S-3 1 ds3.htm FORM S-3 Form S-3
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2003

 

Registration No. 333-            

 


 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM S-3

 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE

SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 


 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION*

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1395733
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118

(405) 848-8000

(Address, Including Zip Code,

and Telephone Number, Including Area Code,

of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

 

Aubrey K. McClendon

Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118

(405) 848-8000

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code,

and Telephone Number, Including

Area Code, of Agent for Service)

 


 

Copy to:

James M. Prince, Esq.

Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.

2300 First City Tower

1001 Fannin Street

Houston, Texas 77002-6760

713-758-3710

713-615-5962 (fax)

 


 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 


 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ¨

 

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

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ¨

 

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box. ¨

 


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CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 


Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered    Proposed Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price
(1) (2)
   Amount of
Registration Fee
 

Debt Securities (3) (4)

               

Guarantees of Debt Securities (3) (5)

               

Preferred Stock (3)

               

Depositary Shares (6)

               

Common Stock (including attached preferred share purchase rights) (3)

               

Total

   $ 500,000,000    $ 29,027 (7)

 

(1) Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, permits the registration fee to be calculated on the basis of the maximum offering price of all of the securities listed and, therefore, the table does not specify by each class information as to the amount to be registered or the proposed maximum offering price per security.
(2) This registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of securities that may be issued in exchange for, or upon conversion or exercise of, as the case may be, any securities registered hereunder that provide for conversion, exercise or exchange. Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately or as units with other securities registered hereunder.
(3) An indeterminate principal amount or number of debt securities, guarantees of debt securities, preferred stock, depositary shares and common stock may be issued from time to time at indeterminate prices, with an aggregate offering price not to exceed $500,000,000.
(4) If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price of those debt securities shall be in an amount that will result in an aggregate initial offering price not to exceed $500,000,000, less the dollar amount of any registered securities previously issued.
(5) The Ames Company, L.L.C., Carmen Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake Energy Louisiana Corporation, Chesapeake EP Corporation, Chesapeake Exploration Limited Partnership, Chesapeake Louisiana, L.P., Chesapeake Operating, Inc., Chesapeake Panhandle Limited Partnership, Chesapeake Royalty, L.L.C., Gothic Energy, L.L.C., Gothic Production, L.L.C., Nomac Drilling Corporation, Chesapeake Mountain Front, L.L.C., Chesapeake ORC, L.L.C., Sap Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake-Staghorn Acquisition L.P., Chesapeake KNAN Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake ENO Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake South Texas Corp., Chesapeake Focus, L.L.C., Chesapeake Sigma, L.P., MC Mineral Company, L.L.C., Oxley Petroleum Co. and John C. Oxley, L.L.C. will fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee on an unsecured basis any debt securities of Chesapeake Energy Corporation issued and sold pursuant to this registration statement. Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act, no separate fee is payable with respect to the guarantees of the debt securities being registered.
(6) The depositary shares registered hereunder will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to a depositary agreement. If the registrant elects to offer to the public fractional interests in shares of preferred stock, then depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional interests and the shares will be issued to the depositary under the depositary agreement.
(7) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) at the statutory rate of $80.90 per $1,000,000 of securities registered and, pursuant to Rule 457(p), minus the filing fee of $11,423 previously paid on July 22, 2002, in respect of the remaining unsold securities having an aggregate initial offering price of $141,200,000 which were previously registered by the registrants under the registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-96863) initially filed on July 22, 2002.
 * Includes certain subsidiaries of Chesapeake Energy Corporation identified on the following pages.

 


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The Ames Company, L.L.C.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1470082
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Carmen Acquisition, L.L.C.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1604860
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake Acquisition, L.L.C.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1528271
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake Energy Louisiana Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1524569
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake EP Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   48-1270813
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake Exploration Limited Partnership

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1384282
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake Louisiana, L.P.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1519126
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake Operating, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1343196
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake Panhandle Limited Partnership

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1565350
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake Royalty, L.L.C.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1549744
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Gothic Energy, L.L.C.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   22-2663839
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

 


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Gothic Production, L.L.C.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1539475
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Nomac Drilling Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1606317
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake Mountain Front, L.L.C.

(Exact Namhe of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1238619
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake ORC, L.L.C.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   71-0934234
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Sap Acquisition, L.L.C.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1622555
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake-Staghorn Acquisition L.P.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1612854
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake KNAN Acquisition, L.L.C.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1300132
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake ENO Acquisition, L.L.C.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   82-0553595
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake South Texas Corp.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   41-2050649
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake Focus, L.L.C.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   33-1021135
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Chesapeake Sigma, L.P.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   27-0029884
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


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MC Mineral Company, L.L.C.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   61-1448831
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Oxley Petroleum Co.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1508537
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

John C. Oxley, L.L.C.

(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)

 

Oklahoma   73-1508539
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

Each Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrants shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 



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Prospectus

 

$500,000,000

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

 

Debt Securities

Preferred Stock

Depositary Shares

Common Stock

 

Guarantees of Debt Securities of Chesapeake Energy Corporation by:

 

The Ames Company, L.L.C.

Carmen Acquisition, L.L.C.

Chesapeake Acquisition, L.L.C.

Chesapeake Energy Louisiana Corporation

Chesapeake EP Corporation

Chesapeake Exploration Limited Partnership

Chesapeake Louisiana, L.P.

Chesapeake Operating, Inc.

Chesapeake Panhandle Limited Partnership

Chesapeake Royalty, L.L.C.

Gothic Energy, L.L.C.

Gothic Production, L.L.C.

Nomac Drilling Corporation

Chesapeake Mountain Front, L.L.C.

Chesapeake ORC, L.L.C.

Sap Acquisition, L.L.C.

Chesapeake-Staghorn Acquisition L.P.

Chesapeake KNAN Acquisition, L.L.C.

Chesapeake ENO Acquisition, L.L.C.

Chesapeake South Texas Corp.

Chesapeake Focus, L.L.C.

Chesapeake Sigma, L.P.

MC Mineral Company, L.L.C.

Oxley Petroleum Co.

John C. Oxley, L.L.C.

 

We may from time to time offer and sell common stock, preferred stock, depositary shares and debt securities that will be fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries, The Ames Company, L.L.C., Carmen Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake Energy Louisiana Corporation, Chesapeake EP Corporation, Chesapeake Exploration Limited Partnership, Chesapeake Louisiana, L.P., Chesapeake Operating, Inc., Chesapeake Panhandle Limited Partnership, Chesapeake Royalty, L.L.C., Gothic Energy, L.L.C., Gothic Production, L.L.C., Nomac Drilling Corporation, Chesapeake Mountain Front, L.L.C., Chesapeake ORC, L.L.C., Sap Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake-Staghorn Acquisition L.P., Chesapeake KNAN Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake ENO Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake South Texas Corp., Chesapeake Focus, L.L.C., Chesapeake Sigma, L.P., MC Mineral Company, L.L.C., Oxley Petroleum Co. and John C. Oxley, L.L.C.

 

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that may be offered. Each time securities are sold, we will provide one or more supplements to this prospectus that will contain additional information about the specific offering and the terms of the securities being offered. The supplements may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement before you invest in any of our securities.

 

Our common stock is listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CHK.” Our executive offices are located at 6100 North Western Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118, and our telephone number is (405) 848-8000.

 


 

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES RISKS. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE SECTION ENTITLED “RISK FACTORS BEGINNING ON PAGE 2 OF THIS PROSPECTUS.

 



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NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

 


 

The date of this prospectus is                     , 2003.

 


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

   1

ABOUT CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

   1

ABOUT THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

   1

RISK FACTORS

   2

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

   11

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

   11

USE OF PROCEEDS

   13

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

   13

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

   14

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

   23

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

   33

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

   35

LEGAL MATTERS

   37

EXPERTS

   37

 


 

 

You should rely only on the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. We have not authorized any dealer, salesman or other person to provide you with additional or different information. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the securities to which they relate and are not an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make an offer or solicitation in that jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement or in any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date of the document containing the information.

 

 

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we refer to as the “SEC,” using a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf process, we may, over time, sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings up to a total dollar amount of $500 million. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer pursuant to this prospectus. Each time we sell securities, we will provide one or more prospectus supplements that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. This prospectus does not contain all of the information included in the registration statement. For a complete understanding of the offering of securities, you should refer to the registration statement relating to this prospectus, including its exhibits. A prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

ABOUT CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

We are among the ten largest independent natural gas producers in the United States in terms of natural gas produced. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, our operations are focused on 3-D seismic delineated exploratory drilling combined with developmental drilling and producing property acquisitions in the Mid-Continent region of the United States which includes Oklahoma, western Arkansas, southwestern Kansas and the Texas Panhandle. We have smaller operations in the Deep Giddings field in Texas, the Tuscaloosa Trend in Louisiana, the Permian Basin region of southeastern New Mexico and the Williston Basin of North Dakota and Montana.

 

Unless the context requires otherwise or unless otherwise noted, all references in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement to “Chesapeake,” “we,” “us” or “our” are to Chesapeake Energy Corporation and its subsidiaries.

 

ABOUT THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS

 

The Ames Company, L.L.C., Carmen Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake Energy Louisiana Corporation, Chesapeake EP Corporation, Chesapeake Exploration Limited Partnership, Chesapeake Louisiana, L.P., Chesapeake Operating, Inc., Chesapeake Panhandle Limited Partnership, Chesapeake Royalty, L.L.C., Gothic Energy, L.L.C., Gothic Production, L.L.C., Nomac Drilling Corporation, Chesapeake Mountain Front, L.L.C., Chesapeake ORC, L.L.C., Sap Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake-Staghorn Acquisition L.P., Chesapeake KNAN Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake ENO Acquisition, L.L.C., Chesapeake South Texas Corp., Chesapeake Focus, L.L.C., Chesapeake Sigma, L.P., MC Mineral Company, L.L.C., Oxley Petroleum Co. and John C. Oxley, L.L.C. constitute substantially all of our subsidiaries as of the date of this prospectus other than Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc., Mayfield Processing, L.L.C. and Midcon Compression, L.P. and, unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, each will jointly and severally, fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantee our payment obligations under any series of debt securities offered by this prospectus. We refer to these subsidiaries guarantors in this prospectus as the “Subsidiary Guarantors.” Financial information concerning our Subsidiary Guarantors and non-guarantor subsidiaries will be included in our consolidated financial statements filed as a part of our periodic reports filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to the extent required by the rules and regulations of the SEC.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

Your investment in our securities will involve risks. You should carefully consider, in addition to the other information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement, the risks described below before deciding whether an investment in our securities is appropriate for you.

 

Risks Related to Our Business

 

Oil and gas prices are volatile. A decline in prices could adversely affect our financial results, cash flows, access to capital and ability to grow.

 

Our revenues, operating results, profitability, future rate of growth and the carrying value of our oil and gas properties depend primarily upon the prices we receive for the oil and gas we sell. Prices also affect the amount of cash flow available for capital expenditures and our ability to borrow money or raise additional capital. The amount we can borrow from banks is subject to periodic redeterminations based on prices specified by our bank group at the time of redetermination. In addition, we may have ceiling test writedowns in the future if prices fall significantly.

 

Historically, the markets for oil and gas have been volatile and they are likely to continue to be volatile. Wide fluctuations in oil and gas prices may result from relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, market uncertainty and other factors that are beyond our control, including:

 

  worldwide and domestic supplies of oil and gas;

 

  weather conditions;

 

  the level of consumer demand;

 

  the price and availability of alternative fuels;

 

  risks associated with owning and operating drilling rigs;

 

  the availability of pipeline capacity;

 

  the price and level of foreign imports;

 

  domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes;

 

  the ability of the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to agree to and maintain oil price and production controls;

 

  political instability or armed conflict in oil-producing regions; and

 

  the overall economic environment.

 

These factors and the volatility of the energy markets make it extremely difficult to predict future oil and gas price movements with any certainty. Declines in oil and gas prices would not only reduce revenue, but could reduce the amount of oil and gas that we can produce economically and, as a result, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and reserves. Further, oil and gas prices do not necessarily move in tandem. Because approximately 91% of our proved reserves are currently natural gas reserves, we are more affected by movements in natural gas prices.

 

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Our level of indebtedness and preferred stock may adversely affect operations and limit our growth, and we may have difficulty making debt service and preferred stock dividend payments on our indebtedness and preferred stock as such payments become due.

 

As of June 30, 2003, we had $2.01 billion in aggregate principal amount of long-term indebtedness outstanding, $26 million of which was secured indebtedness, plus preferred stock outstanding having an aggregate liquidation preference of $379.9 million. Our long-term indebtedness represented 57% of our total book capitalization at June 30, 2003.

 

Our level of indebtedness and preferred stock affects our operations in several ways, including the following:

 

  a significant portion of our cash flows must be used to service our indebtedness, and our business may not generate sufficient cash flows from operations to enable us to continue to meet our obligations under our indebtedness and our stated dividends on our preferred stock;

 

  a high level of debt increases our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

  the covenants contained in the agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness limit our ability to borrow additional funds, dispose of assets, pay dividends and make certain investments;

 

  our debt covenants may also affect our flexibility in planning for, and reacting to, changes in the economy and in our industry and the rights and preferences applicable to our preferred stock may limit our ability to pay dividends on our common stock; and

 

  a high level of debt and preferred stock may impair our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, general corporate or other purposes.

 

We may incur additional debt, including significant secured indebtedness, or issue additional series of preferred stock, in order to make future acquisitions or to develop our properties. A higher level of indebtedness increases the risk that we may default on our debt obligations, including debt securities issued pursuant to this prospectus. Our ability to meet our debt obligations and to reduce our level of indebtedness depends on our future performance. General economic conditions, oil and gas prices and financial, business and other factors affect our operations and our future performance. Many of these factors are beyond our control. We may not be able to generate sufficient cash flow to pay the interest on our debt, and future working capital, borrowings or equity financing may not be available to pay or refinance such debt. Factors that will affect our ability to raise cash through an offering of our capital stock or a refinancing of our debt include financial market conditions, the value of our assets and our performance at the time we need capital.

 

In addition, our bank borrowing base is subject to periodic redeterminations. We could be forced to repay a portion of our bank borrowings due to redeterminations of our borrowing base. If we are forced to do so, we may not have sufficient funds to make such repayments. If we do not have sufficient funds and are otherwise unable to negotiate renewals of our borrowings or arrange new financing, we may have to sell significant assets. Any such sale could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.

 

Competition in the oil and natural gas industry is intense, and many of our competitors have greater financial and other resources than we do.

 

We operate in the highly competitive areas of oil and natural gas acquisition, development, exploitation, exploration and production. We face intense competition from both major and other independent oil and natural gas companies in each of the following areas:

 

  seeking to acquire desirable producing properties or new leases for future exploration; and

 

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  seeking to acquire the equipment and expertise necessary to develop and operate our properties.

 

Many of our competitors have financial and other resources substantially greater than ours, and some of them are fully integrated oil companies. These companies may be able to pay more for development prospects and productive oil and natural gas properties and may be able to define, evaluate, bid for and purchase a greater number of properties and prospects than our financial or human resources permit. Our ability to develop and exploit our oil and natural gas properties and to acquire additional properties in the future will depend upon our ability to successfully conduct operations, evaluate and select suitable properties and consummate transactions in this highly competitive environment.

 

Our commodity price risk management transactions may expose us to the risk of financial loss.

 

In order to manage our exposure to price volatility in marketing our oil and gas, we enter into oil and gas price risk management arrangements for a portion of our expected production. Commodity price risk management transactions may limit the prices we actually realize and we may experience reductions in oil and gas revenues from our commodity price risk management activities in the future. In addition, our commodity price risk management transactions may expose us to the risk of financial loss in certain circumstances, including instances in which:

 

  our production is less than expected;

 

  there is a widening of price differentials between delivery points for our production and the delivery point assumed in the hedge arrangement; or

 

  the counterparties to our contracts fail to perform under the contracts.

 

Some of our commodity price and interest rate risk management arrangements require us to deliver cash collateral or other assurances of performance to the counterparties in the event that our payment obligations with respect to our risk management transactions exceed certain levels. As of June 30, 2003, we were required to post $23.0 million of collateral through letters of credit issued under our bank credit facility. Future collateral requirements are uncertain and will depend on arrangements with our counterparties and highly volatile natural gas and oil prices.

 

The actual quantities and present value of our proved reserves may prove to be lower than we have estimated.

 

This prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus contain estimates of our proved reserves and the estimated future net revenues from our proved reserves as well as estimates relating to our recent acquisitions. These estimates are based upon various assumptions, including assumptions required by the SEC relating to oil and gas prices, drilling and operating expenses, capital expenditures, taxes and availability of funds. The process of estimating oil and gas reserves is complex. The process involves significant decisions and assumptions in the evaluation of available geological, geophysical, engineering and economic data for each reservoir. Therefore, these estimates are inherently imprecise.

 

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

 

At December 31, 2002 approximately 26% by volume of our estimated proved reserves were undeveloped. Recovery of undeveloped reserves requires significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. The estimates of these reserves include the assumption that we will make significant capital expenditures to develop the reserves, including $248 million in 2003. You should be aware that the estimated costs may not be accurate, development may not occur as scheduled and the results may not be as estimated.

 

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You should not assume that the present values referred to in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus represent the current market value of our estimated oil and gas reserves. In accordance with SEC requirements, the estimates of our present values are based on prices and costs as of the date of the estimates. The December 31, 2002 present value is based on weighted average oil and gas prices of $30.18 per barrel of oil and $4.28 per mcf of natural gas. Actual future prices and costs may be materially higher or lower than the prices and costs as of the date of an estimate.

 

Any changes in consumption by oil and gas purchasers or in governmental regulations or taxation will also affect actual future net cash flows.

 

The timing of both the production and the expenses from the development and production of oil and gas properties will affect both the timing of actual future net cash flows from our proved reserves and their present value. In addition, the 10% discount factor, which is required by the SEC to be used in calculating discounted future net cash flows for reporting purposes, is not necessarily the most accurate discount factor. The effective interest rate at various times and the risks associated with our business or the oil and gas industry in general will affect the accuracy of the 10% discount factor.

 

We may not have funds sufficient to make the significant capital expenditures required to replace our reserves.

 

Our exploration, development and acquisition activities require substantial capital expenditures. Historically, we have funded our capital expenditures through a combination of cash flows from operations, our bank credit facility and debt and equity issuances. Future cash flows are subject to a number of variables, such as the level of production from existing wells, prices of oil and gas, and our success in developing and producing new reserves. If revenue were to decrease as a result of lower oil and gas prices or decreased production, and our access to capital were limited, we would have a reduced ability to replace our reserves. If our cash flow from operations is not sufficient to fund our capital expenditure budget, we may not be able to access additional bank debt, debt or equity or other methods of financing to meet these requirements.

 

Reserve estimates of properties acquired in 2003 have not been prepared by independent petroleum engineers. Our internal estimates may not be as reliable as estimates of those reserves by independent engineers.

 

Our estimates of proved reserves attributed to our 2003 acquisitions incorporated by reference in this prospectus have not been reviewed or reported on by independent petroleum engineers. These estimates were prepared by our own engineers and professionals using criteria otherwise in compliance with SEC rules. Furthermore, our internal reserve estimates for these acquisitions are based upon data available to us which may not be as complete as data available on our other properties. Oil and gas pricing can affect estimates of quantities of proved reserves due to the impact of pricing on ultimate economic recovery. Estimates prepared by independent engineers might be different than our internal estimates.

 

If we are not able to replace reserves, we may not be able to sustain production.

 

Our future success depends largely upon our ability to find, develop or acquire additional oil and gas reserves that are economically recoverable. Unless we replace the reserves we produce through successful development, exploration or acquisition, our proved reserves will decline over time. In addition, approximately 26% by volume of our total estimated proved reserves at December 31, 2002 were undeveloped. By their nature, estimates of undeveloped reserves are less certain. Recovery of such reserves will require significant capital expenditures and successful drilling operations. We may not be able to successfully find and produce reserves economically in the future. In addition, we may not be able to acquire proved reserves at acceptable costs.

 

Acquisitions may prove to be worth less than we paid because of uncertainties in evaluating recoverable reserves and potential liabilities.

 

Our recent growth is due in part to acquisitions of exploration and production companies and producing properties. We expect acquisitions will also contribute to our future growth. Successful acquisitions require an assessment of a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control. These factors include recoverable

 

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reserves, exploration potential, future oil and gas prices, operating costs and potential environmental and other liabilities. Such assessments are inexact and their accuracy is inherently uncertain. In connection with our assessments, we perform a review of the acquired properties. However, such a review will not reveal all existing or potential problems. In addition, our review may not permit us to become sufficiently familiar with the properties to fully assess their deficiencies and capabilities. We do not inspect every well. Even when we inspect a well, we do not always discover structural, subsurface and environmental problems that may exist or arise. Our review prior to signing a definitive purchase agreement may be even more limited. For example, based on our knowledge of the properties and in exchange for concessions in the negotiations for the El Paso acquisition, we elected to forego most due diligence review including environmental site inspections prior to signing a definitive agreement which contains limited remedies against the seller.

 

We are generally not entitled to contractual indemnification for preclosing liabilities, including environmental liabilities, on acquisitions, including our recent El Paso and Vintage acquisitions. Normally, we acquire interests in properties on an “as is” basis with limited remedies for breaches of representations and warranties. We could incur significant unknown liabilities, including environmental liabilities, or experience losses due to title defects, in our recent acquisitions for which we have limited or no contractual remedies or insurance coverage.

 

In addition, competition for producing oil and gas properties is intense and many of our competitors have financial and other resources that are substantially greater than those available to us. Therefore, we may not be able to acquire oil and gas properties that contain economically recoverable reserves or be able to complete such acquisitions on acceptable terms.

 

Additionally, significant acquisitions can change the nature of our operations and business depending upon the character of the acquired properties, which may have substantially different operating and geological characteristics or be in different geographic locations than our existing properties. For example, we might decide to pursue acquisitions or properties located in geographic regions other than the Mid-Continent region. To the extent that such acquired properties are substantially different than our existing properties, our ability to efficiently realize the economic benefits of such transactions may be limited.

 

Future price declines may result in a write-down of our asset carrying values.

 

We utilize the full cost method of accounting for costs related to our oil and gas properties. Under this method, all such costs (productive and nonproductive) are capitalized and amortized on an aggregate basis over the estimated lives of the properties using the units-of-production method. These capitalized costs are subject to a ceiling test, however, which limits such pooled costs to the aggregate of the present value of future net revenues attributable to proved oil and gas reserves discounted at 10% plus the lower of cost or market value of unproved properties. The full cost ceiling is evaluated at the end of each quarter utilizing the prices for oil and gas at that date. A significant decline in oil and gas prices from current levels, or other factors, without other mitigating circumstances, could cause a future write-down of capitalized costs and a non-cash charge against future earnings.

 

Oil and gas drilling and producing operations are hazardous and expose us to environmental liabilities.

 

Oil and gas operations are subject to many risks, including well blowouts, cratering and explosions, pipe failure, fires, formations with abnormal pressures, uncontrollable flows of oil, natural gas, brine or well fluids, and other environmental hazards and risks. Our drilling operations involve risks from high pressures and from mechanical difficulties such as stuck pipes, collapsed casings and separated cables. If any of these risks occurs, we could sustain substantial losses as a result of:

 

  injury or loss of life;

 

  severe damage to or destruction of property, natural resources and equipment;

 

  pollution or other environmental damage;

 

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  clean-up responsibilities;

 

  regulatory investigations and penalties; and

 

  suspension of operations.

 

Our liability for environmental hazards includes those created either by the previous owners of properties that we purchase or lease or by acquired companies prior to the date we acquire them. We maintain insurance against some, but not all, of the risks described above. Our insurance may not be adequate to cover casualty losses or liabilities. Also, in the future we may not be able to obtain insurance at premium levels that justify its purchase.

 

Exploration and development drilling may not result in commercially productive reserves.

 

We do not always encounter commercially productive reservoirs through our drilling operations. The new wells we drill or participate in may not be productive and we may not recover all or any portion of our investment in wells we drill or participate in. The seismic data and other technologies we use do not allow us to know conclusively prior to drilling a well that oil or gas is present or may be produced economically. The cost of drilling, completing and operating a well is often uncertain, and cost factors can adversely affect the economics of a project. Our efforts will be unprofitable if we drill dry wells or wells that are productive but do not produce enough reserves to return a profit after drilling, operating and other costs. Further, our drilling operations may be curtailed, delayed or canceled as a result of a variety of factors, including:

 

  unexpected drilling conditions;

 

  title problems;

 

  pressure or irregularities in formations;

 

  equipment failures or accidents;

 

  adverse weather conditions;

 

  compliance with environmental and other governmental requirements; and

 

  cost of, or shortages or delays in the availability of, drilling rigs and equipment.

 

The loss of key personnel could adversely affect our ability to operate.

 

We depend, and will continue to depend in the foreseeable future, on the services of our officers and key employees with extensive experience and expertise in evaluating and analyzing producing oil and gas properties and drilling prospects, maximizing production from oil and gas properties, marketing oil and gas production, and developing and executing financing and hedging strategies. Our ability to retain our officers and key employees is important to our continued success and growth. The unexpected loss of the services of one or more of these individuals could have a detrimental effect on our business. We do not maintain key person life insurance on any of our personnel.

 

Lower oil and gas prices could negatively impact our ability to borrow.

 

Our current bank credit facility limits our borrowings to a borrowing base of $350 million as of the date of this prospectus. The borrowing base is determined periodically at the discretion of a majority of the banks and is based in part on oil and gas prices. Additionally, some of our indentures contain covenants limiting our ability to incur indebtedness in addition to that incurred under our bank credit facility. These indentures limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness unless we meet one of two alternative tests. The first alternative is based on a percentage of our adjusted consolidated net tangible assets, which is determined using discounted future net

 

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revenues from proved oil and gas reserves as of the end of each year. As of the date of this prospectus, we cannot incur additional indebtedness under this first alternative of the debt incurrence test. The second alternative is based on the ratio of our adjusted consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the agreement) to our adjusted consolidated interest expense over a trailing twelve-month period. As of the date of this prospectus, we are permitted to incur significant additional indebtedness under this second alternative of the debt incurrence test. Lower oil and gas prices in the future could reduce our adjusted consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the agreement), as well as our adjusted consolidated net tangible assets, and thus could reduce our ability to incur additional indebtedness.

 

Our oil and gas marketing activities may expose us to claims from royalty owners.

 

In addition to marketing our own oil and gas production, our marketing activities include marketing oil and gas production for working interest owners and royalty owners in the wells that we operate. These activities include the operation of gathering systems and the sale of oil and natural gas under various arrangements. Royalty owners have commenced litigation against a number of companies in the oil and gas production business claiming that amounts paid for production attributable to the royalty owners’ interest violated the terms of the applicable leases and state law, that deductions from the proceeds of oil and gas production were unauthorized under the applicable leases and that amounts received by upstream sellers should be used to compute the amounts paid to the royalty owners. Chesapeake presently is a defendant in four such cases commenced as class action suits. As new cases are decided and the law in this area continues to develop, our liability relating to the marketing of oil and gas may increase.

 

Risks Related to Our Capital Stock

 

We may not be able to pay cash dividends on our capital stock.

 

We are required to pay all declared dividends on our preferred stock in cash. Our existing indentures limit, and any indentures and other financing agreements that we enter into in the future will likely limit, our ability to pay cash dividends on our capital stock. Specifically, under our existing indentures, we may pay cash dividends and make other distributions on or in respect of our capital stock, including our preferred and common stock, only if certain financial tests are met.

 

Under Oklahoma law, cash dividends on capital stock may only be paid from “surplus” or, if there is no “surplus,” from the corporation’s net profits for the then current or the preceding fiscal year. Unless we continue to operate profitably, our ability to pay cash dividends on our capital stock would require the availability of adequate “surplus,” which is defined as the excess, if any, of our net assets (total assets less total liabilities) over our capital. Further, even if adequate surplus is available to pay cash dividends on the preferred stock and common stock (if declared), we may not have sufficient cash to pay dividends on our preferred stock or common stock, as the case maybe.

 

Our certificate of incorporation, bylaws, the Oklahoma General Corporation Act and our shareholder rights agreement contain provisions that could discourage an acquisition or change of control of our company.

 

Our shareholder rights agreement and the Oklahoma Business Combination Statute, together with certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, may make it more difficult to effect a change in control of our company, to acquire us or to replace incumbent management. These provisions could potentially deprive our stockholders of opportunities to sell shares of our stock at above-market prices. Please read “Description of Capital Stock—Anti-Takeover Provisions.”

 

Risks Related to Debt Securities

 

If an active trading market does not develop for a series of debt securities sold pursuant to this prospectus, you may be unable to sell any such debt securities or to sell any such debt securities at a price that you deem sufficient.

 

Unless otherwise specified in an accompanying prospectus supplement, any debt securities sold pursuant to this prospectus will be new securities for which there currently is no established trading market. We may not list

 

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any debt securities sold pursuant to this prospectus on a national securities exchange. While the underwriters of a particular offering of debt securities may advise us that they intend to make a market in those debt securities, the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may stop their market making at any time. No assurance can be given:

 

  that a market for any series of debt securities will develop or continue;

 

  as to the liquidity of any market that does develop; or

 

  as to your ability to sell any debt securities you may own or the price at which you may be able to sell your debt securities.

 

A guarantee of debt securities could be voided if the guarantors fraudulently transferred their guarantees at the time they incurred the indebtedness, which could result in the holders of debt securities being able to rely on only Chesapeake Energy Corporation to satisfy claims.

 

Any series of debt securities issued pursuant to this prospectus will be fully, irrevocably and unconditionally guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors. However, under U.S. bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws, such a guarantee can be voided, or claims under a guarantee may be subordinated to all other debts of that guarantor if, among other things, the guarantor, at the time it incurred the indebtedness evidenced by its guarantee:

 

  intended to hinder, delay or defraud any present or future creditor or received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the incurrence of the guarantee;

 

  was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of such incurrence;

 

  was engaged in a business or transaction for which the guarantor’s remaining assets constituted unreasonably small capital; or

 

  intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its ability to pay those debts as they mature.

 

In addition, any payment by that guarantor under a guarantee could be voided and required to be returned to the guarantor or to a fund for the benefit of the creditors of the guarantor.

 

The measures of insolvency for purposes of fraudulent transfer laws vary depending upon the governing law. Generally, a guarantor would be considered insolvent if:

 

  the sum of its debts, including contingent liabilities, was greater than the fair saleable value of all of its assets;

 

  the present fair saleable value of its assets was less than the amount that would be required to pay its probable liability on its existing debts, including contingent liabilities, as they became absolute and mature; or

 

  it could not pay its debts as they became due.

 

Holders of any debt securities sold pursuant to this prospectus will be effectively subordinated to all of our and the Subsidiary Guarantors’ secured indebtedness and to all liabilities of our non-guarantor subsidiaries.

 

Holders of our secured indebtedness, including the indebtedness under our credit facilities, have claims with respect to our assets constituting collateral for their indebtedness that are prior to the claims of any debt securities sold pursuant to this prospectus. In the event of a default on such debt securities or our bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization, those assets would be available to satisfy obligations with respect to the indebtedness secured thereby before any payment could be made on debt securities sold pursuant to this prospectus. Accordingly, the secured indebtedness would effectively be senior to such series of debt securities to the extent of the value of the

 

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collateral securing the indebtedness. To the extent the value of the collateral is not sufficient to satisfy the secured indebtedness, the holders of that indebtedness would be entitled to share with the holders of the debt securities issued pursuant to this prospectus and the holders of other claims against us with respect to our other assets.

 

In addition, the Subsidiary Guarantors do not constitute all of our subsidiaries and any series of debt securities issued and sold pursuant to this prospectus will not be guaranteed by all of our subsidiaries, and our non-guarantor subsidiaries will be permitted to incur additional indebtedness under the indenture. As a result, holders of such debt securities will be effectively subordinated to claims of third party creditors, including holders of indebtedness, and preferred shareholders of these non-guarantor subsidiaries. Claims of those other creditors, including trade creditors, secured creditors, governmental taxing authorities, holders of indebtedness or guarantees issued by the non-guarantor subsidiaries and preferred shareholders of the non-guarantor subsidiaries, will generally have priority as to the assets of the non-guarantor subsidiaries over our claims and equity interests. As a result, holders of our indebtedness, including the holders of the debt securities sold pursuant to this prospectus, will be effectively subordinated to all those claims.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. You may inspect and copy such material at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at

1-800-SEC-0330 for more information on the public reference room. You can also find our SEC filings at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on our website at www.chkenergy.com. Information contained on our website is not part of this prospectus.

 

In addition, our reports and other information concerning us can be inspected at the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, where our common stock is listed.

 

The following documents we filed with the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:

 

  our amended annual report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002;

 

  our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003;

 

  our amended quarterly report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended June 30, 2003; and

 

  our current reports on Form 8-K filed on January 10, 2003, February 4, 2003, February 28, 2003, March 4, 2003, March 14, 2003, March 19, 2003, April 29, 2003, June 6, 2003, June 25, 2003, September 22, 2003 and October 7, 2003 (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 9 or Item 12 on any such current report on Form 8-K).

 

All documents filed by us pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 9 or Item 12 on any current report on Form 8-K) subsequent to the date of this filing and prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such document. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus, or in any other subsequently filed document which is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

We will provide without charge to each person to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of any or all documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. Requests for such copies should be directed to Jennifer M. Grigsby, Secretary, Chesapeake Energy Corporation, 6100 North Western Avenue, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118, by mail, or if by telephone at (405) 848-8000.

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus includes and incorporates by reference “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. They include statements regarding oil and gas reserve estimates, planned capital expenditures, the drilling of oil and gas wells and future acquisitions, the impact of the El Paso, ONEOK and Vintage acquisitions, expected oil and gas production, cash flow and anticipated liquidity, business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations, expected future expenses and utilization of net operating loss carryforwards. Statements concerning the fair values of derivative contracts and their estimated contribution to our future results of operations are based upon market information as of a specific date. These market prices are subject to significant volatility.

 

Although we believe the expectations and forecasts reflected in these and other forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance they will prove to have been correct. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results are described under “Risk Factors” and include:

 

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  the volatility of oil and gas prices;

 

  our substantial indebtedness;

 

  the cost and availability of drilling and production services;

 

  our commodity price risk management activities, including counterparty contract performance risk;

 

  uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of oil and gas reserves, projecting future rates of production and the timing of development expenditures;

 

  our ability to replace reserves;

 

  the availability of capital;

 

  uncertainties in evaluating oil and gas reserves of acquired properties and associated potential liabilities;

 

  future oil and gas price declines which could result in a write-down of our asset carrying values;

 

  drilling and operating risks;

 

  our ability to generate future income sufficient to utilize our federal and state income tax net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards before expiration;

 

  future ownership changes which could result in additional limitations to our NOLs;

 

  adverse effects of governmental and environmental regulation;

 

  losses possible from pending or future litigation; and

 

  the loss of officers or key employees.

 

We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or as of the date of the report or document in which they are contained, and we undertake no obligation to update such information. We urge you to carefully review and consider the disclosures made in this prospectus and our reports filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference herein that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Except as may otherwise be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement, the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement will be used for general corporate purposes. Any specific allocation of the net proceeds of an offering of securities to a specific purpose will be determined at the time of the offering and will be described in an accompanying prospectus supplement.

 

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

 

For purposes of determining the ratios of earnings to fixed charges and combined fixed charges and preferred dividends, earnings are defined as net income (loss) before income taxes, extraordinary items, amortization of capitalized interest and fixed charges, less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of interest (whether expensed or capitalized), and amortization of debt expenses and discount or premium relating to any indebtedness. Preferred dividends consist of preferred stock dividends “grossed up” to reflect the pre-tax amount.

 

     Year Ended December 31,

   Six
Months
Ended
June 30,
2003


     1998

    1999

   2000

   2001

   2002

  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

   (a )   1.4x    3.1x    4.4x    1.5x    4.0x

Ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred dividends

   (b )   1.1x    2.8x    4.2x    1.3x    3.3x

(a) Earnings for such year were insufficient to cover fixed charges by approximately $915 million.
(b) Earnings for such year were insufficient to cover combined fixed charges and preferred dividends by approximately $927 million.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

 

We will issue our debt securities under an indenture, among us, as issuer, The Bank of New York, as Trustee, and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The debt securities will be governed by the provisions of the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. We, the Trustee and the Subsidiary Guarantors may enter into supplements to the Indenture from time to time.

 

This description is a summary of the material provisions of the debt securities and the Indenture. We urge you to read the form of the Indenture filed as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part because the Indenture, and not this description, govern your rights as a holder of debt securities.

 

General

 

The Debt Securities.    Any series of debt securities that we issue:

 

  will be our general obligations; and

 

  will be general obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

 

The Indenture does not limit the total amount of debt securities that we may issue. We may issue debt securities under the Indenture from time to time in separate series, up to the aggregate amount authorized for each such series.

 

We will prepare a prospectus supplement and either an indenture supplement or a resolution of our board of directors and an accompanying officers’ certificate relating to any series of debt securities that we offer, which will include specific terms relating to some or all of the following:

 

  the form and title of the debt securities;

 

  the total principal amount of the debt securities;

 

  the date or dates on which the debt securities may be issued;

 

  the portion of the principal amount which will be payable if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated;

 

  any right we may have to defer payments of interest by extending the dates payments are due and whether interest on those deferred amounts will be payable;

 

  the dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of the debt securities will be payable;

 

  the interest rate which the debt securities will bear and the interest payment dates for the debt securities;

 

  any optional redemption provisions;

 

  any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to repurchase or otherwise redeem the debt securities;

 

  whether the debt securities are entitled to the benefits of any guarantees by the Subsidiary Guarantors;

 

  any changes to or additional Events of Default;

 

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  any affirmative or negative covenants relating to such series, including, without limitation, financial and other covenants that restrict our and our Restricted Subsidiaries’ ability to:

 

    incur additional indebtedness;

 

    pay dividends on our capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire our capital stock or subordinated indebtedness;

 

    make investments and other restricted payments;

 

    create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

    incur liens;

 

    engage in transactions with affiliates;

 

    sell assets;

 

    consolidate, merge or transfer assets; and

 

    designate a Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

 

  any other terms of the debt securities.

 

This description of debt securities will be deemed modified, amended or supplemented by any description of any series of debt securities set forth in a prospectus supplement related to that series.

 

The prospectus supplement will also describe any material United States federal income tax consequences or other special considerations regarding the applicable series of debt securities, including those relating to:

 

  debt securities with respect to which payments of principal, premium or interest are determined with reference to an index or formula, including changes in prices of particular securities, currencies or commodities;

 

  debt securities with respect to which principal, premium or interest is payable in a foreign or composite currency;

 

  debt securities that are issued at a discount below their stated principal amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate that at the time of issuance is below market rates; and

 

  variable rate debt securities that are exchangeable for fixed rate debt securities.

 

At our option, we may make interest payments by check mailed to the registered holders of debt securities or, if so stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, at the option of a holder by wire transfer to an account designated by the holder.

 

Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, fully registered securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the Trustee at which its corporate trust business is principally administered in the United States, subject to the limitations provided in the Indenture, without the payment of any service charge, other than any applicable tax or governmental charge.

 

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Any funds we pay to a paying agent for the payment of amounts due on any debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years will be returned to us, and the holders of the debt securities must look only to us for payment after that time.

 

The Subsidiary Guarantees.    The Subsidiary Guarantors, which currently constitute all of our subsidiaries other than Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc. and its subsidiaries Mayfield Processing, L.L.C. and Midcon Compression, L.P., will fully and unconditionally guarantee, on a joint and several basis, our obligations to pay principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any series of debt securities. Each entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after the date of original issuance of any series of debt securities will guarantee the payment of such series.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, “Restricted Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of our company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities, our board of directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, “Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

 

(a) Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc. until it is designated as a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

(b) any subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

 

(c) any subsidiary of our company or of a Restricted Subsidiary that is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary by a resolution adopted by our board of directors.

 

The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its guarantee will be limited as necessary to prevent that guarantee from constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal, state or foreign law. Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment or distribution under a guarantee shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the respective net assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

If a guarantee were rendered voidable, it could be subordinated by a court to all other indebtedness (including guarantees and other contingent liabilities) of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, and, depending on the amount of such indebtedness, a Subsidiary Guarantor’s liability on its guarantee could be reduced to zero. See “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Debt Securities—A guarantee of debt securities could be voided if the guarantors fraudulently transferred their guarantees at the time they incurred the indebtedness, which could result in the holders of debt securities being able to rely on only Chesapeake Energy Corporation to satisfy claims.”

 

Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement and subject to the next paragraph, no Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving entity) another entity unless:

 

  the entity formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) assumes all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture and the Debt Securities pursuant to a supplemental indenture, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; and

 

  immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists.

 

The preceding does not prohibit a merger between Subsidiary Guarantors or a merger between our company and a Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

In the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor, or a sale or other disposition of all the capital stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in any case whether by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a Subsidiary Guarantor otherwise ceases to be a Subsidiary Guarantor,

 

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then the person acquiring the assets (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of such a merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor) or such Subsidiary Guarantor (in any other event) will be released and relieved of any obligations under its guarantee.

 

Covenants

 

Reports.    The Indenture contains the following covenant for the benefit of the holders of all series of debt securities:

 

Notwithstanding that we may not be required to remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, we will file with the SEC and provide the Trustee and holders of Debt Securities with annual reports and such information, documents and other reports specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

A series of debt securities may provide for other covenants applicable to us and our subsidiaries. A description of any such affirmative and negative covenants will be contained in a prospectus supplement applicable to such series.

 

Events of Default, Remedies and Notice

 

Events of Default.    Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying prospectus supplement, each of the following events will be an “Event of Default” under the Indenture with respect to a series of debt securities:

 

  default in any payment of interest on any debt securities of that series when due that continues for 30 days;

 

  default in the payment of principal of or premium, if any, on any debt securities of that series when due at its stated maturity, upon redemption, upon required repurchase or otherwise;

 

  default in the payment of any sinking fund payment, if any, on any debt securities of that series when due;

 

  failure by us or by a Subsidiary Guarantor to comply for 60 days after notice with the other agreements contained in the Indenture, any supplement to the Indenture or any board resolution authorizing the issuance of that series;

 

  certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us or of the Subsidiary Guarantors;

 

  any of the guarantees by the Subsidiary Guarantors ceases to be in full force and effect, except as otherwise provided in the Indenture;

 

  any of the guarantees by the Subsidiary Guarantors is declared null and void in a judicial proceeding; or

 

  any Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Indenture or its guarantee.

 

Exercise of Remedies.    If an Event of Default, other than an Event of Default described in the fifth bullet point above, occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the entire principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately.

 

A default under the fourth bullet point above will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series notify us and the Subsidiary Guarantors of the default and such default is not cured within 60 days after receipt of notice.

 

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If an Event of Default described in the fifth bullet point above occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all outstanding debt securities of all series will become immediately due and payable without any declaration of acceleration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders.

 

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may:

 

  waive all past defaults, except with respect to nonpayment of principal, premium or interest or any other provision of the Indenture that cannot be amended without the consent of each holder that is affected; and

 

  rescind any declaration of acceleration by the Trustee or the holders with respect to the debt securities of that series, but only if:

 

    rescinding the declaration of acceleration would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction; and

 

    all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived, other than the nonpayment of principal, premium or interest on the debt securities of that series that have become due solely by the declaration of acceleration.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation, except as otherwise provided in the Indenture, to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any costs, liability or expense. No holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the debt securities of any series, except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium or interest when due, unless:

 

  such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default with respect to that series is continuing;

 

  holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have requested that the Trustee pursue the remedy;

 

  such holders have offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any cost, liability or expense;

 

  the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity or security; and

 

  the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have not given the Trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

 

The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series have the right, subject to certain restrictions, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any right or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to that series of debt securities. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that:

 

  conflicts with law;

 

  is inconsistent with any provision of the Indenture;

 

  the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder; or

 

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  would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

 

Notice of Events of Default.    Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, we are required to give written notice to the Trustee and indicate the status of the default and what action we are taking or propose to take to cure the default. In addition, we are required to deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, a compliance certificate indicating that we have complied with all covenants contained in the Indenture or whether any default or Event of Default has occurred during the previous year.

 

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder a notice of the Event of Default by the later of 90 days after the Event of Default occurs or 30 days after the Trustee knows of the Event of Default. Except in the case of a default in the payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to any debt securities, the Trustee may withhold such notice, but only if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors or responsible officers of the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding such notice is in the interests of the holders.

 

Amendments and Waivers.    We may amend the Indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities to:

 

  cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;

 

  convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the Trustee;

 

  provide for the assumption by a successor of our obligations under the Indenture;

 

  add Subsidiary Guarantors with respect to the debt securities;

 

  evidence the removal of a Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to the debt securities as permitted by the Indenture and as described under “—The Subsidiary Guarantees” or an accompanying prospectus supplement;

 

  secure the debt securities;

 

  add covenants for the benefit of the holders or surrender any right or power conferred upon us or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

  make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder;

 

  add or appoint a successor or separate Trustee; or

 

  comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.

 

In addition, we may amend the Indenture if the holders of a majority in principal amount of all debt securities of each series that would be affected then outstanding under the Indenture consent to it. We may not, however, without the consent of each holder of outstanding debt securities of each series that would be affected, amend the Indenture to:

 

  reduce the percentage in principal amount of debt securities of any series whose holders must consent to an amendment;

 

  reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any debt securities;

 

  reduce the principal of or extend the stated maturity of any debt securities;

 

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  reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities or change the time at which any debt securities may or shall be redeemed;

 

  make any debt securities payable in other than U.S. dollars;

 

  impair the right of any holder to receive payment of premium, principal or interest with respect to such holder’s debt securities on or after the applicable due date;

 

  impair the right of any holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment with respect to such holder’s debt securities;

 

  release any security that has been granted in respect of the debt securities;

 

  make any change to an amendment or waiver provision which requires each holder’s consent;

 

  make any change in the waiver provisions; or

 

  release a Subsidiary Guarantor or modify such Subsidiary Guarantor’s guarantee in any manner adverse to the holders other than as provided under “—The Subsidiary Guarantees.”

 

The consent of the holders is not necessary under the Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under the Indenture becomes effective, we are required to mail to all holders a notice briefly describing the amendment. The failure to give, or any defect in, such notice, however, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

 

The holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series, on behalf of all such holders, and subject to certain rights of the Trustee, may waive:

 

  compliance by us or a Subsidiary Guarantor with certain restrictive provisions of the Indenture; and

 

  any past default under the Indenture, subject to certain rights of the Trustee under the Indenture;

 

except that such majority of holders may not waive a default:

 

  in the payment of principal, premium or interest; or

 

  in respect of a provision that under the Indenture cannot be amended without the consent of all holders of the series of debt securities that are affected.

 

Defeasance.    At any time, we may terminate, with respect to debt securities of a particular series, all our obligations under such series of debt securities and the Indenture, which we call a “legal defeasance.” If we decide to make a legal defeasance, however, we may not terminate our obligations:

 

  relating to the defeasance trust;

 

  to register the transfer or exchange of the debt securities;

 

  to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities; or

 

  to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the debt securities.

 

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If we exercise our legal defeasance option, any subsidiary guarantee will terminate with respect to that series of debt securities.

 

At any time we may also effect a “covenant defeasance,” which means we have elected to terminate our obligations under:

 

  covenants applicable to a series of debt securities and described in the prospectus supplement applicable to such series, other than as described in such prospectus supplement;

 

  the bankruptcy provisions with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantors, if any; and

 

  the guarantee provision described under “Events of Default” above with respect to a series of debt securities.

 

We may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option. If we exercise our legal defeasance option, payment of the affected series of debt securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect to that series. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option, payment of the affected series of debt securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in the fourth, fifth (with respect only to a Subsidiary Guarantor) or sixth bullet points under “—Events of Default” above or an Event of Default that is added specifically for such series and described in a prospectus supplement.

 

In order to exercise either defeasance option, we must:

 

  irrevocably deposit in trust with the Trustee money or certain U.S. government obligations for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the series of debt securities to redemption or maturity, as the case may be;

 

  comply with certain other conditions, including that no default has occurred and is continuing after the deposit in trust; and

 

  deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that holders of the series of debt securities will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred. In the case of legal defeasance only, such opinion of counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or other change in applicable Federal income tax law.

 

Book Entry, Delivery and Form.    We may issue debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global certificates deposited with a depositary. We expect that The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or “DTC,” will act as depositary. If we issue debt securities of a series in book-entry form, we will issue one or more global certificates that will be deposited with or on behalf of DTC and will not issue physical certificates to each holder. A global security may not be transferred unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificated security, except that DTC, its nominees and their successors may transfer a global security as a whole to one another.

 

DTC will keep a computerized record of its participants, such as a broker, whose clients have purchased the debt securities. The participants will then keep records of their clients who purchased the debt securities. Beneficial interests in global securities will be shown on, and transfers of beneficial interests in global securities will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.

 

DTC advises us that it is:

 

  a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law;

 

  a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law;

 

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  a member of the United States Federal Reserve System;

 

  a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code; and

 

  a “clearing agency” registered under the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act.

 

DTC is owned by a number of its participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., The American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. The rules that apply to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

 

DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also records the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through computerized records for participants’ accounts. This eliminates the need to exchange certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations.

 

We will wire principal, premium, if any, and interest payments due on the global securities to DTC’s nominee. We, the Trustee and any paying agent will treat DTC’s nominee as the owner of the global securities for all purposes. Accordingly, we, the Trustee and any paying agent will have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on the global securities to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities.

 

It is DTC’s current practice, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, to credit participants’ accounts on the payment date according to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global securities as shown on DTC’s records. In addition, it is DTC’s current practice to assign any consenting or voting rights to participants, whose accounts are credited with debt securities on a record date, by using an omnibus proxy.

 

Payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities, as well as voting by participants, will be governed by the customary practices between the participants and the owners of beneficial interests, as is the case with debt securities held for the account of customers registered in “street name.” Payments to holders of beneficial interests are the responsibility of the participants and not of DTC, the Trustee or us.

 

Beneficial interests in global securities will be exchangeable for certificated securities with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:

 

  DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under applicable law and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days; or

 

  we determine not to require all of the debt securities of a series to be represented by a global security and notify the Trustee of our decision.

 

The Trustee.    The Bank of New York will be the Trustee under the Indenture. The Bank of New York also serves as trustee for our 7.875% Senior Notes due 2004, our 8.375% Senior Notes due 2008, our 8.125% Senior Notes due 2011, our 8.5% Senior Notes due 2012, our 9% Senior Notes due 2012, our 7.5% Senior Notes due 2013 and our 7.75% Senior Notes due 2015. We may also maintain banking and other commercial relationships with the Trustee and its affiliates in the ordinary course of business, and the Trustee may own our debt securities.

 

Governing Law.    The Indenture and the debt securities will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

Set forth below is a description of the material terms of our capital stock. However, this description is not complete and is qualified by reference to our certificate of incorporation (including our certificates of designation) and bylaws. Copies of our certificate of incorporation (including our certificates of designation) and bylaws are available from us upon request. These documents have also been filed with the SEC. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information.”

 

Authorized Capital Stock

 

Our authorized capital stock consists of 350,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share, of which 250,000 shares are designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, 2,998,000 shares are designated 6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and 4,600,000 shares are designated as 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.

 

Common Stock

 

Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding preferred stock, holders of our common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available for dividends. In the event of our liquidation or dissolution, holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock.

 

Holders of our common stock have no preemptive rights and have no rights to convert their common stock into any other securities. All of the outstanding shares of common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

Preferred Stock

 

We have 2,152,000 shares of authorized preferred stock which are undesignated. Currently 2,998,000 shares of preferred stock are designated as 6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, all of which are currently outstanding, and 4,600,000 shares of preferred stock, which are designated as 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, of which all are currently outstanding. Our board of directors has also authorized the issuance of up to 250,000 shares of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock in connection with the adoption of our shareholder rights plan in July 1998. None of these shares are currently outstanding. The Series A Preferred Stock is described below under “—Share Rights Plan.”

 

Our board of directors has the authority, without further shareholder approval, to issue shares of preferred stock from time to time in one or more series, with such voting powers or without voting powers, and with such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions, as shall be set forth in the resolutions providing thereof.

 

While providing desirable flexibility for possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, and eliminating delays associated with a shareholder vote on specific issuances, the issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock, as well as dividend and liquidation payments on both common and preferred stock. It also could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control.

 

The prospectus supplement relating to an offering of preferred stock will specify the terms of any series of preferred stock offered by it including:

 

  the series, the number of shares offered and the liquidation value of the preferred stock;

 

  the price at which the preferred stock will be issued;

 

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  the dividend rate, the dates on which the dividends will be payable and other terms relating to the payment of dividends on the preferred stock;

 

  the liquidation preference of the preferred stock;

 

  whether the preferred stock is redeemable or subject to a sinking fund, and the terms of any such redemption or sinking fund;

 

  whether the preferred stock is convertible into or exchangeable for any other securities, and the terms of any such conversion or exchange; and

 

  any additional rights, preferences, qualifications, limitations or restrictions of the preferred stock.

 

The description of the terms of the preferred stock to be set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement will not be complete and will be subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the statement of resolution relating to the applicable series of preferred stock. The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will include the statement of resolution as an exhibit or incorporate it by reference.

 

Outstanding Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock

 

General.    We have two series of Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding, both with substantially similar terms: the 6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock. Where the terms of the two series of preferred stock are similar, we refer to both series of outstanding preferred stock as the “Convertible Preferred Stock.”

 

Ranking.    Both series of Convertible Preferred Stock, with respect to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution, rank:

 

  senior to all classes of our common stock and to the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and each other class of capital stock or series of preferred stock established after the original issue date of the series of Convertible Preferred Stock (which we will refer to as the “Issue Date”) the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series ranks senior to or on a parity with the series of Convertible Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, winding-up or dissolution (which we will refer to collectively as “Junior Stock”);

 

  on a parity with each other and any class of capital stock or series of preferred stock established after the Issue Date the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank on a parity with the series of Convertible Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, winding-up or dissolution (which we will refer to collectively as “Parity Stock”); and

 

  junior to each class of capital stock or series of preferred stock established after the Issue Date the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank senior to the series of Convertible Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon our liquidation, winding-up or dissolution (which we will refer to collectively as “Senior Stock”).

 

While any shares of either series of our Convertible Preferred Stock are outstanding, we may not authorize, increase the authorized amount of, or issue any shares of, any class or series of Senior Stock (or any security convertible into Senior Stock) without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares each series of Convertible Preferred Stock voting separately as a class. Without the consent of any holder of Convertible Preferred Stock, however, we may authorize, increase the authorized amount of, or issue any shares of, any class or series of Parity Stock or Junior Stock. See “—Voting Rights” below.

 

Dividends.    Holders of shares of 6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for payment, cumulative cash dividends at the rate per annum of 6.75% per share on the liquidation preference thereof of $50 per share of

 

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Convertible Preferred Stock (equivalent to $3.375 per annum per share). Dividends on the 6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock are payable quarterly on February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of each year at such annual rate, and accumulate from the most recent date as to which dividends have been paid or, if no dividends have been paid, from the Issue Date of the 6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, whether or not in any dividend period or periods there have been funds legally available for the payment of such dividends.

 

Holders of shares of 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for payment, cumulative cash dividends at the rate per annum of 6.00% per share on the liquidation preference thereof of $50 per share of 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (equivalent to $3.00 per annum per share). Dividends on the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock will be payable quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year at such annual rate, and shall accumulate from the most recent date as to which dividends shall have been paid or, if no dividends have been paid, from the Issue Date of the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, whether or not in any dividend period or periods there shall be funds legally available for the payment of such dividends.

 

Accumulations of dividends on shares of Convertible Preferred Stock do not bear interest. Dividends payable on the Convertible Preferred Stock for any period less than a full dividend period (based upon the number of days elapsed during the period) are computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months.

 

No dividends or other distributions (other than a dividend or distribution payable solely in shares of Parity Stock or Junior Stock (in the case of Parity Stock) or Junior Stock (in the case of Junior Stock) and cash in lieu of fractional shares) may be declared, made or paid, or set apart for payment upon, any Parity Stock or Junior Stock, nor may any Parity Stock or Junior Stock be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any money paid to or made available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any Parity Stock or Junior Stock) by us or on our behalf (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of Parity Stock or Junior Stock (in the case of Parity Stock) or Junior Stock (in the case of Junior Stock)) unless all accumulated and unpaid dividends have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid, or are declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for such payment, on the Convertible Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock for all dividend payment periods terminating on or prior to the date of such declaration, payment, redemption, purchase or acquisition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if full dividends have not been paid on the Convertible Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock, dividends may be declared and paid on the Convertible Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock so long as the dividends are declared and paid pro rata so that the amounts of dividends declared per share on the Convertible Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock will in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated and unpaid dividends per share on the shares of the Convertible Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock bear to each other. Holders of shares of the Convertible Preferred Stock are not entitled to any dividend, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends.

 

Our ability to declare and pay cash dividends and make other distributions with respect to our capital stock, including the Convertible Preferred Stock, is limited by the terms of our outstanding indebtedness. In addition, our ability to declare and pay dividends may be limited by applicable Oklahoma law.

 

Liquidation Preference.    In the event of our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution, each holder of Convertible Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive and to be paid out of our assets available for distribution to our stockholders, before any payment or distribution is made to holders of Junior Stock (including common stock), a liquidation preference in the amount of $50 per share of the Convertible Preferred Stock, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon to the date fixed for liquidation, winding-up or dissolution. If, upon our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution, the amounts payable with respect to the liquidation preference of the Convertible Preferred Stock and all Parity Stock are not paid in full, the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock and the Parity Stock will share equally and ratably in any distribution of our assets in proportion to the full liquidation preference and accumulated and unpaid dividends to which they are entitled. After payment of the full amount of the liquidation preference and accumulated and unpaid dividends to which they are entitled, the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock will have no right or claim to any of our remaining assets. Neither the sale of all or substantially all of our assets or business (other than in connection with the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of its business), nor our merger or consolidation into or with any other person, will be deemed to be our voluntary or involuntary liquidation, winding-up or dissolution.

 

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The certificates of designation do not contain any provisions requiring funds to be set aside to protect the liquidation preference of the Convertible Preferred Stock even though it is substantially in excess of the par value thereof.

 

Voting Rights.    The holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock have no voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise required by Oklahoma law.

 

If dividends on a series of Convertible Preferred Stock are in arrears and unpaid for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive), the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock, voting as a single class with any other preferred stock or preference securities having similar voting rights that are exercisable, will be entitled at our next regular or special meeting of stockholders to elect two additional directors to our board of directors unless our board is comprised of fewer than six directors at such time, in which case such holders will be entitled to elect one additional director. Upon the election of any additional directors, the number of directors that compose our board shall be increased by such number of additional directors. Such voting rights and the terms of the directors so elected will continue until such time as the dividend arrearage on the Convertible Preferred Stock has been paid in full.

 

In addition, the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of each series of outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class, is required for the issuance of any class or series of Senior Stock (or any security convertible into Senior Stock) and for amendments to our certificate of incorporation that would affect adversely the rights of holders of that series of Convertible Preferred Stock. The certificates of designation provide that the authorization of, the increase in the authorized amount of, or the issuance of any shares of any class or series of Parity Stock or Junior Stock does not require the consent of the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock, and is not deemed to affect adversely the rights of the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock.

 

In all cases in which the holders of Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to vote, each share of Convertible Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote.

 

Conversion Rights.    Each share of 6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder thereof into 6.4935 shares of common stock (which was calculated using an initial conversion price of $7.70 per share of common stock) subject to adjustment for certain dilutive events (we refer to such price or adjusted price applicable to a particular series of Convertible Preferred Stock as the “Conversion Price”). Each share of 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder thereof into 4.8605 shares of common stock (which is calculated using an initial conversion price of $10.287 per share of common stock) subject to adjustment for certain dilutive events.

 

Mandatory Conversion.    At any time on or after November 20, 2004 (with respect to the 6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock) or any time on or after March 20, 2006 (with respect to the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock), we may at our option cause the Convertible Preferred Stock to be automatically converted into that number of shares of common stock for each share of Convertible Preferred Stock equal to $50.00 (the liquidation preference per share of Convertible Preferred Stock) divided by the then prevailing Conversion Price. We may exercise this right only if the closing price of our common stock equals or exceeds 130% of the then prevailing Conversion Price for at least 20 trading days in any consecutive 30-day trading period, including the last trading day of such 30-day period, ending on the trading day prior to our issuance of a press release announcing the mandatory conversion as described below.

 

We may not authorize, issue a press release or give notice of any mandatory conversion unless, prior to giving the conversion notice, all accumulated and unpaid dividends on such series of Convertible Preferred Stock for periods ended prior to the date of such conversion notice shall have been paid in cash.

 

In addition to the mandatory conversion provision described above, if there are less than 250,000 shares of a series of Convertible Preferred Stock outstanding, we may, at any time on or after November 20, 2006 (with respect to the 6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock) or any time on or after March 20, 2008 (with respect to the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock), at our option, cause such series of Convertible Preferred Stock to be automatically converted into that number of shares of common stock equal to $50.00 (the liquidation preference per share of Convertible Preferred Stock) divided by the lesser of the then prevailing Conversion Price

 

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and the Market Value for the five trading day period ending on the second trading day immediately prior to the date set for conversion.

 

The term “Market Value” means the average closing price of the common stock for a five consecutive trading day period on the New York Stock Exchange (or such other national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the common stock is then listed or authorized for quotation or, if not so listed or authorized for quotation, an amount determined in good faith by our board of directors to be the fair value of the common stock).

 

Change of Control.    Except as provided below, upon a Change of Control (as defined below), holders of each series of Convertible Preferred Stock shall, in the event that the Market Value at such time is less than the Conversion Price applicable to such series, have a one-time option to convert all of their outstanding shares of Convertible Preferred Stock into shares of common stock at an adjusted Conversion Price equal to the greater of (i) the Market Value as of the Change of Control Date and (ii) $4.0733 (with respect to the 6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock) and $5.47 (with respect to the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock). This option shall be exercisable during a period of not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days commencing on the third business day after notice of the Change of Control is given by us in the manner specified in the certificates of designation. In lieu of issuing the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion in the event of a Change of Control, we may, at our option, make a cash payment equal to the Market Value for each share of such common stock otherwise issuable determined for the period ending on the Change of Control Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon a Change of Control in which (x) each holder of our common stock receives consideration consisting solely of common stock of the successor, acquiror or other third party (and cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) that is listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ National Market and (y) all our common stock has been exchanged for, converted into or acquired for common stock of the successor, acquiror or other third party (and cash in lieu of fractional shares), and the Convertible Preferred Stock becomes convertible solely into such common stock, the Conversion Price will not be adjusted as described in this paragraph.

 

The certificates of designation define “Change of Control” as any of the following events:

 

  the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of our assets (determined on a consolidated basis) to any person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than to Permitted Holders (as defined below);

 

  the adoption of a plan the consummation of which would result in the liquidation or dissolution of our company;

 

  the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than Permitted Holders, of beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of our aggregate voting power of the voting stock; provided, however, that the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the total voting power of our voting stock than such other person and do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the board of directors (for the purposes of this definition, such other person shall be deemed to beneficially own any voting stock of a specified corporation held by a parent corporation, if such other person is the beneficial owner (as defined above), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the voting power of the voting stock of such parent corporation and the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as defined in this proviso), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the voting power of the voting stock of such parent corporation and do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of our board of directors of such parent corporation); or

 

  during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period composed our board of directors (together with any new directors whose election by such board of directors or whose nomination for election by our shareholders was approved by a vote of 66 2/3%

 

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of our directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of our board of directors then in office.

 

For purposes of the definition of “Change of Control,” the term “Permitted Holders” means Aubrey K. McClendon and Tom L. Ward and their respective Affiliates.

 

The phrase “all or substantially all” of the assets of our company is likely to be interpreted by reference to applicable state law at the relevant time, and will be dependent on the facts and circumstances existing at such time. As a result, there may be a degree of uncertainty in ascertaining whether a sale or transfer is of “all or substantially all” of our assets.

 

Anti-Takeover Provisions

 

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the Oklahoma General Corporation Act include a number of provisions which may have the effect of encouraging persons considering unsolicited tender offers or other unilateral takeover proposals to negotiate with our board of directors rather than pursue non-negotiated takeover attempts. These provisions include a classified board of directors, authorized blank check preferred stock, restrictions on business combinations and the availability of authorized but unissued common stock.

 

Classified Board of Directors.    Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain provisions for a staggered board of directors with only one-third of the board standing for election each year. Directors can only be removed for cause. A staggered board makes it more difficult for shareholders to change the majority of the directors.

 

Oklahoma Business Combination Statute.    Section 1090.3 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act prevents an “interested shareholder” from engaging in a “business combination” with an Oklahoma corporation for three years following the date the person became an interested shareholder, unless:

 

  prior to the date the person became an interested shareholder, the board of directors of the corporation approved the transaction in which the interested shareholder became an interested shareholder or approved the business combination;

 

  upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the interested shareholder becoming an interested shareholder, the interested shareholder owns stock having at least 85% of all voting power of the corporation at the time the transaction commenced, excluding stock held by directors who are also officers of the corporation and stock held by certain employee stock plans; or

 

  on or subsequent to the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested shareholder, the business combination is approved by the board of directors of the corporation and authorized at a meeting of shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of all voting power not attributable to shares owned by the interested shareholder.

 

The statute defines a “business combination” to include:

 

  any merger or consolidation involving the corporation and an interested shareholder;

 

  any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition to or with an interested shareholder of 10% or more of the assets of the corporation;

 

  subject to certain exceptions, any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to an interested shareholder;

 

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  any transaction involving the corporation which has the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or series or voting power of the corporation owned by the interested shareholder;

 

  the receipt by an interested shareholder of any loans, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or through the corporation; or

 

  any share acquisition by the interested shareholder pursuant to Section 1090.1 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act.

 

For purposes of Section 1090.3, the term “corporation” also includes the corporation’s majority-owned subsidiaries.

 

In addition, Section 1090.3 defines an “interested shareholder,” generally, as any person that owns stock having 15% or more of all voting power of the corporation, any person that is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and owned stock having 15% or more of all voting power of the corporation at any time within the three-year period prior to the time of determination of interested shareholder status, and any affiliate or associate of such person.

 

Stock Purchase Provisions.    Our certificate of incorporation includes a provision which requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the votes cast by the holders, voting together as a single class, of all then outstanding shares of capital stock, excluding the votes by an interested shareholder, to approve the purchase of any of our capital stock from the interested shareholder at a price in excess of fair market value, unless the purchase is either (1) made on the same terms offered to all holders of the same securities or (2) made on the open market and not the result of a privately negotiated transaction.

 

Share Rights Plan

 

The Rights.    On July 7, 1998, our board of directors declared a dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase right for each outstanding share of common stock. The distribution was paid on July 27, 1998 to the shareholders of record on that date. Each right entitles the registered holder to purchase from us one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock at a price of $25.00, subject to adjustment.

 

The following is a summary of these rights. The full description and terms of the rights are set forth in a rights agreement with UMB Bank, N.A., as rights agent. Copies of the rights agreement and the certificate of designation for the Series A Preferred Stock are available free of charge. This summary description of the rights and the Series A Preferred Stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to all the provisions of the rights agreement and the certificate of designation for the Series A Preferred Stock.

 

Initially, the rights attached to all certificates representing shares of our outstanding common stock, and no separate rights certificates were distributed. The rights will separate from our common stock and the distribution date will occur upon the earlier of:

 

  ten days following the date of public announcement that a person or group of persons has become an acquiring person; or

 

  ten business days (or a later date set by the board of directors prior to the time a person becomes an acquiring person) following the commencement of, or the announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer upon consummation of which the offeror would, if successful, become an acquiring person.

 

The earlier of these dates is called the distribution date.

 

The term “acquiring person” means any person who or which, together with all of its affiliates and associates, is the beneficial owner of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock, but does not include:

 

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  us or any of our subsidiaries or employee benefit plans;

 

  Aubrey K. McClendon, his spouse, lineal descendants and ascendants, heirs, executors or other legal representatives and any trusts established for the benefit of the foregoing or any other person or entity in which the foregoing persons or entities are at the time of determination the direct record and beneficial owners of all outstanding voting securities (each a “McClendon shareholder”);

 

  Tom L. Ward, his spouse, lineal descendants and ascendants, heirs, executors or other legal representatives and any trusts established for the benefit of the foregoing, or any other person or entity in which the foregoing persons or entities are at the time of determination the direct record and beneficial owners of all outstanding voting securities (each a “Ward shareholder”);

 

  Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, in its capacity as pledgee of shares beneficially owned by a McClendon or Ward shareholder, or both, under any pledge agreement in effect on September 11, 1998, to the extent that upon the exercise by the pledgee of any of its rights or duties as pledgee, other than the exercise of any voting power by the pledgee or the acquisition of ownership by the pledgee, such pledgee becomes a beneficial owner of pledged shares; or

 

  any person (other than the pledgee just described) that is neither a McClendon nor Ward shareholder, but who or which is the beneficial owner of common stock beneficially owned by a McClendon or Ward shareholder (a “second tier shareholder”), but only if the shares of common stock otherwise beneficially owned by a second tier shareholder (“second tier holder shares”) do not exceed the sum of (A) the holder’s second tier holder shares held on September 11, 1998 and (B) 1% of the shares of our common stock then outstanding (collectively, “exempt persons”).

 

The rights agreement provides that, until the distribution date, the rights will be transferred with and only with the common stock. Until the distribution date (or earlier redemption or expiration of the rights), new common stock certificates issued after July 27, 1998, upon transfer or new issuance of common stock, will contain a notation incorporating the rights agreement by reference. Until the distribution date or earlier redemption or expiration of the rights, the surrender for transfer of any certificate for common stock, outstanding as of July 27, 1998, even without a notation or a copy of a summary of the rights being attached, will also constitute the transfer of the rights associated with the common stock represented by the certificate. As soon as practicable following the distribution date, separate certificates evidencing the rights will be mailed to holders of record of the common stock as of the close of business on the distribution date and these separate rights certificates alone will evidence the rights.

 

The rights are not exercisable until the distribution date. The rights will expire on July 27, 2008.

 

The purchase price payable, and the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Series A Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable, upon exercise of the rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution:

 

  in the event of a stock dividend on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, the Series A Preferred Stock;

 

  upon the grant to holders of the Series A Preferred Stock of certain rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase shares of Series A Preferred Stock at a price, or securities convertible into Series A Preferred Stock with a conversion price, less than the then current market price of the Series A Preferred Stock; or

 

  upon the distribution to holders of the Series A Preferred Stock of evidences of indebtedness or assets (excluding regular periodic cash dividends paid or dividends payable in Series A Preferred Stock) or of subscription rights or warrants (other than those referred to above).

 

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The number of outstanding rights and the number of one one-thousandths of a share of Series A Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of each right are also subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split of the common stock or a stock dividend on the common stock payable in the common stock or subdivisions, consolidations or combinations of the common stock occurring, in any such case, prior to the distribution date.

 

In the event that following the date of public announcement that a person has become an acquiring person, we are acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction or more than 50% of our consolidated assets or earning power is sold, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a right will thereafter have the right to receive, upon the exercise of the right at the then current exercise price of the right, that number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company which at the time of such transaction will have a market value of two times the exercise price of the right (the “flip-over right”).

 

In the event that a person, other than an exempt person, becomes an acquiring person, proper provision will be made so that each holder of a right, other than the acquiring person and its affiliates and associates, will thereafter have the right to receive upon exercise that number of shares of common stock, or, if applicable, cash, other equity securities or property of us, having a market value equal to two times the purchase price of the rights (the “flip-in right”). Any rights that are or were at any time owned by an acquiring person will then become void.

 

With certain exceptions, no adjustment in the purchase price will be required until cumulative adjustments require an adjustment of at least 1% in the purchase price. Upon exercise of the rights, no fractional shares of Series A Preferred Stock will be issued other than fractions which are integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock. Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are not integral multiples of one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Preferred Stock.

 

At any time prior to the earlier to occur of (1) 5:00 p.m., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma time on the tenth day after the stock acquisition date or (2) the expiration of the rights, we may redeem the rights in whole, but not in part, at a price of $0.01 per right; provided, that (a) if the board of directors authorizes redemption on or after the time a person becomes an acquiring person, then the authorization must be by board approval and (b) the period for redemption may, upon board approval, be extended by amending the rights agreement. Board approval means the approval of a majority of our directors. Immediately upon any redemption of the rights described in this paragraph, the right to exercise the rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of rights will be to receive the redemption price.

 

Our board of directors may amend the terms of the rights without the consent of the holders of the rights at any time and from time to time provided that any amendment does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of the rights. In addition, during any time that the rights are subject to redemption, the terms of the rights may be amended by the approval of a majority of the directors, including an amendment that adversely affects the interests of the holders of the rights, without the consent of the holders of rights.

 

Until a right is exercised, a holder will have no rights as a shareholder, including, without limitation, the right to vote or to receive dividends. While the distribution of the rights will not be taxable to us or our shareholders, shareholders may, depending upon the circumstances, recognize taxable income in the event that the rights become exercisable for Series A Preferred Stock, or other consideration.

 

The Series A Preferred Stock.    Each one-thousandth of a share of the Series A Preferred Stock (a “preferred share fraction”) that may be acquired upon exercise of the rights will be nonredeemable and junior to any other shares of preferred stock that we may issue.

 

Each preferred share fraction will have a minimum preferential quarterly dividend rate of $0.01 per preferred share fraction but will, in any event, be entitled to a dividend equal to the per share dividend declared on the common stock.

 

In the event of liquidation, the holder of a preferred share fraction will receive a preferred liquidation payment equal to the greater of $0.01 per preferred share fraction or the per share amount paid in respect of a share of common stock.

 

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Each preferred share fraction will have one vote, voting together with the common stock. The holders of preferred share fractions, voting as a separate class, will be entitled to elect two directors if dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are in arrears for six fiscal quarters.

 

In the event of any merger, consolidation or other transaction in which shares of common stock are exchanged, each preferred share fraction will be entitled to receive the per share amount paid in respect of each share of common stock.

 

The rights of holders of the Series A Preferred Stock to dividends, liquidation and voting, and in the event of mergers and consolidations, are protected by customary antidilution provisions.

 

Because of the nature of the Series A Preferred Stock’s dividend, liquidation and voting rights, the economic value of one preferred share fraction that may be acquired upon the exercise of each right should approximate the economic value of one share of our common stock.

 

Shareholder Action

 

Except as otherwise provided by law or in our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, the approval by holders of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at a meeting and entitled to vote is sufficient to authorize, affirm, ratify or consent to a matter voted on by shareholders. Our bylaws provide that all questions submitted to shareholders will be decided by a plurality of the votes cast, unless otherwise required by law, our certificate of incorporation, stock exchange requirements or any certificate of designation. The Oklahoma General Corporation Act requires the approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock entitled to vote for certain extraordinary corporate transactions, such as a merger, sale of substantially all assets, dissolution or amendment of the certificate of incorporation. Our certificate of incorporation provides for a vote of the holders of two-thirds of the issued and outstanding stock having voting power, voting as a single class, to amend, repeal or adopt any provision inconsistent with the provisions of the certificate of incorporation limiting director liability and stock purchases by us, and providing for staggered terms of directors and indemnity for directors. The same vote is also required for shareholders to amend, repeal or adopt any provision of our bylaws.

 

Under Oklahoma law, shareholders may take actions without the holding of a meeting by written consent or consents signed by the holders of a sufficient number of shares to approve the transaction had all of the outstanding shares of our capital stock entitled to vote thereon been present at a meeting. If shareholder action is taken by written consent, the rules and regulations of the SEC require us to send each shareholder entitled to vote on the matter, but whose consent was not solicited, an information statement containing information substantially similar to that which would have been contained in a proxy statement.

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

UMB Bank, N.A. is the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock, our 6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and our 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

 

General

 

We may offer fractional shares of preferred stock, rather than full shares of preferred stock. If we decide to offer fractional shares of preferred stock, we will issue receipts for depositary shares. Each depositary share will represent a fraction of a share of a particular series of preferred stock. The prospectus supplement will indicate that fraction. The shares of preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a depositary agreement between us and a bank or trust company that meets certain requirements and is selected by us (the “Bank Depositary”). Each owner of a depositary share will be entitled to all the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary share. The depositary shares will be evidenced by depositary receipts issued pursuant to the depositary agreement. Depositary receipts will be distributed to those persons purchasing the fractional shares of preferred stock in accordance with the terms of the offering.

 

We have summarized selected provisions of a depositary agreement and the related depositary receipts. The summary is not complete. The forms of the deposit agreement and the depositary receipts relating to any particular issue of depositary shares will be filed with the SEC on a Current Report on Form 8-K prior to our offering of the depositary shares, and you should read such documents for provisions that may be important to you.

 

Dividends and Other Distributions

 

If we pay a cash distribution or dividend on a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the Bank Depositary will distribute such dividends to the record holders of such depositary shares. If the distributions are in property other than cash, the Bank Depositary will distribute the property to the record holders of the depositary shares. If the Bank Depositary, however, determines that it is not feasible to make the distribution of property, the Bank Depositary may, with our approval, sell such property and distribute the net proceeds from such sale to the record holders of the depositary shares.

 

Redemption of Depositary Shares

 

If we redeem a series of preferred stock represented by depositary shares, the Bank Depositary will redeem the depositary shares from the proceeds received by the Bank Depositary in connection with the redemption. The redemption price per depositary share will equal the applicable fraction of the redemption price per share of the preferred stock. If fewer than all the depositary shares are redeemed, the depositary shares to be redeemed will be selected by lot or pro rata as the Bank Depositary may determine.

 

Voting the Preferred Stock

 

Upon receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of the preferred stock represented by depositary shares are entitled to vote, the Bank Depositary will mail the notice to the record holders of the depositary shares relating to such preferred stock. Each record holder of these depositary shares on the record date (which will be the same date as the record date for the preferred stock) may instruct the Bank Depositary as to how to vote the preferred stock represented by such holder’s depositary shares. The Bank Depositary will endeavor, insofar as practicable, to vote the amount of the preferred stock represented by such depositary shares in accordance with such instructions, and we will take all action which the Bank Depositary deems necessary in order to enable the Bank Depositary to do so. The Bank Depositary will abstain from voting shares of the preferred stock to the extent it does not receive specific instructions from the holders of depositary shares representing such preferred stock.

 

Amendment and Termination of the Depositary Agreement

 

The form of depositary receipt evidencing the depositary shares and any provision of the depositary agreement may be amended by agreement between the Bank Depositary and us. However, any amendment that materially and adversely alters the rights of the holders of depositary shares will not be effective unless such amendment has been approved by the holders of at least a majority of the depositary shares then outstanding. The depositary agreement may be terminated by the Bank Depositary or us only if (i) all outstanding depositary shares have been redeemed or (ii) there has been a final distribution in respect of the preferred stock in connection with any

 

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liquidation, dissolution or winding up of our company and such distribution has been distributed to the holders of depositary receipts.

 

Charges of Bank Depositary

 

We will pay all transfer and other taxes and governmental charges arising solely from the existence of the depositary arrangements. We will pay charges of the Bank Depositary in connection with the initial deposit of the preferred stock and any redemption of the preferred stock. Holders of depositary receipts will pay other transfer and other taxes and governmental charges and any other charges, including a fee for the withdrawal of shares of preferred stock upon surrender of depositary receipts, as are expressly provided in the depositary agreement to be for their accounts.

 

Withdrawal of Preferred Stock

 

Upon surrender of depositary receipts at the principal office of the Bank Depositary, subject to the terms of the depositary agreement, the owner of the depositary shares may demand delivery of the number of whole shares of preferred stock and all money and other property, if any, represented by those depositary shares. Partial shares of preferred stock will not be issued. If the depositary receipts delivered by the holder evidence a number of depositary shares in excess of the number of depositary shares representing the number of whole shares of preferred stock to be withdrawn, the Bank Depositary will deliver to such holder at the same time a new depositary receipt evidencing the excess number of depositary shares. Holders of preferred stock thus withdrawn may not thereafter deposit those shares under the depositary agreement or receive depositary receipts evidencing depositary shares therefor.

 

Resignation and Removal of Bank Depositary

 

The Bank Depositary may resign at any time by delivering to us notice of its election to do so, and we may at any time remove the Bank Depositary. Any such resignation or removal will take effect upon the appointment of a successor Bank Depositary and its acceptance of such appointment. Such successor Bank Depositary must be appointed within 60 days after delivery of the notice of resignation or removal and must be a bank or trust company meeting the requirements of the depositary agreement.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Any of the securities being offered hereby may be sold in any one or more of the following ways from time to time:

 

  through agents;

 

  to or through underwriters;

 

  through dealers; or

 

  directly by us.

 

The distribution of the securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

 

Offers to purchase securities may be solicited by agents designated by us from time to time. Any such agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by us to such agent will be set forth, in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless otherwise indicated in such prospectus supplement, any such agent will be acting on a reasonable best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any such agent may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities so offered and sold. We may periodically engage agents or underwriters in connection with at-the-market offerings or negotiated transactions involving our common stock.

 

If securities are sold by means of an underwritten offering, we will execute an underwriting agreement with an underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for such sale is reached, and the names of the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriters, the respective amounts underwritten and the terms of the transaction, including commissions, discounts and any other compensation of the underwriters and dealers, if any, will be set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement which will be used by the underwriters to make resales of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered to the public. If underwriters are utilized in the sale of any securities in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered, such securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices or at varying prices determined by the underwriters at the time of sale. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by one or more underwriters. If any underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of securities, unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the underwriters with respect to a sale of such securities will be obligated to purchase all such securities if any are purchased.

 

We may grant to the underwriters options to purchase additional securities, to cover over-allotments, if any, at the price at which securities are first offered to the public (with additional underwriting commissions or discounts), as may be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating thereto. If we grant any over-allotment option, the terms of such over-allotment option will be set forth in the prospectus supplement for such securities.

 

If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the securities in respect of which this prospectus is delivered, we will sell such securities to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then resell such securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by such dealer at the time of resale. Any such dealer may be deemed to be an underwriter, as such term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities so offered and sold. The name of the dealer and their terms of the transaction will be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

 

Offers to purchase securities may be solicited directly by us and the sale thereof may be made by us directly to institutional investors or others, who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the

 

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Securities Act with respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales will be described in the prospectus supplement relating thereto.

 

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents and underwriters to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on the date or dates stated in the applicable prospectus supplement. Such delayed delivery contracts will be subject to only those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. A commission indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement will be paid to underwriters and agents soliciting purchases of securities pursuant to delayed delivery contracts accepted by us.

 

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under relevant agreements with us to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which such agents, underwriters and dealers may be required to make in respect thereof.

 

Each series of securities will be a new issue and, other than our common stock, which is listed on The New York Stock Exchange, will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of securities on an exchange, and in the case of common stock, on any additional exchange, but, unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, we shall not be obligated to do so. No assurance can be given as to the liquidity of the trading market for any of the securities.

 

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be customers of, engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us and our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

 

The validity of the debt securities, guarantees and depositary shares offered by this prospectus have been passed upon for us by Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. The validity of the preferred stock (including any preferred stock underlying any depositary shares) and the common stock (including any common stock issuable upon the conversion of any preferred stock) offered by this prospectus have been passed upon for us by Commercial Law Group, P.C. Legal counsel to any underwriters may pass upon legal matters for such underwriters.

 

Shannon T. Self, a shareholder in Commercial Law Group, P.C., is a director of Chesapeake, and he owns 104,992 shares of our common stock.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the amended annual report on Form 10-K/A of Chesapeake Energy Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2002, have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

 

Certain estimates of proved oil and gas reserves for Chesapeake Energy Corporation referred to and incorporated by reference herein were based in part upon engineering reports prepared by Williamson Petroleum Consultants, Inc., Ryder Scott Company L.P., Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. and Lee Keeling and Associates, Inc., independent petroleum engineers. These estimates are included and incorporated herein in reliance on the authority of each such firm as experts in such matters.

 

 

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PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14.    Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

 

The expenses of this offering (all of which are to be paid by the registrant) are estimated to be as follows:

 

Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee

   $ 29,027

Legal fees and expenses

     40,000

Accounting fees and expenses

     10,000

Printing expenses

     5,000

Miscellaneous

     4,000
    

TOTAL

   $ 88,027
    

 

Item 15.    Indemnification Of Officers And Directors

 

Section 1031 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, under which Chesapeake is incorporated, authorizes the indemnification of directors and officers under certain circumstances. Article VIII of the Certificate of Incorporation of Chesapeake and Article VI of the Bylaws of Chesapeake also provide for indemnification of directors and officers under certain circumstances. These provisions, together with Chesapeake’s indemnification obligations under individual indemnity agreements with its directors and officers, may be sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons for liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), as amended. In addition, Chesapeake maintains insurance, which insures its directors and officers against certain liabilities.

 

The Oklahoma General Corporation Act provides for indemnification of each of Chesapeake’s officers and directors against (a) expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by reason of such person being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of Chesapeake, or of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of Chesapeake, other than an action by or in the right of Chesapeake. To be entitled to indemnification, the individual must have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of Chesapeake, and with respect to any criminal action, the person seeking indemnification had no reasonable cause to believe that the conduct was unlawful and (b) expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of any action or suit by or in the right of Chesapeake brought by reason of the person seeking indemnification being or having been a director, officer, employee or agent of Chesapeake, or any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise at the request of Chesapeake, provided the actions were in good faith and were reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interest of Chesapeake, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which the individual shall have been adjudged liable to Chesapeake, unless and only to the extent that the court in which such action was decided has determined that the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the court deems proper. Article VIII of Chesapeake’s Certificate of Incorporation provides for indemnification of Chesapeake’s director and officers. The Oklahoma General Corporation Act also permits Chesapeake to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of Chesapeake’s directors and officers against any liability arising out of their status as such, whether or not Chesapeake would have the power to indemnify them against such liability. These provisions may be sufficiently broad to indemnify such persons for liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

 

Chesapeake has entered into indemnity agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. Under each indemnity agreement, Chesapeake will pay on behalf of the indemnitee any amount which he is or becomes legally obligated to pay because of (a) any claim or claims from time to time threatened or made against him by any person because of any act or omission or neglect or breach of duty, including any actual or alleged error or misstatement or misleading statement, which he commits or suffers while acting in his capacity as a director and/or officer of Chesapeake or an affiliate or (b) being a party, or being threatened to be made a party, to any threatened, pending or contemplated action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was an officer, director, employee or agent of Chesapeake or an affiliate or is or was

 

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serving at the request of Chesapeake as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise. The payments which Chesapeake would be obligated to make under an indemnification agreement could include damages, charges, judgments, fines, penalties, settlements and costs, cost of investigation and cost of defense of legal, equitable or criminal actions, claims or proceedings and appeals therefrom, and costs of attachment, supersedeas, bail, surety or other bonds. Chesapeake also provides liability insurance for each of its directors and executive officers.

 

Item 16.    Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are filed herewith pursuant to the requirements of Item 601 of Regulation S-K:

 

Exhibit
No.


    

Description


1.1 +    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1      Chesapeake’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation together with Chesapeake’s Certificate of Designation for the 6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Certificate of Elimination for 2,000 shares of the 6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Certificate of Designation for the Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and Certificate of Designation for the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Chesapeake’s registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-104394) filed on April 4, 2003.
3.2      Chesapeake’s Bylaws. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-A filed October 7, 2003.
4.1 *    Form of Indenture.
4.2 +    Form of Debt Securities.
4.3 +    Form of Depositary Agreement.
4.4 +    Form of Depositary Receipt.
4.5      Rights Agreement dated as of July 15, 1998 between Chesapeake and UMB Bank, N.A., as rights agent. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 to Chesapeake’s registration statement on Form 8-A filed July 16, 1998. Amendment No. 1 dated September 11, 1998. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Chesapeake’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998.
5.1 *    Opinion of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. regarding the validity of the securities being registered.
5.2 *    Opinion of Commercial Law Group, P.C. regarding the validity of the securities being registered.
12.1      Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 12 to Chesapeake’s amended quarterly report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended June 30, 2003.
23.1 *    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2 *    Consent of Williamson Petroleum Consultants, Inc.
23.3 *    Consent of Ryder Scott Company L.P.
23.4 *    Consent of Lee Keeling and Associates, Inc.
23.5 *    Consent of Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc
23.6 *    Consent of Vinson & Elkins L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
23.7 *    Consent of Commercial Law Group, P.C. (included in Exhibit 5.2).
24.1 *    Power of Attorney (included in the signature pages of this Registration Statement).
25.1 *    Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 of The Bank of New York.

 

* Filed herewith.
+ To be filed by amendment or as an exhibit to a current report on Form 8-K of the registrant.

 

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Item 17.    Undertakings

 

Each undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by registrants pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

 

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

 

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

 

That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the 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.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of any registrant, we have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by any 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, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on October 10, 2003.

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

By:  

/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon

 
   

Aubrey K. McClendon

Chief Executive Officer

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon and Marcus C. Rowland, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post- effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, 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 by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature


  

Capacity


 

Date


/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon    


Aubrey K. McClendon

   Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   October 10, 2003

/s/ Tom L. Ward    


Tom L. Ward

   President, Chief Operating Officer and Director   October 10, 2003

/s/ Marcus C. Rowland    


Marcus C. Rowland

   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   October 10, 2003

/s/ Michael A. Johnson    


Michael A. Johnson

   Senior Vice President—Accounting, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   October 10, 2003

Frank Keating

   Director   October 10, 2003

/s/ Breene M. Kerr    


Breene M. Kerr

   Director   October 10, 2003

/s/ Charles T. Maxwell    


Charles T. Maxwell

   Director   October 10, 2003

 

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/s/ Shannon T. Self    


Shannon T. Self

  

Director

  October 10, 2003

Frederick B. Whittemore

  

Director

  October 10, 2003

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on October 10, 2003.

 

CHESAPEAKE EP CORPORATION

CHESAPEAKE SOUTH TEXAS CORP.

CHESAPEAKE OPERATING, INC.

NOMAC DRILLING CORPORATION

OXLEY PETROLEUM CO.

By:  

/s/ Marcus C. Rowland

 

Name:

 

Marcus C. Rowland

Title:

 

Vice President

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon and Marcus C. Rowland, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post- effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, 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 by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature


  

Capacity


 

Date


/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon    


Aubrey K. McClendon

   President and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   October 10, 2003

/s/ Tom L. Ward    


Tom L. Ward

   Vice President and Director   October 10, 2003

/s/ Marcus C. Rowland    


Marcus C. Rowland

   Vice President (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   October 10, 2003

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on October 10, 2003.

 

THE AMES COMPANY, L.L.C.

CARMEN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ENO ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE FOCUS, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE KNAN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE MOUNTAIN FRONT, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ORC, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ROYALTY, L.L.C.

GOTHIC ENERGY, L.L.C.

GOTHIC PRODUCTION, L.L.C.

SAP ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

MC MINERAL COMPANY, L.L.C.

JOHN C. OXLEY, L.L.C.

By:  

/s/ Marcus C. Rowland

 

Name:

 

Marcus C. Rowland

Tital:

 

Vice President

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon and Marcus C. Rowland, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post- effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, 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 by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature


  

Capacity


 

Date


/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon    


Aubrey K. McClendon

   Chief Executive Officer and Manager (Principal Executive Officer)   October 10, 2003

/s/ Tom L. Ward    


Tom L. Ward

   President and Manager   October 10, 2003

/s/ Marcus C. Rowland    


Marcus C. Rowland

   Vice President (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   October 10, 2003

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on October 10, 2003.

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY LOUISIANA CORPORATION

By:  

/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon

 

Name:

 

Aubrey K. McClendon

Title:

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon and Marcus C. Rowland, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post- effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, 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 by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature


  

Capacity


 

Date


/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon    


Aubrey K. McClendon

   Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)   October 10, 2003

/s/ Tom L. Ward    


Tom L. Ward

   President, Chief Operating Officer and Director   October 10, 2003

/s/ Marcus C. Rowland    


Marcus C. Rowland

   Vice President – Finance (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   October 10, 2003

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, each Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Oklahoma City, State of Oklahoma on October 10, 2003.

 

CHESAPEAKE EXPLORATION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CHESAPEAKE LOUISIANA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE PANHANDLE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CHESAPEAKE-STAGHORN ACQUISITION L.P.

CHESAPEAKE SIGMA, L.P.

 

By:   Chesapeake Operating, Inc. as general partner of each entity listed above

By:  

/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon

 

Name:

 

Aubrey K. McClendon

Title:

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each individual whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Aubrey K. McClendon and Marcus C. Rowland, and each of them, either one of whom may act without joinder of the other, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all pre- and post- effective amendments to this Registration Statement (including any Registration Statement for the same offering that is to be effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933), and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, or the substitute or substitutes of any or all of them, 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 by the following persons, in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signature


  

Capacity


 

Date


/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon    


Aubrey K. McClendon

   Chief Executive Officer and Director of Chesapeake Operating, Inc. (Principal Executive Officer)   October 10, 2003

/s/ Tom L. Ward    


Tom L. Ward

   President, Chief Operating Officer and Director of Chesapeake Operating, Inc.   October 10, 2003

/s/ Marcus C. Rowland    


Marcus C. Rowland

   Executive Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Chesapeake Operating, Inc. (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   October 10, 2003

 

 

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