, 333-179626-02 and 333-179626-03).

4.1

 


 

Form of Indenture among ConocoPhillips, as issuer, CPCo, as guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, in respect of senior debt securities of ConocoPhillips (the "ConocoPhillips Senior Indenture").

4.2

 


 

Form of Indenture between ConocoPhillips, as issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, in respect of subordinated debt securities of ConocoPhillips (the "Subordinated Indenture").

4.3

 


 

Form of Indenture among ConocoPhillips Company, as issuer, ConocoPhillips, as guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, in respect of senior debt securities of ConocoPhillips Company (the "CPCo Senior Indenture").

4.4

 


 

Specimen certificate representing common stock, par value $.01 per share, of ConocoPhillips (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus included in ConocoPhillips' Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on December 7, 2001; Registration No. 333-74798).

5.1

 


 

Opinion of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP with respect to legality of the securities offered hereby.

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Table of Contents

Exhibit
No.
   
  Description
12.1     Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges of ConocoPhillips for each of the years in the five-year period ended December 31, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of ConocoPhillips for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2015; SEC File No. 001-32395).

12.2

 


 

Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges of ConocoPhillips for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 12 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of ConocoPhillips for the period ended March 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on May 5, 2015; SEC File No. 001-32395).

23.1

 


 

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

23.2

 


 

Consent of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).

23.3

 


 

Consent of DeGolyer and MacNaughton.

24.1

 


 

Powers of Attorney of directors and officers of ConocoPhillips and CPCo (included on the signature pages of the Registration Statement).

25.1

 


 

Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the ConocoPhillips Senior Indenture.

25.2

 


 

Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the Subordinated Indenture.

25.3

 


 

Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the CPCo Senior Indenture.

*
ConocoPhillips will file as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K (i) any underwriting, remarketing or agency agreement relating to the securities offered hereby, (ii) the instruments setting forth the terms of any debt securities, preferred stock, warrants, depositary shares or stock purchase contracts, (iii) any additional required opinions of counsel with respect to legality of the securities offered hereby and (iv) any required opinion of counsel to ConocoPhillips as to certain tax matters relative to the securities offered hereby.

II-11



EX-4.1 2 a2224669zex-4_1.htm EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

 

 

CONOCOPHILLIPS

as Issuer

 

CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY

as Guarantor

 

and

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Trustee

 


 

Indenture

Dated as of                        , 20

 


 

Debt Securities

 

 

 

 



 

CONOCOPHILLIPS

 

RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

AND INDENTURE, DATED AS OF                        , 20

 


 

Section of Trust Indenture Act of 1939

 

Section(s) of Indenture

 

 

 

 

Section 310

(a)(1)

 

 

7.10

 

(a)(2)

 

 

7.10

 

(a)(3)

 

 

Not Applicable

 

(a)(4)

 

 

Not Applicable

 

(a)(5)

 

 

7.10

 

(b)

 

 

7.08, 7.10

Section 311

(a)

 

 

7.11

 

(b)

 

 

7.11

 

(c)

 

 

Not Applicable

Section 312

(a)

 

 

2.07

 

(b)

 

 

11.03

 

(c)

 

 

11.03

Section 313

(a)

 

 

7.06

 

(b)

 

 

7.06

 

(c)

 

 

7.06

 

(d)

 

 

7.06

Section 314

(a)

 

 

4.03, 4.04

 

(b)

 

 

Not Applicable

 

(c)(1)

 

 

11.04

 

(c)(2)

 

 

11.04

 

(c)(3)

 

 

Not Applicable

 

(d)

 

 

Not Applicable

 

(e)

 

 

11.05

Section 315

(a)

 

 

7.01(b)

 

(b)

 

 

7.05

 

(c)

 

 

7.01(a)

 

(d)

 

 

7.01(c)

 

(d)(1)

 

 

7.01(c)(1)

 

(d)(2)

 

 

7.01(c)(2)

 

(d)(3)

 

 

7.01(c)(3)

 

(e)

 

 

6.11

Section 316

(a)(1)(A)

 

 

6.05

 

(a)(1)(B)

 

 

6.04

 

(a)(2)

 

 

Not Applicable

 

(a)(last sentence)

 

 

2.11

 

(b)

 

 

6.07

Section 317

(a)(1)

 

 

6.08

 

i



 

 

(a)(2)

 

 

6.09

 

(b)

 

 

2.06

Section 318

(a)

 

 

11.01

 

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

1

SECTION 1.01 Definitions

1

SECTION 1.02 Other Definitions

7

SECTION 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

8

SECTION 1.04 Rules of Construction

8

ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES

9

SECTION 2.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

9

SECTION 2.02 Denominations

11

SECTION 2.03 Forms Generally

11

SECTION 2.04 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

12

SECTION 2.05 Registrar and Paying Agent

14

SECTION 2.06 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

14

SECTION 2.07 Holder Lists

14

SECTION 2.08 Transfer and Exchange

15

SECTION 2.09 Replacement Securities

15

SECTION 2.10 Outstanding Securities

16

SECTION 2.11 Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities

16

SECTION 2.12 Temporary Securities

17

SECTION 2.13 Cancellation

17

SECTION 2.14 Payments; Defaulted Interest

17

SECTION 2.15 Persons Deemed Owners

18

SECTION 2.16 Computation of Interest

18

SECTION 2.17 Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions

18

SECTION 2.18 CUSIP Numbers

20

ARTICLE III REDEMPTION

21

SECTION 3.01 Applicability of Article

21

SECTION 3.02 Notice to the Trustee

21

SECTION 3.03 Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed

21

SECTION 3.04 Notice of Redemption

21

SECTION 3.05 Effect of Notice of Redemption

22

SECTION 3.06 Deposit of Redemption Price

22

SECTION 3.07 Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part

23

SECTION 3.08 Purchase of Securities

23

SECTION 3.09 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds

23

SECTION 3.10 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

24

SECTION 3.11 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

24

ARTICLE IV COVENANTS

25

SECTION 4.01 Payment of Securities

25

SECTION 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency

25

SECTION 4.03 SEC Reports; Financial Statements

26

SECTION 4.04 Compliance Certificate

26

SECTION 4.05 Corporate Existence

27

SECTION 4.06 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

27

SECTION 4.07 Additional Amounts

27

 

iii



 

SECTION 4.08 Limitation on Liens

27

SECTION 4.09 Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions

28

ARTICLE V SUCCESSORS

29

SECTION 5.01 Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations

29

SECTION 5.02 Successor Person Substituted

29

ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

30

SECTION 6.01 Events of Default

30

SECTION 6.02 Acceleration

32

SECTION 6.03 Other Remedies

32

SECTION 6.04 Waiver of Defaults

33

SECTION 6.05 Control by Majority

33

SECTION 6.06 Limitations on Suits

33

SECTION 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

34

SECTION 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee

34

SECTION 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

34

SECTION 6.10 Priorities

35

SECTION 6.11 Undertaking for Costs

36

ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE

36

SECTION 7.01 Duties of Trustee

36

SECTION 7.02 Rights of Trustee

37

SECTION 7.03 May Hold Securities

38

SECTION 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer

39

SECTION 7.05 Notice of Defaults

39

SECTION 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders

39

SECTION 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity

39

SECTION 7.08 Replacement of Trustee

40

SECTION 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

42

SECTION 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification

42

SECTION 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company or the Guarantor

42

ARTICLE VIII DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

43

SECTION 8.01 Termination of the Company’s and the Guarantor’s Obligations

43

SECTION 8.02 Application of Trust Money

46

SECTION 8.03 Repayment to Company or Guarantor

47

SECTION 8.04 Reinstatement

47

SECTION 8.05 Indemnity for Non-Callable Government Obligations

47

ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

48

SECTION 9.01 Without Consent of Holders

48

SECTION 9.02 With Consent of Holders

49

SECTION 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

51

SECTION 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents

51

SECTION 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities

51

SECTION 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

52

ARTICLE X GUARANTEE

52

SECTION 10.01 Guarantee

52

SECTION 10.02 Proceedings Against Guarantor

53

 

iv



 

SECTION 10.03 Subrogation

53

SECTION 10.04 Guarantee for Benefit of Holders

54

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

54

SECTION 11.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls

54

SECTION 11.02 Notices

54

SECTION 11.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders

56

SECTION 11.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

56

SECTION 11.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

56

SECTION 11.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents

57

SECTION 11.07 Legal Holidays

57

SECTION 11.08 No Recourse Against Others

57

SECTION 11.09 Governing Law

57

SECTION 11.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

57

SECTION 11.11 Successors

57

SECTION 11.12 Severability

58

SECTION 11.13 Counterpart Originals

58

SECTION 11.14 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

58

SECTION 11.15 Waiver of Jury Trial

58

SECTION 11.16 USA PATRIOT Act

58

 

v


 

INDENTURE dated as of                        , 20         among ConocoPhillips, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), ConocoPhillips Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Guarantor”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National 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 of the Company’s unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Securities”) to be issued from time to time in one or more series as provided in this Indenture:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01              Definitions.

 

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts required by the express terms of a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein or pursuant thereto, to be paid by the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, with respect to certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to such Holders.

 

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person shall mean the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

“Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

 

“Attributable Debt,” when used with respect to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction, means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate set forth or implicit in the terms of the lease included in such transaction) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, assessments, utilities, operating and labor costs and other items which do not constitute payments for property rights) during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended). In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall be the lesser of the net amount determined assuming termination upon the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the net amount shall also include the amount of the penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated) or the net amount determined assuming no such termination.

 

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

 

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“Board of Directors,” when used with reference to the Company or the Guarantor, means the Board of Directors of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, or any committee thereof duly authorized, with respect to any particular matter, to act by or on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be.

 

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or the Guarantor to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Legal Holiday.

 

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person; provided, however, that for purposes of any provision contained herein which is required by the TIA, “Company” shall also mean each other obligor (if any), other than the Guarantor, on the Securities of a series.

 

“Company Order” and “Company Request” mean, respectively, a written order or request signed in the name of the Company by two Officers of the Company and, in the case of a Company Order pursuant to Section 2.01 or 2.04, in the name of the Guarantor by an Officer of the Guarantor, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Consolidated Adjusted Net Assets” means the total amount of assets less (1) all current liabilities (excluding the amount of those liabilities which are by their terms extendable or renewable at the option of the obligor to a date more than 12 months after the date as of which the amount is being determined and current maturities of long-term debt) and (2) total prepaid expenses and deferred charges, all as set forth on the most recent quarterly balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750, Dallas, Texas 75201, Attention: Corporate, Municipal and Escrow Solutions, and as may be located at such other address as the Trustee may give notice to the Company and the Guarantor.

 

“Debt” means all notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of debt for money borrowed.

 

“Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof as the initial Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

 

2



 

“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debt.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

 

“Funded Debt” means all Debt (including Debt incurred under any revolving credit, letter of credit or working capital facility) that matures by its terms, or that is renewable at the option of any obligor thereon, to a date more than one year after the date on which such Debt is originally incurred.

 

“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 of the United States, as in effect from time to time.

 

“Global Security” means a Security that is issued in global form in the name of the Depositary with respect thereto or its nominee.

 

“Government Obligations” means, with respect to a series of Securities, direct obligations of the government that issues the currency in which the Securities of the series are payable for the payment of which the full faith and credit of such government is pledged, or obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government.

 

“Guarantee” shall mean the guarantee of the Company’s obligations under the Securities by the Guarantor as provided in Article X.

 

“Guarantor” means the Person named as a “Guarantor” in the first paragraph of this instrument, until a successor to such Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Guarantor” shall mean such successor Person.

 

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered.

 

“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time pursuant to the provisions hereof, and includes the terms of a particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 2.01.

 

“interest” means, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity.

 

“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Security as contemplated by Section 2.01.

 

3



 

“Issue Date” means, with respect to Securities of a series, the date on which the Securities of such series are originally issued under this Indenture.

 

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in any of The City of New York, New York; Houston, Texas or a Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

 

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, lien or security interest.

 

“Maturity” means, with respect to any Security, the 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 thereof, or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

 

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice Chairman of the Board, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of a Person.

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of a Person and, in the case of an Officers’ Certificate of the Company pursuant to Section 2.01 or 2.04, by an Officer of the Guarantor.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Such written opinion must be from legal counsel, and such counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, the Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company or the Guarantor.

 

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

 

“Permitted Liens” means:

 

(i)                                     Liens existing on the date of first issuance of a series of Securities;

 

(ii)                                  Liens on property or assets of, or any shares of stock of, or other equity interests in, or Debt of, any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or a Principal Domestic Subsidiary or at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of a Person (or a division thereof) as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or a Subsidiary;

 

(iii)                               Liens on assets (including improvements and accessions thereto and proceeds thereof) (a) existing at the time of acquisition thereof, (b) securing all or any portion of the cost of acquiring, constructing, improving, developing or expanding such assets or (c) securing Debt incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 24 months after, the later of the acquisition, the completion of construction, improvement, development or expansion or the commencement of commercial operation of such assets, for the purpose (in the case of this clause (c)) of

 

4



 

(x) financing all or any part of the purchase price of such assets or (y) financing all or any part of the cost of construction, improvement, development or expansion of any such assets;

 

(iv)                              Liens on specific assets to secure Debt incurred to provide funds for all or any part of the cost of exploration, drilling or development of such assets;

 

(v)                                 Liens in favor of the Company or any Subsidiary;

 

(vi)                              Liens securing industrial development, pollution control or other revenue bonds issued or guaranteed by the United States of America, or any State, or any department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of either;

 

(vii)                           Liens on personal property, other than shares of stock or Debt of any Principal Domestic Subsidiary, securing loans maturing not more than one year from the date of the creation thereof;

 

(viii)                        Liens on any Principal Property arising in connection with the sale of accounts receivable resulting from the sale of oil or gas at the wellhead;

 

(ix)                              statutory liens or landlords’, carriers’, warehouseman’s, mechanics’, suppliers’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; and

 

(x)                                 any extensions, substitutions, replacements or renewals in whole or in part of a Lien enumerated in clauses (i) through (ix) above or any Debt secured by such a Lien; provided that (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien, plus improvements on such property, and (b) the principal amount of Debt secured by such Lien and not otherwise authorized by clauses (i) through (ix) above or otherwise permitted does not materially exceed the principal amount of Debt so secured plus any premium or fee payable in connection with any such extension, substitution, replacement or renewal.

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.

 

“Place of Payment” means, with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of that series are payable as specified in accordance with Section 2.01 subject to the provisions of Section 4.02.

 

“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the Security.

 

“Principal Domestic Subsidiary” means the Guarantor and any Subsidiary (i) that has substantially all of its assets located in the United States, (ii) that owns a Principal Property and (iii) in which the Company’s direct or indirect capital investment, together with the outstanding

 

5



 

balance of (a) any loans and advances made to such Subsidiary by the Company or any other Subsidiary and (b) any debt of such Subsidiary guaranteed by the Company or any other Subsidiary, exceeds $100,000,000.

 

“Principal Property” means any oil or gas producing property located in the United States, onshore or offshore, or any refinery or manufacturing plant (excluding any transportation or marketing facilities or assets) located in the United States, in each case owned by the Company or a Subsidiary, except any oil or gas producing property, refinery or plant that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, is not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

“Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Responsible Officer” means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

“Rule 144A Securities” means Securities of a series designated pursuant to Section 2.01 as entitled to the benefits of Section 4.03(b).

 

“Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement with any Person pursuant to which the Company or any Subsidiary leases any Principal Property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or such Subsidiary to such Person, other than (1) temporary leases for a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee, of not more than three years, (2) leases between the Company and a Subsidiary or between Subsidiaries, (3) leases of Principal Property executed by the time of, or within 12 months after the latest of, the acquisition, the completion of construction or improvement, or the commencement of commercial operation of the Principal Property, and (4) arrangements pursuant to any provision of law with an effect similar to the former Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

 

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Securities” has the meaning stated in the preamble of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 

“Security Custodian” means, with respect to Securities of a series issued in global form, the Trustee for Securities of such series, as custodian with respect to the Securities of such series, or any successor entity thereto.

 

6



 

“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 as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

 

“Subsidiary” means a Person at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

 

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof.

 

“Trustee” means the Person named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” means each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series means the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

“United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia) and its territories and possessions, which include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

 

“U.S. Government Obligations” means Government Obligations with respect to Securities payable in Dollars.

 

SECTION 1.02              Other Definitions.

 

 

 

DEFINED

TERM

 

IN SECTION

 

 

 

“Bankruptcy Custodian”

 

6.01

“Conversion Event”

 

6.01

“covenant defeasance”

 

8.01

“Event of Default”

 

6.01

“Exchange Rate”

 

2.11

“Judgment Currency”

 

6.10

“legal defeasance”

 

8.01

“mandatory sinking fund payment”

 

3.09

“optional sinking fund payment”

 

3.09

“Paying Agent”

 

2.05

“Registrar”

 

2.05

“Required Currency”

 

6.10

“Successor”

 

5.01

 

7



 

SECTION 1.03              Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture (and if the Indenture is not qualified under the TIA at that time, as if it were so qualified unless otherwise provided). The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

“Commission” means the SEC.

 

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

 

“indenture security holder” means a Holder.

 

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

 

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

 

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company, the Guarantor or any other obligor on the Securities.

 

All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by a TIA reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

 

SECTION 1.04              Rules of Construction.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

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

 

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

 

(3)                                 “or” is not exclusive;

 

(4)                                 words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

(5)                                 provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

 

(6)                                 all references in this instrument to Articles and Sections are references to the corresponding Articles and Sections in and of this instrument.

 

8



 

ARTICLE II
THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 2.01              Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company, and set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company or in a Company Order, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

 

(1)                                 the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series);

 

(2)                                 if there is to be a limit, the limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.08, 2.09, 2.12, 2.17, 3.07 or 9.05 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 2.04 or 2.17, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that unless otherwise provided in the terms of the series, the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may be increased before or after the issuance of any Securities of the series by a Board Resolution (or action pursuant to a Board Resolution) to such effect;

 

(3)                                 whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form, as Global Securities or otherwise, and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.17, and the initial Depositary and Security Custodian, if any, for any Global Security or Securities of such series;

 

(4)                                 the manner in which any interest payable on a temporary Global Security on any Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.14;

 

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

 

(6)                                 the rate or rates, or the method of determination thereof, at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any Securities on any Interest Payment Date, or if other than provided herein, the Person to whom any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable;

 

9



 

(7)                                 the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 4.02, the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

 

(8)                                 the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option, and the manner in which the Company must exercise any such option, if different from those set forth herein;

 

(9)                                 the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid in whole or in part pursuant to such obligation;

 

(10)                          if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denomination in which any Securities of that series shall be issuable;

 

(11)                          if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) or the form, including equity securities, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants or any other securities or property of the Company, the Guarantor or any other Person, in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

 

(12)                          if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies (including composite currencies) other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series as to which such election is made shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made;

 

(13)                          if the amount of payments of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to any commodities, currencies or indices, values, rates or prices or any other index or formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

(14)                          if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

 

(15)                          any additional means of satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and any additional conditions or limitations to discharge with respect to Securities of the series and the related Guarantees pursuant to Article VIII or any modifications of or deletions from such conditions or limitations;

 

10


 

(16)                          any deletions or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 6.01 or covenants of the Company or the Guarantor set forth in Article IV pertaining to the Securities of the series;

 

(17)                          any restrictions or other provisions with respect to the transfer or exchange of Securities of the series, which may amend, supplement, modify or supersede those contained in this Article II;

 

(18)                          if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants, other equity securities or any other securities or property of the Company, the Guarantor or any other Person, at the option of the Company or the Holder or upon the occurrence of any condition or event, the terms and conditions for such conversion or exchange;

 

(19)                          whether the Securities of the series are to be entitled to the benefit of Section 4.03(b) (and accordingly constitute Rule 144A Securities); and

 

(20)                          any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

 

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 2.03) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

 

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action, together with such Board Resolution, shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order setting forth the terms of the series.

 

SECTION 2.02              Denominations.

 

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.01. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

SECTION 2.03              Forms Generally.

 

The Securities of each series shall be in fully registered form and in substantially such form or forms (including temporary or permanent global form) established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, securities exchange rule, the Company’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other similar governing documents, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). A copy of the Board Resolution

 

11



 

establishing the form or forms of Securities of any series shall be 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.

 

The definitive Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

 

The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

 

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

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory”.

 

SECTION 2.04              Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

 

Two Officers of the Company shall sign the Securities on behalf of the Company and, with respect to the Guarantees of the Securities, an Officer of the Guarantor shall sign the Securities on behalf of the Guarantor, in each case by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer of the Company or the Guarantor whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall be valid nevertheless.

 

A Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or the related Guarantees or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee, which signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security has been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company delivers such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.13, together with an Officers’ Certificate (which need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or the related Guarantee.

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company and the Guarantor to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Securities for original issue upon a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by Company Order. Such order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated, the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders and any other terms of the Securities of such series not otherwise

 

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determined. If provided for in such procedures, such Company Order may authorize (1) authentication and delivery of Securities of such series for original issue from time to time, with certain terms (including, without limitation, the Maturity date or dates, original issue date or dates and interest rate or rates) that differ from Security to Security and (2) may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent, which instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing.

 

In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (in addition to the Company Order referred to above and the other documents required by Section 11.04), and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

 

(a)                                 an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Board Resolution and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant thereto, as contemplated by the last paragraph of Section 2.01; and

 

(b)                                 an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that:

 

(i)                                     the form of such Securities has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(ii)                                  the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

 

(iii)                               that, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, such Securities and the related Guarantees will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company and the Guarantor, respectively, enforceable against the Company and the Guarantor, respectively, in accordance with their respective terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws in effect from time to time affecting the rights of creditors generally, and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each such Security, but such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued.

 

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issuance of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture would affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to

 

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authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by any such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company, the Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company or the Guarantor.

 

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

SECTION 2.05              Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

The Company shall maintain an office or agency for each series of Securities where Securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities of such series may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities of such series and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

 

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The 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 any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company, the Guarantor or any Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 2.06              Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

 

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. Upon payment over to the Trustee and upon accounting for any funds disbursed, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company, the Guarantor or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company, the Guarantor or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Each Paying Agent shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 317(b).

 

SECTION 2.07              Holder Lists.

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment

 

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Date with respect to such series of Securities, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders of such series, and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).

 

SECTION 2.08              Transfer and Exchange.

 

Except as set forth in Section 2.17 or as may be provided pursuant to Section 2.01:

 

When Securities of any series are presented to the Registrar with the request to register the transfer of such Securities or to exchange such Securities for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same series of like tenor and of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its requirements and the requirements of this Indenture for such transactions are met; provided, however, that the Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing, on which instruction the Registrar can rely.

 

To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company and the Guarantor shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s written request and submission of the Securities or Global Securities. No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.12, 3.07 or 9.05). The Trustee shall authenticate Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.04. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of (a) any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article III, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part, or (b) any Security during the period beginning 15 Business Days prior to the mailing of notice of any offer to repurchase Securities of the series required pursuant to the terms thereof or of redemption of Securities of a series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing.

 

SECTION 2.09              Replacement Securities.

 

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been destroyed, lost or stolen and the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security, the Company shall issue, the Guarantor shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security of the same series if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security. If required by the Trustee, the Guarantor or the Company, such Holder must furnish an indemnity bond that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them

 

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may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge a Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.

 

Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company and the Guarantor.

 

SECTION 2.10              Outstanding Securities.

 

The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Security effected by the Trustee hereunder and those described in this Section 2.10 as not outstanding.

 

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser.

 

If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company, the Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company or the Guarantor holds the Security.

 

SECTION 2.11              Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, (a) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security shall be the principal amount thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02, (b) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a foreign currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such currency, as such rate is certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Exchange Rate”) on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the amount determined as provided in (a) above), of such Security and (c) Securities owned by the Company, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company, of the Guarantor or of such other obligor shall be disregarded, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Securities that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

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SECTION 2.12              Temporary Securities.

 

Until definitive Securities of any series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare, the Company and the Guarantor shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities, but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare, the Company and the Guarantor shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.  Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities.

 

SECTION 2.13              Cancellation.

 

The Company or the Guarantor at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or redemption or for credit against any sinking fund payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, redemption, replacement or cancellation or for credit against any sinking fund, and all canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with the usual disposal procedures of the Trustee. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

SECTION 2.14              Payments; Defaulted Interest.

 

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 2.01, interest (except defaulted interest) on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Persons who are registered Holders of that Security at the close of business on the record date next preceding such Interest Payment Date, even if such Securities are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date. The Holder must surrender a Security to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of any series, the Company will pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities in Dollars. Such amounts shall be payable at the offices of the Trustee or any Paying Agent, provided that at the option of the Company, the Company may pay such amounts (1) by wire transfer with respect to Global Securities or (2) by wire transfer or by check payable in such money mailed to a Holder’s registered address with respect to any Securities; provided that payment by wire transfer will only be permitted respect to any Holder who holds at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Securities and who has provided wire transfer instructions to the Company and the Trustee or any Paying Agent to an account located in the continental United States.

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of any series, the Company shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities of such series and in Section 4.01. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. At least 15 days before any special record date selected by the

 

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Company, the Company (or the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Company upon 20 days’ prior written notice from the Company setting forth such special record date and the interest amount to be paid) shall mail to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

SECTION 2.15              Persons Deemed Owners.

 

The Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payments of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security and for all other purposes. None of the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

SECTION 2.16              Computation of Interest.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a year comprising twelve 30-day months.

 

SECTION 2.17              Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions.

 

If Securities of a series are issuable in global form as a Global Security, as contemplated by Section 2.01, then, notwithstanding clause (10) of Section 2.01 and the provisions of Section 2.02, any such Global Security shall represent such of the outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, transfers or redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee (i) in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified in such Security or in a Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.04 or (ii) otherwise in accordance with written instructions or such other written form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary for such Security, from such Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in such Global Security. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.04 and, if applicable, Section 2.12, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified in such Security or in the applicable Company Order. With respect to the Securities of any series that are represented by a Global Security, the Company and the Guarantor authorize the execution and delivery by the Trustee of a letter of representations or other similar agreement or instrument in the form customarily provided for by the Depositary appointed with respect to such Global Security. Any Global Security may be deposited with the Depositary or its nominee, or may remain in the custody of the Trustee or the Security Custodian therefor pursuant to a FAST Balance Certificate Agreement or similar agreement between the Trustee and the Depositary. If a Company Order has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form

 

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shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

 

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 Trustee or the Security Custodian as its custodian, or under such Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian and any agent of the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the registered holder of a Global Security of a series 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 of Securities of such series is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities of such series and (ii) nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian, or any agent of the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or shall impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a beneficial owner of any Security.

 

Notwithstanding Section 2.08, and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.01: Transfers of a Global Security shall be limited to transfers of such Global Security in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Security may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary. Securities shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Security if, and only if, either (1) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Security and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, (2) an Event of Default has occurred with respect to such series and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue Securities in lieu of all or a portion of the Global Security (in which case the Company shall deliver Securities within 30 days of such request) or (3) the Company determines not to have the Securities represented by a Global Security.

 

In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Global Security to be transferred, and the Company and the Guarantor shall execute, and the Trustee upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Securities of the same series of like tenor and amount.

 

In connection with the transfer of all the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company and the Guarantor shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interests in the Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Securities of authorized denominations.

 

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Neither the Company, the Guarantor nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, Securities by the Depositary, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary relating to such Securities. Neither the Company, the Guarantor nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay by the related Global Security Holder or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners, and each such Person may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, instructions from such Global Security Holder or the Depositary for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Securities to be issued).

 

The provisions of the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04 shall apply to any Global Security if such Global Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company or the Guarantor delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with an Officers’ Certificate (which need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the cancellation or reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the Officers’ Certificate contemplated by the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.03 and 2.14, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Global Security shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

 

The Trustee shall have no 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 Agent Members or beneficial owners of interests 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 of this Indenture.  Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any action taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

SECTION 2.18              CUSIP Numbers.

 

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers of the Securities.

 

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ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01              Applicability of Article.

 

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article III.

 

SECTION 3.02              Notice to the Trustee.

 

If the Company elects to redeem Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, it shall notify the Trustee of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. The Company shall so notify the Trustee at least three Business Days before the date of giving notice of the redemption pursuant to Section 3.04 (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) by delivering to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such redemption will comply with the provisions of this Indenture and of the Securities of such series. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to the mailing of such notice of such redemption to any Holder and shall thereupon be void and of no effect.

 

SECTION 3.03              Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed.

 

If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Securities of such series of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date from the outstanding Securities of such series (and tenor) not previously called for redemption by lot or pursuant to applicable Depositary procedures and shall provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or of the principal amount of Global Securities of such series.

 

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

For purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any of the Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount thereof which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.04              Notice of Redemption.

 

Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at the address of such Holder appearing in the register of Securities maintained by the Registrar.

 

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All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(1)                                 the Redemption Date;

 

(2)                                 the Redemption Price (or if not determinable at the time of such notice, the methodology for determining such Redemption Price);

 

(3)                                 that, unless the Company and the Guarantor default in making the redemption payment, interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, and the only remaining right of the Holders of such Securities is to receive payment of the Redemption Price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Securities redeemed;

 

(4)                                 if any Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender for cancellation of such Security to the Paying Agent, a new Security or Securities in the aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued without charge to the Holder;

 

(5)                                 that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price and the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(6)                                 that the redemption is for a sinking or analogous fund, if such is the case; and

 

(7)                                 the CUSIP number, if any, relating to such Securities, along with the statement in Section 2.18.

 

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least three Business Days prior to the giving of notice of redemption (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in the notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

 

SECTION 3.05              Effect of Notice of Redemption.

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities called for redemption shall be paid at the Redemption Price, but interest installments whose maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable on the relevant Interest Payment Dates to the Holders of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates specified pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

SECTION 3.06              Deposit of Redemption Price.

 

On or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company or the Guarantor shall deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or the

 

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Guarantor is acting as the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.06) an amount of money in same day funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date, other than Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Company or the Guarantor to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

If the Company or the Guarantor complies with the preceding paragraph, then, unless the Company and the Guarantor default in the payment of such Redemption Price, interest on the Securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue on and after the applicable Redemption Date, whether or not such Securities are presented for payment, and the Holders of such Securities shall have no further rights with respect to such Securities except for the right to receive the Redemption Price upon surrender of such Securities. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal, premium, if any, any Additional Amounts, and, to the extent lawful, accrued interest thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate specified pursuant to Section 2.01 or provided in the Securities or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, such Securities’ yield to maturity.

 

SECTION 3.07              Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

 

Upon surrender to the Paying Agent of a Security to be redeemed in part, the Company and the Guarantor shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge to such Holder, a new Security or Securities, of the same series and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered that is not redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.08              Purchase of Securities.

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company, the Guarantor and any Affiliate of the Company or the Guarantor may, subject to applicable law, at any time purchase or otherwise acquire Securities in the open market or by private agreement. Any such acquisition shall not operate as or be deemed for any purpose to be a redemption of the indebtedness represented by such Securities. Any Securities purchased or acquired by the Company or the Guarantor may be delivered to the Trustee and, upon such delivery, the indebtedness represented thereby shall be deemed to be satisfied. Section 2.13 shall apply to all Securities so delivered.

 

SECTION 3.09              Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds.

 

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” Unless otherwise provided by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 3.10. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the

 

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redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and by this Article III.

 

SECTION 3.10              Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

 

The Company or the Guarantor may deliver outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

SECTION 3.11              Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

 

Not less than 45 days prior (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate of the Company specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivery of or by crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.10 and will also deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Failure of the Company to timely deliver or cause to be delivered such Officers’ Certificate and Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute the election of the Company that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and that the Company will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section 3.11.

 

If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof based on the applicable Exchange Rate on the date of original issue of the applicable Securities) or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request with respect to the Securities of any particular series, such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall be $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) or less and the Company makes no such request then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) is available. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.04. Such notice having

 

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been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.05, 3.06 and 3.07.

 

ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01              Payment of Securities.

 

The Company shall pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of each series on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities of such series and in this Indenture. Principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent (other than the Company, the Guarantor or a Subsidiary) holds on that date money deposited by the Company or the Guarantor designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts then due.

 

The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium (if any), at a rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Securities to the extent lawful; and it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and any Additional Amounts (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

The Company shall give the Trustee advance written notice of any Additional Amounts that may be payable with respect to any series of Securities.  The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of any series of Securities to determine any Additional Amounts, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of Additional Amounts owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of Additional Amounts.

 

SECTION 4.02              Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent) where Securities of that series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series may be presented for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company or the Guarantor in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. Unless otherwise designated by the Company by written notice to the Trustee and the Guarantor, such office or agency shall be the office of an Affiliate of the Trustee in The City of New York, which on the date hereof is located at 150 East 42nd Street, New York, New York 10017. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee and the Guarantor of the location, and any change in the location, of 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 and the Guarantor with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies 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 such designations; provided, however, that no such

 

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designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

SECTION 4.03              SEC Reports; Financial Statements.

 

(a)                                 If the Company or the Guarantor is subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company or the Guarantor is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provided that the delivery obligation hereunder shall be deemed satisfied by the Company and the Guarantor if all such items are made available to the Trustee on the Company’s or Guarantor’s website or at the website of the SEC; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such materials are available on any such website. If this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, but not otherwise, the Company and the Guarantor shall also comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a). Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee shall be for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt thereof shall not constitute constructive 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 Officers’ Certificates or certificates delivered pursuant to Section 4.04).

 

(b)                                 If neither the Company nor the Guarantor is subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company and the Guarantor shall furnish to all Holders of Rule 144A Securities and prospective purchasers of Rule 144A Securities designated by the Holders of Rule 144A Securities, promptly upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

SECTION 4.04              Compliance Certificate.

 

(a)                                 Each of the Company and the Guarantor shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a statement signed by an Officer of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, which need not constitute an Officers’ Certificate, complying with TIA Section 314(a)(4) and stating that in the course of performance by the signing Officer of his duties as such Officer of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, he would normally obtain knowledge of the keeping, observing, performing and fulfilling by the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, of its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating that to the best of his knowledge the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which such Officer may have knowledge and what action the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

 

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(b)                                 The Company or the Guarantor shall, so long as Securities of any series are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default under this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 4.05              Corporate Existence.

 

Subject to Article V, each of the Company and the Guarantor shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence.

 

SECTION 4.06              Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.

 

Each of the Company and the Guarantor covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive it from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Securities as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) each of the Company and the Guarantor hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

SECTION 4.07              Additional Amounts.

 

If the Securities of a series expressly provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series Additional Amounts as expressly provided therein.

 

Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or the net proceeds received from the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 4.07 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.07 and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

SECTION 4.08              Limitation on Liens.

 

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Principal Domestic Subsidiary to, issue, assume or guarantee any Debt for borrowed money secured by any Lien upon any Principal Property or any shares of stock or Debt of any Principal Domestic Subsidiary (whether such Principal Property, shares of stock or Debt is now owned or hereafter acquired) without making effective provision whereby the Securities (together with, if the Company shall so determine, any other Debt or other obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary) shall be secured equally and

 

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ratably with (or, at the option of the Company, prior to) the Debt so secured for so long as such Debt is so secured. The foregoing restrictions will not, however, apply to Debt secured by Permitted Liens.

 

In addition, the Company and its Principal Domestic Subsidiaries may, without securing the Securities, issue, assume or guarantee Debt that would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions in an aggregate principal amount that, together with all other such Debt of the Company and its Principal Domestic Subsidiaries that would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions (not including Debt permitted to be secured under the definition of Permitted Liens) and the aggregate amount of Attributable Debt deemed outstanding with respect to Sale/Leaseback Transactions (reduced by the amount applied pursuant to Section 4.09(b)) does not at any one time exceed 10% of Consolidated Adjusted Net Assets.

 

The following types of transactions shall not be deemed to create “Debt” secured by “Liens” within the meaning of those terms as used in this Indenture:

 

(a)                                 the sale or other transfer of (i) oil, gas or other minerals in place for a period of time until, or in an amount such that, the purchaser will realize therefrom a specified amount of money (however determined) or a specified amount of such minerals, or (ii) any other interest in property of the character commonly referred to as a “production payment”; and

 

(b)                                 the mortgage or pledge of any property of the Company or any Subsidiary in favor of the United States or any State, or any department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of either, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to the provisions of any contract or statute.

 

SECTION 4.09              Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions.

 

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Principal Domestic Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with any Person (other than the Company or a Subsidiary) unless:

 

(a)                                 the Company or such Principal Domestic Subsidiary would be entitled to incur Debt in a principal amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction secured by a Lien on the property subject to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction pursuant to Section 4.08 without equally and ratably securing the Securities pursuant to such covenant; or

 

(b)                                 within a period commencing 12 months prior to the consummation of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction and ending 12 months after the consummation thereof, the Company or any Subsidiary shall have applied an amount equal to all or a portion of the net proceeds of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (with any such amount not being so applied to be subject to Section 4.09(a)):

 

(1)                                 to the voluntary defeasance or retirement of any Securities or any Funded Debt; or

 

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(2)                                 to the acquisition, exploration, drilling, development, construction, improvement or expansion of one or more Principal Properties.

 

For these purposes, the net proceeds of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means an amount equal to the greater of (i) the net proceeds of the sale or transfer of the property leased in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction and (ii) the fair value, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company and evidenced by a Board Resolution, of such property at the time of entering into such Sale/Leaseback Transaction.

 

ARTICLE V
SUCCESSORS

 

SECTION 5.01              Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations.

 

Neither the Company nor the Guarantor shall, in any transaction or series of transactions, consolidate with or merge into any Person, or sell, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person (other than a consolidation or merger of the Company and the Guarantor or a sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to the Guarantor or of the Guarantor to the Company), unless:

 

(1)                                 either (a) the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be the continuing Person or (b) the Person (if other than the Company or the Guarantor) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company or the Guarantor is merged, or to which such sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition shall be made (collectively, the “Successor”), is organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any political subdivision thereof or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes by supplemental indenture, in the case of the Company, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of the Company’s covenants and obligations under this Indenture and the Securities, or, in the case of the Guarantor, the performance of the Guarantee and the Guarantor’s covenants and obligations under this Indenture and the Securities;

 

(2)                                 immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; and

 

(3)                                 the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture and that the Securities, the Indenture and the Guarantee constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company and the Guarantor (or, if applicable, the Successor).

 

SECTION 5.02              Successor Person Substituted.

 

Upon any consolidation or merger of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, or any sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01, the Successor formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company or the Guarantor is merged or to which such

 

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sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, under this Indenture and the Securities with the same effect as if such Successor had been named as the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, herein and the predecessor Company or Guarantor, in the case of a sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, shall be released from all obligations under this Indenture, the Securities and, in the case of the Guarantor, the Guarantee.

 

ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01              Events of Default.

 

Unless either inapplicable to a particular series or specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture or Board Resolution establishing such series of Securities or in the form of Security for such series, an “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, occurs if:

 

(1)                                 there is a default in the payment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(2)                                 there is a default in the payment of (A) the principal of any Security of that series at its Maturity or (B) premium (if any) on any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable;

 

(3)                                 there is a default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(4)                                 the Company or the Guarantor fails to comply with any of its other covenants or agreements in, or provisions of, the Securities of such series or this Indenture (other than an agreement, covenant or provision that has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than that series) which shall not have been remedied within the specified period after written notice, as specified in the last paragraph of this Section 6.01;

 

(5)                                 the Company or the Guarantor pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(A)                               commences a voluntary case,

 

(B)                               consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

 

(C)                               consents to the appointment of a Bankruptcy Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

 

(D)                               makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

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(6)                                 a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days and that:

 

(A)                               is for relief against the Company or the Guarantor as debtor in an involuntary case,

 

(B)                               appoints a Bankruptcy Custodian of the Company or the Guarantor or a Bankruptcy Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or the Guarantor, or

 

(C)                               orders the liquidation of the Company or the Guarantor; or

 

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

 

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

 

The Trustee shall not be deemed to know or have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

 

When a Default is cured, it ceases.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable in a currency or currencies (including a composite currency) other than Dollars and such currency or currencies are not available to the Company or the Guarantor for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company or the Guarantor (a “Conversion Event”), each of the Company and the Guarantor will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar equivalent of the amount payable in such other currency, as determined by the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, any payment made under such circumstances in Dollars where the required payment is in a currency other than Dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.

 

Promptly after the occurrence of a Conversion Event, the Company or the Guarantor shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee; and the Trustee, promptly after receipt of such notice, shall give notice thereof in the manner provided in Section 11.02 to the Holders. Promptly after the making of any payment in Dollars as a result of a Conversion Event, the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall give notice in the manner provided in Section 11.02 to the Holders, setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate and describing the calculation of such payments.

 

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A Default under clause (4) or (7) of this Section 6.01 is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company and the Guarantor, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Default (or, in the case of a Default under clause (4) of this Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by such Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) notify the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee, of the Default, and the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, fails to cure the Default within 90 days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.”

 

SECTION 6.02              Acceleration.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any series at the time outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company and the Guarantor, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default (or, in the case of an Event of Default described in clause (4) of Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by such Event of Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) by notice to the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee, may declare the principal of (or, if any such Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest on all then outstanding Securities of such series or of all series, as the case may be, to be due and payable. Upon any such declaration, the amounts due and payable on the Securities shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs, such amounts shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default or all series, as the case may be, by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences (other than nonpayment of principal of or premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) have been cured or waived, except nonpayment of principal, premium, interest or any Additional Amounts that has become due solely because of the acceleration.

 

SECTION 6.03              Other Remedies.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  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. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

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SECTION 6.04              Waiver of Defaults.

 

Subject to Sections 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series or of all series (acting as one class) by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing or past Default or Event of Default with respect to such series or all series, as the case may be, and its consequences (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of such series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of such series or all series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of such series or all series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)), except (1) a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or (2) a continued Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each Holder affected. 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.

 

With respect to Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it relating to or arising under an Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Section 6.01, and with respect to all Securities, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all the then outstanding Securities affected may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it not relating to or arising under such an Event of Default. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with applicable law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion from Holders directing the Trustee against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

SECTION 6.06              Limitations on Suits.

 

Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, a Holder of a Security of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of such series only if:

 

(1)                                 the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to such series;

 

(2)                                 the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

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(3)                                 such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(4)                                 the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

 

(5)                                 during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

 

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such use by a Holder prejudices the rights of any other Holders or obtains preference or priority over such other Holders).

 

SECTION 6.07              Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

 

SECTION 6.08              Collection Suit by Trustee.

 

If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 hereof 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 the Guarantor for the amount of principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts remaining unpaid on the Securities of the series affected by the Event of Default, and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

SECTION 6.09              Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such actions, including participating as a member, voting or otherwise, of any committee of creditors, as may be necessary or advisable 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 allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or the Guarantor or their respective creditors or properties and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any Bankruptcy Custodian in any such judicial 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, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. To the extent that

 

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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 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 of the Securities 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 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.

 

SECTION 6.10              Priorities.

 

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article VI, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

 

First:  to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

 

Second:  to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts, respectively; and

 

Third:  to the Company.

 

The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix record dates and payment dates for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Article VI.

 

To the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, if for the purpose of obtaining a judgment against the Company or the Guarantor in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day in The City of New York next preceding that on which final judgment is given. None of the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee shall be liable for any shortfall nor shall any of them benefit from any windfall in payments to Holders of Securities under this Section 6.10 caused by a change in exchange rates between the time the amount of a judgment against it is calculated as above and the time the Trustee converts the Judgment Currency into the Required Currency to make payments under this Section 6.10 to Holders of Securities, but payment of such judgment shall discharge all amounts owed by the Company and the Guarantor on the claim or claims underlying such judgment.

 

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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 a 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 a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by a Holder or Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series.

 

ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01              Duties of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in such 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 with respect to the Securities of any series:

 

(1)                                 the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)                                 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, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether, on their face, they appear to conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

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

 

(1)                                 this paragraph does not limit the effect of Section 7.01(b);

 

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

 

(3)                                 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 Section 6.05.

 

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(d)                                 Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

 

(e)                                  No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

(f)                                   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 and the Guarantor. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. All money received by the Trustee shall, until applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities.

 

SECTION 7.02              Rights of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document 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 the document.

 

(b)                                 Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require instruction, an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both to be provided. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such instruction, Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult at the Company’s expense with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

(c)                                  The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

 

(d)                                 The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

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

 

(f)                                   The Trustee shall not be obligated to make any investigation into the facts or matters 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.

 

(g)                                  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 each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

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

 

(i)                                     Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

 

(j)                                    In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

(k)                                 In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

(l)                                     The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(m)                             The Trustee shall not be deemed to know or have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

 

(n)                                 The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

 

SECTION 7.03              May Hold Securities.

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company, the Guarantor or any of their respective Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. However, the Trustee is subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

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SECTION 7.04              Trustee’s Disclaimer.

 

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities or any money paid to the Company or the Guarantor or upon the Company’s or the Guarantor’s direction under any provision hereof, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.  Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Securities of any series.

 

SECTION 7.05              Notice of Defaults.

 

If a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing and it is known to the Trustee as set forth in Section 7.02(m), the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Securities of such series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts or any sinking fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 7.06              Reports by Trustee to Holders.

 

Within 60 days after each September 15 of each year after the execution of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of a series, the Guarantor and the Company a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date with respect to a series, no report need be transmitted to Holders of such series. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b).The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports if and as required by TIA Sections 313(c) and 313(d).

 

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders of a series of Securities shall be filed by the Company or the Guarantor with the SEC and each securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities of such series are listed. The Company shall notify the Trustee if and when any series of Securities is listed on any securities exchange.

 

SECTION 7.07              Compensation and Indemnity.

 

The Company agrees to pay to the Trustee for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder such compensation 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 agrees to reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

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The Company hereby agrees to indemnify, defend, protect and hold the Trustee harmless from and against any and all losses, liability, damages, costs or expenses (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) that the Trustee may suffer or incur arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or the trusts hereunder or the performance of its duties hereunder, except as set forth in the next following paragraph. The Trustee shall notify the Company and the Guarantor promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent.

 

The Company shall not be obligated to reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s negligence or willful misconduct.

 

To secure the payment obligations of the Company 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, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of any series. Such lien and the Company’s obligations under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

The obligations of the Company set forth in this Section 7.07 shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.08              Replacement of Trustee.

 

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

 

The Trustee may resign and be discharged at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by so notifying the Company and the Guarantor. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by so notifying the Trustee, the Company and the Guarantor. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

 

(1)                                 the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

(2)                                 the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(3)                                 a Bankruptcy Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(4)                                 the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

 

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If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). Within one year after the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then outstanding may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series does not take office within 30 days after the retiring or removed Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring or removed Trustee (at the expense of the Company), the Company, the Guarantor or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of a series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, each such successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee, to the Company and to the Guarantor. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

 

In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the Guarantor, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto in which each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and that (1) shall confer to each successor Trustee all the rights, powers 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, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall confirm that all the rights, powers 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 (3) 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. Nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, and 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 shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring

 

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Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. On request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall transfer to such successor Trustee all property held by such retiring Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Such retiring Trustee shall, however, have the right to deduct its unpaid fees and expenses, including attorneys’ fees.

 

Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee or Trustees pursuant to this Section 7.08, the obligations of the Company under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee or Trustees.

 

SECTION 7.09              Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

 

Subject to Section 7.10, if the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided, however, that such successor Trustee shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article VII.

 

In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the 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.

 

SECTION 7.10              Eligibility; Disqualification.

 

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation or banking association organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust power, shall be subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State (or the District of Columbia) authority and shall have, or be a subsidiary of a bank or bank holding company having, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

The Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5). The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) during the period of time required by this Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the application referred to in the penultimate paragraph of TIA Section 310(b).

 

SECTION 7.11              Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company or the Guarantor.

 

The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

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ARTICLE VIII
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

SECTION 8.01              Termination of the Company’s and the Guarantor’s Obligations.

 

(a)                                 This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the Securities of a series (except that the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations under Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive), and the Trustee and the Guarantor, on demand of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, when:

 

(1)                                 either:

 

(A)                               all outstanding Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and issued (other than destroyed, lost or stolen Securities that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(B)                               all outstanding Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

 

(i)                                     have become due and payable, or

 

(ii)                                  will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

(iii)                               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, in the case of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Company or the Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as funds (immediately available to the Holders in the case of clause (i)) in trust for such purpose (x) cash in an amount, or (y) Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of cash in an amount or (z) a combination thereof, which will be sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (y) and (z)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Securities of such series for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or for principal, premium, if any, and interest to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; or

 

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(C)                               the Company and the Guarantor have properly fulfilled such other means of satisfaction and discharge as is specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of such series;

 

(2)                                 the Company or the Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by them hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series; and

 

(3)                                 the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

 

(b)                                 Unless this Section 8.01(b) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may, at its option, terminate certain of its and the Guarantor’s respective obligations under this Indenture (“covenant defeasance”) with respect to the Securities of a series if:

 

(1)                                 the Company or the Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee 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 Securities of such series, (i) money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount, or (ii) Government Obligations with respect to such series, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount or (iii) a combination thereof, that is sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on all Securities of such series on each date that such principal, premium (if any) or interest is due and payable and (at the Stated Maturity thereof or upon redemption as provided in Section 8.01(e)) to pay all other sums payable by it hereunder; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money and/or the proceeds of such Government Obligations to the payment of said principal, premium (if any) and interest with respect to the Securities of such series as the same shall become due;

 

(2)                                 the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect;

 

(3)                                 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;

 

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(4)                                 the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from a nationally recognized counsel acceptable to the Trustee or a tax ruling to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.01(b) and will be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not been exercised;

 

(5)                                 the Company and the Guarantor have complied with any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the discharge of Securities of such series pursuant to this Section 8.01; and

 

(6)                                 such deposit and discharge shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest as defined in TIA Section 310(b).

 

In such event, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as set forth in this paragraph), and the Trustee and the Guarantor, on demand of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge under this Indenture. However, the Company’s and the Guarantor’s respective obligations in Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04 and 10.01, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive until all Securities of such series are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Company’s obligations in Section 7.07 and the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 shall survive with respect to Securities of such series.

 

After such irrevocable deposit made pursuant to this Section 8.01(b) and satisfaction of the other conditions set forth herein, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s and the Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series except for those surviving obligations specified above.

 

In order to have money available on a payment date to pay principal of or premium (if any) or interest on the Securities, the Government Obligations shall be payable as to principal or interest on or before such payment date in such amounts as will provide the necessary money. Government Obligations shall not be callable at the issuer’s option.

 

(c)                                  If the Company and the Guarantor have previously complied or are concurrently complying with Section 8.01(b) (other than any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 that are expressly applicable only to covenant defeasance) with respect to Securities of a series, then, unless this Section 8.01(c) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may elect that its and the Guarantor’s respective obligations to make payments with respect to Securities of such series be discharged (“legal defeasance”), if:

 

(1)                                 no Default or Event of Default under clauses (5) and (6) of Section 6.01 hereof shall have occurred at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit contemplated by Section 8.01(b) (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period);

 

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(2)                                 unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from a nationally recognized counsel acceptable to the Trustee to the effect referred to in Section 8.01(b)(4) with respect to such legal defeasance, which opinion is based on (i) a private ruling of the Internal Revenue Service addressed to the Company, (ii) a published ruling of the Internal Revenue Service pertaining to a comparable form of transaction or (iii) a change in the applicable federal income tax law (including regulations) after the date of this Indenture;

 

(3)                                 the Company and the Guarantor have complied with any other conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the legal defeasance of Securities of such series pursuant to this Section 8.01(c); and

 

(4)                                 the Company has delivered to the Trustee a Company Request requesting such legal defeasance of the Securities of such series and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such legal defeasance of the Securities of such series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

 

In such event, the Company and the Guarantor will be discharged from their respective obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, Securities of such series, the Company’s and the Guarantor’s respective obligations under Sections 4.01, 4.02 and 10.01 shall terminate with respect to such Securities, and the entire indebtedness of the Company evidenced by such Securities and of the Guarantor evidenced by the related Guarantees shall be deemed paid and discharged.

 

(d)                                 If and to the extent additional or alternative means of satisfaction, discharge or defeasance of Securities of a series are specified to be applicable to such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, each of the Company and the Guarantor may terminate any or all of its obligations under this Indenture with respect to Securities of a series and any or all of its obligations under the Securities of such series if it fulfills such other means of satisfaction and discharge as may be so specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of such series.

 

(e)                                  If Securities of any series subject to subsections (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 8.01 are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory or optional sinking fund provisions, the terms of the applicable trust arrangement shall provide for such redemption, and the Company shall make such arrangements as are reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

 

SECTION 8.02              Application of Trust Money.

 

The Trustee or a trustee satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company shall hold in trust money or Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from Government Obligations through the Paying

 

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Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series with respect to which the deposit was made.

 

SECTION 8.03              Repayment to Company or Guarantor.

 

The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company or the Guarantor any excess money or Government Obligations (or proceeds therefrom) held by them at any time upon the written request of the Company.

 

Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium (if any), interest or any Additional Amounts that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such payment shall have become due. After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and the Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.

 

SECTION 8.04              Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Obligations deposited with respect to Securities of any series in accordance with Section 8.01 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 and the Guarantor under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series and under the Securities of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that if the Company or the Guarantor has made any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or Government Obligations held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 8.05              Indemnity for Non-Callable Government Obligations.

 

The Company and the Guarantor shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against (1) deposited Government Obligations or (2) the principal and interest received on such Government Obligations.

 

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ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

 

SECTION 9.01              Without Consent of Holders.

 

The Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities or waive any provision hereof or thereof without the consent of any Holder:

 

(1)                                 to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(2)                                 to comply with Section 5.01;

 

(3)                                 to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, or to provide for the issuance of bearer Securities (with or without coupons);

 

(4)                                 to provide any security for, or to add any guarantees of or additional obligors on, any series of Securities or the related Guarantees;

 

(5)                                 to comply with any requirement in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

 

(6)                                 to add to the covenants of the Company or the Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or the Guarantor;

 

(7)                                 to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities (and, if any Event of Default is applicable to less than all series of Securities, specifying the series to which such Event of Default is applicable);

 

(8)                                 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 outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is adversely affected in any material respect by such change in or elimination of such provision;

 

(9)                                 to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01;

 

(10)                          to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 8.01; provided, however, that any such action shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

 

(11)                          to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the

 

48



 

administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.08.

 

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Company and the Guarantor in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained.

 

SECTION 9.02              With Consent of Holders.

 

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture with the written consent (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of any one or more series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of any one or more series or all series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of each such series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)) of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of all series affected by such amendment or supplement (acting as one class).

 

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Company and the Guarantor in the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of one or more series or of all series may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company or the Guarantor with any provision of this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of such series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of such series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of such series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)).

 

However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not:

 

(1)                                 reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(2)                                 reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Security;

 

49



 

(3)                                 reduce the principal of, any premium on or any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to, or change the Stated Maturity of, any Security or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

 

(4)                                 reduce the premium, if any, payable upon the redemption of any Security or change the time at which any Security may or shall be redeemed;

 

(5)                                 change any obligation of the Company or the Guarantor to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any Security;

 

(6)                                 change the coin or currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which any Security or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect thereto are payable;

 

(7)                                 impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security pursuant to Sections 6.07 and 6.08, except as limited by Section 6.06;

 

(8)                                 make any change in the percentage of principal amount of Securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.07 or make any change in this sentence of Section 9.02; or

 

(9)                                 waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities.

 

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

 

The right of any Holder to participate in any consent required or sought pursuant to any provision of this Indenture (and the obligation of the Company or the Guarantor to obtain any such consent otherwise required from such Holder) may be subject to the requirement that such Holder shall have been the Holder of record of any Securities with respect to which such consent is required or sought as of a date identified by the Company or the Guarantor in a notice furnished to Holders in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of each Security 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 or waiver.

 

50


 

SECTION 9.03              Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply in form and substance with the TIA as then in effect.

 

SECTION 9.04              Revocation and Effect of Consents.

 

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his or her Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before a date and time therefor identified by the Company or the Guarantor in a notice furnished to such Holder in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or, if no such date and time shall be identified, the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.  An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

The Company or the Guarantor may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date (which need not comply with TIA Section 316(c)) for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver or to take any other action under this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date unless consents from Holders of the principal amount of Securities required hereunder for such amendment or waiver to be effective shall have also been given and not revoked within such 90-day period.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (1) through (9) of Section 9.02 hereof. In such case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

 

SECTION 9.05              Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

 

If an amendment or supplement changes the terms of an outstanding Security, the Company may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security at the request of the Company regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue, the Guarantor shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms.  Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment or supplement.

 

51



 

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplement may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or supplement.

 

SECTION 9.06              Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

 

The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplement authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment or supplement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and, subject to Section 7.01 hereof, shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel provided at the expense of the Company or the Guarantor as conclusive evidence that such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that it is not inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and binding upon the Company and the Guarantor enforceable against the Company and the Guarantor in accordance with its terms.

 

ARTICLE X
GUARANTEE

 

SECTION 10.01       Guarantee.

 

The Guarantor hereby unconditionally guarantees to the Holders from time to time of the Securities (a) the full and prompt payment of the principal of and any premium on any Security when and as the same shall become due, whether at the Stated Maturity thereof, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and (b) the full and prompt payment of any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security when and as the same shall become due, subject in each case to any applicable grace period. Each payment by the Guarantor with respect to any Security shall be paid in the currency or currencies specified for payments on such Security as contemplated by Section 2.01 and pursuant to this Indenture. The Guarantee hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment and not of collection.

 

The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder with respect to a series of Securities shall be absolute and unconditional and, subject to Article VIII, shall remain in full force and effect until the entire principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series shall have been paid or provided for in accordance with the provisions of such series and of this Indenture, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of any Security of such series or this Indenture, any change or amendment thereto, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by the Trustee or the Holder of any Security of such series with respect to any provision of such Security or this Indenture, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any action to enforce the same, or any other circumstances that may otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of the Guarantor. The Guarantor hereby waives presentment or demand of payment or notice to the Guarantor with respect to such Security and the obligations evidenced thereby or hereby. The Guarantor further waives any right of set-off or counterclaim it may have against any Holder of a Security arising from any other obligations any such Holder may have to the Company or the Guarantor.

 

52



 

It is the intention of the Guarantor that the Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to the Guarantee.  To effectuate the foregoing intention, the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of the Guarantor (other than guarantees of the Guarantor in respect of subordinated debt) that are relevant under such laws, result in the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

SECTION 10.02       Proceedings Against Guarantor.

 

In the event of a default in the payment of principal of or any premium on any Security when and as the same shall become due, whether at the Stated Maturity thereof, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, or in the event of a default in any sinking fund payment, or in the event of a default in the payment of any interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security when and as the same shall become due, each of the Trustee and the Holder of such Security shall have the right to proceed first and directly against the Guarantor under this Indenture without first proceeding against the Company or exhausting any other remedies which the Trustee or such Holder may have and without resorting to any other security held by it.

 

The Trustee shall have the right, power and authority to do all things it deems necessary or advisable to enforce the provisions of this Indenture relating to the Guarantee and to protect the interests of the Holders of the Securities and, in the event of a default in payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security when and as the same shall become due, whether at the Stated Maturity thereof, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, or in the event of a default in the payment of any interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security when and as the same shall become due, the Trustee may institute or appear in such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of its rights and the rights of the Holders, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture relating to the Guarantee or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event of a default in payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security when due, the Trustee may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Guarantor and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Guarantor, wherever situated.

 

SECTION 10.03       Subrogation.

 

The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights against the Company of any Holder of Securities of a series in respect of any amounts paid by the Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of the Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce, or to receive any payments arising out of or based upon, such right of subrogation only after the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all Securities of such series have been paid in full.

 

53



 

SECTION 10.04       Guarantee for Benefit of Holders.

 

The Guarantee contained in this Indenture is entered into by the Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Securities. Such provisions shall not be deemed to create any right in, or to be in whole or in part for the benefit of, any Person other than the Trustee, the Guarantor, the Holders from time to time of the Securities and their permitted successors and assigns.

 

ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.01       Trust Indenture Act Controls.

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by operation of TIA Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

 

SECTION 11.02       Notices.

 

Any notice or communication by the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail, sent by facsimile, sent by electronic mail in .pdf format or sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

 

If to the Company:

 

ConocoPhillips

600 North Dairy Ashford

Houston, Texas 77079

Attn:    General Counsel

Telephone: (281) 293-1000

Facsimile:  (281) 293-1600

 

If to the Guarantor:

 

ConocoPhillips Company c/o ConocoPhillips

600 North Dairy Ashford

Houston, Texas 77079

Attn:    General Counsel

Telephone: (281) 293-1000

Facsimile:  (281) 293-1600

 

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If to the Trustee:

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750

MAC T9263-170

Dallas, Texas  75201

Attn:   Corporate, Municipal and Escrow Solutions

Telephone:    (214) 756-7430

Facsimile:    (214) 756-7401

 

The Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered or if delivered electronically in .pdf format; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holder’s address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. 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.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except in the case of notice to the Trustee, it is duly given only when received.

 

If the Company or the Guarantor mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the others and to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

All notices or communications, including without limitation notices to the Trustee, the Company or the Guarantor by Holders, shall be in writing, except as otherwise set forth herein.

 

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.

 

In addition to the foregoing, the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon notice, instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s reasonable understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. Except as provided in Section 7.01(c) hereof, the Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks (except as provided in Section 7.01(c) hereof) arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit

 

55



 

instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary.

 

SECTION 11.03       Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

 

SECTION 11.04       Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

 

Upon any request or application by the Company or the Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall, if requested by the Trustee, furnish to the Trustee at the expense of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be:

 

(1)                                 an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(2)                                 an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.05       Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:

 

(1)                                 a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(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 Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

56



 

(4)                                 a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.06       Rules by Trustee and Agents.

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

SECTION 11.07       Legal Holidays.

 

If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

SECTION 11.08       No Recourse Against Others.

 

A director, officer, employee, stockholder, partner or other owner of the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities, for any obligations of the Guarantor under the Guarantee, or for any obligations of the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee under this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of Securities.

 

SECTION 11.09       Governing Law.

 

THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

SECTION 11.10       No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company, the Guarantor or any Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 11.11       Successors.

 

All agreements of the Company and the Guarantor in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

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SECTION 11.12       Severability.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 11.13       Counterpart Originals.

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed copy 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 .pdf 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 in .pdf format shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

SECTION 11.14       Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

 

The table of contents, cross-reference table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 11.15       Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTOR AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

SECTION 11.16       USA PATRIOT Act

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account.  The Company agrees that it will provide the Trustee with information about the Company as the Trustee may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

CONOCOPHILLIPS, as Issuer

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, as Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK,

 

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Signature Page to ConocoPhillips Senior Indenture

 



EX-4.2 3 a2224669zex-4_2.htm EX-4.2

Exhibit 4.2

 

 

 

CONOCOPHILLIPS

as Issuer

 

and

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Trustee

 


 

Indenture

Dated as of                        , 20

 


 

Subordinated Debt Securities

 

 

 



 

CONOCOPHILLIPS

 

RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

AND INDENTURE, DATED AS OF                        ,

 


 

Section of Trust Indenture Act of 1939

 

Sections of Indenture

Section 310

(a)(1)

7.10

 

(a)(2)

7.10

 

(a)(3)

Not Applicable

 

(a)(4)

Not Applicable

 

(a)(5)

7.10

 

(b)

7.08, 7.10

Section 311

(a)

7.11

 

(b)

7.11

 

(c)

Not Applicable

Section 312

(a)

2.07

 

(b)

11.03

 

(c)

11.03

Section 313

(a)

7.06

 

(b)

7.06

 

(c)

7.06

 

(d)

7.06

Section 314

(a)

4.03, 4.04

 

(b)

Not Applicable

 

(c)(1)

11.04

 

(c)(2)

11.04

 

(c)(3)

Not Applicable

 

(d)

Not Applicable

 

(e)

11.05

Section 315

(a)

7.01(b)

 

(b)

7.05

 

(c)

7.01(a)

 

(d)

7.01(c)

 

(d)(1)

7.01(c)(1)

 

(d)(2)

7.01(c)(2)

 

(d)(3)

7.01(c)(3)

 

(e)

6.11

Section 316

(a)(1)(A)

6.05

 

(a)(1)(B)

6.04

 

(a)(2)

Not Applicable

 

(a)(last sentence)

2.11

 

(b)

6.07

 

i



 

Section 317

(a)(1)

6.08

 

(a)(2)

6.09

 

(b)

2.06

Section 318

(a)

11.01

 

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

1

SECTION 1.01

Definitions

1

SECTION 1.02

Other Definitions

6

SECTION 1.03

Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

6

SECTION 1.04

Rules of Construction

7

ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES

7

SECTION 2.01

Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

7

SECTION 2.02

Denominations

10

SECTION 2.03

Forms Generally

10

SECTION 2.04

Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

10

SECTION 2.05

Registrar and Paying Agent

12

SECTION 2.06

Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

13

SECTION 2.07

Holder Lists

13

SECTION 2.08

Transfer and Exchange

13

SECTION 2.09

Replacement Securities

14

SECTION 2.10

Outstanding Securities

14

SECTION 2.11

Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities

14

SECTION 2.12

Temporary Securities

15

SECTION 2.13

Cancellation

15

SECTION 2.14

Payments; Defaulted Interest

15

SECTION 2.15

Persons Deemed Owners

16

SECTION 2.16

Computation of Interest

16

SECTION 2.17

Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions

16

SECTION 2.18

CUSIP Numbers

18

ARTICLE III REDEMPTION

19

SECTION 3.01

Applicability of Article

19

SECTION 3.02

Notice to the Trustee

19

SECTION 3.03

Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed

19

SECTION 3.04

Notice of Redemption

20

SECTION 3.05

Effect of Notice of Redemption

20

SECTION 3.06

Deposit of Redemption Price

21

SECTION 3.07

Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part

21

SECTION 3.08

Purchase of Securities

21

SECTION 3.09

Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds

21

SECTION 3.10

Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

22

SECTION 3.11

Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

22

ARTICLE IV COVENANTS

23

SECTION 4.01

Payment of Securities

23

SECTION 4.02

Maintenance of Office or Agency

23

SECTION 4.03

SEC Reports; Financial Statements

24

SECTION 4.04

Compliance Certificate

24

SECTION 4.05

Corporate Existence

25

 

iii



 

SECTION 4.06

Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

25

SECTION 4.07

Additional Amounts

25

ARTICLE V SUCCESSORS

25

SECTION 5.01

Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations

25

SECTION 5.02

Successor Person Substituted

26

ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

26

SECTION 6.01

Events of Default

26

SECTION 6.02

Acceleration

28

SECTION 6.03

Other Remedies

29

SECTION 6.04

Waiver of Defaults

29

SECTION 6.05

Control by Majority

29

SECTION 6.06

Limitations on Suits

30

SECTION 6.07

Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

30

SECTION 6.08

Collection Suit by Trustee

30

SECTION 6.09

Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

31

SECTION 6.10

Priorities

31

SECTION 6.11

Undertaking for Costs

32

ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE

32

SECTION 7.01

Duties of Trustee

32

SECTION 7.02

Rights of Trustee

33

SECTION 7.03

May Hold Securities

35

SECTION 7.04

Trustee’s Disclaimer

35

SECTION 7.05

Notice of Defaults

35

SECTION 7.06

Reports by Trustee to Holders

35

SECTION 7.07

Compensation and Indemnity

36

SECTION 7.08

Replacement of Trustee

36

SECTION 7.09

Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

38

SECTION 7.10

Eligibility; Disqualification

38

SECTION 7.11

Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company

39

ARTICLE VIII DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

39

SECTION 8.01

Termination of the Company’s Obligations

39

SECTION 8.02

Application of Trust Money

43

SECTION 8.03

Repayment to Company

43

SECTION 8.04

Reinstatement

43

SECTION 8.05

Indemnity for Non-Callable Government Obligations

43

ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

44

SECTION 9.01

Without Consent of Holders

44

SECTION 9.02

With Consent of Holders

45

SECTION 9.03

Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

47

SECTION 9.04

Revocation and Effect of Consents

47

SECTION 9.05

Notation on or Exchange of Securities

47

SECTION 9.06

Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

48

ARTICLE X SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

48

SECTION 10.01

Securities Subordinated to Senior Debt

48

SECTION 10.02

No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances

48

 

iv



 

SECTION 10.03

Securities Subordinated to Prior Payment of All Senior Debt on Dissolution, Liquidation or Reorganization

49

SECTION 10.04

Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt

50

SECTION 10.05

Obligations of the Company Unconditional

50

SECTION 10.06

Trustee Entitled to Assume Payments Not Prohibited in Absence of Notice

51

SECTION 10.07

Application by Trustee of Amounts Deposited with It

51

SECTION 10.08

Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Company or Holders of Senior Debt

52

SECTION 10.09

Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities

52

SECTION 10.10

Right of Trustee to Hold Senior Debt

53

SECTION 10.11

Article X Not to Prevent Events of Default

53

SECTION 10.12

No Fiduciary Duty of Trustee to Holders of Senior Debt

53

SECTION 10.13

Article Applicable to Paying Agent

53

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

54

SECTION 11.01

Trust Indenture Act Controls

54

SECTION 11.02

Notices

54

SECTION 11.03

Communication by Holders with Other Holders

55

SECTION 11.04

Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

55

SECTION 11.05

Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

56

SECTION 11.06

Rules by Trustee and Agents

56

SECTION 11.07

Legal Holidays

56

SECTION 11.08

No Recourse Against Others

56

SECTION 11.09

Governing Law

57

SECTION 11.10

No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

57

SECTION 11.11

Successors

57

SECTION 11.12

Severability

57

SECTION 11.13

Counterpart Originals

57

SECTION 11.14

Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

57

SECTION 11.15

Waiver of Jury Trial

57

SECTION 11.16

USA PATRIOT Act

58

 

v


 

INDENTURE dated as of                        ,          between ConocoPhillips, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

 

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

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01                                                              Definitions.

 

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts required by the express terms of a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein or pursuant thereto, to be paid by the Company with respect to certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to such Holders.

 

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person shall mean the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

“Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

 

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

 

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized, with respect to any particular matter, to act by or on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

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

 

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Legal Holiday.

 

“Capitalized Lease Obligation” of any Person means any obligation of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease of property, real or personal, that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP; and the amount of such obligation shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

1



 

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person; provided, however, that for purposes of any provision contained herein which is required by the TIA, “Company” shall also mean each other obligor (if any) on the Securities of a series.

 

“Company Order” and “Company Request” mean, respectively, a written order or request signed in the name of the Company by two Officers of the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750, Dallas, Texas 75201, Attention: Corporate, Municipal and Escrow Solutions, and as may be located at such other address as the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

 

“Debt” of any Person means, without duplication: (i) all indebtedness or obligations of such Person for borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof); (ii) all obligations of such Person evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or other similar instruments; (iii) all obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit or other similar instruments (or reimbursement obligations with respect thereto), other than standby letters of credit, bid or performance bonds and other obligations issued by or for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of business, to the extent not drawn or, to the extent drawn, if such drawing is reimbursed not later than the third Business Day following demand for reimbursement; (iv) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property or services, except trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business; (v) all Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person; (vi) all Debt of others secured by a lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person (provided that if the obligations so secured have not been assumed in full by such Person or are not otherwise such Person’s legal liability in full, then such obligations shall be deemed to be in an amount equal to the greater of (a) the lesser of (1) the full amount of such obligations and (2) the fair market value of such assets, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of such Person, which determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, and (b) the amount of obligations as have been assumed by such Person or which are otherwise such Person’s legal liability); and (vii) all Debt of others (other than endorsements in the ordinary course of business) guaranteed by such Person to the extent of such guarantee.

 

“Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof as the initial Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

 

2



 

“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debt.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

 

“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 of the United States, as in effect from time to time.

 

“Global Security” means a Security that is issued in global form in the name of the Depositary with respect thereto or its nominee.

 

“Government Obligations” means, with respect to a series of Securities, direct obligations of the government that issues the currency in which the Securities of the series are payable for the payment of which the full faith and credit of such government is pledged, or obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government.

 

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered.

 

“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time pursuant to the provisions hereof, and includes the terms of a particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 2.01.

 

“interest” means, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity.

 

“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Security as contemplated by Section 2.01.

 

“Issue Date” means, with respect to Securities of a series, the date on which the Securities of such series are originally issued under this Indenture.

 

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in any of The City of New York, New York; Houston, Texas or a Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

 

“Maturity” means, with respect to any Security, the 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 thereof, or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

 

3



 

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice Chairman of the Board, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of a Person.

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of a Person.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Such written opinion must be from legal counsel, and such counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.

 

“Place of Payment” means, with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of that series are payable as specified in accordance with Section 2.01 subject to the provisions of Section 4.02.

 

“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the Security.

 

“Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Responsible Officer” means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

“Rule 144A Securities” means Securities of a series designated pursuant to Section 2.01 as entitled to the benefits of Section 4.03(b).

 

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Securities” has the meaning stated in the preamble of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 

4



 

“Security Custodian” means, with respect to Securities of a series issued in global form, the Trustee for Securities of such series, as custodian with respect to the Securities of such series, or any successor entity thereto.

 

“Senior Debt” of the Company, unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, means (i) all Debt of the Company, whether currently outstanding or hereafter created, incurred or assumed, unless, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing such Debt or pursuant to which such Debt is outstanding, it is provided that such Debt is not superior in right of payment to the Securities or to other Debt which is pari passu with or subordinated to the Securities, and (ii) any modifications, refunding, deferrals, renewals or extensions of any such Debt or any securities, notes or other evidences of Debt issued in exchange for such Debt; provided that, unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, in no event shall “Senior Debt” include (a) Debt of the Company owed or owing to any Subsidiary or any officer, director or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, (b) Debt to trade creditors or (c) any liability for taxes owed or owing by the Company.

 

“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 as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

 

“Subsidiary” means a Person at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

 

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof.

 

“Trustee” means the Person named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” means each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series means the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

“United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia) and its territories and possessions, which include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

 

“U.S. Government Obligations” means Government Obligations with respect to Securities payable in Dollars.

 

5



 

SECTION 1.02                                                              Other Definitions.

 

 

 

DEFINED

TERM

 

IN SECTION

 

 

 

“Bankruptcy Custodian”

 

6.01

“Conversion Event”

 

6.01

“covenant defeasance”

 

8.01

“Event of Default”

 

6.01

“Exchange Rate”

 

2.11

“Judgment Currency”

 

6.10

“legal defeasance”

 

8.01

“mandatory sinking fund payment”

 

3.09

“optional sinking fund payment”

 

3.09

“Paying Agent”

 

2.05

“Payment Default”

 

10.02

“Registrar”

 

2.05

“Required Currency”

 

6.10

“Successor”

 

5.01

 

SECTION 1.03                                                              Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture (and if the Indenture is not qualified under the TIA at that time, as if it were so qualified unless otherwise provided). The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

“Commission” means the SEC.

 

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

 

“indenture security holder” means a Holder.

 

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

 

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

 

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company or any other obligor on the Securities.

 

All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by a TIA reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

 

6



 

SECTION 1.04                                                              Rules of Construction.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

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

 

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

 

(3)                                 “or” is not exclusive;

 

(4)                                 words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

(5)                                 provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

 

(6)                                 all references in this instrument to Articles and Sections are references to the corresponding Articles and Sections in and of this instrument.

 

ARTICLE II
THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 2.01                                                              Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company, and set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company or in a Company Order, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

 

(1)                                 the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series);

 

(2)                                 if there is to be a limit, the limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.08, 2.09, 2.12, 2.17, 3.07 or 9.05 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 2.04 or 2.17, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that unless otherwise provided in the terms of the series, the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may be increased before or after the issuance of any Securities of the series by a Board Resolution (or action pursuant to a Board Resolution) to such effect;

 

(3)                                 whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form, as Global Securities or otherwise, and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any

 

7



 

authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.17, and the initial Depositary and Security Custodian, if any, for any Global Security or Securities of such series;

 

(4)                                 the manner in which any interest payable on a temporary Global Security on any Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.14;

 

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

 

(6)                                 the rate or rates, or the method of determination thereof, at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any Securities on any Interest Payment Date, or if other than provided herein, the Person to whom any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable;

 

(7)                                 the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 4.02, the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

 

(8)                                 the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option, and the manner in which the Company must exercise any such option, if different from those set forth herein;

 

(9)                                 the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid in whole or in part pursuant to such obligation;

 

(10)                          if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denomination in which any Securities of that series shall be issuable;

 

(11)                          if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) or the form, including equity securities, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants or any other securities or property of the Company or any other Person, in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

 

(12)                          if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies (including composite currencies) other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series as to which such election is made

 

8



 

shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made;

 

(13)                          if the amount of payments of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to any commodities, currencies or indices, values, rates or prices or any other index or formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

(14)                          if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

 

(15)                          any additional means of satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and any additional conditions or limitations to discharge with respect to Securities of the series pursuant to Article VIII or any modifications of or deletions from such conditions or limitations;

 

(16)                          any deletions or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 6.01 or covenants of the Company set forth in Article IV pertaining to the Securities of the series;

 

(17)                          any restrictions or other provisions with respect to the transfer or exchange of Securities of the series, which may amend, supplement, modify or supersede those contained in this Article II;

 

(18)                          if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants, other equity securities or any other securities or property of the Company or any other Person, at the option of the Company or the Holder or upon the occurrence of any condition or event, the terms and conditions for such conversion or exchange;

 

(19)                          whether the Securities of the series are to be entitled to the benefit of Section 4.03(b) (and accordingly constitute Rule 144A Securities);

 

(20)                          any modifications to the definition of “Senior Debt,” to Article X or to the other provisions regarding subordination with respect to the Securities of the series; and

 

(21)                          any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

 

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 2.03) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

 

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action, together with such Board Resolution, shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary

 

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of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order setting forth the terms of the series.

 

The Securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to Senior Debt as provided in Article X and/or as specified as contemplated pursuant to this Section 2.01.

 

SECTION 2.02                                                             Denominations.

 

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.01. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

SECTION 2.03                                                              Forms Generally.

 

The Securities of each series shall be in fully registered form and in substantially such form or forms (including temporary or permanent global form) established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, securities exchange rule, the Company’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other similar governing documents, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). A copy of the Board Resolution establishing the form or forms of Securities of any series shall be 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.

 

The definitive Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

 

The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

 

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

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory”.

 

 

 

SECTION 2.04                                                              Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

 

Two Officers of the Company shall sign the Securities on behalf of the Company by manual or facsimile signature. If an Officer of the Company whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall be valid nevertheless.

 

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A Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee, which signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security has been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company delivers such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.13, together with an Officers’ Certificate (which need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Securities for original issue upon a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by Company Order. Such order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated, the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders and any other terms of the Securities of such series not otherwise determined. If provided for in such procedures, such Company Order may authorize (1) authentication and delivery of Securities of such series for original issue from time to time, with certain terms (including, without limitation, the Maturity date or dates, original issue date or dates and interest rate or rates) that differ from Security to Security and (2) may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent, which instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing.

 

In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (in addition to the Company Order referred to above and the other documents required by Section 11.04), and subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

 

(a)                                 an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Board Resolution and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant thereto, as contemplated by the last paragraph of Section 2.01; and

 

(b)                                 an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that:

 

(i)                                     the form of such Securities has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(ii)                                  the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

 

(iii)                               that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company,

 

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enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws in effect from time to time affecting the rights of creditors generally, and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each such Security, but such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued.

 

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issuance of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture would affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by any such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

 

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

SECTION 2.05                                                              Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

The Company shall maintain an office or agency for each series of Securities where Securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities of such series may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities of such series and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

 

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The 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 any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

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SECTION 2.06                                                              Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

 

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. Upon payment over to the Trustee and upon accounting for any funds disbursed, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Each Paying Agent shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 317(b).

 

SECTION 2.07                                                              Holder Lists.

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date with respect to such series of Securities, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders of such series, and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).

 

SECTION 2.08                                                              Transfer and Exchange.

 

Except as set forth in Section 2.17 or as may be provided pursuant to Section 2.01:

 

When Securities of any series are presented to the Registrar with the request to register the transfer of such Securities or to exchange such Securities for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same series of like tenor and of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its requirements and the requirements of this Indenture for such transactions are met; provided, however, that the Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing, on which instruction the Registrar can rely.

 

To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s written request and submission of the Securities or Global Securities. No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than such transfer tax or similar governmental charge

 

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payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.12, 3.07 or 9.05). The Trustee shall authenticate Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.04. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of (a) any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article III, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part, or (b) any Security during the period beginning 15 Business Days prior to the mailing of notice of any offer to repurchase Securities of the series required pursuant to the terms thereof or of redemption of Securities of a series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing.

 

SECTION 2.09                                                              Replacement Securities.

 

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been destroyed, lost or stolen and the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security of the same series if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security. If required by the Trustee or the Company, such Holder must furnish an indemnity bond that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge a Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.

 

Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company.

 

SECTION 2.10                                                              Outstanding Securities.

 

The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Security effected by the Trustee hereunder and those described in this Section 2.10 as not outstanding.

 

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser.

 

If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

 

SECTION 2.11                                                              Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, (a) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security shall be the principal amount thereof that would be due

 

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and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02, (b) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a foreign currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such currency, as such rate is certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Exchange Rate”) on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the amount determined as provided in (a) above), of such Security and (c) Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Securities that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

SECTION 2.12                                                              Temporary Securities.

 

Until definitive Securities of any series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and execute and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities, but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and execute and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities.

 

SECTION 2.13                                                              Cancellation.

 

The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or redemption or for credit against any sinking fund payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, redemption, replacement or cancellation or for credit against any sinking fund, and all canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with the usual disposal procedures of the Trustee. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

SECTION 2.14                                                              Payments; Defaulted Interest.

 

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 2.01, interest (except defaulted interest) on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Persons who are registered Holders of that Security at the close of business on the record date next preceding such Interest Payment Date, even if such Securities are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date. The Holder must surrender a Security to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of any series, the Company will pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities in Dollars. Such amounts shall be payable at the offices of the Trustee or any Paying

 

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Agent, provided that at the option of the Company, the Company may pay such amounts (1) by wire transfer with respect to Global Securities or (2) by wire transfer or by check payable in such money mailed to a Holder’s registered address with respect to any Securities; provided that payment by wire transfer will only be permitted respect to any Holder who holds at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Securities and who has provided wire transfer instructions to the Company and the Trustee or any Paying Agent to an account located in the continental United States.

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of any series, the Company shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities of such series and in Section 4.01. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. At least 15 days before any special record date selected by the Company, the Company (or the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Company upon 20 days’ prior written notice from the Company setting forth such special record date and the interest amount to be paid) shall mail to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

SECTION 2.15                                                              Persons Deemed Owners.

 

The Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payments of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security and for all other purposes. None of the Company, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

SECTION 2.16                                                              Computation of Interest.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a year comprising twelve 30-day months.

 

SECTION 2.17                                                              Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions.

 

If Securities of a series are issuable in global form as a Global Security, as contemplated by Section 2.01, then, notwithstanding clause (10) of Section 2.01 and the provisions of Section 2.02, any such Global Security shall represent such of the outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, transfers or redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee (i) in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified in such Security or in a Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.04 or (ii) otherwise in accordance with written instructions or such other written form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary for such Security, from such Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any

 

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Person having a beneficial interest in such Global Security. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.04 and, if applicable, Section 2.12, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified in such Security or in the applicable Company Order. With respect to the Securities of any series that are represented by a Global Security, the Company authorizes the execution and delivery by the Trustee of a letter of representations or other similar agreement or instrument in the form customarily provided for by the Depositary appointed with respect to such Global Security. Any Global Security may be deposited with the Depositary or its nominee, or may remain in the custody of the Trustee or the Security Custodian therefor pursuant to a FAST Balance Certificate Agreement or similar agreement between the Trustee and the Depositary. If a Company Order has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

 

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 Trustee or the Security Custodian as its custodian, or under such Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Trustee or the Security Custodian and any agent of the Company, the Trustee or the Security Custodian as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the registered holder of a Global Security of a series 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 of Securities of such series is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities of such series and (ii) nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or the Security Custodian, or any agent of the Company, the Trustee or the Security Custodian, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or shall impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a beneficial owner of any Security.

 

Notwithstanding Section 2.08, and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.01: Transfers of a Global Security shall be limited to transfers of such Global Security in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Security may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary. Securities shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Security if, and only if, either (1) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Security and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, (2) an Event of Default has occurred with respect to such series and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue Securities in lieu of all or a portion of the Global Security (in which case the Company shall deliver Securities within 30 days of such request) or (3) the Company determines not to have the Securities represented by a Global Security.

 

In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Global Security to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee upon receipt of a Company Order

 

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for the authentication and delivery of Securities shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Securities of the same series of like tenor and amount.

 

In connection with the transfer of all the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interests in the Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Securities of authorized denominations.

 

Neither the Company nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, Securities by the Depositary, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary relating to such Securities. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay by the related Global Security Holder or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners, and each such Person may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, instructions from such Global Security Holder or the Depositary for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Securities to be issued).

 

The provisions of the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04 shall apply to any Global Security if such Global Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with an Officers’ Certificate (which need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the cancellation or reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the Officers’ Certificate contemplated by the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.03 and 2.14, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Global Security shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

 

The Trustee shall have no 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 Agent Members or beneficial owners of interests 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 of this Indenture.  Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any action taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

SECTION 2.18                                                              CUSIP Numbers.

 

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made

 

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as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers of the Securities.

 

ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01                                                              Applicability of Article.

 

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article III.

 

SECTION 3.02                                                              Notice to the Trustee.

 

If the Company elects to redeem Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, it shall notify the Trustee of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. The Company shall so notify the Trustee at least three Business Days before the date of giving notice of the redemption pursuant to Section 3.04 (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) by delivering to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such redemption will comply with the provisions of this Indenture and of the Securities of such series. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to the mailing of such notice of such redemption to any Holder and shall thereupon be void and of no effect.

 

SECTION 3.03                                                              Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed.

 

If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Securities of such series of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date from the outstanding Securities of such series (and tenor) not previously called for redemption by lot or pursuant to applicable Depositary procedures and shall provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or of the principal amount of Global Securities of such series.

 

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

For purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any of the Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount thereof which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

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SECTION 3.04                                                              Notice of Redemption.

 

Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at the address of such Holder appearing in the register of Securities maintained by the Registrar.

 

All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(1)                                 the Redemption Date;

 

(2)                                 the Redemption Price (or if not determinable at the time of such notice, the methodology for determining such Redemption Price);

 

(3)                                 that, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment, interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, and the only remaining right of the Holders of such Securities is to receive payment of the Redemption Price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Securities redeemed;

 

(4)                                 if any Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender for cancellation of such Security to the Paying Agent, a new Security or Securities in the aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued without charge to the Holder;

 

(5)                                 that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price and the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(6)                                 that the redemption is for a sinking or analogous fund, if such is the case; and

 

(7)                                 the CUSIP number, if any, relating to such Securities, along with the statement in Section 2.18.

 

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least three Business Days prior to the giving of notice of redemption (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in the notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

 

SECTION 3.05                                                              Effect of Notice of Redemption.

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities called for redemption shall be paid at the Redemption Price, but interest installments whose maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable on the

 

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relevant Interest Payment Dates to the Holders of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates specified pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

SECTION 3.06                                                              Deposit of Redemption Price.

 

On or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.06) an amount of money in same day funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date, other than Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

If the Company complies with the preceding paragraph, then, unless the Company defaults in the payment of such Redemption Price, interest on the Securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue on and after the applicable Redemption Date, whether or not such Securities are presented for payment, and the Holders of such Securities shall have no further rights with respect to such Securities except for the right to receive the Redemption Price upon surrender of such Securities. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal, premium, if any, any Additional Amounts, and, to the extent lawful, accrued interest thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate specified pursuant to Section 2.01 or provided in the Securities or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, such Securities’ yield to maturity.

 

SECTION 3.07                                                              Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

 

Upon surrender to the Paying Agent of a Security to be redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge to such Holder, a new Security or Securities, of the same series and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered that is not redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.08                                                              Purchase of Securities.

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company and any Affiliate of the Company may, subject to applicable law, at any time purchase or otherwise acquire Securities in the open market or by private agreement. Any such acquisition shall not operate as or be deemed for any purpose to be a redemption of the indebtedness represented by such Securities. Any Securities purchased or acquired by the Company may be delivered to the Trustee and, upon such delivery, the indebtedness represented thereby shall be deemed to be satisfied. Section 2.13 shall apply to all Securities so delivered.

 

SECTION 3.09                                                              Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds.

 

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any

 

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payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” Unless otherwise provided by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 3.10. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and by this Article III.

 

SECTION 3.10                                                              Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

 

The Company may deliver outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

SECTION 3.11                                                              Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

 

Not less than 45 days prior (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate of the Company specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivery of or by crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.10 and will also deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Failure of the Company to timely deliver or cause to be delivered such Officers’ Certificate and Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute the election of the Company (i) that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and (ii) that the Company will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section 3.11.

 

If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof based on the applicable Exchange Rate on the date of original issue of the applicable Securities) or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request with respect to the Securities of any particular series, such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall be $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) or less and the Company makes no such request then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) is available. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall

 

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select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.04. Such notice having been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.05, 3.06 and 3.07.

 

ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01                                                              Payment of Securities.

 

The Company shall pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of each series on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities of such series and in this Indenture. Principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent (other than the Company or a Subsidiary) holds on that date money deposited by the Company designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts then due.

 

The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium (if any), at a rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Securities to the extent lawful; and it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and any Additional Amounts (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

The Company shall give the Trustee advance written notice of any Additional Amounts that may be payable with respect to any series of Securities.  The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of any series of Securities to determine any Additional Amounts, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of Additional Amounts owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of Additional Amounts.

 

SECTION 4.02                                                              Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent) where Securities of that series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series may be presented for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. Unless otherwise designated by the Company by written notice to the Trustee, such office or agency shall be the office of an Affiliate of the Trustee in The City of New York, which on the date hereof is located at 150 East 42nd Street, New York, New York 10017. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of 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.

 

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The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies 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 such designations; 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 each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

SECTION 4.03                                                              SEC Reports; Financial Statements.

 

(a)                                 If the Company is subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provided that the delivery obligation hereunder shall be deemed satisfied by the Company if all such items are made available to the Trustee on the Company’s website or at the website of the SEC; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such materials are available on any such website.  If this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, but not otherwise, the Company shall also comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a). Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee shall be for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt thereof shall not constitute constructive 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 Officers’ Certificates or certificates delivered pursuant to Section 4.04).

 

(b)                                 If the Company is not subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall furnish to all Holders of Rule 144A Securities and prospective purchasers of Rule 144A Securities designated by the Holders of Rule 144A Securities, promptly upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

SECTION 4.04                                                              Compliance Certificate.

 

(a)                                 The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a statement signed by an Officer of the Company, which need not constitute an Officers’ Certificate, complying with TIA Section 314(a)(4) and stating that in the course of performance by the signing Officer of his duties as such Officer of the Company he would normally obtain knowledge of the keeping, observing, performing and fulfilling by the Company of its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating that to the best of his knowledge the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which such Officer may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

 

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(b)                                 The Company shall, so long as Securities of any series are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer of the Company becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default under this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 4.05                                                              Corporate Existence.

 

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

 

SECTION 4.06                                                              Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.

 

The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive it from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Securities as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) the Company hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

SECTION 4.07                                                              Additional Amounts.

 

If the Securities of a series expressly provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series Additional Amounts as expressly provided therein. Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or the net proceeds received from the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 4.07 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.07 and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

ARTICLE V
SUCCESSORS

 

SECTION 5.01                                                              Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations.

 

The Company shall not, in any transaction or series of transactions, consolidate with or merge into any Person, or sell, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, unless:

 

(1)                                 either (a) the Company shall be the continuing Person or (b) the Person (if other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged, or to which such sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition shall be made (collectively, the

 

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“Successor”), is organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any political subdivision thereof or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes by supplemental indenture the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of the Company’s covenants and obligations under this Indenture and the Securities;

 

(2)                                 immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; and

 

(3)                                 the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture and that the Securities and the Indenture constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company (or, if applicable, the Successor).

 

SECTION 5.02                                                              Successor Person Substituted.

 

Upon any consolidation or merger of the Company or any sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 5.01, the Successor formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities with the same effect as if such Successor had been named as the Company herein and the predecessor Company, in the case of a sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, shall be released from all obligations under this Indenture and the Securities.

 

ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01                                                              Events of Default.

 

Unless either inapplicable to a particular series or specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture or Board Resolution establishing such series of Securities or in the form of Security for such series, an “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, occurs if:

 

(1)                                 the Company defaults in the payment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(2)                                 the Company defaults in the payment of (A) the principal of any Security of that series at its Maturity or (B) premium  (if any) on any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable;

 

(3)                                 the Company defaults in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

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(4)                                 the Company fails to comply with any of its other covenants or agreements in, or provisions of, the Securities of such series or this Indenture (other than an agreement, covenant or provision that has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than that series) which shall not have been remedied within the specified period after written notice, as specified in the last paragraph of this Section 6.01;

 

(5)                                 the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(A)                               commences a voluntary case,

 

(B)                               consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

 

(C)                               consents to the appointment of a Bankruptcy Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

 

(D)                               makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

(6)                                 a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days and that:

 

(A)                               is for relief against the Company as debtor in an involuntary case,

 

(B)                               appoints a Bankruptcy Custodian of the Company or a Bankruptcy Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, or

 

(C)                               orders the liquidation of the Company; or

 

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

 

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

 

The Trustee shall not be deemed to know or have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

 

When a Default is cured, it ceases.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable in a currency or currencies (including a composite currency) other than Dollars and such currency or currencies are not available to the Company for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company (a “Conversion Event”), the Company will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar equivalent of the amount

 

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payable in such other currency, as determined by the Company by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, any payment made under such circumstances in Dollars where the required payment is in a currency other than Dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.

 

Promptly after the occurrence of a Conversion Event, the Company shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee; and the Trustee, promptly after receipt of such notice, shall give notice thereof in the manner provided in Section 11.02 to the Holders. Promptly after the making of any payment in Dollars as a result of a Conversion Event, the Company shall give notice in the manner provided in Section 11.02 to the Holders, setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate and describing the calculation of such payments.

 

A Default under clause (4) or (7) of this Section 6.01 is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Default (or, in the case of a Default under clause (4) of this Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by such Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) notify the Company and the Trustee, of the Default, and the Company fails to cure the Default within 90 days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.”

 

SECTION 6.02                                                              Acceleration.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any series at the time outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default (or, in the case of an Event of Default described in clause (4) of Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by such Event of Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) by notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of (or, if any such Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest on all then outstanding Securities of such series or of all series, as the case may be, to be due and payable. Upon any such declaration, the amounts due and payable on the Securities shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs, such amounts shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default or all series, as the case may be, by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences (other than nonpayment of principal of or premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) have been cured or waived, except nonpayment of principal, premium, interest or any Additional Amounts that has become due solely because of the acceleration.

 

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SECTION 6.03                                                              Other Remedies.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  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. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

SECTION 6.04                                                              Waiver of Defaults.

 

Subject to Sections 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series or of all series (acting as one class) by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing or past Default or Event of Default with respect to such series or all series, as the case may be, and its consequences (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of such series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of such series or all series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of such series or all series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)), except (1) a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or (2) a continued Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each Holder affected. 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.

 

With respect to Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it relating to or arising under an Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Section 6.01, and with respect to all Securities, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all the then outstanding Securities affected may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it not relating to or arising under such an Event of Default. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with applicable law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion from Holders directing the Trustee against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

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SECTION 6.06                                                              Limitations on Suits.

 

Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, a Holder of a Security of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of such series only if:

 

(1)                                 the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to such series;

 

(2)                                 the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

(3)                                 such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(4)                                 the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

 

(5)                                 during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

 

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such use by a Holder prejudices the rights of any other Holders or obtains preference or priority over such other Holders).

 

SECTION 6.07                                                              Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

 

SECTION 6.08                                                              Collection Suit by Trustee.

 

If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 hereof 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 for the amount of principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts remaining unpaid on the Securities of the series affected by the Event of Default, and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

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SECTION 6.09                                                              Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such actions, including participating as a member, voting or otherwise, of any committee of creditors, as may be necessary or advisable 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 allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or its creditors or properties and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any Bankruptcy Custodian in any such judicial 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, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under 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 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 of the Securities 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 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.

 

SECTION 6.10                                                              Priorities.

 

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article VI, it shall, subject to Article X, pay out the money in the following order:

 

First:  to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

 

Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts, respectively; and

 

Third:  to the Company.

 

The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix record dates and payment dates for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Article VI.

 

To the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, if for the purpose of obtaining a judgment against the Company in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in

 

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accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day in The City of New York next preceding that on which final judgment is given. Neither the Company nor the Trustee shall be liable for any shortfall nor shall it benefit from any windfall in payments to Holders of Securities under this Section 6.10 caused by a change in exchange rates between the time the amount of a judgment against it is calculated as above and the time the Trustee converts the Judgment Currency into the Required Currency to make payments under this Section 6.10 to Holders of Securities, but payment of such judgment shall discharge all amounts owed by the Company on the claim or claims underlying such judgment.

 

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 a 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 a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by a Holder or Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series.

 

ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01                                                              Duties of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in such 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 with respect to the Securities of any series:

 

(1)                                 the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)                                 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, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether, on their face, they appear to conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

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

 

(1)                                 this paragraph does not limit the effect of Section 7.01(b);

 

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

 

(3)                                 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 Section 6.05.

 

(d)                                 Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

 

(e)                                  No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

(f)                                   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. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. All money received by the Trustee shall, until applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities.

 

SECTION 7.02                                                              Rights of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document 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 the document.

 

(b)                                 Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require instruction, an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both to be provided. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such instruction, Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult at the Company’s expense with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

(c)                                  The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

 

(d)                                 The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

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(e)                                  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.

 

(f)                                   The Trustee shall not be obligated to make any investigation into the facts or matters 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.

 

(g)                                  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 each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

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

 

(i)                                     Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

 

(j)                                    In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

(k)                                 In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

(l)                                     The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(m)                             The Trustee shall not be deemed to know or have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

 

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(n)                                 The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

 

SECTION 7.03                                                              May Hold Securities.

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or any of its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.  Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. However, the Trustee is subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

SECTION 7.04                                                              Trustee’s Disclaimer.

 

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision hereof, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.  Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Securities of any series.

 

SECTION 7.05                                                              Notice of Defaults.

 

If a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing and it is known to the Trustee as set forth in Section 7.02(m), the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Securities of such series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts or any sinking fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 7.06                                                              Reports by Trustee to Holders.

 

Within 60 days after each September 15 of each year after the execution of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of a series and the Company a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date with respect to a series, no report need be transmitted to Holders of such series. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b).  The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports if and as required by TIA Sections 313(c) and 313(d).

 

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders of a series of Securities shall be filed by the Company with the SEC and each securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities of such series are listed.  The Company shall notify the Trustee if and when any series of Securities is listed on any securities exchange.

 

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SECTION 7.07                                                              Compensation and Indemnity.

 

The Company agrees to pay to the Trustee for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder such compensation 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 agrees to reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

The Company hereby agrees to indemnify, defend, protect and hold the Trustee harmless from and against any and all losses, liability, damages, costs or expenses (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) that the Trustee may suffer or incur arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or the trusts hereunder or the performance of its duties hereunder, except as set forth in the next following paragraph. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent.

 

The Company shall not be obligated to reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s negligence or willful misconduct.

 

To secure the payment obligations of the Company 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, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of any series. Such lien and the Company’s obligations under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

The obligations of the Company set forth in this Section 7.07 shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.08                                                              Replacement of Trustee.

 

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

 

The Trustee may resign and be discharged at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by so notifying the Trustee and the Company. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

 

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(1)                                 the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

(2)                                 the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(3)                                 a Bankruptcy Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(4)                                 the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). Within one year after the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then outstanding may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series does not take office within 30 days after the retiring or removed Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring or removed Trustee (at the expense of the Company), the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of a series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, each such successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

 

In case of the appointment 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 (but not all) series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto in which each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and that (1) shall confer to each successor Trustee all the rights, powers 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, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall confirm that all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities

 

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of that or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee and (3) 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. Nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, and 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 shall have all the rights, powers 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. On request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall transfer to such successor Trustee all property held by such retiring Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Such retiring Trustee shall, however, have the right to deduct its unpaid fees and expenses, including attorneys’ fees.

 

Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee or Trustees pursuant to this Section 7.08, the obligations of the Company under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee or Trustees.

 

SECTION 7.09                                                              Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

 

Subject to Section 7.10, if the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided, however, that such successor Trustee shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article VII.

 

In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the 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.

 

SECTION 7.10                                                              Eligibility; Disqualification.

 

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation or banking association organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust power, shall be subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State (or the District of Columbia) authority and shall have, or be a subsidiary of a bank or bank holding company having, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

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The Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5). The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) during the period of time required by this Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the application referred to in the penultimate paragraph of TIA Section 310(b).

 

SECTION 7.11                                                              Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company.

 

The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

ARTICLE VIII
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

SECTION 8.01                                                              Termination of the Company’s Obligations.

 

(a)                                 This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the Securities of a series (except that the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations under Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive), and the Trustee, on demand of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, when:

 

(1)                                 either:

 

(A)                               all outstanding Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and issued (other than destroyed, lost or stolen Securities that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(B)                               all outstanding Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

 

(i)                                     have become due and payable, or

 

(ii)                                  will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

(iii)                               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, in the case of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as funds (immediately available to the Holders in the case of clause (i)) in trust for such purpose (x) cash in an amount, or (y) Government Obligations,

 

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maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of cash in an amount or (z) a combination thereof, which will be sufficient, in the opinion  (in the case of clauses (y) and (z)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Securities of such series for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or for principal, premium, if any, and interest to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; or

 

(C)                               the Company has properly fulfilled such other means of satisfaction and discharge as is specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of such series;

 

(2)                                 the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by it hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series; and

 

(3)                                 the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

 

(b)                                 Unless this Section 8.01(b) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may, at its option, terminate certain of its obligations under this Indenture (“covenant defeasance”) with respect to the Securities of a series if:

 

(1)                                 the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee 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 Securities of such series, (i) money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount, or (ii) Government Obligations with respect to such series, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount or (iii) a combination thereof, that is sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on all Securities of such series on each date that such principal, premium (if any) or interest is due and payable and (at the Stated Maturity thereof or upon redemption as provided in Section 8.01(e)) to pay all other sums payable by it hereunder; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money and/or the proceeds of such Government Obligations to the payment of said principal, premium (if any) and interest with respect to the Securities of such series as the same shall become due;

 

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(2)                                 the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect;

 

(3)                                 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;

 

(4)                                 the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from a nationally recognized counsel acceptable to the Trustee or a tax ruling to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.01(b) and will be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not been exercised;

 

(5)                                 the Company has complied with any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the discharge of Securities of such series pursuant to this Section 8.01; and

 

(6)                                 such deposit and discharge shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest as defined in TIA Section 310(b).

 

In such event, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as set forth in this paragraph), and the Trustee, on demand of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge under this Indenture. However, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08 and 8.04, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive until all Securities of such series are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Company’s obligations in Section 7.07 and the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 shall survive with respect to Securities of such series.

 

After such irrevocable deposit made pursuant to this Section 8.01(b) and satisfaction of the other conditions set forth herein, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series except for those surviving obligations specified above.

 

In order to have money available on a payment date to pay principal of or premium (if any) or interest on the Securities, the Government Obligations shall be payable as to principal or interest on or before such payment date in such amounts as will provide the necessary money. Government Obligations shall not be callable at the issuer’s option.

 

(c)                                  If the Company has previously complied or is concurrently complying with Section 8.01(b) (other than any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 that are expressly applicable only to covenant defeasance) with respect to Securities of a series, then, unless this Section 8.01(c) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of such series as

 

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contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may elect that its obligations to make payments with respect to Securities of such series be discharged (“legal defeasance”), if:

 

(1)                                 no Default or Event of Default under clauses (5) and (6) of Section 6.01 hereof shall have occurred at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit contemplated by Section 8.01(b) (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period);

 

(2)                                 unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from a nationally recognized counsel acceptable to the Trustee to the effect referred to in Section 8.01(b)(4) with respect to such legal defeasance, which opinion is based on (i) a private ruling of the Internal Revenue Service addressed to the Company, (ii) a published ruling of the Internal Revenue Service pertaining to a comparable form of transaction or (iii) a change in the applicable federal income tax law (including regulations) after the date of this Indenture;

 

(3)                                 the Company has complied with any other conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the legal defeasance of Securities of such series pursuant to this Section 8.01(c); and

 

(4)                                 the Company has delivered to the Trustee a Company Request requesting such legal defeasance of the Securities of such series and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such legal defeasance of the Securities of such series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

 

In such event, the Company will be discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series, the Company’s obligations under Sections 4.01 and 4.02 shall terminate with respect to such Securities, and the entire indebtedness of the Company evidenced by such Securities shall be deemed paid and discharged.

 

(d)                                 If and to the extent additional or alternative means of satisfaction, discharge or defeasance of Securities of a series are specified to be applicable to such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may terminate any or all of its obligations under this Indenture with respect to Securities of a series and any or all of its obligations under the Securities of such series if it fulfills such other means of satisfaction and discharge as may be so specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of such series.

 

(e)                                  If Securities of any series subject to subsections (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 8.01 are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory or optional sinking fund provisions, the terms of the applicable trust arrangement shall provide for such redemption, and the Company shall make such arrangements as are reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

 

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SECTION 8.02                                                              Application of Trust Money.

 

The Trustee or a trustee satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company shall hold in trust money or Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series with respect to which the deposit was made. Money and securities held in trust are not subject to Article X.

 

SECTION 8.03                                                              Repayment to Company.

 

The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company any excess money or Government Obligations (or proceeds therefrom) held by them at any time upon the written request of the Company.

 

Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium (if any), interest or any Additional Amounts that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such payment shall have become due. After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and the Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.

 

SECTION 8.04                                                              Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Obligations deposited with respect to Securities of any series in accordance with Section 8.01 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 with respect to the Securities of such series and under the Securities of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or Government Obligations held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 8.05                                                              Indemnity for Non-Callable Government Obligations.

 

The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against (1) deposited Government Obligations or (2) the principal and interest received on such Government Obligations.

 

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ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

 

SECTION 9.01                                                              Without Consent of Holders.

 

The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities or waive any provision hereof or thereof without the consent of any Holder:

 

(1)                                 to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(2)                                 to comply with Section 5.01;

 

(3)                                 to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, or to provide for the issuance of bearer Securities (with or without coupons);

 

(4)                                 to provide any security for, or to add any guarantees of or additional obligors on, any series of Securities;

 

(5)                                 to comply with any requirement in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

 

(6)                                 to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;

 

(7)                                 to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities (and, if any Event of Default is applicable to less than all series of Securities, specifying the series to which such Event of Default is applicable);

 

(8)                                 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 outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is adversely affected in any material respect by such change in or elimination of such provision;

 

(9)                                 to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01;

 

(10)                          to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 8.01; provided, however, that any such action shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

 

(11)                          to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the

 

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administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.08.

 

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Company in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained.

 

SECTION 9.02                                                              With Consent of Holders.

 

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture with the written consent (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of any one or more series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of any one or more series or all series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of each such series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)) of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of all series affected by such amendment or supplement (acting as one class).

 

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Company in the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of one or more series or of all series may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of such series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of such series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of such series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)).

 

However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not:

 

(1)                                 reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(2)                                 reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Security;

 

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(3)                                 reduce the principal of, any premium on or any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to, or change the Stated Maturity of, any Security or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

 

(4)                                 reduce the premium, if any, payable upon the redemption of any Security or change the time at which any Security may or shall be redeemed;

 

(5)                                 change any obligation of the Company to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any Security;

 

(6)                                 change the coin or currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which any Security or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect thereto are payable;

 

(7)                                 impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security pursuant to Sections 6.07 and 6.08, except as limited by Section 6.06;

 

(8)                                 make any change in the percentage of principal amount of Securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.07 or make any change in this sentence of Section 9.02;

 

(9)                                 modify the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the subordination of any Security in a manner adverse to the Holder thereof; or

 

(10)                          waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities.

 

An amendment under this Section 9.02 may not make any change that adversely affects the rights under Article X of any holder of a series of Senior Debt unless the holders of such series pursuant to its terms consent to the change.

 

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

 

The right of any Holder to participate in any consent required or sought pursuant to any provision of this Indenture (and the obligation of the Company to obtain any such consent otherwise required from such Holder) may be subject to the requirement that such Holder shall have been the Holder of record of any Securities with respect to which such consent is required or sought as of a date identified by the Company in a notice furnished to Holders in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

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After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of each Security 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 or waiver.

 

SECTION 9.03                                                              Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply in form and substance with the TIA as then in effect.

 

SECTION 9.04                                                              Revocation and Effect of Consents.

 

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his or her Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before a date and time therefor identified by the Company in a notice furnished to such Holder in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or, if no such date and time shall be identified, the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date (which need not comply with TIA Section 316(c)) for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver or to take any other action under this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date unless consents from Holders of the principal amount of Securities required hereunder for such amendment or waiver to be effective shall have also been given and not revoked within such 90-day period.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (1) through (9) of Section 9.02 hereof. In such case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

 

SECTION 9.05                                                              Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

 

If an amendment or supplement changes the terms of an outstanding Security, the Company may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security at the request of the Company regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new

 

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Security that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment or supplement.

 

Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplement may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or supplement.

 

SECTION 9.06                                                              Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

 

The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplement authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment or supplement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and, subject to Section 7.01 hereof, shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel provided at the expense of the Company as conclusive evidence that such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that it is not inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and binding upon the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

 

ARTICLE X
SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

 

SECTION 10.01                                                       Securities Subordinated to Senior Debt.

 

The Company and each Holder of a Security of a series, by his acceptance thereof, agree that (a) the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to each and all the Securities of such series and (b) any other payment in respect of the Securities of such series, including on account of the acquisition or redemption of Securities of such series by the Company, is subordinated, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article X, to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt of the Company, whether outstanding at the date of this Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, and that these subordination provisions are for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt.

 

This Article X shall constitute a continuing offer to all Persons who, in reliance upon such provisions, become holders of, or continue to hold, Senior Debt, and such provisions are made for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt, and such holders are made obligees hereunder and any one or more of them may enforce such provisions.

 

SECTION 10.02                                                       No Payment on Securities in Certain Circumstances.

 

(a)                                 Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, no payment shall be made by or on behalf of the Company on account of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of any series or to acquire any Securities of such series (including any repurchases of Securities of such series pursuant to the provisions thereof at the option of the Holder thereof) for cash or property, or on account of any redemption provisions of Securities of such series, in the event of default in payment of any principal of, premium (if any) or interest on

 

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any Senior Debt of the Company when the same becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for prepayment or by acceleration of maturity or otherwise (a “Payment Default”), unless and until such Payment Default has been cured or waived or otherwise has ceased to exist or such Senior Debt shall have been discharged or paid in full.

 

(b)                                 In furtherance of the provisions of Section 10.01, in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.02, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company shall be received by the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Holders of Securities of any series at a time when such payment or distribution was prohibited by the provisions of this Section 10.02, then, unless such payment or distribution is no longer prohibited by this Section 10.02, such payment or distribution (subject to the provisions of Section 10.07) shall be received and held in trust by the Trustee, the Paying Agent or such Holder for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt of the Company, and shall be paid or delivered by the Trustee, the Paying Agent or such Holders, as the case may be, to the holders of Senior Debt of the Company remaining unpaid or unprovided for or their representative or representatives, or to the trustee or trustees under any indenture pursuant to which any instruments evidencing such Senior Debt of the Company may have been issued, ratably, according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of such Senior Debt of the Company held or represented by each, for application to the payment of all Senior Debt in full after giving effect to all concurrent payments and distributions to or for the holders of such Senior Debt.

 

SECTION 10.03                                                       Securities Subordinated to Prior Payment of All Senior Debt on Dissolution, Liquidation or Reorganization.

 

Upon any distribution of assets of the Company or upon any dissolution, winding up, total or partial liquidation or reorganization of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, in bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding or upon assignment for the benefit of creditors:

 

(1)                                 the holders of all Senior Debt of the Company shall first be entitled to receive payments in full before the Holders of Securities of any series are entitled to receive any payment on account of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series;

 

(2)                                 any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, to which the Holders of Securities of any series or the Trustee on behalf of such Holders would be entitled, except for the provisions of this Article X, shall be paid by the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such a payment or distribution directly to the holders of such Senior Debt or their representative, ratably according to the respective amounts of Senior Debt held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all such Senior Debt remaining unpaid after giving effect to all concurrent payments and distributions to the holders of such Senior Debt; and

 

(3)                                 in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities, shall be received by the Trustee or the Holders of Securities of any series or any Paying Agent (or, if the Company or any Subsidiary is acting as the Paying Agent, money for any such payment or

 

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distribution shall be segregated or held in trust) on account of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series before all Senior Debt of the Company is paid in full, such payment or distribution (subject to the provisions of Section 10.07) shall be received and held in trust by the Trustee or such Holder or Paying Agent for the benefit of the holders of such Senior Debt, or their respective representatives, ratably according to the respective amounts of such Senior Debt held or represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment as provided herein of all such Senior Debt remaining unpaid after giving effect to all concurrent payments and distributions and all provisions therefor to or for the holders of such Senior Debt, but only to the extent that as to any holder of such Senior Debt, as promptly as practical following notice from the Trustee to the holders of such Senior Debt that such prohibited payment has been received by the Trustee, Holder(s) or Paying Agent (or has been segregated as provided above), such holder (or a representative therefor) notifies the Trustee of the amounts then due and owing on such Senior Debt, if any, held by such holder and only the amounts specified in such notices to the Trustee shall be paid to the holders of such Senior Debt.

 

SECTION 10.04                                                       Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt.

 

Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Debt of the Company as provided herein, the Holders of the Securities of any series shall be subrogated (to the extent of the payments or distributions made to the holders of such Senior Debt pursuant to the provisions of this Article X) to the rights of the holders of such Senior Debt to receive payments or distributions of assets of the Company applicable to the Senior Debt until all amounts owing on the Securities of such series shall be paid in full. For the purpose of such subrogation, no such payments or distributions to the holders of such Senior Debt by the Company, or by or on behalf of the Holders of the Securities of such series by virtue of this Article X, which otherwise would have been made to such Holders shall, as between the Company and such Holders, be deemed to be payment by the Company or on account of such Senior Debt, it being understood that the provisions of this Article X are and are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities of a series, on the one hand, and the holders of such Senior Debt, on the other hand.

 

If any payment or distribution to which the Holders of the Securities would otherwise have been entitled but for the provisions of this Article X shall have been applied, pursuant to the provisions of this Article X, to the payment of amounts payable under Senior Debt of the Company, then such Holders shall be entitled to receive from the holders of such Senior Debt any payments or distributions received by such holders of Senior Debt in excess of the amount sufficient to pay all amounts payable under or in respect of such Senior Debt in full.

 

SECTION 10.05                                                       Obligations of the Company Unconditional.

 

Nothing contained in this Article X or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company and the Holders of the Securities of any series, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to such Holders the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms, or is intended to or shall affect the relative rights of such Holders

 

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and creditors of the Company other than the holders of the Senior Debt, nor shall anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or any Holder from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article X, of the holders of Senior Debt in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any such remedy. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Article X or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities, upon any distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this Article X, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, and the Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon any order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization proceedings are pending, or a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making any distribution to the Trustee or to such Holders for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt and other Debt of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article X.

 

SECTION 10.06                                                       Trustee Entitled to Assume Payments Not Prohibited in Absence of Notice.

 

The Trustee shall not at any time be charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts that would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the Trustee unless and until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or any Paying Agent shall have received, no later than three Business Days prior to the date upon which by the terms hereof any such money may become payable for any purpose, written notice thereof from the Company or from one or more holders of Senior Debt or from any representative thereof and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, shall be entitled in all respects conclusively to assume that no such fact exists.

 

Subject to the provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02, the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Debt (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Debt (or a trustee or agent on behalf of any such holder).  In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Debt to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article X, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Debt held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article X, and if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment which it may be required to make for the benefit of such Person pursuant to the terms of this Indenture pending judicial determination as to the rights of such Person to receive such payment.

 

SECTION 10.07                                                       Application by Trustee of Amounts Deposited with It.

 

Amounts deposited in trust with the Trustee pursuant to and in accordance with Article VIII shall be for the sole benefit of Holders of Securities of the series for the benefit of which such amounts were deposited, and, to the extent allocated for the payment of Securities of such series, shall not be subject to the subordination provisions of this Article X. Otherwise, any

 

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deposit of assets with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (whether or not in trust) for the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities of any series shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 10.01, 10.02, 10.03 and 10.04; provided that if prior to three Business Days preceding the date on which by the terms of this Indenture any such assets may become distributable for any purpose (including, without limitation, the payment of either principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security), a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall not have received with respect to such assets the written notice provided for in Section 10.06, then the Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have full power and authority to receive such assets and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received, and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary that may be received by it on or after such date; and provided further that nothing contained in this Article X shall prevent the Company from making, or the Trustee from receiving or applying, any payment in connection with the redemption of Securities of a series if the first publication of notice of such redemption (whether by mail or otherwise in accordance with this Indenture) has been made, and the Trustee has received such payment from the Company, prior to the occurrence of any of the contingencies specified in Section 10.02 or 10.03.

 

SECTION 10.08                                                       Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the Company or Holders of Senior Debt.

 

No right of any present or future holders of any Senior Debt to enforce subordination provisions contained in this Article X shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any noncompliance by the Company with the terms of this Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof that any such holder may have or be otherwise charged with. The holders of Senior Debt may extend, renew, modify or amend the terms of the Senior Debt or any security therefor and release, sell or exchange such security and otherwise deal freely with the Company, all without affecting the liabilities and obligations of the parties to this Indenture or the Holders of the Securities of any series.

 

SECTION 10.09                                                       Trustee to Effectuate Subordination of Securities.

 

Each Holder of a Security of any series by his acceptance thereof authorizes and expressly directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination provisions contained in this Article X and to protect the rights of the Holders of the Securities of such series pursuant to this Indenture, and appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for such purpose, including, in the event of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership proceedings or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors of the Company), the filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of his Securities in the form required in said proceedings and cause said claim to be approved. If the Trustee does not file a proper claim or proof of debt in the form required in such proceeding prior to 30 days before the expiration of the time to file such claim or claims, then the holders of the Senior Debt or their representative is hereby authorized to have the right to file and is hereby authorized to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf of the Holders of Securities of such series. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee or the holders of Senior Debt or their representative to authorize or consent to or accept

 

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or adopt on behalf of any Holder of Securities of any series any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities of such series or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee or the holders of Senior Debt or their representative to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder of the Securities of such series in any such proceeding.

 

SECTION 10.10                                                       Right of Trustee to Hold Senior Debt.

 

The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all of the rights set forth in this Article X in respect of any Senior Debt at any time held by it to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt, and nothing in this Indenture shall be construed to deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder.  Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07.

 

SECTION 10.11                                                       Article X Not to Prevent Events of Default.

 

The failure to make a payment on account of principal of or premium (if any) or interest on the Securities of any series by reason of any provision of this Article X shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 with respect to Securities of such series or in any way prevent the Holders of the Securities of such series from exercising any right hereunder other than the right to receive payment on the Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 10.12                                                       No Fiduciary Duty of Trustee to Holders of Senior Debt.

 

The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt, and shall not be liable to any such holders (other than for its willful misconduct or negligence) if it shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or distribute to the Holders of the Securities of any series or the Company or any other Person, cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled by virtue of this Article X or otherwise. With respect to the holders of Senior Debt, the Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of its covenants or obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article X and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to holders of Senior Debt shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee.  Nothing in this Section 10.12 shall affect the obligation of any other such Person to hold such payment for the benefit of, and to pay such payment over to, the holders of Senior Debt or their representative.

 

SECTION 10.13                                                       Article Applicable to Paying Agent.

 

In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term “Trustee” as used in this Article X shall in such case (unless the context shall otherwise require) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this Article X in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that this Section 10.13 shall not apply to the Company or any Subsidiary if the Company or such Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.01                                                       Trust Indenture Act Controls.

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by operation of TIA Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

 

SECTION 11.02                                                       Notices.

 

Any notice or communication by the Company or the Trustee to the other is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail, sent by facsimile, sent by electronic mail in .pdf format or sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

 

If to the Company:

 

ConocoPhillips

600 North Dairy Ashford

Houston, Texas 77079

Attn: General Counsel

Telephone: (281) 293-1000

Facsimile: (281) 293-1600

 

If to the Trustee:

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750

MAC T9263-170

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attn: Corporate, Municipal and Escrow Solutions

Telephone: (214) 756-7430

Facsimile: (214) 756-7401

 

The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered or if delivered electronically in .pdf format; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holder’s address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. 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.

 

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If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except in the case of notice to the Trustee, it is duly given only when received.

 

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

All notices or communications, including without limitation notices to the Trustee or the Company by Holders, shall be in writing, except as otherwise set forth herein.

 

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.

 

In addition to the foregoing, the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon notice, instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s reasonable understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. Except as provided in Section 7.01(c) hereof, the Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks (except as provided in Section 7.01(c) hereof) arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary.

 

SECTION 11.03                                                       Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

 

SECTION 11.04                                                       Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

 

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall, if requested by the Trustee, furnish to the Trustee at the expense of the Company:

 

55



 

(1)                                 an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(2)                                 an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.05                                                       Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:

 

(1)                                 a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(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 Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her 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 Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.06                                                      Rules by Trustee and Agents.

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

SECTION 11.07                                                       Legal Holidays.

 

If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

SECTION 11.08                                                       No Recourse Against Others.

 

A director, officer, employee, stockholder, partner or other owner of the Company or the Trustee, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or for any obligations of the Company or the Trustee under this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of Securities.

 

56



 

SECTION 11.09                                                       Governing Law.

 

THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

SECTION 11.10                                                       No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 11.11                                                       Successors.

 

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

SECTION 11.12                                                       Severability.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 11.13                                                       Counterpart Originals.

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed copy 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 .pdf 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 in .pdf format shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

SECTION 11.14                                                       Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

 

The table of contents, cross-reference table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 11.15                                                       Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

EACH OF THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

57



 

SECTION 11.16                                                       USA PATRIOT Act

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account.  The Company agrees that it will provide the Trustee with information about the Company as the Trustee may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

58



 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

CONOCOPHILLIPS

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK,

 

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Signature Page to ConocoPhillips Subordinated Indenture

 



EX-4.3 4 a2224669zex-4_3.htm EX-4.3

Exhibit 4.3

 

 

 

CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY

as Issuer

 

CONOCOPHILLIPS

as Guarantor

 

and

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Trustee

 


 

Indenture

Dated as of             , 20

 


 

Debt Securities

 

 

 



 

CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY

 

RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

 

AND INDENTURE, DATED AS OF            , 20

 


 

Section of Trust Indenture Act of 1939

 

Section(s) of Indenture

 

Section 310

(a)(1)

7.10

 

(a)(2)

7.10

 

(a)(3)

Not Applicable

 

(a)(4)

Not Applicable

 

(a)(5)

7.10

 

(b)

7.08, 7.10

Section 311

(a)

7.11

 

(b)

7.11

 

(c)

Not Applicable

Section 312

(a)

2.07

 

(b)

11.03

 

(c)

11.03

Section 313

(a)

7.06

 

(b)

7.06

 

(c)

7.06

 

(d)

7.06

Section 314

(a)

4.03, 4.04

 

(b)

Not Applicable

 

(c)(1)

11.04

 

(c)(2)

11.04

 

(c)(3)

Not Applicable

 

(d)

Not Applicable

 

(e)

11.05

Section 315

(a)

7.01(b)

 

(b)

7.05

 

(c)

7.01(a)

 

(d)

7.01(c)

 

(d)(1)

7.01(c)(1)

 

(d)(2)

7.01(c)(2)

 

(d)(3)

7.01(c)(3)

 

(e)

6.11

Section 316

(a)(1)(A)

6.05

 

(a)(1)(B)

6.04

 

(a)(2)

Not Applicable

 

(a)(last sentence)

2.11

 

(b)

6.07

Section 317

(a)(1)

6.08

 

i



 

 

(a)(2)

6.09

 

(b)

2.06

Section 318

(a)

11.01

 

Note: This reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

 

ii



 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

1

 

SECTION 1.01 Definitions

1

 

SECTION 1.02 Other Definitions

7

 

SECTION 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

8

 

SECTION 1.04 Rules of Construction

8

ARTICLE II THE SECURITIES

9

 

SECTION 2.01 Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series

9

 

SECTION 2.02 Denominations

11

 

SECTION 2.03 Forms Generally

11

 

SECTION 2.04 Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating

12

 

SECTION 2.05 Registrar and Paying Agent

14

 

SECTION 2.06 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust

14

 

SECTION 2.07 Holder Lists

14

 

SECTION 2.08 Transfer and Exchange

15

 

SECTION 2.09 Replacement Securities

15

 

SECTION 2.10 Outstanding Securities

16

 

SECTION 2.11 Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities

16

 

SECTION 2.12 Temporary Securities

17

 

SECTION 2.13 Cancellation

17

 

SECTION 2.14 Payments; Defaulted Interest

17

 

SECTION 2.15 Persons Deemed Owners

18

 

SECTION 2.16 Computation of Interest

18

 

SECTION 2.17 Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions

18

 

SECTION 2.18 CUSIP Numbers

20

ARTICLE III REDEMPTION

21

 

SECTION 3.01 Applicability of Article

21

 

SECTION 3.02 Notice to the Trustee

21

 

SECTION 3.03 Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed

21

 

SECTION 3.04 Notice of Redemption

21

 

SECTION 3.05 Effect of Notice of Redemption

22

 

SECTION 3.06 Deposit of Redemption Price

22

 

SECTION 3.07 Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part

23

 

SECTION 3.08 Purchase of Securities

23

 

SECTION 3.09 Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds

23

 

SECTION 3.10 Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities

24

 

SECTION 3.11 Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund

24

ARTICLE IV COVENANTS

25

 

SECTION 4.01 Payment of Securities

25

 

SECTION 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency

25

 

SECTION 4.03 SEC Reports; Financial Statements

26

 

SECTION 4.04 Compliance Certificate

26

 

SECTION 4.05 Corporate Existence

27

 

SECTION 4.06 Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

27

 

SECTION 4.07 Additional Amounts

27

 

iii



 

 

SECTION 4.08 Limitation on Liens

27

 

SECTION 4.09 Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions

28

ARTICLE V SUCCESSORS

29

 

SECTION 5.01 Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations

29

 

SECTION 5.02 Successor Person Substituted

29

ARTICLE VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

30

 

SECTION 6.01 Events of Default

30

 

SECTION 6.02 Acceleration

32

 

SECTION 6.03 Other Remedies

32

 

SECTION 6.04 Waiver of Defaults

33

 

SECTION 6.05 Control by Majority

33

 

SECTION 6.06 Limitations on Suits

33

 

SECTION 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

34

 

SECTION 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee

34

 

SECTION 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

34

 

SECTION 6.10 Priorities

35

 

SECTION 6.11 Undertaking for Costs

36

ARTICLE VII TRUSTEE

36

 

SECTION 7.01 Duties of Trustee

36

 

SECTION 7.02 Rights of Trustee

37

 

SECTION 7.03 May Hold Securities

38

 

SECTION 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer

39

 

SECTION 7.05 Notice of Defaults

39

 

SECTION 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders

39

 

SECTION 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity

39

 

SECTION 7.08 Replacement of Trustee

40

 

SECTION 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

42

 

SECTION 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification

42

 

SECTION 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company or the Guarantor

42

ARTICLE VIII DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

43

 

SECTION 8.01 Termination of the Company’s and the Guarantor’s Obligations

43

 

SECTION 8.02 Application of Trust Money

46

 

SECTION 8.03 Repayment to Company or Guarantor

47

 

SECTION 8.04 Reinstatement

47

 

SECTION 8.05 Indemnity for Non-Callable Government Obligations

47

ARTICLE IX SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

48

 

SECTION 9.01 Without Consent of Holders

48

 

SECTION 9.02 With Consent of Holders

49

 

SECTION 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

51

 

SECTION 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents

51

 

SECTION 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Securities

51

 

SECTION 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

52

ARTICLE X GUARANTEE

52

 

SECTION 10.01 Guarantee

52

 

SECTION 10.02 Proceedings Against Guarantor

53

 

iv



 

 

SECTION 10.03 Subrogation

53

 

SECTION 10.04 Guarantee for Benefit of Holders

54

ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS

54

 

SECTION 11.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls

54

 

SECTION 11.02 Notices

54

 

SECTION 11.03 Communication by Holders with Other Holders

56

 

SECTION 11.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

56

 

SECTION 11.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

56

 

SECTION 11.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents

57

 

SECTION 11.07 Legal Holidays

57

 

SECTION 11.08 No Recourse Against Others

57

 

SECTION 11.09 Governing Law

57

 

SECTION 11.10 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

57

 

SECTION 11.11 Successors

57

 

SECTION 11.12 Severability

58

 

SECTION 11.13 Counterpart Originals

58

 

SECTION 11.14 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

58

 

SECTION 11.15 Waiver of Jury Trial

58

 

SECTION 11.16 USA PATRIOT Act

58

 

v


 

INDENTURE dated as of                        , 20         among ConocoPhillips Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), ConocoPhillips, a Delaware corporation (the “Guarantor”), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, 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 of the Company’s unsecured debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (the “Securities”) to be issued from time to time in one or more series as provided in this Indenture:

 

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01              Definitions.

 

“Additional Amounts” means any additional amounts required by the express terms of a Security or by or pursuant to a Board Resolution, under circumstances specified therein or pursuant thereto, to be paid by the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, with respect to certain taxes, assessments or other governmental charges imposed on certain Holders and that are owing to such Holders.

 

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control” of a Person shall mean the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” shall have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

 

“Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

 

“Attributable Debt,” when used with respect to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction, means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate set forth or implicit in the terms of the lease included in such transaction) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments (other than amounts required to be paid on account of taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance, assessments, utilities, operating and labor costs and other items which do not constitute payments for property rights) during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended). In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall be the lesser of the net amount determined assuming termination upon the first date such lease may be terminated (in which case the net amount shall also include the amount of the penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated) or the net amount determined assuming no such termination.

 

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11 of the United States Code or any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

 

1



 

“Board of Directors,” when used with reference to the Company or the Guarantor, means the Board of Directors of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, or any committee thereof duly authorized, with respect to any particular matter, to act by or on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be.

 

“Board Resolution” means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company or the Guarantor to have been duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, and to be in full force and effect on the date of such certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Business Day” means any day that is not a Legal Holiday.

 

“Company” means the Person named as the “Company” in the first paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Company” shall mean such successor Person; provided, however, that for purposes of any provision contained herein which is required by the TIA, “Company” shall also mean each other obligor (if any), other than the Guarantor, on the Securities of a series.

 

“Company Order” and “Company Request” mean, respectively, a written order or request signed in the name of the Company by two Officers of the Company and, in the case of a Company Order pursuant to Section 2.01 or 2.04, in the name of the Guarantor by an Officer of the Guarantor, and delivered to the Trustee.

 

“Consolidated Adjusted Net Assets” means the total amount of assets less (1) all current liabilities (excluding the amount of those liabilities which are by their terms extendable or renewable at the option of the obligor to a date more than 12 months after the date as of which the amount is being determined and current maturities of long-term debt) and (2) total prepaid expenses and deferred charges, all as set forth on the most recent quarterly balance sheet of the Guarantor and its consolidated subsidiaries and determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office at the date hereof is located at 750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750, Dallas, Texas 75201, Attention: Corporate, Municipal and Escrow Solutions, and as may be located at such other address as the Trustee may give notice to the Company and the Guarantor.

 

“Debt” means all notes, bonds, debentures or other similar evidences of debt for money borrowed.

 

“Default” means any event, act or condition that is, or after notice or the passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

 

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof as the initial Depositary with respect to the Securities of such series, until a successor shall have been appointed and become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture, and thereafter “Depositary” shall mean or include such successor.

 

2



 

“Dollar” or “$” means a dollar or other equivalent unit in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debt.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

 

“Funded Debt” means all Debt (including Debt incurred under any revolving credit, letter of credit or working capital facility) that matures by its terms, or that is renewable at the option of any obligor thereon, to a date more than one year after the date on which such Debt is originally incurred.

 

“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 of the United States, as in effect from time to time.

 

“Global Security” means a Security that is issued in global form in the name of the Depositary with respect thereto or its nominee.

 

“Government Obligations” means, with respect to a series of Securities, direct obligations of the government that issues the currency in which the Securities of the series are payable for the payment of which the full faith and credit of such government is pledged, or obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of such government, the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such government.

 

“Guarantee” shall mean the guarantee of the Company’s obligations under the Securities by the Guarantor as provided in Article X.

 

“Guarantor” means the Person named as a “Guarantor” in the first paragraph of this instrument, until a successor to such Person shall have become such pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Guarantor” shall mean such successor Person.

 

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered.

 

“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time pursuant to the provisions hereof, and includes the terms of a particular series of Securities established as contemplated by Section 2.01.

 

“interest” means, when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security that by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, interest payable after Maturity.

 

“Interest Payment Date,” when used with respect to any Security, shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the Security as contemplated by Section 2.01.

 

3



 

“Issue Date” means, with respect to Securities of a series, the date on which the Securities of such series are originally issued under this Indenture.

 

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in any of The City of New York, New York; Houston, Texas or a Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

 

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, lien or security interest.

 

“Maturity” means, with respect to any Security, the 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 thereof, or by declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

 

“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice Chairman of the Board, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of a Person.

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers of a Person and, in the case of an Officers’ Certificate of the Company pursuant to Section 2.01 or 2.04, by an Officer of the Guarantor.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Such written opinion must be from legal counsel, and such counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, the Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company or the Guarantor.

 

“Original Issue Discount Security” means any Security that provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02.

 

“Permitted Liens” means:

 

(i)                                     Liens existing on the date of first issuance of a series of Securities;

 

(ii)                                  Liens on property or assets of, or any shares of stock of, or other equity interests in, or Debt of, any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or a Principal Domestic Subsidiary or at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Guarantor or any Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of a Person (or a division thereof) as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Guarantor or a Subsidiary;

 

(iii)                               Liens on assets (including improvements and accessions thereto and proceeds thereof) (a) existing at the time of acquisition thereof, (b) securing all or any portion of the cost of acquiring, constructing, improving, developing or expanding such assets or (c) securing Debt incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 24 months after, the later of the acquisition, the completion of construction, improvement, development or expansion or the commencement of commercial operation of such assets, for the purpose (in the case of this clause (c)) of

 

4



 

(x) financing all or any part of the purchase price of such assets or (y) financing all or any part of the cost of construction, improvement, development or expansion of any such assets;

 

(iv)                              Liens on specific assets to secure Debt incurred to provide funds for all or any part of the cost of exploration, drilling or development of such assets;

 

(v)                                 Liens in favor of the Guarantor or any Subsidiary;

 

(vi)                              Liens securing industrial development, pollution control or other revenue bonds issued or guaranteed by the United States of America, or any State, or any department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of either;

 

(vii)                           Liens on personal property, other than shares of stock or Debt of any Principal Domestic Subsidiary, securing loans maturing not more than one year from the date of the creation thereof;

 

(viii)                        Liens on any Principal Property arising in connection with the sale of accounts receivable resulting from the sale of oil or gas at the wellhead;

 

(ix)                              statutory liens or landlords’, carriers’, warehouseman’s, mechanics’, suppliers’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business and with respect to amounts not yet delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; and

 

(x)                                 any extensions, substitutions, replacements or renewals in whole or in part of a Lien enumerated in clauses (i) through (ix) above or any Debt secured by such a Lien; provided that (a) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that secured the original Lien, plus improvements on such property, and (b) the principal amount of Debt secured by such Lien and not otherwise authorized by clauses (i) through (ix) above or otherwise permitted does not materially exceed the principal amount of Debt so secured plus any premium or fee payable in connection with any such extension, substitution, replacement or renewal.

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, incorporated or unincorporated association, joint stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or government or other agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof or other entity of any kind.

 

“Place of Payment” means, with respect to the Securities of any series, the place or places where the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of that series are payable as specified in accordance with Section 2.01 subject to the provisions of Section 4.02.

 

“principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the Security.

 

“Principal Domestic Subsidiary” means the Company and any Subsidiary (i) that has substantially all of its assets located in the United States, (ii) that owns a Principal Property and (iii) in which the Guarantor’s direct or indirect capital investment, together with the outstanding

 

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balance of (a) any loans and advances made to such Subsidiary by the Guarantor or any other Subsidiary and (b) any debt of such Subsidiary guaranteed by the Guarantor or any other Subsidiary, exceeds $100,000,000.

 

“Principal Property” means any oil or gas producing property located in the United States, onshore or offshore, or any refinery or manufacturing plant (excluding any transportation or marketing facilities or assets) located in the United States, in each case owned by the Company or a Subsidiary, except any oil or gas producing property, refinery or plant that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the Company, is not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries.

 

“Redemption Date” means, with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Redemption Price” means, with respect to any Security to be redeemed, the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

 

“Responsible Officer” means any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the Persons who at the time shall be such officers, respectively, or to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

“Rule 144A Securities” means Securities of a series designated pursuant to Section 2.01 as entitled to the benefits of Section 4.03(b).

 

“Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement with any Person pursuant to which the Guarantor or any Subsidiary leases any Principal Property that has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Guarantor or such Subsidiary to such Person, other than (1) temporary leases for a term, including renewals at the option of the lessee, of not more than three years, (2) leases between the Guarantor and a Subsidiary or between Subsidiaries, (3) leases of Principal Property executed by the time of, or within 12 months after the latest of, the acquisition, the completion of construction or improvement, or the commencement of commercial operation of the Principal Property, and (4) arrangements pursuant to any provision of law with an effect similar to the former Section 168(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.

 

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Securities” has the meaning stated in the preamble of this Indenture and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

 

“Security Custodian” means, with respect to Securities of a series issued in global form, the Trustee for Securities of such series, as custodian with respect to the Securities of such series, or any successor entity thereto.

 

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“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 as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or such installment of principal or interest is due and payable.

 

“Subsidiary” means a Person at least a majority of the outstanding voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Guarantor or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Guarantor and one or more other Subsidiaries. For the purposes of this definition, “voting stock” means stock having voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.

 

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, as in effect on the date hereof.

 

“Trustee” means the Person named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter “Trustee” means each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more than one such Person, “Trustee” as used with respect to the Securities of any series means the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

 

“United States” means the United States of America (including the States and the District of Columbia) and its territories and possessions, which include Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Wake Island and the Northern Mariana Islands.

 

“U.S. Government Obligations” means Government Obligations with respect to Securities payable in Dollars.

 

SECTION 1.02              Other Definitions.

 

 

 

DEFINED

TERM

 

IN SECTION

“Bankruptcy Custodian”

 

6.01

“Conversion Event”

 

6.01

“covenant defeasance”

 

8.01

“Event of Default”

 

6.01

“Exchange Rate”

 

2.11

“Judgment Currency”

 

6.10

“legal defeasance”

 

8.01

“mandatory sinking fund payment”

 

3.09

“optional sinking fund payment”

 

3.09

“Paying Agent”

 

2.05

“Registrar”

 

2.05

“Required Currency”

 

6.10

“Successor”

 

5.01

 

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SECTION 1.03              Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

 

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture (and if the Indenture is not qualified under the TIA at that time, as if it were so qualified unless otherwise provided). The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

 

“Commission” means the SEC.

 

“indenture securities” means the Securities.

 

“indenture security holder” means a Holder.

 

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

 

“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee.

 

“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company, the Guarantor or any other obligor on the Securities.

 

All terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by a TIA reference to another statute or defined by an SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

 

SECTION 1.04              Rules of Construction.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

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

 

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

 

(3)                                 “or” is not exclusive;

 

(4)                                 words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

 

(5)                                 provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

 

(6)                                 all references in this instrument to Articles and Sections are references to the corresponding Articles and Sections in and of this instrument.

 

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ARTICLE II
THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 2.01              Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

 

The aggregate principal amount of Securities that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

 

The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company, and set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company or in a Company Order, or established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any series:

 

(1)                                 the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the Securities of the series from the Securities of all other series);

 

(2)                                 if there is to be a limit, the limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the series that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section 2.08, 2.09, 2.12, 2.17, 3.07 or 9.05 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to Section 2.04 or 2.17, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder); provided, however, that unless otherwise provided in the terms of the series, the authorized aggregate principal amount of such series may be increased before or after the issuance of any Securities of the series by a Board Resolution (or action pursuant to a Board Resolution) to such effect;

 

(3)                                 whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable initially in temporary global form and whether any Securities of the series are to be issuable in permanent global form, as Global Securities or otherwise, and, if so, whether beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security may exchange such interests for Securities of such series and of like tenor of any authorized form and denomination and the circumstances under which any such exchanges may occur, if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.17, and the initial Depositary and Security Custodian, if any, for any Global Security or Securities of such series;

 

(4)                                 the manner in which any interest payable on a temporary Global Security on any Interest Payment Date will be paid if other than in the manner provided in Section 2.14;

 

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

 

(6)                                 the rate or rates, or the method of determination thereof, at which the Securities of the series shall bear interest, if any, whether and under what circumstances Additional Amounts with respect to such Securities shall be payable, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the record date for the interest payable on any Securities on any Interest Payment Date, or if other than provided herein, the Person to whom any interest on Securities of the series shall be payable;

 

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(7)                                 the place or places where, subject to the provisions of Section 4.02, the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

 

(8)                                 the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company, if the Company is to have that option, and the manner in which the Company must exercise any such option, if different from those set forth herein;

 

(9)                                 the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem, purchase or repay Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the price or prices (whether denominated in cash, securities or otherwise) at which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed, purchased or repaid in whole or in part pursuant to such obligation;

 

(10)                          if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof, the denomination in which any Securities of that series shall be issuable;

 

(11)                          if other than Dollars, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) or the form, including equity securities, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants or any other securities or property of the Company, the Guarantor or any other Person, in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series shall be payable;

 

(12)                          if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series are to be payable, at the election of the Company or a Holder thereof, in a currency or currencies (including composite currencies) other than that in which the Securities are stated to be payable, the currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of such series as to which such election is made shall be payable, and the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made;

 

(13)                          if the amount of payments of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series may be determined with reference to any commodities, currencies or indices, values, rates or prices or any other index or formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

 

(14)                          if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount of Securities of the series that shall be payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

 

(15)                          any additional means of satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and any additional conditions or limitations to discharge with respect to Securities of the series and the related Guarantees pursuant to Article VIII or any modifications of or deletions from such conditions or limitations;

 

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(16)                          any deletions or modifications of or additions to the Events of Default set forth in Section 6.01 or covenants of the Company or the Guarantor set forth in Article IV pertaining to the Securities of the series;

 

(17)                          any restrictions or other provisions with respect to the transfer or exchange of Securities of the series, which may amend, supplement, modify or supersede those contained in this Article II;

 

(18)                          if the Securities of the series are to be convertible into or exchangeable for capital stock, other debt securities (including Securities), warrants, other equity securities or any other securities or property of the Company, the Guarantor or any other Person, at the option of the Company or the Holder or upon the occurrence of any condition or event, the terms and conditions for such conversion or exchange;

 

(19)                          whether the Securities of the series are to be entitled to the benefit of Section 4.03(b) (and accordingly constitute Rule 144A Securities); and

 

(20)                          any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be prohibited by the provisions of this Indenture).

 

All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 2.03) set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order referred to above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

 

If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action, together with such Board Resolution, shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate or certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or Company Order setting forth the terms of the series.

 

SECTION 2.02              Denominations.

 

The Securities of each series shall be issuable in such denominations as shall be specified as contemplated by Section 2.01. In the absence of any such provisions with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series denominated in Dollars shall be issuable in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

SECTION 2.03              Forms Generally.

 

The Securities of each series shall be in fully registered form and in substantially such form or forms (including temporary or permanent global form) established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution of the Company or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, securities exchange rule, the Company’s certificate of incorporation, bylaws or other similar governing documents, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company).  A copy of the Board Resolution

 

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establishing the form or forms of Securities of any series shall be 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.

 

The definitive Securities of each series shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined by the Officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof.

 

The Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be in substantially the following form:

 

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

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 

as Trustee

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Authorized Signatory”.

 

SECTION 2.04              Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

 

Two Officers of the Company shall sign the Securities on behalf of the Company and, with respect to the Guarantees of the Securities, an Officer of the Guarantor shall sign the Securities on behalf of the Guarantor, in each case by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer of the Company or the Guarantor whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Security is authenticated, the Security shall be valid nevertheless.

 

A Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or the related Guarantees or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee, which signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Security has been authenticated and delivered hereunder but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company delivers such Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 2.13, together with an Officers’ Certificate (which need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) stating that such Security has never been issued and sold by the Company, for all purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture or the related Guarantee.

 

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the Company and the Guarantor to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver such Securities for original issue upon a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of such Securities or pursuant to such procedures acceptable to the Trustee as may be specified from time to time by Company Order. Such order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated, the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders and any other terms of the Securities of such series not otherwise

 

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determined. If provided for in such procedures, such Company Order may authorize (1) authentication and delivery of Securities of such series for original issue from time to time, with certain terms (including, without limitation, the Maturity date or dates, original issue date or dates and interest rate or rates) that differ from Security to Security and (2) may authorize authentication and delivery pursuant to oral or electronic instructions from the Company or its duly authorized agent, which instructions shall be promptly confirmed in writing.

 

In authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive (in addition to the Company Order referred to above and the other documents required by Section 11.04), and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon:

 

(a)                                 an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the Board Resolution and, if applicable, an appropriate record of any action taken pursuant thereto, as contemplated by the last paragraph of Section 2.01; and

 

(b)                                 an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that:

 

(i)                                     the form of such Securities has been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

 

(ii)                                  the terms of such Securities have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

 

(iii)                               that, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, such Securities and the related Guarantees will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company and the Guarantor, respectively, enforceable against the Company and the Guarantor, respectively, in accordance with their respective terms, except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other similar laws in effect from time to time affecting the rights of creditors generally, and the application of general principles of equity (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

If all the Securities of any series are not to be issued at one time, it shall not be necessary to deliver an Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel at the time of issuance of each such Security, but such Officers’ Certificate and Opinion of Counsel shall be delivered at or before the time of issuance of the first Security of the series to be issued.

 

The Trustee shall not be required to authenticate such Securities if the issuance of such Securities pursuant to this Indenture would affect the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to

 

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authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by any such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company, the Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company or the Guarantor.

 

Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

 

SECTION 2.05              Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

The Company shall maintain an office or agency for each series of Securities where Securities of such series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities of such series may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities of such series and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

 

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The 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 any Agent not a party to this Indenture. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company, the Guarantor or any Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

 

The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 2.06              Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

 

The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed. Upon payment over to the Trustee and upon accounting for any funds disbursed, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company, the Guarantor or a Subsidiary) shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company, the Guarantor or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Each Paying Agent shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 317(b).

 

SECTION 2.07              Holder Lists.

 

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar with respect to a series of Securities, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment

 

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Date with respect to such series of Securities, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders of such series, and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).

 

SECTION 2.08              Transfer and Exchange.

 

Except as set forth in Section 2.17 or as may be provided pursuant to Section 2.01:

 

When Securities of any series are presented to the Registrar with the request to register the transfer of such Securities or to exchange such Securities for an equal principal amount of Securities of the same series of like tenor and of other authorized denominations, the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its requirements and the requirements of this Indenture for such transactions are met; provided, however, that the Securities presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or by his attorney, duly authorized in writing, on which instruction the Registrar can rely.

 

To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company and the Guarantor shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the Registrar’s written request and submission of the Securities or Global Securities. No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange (except as otherwise expressly permitted herein), but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than such transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Section 2.12, 3.07 or 9.05). The Trustee shall authenticate Securities in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.04. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to register the transfer or exchange of (a) any Security selected for redemption in whole or in part pursuant to Article III, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part, or (b) any Security during the period beginning 15 Business Days prior to the mailing of notice of any offer to repurchase Securities of the series required pursuant to the terms thereof or of redemption of Securities of a series to be redeemed and ending at the close of business on the day of mailing.

 

SECTION 2.09              Replacement Securities.

 

If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been destroyed, lost or stolen and the Company and the Trustee receive evidence to their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of such Security, the Company shall issue, the Guarantor shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security of the same series if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security. If required by the Trustee, the Guarantor or the Company, such Holder must furnish an indemnity bond that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them

 

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may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge a Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.

 

Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company and the Guarantor.

 

SECTION 2.10              Outstanding Securities.

 

The Securities outstanding at any time are all the Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Security effected by the Trustee hereunder and those described in this Section 2.10 as not outstanding.

 

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.09, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Security is held by a protected purchaser.

 

If the principal amount of any Security is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

 

A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company, the Guarantor or an Affiliate of the Company or the Guarantor holds the Security.

 

SECTION 2.11  Original Issue Discount, Foreign-Currency Denominated and Treasury Securities.

 

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, (a) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security shall be the principal amount thereof that would be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02, (b) the principal amount of a Security denominated in a foreign currency shall be the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the noon buying rate in The City of New York for cable transfers for such currency, as such rate is certified for customs purposes by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (the “Exchange Rate”) on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the principal amount (or, in the case of an Original Issue Discount Security, the Dollar equivalent, as determined by the Company by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of original issuance of such Security, of the amount determined as provided in (a) above), of such Security and (c) Securities owned by the Company, the Guarantor or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company, of the Guarantor or of such other obligor shall be disregarded, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying upon any such direction, amendment, supplement, waiver or consent, only Securities that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.

 

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SECTION 2.12              Temporary Securities.

 

Until definitive Securities of any series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare, the Company and the Guarantor shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities, but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare, the Company and the Guarantor shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.  Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities.

 

SECTION 2.13              Cancellation.

 

The Company or the Guarantor at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or redemption or for credit against any sinking fund payment. The Trustee shall cancel all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, redemption, replacement or cancellation or for credit against any sinking fund, and all canceled Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with the usual disposal procedures of the Trustee. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities that have been paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

SECTION 2.14              Payments; Defaulted Interest.

 

Unless otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 2.01, interest (except defaulted interest) on any Security that is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid to the Persons who are registered Holders of that Security at the close of business on the record date next preceding such Interest Payment Date, even if such Securities are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date. The Holder must surrender a Security to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. Unless otherwise provided with respect to the Securities of any series, the Company will pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities in Dollars. Such amounts shall be payable at the offices of the Trustee or any Paying Agent, provided that at the option of the Company, the Company may pay such amounts (1) by wire transfer with respect to Global Securities or (2) by wire transfer or by check payable in such money mailed to a Holder’s registered address with respect to any Securities; provided that payment by wire transfer will only be permitted respect to any Holder who holds at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Securities and who has provided wire transfer instructions to the Company and the Trustee or any Paying Agent to an account located in the continental United States.

 

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities of any series, the Company shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest on the defaulted interest, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities of such series and in Section 4.01. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. At least 15 days before any special record date selected by the

 

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Company, the Company (or the Trustee, in the name of and at the expense of the Company upon 20 days’ prior written notice from the Company setting forth such special record date and the interest amount to be paid) shall mail to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

 

SECTION 2.15              Persons Deemed Owners.

 

The Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent may treat the Person in whose name any Security is registered as the owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payments of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to such Security and for all other purposes. None of the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee, any Agent or any authenticating agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

 

SECTION 2.16              Computation of Interest.

 

Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on the basis of a year comprising twelve 30-day months.

 

SECTION 2.17              Global Securities; Book-Entry Provisions.

 

If Securities of a series are issuable in global form as a Global Security, as contemplated by Section 2.01, then, notwithstanding clause (10) of Section 2.01 and the provisions of Section 2.02, any such Global Security shall represent such of the outstanding Securities of such series as shall be specified therein and may provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate amount of outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges, transfers or redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Security to reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of outstanding Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee (i) in such manner and upon instructions given by such Person or Persons as shall be specified in such Security or in a Company Order to be delivered to the Trustee pursuant to Section 2.04 or (ii) otherwise in accordance with written instructions or such other written form of instructions as is customary for the Depositary for such Security, from such Depositary or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in such Global Security. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.04 and, if applicable, Section 2.12, the Trustee shall deliver and redeliver any Security in permanent global form in the manner and upon instructions given by the Person or Persons specified in such Security or in the applicable Company Order. With respect to the Securities of any series that are represented by a Global Security, the Company and the Guarantor authorize the execution and delivery by the Trustee of a letter of representations or other similar agreement or instrument in the form customarily provided for by the Depositary appointed with respect to such Global Security. Any Global Security may be deposited with the Depositary or its nominee, or may remain in the custody of the Trustee or the Security Custodian therefor pursuant to a FAST Balance Certificate Agreement or similar agreement between the Trustee and the Depositary. If a Company Order has been, or simultaneously is, delivered, any instructions by the Company with respect to endorsement or delivery or redelivery of a Security in global form

 

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shall be in writing but need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel.

 

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 Trustee or the Security Custodian as its custodian, or under such Global Security, and the Depositary may be treated by the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian and any agent of the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) the registered holder of a Global Security of a series 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 of Securities of such series is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities of such series and (ii) nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian, or any agent of the Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee or the Security Custodian, from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depositary or shall impair, as between the Depositary and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a beneficial owner of any Security.

 

Notwithstanding Section 2.08, and except as otherwise provided pursuant to Section 2.01: Transfers of a Global Security shall be limited to transfers of such Global Security in whole, but not in part, to the Depositary, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in a Global Security may be transferred in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary. Securities shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Security if, and only if, either (1) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the Global Security and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice, (2) an Event of Default has occurred with respect to such series and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depositary to issue Securities in lieu of all or a portion of the Global Security (in which case the Company shall deliver Securities within 30 days of such request) or (3) the Company determines not to have the Securities represented by a Global Security.

 

In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Global Security to be transferred, and the Company and the Guarantor shall execute, and the Trustee upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of Securities shall authenticate and deliver, one or more Securities of the same series of like tenor and amount.

 

In connection with the transfer of all the beneficial interests in a Global Security to beneficial owners pursuant to this Section 2.17, the Global Security shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company and the Guarantor shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depositary in exchange for its beneficial interests in the Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of Securities of authorized denominations.

 

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Neither the Company, the Guarantor nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to, or payments made on account of, Securities by the Depositary, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of the Depositary relating to such Securities. Neither the Company, the Guarantor nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay by the related Global Security Holder or the Depositary in identifying the beneficial owners, and each such Person may conclusively rely on, and shall be protected in relying on, instructions from such Global Security Holder or the Depositary for all purposes (including with respect to the registration and delivery, and the respective principal amounts, of the Securities to be issued).

 

The provisions of the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04 shall apply to any Global Security if such Global Security was never issued and sold by the Company and the Company or the Guarantor delivers to the Trustee the Global Security together with an Officers’ Certificate (which need not comply with Section 11.05 and need not be accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel) with regard to the cancellation or reduction in the principal amount of Securities represented thereby, together with the Officers’ Certificate contemplated by the last sentence of the third paragraph of Section 2.04.

 

Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 2.03 and 2.14, unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Global Security shall be made to the Person or Persons specified therein.

 

The Trustee shall have no 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 Agent Members or beneficial owners of interests 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 of this Indenture.  Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have any responsibility for any action taken or not taken by the Depositary.

 

SECTION 2.18              CUSIP Numbers.

 

The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the “CUSIP” numbers of the Securities.

 

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ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01              Applicability of Article.

 

Securities of any series that are redeemable before their Stated Maturity shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01 for Securities of any series) in accordance with this Article III.

 

SECTION 3.02              Notice to the Trustee.

 

If the Company elects to redeem Securities of any series pursuant to this Indenture, it shall notify the Trustee of the Redemption Date and the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed. The Company shall so notify the Trustee at least three Business Days before the date of giving notice of the redemption pursuant to Section 3.04 (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) by delivering to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that such redemption will comply with the provisions of this Indenture and of the Securities of such series. Any such notice may be canceled at any time prior to the mailing of such notice of such redemption to any Holder and shall thereupon be void and of no effect.

 

SECTION 3.03              Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed.

 

If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless all of the Securities of such series of a specified tenor are to be redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date from the outstanding Securities of such series (and tenor) not previously called for redemption by lot or pursuant to applicable Depositary procedures and shall provide for the selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series or of the principal amount of Global Securities of such series.

 

The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company and the Registrar in writing of the Securities selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

 

For purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires, all provisions relating to redemption of Securities shall relate, in the case of any of the Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion of the principal amount thereof which has been or is to be redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.04              Notice of Redemption.

 

Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at the address of such Holder appearing in the register of Securities maintained by the Registrar.

 

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All notices of redemption shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(1)                                 the Redemption Date;

 

(2)                                 the Redemption Price (or if not determinable at the time of such notice, the methodology for determining such Redemption Price);

 

(3)                                 that, unless the Company and the Guarantor default in making the redemption payment, interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the Redemption Date, and the only remaining right of the Holders of such Securities is to receive payment of the Redemption Price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Securities redeemed;

 

(4)                                 if any Security is to be redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed and that on and after the Redemption Date, upon surrender for cancellation of such Security to the Paying Agent, a new Security or Securities in the aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued without charge to the Holder;

 

(5)                                 that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price and the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(6)                                 that the redemption is for a sinking or analogous fund, if such is the case; and

 

(7)                                 the CUSIP number, if any, relating to such Securities, along with the statement in Section 2.18.

 

Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company’s written request, by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least three Business Days prior to the giving of notice of redemption (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in the notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

 

SECTION 3.05              Effect of Notice of Redemption.

 

Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the Redemption Price. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities called for redemption shall be paid at the Redemption Price, but interest installments whose maturity is on or prior to such Redemption Date will be payable on the relevant Interest Payment Dates to the Holders of record at the close of business on the relevant record dates specified pursuant to Section 2.01.

 

SECTION 3.06              Deposit of Redemption Price.

 

On or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on any Redemption Date, the Company or the Guarantor shall deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or the

 

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Guarantor is acting as the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 2.06) an amount of money in same day funds sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to, the Securities or portions thereof which are to be redeemed on that date, other than Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Company or the Guarantor to the Trustee for cancellation.

 

If the Company or the Guarantor complies with the preceding paragraph, then, unless the Company and the Guarantor default in the payment of such Redemption Price, interest on the Securities to be redeemed will cease to accrue on and after the applicable Redemption Date, whether or not such Securities are presented for payment, and the Holders of such Securities shall have no further rights with respect to such Securities except for the right to receive the Redemption Price upon surrender of such Securities. If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof for redemption, the principal, premium, if any, any Additional Amounts, and, to the extent lawful, accrued interest thereon shall, until paid, bear interest from the Redemption Date at the rate specified pursuant to Section 2.01 or provided in the Securities or, in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, such Securities’ yield to maturity.

 

SECTION 3.07              Securities Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

 

Upon surrender to the Paying Agent of a Security to be redeemed in part, the Company and the Guarantor shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service charge to such Holder, a new Security or Securities, of the same series and of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder in aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered that is not redeemed.

 

SECTION 3.08              Purchase of Securities.

 

Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company, the Guarantor and any Affiliate of the Company or the Guarantor may, subject to applicable law, at any time purchase or otherwise acquire Securities in the open market or by private agreement. Any such acquisition shall not operate as or be deemed for any purpose to be a redemption of the indebtedness represented by such Securities. Any Securities purchased or acquired by the Company or the Guarantor may be delivered to the Trustee and, upon such delivery, the indebtedness represented thereby shall be deemed to be satisfied. Section 2.13 shall apply to all Securities so delivered.

 

SECTION 3.09              Mandatory and Optional Sinking Funds.

 

The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as a “mandatory sinking fund payment,” and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an “optional sinking fund payment.” Unless otherwise provided by the terms of Securities of any series, the cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 3.10. Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the

 

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redemption of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such series and by this Article III.

 

SECTION 3.10              Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

 

The Company or the Guarantor may deliver outstanding Securities of a series (other than any previously called for redemption) and may apply as a credit Securities of a series that have been redeemed either at the election of the Company pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of such series of Securities; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited. Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of the sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

 

SECTION 3.11              Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

 

Not less than 45 days prior (unless a shorter period shall be satisfactory to the Trustee) to each sinking fund payment date for any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate of the Company specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivery of or by crediting Securities of that series pursuant to Section 3.10 and will also deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee any Securities to be so delivered. Failure of the Company to timely deliver or cause to be delivered such Officers’ Certificate and Securities specified in this paragraph, if any, shall not constitute a default but shall constitute the election of the Company that the mandatory sinking fund payment for such series due on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date shall be paid entirely in cash without the option to deliver or credit Securities of such series in respect thereof and that the Company will make no optional sinking fund payment with respect to such series as provided in this Section 3.11.

 

If the sinking fund payment or payments (mandatory or optional or both) to be made in cash on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date plus any unused balance of any preceding sinking fund payments made in cash shall exceed $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof based on the applicable Exchange Rate on the date of original issue of the applicable Securities) or a lesser sum if the Company shall so request with respect to the Securities of any particular series, such cash shall be applied on the next succeeding sinking fund payment date to the redemption of Securities of such series at the sinking fund redemption price together with accrued interest to the date fixed for redemption. If such amount shall be $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) or less and the Company makes no such request then it shall be carried over until a sum in excess of $100,000 (or the Dollar equivalent thereof as aforesaid) is available. Not less than 30 days before each such sinking fund payment date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 3.03 and cause notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company in the manner provided in Section 3.04. Such notice having

 

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been duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner stated in Sections 3.05, 3.06 and 3.07.

 

ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01              Payment of Securities.

 

The Company shall pay the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of each series on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities of such series and in this Indenture. Principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent (other than the Company, the Guarantor or a Subsidiary) holds on that date money deposited by the Company or the Guarantor designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, interest and any Additional Amounts then due.

 

The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium (if any), at a rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Securities to the extent lawful; and it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and any Additional Amounts (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

The Company shall give the Trustee advance written notice of any Additional Amounts that may be payable with respect to any series of Securities.  The Trustee shall not at any time be under any duty or responsibility to any Holder of any series of Securities to determine any Additional Amounts, or with respect to the nature, extent, or calculation of Additional Amounts owed, or with respect to the method employed in such calculation of Additional Amounts.

 

SECTION 4.02              Maintenance of Office or Agency.

 

The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of Securities an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent) where Securities of that series may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series may be presented for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company or the Guarantor in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served. Unless otherwise designated by the Company by written notice to the Trustee and the Guarantor, such office or agency shall be the office of an Affiliate of the Trustee in The City of New York, which on the date hereof is located at 150 East 42nd Street, New York, New York 10017. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee and the Guarantor of the location, and any change in the location, of 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 and the Guarantor with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

 

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies 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 such designations; provided, however, that no such

 

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designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

SECTION 4.03              SEC Reports; Financial Statements.

 

(a)                                 If the Company or the Guarantor is subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it files the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company or the Guarantor is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provided that the delivery obligation hereunder shall be deemed satisfied by the Company and the Guarantor if all such items are made available to the Trustee on the Company’s or Guarantor’s website or at the website of the SEC; provided, however, that the Trustee shall have no obligation whatsoever to determine whether or not such materials are available on any such website. If this Indenture is qualified under the TIA, but not otherwise, the Company and the Guarantor shall also comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a). Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee shall be for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt thereof shall not constitute constructive 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 Officers’ Certificates or certificates delivered pursuant to Section 4.04).

 

(b)                                 If neither the Company nor the Guarantor is subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company and the Guarantor shall furnish to all Holders of Rule 144A Securities and prospective purchasers of Rule 144A Securities designated by the Holders of Rule 144A Securities, promptly upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

SECTION 4.04              Compliance Certificate.

 

(a)                                 Each of the Company and the Guarantor shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a statement signed by an Officer of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, which need not constitute an Officers’ Certificate, complying with TIA Section 314(a)(4) and stating that in the course of performance by the signing Officer of his duties as such Officer of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, he would normally obtain knowledge of the keeping, observing, performing and fulfilling by the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, of its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating that to the best of his knowledge the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which such Officer may have knowledge and what action the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

 

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(b)                                 The Company or the Guarantor shall, so long as Securities of any series are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default under this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 4.05              Corporate Existence.

 

Subject to Article V, each of the Company and the Guarantor shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence.

 

SECTION 4.06              Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.

 

Each of the Company and the Guarantor covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other law that would prohibit or forgive it from paying all or any portion of the principal of or interest on the Securities as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) each of the Company and the Guarantor hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

SECTION 4.07              Additional Amounts.

 

If the Securities of a series expressly provide for the payment of Additional Amounts, the Company will pay to the Holder of any Security of such series Additional Amounts as expressly provided therein.

 

Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context, the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on, or in respect of, any Security of any series or the net proceeds received from the sale or exchange of any Security of any series, such mention shall be deemed to include mention of the payment of Additional Amounts provided for in this Section 4.07 to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are, were or would be payable in respect thereof pursuant to the provisions of this Section 4.07 and express mention of the payment of Additional Amounts (if applicable) in any provisions hereof shall not be construed as excluding Additional Amounts in those provisions hereof where such express mention is not made.

 

SECTION 4.08              Limitation on Liens.

 

The Guarantor shall not, and shall not permit any Principal Domestic Subsidiary to, issue, assume or guarantee any Debt for borrowed money secured by any Lien upon any Principal Property or any shares of stock or Debt of any Principal Domestic Subsidiary (whether such Principal Property, shares of stock or Debt is now owned or hereafter acquired) without making effective provision whereby the Securities (together with, if the Guarantor shall so determine, any other Debt or other obligation of the Guarantor or any Subsidiary) shall be secured equally

 

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and ratably with (or, at the option of the Guarantor, prior to) the Debt so secured for so long as such Debt is so secured. The foregoing restrictions will not, however, apply to Debt secured by Permitted Liens.

 

In addition, the Guarantor and its Principal Domestic Subsidiaries may, without securing the Securities, issue, assume or guarantee Debt that would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions in an aggregate principal amount that, together with all other such Debt of the Guarantor and its Principal Domestic Subsidiaries that would otherwise be subject to the foregoing restrictions (not including Debt permitted to be secured under the definition of Permitted Liens) and the aggregate amount of Attributable Debt deemed outstanding with respect to Sale/Leaseback Transactions (reduced by the amount applied pursuant to Section 4.09(b)) does not at any one time exceed 10% of Consolidated Adjusted Net Assets.

 

The following types of transactions shall not be deemed to create “Debt” secured by “Liens” within the meaning of those terms as used in this Indenture:

 

(a)                                 the sale or other transfer of (i) oil, gas or other minerals in place for a period of time until, or in an amount such that, the purchaser will realize therefrom a specified amount of money (however determined) or a specified amount of such minerals, or (ii) any other interest in property of the character commonly referred to as a “production payment”; and

 

(b)                                 the mortgage or pledge of any property of the Guarantor or any Subsidiary in favor of the United States or any State, or any department, agency, instrumentality or political subdivision of either, to secure partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to the provisions of any contract or statute.

 

SECTION 4.09              Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions.

 

The Guarantor shall not, and shall not permit any Principal Domestic Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with any Person (other than the Guarantor or a Subsidiary) unless:

 

(a)                                 the Guarantor or such Principal Domestic Subsidiary would be entitled to incur Debt in a principal amount equal to the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction secured by a Lien on the property subject to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction pursuant to Section 4.08 without equally and ratably securing the Securities pursuant to such covenant; or

 

(b)                                 within a period commencing 12 months prior to the consummation of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction and ending 12 months after the consummation thereof, the Guarantor or any Subsidiary shall have applied an amount equal to all or a portion of the net proceeds of such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (with any such amount not being so applied to be subject to Section 4.09(a)):

 

(1)                                 to the voluntary defeasance or retirement of any Securities or any Funded Debt; or

 

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(2)                                 to the acquisition, exploration, drilling, development, construction, improvement or expansion of one or more Principal Properties.

 

For these purposes, the net proceeds of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means an amount equal to the greater of (i) the net proceeds of the sale or transfer of the property leased in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction and (ii) the fair value, as determined by the Board of Directors of the Guarantor and evidenced by a Board Resolution, of such property at the time of entering into such Sale/Leaseback Transaction.

 

ARTICLE V
SUCCESSORS

 

SECTION 5.01              Limitations on Mergers and Consolidations.

 

Neither the Company nor the Guarantor shall, in any transaction or series of transactions, consolidate with or merge into any Person, or sell, lease, convey, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person (other than a consolidation or merger of the Company and the Guarantor or a sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to the Guarantor or of the Guarantor to the Company), unless:

 

(1)                                 either (a) the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be the continuing Person or (b) the Person (if other than the Company or the Guarantor) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company or the Guarantor is merged, or to which such sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition shall be made (collectively, the “Successor”), is organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any political subdivision thereof or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and expressly assumes by supplemental indenture, in the case of the Company, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all the Securities and the performance of the Company’s covenants and obligations under this Indenture and the Securities, or, in the case of the Guarantor, the performance of the Guarantee and the Guarantor’s covenants and obligations under this Indenture and the Securities;

 

(2)                                 immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of transactions, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom; and

 

(3)                                 the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that the transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture and that the Securities, the Indenture and the Guarantee constitute the valid and binding obligations of the Company and the Guarantor (or, if applicable, the Successor).

 

SECTION 5.02              Successor Person Substituted.

 

Upon any consolidation or merger of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, or any sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01, the Successor formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company or the Guarantor is merged or to which such

 

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sale, lease, conveyance, transfer or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, under this Indenture and the Securities with the same effect as if such Successor had been named as the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, herein and the predecessor Company or Guarantor, in the case of a sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, shall be released from all obligations under this Indenture, the Securities and, in the case of the Guarantor, the Guarantee.

 

ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01              Events of Default.

 

Unless either inapplicable to a particular series or specifically deleted or modified in or pursuant to the supplemental indenture or Board Resolution establishing such series of Securities or in the form of Security for such series, an “Event of Default,” wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any series, occurs if:

 

(1)                                 there is a default in the payment of interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(2)                                 there is a default in the payment of (A) the principal of any Security of that series at its Maturity or (B) premium (if any) on any Security of that series when the same becomes due and payable;

 

(3)                                 there is a default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by the terms of a Security of that series, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;

 

(4)                                 the Company or the Guarantor fails to comply with any of its other covenants or agreements in, or provisions of, the Securities of such series or this Indenture (other than an agreement, covenant or provision that has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of one or more series of Securities other than that series) which shall not have been remedied within the specified period after written notice, as specified in the last paragraph of this Section 6.01;

 

(5)                                 the Company or the Guarantor pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(A)                               commences a voluntary case,

 

(B)                               consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

 

(C)                               consents to the appointment of a Bankruptcy Custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property, or

 

(D)                               makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

 

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(6)                                 a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that remains unstayed and in effect for 90 days and that:

 

(A)                               is for relief against the Company or the Guarantor as debtor in an involuntary case,

 

(B)                               appoints a Bankruptcy Custodian of the Company or the Guarantor or a Bankruptcy Custodian for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or the Guarantor, or

 

(C)                               orders the liquidation of the Company or the Guarantor; or

 

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

 

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

 

The Trustee shall not be deemed to know or have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

 

When a Default is cured, it ceases.

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, if the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to any Security is payable in a currency or currencies (including a composite currency) other than Dollars and such currency or currencies are not available to the Company or the Guarantor for making payment thereof due to the imposition of exchange controls or other circumstances beyond the control of the Company or the Guarantor (a “Conversion Event”), each of the Company and the Guarantor will be entitled to satisfy its obligations to Holders of the Securities by making such payment in Dollars in an amount equal to the Dollar equivalent of the amount payable in such other currency, as determined by the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, by reference to the Exchange Rate on the date of such payment, or, if such rate is not then available, on the basis of the most recently available Exchange Rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01, any payment made under such circumstances in Dollars where the required payment is in a currency other than Dollars will not constitute an Event of Default under this Indenture.

 

Promptly after the occurrence of a Conversion Event, the Company or the Guarantor shall give written notice thereof to the Trustee; and the Trustee, promptly after receipt of such notice, shall give notice thereof in the manner provided in Section 11.02 to the Holders. Promptly after the making of any payment in Dollars as a result of a Conversion Event, the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall give notice in the manner provided in Section 11.02 to the Holders, setting forth the applicable Exchange Rate and describing the calculation of such payments.

 

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A Default under clause (4) or (7) of this Section 6.01 is not an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Company and the Guarantor, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Default (or, in the case of a Default under clause (4) of this Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by such Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) notify the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee, of the Default, and the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, fails to cure the Default within 90 days after receipt of the notice. The notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that the notice is a “Notice of Default.”

 

SECTION 6.02              Acceleration.

 

If an Event of Default with respect to any Securities of any series at the time outstanding (other than an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company and the Guarantor, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default (or, in the case of an Event of Default described in clause (4) of Section 6.01, if outstanding Securities of other series are affected by such Event of Default, then at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities so affected) by notice to the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee, may declare the principal of (or, if any such Securities are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that series) and all accrued and unpaid interest on all then outstanding Securities of such series or of all series, as the case may be, to be due and payable. Upon any such declaration, the amounts due and payable on the Securities shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in clause (5) or (6) of Section 6.01 hereof occurs, such amounts shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration, notice or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of the series affected by such Event of Default or all series, as the case may be, by written notice to the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences (other than nonpayment of principal of or premium or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities) if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series (or of all series, as the case may be) have been cured or waived, except nonpayment of principal, premium, interest or any Additional Amounts that has become due solely because of the acceleration.

 

SECTION 6.03              Other Remedies.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  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. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

 

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SECTION 6.04              Waiver of Defaults.

 

Subject to Sections 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series or of all series (acting as one class) by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing or past Default or Event of Default with respect to such series or all series, as the case may be, and its consequences (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of such series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of such series or all series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of such series or all series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)), except (1) a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security or (2) a continued Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended or supplemented without the consent of each Holder affected. 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.

 

With respect to Securities of any series, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it relating to or arising under an Event of Default described in clause (1), (2), (3) or (7) of Section 6.01, and with respect to all Securities, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of all the then outstanding Securities affected may direct in writing the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it not relating to or arising under such an Event of Default. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with applicable law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders, or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion from Holders directing the Trustee against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

 

SECTION 6.06              Limitations on Suits.

 

Subject to Section 6.07 hereof, a Holder of a Security of any series may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities of such series only if:

 

(1)                                 the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to such series;

 

(2)                                 the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

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(3)                                 such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

 

(4)                                 the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

 

(5)                                 during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of that series do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request.

 

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such use by a Holder prejudices the rights of any other Holders or obtains preference or priority over such other Holders).

 

SECTION 6.07              Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Security to receive payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of the Holder.

 

SECTION 6.08              Collection Suit by Trustee.

 

If an Event of Default specified in clause (1) or (2) of Section 6.01 hereof 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 the Guarantor for the amount of principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts remaining unpaid on the Securities of the series affected by the Event of Default, and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest, and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

SECTION 6.09              Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

 

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents and to take such actions, including participating as a member, voting or otherwise, of any committee of creditors, as may be necessary or advisable 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 allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company or the Guarantor or their respective creditors or properties and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any Bankruptcy Custodian in any such judicial 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, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. To the extent that

 

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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 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 of the Securities 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 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.

 

SECTION 6.10              Priorities.

 

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article VI, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

 

First:  to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;

 

Second:  to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been collected, for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal, premium (if any), interest and any Additional Amounts, respectively; and

 

Third:  to the Company.

 

The Trustee, upon prior written notice to the Company, may fix record dates and payment dates for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Article VI.

 

To the fullest extent allowed under applicable law, if for the purpose of obtaining a judgment against the Company or the Guarantor in any court it is necessary to convert the sum due in respect of the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of any series (the “Required Currency”) into a currency in which a judgment will be rendered (the “Judgment Currency”), the rate of exchange used shall be the rate at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Trustee could purchase in The City of New York the Required Currency with the Judgment Currency on the Business Day in The City of New York next preceding that on which final judgment is given. None of the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee shall be liable for any shortfall nor shall any of them benefit from any windfall in payments to Holders of Securities under this Section 6.10 caused by a change in exchange rates between the time the amount of a judgment against it is calculated as above and the time the Trustee converts the Judgment Currency into the Required Currency to make payments under this Section 6.10 to Holders of Securities, but payment of such judgment shall discharge all amounts owed by the Company and the Guarantor on the claim or claims underlying such judgment.

 

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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 a 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 a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by a Holder or Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series.

 

ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01              Duties of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in such 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 with respect to the Securities of any series:

 

(1)                                 the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

 

(2)                                 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, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether, on their face, they appear to conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

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

 

(1)                                 this paragraph does not limit the effect of Section 7.01(b);

 

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

 

(3)                                 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 Section 6.05.

 

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(d)                                 Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to the provisions of this Section 7.01.

 

(e)                                  No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

(f)                                   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 and the Guarantor. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law. All money received by the Trustee shall, until applied as herein provided, be held in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities.

 

SECTION 7.02              Rights of Trustee.

 

(a)                                 The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document 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 the document.

 

(b)                                 Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require instruction, an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both to be provided. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such instruction, Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult at the Company’s expense with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

 

(c)                                  The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

 

(d)                                 The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

 

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

 

(f)                                   The Trustee shall not be obligated to make any investigation into the facts or matters 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.

 

(g)                                  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 each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.

 

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

 

(i)                                     Any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution.

 

(j)                                    In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, punitive or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

 

(k)                                 In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

 

(l)                                     The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

 

(m)                             The Trustee shall not be deemed to know or have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Securities and this Indenture.

 

(n)                                 The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

 

SECTION 7.03              May Hold Securities.

 

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company, the Guarantor or any of their respective Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. However, the Trustee is subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

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SECTION 7.04              Trustee’s Disclaimer.

 

The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities or any money paid to the Company or the Guarantor or upon the Company’s or the Guarantor’s direction under any provision hereof, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.  Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Securities of any series.

 

SECTION 7.05              Notice of Defaults.

 

If a Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities of any series occurs and is continuing and it is known to the Trustee as set forth in Section 7.02(m), the Trustee shall mail to Holders of Securities of such series a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and Additional Amounts or any sinking fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust committee of directors or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders of Securities of such series.

 

SECTION 7.06              Reports by Trustee to Holders.

 

Within 60 days after each September 15 of each year after the execution of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to Holders of a series, the Guarantor and the Company a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA Section 313(a); provided, however, that if no event described in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date with respect to a series, no report need be transmitted to Holders of such series. The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Section 313(b).The Trustee shall also transmit by mail all reports if and as required by TIA Sections 313(c) and 313(d).

 

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders of a series of Securities shall be filed by the Company or the Guarantor with the SEC and each securities exchange, if any, on which the Securities of such series are listed. The Company shall notify the Trustee if and when any series of Securities is listed on any securities exchange.

 

SECTION 7.07              Compensation and Indemnity.

 

The Company agrees to pay to the Trustee for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder such compensation 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 agrees to reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred by it. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

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The Company hereby agrees to indemnify, defend, protect and hold the Trustee harmless from and against any and all losses, liability, damages, costs or expenses (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) that the Trustee may suffer or incur arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this Indenture or the trusts hereunder or the performance of its duties hereunder, except as set forth in the next following paragraph. The Trustee shall notify the Company and the Guarantor promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent.

 

The Company shall not be obligated to reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s negligence or willful misconduct.

 

To secure the payment obligations of the Company 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, except that held in trust to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to Securities of any series. Such lien and the Company’s obligations under this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(5) or (6) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

The obligations of the Company set forth in this Section 7.07 shall survive the termination of this Indenture and the resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.08              Replacement of Trustee.

 

A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

 

The Trustee may resign and be discharged at any time with respect to the Securities of one or more series by so notifying the Company and the Guarantor. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of any series may remove the Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series by so notifying the Trustee, the Company and the Guarantor. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

 

(1)                                 the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

 

(2)                                 the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

 

(3)                                 a Bankruptcy Custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(4)                                 the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

 

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If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the Securities of any particular series). Within one year after the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of such series then outstanding may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

If a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series does not take office within 30 days after the retiring or removed Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring or removed Trustee (at the expense of the Company), the Company, the Guarantor or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

If the Trustee with respect to the Securities of a series fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder of Securities of such series may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series.

 

In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to all Securities, each such successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee, to the Company and to the Guarantor. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.

 

In case of the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the Guarantor, the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto in which each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and that (1) shall confer to each successor Trustee all the rights, powers 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, (2) if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall confirm that all the rights, powers 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 (3) 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. Nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust, and 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 shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring

 

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Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. On request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall transfer to such successor Trustee all property held by such retiring Trustee as Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates. Such retiring Trustee shall, however, have the right to deduct its unpaid fees and expenses, including attorneys’ fees.

 

Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee or Trustees pursuant to this Section 7.08, the obligations of the Company under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee or Trustees.

 

SECTION 7.09              Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

 

Subject to Section 7.10, if the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided, however, that such successor Trustee shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article VII.

 

In case any Securities shall have been authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such authentication and deliver the 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.

 

SECTION 7.10              Eligibility; Disqualification.

 

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a corporation or banking association organized and doing business under the laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trust power, shall be subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State (or the District of Columbia) authority and shall have, or be a subsidiary of a bank or bank holding company having, a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

 

The Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA Sections 310(a)(1), 310(a)(2) and 310(a)(5). The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 310(b) during the period of time required by this Indenture. Nothing in this Indenture shall prevent the Trustee from filing with the SEC the application referred to in the penultimate paragraph of TIA Section 310(b).

 

SECTION 7.11              Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company or the Guarantor.

 

The Trustee is subject to and shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

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ARTICLE VIII
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

SECTION 8.01              Termination of the Company’s and the Guarantor’s Obligations.

 

(a)                                 This Indenture shall cease to be of further effect with respect to the Securities of a series (except that the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations under Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive), and the Trustee and the Guarantor, on demand of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series, when:

 

(1)                                 either:

 

(A)                               all outstanding Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and issued (other than destroyed, lost or stolen Securities that have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

 

(B)                               all outstanding Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation:

 

(i)                                     have become due and payable, or

 

(ii)                                  will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or

 

(iii)                               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, in the case of clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the Company or the Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as funds (immediately available to the Holders in the case of clause (i)) in trust for such purpose (x) cash in an amount, or (y) Government Obligations, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of cash in an amount or (z) a combination thereof, which will be sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (y) and (z)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Securities of such series for principal and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable) or for principal, premium, if any, and interest to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; or

 

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(C)                               the Company and the Guarantor have properly fulfilled such other means of satisfaction and discharge as is specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of such series;

 

(2)                                 the Company or the Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by them hereunder with respect to the Securities of such series; and

 

(3)                                 the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

 

(b)                                 Unless this Section 8.01(b) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of a series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may, at its option, terminate certain of its and the Guarantor’s respective obligations under this Indenture (“covenant defeasance”) with respect to the Securities of a series if:

 

(1)                                 the Company or the Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the Trustee 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 Securities of such series, (i) money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount, or (ii) Government Obligations with respect to such series, maturing as to principal and interest at such times and in such amounts as will ensure the availability of money in the currency in which payment of the Securities of such series is to be made in an amount or (iii) a combination thereof, that is sufficient, in the opinion (in the case of clauses (ii) and (iii)) of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on all Securities of such series on each date that such principal, premium (if any) or interest is due and payable and (at the Stated Maturity thereof or upon redemption as provided in Section 8.01(e)) to pay all other sums payable by it hereunder; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money and/or the proceeds of such Government Obligations to the payment of said principal, premium (if any) and interest with respect to the Securities of such series as the same shall become due;

 

(2)                                 the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied with, and an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect;

 

(3)                                 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;

 

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(4)                                 the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from a nationally recognized counsel acceptable to the Trustee or a tax ruling to the effect that the Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a result of the Company’s exercise of its option under this Section 8.01(b) and will be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such option had not been exercised;

 

(5)                                 the Company and the Guarantor have complied with any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the discharge of Securities of such series pursuant to this Section 8.01; and

 

(6)                                 such deposit and discharge shall not cause the Trustee to have a conflicting interest as defined in TIA Section 310(b).

 

In such event, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect (except as set forth in this paragraph), and the Trustee and the Guarantor, on demand of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge under this Indenture. However, the Company’s and the Guarantor’s respective obligations in Sections 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 4.01, 4.02, 7.07, 7.08, 8.04 and 10.01, the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 and the rights, powers, protections and privileges accorded the Trustee under Article VII shall survive until all Securities of such series are no longer outstanding. Thereafter, only the Company’s obligations in Section 7.07 and the Trustee’s and Paying Agent’s obligations in Section 8.03 shall survive with respect to Securities of such series.

 

After such irrevocable deposit made pursuant to this Section 8.01(b) and satisfaction of the other conditions set forth herein, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of the Company’s and the Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series except for those surviving obligations specified above.

 

In order to have money available on a payment date to pay principal of or premium (if any) or interest on the Securities, the Government Obligations shall be payable as to principal or interest on or before such payment date in such amounts as will provide the necessary money. Government Obligations shall not be callable at the issuer’s option.

 

(c)                                  If the Company and the Guarantor have previously complied or are concurrently complying with Section 8.01(b) (other than any additional conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 that are expressly applicable only to covenant defeasance) with respect to Securities of a series, then, unless this Section 8.01(c) is specified as not being applicable to Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company may elect that its and the Guarantor’s respective obligations to make payments with respect to Securities of such series be discharged (“legal defeasance”), if:

 

(1)                                 no Default or Event of Default under clauses (5) and (6) of Section 6.01 hereof shall have occurred at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of deposit contemplated by Section 8.01(b) (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period);

 

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(2)                                 unless otherwise specified with respect to Securities of such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel from a nationally recognized counsel acceptable to the Trustee to the effect referred to in Section 8.01(b)(4) with respect to such legal defeasance, which opinion is based on (i) a private ruling of the Internal Revenue Service addressed to the Company, (ii) a published ruling of the Internal Revenue Service pertaining to a comparable form of transaction or (iii) a change in the applicable federal income tax law (including regulations) after the date of this Indenture;

 

(3)                                 the Company and the Guarantor have complied with any other conditions specified pursuant to Section 2.01 to be applicable to the legal defeasance of Securities of such series pursuant to this Section 8.01(c); and

 

(4)                                 the Company has delivered to the Trustee a Company Request requesting such legal defeasance of the Securities of such series and an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such legal defeasance of the Securities of such series have been complied with, together with an Opinion of Counsel to the same effect.

 

In such event, the Company and the Guarantor will be discharged from their respective obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series to pay principal of, premium (if any) and interest on, and any Additional Amounts with respect to, Securities of such series, the Company’s and the Guarantor’s respective obligations under Sections 4.01, 4.02 and 10.01 shall terminate with respect to such Securities, and the entire indebtedness of the Company evidenced by such Securities and of the Guarantor evidenced by the related Guarantees shall be deemed paid and discharged.

 

(d)                                 If and to the extent additional or alternative means of satisfaction, discharge or defeasance of Securities of a series are specified to be applicable to such series as contemplated by Section 2.01, each of the Company and the Guarantor may terminate any or all of its obligations under this Indenture with respect to Securities of a series and any or all of its obligations under the Securities of such series if it fulfills such other means of satisfaction and discharge as may be so specified, as contemplated by Section 2.01, to be applicable to the Securities of such series.

 

(e)                                  If Securities of any series subject to subsections (a), (b), (c) or (d) of this Section 8.01 are to be redeemed prior to their Stated Maturity, whether pursuant to any optional redemption provisions or in accordance with any mandatory or optional sinking fund provisions, the terms of the applicable trust arrangement shall provide for such redemption, and the Company shall make such arrangements as are reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company.

 

SECTION 8.02              Application of Trust Money.

 

The Trustee or a trustee satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company shall hold in trust money or Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to Section 8.01 hereof. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from Government Obligations through the Paying

 

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Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of the series with respect to which the deposit was made.

 

SECTION 8.03              Repayment to Company or Guarantor.

 

The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly pay to the Company or the Guarantor any excess money or Government Obligations (or proceeds therefrom) held by them at any time upon the written request of the Company.

 

Subject to the requirements of any applicable abandoned property laws, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal, premium (if any), interest or any Additional Amounts that remain unclaimed for two years after the date upon which such payment shall have become due. After payment to the Company, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors unless an applicable abandoned property law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee and the Paying Agent with respect to such money shall cease.

 

SECTION 8.04              Reinstatement.

 

If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Obligations deposited with respect to Securities of any series in accordance with Section 8.01 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 and the Guarantor under this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series and under the Securities of such series shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.01 until such time as the Trustee or the Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.01; provided, however, that if the Company or the Guarantor has made any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or Government Obligations held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.

 

SECTION 8.05              Indemnity for Non-Callable Government Obligations.

 

The Company and the Guarantor shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against (1) deposited Government Obligations or (2) the principal and interest received on such Government Obligations.

 

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ARTICLE IX
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES AND AMENDMENTS

 

SECTION 9.01              Without Consent of Holders.

 

The Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities or waive any provision hereof or thereof without the consent of any Holder:

 

(1)                                 to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

(2)                                 to comply with Section 5.01;

 

(3)                                 to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities, or to provide for the issuance of bearer Securities (with or without coupons);

 

(4)                                 to provide any security for, or to add any guarantees of or additional obligors on, any series of Securities or the related Guarantees;

 

(5)                                 to comply with any requirement in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

 

(6)                                 to add to the covenants of the Company or the Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series), or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or the Guarantor;

 

(7)                                 to add any additional Events of Default with respect to all or any series of the Securities (and, if any Event of Default is applicable to less than all series of Securities, specifying the series to which such Event of Default is applicable);

 

(8)                                 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 outstanding Security of any series created prior to the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture that is adversely affected in any material respect by such change in or elimination of such provision;

 

(9)                                 to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Section 2.01;

 

(10)                          to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any series of Securities pursuant to Section 8.01; provided, however, that any such action shall not adversely affect the interest of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

 

(11)                          to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the

 

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administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.08.

 

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Company and the Guarantor in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained.

 

SECTION 9.02              With Consent of Holders.

 

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company, the Guarantor and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture with the written consent (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of any one or more series or all series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of any one or more series or all series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of each such series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)) of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of all series affected by such amendment or supplement (acting as one class).

 

Upon the request of the Company, accompanied by a Board Resolution, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall, subject to Section 9.06, join with the Company and the Guarantor in the execution of such amendment or supplemental indenture.

 

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

 

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities of one or more series or of all series may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company or the Guarantor with any provision of this Indenture with respect to Securities of such series (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities of such series or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities of such series, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities of such series (but the terms of such offer or solicitation may vary from series to series)).

 

However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not:

 

(1)                                 reduce the amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

 

(2)                                 reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Security;

 

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(3)                                 reduce the principal of, any premium on or any mandatory sinking fund payment with respect to, or change the Stated Maturity of, any Security or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 6.02;

 

(4)                                 reduce the premium, if any, payable upon the redemption of any Security or change the time at which any Security may or shall be redeemed;

 

(5)                                 change any obligation of the Company or the Guarantor to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any Security;

 

(6)                                 change the coin or currency or currencies (including composite currencies) in which any Security or any premium, interest or Additional Amounts with respect thereto are payable;

 

(7)                                 impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security pursuant to Sections 6.07 and 6.08, except as limited by Section 6.06;

 

(8)                                 make any change in the percentage of principal amount of Securities necessary to waive compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture pursuant to Section 6.04 or 6.07 or make any change in this sentence of Section 9.02; or

 

(9)                                 waive a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on or Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities.

 

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

 

The right of any Holder to participate in any consent required or sought pursuant to any provision of this Indenture (and the obligation of the Company or the Guarantor to obtain any such consent otherwise required from such Holder) may be subject to the requirement that such Holder shall have been the Holder of record of any Securities with respect to which such consent is required or sought as of a date identified by the Company or the Guarantor in a notice furnished to Holders in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of each Security 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 or waiver.

 

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SECTION 9.03              Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

 

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply in form and substance with the TIA as then in effect.

 

SECTION 9.04              Revocation and Effect of Consents.

 

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his or her Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before a date and time therefor identified by the Company or the Guarantor in a notice furnished to such Holder in accordance with the terms of this Indenture or, if no such date and time shall be identified, the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.  An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

 

The Company or the Guarantor may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date (which need not comply with TIA Section 316(c)) for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver or to take any other action under this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment, supplement or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date unless consents from Holders of the principal amount of Securities required hereunder for such amendment or waiver to be effective shall have also been given and not revoked within such 90-day period.

 

After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder, unless it is of the type described in any of clauses (1) through (9) of Section 9.02 hereof. In such case, the amendment, supplement or waiver shall bind each Holder who has consented to it and every subsequent Holder that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security.

 

SECTION 9.05              Notation on or Exchange of Securities.

 

If an amendment or supplement changes the terms of an outstanding Security, the Company may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security at the request of the Company regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue, the Guarantor shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms.  Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment or supplement.

 

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Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of any amendment or supplement may, and shall if required by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter provided for in such amendment or supplement.

 

SECTION 9.06              Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

 

The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplement authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may, but need not, sign it. In signing or refusing to sign such amendment or supplement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and, subject to Section 7.01 hereof, shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel provided at the expense of the Company or the Guarantor as conclusive evidence that such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that it is not inconsistent herewith, and that it will be valid and binding upon the Company and the Guarantor enforceable against the Company and the Guarantor in accordance with its terms.

 

ARTICLE X
GUARANTEE

 

SECTION 10.01       Guarantee.

 

The Guarantor hereby unconditionally guarantees to the Holders from time to time of the Securities (a) the full and prompt payment of the principal of and any premium on any Security when and as the same shall become due, whether at the Stated Maturity thereof, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and (b) the full and prompt payment of any interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security when and as the same shall become due, subject in each case to any applicable grace period. Each payment by the Guarantor with respect to any Security shall be paid in the currency or currencies specified for payments on such Security as contemplated by Section 2.01 and pursuant to this Indenture. The Guarantee hereunder constitutes a guarantee of payment and not of collection.

 

The obligations of the Guarantor hereunder with respect to a series of Securities shall be absolute and unconditional and, subject to Article VIII, shall remain in full force and effect until the entire principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to the Securities of such series shall have been paid or provided for in accordance with the provisions of such series and of this Indenture, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of any Security of such series or this Indenture, any change or amendment thereto, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by the Trustee or the Holder of any Security of such series with respect to any provision of such Security or this Indenture, the recovery of any judgment against the Company or any action to enforce the same, or any other circumstances that may otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of the Guarantor. The Guarantor hereby waives presentment or demand of payment or notice to the Guarantor with respect to such Security and the obligations evidenced thereby or hereby. The Guarantor further waives any right of set-off or counterclaim it may have against any Holder of a Security arising from any other obligations any such Holder may have to the Company or the Guarantor.

 

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It is the intention of the Guarantor that the Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to the Guarantee.  To effectuate the foregoing intention, the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of the Guarantor (other than guarantees of the Guarantor in respect of subordinated debt) that are relevant under such laws, result in the obligations of the Guarantor hereunder not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

 

SECTION 10.02       Proceedings Against Guarantor.

 

In the event of a default in the payment of principal of or any premium on any Security when and as the same shall become due, whether at the Stated Maturity thereof, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, or in the event of a default in any sinking fund payment, or in the event of a default in the payment of any interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security when and as the same shall become due, each of the Trustee and the Holder of such Security shall have the right to proceed first and directly against the Guarantor under this Indenture without first proceeding against the Company or exhausting any other remedies which the Trustee or such Holder may have and without resorting to any other security held by it.

 

The Trustee shall have the right, power and authority to do all things it deems necessary or advisable to enforce the provisions of this Indenture relating to the Guarantee and to protect the interests of the Holders of the Securities and, in the event of a default in payment of the principal of or any premium on any Security when and as the same shall become due, whether at the Stated Maturity thereof, by acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise, or in the event of a default in the payment of any interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security when and as the same shall become due, the Trustee may institute or appear in such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to protect and enforce any of its rights and the rights of the Holders, whether for the specific enforcement of any covenant or agreement in this Indenture relating to the Guarantee or in aid of the exercise of any power granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event of a default in payment of the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on or any Additional Amounts with respect to any Security when due, the Trustee may institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree, and may enforce the same against the Guarantor and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the manner provided by law out of the property of the Guarantor, wherever situated.

 

SECTION 10.03       Subrogation.

 

The Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights against the Company of any Holder of Securities of a series in respect of any amounts paid by the Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of the Guarantee; provided, however, that the Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce, or to receive any payments arising out of or based upon, such right of subrogation only after the principal of, premium (if any) and interest on and any Additional Amounts with respect to all Securities of such series have been paid in full.

 

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SECTION 10.04       Guarantee for Benefit of Holders.

 

The Guarantee contained in this Indenture is entered into by the Guarantor for the benefit of the Holders from time to time of the Securities. Such provisions shall not be deemed to create any right in, or to be in whole or in part for the benefit of, any Person other than the Trustee, the Guarantor, the Holders from time to time of the Securities and their permitted successors and assigns.

 

ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.01       Trust Indenture Act Controls.

 

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by operation of TIA Section 318(c), the imposed duties shall control.

 

SECTION 11.02       Notices.

 

Any notice or communication by the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail, sent by facsimile, sent by electronic mail in .pdf format or sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the other’s address:

 

If to the Company:

 

ConocoPhillips Company

600 North Dairy Ashford

Houston, Texas 77079

Attn:    General Counsel

Telephone: (281) 293-1000

Facsimile:  (281) 293-1600

 

If to the Guarantor:

 

ConocoPhillips

600 North Dairy Ashford

Houston, Texas 77079

Attn:    General Counsel

Telephone: (281) 293-1000

Facsimile:  (281) 293-1600

 

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If to the Trustee:

 

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750

MAC T9263-170

Dallas, Texas  75201

Attn:   Corporate, Municipal and Escrow Solutions

Telephone:    (214) 756-7430

Facsimile:    (214) 756-7401

 

The Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the others may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

All notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered or if delivered electronically in .pdf format; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.

 

Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Holder’s address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. 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.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except in the case of notice to the Trustee, it is duly given only when received.

 

If the Company or the Guarantor mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the others and to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

All notices or communications, including without limitation notices to the Trustee, the Company or the Guarantor by Holders, shall be in writing, except as otherwise set forth herein.

 

In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service, or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impossible to mail any notice required by this Indenture, then such method of notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient mailing of such notice.

 

In addition to the foregoing, the Trustee agrees to accept and act upon notice, instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured e-mail or other similar unsecured electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s reasonable understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. Except as provided in Section 7.01(c) hereof, the Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks (except as provided in Section 7.01(c) hereof) arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit

 

55



 

instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.

 

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Security, where this Indenture or any Security provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to a Holder of a Global Security (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depositary (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depositary or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with the rules and procedures of the Depositary.

 

SECTION 11.03       Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

 

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Guarantor, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

 

SECTION 11.04       Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

 

Upon any request or application by the Company or the Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be, shall, if requested by the Trustee, furnish to the Trustee at the expense of the Company or the Guarantor, as the case may be:

 

(1)                                 an Officers’ Certificate (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

 

(2)                                 an Opinion of Counsel (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 11.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.05       Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

 

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) shall comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(e) and shall include:

 

(1)                                 a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

 

(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 Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

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(4)                                 a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.06       Rules by Trustee and Agents.

 

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

 

SECTION 11.07       Legal Holidays.

 

If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a Place of Payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period.

 

SECTION 11.08       No Recourse Against Others.

 

A director, officer, employee, stockholder, partner or other owner of the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee, as such, shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities, for any obligations of the Guarantor under the Guarantee, or for any obligations of the Company, the Guarantor or the Trustee under this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Security waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of Securities.

 

SECTION 11.09       Governing Law.

 

THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.

 

SECTION 11.10       No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

 

This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company, the Guarantor or any Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 11.11       Successors.

 

All agreements of the Company and the Guarantor in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

 

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SECTION 11.12       Severability.

 

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

SECTION 11.13       Counterpart Originals.

 

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture.  Each signed copy 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 .pdf 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 in .pdf format shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

SECTION 11.14       Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

 

The table of contents, cross-reference table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part hereof and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

SECTION 11.15       Waiver of Jury Trial.

 

EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTOR AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE SECURITIES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

 

SECTION 11.16       USA PATRIOT Act

 

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act, the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account.  The Company agrees that it will provide the Trustee with information about the Company as the Trustee may reasonably request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

 

 

CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, as Issuer

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

CONOCOPHILLIPS, as Guarantor

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

Signature Page to ConocoPhillips Company Senior Indenture

 



EX-5.1 5 a2224669zex-5_1.htm EX-5.1
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Exhibit 5.1

LOGO

May 13, 2015

ConocoPhillips
600 North Dairy Ashford
Houston, Texas 77079
Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have acted as counsel to ConocoPhillips, a Delaware corporation ("ConocoPhillips"), in connection with the preparation of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed on the date hereof by ConocoPhillips and ConocoPhillips Company, a Delaware corporation ("CPCo"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), relating to the offering of securities that may be issued and sold by ConocoPhillips and CPCo from time to time pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act. Such securities include (a) ConocoPhillips' unsecured senior debt securities (the "Senior Debt Securities") guaranteed by CPCo (the "Senior Debt Guarantees"); (b) ConocoPhillips' unsecured subordinated debt securities (the "Subordinated Debt Securities"); (c) CPCo's unsecured senior debt securities (the "CPCo Debt Securities" and, together with the Senior Debt Securities and Subordinated Debt Securities, the "Debt Securities") guaranteed by ConocoPhillips (the "CPCo Debt Guarantees"); (d) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of ConocoPhillips ("Common Stock"); (e) shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of ConocoPhillips ("Preferred Stock"); (f) warrants to purchase other securities ("Warrants"); (g) depositary shares representing Preferred Stock ("Depositary Shares"); (h) stock purchase contracts of ConocoPhillips ("Stock Purchase Contracts"); and (i) stock purchase units of ConocoPhillips, consisting of (1) a Stock Purchase Contract and (2) a beneficial interest in Senior Debt Securities, Subordinated Debt Securities or debt obligations of third parties securing the holder's obligation to purchase Common Stock or Preferred Stock under the Stock Purchase Contracts ("Stock Purchase Units"). The Debt Securities, Senior Debt Guarantees, CPCo Debt Guarantees, Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Warrants, Depositary Shares, Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units are collectively referred to herein as the "Securities." At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you for filing as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement.

        Each series of Senior Debt Securities and the related Senior Debt Guarantees are to be issued pursuant to an indenture to be entered into among ConocoPhillips, as issuer, CPCo, as guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the "Senior Indenture"); each series of Subordinated Debt Securities is to be issued pursuant to an indenture to be entered into between ConocoPhillips, as issuer, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the "Subordinated Indenture"); and each series of CPCo Debt Securities and the related CPCo Debt Guarantees are to be issued pursuant to an indenture to be entered into among CPCo, as issuer, ConocoPhillips, as guarantor, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the "CPCo Indenture" and, together with the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture, the "Indentures"). Each Indenture is to be supplemented, in connection with the issuance of each such series, by a supplemental indenture, officers' certificate or other writing thereunder establishing the form and terms of such series.

        We have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified, of (i) the Registration Statement, (ii) ConocoPhillips' Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws and CPCo's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, in each case as


amended to date (the "Charter Documents" of such entity), (iii) the form of Senior Indenture (in the form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement), (iv) the form of Subordinated Indenture (in the form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement), (v) the form of CPCo Indenture (in the form to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement), (vi) corporate records of ConocoPhillips and CPCo, including minute books of ConocoPhillips and CPCo, as furnished to us by them and (vii) such other instruments, documents and records as we have deemed necessary and relevant for the purposes hereof. With your approval, we have relied upon certificates of officers of ConocoPhillips and CPCo and of public officials as to certain matters of fact relating to this opinion and have made such investigations of law as we have deemed necessary and relevant as a basis hereof. In such examinations, we have assumed the legal capacity of all natural persons, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents, certificates and records submitted to us as originals, the conformity to authentic original documents, certificates and records of all documents, certificates and records submitted to us as copies, and the truthfulness of all statements of fact contained therein. In making our examination of executed documents or documents to be executed, we have assumed that they constitute or will constitute valid, binding and enforceable obligations of all parties thereto other than the Company and CPCo.

        In connection with this opinion, we have assumed that:

        (a)   the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will have become effective under the Act;

        (b)   a prospectus supplement will have been prepared and filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby;

        (c)   all Securities will be offered, issued and sold in compliance with applicable securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement;

        (d)   the Boards of Directors of ConocoPhillips and CPCo, as applicable, or, to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Charter Documents of ConocoPhillips and CPCo, a duly constituted and acting committee thereof (such applicable Board of Directors of ConocoPhillips and CPCo or committee thereof being hereinafter referred to as the "Board"), will have taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the issuance of the Securities and any other Securities issuable on the conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise thereof, and to authorize the terms of the offering and sale of such Securities and related matters;

        (e)   a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by ConocoPhillips and CPCo, as applicable, and the other parties thereto (the "Purchase Agreement");

        (f)    any securities issuable upon conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of any Securities being offered will have been duly authorized, created and, if appropriate, reserved for issuance upon such conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise;

        (g)   all Securities, and any certificates or Receipts (as defined below) in respect thereof, will be delivered either (i) in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Purchase Agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein or (ii) upon conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of any other Security, in accordance with the terms of such Security or the instrument governing such Security providing for such conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise as approved by the Board, for the consideration approved by the Board;

        (h)   in the case of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, certificates representing such shares will have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered, or if uncertificated, valid book-entry notations will have been made in the share register of ConocoPhillips, in each case in accordance with the provisions of the Charter Documents of ConocoPhillips; there will be sufficient

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shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock authorized under such Charter Documents and not otherwise issued or reserved for issuance; and the purchase price therefor payable to ConocoPhillips or, if such shares are issuable on the conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise of another Security, the consideration payable to ConocoPhillips for such conversion, exchange, redemption or exercise will not be less than the par value of such shares, in the case of shares of Common Stock, or the lesser of such purchase price or such consideration, as the case may be, or the amount of such purchase price or such consideration, as the case may be, timely determined by the Board to constitute the stated capital applicable to such shares, in the case of shares of Preferred Stock;

        (i)    in the case of shares of Preferred Stock of any series, the Board will have taken all necessary corporate action to designate and establish the terms of such series and will have caused a certificate of designations respecting such series and conforming to ConocoPhillips's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws and the Delaware General Corporation Law to be prepared and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware;

        (j)    in the case of Warrants, the Board will have taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the creation of and the terms of such Warrants and the issuance of the Securities to be issued pursuant thereto and to approve the warrant agreement relating thereto; such warrant agreement will have been duly executed and delivered by ConocoPhillips and the warrant agent thereunder appointed by ConocoPhillips; neither such Warrants nor such warrant agreement will include any provision that is unenforceable; and such Warrants or certificates representing such Warrants will have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the provisions of such warrant agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein;

        (k)   in the case of Depositary Shares, the Board will have taken all necessary corporate action to establish the terms of the Depositary Shares; the action with respect to the Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares referred to in paragraph (i) above will have been taken; a depositary agreement (the "Depositary Agreement") relating to the Depositary Shares and the related depositary receipts evidencing such Depositary Shares ("Receipts") will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by ConocoPhillips and a bank or trust company to be selected by ConocoPhillips, as depositary (the "Depositary"), and such Depositary Agreement and such Receipts will not include any provision that is unenforceable; the shares of Preferred Stock underlying such Depositary Shares will have been deposited with the Depositary under the applicable Depositary Agreement; and the Depositary Receipts will have been duly executed, countersigned, registered and delivered in accordance with the applicable Depositary Agreement and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein;

        (l)    in the case of a series of Senior Debt Securities, the trustee is qualified to act as trustee under the Senior Indenture and an indenture substantially in the form of the Senior Indenture will have been duly executed and delivered by ConocoPhillips, CPCo and the trustee thereunder;

        (m)  in the case of a series of Subordinated Debt Securities, the trustee is qualified to act as trustee under the Subordinated Indenture and an indenture substantially in the form of the Subordinated Indenture will have been duly executed and delivered by ConocoPhillips and the trustee thereunder;

        (n)   in the case of a series of CPCo Debt Securities, the trustee is qualified to act as trustee under the CPCo Indenture and an indenture substantially in the form of the CPCo Indenture will have been duly executed and delivered by CPCo, ConocoPhillips and the trustee thereunder;

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        (o)   in the case of a series of Debt Securities issuable under an Indenture:

      the Board will have taken all necessary corporate action to designate and establish the terms of such Debt Securities in accordance with the terms of the Indenture under which such Debt Securities will be issued, and such Debt Securities will not include any provision that is unenforceable;

      the Indenture under which such Debt Securities will be issued will have become qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "TIA"); and

      forms of Debt Securities, including, if applicable, the related Senior Debt Guarantees or CPCo Debt Guarantees, complying with the terms of the Indenture under which such Debt Securities will be issued and evidencing such Debt Securities and, if applicable, the related Senior Debt Guarantees or CPCo Debt Guarantees will have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of such Indenture and the applicable definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement approved by the Board upon payment of the consideration therefor provided for therein;

        (p)   in the case of Stock Purchase Contracts, the Board will have taken all necessary corporate action to establish the terms thereof and to approve the purchase contract agreement relating thereto; such Stock Purchase Contracts and purchase contract agreement will have been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto; and neither such Stock Purchase Contracts nor such purchase contract agreement will include any provision that is unenforceable;

        (q)   in the case of Stock Purchase Units, the Board will have taken all necessary corporate action to establish the terms of such Stock Purchase Units and the terms of the Securities, if any, such Stock Purchase Units include; the action with respect to the Stock Purchase Contracts included in such Stock Purchase Units referred to in paragraph (p) above will have been taken; if such Stock Purchase Units include securities other than Securities, such other securities will have been duly and validly executed, issued and delivered by the issuer thereof and will be legal, valid and binding obligations of such issuer, enforceable against such issuer in accordance with their respective terms; and no agreement or other instrument establishing such Stock Purchase Units or defining the rights of the holders of such Stock Purchase Units will contain any provision that is unenforceable; and

        (r)   all necessary actions shall be taken by ConocoPhillips and CPCo so as not to violate any applicable law or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument binding upon ConocoPhillips and CPCo and so as to comply with any requirement or restriction imposed by any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over ConocoPhillips and CPCo.

        On the basis of the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

        1.     The shares of Common Stock and Preferred Stock included in the Securities will, when issued, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of ConocoPhillips and validly issued and will be fully paid and nonassessable.

        2.     The Warrants and the Depositary Shares included in the Securities will, when issued, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of ConocoPhillips and validly issued.

        3.     The Senior Debt Securities, Subordinated Debt Securities, Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units included in the Securities will, when issued, constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of ConocoPhillips, enforceable against ConocoPhillips in accordance with their respective terms.

        4.     The CPCo Debt Securities included in the Securities will, when issued, constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of CPCo, enforceable against CPCo in accordance with their terms.

4


        5.     Each Senior Debt Guarantee of CPCo relating to any Senior Debt Securities included in the Securities will, when issued, constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of CPCo, enforceable against CPCo in accordance with its terms.

        6.     Each CPCo Debt Guarantee of ConocoPhillips relating to any CPCo Debt Securities included in the Securities will, when issued, constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of ConocoPhillips, enforceable against ConocoPhillips in accordance with its terms.

        The foregoing opinion is based on and is limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the relevant contract law of the State of New York. We express no opinion as to any other laws, statutes, regulations or ordinances, including federal and state securities (or "blue sky") laws. We are not admitted to practice law in the State of Delaware.

        Our opinion that any document or Security is a legal, valid and binding obligation of ConocoPhillips or CPCo is subject to (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally, (ii) general principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief and limitation of rights of acceleration, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law and (iii) limitations of rights to indemnification, exculpation and contribution which may be limited by applicable law or equitable principles. We also express no opinion regarding the effectiveness of any waiver of stay, extension or usury laws or of unknown future rights, and we express no opinion regarding severability provisions.

        You have informed us that you intend to issue Securities from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis. This opinion is limited to the laws referred to above as in effect on the date hereof. We understand that prior to issuing any Securities pursuant to the Registration Statement (i) you will advise us in writing of the terms thereof and (ii) you will afford us an opportunity to review the documents pursuant to which such Securities are to be issued or sold (including the applicable offering documents) and you will file such supplement or amendment to this opinion (if any) as we may advise you may be necessary or appropriate.

        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to our Firm under the heading "Legal Matters" in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.

        This opinion is limited to the specific issues addressed herein, and no opinion may be inferred or implied beyond that expressly stated herein.

    Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/ Bracewell & Giuliani LLP

5




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EX-23.1 6 a2224669zex-23_1.htm EX-23.1
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Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

        We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of ConocoPhillips and ConocoPhillips Company, for the registration of debt and equity securities and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 24, 2015, with respect to the consolidated financial statements, condensed consolidating financial information and financial statement schedule of ConocoPhillips, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of ConocoPhillips, included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Houston, Texas
May 13, 2015




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EX-23.3 7 a2224669zex-23_3.htm EX-23.3

Exhibit 23.3

DEGOLYER AND MACNAUGHTON
5001 Spring Valley Road
Suite 800 East
Dallas, Texas 75244

May 13, 2015

ConocoPhillips
600 North Dairy Ashford
Houston, Texas 77079

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We hereby consent to the use of the name DeGolyer and MacNaughton and to references to DeGolyer and MacNaughton as an independent petroleum engineering consulting firm under the caption "Experts" in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 for the registration of debt and equity securities of ConocoPhillips. We also hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of ConocoPhillips of the DeGolyer and MacNaughton process review letter dated February 24, 2015, which appears in ConocoPhillips' annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

    Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/ DeGOLYER and MacNAUGHTON
Texas Registered Engineering Firm F-716


EX-25.1 8 a2224669zex-25_1.htm EX-25.1

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

 


 

o CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

A National Banking Association

 

94-1347393

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or

 

(I.R.S. Employer

organization if not a U.S. national

 

Identification No.)

bank)

 

 

 

101 North Phillips Avenue

 

 

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

 

57104

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Wells Fargo & Company
Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 


 

ConocoPhillips

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware

 

01-0562944

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

 

600 North Dairy Ashford

Houston, Texas

 

77079

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

ConocoPhillips Company

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware

 

73-0400345

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

 

600 North Dairy Ashford

Houston, Texas

 

77079

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 


 

Senior Debt Securities

and Guarantees of Senior Debt Securities

(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.

 

Comptroller of the Currency

Treasury Department

Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

San Francisco, California 94120

 

(b)                                 Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Item 2.         Affiliations with Obligor.  If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

 

None with respect to the trustee.

 

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

 

Item 15.  Foreign Trustee.                                            Not applicable.

 

Item 16.  List of Exhibits.                                             List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

Exhibit 1.                                            A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*

 

Exhibit 2.                                            A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 14, 2015.**

 

Exhibit 3.                                            A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 6, 2014.**

 

Exhibit 4.                                            Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.**

 

Exhibit 5.                                            Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 6.                                            The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

 

Exhibit 7.                                            A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

Exhibit 8.                                            Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 9.                                            Not applicable.

 


*                 Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated December 30, 2005 of file number 333-130784.

 

**  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit to the Filing 305B2 dated March 13, 2015 of file number 333-190926.

 



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national 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 Dallas and State of Texas on the 12th of May, 2015.

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

Patrick T. Giordano

 

Vice President

 



 

EXHIBIT 6

 

May 12, 2015

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

Gentlemen:

 

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request thereof.

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

Patrick T. Giordano

 

Vice President

 


 

Exhibit 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

 

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business March 31, 2015, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

In Millions

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

 

 

 

$

18,155

 

Interest-bearing balances

 

 

 

253,636

 

Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities

 

 

 

67,133

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

227,089

 

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

 

 

 

 

 

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

 

 

 

625

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

 

 

22,376

 

Loans and lease financing receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and leases held for sale

 

 

 

19,541

 

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

 

822,149

 

 

 

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

 

10,790

 

 

 

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

 

 

 

811,359

 

Trading Assets

 

 

 

41,469

 

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

 

 

 

7,480

 

Other real estate owned

 

 

 

2,217

 

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

 

 

 

869

 

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

 

 

 

1

 

Intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

21,627

 

Other intangible assets

 

 

 

17,259

 

Other assets

 

 

 

60,553

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

 

 

$

1,571,389

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

In domestic offices

 

 

 

$

1,093,967

 

Noninterest-bearing

 

336,758

 

 

 

Interest-bearing

 

757,209

 

 

 

In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs

 

 

 

150,855

 

Noninterest-bearing

 

912

 

 

 

Interest-bearing

 

149,943

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

 

 

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

 

 

 

1,004

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

 

 

15,906

 

 



 

 

 

Dollar Amounts

 

 

 

In Millions

 

Trading liabilities

 

24,062

 

Other borrowed money
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

 

87,908

 

Subordinated notes and debentures

 

16,899

 

Other liabilities

 

33,851

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

$

1,424,452

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY CAPITAL

 

 

 

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

 

0

 

Common stock

 

519

 

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

 

106,692

 

Retained earnings

 

34,702

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

4,587

 

Other equity capital components

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

Total bank equity capital

 

146,500

 

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

 

437

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity capital

 

146,937

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities, and equity capital

 

$

1,571,389

 

 

I, John R. Shrewsberry, Sr. EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

John R. Shrewsberry

Sr. EVP & CFO

 

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition 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.

 

 

John Stumpf

Directors

James Quigley

 

Enrique Hernandez, Jr.

 

 



EX-25.2 9 a2224669zex-25_2.htm EX-25.2

Exhibit 25.2

 

 

 

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

 


 

o CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

A National Banking Association

 

94-1347393

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or

 

(I.R.S. Employer

organization if not a U.S. national

 

Identification No.)

bank)

 

 

 

101 North Phillips Avenue

 

 

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

 

57104

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Wells Fargo & Company
Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 


 

ConocoPhillips

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware

 

01-0562944

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

 

600 North Dairy Ashford

Houston, Texas

 

77079

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 


 

Subordinated Debt Securities

(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.

 

Comptroller of the Currency

Treasury Department

Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

San Francisco, California 94120

 

(b)                                 Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Item 2.         Affiliations with Obligor.  If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

 

None with respect to the trustee.

 

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

 

Item 15.  Foreign Trustee.                                            Not applicable.

 

Item 16.  List of Exhibits.                                             List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

Exhibit 1.                                            A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*

 

Exhibit 2.                                            A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 14, 2015.**

 

Exhibit 3.                                            A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 6, 2014.**

 

Exhibit 4.                                            Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.**

 

Exhibit 5.                                            Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 6.                                            The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

 

Exhibit 7.                                            A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

Exhibit 8.                                            Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 9.                                            Not applicable.

 


*                 Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated December 30, 2005 of file number 333-130784.

 

**  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit to the Filing 305B2 dated March 13, 2015 of file number 333-190926.

 



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national 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 Dallas and State of Texas on the 12th of May, 2015.

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

Patrick T. Giordano

 

Vice President

 



 

EXHIBIT 6

 

May 12, 2015

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

Gentlemen:

 

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request thereof.

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

Patrick T. Giordano

 

Vice President

 


 

 

Exhibit 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

 

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business March 31, 2015, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

In Millions

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

 

 

 

$

18,155

 

Interest-bearing balances

 

 

 

253,636

 

Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities

 

 

 

67,133

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

227,089

 

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

 

 

 

 

 

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

 

 

 

625

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

 

 

22,376

 

Loans and lease financing receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and leases held for sale

 

 

 

19,541

 

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

 

822,149

 

 

 

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

 

10,790

 

 

 

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

 

 

 

811,359

 

Trading Assets

 

 

 

41,469

 

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

 

 

 

7,480

 

Other real estate owned

 

 

 

2,217

 

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

 

 

 

869

 

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

 

 

 

1

 

Intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

21,627

 

Other intangible assets

 

 

 

17,259

 

Other assets

 

 

 

60,553

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

 

 

$

1,571,389

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

In domestic offices

 

 

 

$

1,093,967

 

Noninterest-bearing

 

336,758

 

 

 

Interest-bearing

 

757,209

 

 

 

In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs

 

 

 

150,855

 

Noninterest-bearing

 

912

 

 

 

Interest-bearing

 

149,943

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

 

 

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

 

 

 

1,004

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

 

 

15,906

 

 



 

 

 

Dollar Amounts

 

 

 

In Millions

 

Trading liabilities

 

24,062

 

Other borrowed money
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

 

87,908

 

Subordinated notes and debentures

 

16,899

 

Other liabilities

 

33,851

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

$

1,424,452

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY CAPITAL

 

 

 

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

 

0

 

Common stock

 

519

 

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

 

106,692

 

Retained earnings

 

34,702

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

4,587

 

Other equity capital components

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

Total bank equity capital

 

146,500

 

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

 

437

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity capital

 

146,937

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities, and equity capital

 

$

1,571,389

 

 

I, John R. Shrewsberry, Sr. EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

John R. Shrewsberry

Sr. EVP & CFO

 

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition 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.

 

 

John Stumpf

Directors

James Quigley

 

Enrique Hernandez, Jr.

 

 



EX-25.3 10 a2224669zex-25_3.htm EX-25.3

Exhibit 25.3

 

 

 

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

 


 

o CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

A National Banking Association

 

94-1347393

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or

 

(I.R.S. Employer

organization if not a U.S. national

 

Identification No.)

bank)

 

 

 

101 North Phillips Avenue

 

 

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

 

57104

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Wells Fargo & Company
Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 


 

ConocoPhillips Company

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware

 

73-0400345

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

 

600 North Dairy Ashford

Houston, Texas

 

77079

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 


 

ConocoPhillips

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware

 

01-0562944

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. employer

identification no.)

 

600 North Dairy Ashford

Houston, Texas

 

77079

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 


 

Senior Debt Securities

and Guarantees of Senior Debt Securities

(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.

 

Comptroller of the Currency

Treasury Department

Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Washington, D.C.

 

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

San Francisco, California 94120

 

(b)                                 Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

 

Item 2.         Affiliations with Obligor.  If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

 

None with respect to the trustee.

 

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

 

Item 15.  Foreign Trustee.                                            Not applicable.

 

Item 16.  List of Exhibits.                                             List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

Exhibit 1.                                            A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*

 

Exhibit 2.                                            A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 14, 2015.**

 

Exhibit 3.                                            A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 6, 2014.**

 

Exhibit 4.                                            Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.**

 

Exhibit 5.                                            Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 6.                                            The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

 

Exhibit 7.                                            A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

 

Exhibit 8.                                            Not applicable.

 

Exhibit 9.                                            Not applicable.

 


*                 Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated December 30, 2005 of file number 333-130784.

 

**  Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit to the Filing 305B2 dated March 13, 2015 of file number 333-190926.

 



 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national 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 Dallas and State of Texas on the 12th of May, 2015.

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

Patrick T. Giordano

 

Vice President

 



 

EXHIBIT 6

 

May 12, 2015

 

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

Gentlemen:

 

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request thereof.

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

 

 

Patrick T. Giordano

 

Vice President

 


 

Exhibit 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

 

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business March 31, 2015, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

 

 

 

 

Dollar Amounts

 

 

 

 

 

In Millions

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

 

 

 

 

 

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

 

 

 

$

18,155

 

Interest-bearing balances

 

 

 

253,636

 

Securities:

 

 

 

 

 

Held-to-maturity securities

 

 

 

67,133

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

 

 

227,089

 

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

 

 

 

 

 

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

 

 

 

625

 

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

 

 

 

22,376

 

Loans and lease financing receivables:

 

 

 

 

 

Loans and leases held for sale

 

 

 

19,541

 

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

 

822,149

 

 

 

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

 

10,790

 

 

 

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

 

 

 

811,359

 

Trading Assets

 

 

 

41,469

 

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

 

 

 

7,480

 

Other real estate owned

 

 

 

2,217

 

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

 

 

 

869

 

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

 

 

 

1

 

Intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

 

 

21,627

 

Other intangible assets

 

 

 

17,259

 

Other assets

 

 

 

60,553

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

 

 

$

1,571,389

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Deposits:

 

 

 

 

 

In domestic offices

 

 

 

$

1,093,967

 

Noninterest-bearing

 

336,758

 

 

 

Interest-bearing

 

757,209

 

 

 

In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs

 

 

 

150,855

 

Noninterest-bearing

 

912

 

 

 

Interest-bearing

 

149,943

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

 

 

 

 

 

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

 

 

 

1,004

 

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

 

 

 

15,906

 

 



 

 

 

Dollar Amounts

 

 

 

In Millions

 

Trading liabilities

 

24,062

 

Other borrowed money
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

 

87,908

 

Subordinated notes and debentures

 

16,899

 

Other liabilities

 

33,851

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

 

$

1,424,452

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY CAPITAL

 

 

 

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

 

0

 

Common stock

 

519

 

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

 

106,692

 

Retained earnings

 

34,702

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

4,587

 

Other equity capital components

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

Total bank equity capital

 

146,500

 

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

 

437

 

 

 

 

 

Total equity capital

 

146,937

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities, and equity capital

 

$

1,571,389

 

 

I, John R. Shrewsberry, Sr. EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

John R. Shrewsberry

Sr. EVP & CFO

 

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition 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.

 

 

John Stumpf

Directors

James Quigley

 

Enrique Hernandez, Jr.

 

 


 


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