0001580695-15-000093.txt : 20150331 0001580695-15-000093.hdr.sgml : 20150331 20150331162032 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001580695-15-000093 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20150326 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant ITEM INFORMATION: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20150331 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20150331 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Vertex Energy Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000890447 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: PETROLEUM REFINING [2911] IRS NUMBER: 943439569 STATE OF INCORPORATION: NV FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-11476 FILM NUMBER: 15739464 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1331 GEMINI STREET STREET 2: SUITE 250 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77058 BUSINESS PHONE: 866-660-8156 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1331 GEMINI STREET STREET 2: SUITE 250 CITY: HOUSTON STATE: TX ZIP: 77058 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: WORLD WASTE TECHNOLOGIES INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20040830 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: VOICE POWERED TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19940831 8-K 1 vertex8k032615.htm vertex8k032615.htm


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

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report: March 31, 2015
Date of Earliest Event Reported: March 26, 2015

VERTEX ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 
Nevada
001-11476
94-3439569
 
 
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission File
Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 

1331 Gemini Street
Suite 250
Houston, Texas 77058
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (866) 660-8156

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[__]
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[__]
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[__]
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[__]
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 

 
 

 

ITEM 1.01. ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT.
 
Second Amendment to Credit and Guaranty Agreement

On March 26, 2015, Vertex Energy, Inc. (the “Company”, “we” and “us”), Vertex Energy Operating, LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary (“Vertex Operating”), and substantially all of our other subsidiaries (other than E-Source Holdings, LLC (“E-Source”), Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending Holdings, Inc. (“Lender”) and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for Lender (“Agent”), entered into a Second Amendment to Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “Second Amendment”). The Second Amendment amended that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement entered into between the parties dated as of May 2, 2014 and amended by the First Amendment to Credit and Guaranty Agreement entered into on December 5, 2014 (the “First Amendment” and the Credit and Guaranty Agreement as amended and modified by the First Amendment and Second Amendment, the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement and the First Amendment are described in greater detail in the Current Reports on Form 8-K filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 6, 2014 and December 9, 2014, respectively.

As previously reported by the Company, various events of default had occurred and were continuing under the Credit Agreement and the parties entered into the Second Amendment to, among other things, provide for the waiver of the prior defaults and to restructure certain covenants and other financial requirements of the Credit Agreement and to allow for our entry into the MidCap Loan Agreement (defined and described below).

The amendments to the Credit Agreement effected by the Second Amendment include, but are not limited to:

 
·
Effecting various amendments to the Credit Agreement to substitute the name of MidCap Business Credit, LLC and the MidCap Loan Agreement (as described below) in place of Bank of America, NA (“BOA”), and the Company’s prior Credit Agreement with BOA.

 
·
Increasing the interest rate of certain outstanding loans made under the terms of the Credit Agreement by up to 2% per annum, based on the leverage ratio of debt to consolidated EBITDA of the Company.

 
·
Changing the calculation dates for certain fixed charge ratios required to be calculated pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 
·
Changing how certain debt leverage ratios are calculated under the terms of the Credit Agreement.

 
·
Increasing the additional default interest payable upon the occurrence of an event of default under the Credit Agreement to 4% per annum (compared to 2% per annum for all other defaults) above the then applicable interest rate in the event we fail to make the Required Prepayment (as defined below).

 
·
Providing that no quarterly amortization payments would be due under the terms of the Credit Agreement for the quarters ended March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015 (previously amortization payments of $800,000 per quarter were due for both such quarters).

 
·
Providing that we are not required to meet certain debt and leverage covenants for certain periods of fiscal 2015.

 
·
Requiring that we raise at least $9.1 million by June 30, 2015 through the sale of equity, and that we are required to pay such funds directly to the Lender as a mandatory pre-payment of the amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement (the “Required Prepayment”).

 
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·
Changing certain of the required prepayment terms of the Credit Agreement, which require us to prepay the amounts owed under the Credit Agreement in an amount equal to 100% of the extent total consolidated debt exceeds (x) total consolidated EBITDA (as calculated pursuant to the agreement) multiplied by (y) the maximum debt leverage ratios described in the Credit Agreement, provided that no prepayments in connection with such requirements are required to be made through December 31, 2015.

 
·
Reducing the amount of allowable additional borrowings we can make under other debt agreements and facilities to $7 million in aggregate (including not more than $6 million under the MidCap Loan Agreement through December 31, 2015).

 
·
Changing certain fixed charge, leverage ratios and consolidated EBITDA calculations, definitions, and requirements relating to covenants under the Credit Agreement.

 
·
Changing the required amount of cash on hand and available borrowings under the MidCap Loan Agreement.  We are required to have at least  (a) $750,000 after the date of the Second Amendment and prior to June 30, 2015, (b) $1.5 million at any time after June 30, 2015 and prior to December 31, 2015, (c) $2 million at any time after December 31, 2015 and prior to June 30, 2016, (d) $2.5 million at any time after June 30, 2016 and prior to December 31, 2016, and (e) $3 million at any time after December 31, 2016.

The Lender also waived all of the prior defaults which the Lender had provided the Company notice of previously (which were all of the known defaults that existed at the time of the parties’ entry into the Second Amendment) and the Company and its subsidiaries provided a release in favor of the Lender and its representatives and assigns. We also agreed to continue to pay the Agent a fee of $50,000 per year as an administration fee; and pay the Agent certain prepayment fees in the event we prepay amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement prior to March 26, 2018, provided no prepayment fee is due in connection with the Required Payment or certain other mandatory prepayments required under the terms of the Credit Agreement, subject to certain exceptions.

As additional consideration for the Lender agreeing to the terms of the Second Amendment, we granted Goldman, Sachs & Co., an affiliate of the Lender (such initial holder and its assigns, if any, the “Holder”) a warrant to purchase 1,766,874 shares of our common stock which was evidenced by a Common Stock Purchase Warrant (the “Lender Warrant”). The Lender Warrant expires on March 26, 2022 and has an exercise price equal to the lower of (x) $3.395828553 per share; and (y) the lowest price per share at which we issue any common stock (or sets an exercise price for the purchase of common stock) between the date of our entry into the Lender Warrant and June 30, 2015. The Lender Warrant can be exercised by the Holder at any time after September 1, 2015, including pursuant to a cashless exercise. The Lender Warrant contains standard adjustment provisions in the event of stock splits, combinations, rights offerings, combinations and similar transactions. We are required to provide the Holder notice of certain corporate actions pursuant to the terms of the Lender Warrant. In the event that, prior to June 30, 2015, we prepay the amount owed under the Credit Agreement in an amount greater than $9.1 million (i.e., in an amount greater than the Required Payment) then the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Lender Warrant is reduced by the pro rata amount by which the amount prepaid exceeds $9.1 million and is less than $15.1 million; provided that if, prior to June 30, 2015, we prepay at least $6 million in addition to the Required Payment (i.e., we prepay at least $15.1 million of the amount owed under the Credit Agreement by June 30, 2015) the Lender Warrant automatically terminates and the Holder has no rights under such Lender Warrant. The Lender Warrant includes piggy-back registration rights (subject to certain exceptions) beginning after September 1, 2015. Additionally, beginning September 1, 2015, the Holder (subject to the terms of the Lender Warrant) can demand that we register the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Lender Warrant in the event the Holder is unable to rely on Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for the sale of the shares of common stock underlying the Lender Warrant, which demand rights require that we file and obtain effectiveness of the applicable registration statement within 90 days after such demand (or 120 days after such demand in the event of a “full review” by the Securities and Exchange Commission), provided that if we are unable to meet the deadlines above, we are required to pay to the Holder on the first business day after the 90- or 120-day period, as applicable, and each 30th day thereafter (pro rata for any period of less than 30 days) until the registration statement is effective, an amount of damages equal to one percent (1%) of the exercise price of the Lender Warrant multiplied by the aggregate of (i) the total number of shares of common stock then issuable upon exercise of the Lender Warrant; and (ii) any previously exercised shares not sold by the Holder (the “Warrant Damages”). In the event any registration statement is declared effective and thereafter the Board of Directors determines in good faith that the use of the registration statement should be suspended, and any suspension or suspensions exist for more than 30 days in a row or 45 days in any year, Warrant Damages are payable to the Holder on each 30th day thereafter (pro rata for any period of less than 30 days), provided that no suspension shall continue for more than 90 days without the prior written consent of the Holder. The Lender Warrant also included standard indemnification rights and requirements for us to continue filing reports with the SEC in order for the Holder to use Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for the sale of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Lender Warrant.

 
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MidCap Loan Agreement

Effective March 27, 2015, the Company, Vertex Operating and all of the Company’s other subsidiaries other than E-Source and Golden State Lubricants Works, LLC “Golden State”, entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with MidCap Business Credit LLC (“MidCap” and the “MidCap Loan Agreement”). Pursuant to the MidCap Loan Agreement, MidCap agreed to loan us up to the lesser of (i) $7 million; and (ii) 85% of the amount of accounts receivable due to us which meet certain requirements set forth in the MidCap Loan Agreement (“Qualified Accounts”), plus the lesser of (y) $3 million and (z) 50% of the cost or market value, whichever is lower, of our raw material and finished goods which have not yet been sold, subject to the terms and conditions of the MidCap Loan Agreement (“Eligible Inventory”), minus any amount which MidCap may require from time to time in order to over secure amounts owed to MidCap under the MidCap Loan Agreement, as long as no event of default has occurred or is continuing under the terms of the MidCap Loan Agreement. The requirement of MidCap to make loans under the MidCap Loan Agreement is subject to certain standard conditions and requirements.

Notwithstanding the above, the parties agreed that until such time as (i) we raise funds sufficient to pay the Required Payment (defined above), or (ii) we enter into an amendment with the Lender to remove the requirement that we make the Required Payment, the advance rate against Qualified Accounts is reduced to 53% (compared to 85% after such date) and the advance rate against Eligible Inventory is reduced to 31% (compared to 50% after such date). Additionally, the advance rate against Qualified Accounts is reduced by 1% for each percentage point by which the following calculation, expressed as a percentage, exceeds 3%: (a) actual bad debt write-downs, discounts, advertising allowances, credits, or other dilutive items, divided by (b) gross sales (excluding non-recurring items), for any applicable period as determined by MidCap.

Effective on the closing date of the MidCap Loan Agreement, MidCap loaned us $500,000.

We are required to make immediate pre-payments of outstanding principal owed under the MidCap Note in the amount certain thresholds are exceeded as set forth in the MidCap Loan Agreement. We are also required to provide MidCap certain monthly reports and accountings.

We agreed to pay MidCap certain fees in connection with the MidCap Loan Agreement including (a) a non-refundable fee equal to 0.75% of the $7 million credit limit ($52,500), which was due upon our entry into the MidCap Loan Agreement, and is due on each anniversary thereafter; (b) reimbursement for MidCap’s audit fees incurred from time to time; a collateral monitoring charge of 0.20% of the greater of the average outstanding balance of the MidCap Note (as defined below) at the end of each month or $3 million; (c) a fee equal to 0.75% of the difference between the credit limit of $7 million and the greater of (i) the amount actually borrowed, and (ii) $3 million, as calculated in the MidCap Loan Agreement, payable monthly in arrears and added to the balance of the MidCap Note; and (d) a one-time placement fee equal to 0.50% of the $7 million credit limit which we paid upon our entry into the MidCap Loan Agreement.

 
4

 
 
The MidCap Loan Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, covenants for facilities of similar nature and size as the MidCap Loan Agreement, and requirements for the Company to indemnify MidCap for certain losses. The Credit Agreement also includes various covenants (positive and negative), binding the Company and its subsidiaries, including not permitting the availability for loans under the MidCap Loan Agreement to ever be less than 10% of the credit limit ($700,000); prohibiting us from creating liens on any collateral pledged under the MidCap Loan Agreement, subject to certain exceptions; and prohibiting us from paying any dividends on capital stock, advancing any money to any person, guarantying any debt, creating any indebtedness, and entering into any transactions with affiliates on terms more favorable than those of an arms-length third party transaction.

The MidCap Loan Agreement includes customary events of default for facilities of a similar nature and size as the MidCap Loan Agreement, including the occurrence of any event resulting in the principal amount of any indebtedness in excess of $250,000 from any lender other than MidCap to be accelerated or to provide the right of such lender to accelerate such date; the judgment against us in the amount of $250,000 which is not satisfied or appealed within 30 days; any event, transaction or occurrence as a result of which Benjamin P. Cowart is not for any reason actively engaged in the day-to-day management of the Company and its subsidiaries, unless (A) an interim successor reasonably acceptable to MidCap is appointed within 10 days, and (B) a permanent successor reasonably acceptable to MidCap is appointed within 60 days; a change of control of the Company occurs (as defined and described in the MidCap Loan Agreement); the occurrence of any uninsured loss, theft, damage or destruction to any material asset(s) of us or our subsidiaries; and if the Company, its subsidiaries or their senior officers is criminally indicted or convicted for (A) a felony committed in the conduct of our business, or (B) any state or federal law (including the Controlled Substances Act, Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 and Illegal Exportation of War Materials Act) that could lead to forfeiture of any material property or any collateral of the Company. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, MidCap can declare all amounts due to MidCap immediately due and payable, charge us default interest, which is equal to 3% per annum above the then applicable interest rate in effect, and MidCap can take action to enforce its security interests over the collateral provided for in the MidCap Loan Agreement.

The MidCap Loan Agreement continues in effect until the second anniversary of the parties’ entry into the Agreement, subject to right of the parties, subject to mutual agreement, to extend such rights and agreement, provided that we have the right to terminate the MidCap Loan Agreement at any time with 60 days prior written notice.  In the event we desire to terminate the MidCap Loan Agreement we are required to pay MidCap a termination fee of $70,000, subject to certain exceptions in the MidCap Loan Agreement.  We also have the right to terminate the agreement without providing 60 days’ prior notice as long as we pay MidCap the equivalent amount of interest which would have been due (as calculated in the MidCap Loan Agreement) for such 60 day period, along with the $70,000 termination fee. In the event the MidCap Loan Agreement is terminated by MidCap upon the occurrence of an event of default, we are required to pay MidCap a fee of $70,000 upon such termination.

We also entered into a Revolving Note (the “MidCap Note”) to evidence amounts borrowed from MidCap from time to time under the MidCap Loan Agreement. Interest on the MidCap Note accrues at a fluctuating rate equal to the aggregate of: (x) the prime rate then effect, and (y) 1.75% per annum, or at such other rate mutually agreed on from time to time by the parties, based upon the greater of (i) any balance owing under the MidCap Note at the close of each day; or (ii) a minimum assumed average daily loan balance of $3 million. Interest is payable in arrears, on the first day of each month that amounts are outstanding under the MidCap Note.

We and each of our subsidiaries subject to the MidCap Loan Agreement are jointly and severally liable for the repayment of amounts owed under the MidCap Note. Pursuant to the MidCap Loan Agreement, we granted MidCap a security interest in substantially all of our assets and provided MidCap junior mortgages on all real estate which we own, subject to the first priority mortgages of the Lender. Finally, MidCap and the Lender entered into an Intercreditor Agreement, which governs which of the lenders have first and second priority security interests over our assets which are pledged as collateral in order to secure repayment of the amounts owed pursuant to the Credit Agreement and MidCap Loan Agreement.

*****************

 
5

 

The foregoing descriptions of the Second Amendment, Lender Warrant, MidCap Loan Agreement MidCap Note and Intercreditor Agreement, do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Second Amendment, Lender Warrant, MidCap Loan Agreement, MidCap Note and Intercreditor Agreement, copies of which are attached as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4 and 10.5, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 1.02 TERMINATION OF A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT.

Effective on March 27, 2015, and in connection with our entry into the Second Amendment and MidCap Credit Agreement, described above under Item 1.01, we terminated the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with BOA which we entered into in May 2014 and which was amended in December 2014 (the “Amended BOA Credit Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Amended BOA Credit Agreement, BOA agreed to loan us up to $20 million. The BOA Credit Agreement was terminated in order to facilitate the entry by the Company into the MidCap Credit Agreement.

ITEM 2.03 CREATION OF A DIRECT FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OR AN OBLIGATION UNDER AN OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENT OF A REGISTRANT.

See the discussion under Item 1.01 above with respect to the MidCap Loan Agreement and MidCap Note, which is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 3.02. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

As described above in Item 1.01, we issued the Holder a Common Stock Purchase Warrant to purchase up to 1,766,874 shares of our common stock (the “Lender Warrant”). The Lender Warrant has an exercise price equal to the lower of (x) $3.395828553 per share and (y) the lowest price per share at which the Company issues any common stock (or sets an exercise price for the purchase of common stock in another security) between the date of our entry into the Lender Warrant and June 30, 2015, and expires on March 26, 2022. In the event that, prior to June 30, 2015, we prepay the amount owed under the Credit Agreement in an amount greater than $9.1 million (i.e., in an amount greater than the Required Payment defined above) then the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Lender Warrant is automatically reduced by the pro rata amount by that the amount prepaid exceeds $9.1 million and is less than $15.1 million, provided that if we prepay the Credit Agreement in an amount equal to at least $6 million in addition to the Required Payment (i.e., we prepay at least $15.1 million of the amount owed under the Credit Agreement) the Lender Warrant automatically terminates and the Holder has no rights under such Lender Warrant (the “Cancellation Provisions”). In the event the Lender Warrant is exercised in full, and notwithstanding the Cancellation Provisions, upon the full exercise of the Lender Warrant, the maximum amount of underlying common stock that may be issued upon such exercise is 1,766,874 shares of common stock.

We claim an exemption from registration for the grant of the Lender Warrant described above pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) and/or Rule 506 of Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), since the foregoing grant did not involve a public offering, the recipient was an “accredited investor”, the recipient acquired the securities for investment only and not with a view towards, or for resale in connection with, the public sale or distribution thereof. The securities were offered without any general solicitation by us or our representatives. The securities were not registered under the Securities Act and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

 
6

 
 
ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

Exhibit No.
Description
   
Second Amendment to Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated March 26, 2015, by and between Vertex Energy Operating, LLC, Vertex Energy, Inc., certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending Holdings, Inc. (“Lender”) and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for Lender
Common Stock Purchase Warrant to purchase 1,766,874 shares of common stock dated March 26, 2015, by Vertex Energy, Inc., in favor of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Loan and Security Agreement between Vertex Energy, Inc., Vertex Energy Operating, LLC, Vertex Acquisition Sub, LLC, Vertex Refining LA, LLC, Vertex II GP, LLC, Vertex Merger Sub, LLC, Cedar Marine Terminals, LP, Crossroad Carriers, L.P., H & H Oil, L. P., and Vertex Recovery, L.P., as borrower and MidCap Business Credit LLC, as lender, dated March 27, 2015
Revolving Note by Vertex Energy, Inc., Vertex Energy Operating, LLC, Vertex Acquisition Sub, LLC, Vertex Refining LA, LLC, Vertex II GP, LLC, Vertex Merger Sub, LLC, Cedar Marine Terminals, LP, Crossroad Carriers, L.P., H & H Oil, L. P., and Vertex Recovery, L.P. in favor of MidCap Business Credit LLC dated March 27, 2015, in the face amount of up to $7 million [provided that notwithstanding the face amount of such Revolving Note, the Revolving Note only evidences amounts borrowed under such security from time to time]
Intercreditor Agreement dated March 26, 2015, by and between MidCap Business Credit LLC and Goldman Sachs Bank USA

* Filed herewith.

# Certain portions of this document as filed herewith (which portions have been replaced by “***’s”) have been omitted in connection with a request for Confidential Treatment which will be submitted to the Commission in connection with this filing. This entire exhibit including the omitted confidential information has been/or will be filed separately with the Commission.

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
VERTEX ENERGY, INC.
   
Date: March 31, 2015
By: /s/ Chris Carlson
 
Chris Carlson
 
Chief Financial Officer


 
7

 


Exhibit No.
Description
   
Second Amendment to Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated March 26, 2015, by and between Vertex Energy Operating, LLC, Vertex Energy, Inc., certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, Goldman Sachs Specialty Lending Holdings, Inc. (“Lender”) and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent for Lender
Common Stock Purchase Warrant to purchase 1,766,874 shares of common stock dated March 26, 2015, by Vertex Energy, Inc., in favor of Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Loan and Security Agreement between Vertex Energy, Inc., Vertex Energy Operating, LLC, Vertex Acquisition Sub, LLC, Vertex Refining LA, LLC, Vertex II GP, LLC, Vertex Merger Sub, LLC, Cedar Marine Terminals, LP, Crossroad Carriers, L.P., H & H Oil, L. P., and Vertex Recovery, L.P., as borrower and MidCap Business Credit LLC, as lender, dated March 27, 2015
Revolving Note by Vertex Energy, Inc., Vertex Energy Operating, LLC, Vertex Acquisition Sub, LLC, Vertex Refining LA, LLC, Vertex II GP, LLC, Vertex Merger Sub, LLC, Cedar Marine Terminals, LP, Crossroad Carriers, L.P., H & H Oil, L. P., and Vertex Recovery, L.P. in favor of MidCap Business Credit LLC dated March 27, 2015, in the face amount of up to $7 million [provided that notwithstanding the face amount of such Revolving Note, the Revolving Note only evidences amounts borrowed under such security from time to time]
Intercreditor Agreement dated March 26, 2015, by and between MidCap Business Credit LLC and Goldman Sachs Bank USA
 
* Filed herewith.

# Certain portions of this document as filed herewith (which portions have been replaced by “***’s”) have been omitted in connection with a request for Confidential Treatment which will be submitted to the Commission in connection with this filing. This entire exhibit including the omitted confidential information has been/or will be filed separately with the Commission.

 
 
 
 8

EX-10.1 2 ex10-1.htm SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT DATED MARCH 26, 2015, BY AND BETWEEN VERTEX ENERGY OPERATING, LLC, VERTEX ENERGY, INC., CERTAIN OF THE COMPANY?S SUBSIDIARIES, GOLDMAN SACHS SPECIALTY LENDING HOLDINGS, INC. (?LENDER?) AND GOLDMAN SACHS BA ex10-1.htm


Exhibit 10.1
 
SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT (this “Amendment”) is entered into as of March 26, 2015, by and among VERTEX ENERGY OPERATING, LLC., a Texas limited liability company (“Company”), VERTEX ENERGY, INC., a Nevada corporation (“Holdings”), the other Credit Parties signatory hereto, the Lenders signatory hereto and GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, “Administrative Agent”) and as Collateral Agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, “Collateral Agent”).

RECITALS

A.          Company, Holdings, the other Credit Parties, Lenders and Administrative Agent are parties to a certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of May 2, 2014, as amended by that certain First Amendment to Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 5, 2014 (as may be further amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”; capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement), pursuant to which the Lenders have made certain financial accommodations available to Company;
 
B.           Certain Events of Default have occurred and are continuing, including, without limitation, the Events of Default set forth on Schedule A to this Amendment (the “Designated Defaults”); and
 
C.           Company has requested that the  Administrative Agent and Lenders amend certain provisions of the Credit Agreement and waive the Designated Defaults, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders executing this Amendment are willing to do so;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter contained, and intending to be legally bound, the parties agree as follows:

A.  AMENDMENTS
1.              Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by adding the following new definitions in appropriate alphabetical order:

Incremental Default Rate Percentage” means (i) to the extent that an Event of Default has arisen as a result of a failure to comply with Section 2.13(f), 4.00% per annum and (ii) otherwise,  2.00% per annum.

June 2015 Prepayment” as defined in Section 2.13(f).

Second Amendment Effective Date” means March 27, 2015.

 
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2.             Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is further amended by replacing the definitions of “ABL Agent”, “ABL Credit Agreement”, “Applicable Margin”, “Consolidated Liquidity”, “Fee Letter”, “Intercreditor Agreement” and “Leverage Ratio” in their entirety with the following in lieu thereof:

ABL Agent” means MidCap Business Credit LLC, a Texas limited liability company.

ABL Credit Agreement” means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, between the Company and ABL Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

“Applicable Margin” means (i) with respect to Term Loans that are LIBOR Rate Loans, (a) from the Second Amendment Effective Date until the date of delivery of the Compliance Certificate and the financial statements for the period ending March 31, 2016, a percentage, per annum, equal to 9.50%; and (b) thereafter, a percentage, per annum, determined by reference to the Leverage Ratio in effect from time to time as set forth below:

Leverage
Ratio
Applicable Margin
for Term Loans
Greater than or equal to 4.00:1.00
9.50%
Less than 4.00:1.00
but greater than or equal to 3.00:1.00
7.50%
Less than 3.00:1.00
but greater than or equal to 2.50:1.00
7.00%
Less than 2.50:1.00
6.50%

and (ii) with respect Term Loans that are Base Rate Loans, an amount equal to (a) the Applicable Margin for LIBOR Rate Loans as set forth in clause (i)(a) or (i)(b) above, as applicable, minus (b) 1.00% per annum.  With respect to changes in the Applicable Margin resulting from the delivery of the applicable financial statements, no change in the Applicable Margin shall be effective until three Business Days after the date on which Administrative Agent shall have received the applicable financial statements pursuant to Section 5.1(b) or (c) and a Compliance Certificate calculating the Leverage Ratio pursuant to Section 5.1(d).  At any time Company has not submitted to Administrative Agent the applicable information as and when required under Section 5.1(b), (c) or (d), the Applicable Margin shall be determined as if the Leverage Ratio were greater than or equal to 4.00:1.00.  Within one Business Day of receipt of the applicable information under Section 5.1(b) or (c) and Section 5.1(d), Administrative Agent shall give each Lender telefacsimile or telephonic notice (confirmed in writing) of the Applicable Margin in effect from such date.  Without limitation of any other provision of this Agreement or any other remedy available to Administrative Agent or Lenders under any of the Credit Documents, to the extent that any financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(b) or (c) or any information contained in any Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(d) shall be incorrect in any manner and Company or any other Credit Party shall deliver to Administrative Agent and/or Lenders corrected financial statements or other corrected information in a Compliance Certificate (or otherwise), Administrative Agent may recalculate the Applicable Margin based upon such corrected financial statements or such other corrected information, and, upon written notice thereof to Company, the Term Loans shall bear interest based upon such recalculated Applicable Margin retroactively from the date of delivery of the erroneous financial statements or other erroneous information in question.
 

 
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Consolidated Liquidity” means, as of any date, an amount determined for Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis equal to the sum of (i) Cash-on-hand of Holdings and its Subsidiaries held in one or more Controlled Accounts as of such date, but excluding funds in the Vertex Refining Cash Collateral Account, plus (ii) the aggregate amount that may be drawn under the ABL Credit Agreement at such time (giving effect to any limitations on availability contained herein or therein, other than the limitation set forth in clause (i) of the proviso to Section 6.1(c)).
 
 “Fee Letter” means that certain amended and restated letter agreement, dated as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, between Company and Administrative Agent.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means the ratio as of the last day of (i) the Fiscal Quarter ending on December 31, 2015 of (a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the two Fiscal Quarter period ending on such date, to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such two Fiscal Quarters, (ii) the Fiscal Quarter ending on March 31, 2016 of (a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the three Fiscal Quarter period ending on such date, to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such three Fiscal Quarter period, and (iii) any other Fiscal Quarter of (a) Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the four-Fiscal Quarter period then ending, to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such four-Fiscal Quarter period.

Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, by and between Administrative Agent and the ABL Agent, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Total Debt as of such date, to (ii) Consolidated Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA for the period of 12 consecutive fiscal months ending on such date (or if such date of determination is not the last day of a fiscal month, for the most recently ended period of 12 consecutive fiscal months for which financial statements have been delivered); provided, that (x) during the period commencing on December 31, 2015 and continuing through but excluding March 31, 2016, for purposes of clause (ii) above,  Consolidated Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA shall be measured for the period of 6 consecutive fiscal months ending on such date, and multiplied by two, and  (y) during the period commencing on March 31, 2016 and continuing through but excluding June 30, 2016, for purposes of clause (ii) above, Consolidated Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA shall be measured for the period of 9 consecutive fiscal months ending on such date, and multiplied by 4/3.

 
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3.             Section 2.9 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and modified by deleting such Section in its entirety and inserting the following in lieu thereof:

2.9           Default Interest.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, the principal amount of all Term Loans outstanding and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any interest payments on the Term Loans or any fees or other amounts owed hereunder, shall thereafter bear interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code or other applicable bankruptcy laws) payable on demand at a rate that is the Incremental Default Rate Percentage in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder with respect to the applicable Term Loans (or, in the case of any such fees and other amounts, at a rate which is Incremental Default Rate Percentage in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans); provided, any LIBOR Rate Loans may be converted to Base Rate Loans at the election of Administrative Agent at any time after the occurrence of such Event of Default (irrespective of whether the Interest Period in effect at the time of such conversion has expired) and thereupon shall become Base Rate Loans and shall thereafter bear interest payable upon demand at a rate which is the Incremental Default Rate Percentage in excess of the interest rate otherwise payable hereunder for Base Rate Loans.  Payment or acceptance of the increased rates of interest provided for in this Section 2.9 is not a permitted alternative to timely payment and shall not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit any rights or remedies of Administrative Agent or any Lender.

4.           Section 2.11 of the Credit Agreement is amended by replacing such Section in its entirety with the following:

2.11           Scheduled Payments.  The principal amounts of the Term Loans shall be repaid in consecutive quarterly installments (each, an “Installment”) in the aggregate amounts set forth below on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter (each, an “Installment Date”), commencing June 30, 2014:
 
Fiscal Quarter
Term Loan Installments
For the Fiscal Quarters ended June 30, 2014, September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014
$300,000
March 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015
$0
For the Fiscal Quarter ended September 30, 2015 and each Fiscal Quarter thereafter
$800,000

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) such Installments shall be reduced in connection with any voluntary or mandatory prepayments of the Term Loans in accordance with Sections 2.11, 2.12 and 2.13, as applicable; and (y) the Term Loans, together with all other amounts owed hereunder with respect thereto, shall, in any event, be paid in full in Cash no later than the Term Loan Maturity Date.
 

 
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5.             Section 2.13 of the Credit Agreement is amended by replacing subsections (f) and (g) in their entirety with the following:

(f)           June 2015 Prepayment.  After the Second Amendment Effective Date and on or prior to June 30, 2015, Company shall prepay the Term Loan in an aggregate amount of not less than $9,100,000 (the “June 2015 Prepayment”).

(g)           Prepayment of Excess Outstanding Amounts.  To the extent that (x) the Consolidated Total Debt as of such date exceeds (y) (1) Consolidated Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA for the twelve month period ending on the last day of the most recently ended fiscal month for which financial statements have been delivered under Section 5.1(a), multiplied by (2) the maximum Leverage Ratio permitted under Section 6.8(b) with respect to the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter, Company shall immediately prepay the Term Loans (or with the written approval of the Administrative Agent, the loans outstanding under the ABL Credit Agreement) in an amount equal to 100% of such excess; provided, however, that (i) no prepayments under this subsection (g) shall be required from the Second Amendment Effective Date through but excluding December 31, 2015, (ii) during the period commencing on December 31, 2015 and continuing through but excluding  March 31, 2016, for purposes of clause (y)(1) above, Consolidated Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA shall be measured for the six-month period ending on the last day of the most recently ended fiscal month for which financial statements have been delivered under Section 5.1(a), and multiplied by 2, and (iii)  during the period commencing on March 31, 2016 and continuing through but excluding June 30, 2016, for purposes of clause (y)(1) above Consolidated Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA shall be measured for the nine-month period ending on the last day of the most recently ended fiscal month for which financial statements have been delivered under Section 5.1(a), multiplied by 4/3.
 
6.             Section 5.1 of the Credit Agreement is amended by replacing subsections (s), (u) and (v) in their entirety with the following:

(s)           Borrowing Base Certificates.  No less frequently than monthly, (i) a borrowing base certificate as of the last day of such month certifying as to the Borrowing Base (as defined under the ABL Credit Agreement), and (ii) all supporting information for the calculation of the Borrowing Base, including supporting schedules, inventory listings, accounts payable, accounts receivable agings and such other information as the ABL Agent may have delivered.
 

 
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(u)   Notices and information furnished under the ABL Credit Agreement.  A copy of each item received or delivered by any Credit Party pursuant to Sections 8 and 13 of the ABL Credit Agreement and each loan request delivered under the ABL Credit Agreement; provided, that the inventory status reports and loan and collateral descriptions required to be delivered under Sections 13(a)(vi) and (vii) of the ABL Credit Agreement shall not be required to be delivered more frequently than once in any fiscal month under this Section 5.1(u).
 
(v)   ABL Loan Certificate.  Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements pursuant to Section 5.1(a), any borrowing base certificate pursuant to Section 5.1(s) and any Loan Request pursuant to Section 5.1(u), a certificate from an Authorized Officer demonstrating that (after giving pro forma effect to such Loan Request in the case of a certificate delivered together with a Loan Request), (x) the Leverage Ratio (measuring Consolidated Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA for the most recently ended twelve month period for which financial statements have been delivered) would not exceed the maximum Leverage Ratio permitted under Section 6.8(b) with respect to the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter and (y) Consolidated Liquidity shall not be less than the minimum Consolidated Liquidity set forth in Section 6.8(d); provided, however, that (i) clause (x) above shall be suspended and have no effect from the Second Amendment Effective Date through but excluding December 31, 2015, (ii) during the period commencing on December 31, 2015 and continuing through but excluding March 31, 2016, for purposes of clause (x) above, Consolidated Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA shall be measured for the six-month period ending on the last day of the most recently ended fiscal month for which financial statements have been delivered under Section 5.1(a), multiplied by 2, and (iii)  during the period commencing on March 31, 2016 and continuing through but excluding June 30, 2016, Consolidated Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA shall be measured for the nine-month period ending on the last day of the most recently ended fiscal month for which financial statements have been delivered under Section 5.1(a), multiplied by 4/3.
 
7.           Section 5.13 of the Credit Agreement is amended by relettering the existing Section as subsection (a) and adding the following as a new subsection (b):

(b)           Holdings shall issue shares of its common Capital Stock after the Second Amendment Effective Date and on or prior to June 30, 2015, the net cash proceeds of which received by Holdings are at least $9,100,000.  Holdings shall immediately contribute the net cash proceeds of such issuance of Capital Stock to Company for application to the Obligations in accordance with Section 2.13(f).

 
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8.             Section 6.1(c) of the Credit Agreement is amended by replacing such subsection in its entirety with the following:

(c)           Indebtedness incurred by Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries under the ABL Credit Agreement in an aggregate amount outstanding not to exceed $7,000,000 at any time; provided, that

(1) notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate outstanding amount of Indebtedness under the ABL Credit Agreement shall not exceed $6,000,000 at any time during the period commencing on the Second Amendment Effective Date through but excluding December 31, 2015,

(2) no Indebtedness may be borrowed or incurred under the ABL Credit Agreement if after giving effect thereto (x) any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing hereunder, (y) the aggregate loans and letters of credit extended under the ABL Credit Agreement would exceed the Borrowing Base (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement as in effect on the Closing Date), or (z) the Leverage Ratio (measuring Consolidated Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA for the most recently ended twelve month period for which financial statements have been delivered) would exceed the maximum Leverage Ratio permitted under Section 6.8(b) with respect to the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter, provided, however, that (i) this clause (z) shall be suspended and have no effect from the Second Amendment Effective Date through but excluding December 31, 2015, (ii) during the period commencing on December 31, 2015 and continuing through but excluding March 31, 2016, for purposes of this clause (2), Consolidated Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA shall be measured for the six-month period ending on the last day of the most recently ended fiscal month for which financial statements have been delivered under Section 5.1(a), multiplied by 2, and (iii)  during the period commencing on March 31, 2016 and continuing through but excluding June 30, 2016, for purposes of this clause (2), Consolidated Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA shall be measured for the nine-month period ending on the last day of the most recently ended fiscal month for which financial statements have been delivered under Section 5.1(a), multiplied by 4/3, and

(3) no Indebtedness may be borrowed or incurred under the ABL Credit Agreement unless the Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent at least one Business Day prior to the funding or issuance of such Indebtedness a certificate certifying in reasonable detail that the conditions in clauses (1) and (2) above are satisfied, and the Administrative Agent shall have confirmed in writing that the conditions in clauses (1) and (2) above are satisfied;

(4) Vertex Refining NV shall not be permitted to guaranty any Indebtedness under or with respect to the ABL Credit Agreement to the extent that the Bango Acquisition is consummated pursuant to Section 6.9(g)(ii) without the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Guaranty of the Obligations by Vertex Refining NV is released pursuant to Section 7.12; and

 
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(5) Vertex Refining OH shall not be permitted to guaranty any Indebtedness under or with respect to the ABL Credit Agreement.

9.             Section 6.8 of the Credit Agreement is amended by replacing subsections (a), (b), (c) and (d) thereof in their entirety with the following:

(a)   Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.  Holdings shall not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2015, to be less than the correlative ratio indicated:

Fiscal Quarter
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
For the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2015
1.00:1.00
For the Fiscal Quarter ending March 31, 2016
1.10:1.00
For the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2016
1.10:1.00
For the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2016
1.20:1.00
For the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2016
1.20:1.00
For the Fiscal Quarter ending March 31, 2017 and each Fiscal Quarter ending thereafter
1.25:1.00

(b)   Leverage Ratio.  Holdings shall not permit the Leverage Ratio as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter, beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2015, to exceed the correlative ratio indicated:

Fiscal Quarter
Leverage
Ratio
For the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2015
4.00:1.00
For the Fiscal Quarter ending March 31, 2016
4.00:1.00
For the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2016
3.75:1.00
For the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2016
3.75:1.00
For the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2016
3.50:1.00
For the Fiscal Quarter ending March 31, 2017
3.25:1.00
For the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2017
3.00:1.00
For the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2017
3.00:1.00
For the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2017
2.75:1.00
For the Fiscal Quarter ending March 31, 2018 and each Fiscal Quarter ending thereafter
2.50:1.00

 
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(c)   Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA.  Holdings shall not permit Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as at the end of any Fiscal Quarter, beginning with the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2015, to be less than the correlative number below:

Fiscal Quarter
Consolidated
Adjusted EBITDA
For the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2015
$1,000,000
For the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2015
$3,000,000
For the Fiscal Quarter ending December 31, 2015
$5,500,000
For the Fiscal Quarter ending March 31, 2016
$8,000,000
For the Fiscal Quarter ending June 30, 2016
$9,000,000
For the Fiscal Quarter ending September 30, 2016 and each Fiscal Quarter ending thereafter
$10,000,000

For the purposes of determining compliance with this Section 6.8(c), Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as at the end of any Fiscal Quarter shall be equal to (i) with respect to the Fiscal Quarter ending on June 30, 2015, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the Fiscal Quarter ending on such date, (ii) with respect to the Fiscal Quarter ending on September 30, 2015, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the two Fiscal Quarter Period ending on such date, (iii) with respect to the Fiscal Quarter ending on December 31, 2015, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the three Fiscal Quarter period ending on such date, and (iv) with respect to any other Fiscal Quarter, Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters ending on such date.

(d)   Minimum Consolidated Liquidity.  Holdings shall not permit Consolidated Liquidity to be less than (i) $750,000 at any time from and after the Second Amendment Effective Date and on or prior to June 30, 2015, (ii) $1,500,000 at any time after June 30, 2015 and on or prior to December 31, 2015, (iii) $2,000,000 at any time after December 31, 2015 and on or prior to June 30, 2016, (iv) $2,500,000 at any time after June 30, 2016 and on or prior to December 31, 2016, and (v) $3,000,000 at any time after December 31, 2016.

 
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10.           Article VI of the Credit Agreement is amended by inserting the following new Section 6.21 at the end thereof:

Section 6.21.  Vertex Merger Sub, LLC.  Unless and until Vertex Merger Sub, LLC, a California limited liability company (“Vertex Merger Sub”), shall be in good standing under the laws of the State of California and the Credit Parties shall have delivered a good standing certificate evidencing such status to the Administrative Agent, (a) no other Credit Party shall (i) make any loan to or other Investment in Vertex Merger Sub, (ii) transfer, sell or otherwise dispose of any assets to Vertex Merger Sub, (iii) make any Restricted Junior Payment to Vertex Merger Sub, (iv) guarantee any Indebtedness of Vertex Merger Sub (other than the Obligations and the obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement), or (v) grant any Liens in its assets to secure Indebtedness of Vertex Merger Sub (other than the Obligations and the obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement) and (b) Vertex Merger Sub shall not have any operations or assets other than the minimum capital required to maintain its existence and activities related thereto.
 
B.  WAIVER OF DESIGNATED DEFAULTS
 
Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section D, the Administrative Agent and Lenders hereby waive the Designated Defaults.  The waiver contained in this Section B is a limited waiver and (i) shall only be relied upon and used for the specific purpose set forth herein, (ii) shall not constitute nor be deemed to constitute a waiver, except as otherwise expressly set forth herein, of (a) any Default or Event of Default or (b) any term or condition of the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, (iii) shall not constitute nor be deemed to constitute a consent by any Agent or any Lender to anything other than the specific purpose set forth herein and (iv) shall not constitute a custom or course of dealing among the parties hereto.

 
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C.  RELEASE
 
1.           In consideration of, among other things, Administrative Agent’s, Collateral Agent’s and the Lenders’ execution and delivery of this Agreement, each of Company and the other Credit Parties, on behalf of itself and its agents, representatives, officers, directors, advisors, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Releasors”), hereby forever agrees and covenants not to sue or prosecute against any Releasee (as hereinafter defined) and hereby forever waives, releases and discharges, to the fullest extent permitted by law, each Releasee from any and all claims (including, without limitation, crossclaims, counterclaims, rights of set-off and recoupment), actions, causes of action, suits, debts, accounts, interests, liens, promises, warranties, damages and consequential damages, demands, agreements, bonds, bills, specialties, covenants, controversies, variances, trespasses, judgments, executions, costs, expenses or claims whatsoever, that such Releasor now has or hereafter may have, of whatsoever nature and kind, whether known or unknown, whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether arising at law or in equity (collectively, the “Claims”), against Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent and the Lenders party hereto in any capacity and their respective affiliates, subsidiaries, and their respective successors and assigns and each and all of the officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys, advisors and other representatives of each of the foregoing (collectively, the “Releasees”), based in whole or in part on facts, whether or not now known, existing on or before the date hereof, that relate to, arise out of or otherwise are in connection with: (i) any or all of the Credit Documents or transactions contemplated thereby or any actions or omissions in connection therewith or (ii) any aspect of the dealings or relationships between or among Company and the other Credit Parties, on the one hand, and any or all of Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent or the Lenders party hereto, on the other hand, relating to any or all of the documents, transactions, actions or omissions referenced in clause (i) hereof.  In entering into this Agreement, Company and each other Credit Party consulted with, and has been represented by, legal counsel and expressly disclaims any reliance on any representations, acts or omissions by any of the Releasees and hereby agrees and acknowledges that the validity and effectiveness of the releases set forth above do not depend in any way on any such representations, acts and/or omissions or the accuracy, completeness or validity thereof.  The provisions of this Section shall survive the termination of this Amendment, the Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents and payment in full of the Obligations.

2.           Company and other Credit Parties each hereby agrees that it shall be, jointly and severally, obligated to indemnify and hold the Releasees harmless with respect to any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever incurred by the Releasees, or any of them, whether direct, indirect or consequential, as a result of or arising from or relating to any proceeding by or on behalf of any Person, including, without limitation, the respective officers, directors, agents, trustees, creditors, partners or shareholders of Company, any other Credit Party, or any of their respective Subsidiaries, whether threatened or initiated, in respect of any claim for legal or equitable remedy under any statue, regulation or common law principle arising from or in connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery, performance, administration and enforcement of the Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents, this Amendment or any other document executed and/or delivered in connection herewith or therewith; provided, that neither Company nor any other Credit Party shall have any obligation to indemnify or hold harmless any Releasee hereunder with respect to liabilities to the extent they result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of that Releasee as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.  If and to the extent that the foregoing undertaking may be unenforceable for any reason, Company and other Credit Parties each agrees to make the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction thereof that is permissible under applicable law.  The foregoing indemnity shall survive the termination of this Amendment, the Credit Agreement, the other Credit Documents and the payment in full of the Obligations.

 
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3.           Each of Company and other Credit Parties, on behalf of itself and its successors, assigns, and other legal representatives, hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably, covenants and agrees with and in favor of each Releasee that it will not sue (at law, in equity, in any regulatory proceeding or otherwise) any Releasee on the basis of any Claim released, remised and discharged by Company or any other Credit Party pursuant to Section C(1) hereof.  If Company, any other Credit Party or any of its successors, assigns or other legal representatives violates the foregoing covenant, Company and other Credit Parties, each for itself and its successors, assigns and legal representatives, agrees to pay, in addition to such other damages as any Releasee may sustain as a result of such violation, all attorneys’ fees and costs incurred by any Releasee as a result of such violation.
 
D. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS
 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Amendment and without affecting in any manner the rights of the Lenders hereunder, it is understood and agreed that this Amendment shall not become effective, including, without limitation, the amendments contained in Section A and the waiver contained in Section B, and the Company shall have no rights hereunder until satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on or prior to March 27, 2015:

1.           The Administrative Agent and Lenders shall have received each of the following documents, each dated as of the date hereof and in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and Lenders:

a.           executed counterparts to this Amendment from Company, each of the Guarantors and the Lenders;

b.           executed counterparts of the Intercreditor Agreement from ABL Agent, Company and each of the Guarantors; and

c.           executed counterparts of the Fee Letter from Company; and

d.           warrants for Capital Stock of Holdings, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (collectively, the “Warrants”), executed by Holdings and issued to Goldman Sachs & Co.;

2.           The Administrative Agent shall have received originally executed copies of the favorable written opinions of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Dean Allcorn, Esq., and Fennemore Craig, P.C., counsel for Credit Parties, as to this Amendment, the Warrants (as defined below) and such other matters as Administrative Agent may reasonably request, dated as of the Second Amendment Effective Date, and otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent.

 
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3.           The Administrative Agent shall have received (a) either sufficient copies of each Organizational Document executed and delivered by each Credit Party, as applicable, and, to the extent applicable, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate governmental official, each dated the Second Amendment Effective Date or a recent date prior thereto or, if such Organizational Documents were previously delivered to the Administrative Agent, a certification that such previously delivered Organizational Documents have not been amended and remain in full force and effect; (b) signature and incumbency certificates of the officers of such Person executing the Amendment and the other documents contemplated hereby to which it is a party; (c) resolutions of the Board of Directors or similar governing body of each Credit Party approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment and the other documents contemplated hereby, certified as of the Second Amendment Effective Date by its secretary or an assistant secretary as being in full force and effect without modification or amendment; and (d) except with respect to Vertex Merger Sub, LLC, a good standing certificate from the applicable Governmental Authority of each Credit Party’s jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation and in each jurisdiction in which it is qualified as a foreign corporation or other entity to do business, each dated a recent date prior to the Second Amendment Effective Date.

4.           The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of (a) the fully executed ABL Credit Agreement and each of the “Loan Documents” (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) related thereto (certified by an Authorized Officer of the Company), all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Administrative Agent, and (b) all lien searches, title commitments (if any) and title policies (if any) delivered to ABL Agent in connection with the ABL Credit Agreement.  The ABL Credit Agreement shall have become effective in accordance with its terms and the ABL Agent and lenders under the ABL Credit Agreement shall have made the initial revolving loans thereunder.

5.           Holdings and its Subsidiaries shall, contemporaneously with the closing of the Second Amendment, have (i) repaid in full in Cash any ABL Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement without giving effect to this Amendment) and any other amounts owed under the ABL Credit Agreement (as defined in the Credit Agreement without giving effect to this Amendment), (ii) terminated any commitments to lend or make other extensions of credit thereunder, (iii) delivered to Administrative Agent payoff letter from Bank of America, N.A. and (except to the extent permitted to be delivered following such repayment under the terms of the applicable payoff letter) all documents or instruments necessary to release all Liens securing such Indebtedness or other obligations of Holdings and its Subsidiaries thereunder being repaid on the Second Amendment Effective Date (which documents or instruments releasing Liens may be delivered in escrow pending solely the payment of the funds required in the related payoff letter or subject to other arrangements satisfactory to Administrative Agent), in each case in form and substance satisfactory to Administrative Agent, and (iv) made arrangements satisfactory to Administrative Agent with respect to the cancellation of any letters of credit outstanding thereunder to support the obligations of Holdings and its Subsidiaries with respect thereto.

6.          The Administrative Agent shall have received reimbursement or payment of its costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Amendment or the Credit Agreement (including reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to Administrative Agent).

 
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E.  REPRESENTATIONS
 
To induce the Lenders, Collateral Agent and Administrative Agent to enter into this Amendment, each Credit Party hereby represents and warrants to the Lenders, Collateral Agent and Administrative Agent that:

1.           Each of Holdings and its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Amendment and to carry out the transactions contemplated hereby, and (c) is qualified to do business and in good standing in every jurisdiction where its assets are located and wherever necessary to carry out its business and operations, except in jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing has not had, and could not be reasonably expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect.

2.           The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of each Credit Party that is a party thereto.

3.           The execution, delivery and performance by Credit Parties of this Amendment and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not (a) violate any provision of any law or any governmental rule or regulation applicable to Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, any of the Organizational Documents of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, or any order, judgment or decree of any court or other agency of government binding on Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries; (b) conflict with, result in a breach of or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any Contractual Obligation of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries; (c) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the properties or assets of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any Liens created under any of the Credit Documents in favor of Collateral  Agent, on behalf of Secured Parties); or (d) require any approval of stockholders, members or partners or any approval or consent of any Person under any Contractual Obligation of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such approvals or consents which will be obtained on or before the date hereof and disclosed in writing to Lenders.

4.            The execution, delivery and performance by Credit Parties of this Amendment and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby do not and will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or other action to, with or by, any Governmental Authority.

5.            This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by each Credit Party and is the legally valid and binding obligation of such Credit Party, enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.

6.           After giving effect to this Amendment, the representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof to the same extent as though made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties were true and correct in all material respects on and as of such earlier date, and, other than the Designated Defaults, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing as of the date hereof.

 
14

 

F.  OTHER AGREEMENTS
 
1.           Post-Closing.  (a)  On or prior to the date that is thirty (30) days following the Second Amendment Effective Date, the Company shall have opened a Deposit Account at Bank of America, N.A. (or another bank reasonably acceptable to Administrative Agent) to receive the proceeds of the issuance of Capital Stock of Holdings required under Section 5.13(b) hereof (and any related or contemporaneous issuances of Capital Stock) and the Credit Parties shall have delivered a control agreement among the ABL Agent, Administrative Agent, Company and the relevant bank sufficient to cause such Deposit Account to be a Controlled Account and providing for the Administrative Agent to have a first priority lien in such Deposit Account and the ABL Agent to have a second priority lien in such Deposit Account. (b) On or prior to the date that is ten Business Days following the Second Amendment Effective Date (or such later date consented to in writing by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), the Administrative Agent shall have received the items described on Schedule B to this Amendment in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

2.           Continuing Effectiveness of Loan Documents.  As amended hereby, all terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall be and remain in full force and effect and shall constitute the legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligations of the Credit Parties party thereto, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or limiting creditors’ rights generally or by equitable principles relating to enforceability.  To the extent any terms and conditions in any of the other Credit Documents shall contradict or be in conflict with any terms or conditions of the Credit Agreement, after giving effect to this Amendment, such terms and conditions are hereby deemed modified and amended accordingly to reflect the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement as modified and amended hereby. Upon the effectiveness of this Amendment such terms and conditions are hereby deemed modified and amended accordingly to reflect the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement as modified and amended hereby.  The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of the Lenders under the Credit Agreement, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of the Credit Agreement.  This Amendment shall constitute a Credit Document for all purposes of the Credit Agreement.

3.           Reaffirmation of Guaranty.  Holdings and each other Guarantor consents to the execution and delivery by the Company of this Amendment and the consummation of the transactions described herein, and ratifies and confirms the terms of the Guaranty to which such Guarantor is a party with respect to the Indebtedness now or hereafter outstanding under the Credit Agreement as amended hereby and all promissory notes issued thereunder. Each Guarantor acknowledges that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other document evidencing any Indebtedness of Company to the Lenders or any other Obligation of Company, or any actions now or hereafter taken by the Lenders with respect to any Obligation of Company, the Guaranty to which any Guarantor is a party (i) is and shall continue to be a primary obligation of such Guarantor, (ii) is and shall continue to be an absolute, unconditional, continuing and irrevocable guaranty of payment, and (iii) is and shall continue to be in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.  Nothing contained herein to the contrary shall release, discharge, modify, change or affect the original liability of each Guarantor under the Guaranty to which such Guarantor is a party.

 
15

 

4.           Acknowledgment of Perfection of Security Interest. Each Credit Party hereby acknowledges that, as of the date hereof, the security interests and Liens granted to Collateral Agent and the Lenders under the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents, including, without limitations, Liens granted under the Mortgages, are in full force and effect, are properly perfected and are enforceable in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

5.           APPLICABLE LAW.   THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAWS PRINCIPLES (OTHER THAN SECTIONS 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE NEW YORK GENERAL OBLIGATIONS LAW) THEREOF.

6.           No Novation.  This Amendment is not intended by the parties to be, and shall not be construed to be, a novation of the Credit Agreement and the other Credit Documents or an accord and satisfaction in regard thereto.

7.           Costs and Expenses.  The Company agrees to pay on demand all costs and expenses of Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment, including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of outside counsel for Administrative Agent with respect thereto.

8.           Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed by one or more of the parties hereto in any number of separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which, taken together, shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Amendment by facsimile transmission or electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

9.           Binding Nature.  This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto, their respective successors, successors-in-titles, and assigns.  No third party beneficiaries are intended in connection with this Amendment.

10.         Entire Understanding.  This Amendment sets forth the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters set forth herein, and shall supersede any prior negotia­tions or agreements, whether written or oral, with respect thereto.

[remainder of page intentionally left blank]


 
16

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Amendment has been duly executed as of the date first written above.

 
VERTEX ENERGY OPERATING, LLC
 
         
         
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart  
   
Name:
   
   
Title:
   
         
         
         
 
VERTEX ENERGY, INC.
 
         
         
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart  
   
Name:
   
   
Title:
   
         
         
         
 
VERTEX ACQUISITION SUB, LLC
 
         
         
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart  
   
Name:
   
   
Title:
   
         
         
 
VERTEX MERGER SUB, LLC
 
         
         
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart  
   
Name:
   
   
Title:
   
         
         
         
 
VERTEX REFINING NV, LLC
 
         
         
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart  
   
Name:
   
   
Title:
   


 
17

 

 
VERTEX REFINING LA, LLC
 
         
         
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart  
   
Name:
   
   
Title:
   
         
         
 
CEDAR MARINE TERMINALS, LP
 
         
         
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart  
   
Name:
   
   
Title:
   
         
         
         
 
CROSSROAD CARRIERS, L.P.
 
         
         
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart  
   
Name:
   
   
Title:
   
         
         
 
VERTEX RECOVERY, L.P.
 
         
         
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart  
   
Name:
   
   
Title:
   
         
         
 
H & H OIL, LP.
 
         
         
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart  
   
Name:
   
   
Title:
   
         
 
VERTEX II GP, LLC
 
         
         
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart  
   
Name:
   
   
Title:
   

 
18

 
 
 
GOLDEN STATE LUBRICANTS WORKS, LLC
 
         
         
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart  
   
Name:
   
   
Title:
   









 
19

 
 
 
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, a New York State-Chartered Bank, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
 
         
         
 
By:
/s/ Stephen W. Hipp  
   
Name:
Stephen W. Hipp  
   
Title:
Authorized Signatory  
         
         
 
GOLDMAN SACHS SPECIALTY LENDING HOLDINGS, INC., as a Lender
 
         
         
 
By:
/s/ Stephen W. Hipp  
   
Name:
Stephen W. Hipp  
   
Title:
Authorized Signatory  







 
20

 

Schedule A

Existing Defaults
 
a)           Events of Default under Section 8.1(a) of the Credit Agreement due to the failure of the Company to prepay the Term Loans pursuant to Section 2.13(g) of the Credit Agreement on each date from and including August 30, 2014 to and including January 15, 2015 due to (x) Consolidated Total Debt exceeding (y) Consolidated Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA for each twelve month period ending on or after August 31, 2014 and on or prior to December 31, 2014, multiplied by the maximum Leverage Ratio permitted under Section 6.8(b) of the Credit Agreement with respect to the immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter.
 
b)           Events of Default under Section 8.1(b) of the Credit Agreement due to the failure of the Company to satisfy the requirements of Items 2, 3, 4 and 6 of that certain Post-Closing Letter Agreement, dated May 2, 2014, among the Company, Holdings and the ABL Agent in violation of Section 11.2 of the ABL Credit Agreement;
 
c)           Event of Default under Section 8.1(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement due to the occurrence and continuation of “Defaults” (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) under the ABL Credit Agreement as set forth in greater detail in that certain Notice of Event of Default, dated as of November 6, 2014.
 
d)           Event of Default under Section 8.1(c) of the Credit Agreement due to the failure of Holdings to timely deliver to Administrative Agent and Lenders the financial statements set forth in Sections 5.1(a), 5.1(d) and 5.1(v) for the month ending on September 30, 2014.
 
e)           Event of Default under Section 8.1(c) of the Credit Agreement due to the failure of Holdings to comply with Section 5.13 to immediately deposit the net cash proceeds from the Post Close Equity Raise into the Vertex Refining Cash Collateral Account.
 
f)           Event of Default under Section 8.1(c) of the Credit Agreement due to the acquisition of the remaining Capital Stock of E-Source in violation of Section 6.7 of the Credit Agreement.
 
g)           Events of Default under Section 8.1(c) of the Credit Agreement due to the failure of Holdings to comply with the requirements set forth in Sections 6.8(a), 6.8(b) and 6.8(c) as of the last day of the Fiscal Quarters ending September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2014;
 
h)           Event of Default under Section 8.1(c) of the Credit Agreement due to the failure of Holdings to comply with the requirements set forth in Section 6.8(d) by permitting the Consolidated Liquidity to be less than $3,000,000 at any time from and after the Closing Date;
 
i)           Event of Default under Section 8.1(c) of the Credit Agreement due to the failure to deliver a Compliance Certificate with respect to the Fiscal Quarter ending on December 31, 2014.
 

 
21

 
 
j)           Events of Default under Section 8.1(c) of the Credit Agreement due to the failure to deliver separate financial statements for Vertex Refining NV and Vertex Refining OH with respect to the Fiscal Month and Fiscal Year ending on December 31, 2014 in violation of Sections 5.1(a) and 5.1(b) of the Credit Agreement.
 
k)           Event of Default under Section 8.1(c) of the Credit Agreement due to the formation of Vertex Refining OH in violation of Section 6.13 of the Credit Agreement;
 
l)           Events of Default under Section 8.1(c) of the Credit Agreement due to the entry by Holdings into non-binding Letters of Intent with certain third parties in violation of Section 6.14 of the Credit Agreement;
 
m)           Event of Default under Section 8.1(c) of the Credit Agreement due to the entry by Company into that certain Consulting Agreement with Heartland Group Holdings, LLC dated July 18, 2014.
 
n)           Event of Default under Section 8.1(c) of the Credit Agreement due to the entry by Holdings into that certain Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2014 with certain third parties in violation of Section 6.14 of the Credit Agreement; and
 
o)           Events of Default under Section 8.1(e) of the Credit Agreement due to the failure of the Company to satisfy the requirements of (i) Items 6 and 8 of Schedule 5.15 within thirty days following the dates set forth on such Schedule 5.15 and (ii) Items 2, 3, 4 and 9 of Schedule 5.15 within ninety days following the dates set forth on such Schedule 5.15 in violation of Section 5.15 of the Credit Agreement.
 


 
22

 

Schedule B

Outstanding Post Closing Deliverables.

 
1.
A fully executed three party escrow agreement among Iron Mountain Intellectual Property Management, Inc., the Company and the Administrative Agent (in lieu of a collateral access agreement for 1331 Gemini Avenue).

 
2.
Recorded amendment to the Mortgage on the Mortgaged Property in Myrtle Grove, LA reflecting the correction to the legal description attached to such Mortgage.
 
 

 
 
 
 
23
EX-10.2 3 ex10-2.htm COMMON STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT TO PURCHASE 1,766,874 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK DATED MARCH 26, 2015, BY VERTEX ENERGY, INC., IN FAVOR OF GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. ex10-2.htm


Exhibit 10.2
THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE HEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE PLEDGED, SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, TRANSFERRED, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF REGISTRATION UNDER OR EXEMPTION FROM SUCH ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.
 
Vertex Energy, Inc.
 
Common Stock Purchase Warrant
 
 No. W-1  Houston, Texas
   March 26, 2015
 
Vertex Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), for value received, hereby certifies that Goldman, Sachs & Co., or its registered assigns (collectively, the “Purchasers”), is entitled to purchase from the Company One Million Seven Hundred Sixty-Six Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy Four (1,766,874)Warrant Shares (the “Initial Warrant Shares”) at the Initial Warrant Price, at any time or from time to time prior to 5:00 P.M., Houston, Texas time, on March 26, 2022 (such date, the “Expiration Date”), all subject to the terms, conditions and adjustments set forth below in this Warrant.
 
This Warrant is issued in connection with that certain Second Amendment to Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2015, by and among the Company, certain of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates, the Purchasers named therein, and Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as administrative agent and collateral agent (as amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”).  Certain capitalized terms used herein are defined in Section 13.  All capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement.
 
1.      EXERCISE OF WARRANT
 
1.1      Manner of Exercise; Payment.  This Warrant may be exercised by the Holder, in whole or in part, during normal business hours on any Business Day during the period beginning September 1, 2015 and ending on the Expiration Date, by surrender of this Warrant to the Company at its Chief Executive Office, accompanied by a subscription (in the form attached to this Warrant as Exhibit I) duly executed by such Holder and accompanied by payment, (i) in cash, (ii) by certified check payable to the order of the Company, (iii) by wire transfer of immediately available funds, (iv) by cancellation of Warrant Shares, with any such Warrant Shares so surrendered being credited against such payment in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value thereof, or (v) by the surrender by such Holder to the Company of any Notes held by such Holder, with any such Notes so surrendered being credited against such payment in an amount equal to the then outstanding principal amount thereof plus accrued interest thereon through the date of surrender, or by any combination of any of the foregoing methods, of the amount obtained by multiplying (a) the number of shares of Common Stock (without giving effect to any adjustment thereof) designated in such subscription by (b) the Initial Warrant Price, and such Holder shall thereupon be entitled to receive the number of duly authorized Warrant Shares determined as provided in Sections 2 through 4.
 
1.2      When Exercise Effective.  Each exercise of this Warrant shall be deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the close of business on the Business Day on which this Warrant shall have been surrendered to the Company along with the subscription as provided in Section 1.1, and, at such time, the Person or Persons in whose name or names any certificate or certificates for Warrant Shares shall be issuable upon such exercise as provided in Section 1.4 shall be deemed to have become the holder or holders of record thereof.

 
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1.3      [Intentionally Omitted]
 
1.4      Delivery of Stock Certificates and New Warrant.  As soon as practicable after each exercise of this Warrant, in whole or in part, the Company at its sole expense (including the payment by it of any applicable issue taxes) will cause to be issued in the name of and delivered to the Holder or, subject to Section 11, as such Holder (upon payment by such Holder of any applicable transfer taxes) may direct:
 
(a)           a certificate or certificates for the number of duly authorized Warrant Shares to which such Holder shall be entitled upon such exercise plus, in lieu of any fractional Warrant Share to which such Holder would otherwise be entitled, cash in an amount equal to the same fraction of the Fair Market Value per Warrant Share on the Business Day next preceding the date of such exercise; and
 
(b)           in case such exercise is in part only, a new Warrant or Warrants of like tenor, dated the date hereof and calling for (in the aggregate on the face or faces thereof) the number of Warrant Shares equal (without giving effect to any subsequent adjustment thereof) to the number of such shares of Common Stock called for on the face of this Warrant (as adjusted pursuant to the terms hereof through the applicable exercise date) minus the number of such shares of Common Stock designated by the Holder upon such exercise.
 
1.5      Company to Reaffirm Obligations.  The Company will, at the time of each exercise of this Warrant, upon the request of the Holder, acknowledge in writing its continuing obligation to afford to such Holder all rights to which such Holder is entitled after such exercise in accordance with the terms of this Warrant; provided, however, that if the Holder shall fail to make any such request, then such failure shall not affect the continuing obligation of the Company to afford such rights to such Holder.
 
1.6      Continuation of Rights in Warrant Shares Following Exercise.  Upon any exercise of this Warrant, all Warrant Shares issued in connection therewith shall continue to have the benefit of all of the rights set forth in Section 8 and Section 9 of this Warrant, and all of such rights shall inure to the benefit of the holder thereof with respect thereto, as if this Warrant had not been exercised and the holder thereof was a Holder with respect thereto.  The Holder agrees and undertakes that if the Holder proposes to Transfer any Warrants or Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise thereof, and if such Warrant or Warrant Shares are not then registered for resale pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, then the Holder proposing to make such Transfer shall give written notice to the Company describing briefly the manner in which any such proposed Transfer is to be made, and no such Transfer shall be made unless the Company shall have received an opinion of counsel for the Holder reasonably acceptable to the Company that registration under the Securities Act is not required with respect to such Transfer.
 
2.      ADJUSTMENT OF WARRANT SHARES ISSUABLE UPON EXERCISE.
 
2.1      General; Number of Warrant Shares; Warrant Price.  The number of Warrant Shares that the Holder shall be entitled to receive upon each exercise hereof shall be determined by multiplying the number of Warrant Shares that would otherwise (but for the provisions of this Section 2) be issuable upon such exercise, as designated by the Holder pursuant to Section 1.1, by a fraction (a) the numerator of which is the Initial Warrant Price and (b) the denominator of which is the Warrant Price in effect on the date of such exercise. The “Warrant Price” shall be the Initial Warrant Price and shall remain as such until a further adjustment or readjustment thereof is required by this Section 2.

 
2

 

2.2      Adjustment of Initial Warrant Shares for Pre-Payment.  In the event that, prior to June 30, 2015, the Company makes prepayments under the Credit Agreement of greater than $9,100,000 then the Initial Warrant Shares shall be reduced by multiplying the Initial Warrant Shares by a fraction, (A) the numerator of which is equal to $6,000,000 minus the Excess Prepayment Amount, and (B) the denominator of which is $6,000,000, with any fractional shares resulting from such calculation being rounded up to the nearest whole number of shares.  The “Excess Prepayment Amount” means the amount of prepayment in excess of $9,100,000 made by the Company prior to June 30, 2015.  In the event that the Excess Prepayment Amount made by the Company equals or exceeds $6,000,000 then this Warrant shall automatically terminate and the Holder shall have no rights hereunder following such payment.
 
2.3      Disclosure.  The Company acknowledges that the number of Warrant Shares and the Initial Warrant Price have been determined based on the Company’s Average Market Value, and the Company hereby represents and warrants that the disclosures in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 have included true and correct disclosure regarding the Company’s outstanding capital stock and rights to purchase or convert derivative securities into capital stock of the Company and have not included any misstatement of a material fact or omitted any material fact required to make the information disclosed not misleading.  This representation and warranty shall survive exercise of this warrant, and breach of this representation and warranty may result in an adjustment to the number of Warrant Shares and Initial Warrant Price.
 
2.4      Dividends and Distributions. If the Company at any time or from time to time after the date hereof declares, orders, pays or makes a dividend or other distribution (including, without limitation, any distribution of cash, Additional Shares or other property, by way of dividend or spin-off, reclassification, recapitalization or similar corporate rearrangement or otherwise) on or with respect to its shares of Common Stock (other than a dividend that is payable in Additional Shares and that is subject to Section 2.5) then, and in each such case, the Holder shall be entitled to receive an amount of cash, Capital Stock or other property as and when the same is distributed to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock as if this Warrant had been converted into Warrant Shares in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.1 immediately prior to the close of business on the day immediately preceding the record date.
 
2.5      Treatment of Options and Convertible Securities.  If the Company at any time or from time to time after the date hereof issues, sells, grants or assumes, or fixes a record date for the determination of holders of any class of securities entitled to receive, any Options or Convertible Securities, then, and in each such case, the maximum number of Additional Shares at any time issuable upon the exercise of such Options or, in the case of Convertible Securities and Options therefor, the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, shall be deemed to be Additional Shares issued as of the time of such issue, sale, grant or assumption or, in case such a record date shall have been fixed, as of the close of business on such record date (or, if the shares of Common Stock trade on an ex-dividend basis, then on the date immediately prior to the commencement of ex-dividend trading).
 
2.6      Treatment of Stock Dividends, Stock Splits, etc.  If the Company at any time or from time to time after the date hereof shall declare or pay any dividend on its shares of Common Stock that is payable in shares of Common Stock, or shall effect a subdivision of its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), then, and in each such case, (a) the Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision shall be proportionately reduced and (b) Additional Shares shall be deemed to have been issued (i) in the case of any such dividend, immediately after the close of business on the record date for the determination of holders of any class of securities entitled to receive such dividend or (ii) in the case of any such subdivision, at the close of business on the Business Day immediately prior to the day upon which such corporate action becomes effective.
 

 
3

 

2.7      Computation of Consideration.  For the purposes of this Section 2:
 
(a)           the consideration for the issue or sale of any Additional Shares shall, irrespective of the accounting treatment of such consideration:
 
(i)           insofar as it consists of cash, be computed at the amount of cash actually received by the Company;
 
(ii)           insofar as it consists of property (including securities) other than cash actually received by the Company, be computed at the Fair Market Value thereof at the time of such issue or sale;
 
(iii)           insofar as it consists neither of cash nor of other property, be computed as having no value; and
 
(iv)           insofar as the Additional Shares are issued or sold together with other Capital Stock, property or assets of the Company for a consideration that covers both, be the portion of such consideration so received (computed as provided in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above) that is allocable to such Additional Shares, all as reasonably determined in good faith by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that upon the written consent of the Requisite Holders, any such computation or determination shall be made by an Appraiser;
 
(b)           Additional Shares deemed to have been issued pursuant to Section 2.4 shall be deemed to have been issued for a consideration per share determined by dividing:
 
(i)           the total amount of cash and other property, if any, received and receivable by the Company as direct consideration for the issue, sale, grant or assumption of the Options or Convertible Securities in question, plus the minimum aggregate amount of additional consideration (as set forth in the instruments relating thereto, without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such consideration the purpose of which is to protect against dilution) payable to the Company upon the exercise in full of such Options or the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities or, in the case of Options for Convertible Securities, the exercise of such Options for Convertible Securities and the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities, in each case computing such consideration as provided in the foregoing clause (a), by
 
(ii)           the maximum number of shares of Common Stock (as set forth in the instruments relating thereto, without regard to any provision contained therein for a subsequent adjustment of such number the purpose of which is to protect against dilution) issuable upon the exercise of such Options or upon the conversion or exchange of such Convertible Securities; and
 
(c)           Additional Shares deemed to have been issued pursuant to Section 2.5 shall be deemed to have been issued for no consideration.

 
4

 
 
2.8      Adjustment for Combinations, etc.  If the outstanding shares of Common Stock shall be combined or consolidated, by reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then the Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to such combination or consolidation shall, concurrently with the effectiveness of such combination or consolidation, be proportionately increased.
 
2.9      Minimum Adjustment of Warrant Price.  If the amount of any adjustment of the Warrant Price required pursuant to this Section 2 would be less than one-tenth (1/10) of one percent (1%) of the Warrant Price in effect at the time such adjustment is otherwise so required to be made, then such amount shall be carried forward and adjustment shall be made with respect thereto at the time of and together with any subsequent adjustment that, together with such amount and any other amount or amounts so carried forward, shall aggregate at least one-tenth (1/10) of one percent (1%) of such Warrant Price.
 
3.      CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, ETC.
 
3.1      Adjustments for Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets, Reorganizations, etc.  If after the date hereof the Company (a) shall consolidate with or merge into any other Person and shall not be the continuing or surviving corporation of such consolidation or merger, (b) shall permit any other Person to consolidate with or merge into the Company and the Company shall be the continuing or surviving Person but, in connection with such consolidation or merger, the Warrant Shares and/or Common Stock shall be changed into or exchanged for cash, Capital Stock of any other Person or any other property, (c) shall Transfer all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any other Person or (d) shall effect a capital reorganization or reclassification of the Warrant Shares and/or its Common Stock, then, and in the case of each such transaction, proper provision shall be made so that upon the basis and the terms and in the manner provided in this Warrant, the Holder, upon the exercise hereof at any time after the consummation of such transaction, shall be entitled to receive (after giving effect to the payment of the aggregate Warrant Price in effect at the time of such consummation for all Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to such consummation), in lieu of the Warrant Shares issuable upon such exercise prior to such consummation, the greatest amount of cash, Capital Stock or other property to which such Holder would actually have been entitled as an equity holder upon such consummation if such Holder had exercised the rights represented by this Warrant immediately prior thereto, subject to adjustments (subsequent to such consummation) as nearly equivalent as possible to the adjustments provided for in Sections 2, 3 and 4.
 
3.2      Assumption of Obligations.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Warrant or in the Credit Agreement to the contrary, the Company will not effect any of the transactions described in Section 3.1 unless, prior to the consummation thereof, each Person (other than the Company) that may be required to deliver any cash, Capital Stock or other property upon the exercise of this Warrant as provided herein shall assume, by written instrument delivered to, and reasonably satisfactory to, the Holder, (a) the obligations of the Company under this Warrant (and if the Company shall survive the consummation of such transaction, such assumption shall be in addition to, and shall not release the Company from, any continuing obligations of the Company under this Warrant) and (b) the obligation to deliver to such Holder such cash, shares of Capital Stock or other property as, in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 3, such Holder may be entitled to receive, and such Person shall have similarly delivered to such Holder an opinion of counsel for such Person, which counsel and opinion shall be reasonably satisfactory to such Holder, stating that this Warrant shall thereafter continue in full force and effect and the terms hereof (including, without limitation, all of the provisions of this Section 3) shall be applicable to the cash, Capital Stock or other property that such Person may be required to deliver upon any exercise of this Warrant or the exercise of any rights pursuant hereto.  Nothing in this Section 3 shall be deemed to authorize the Company to enter into any transaction not otherwise permitted by the Credit Agreement.
 

 
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4.      [Intentionally Omitted]
 
5.      NO DILUTION OR IMPAIRMENT.  The Company shall not, by amendment of its Charter Documents or through any consolidation, merger, reorganization, transfer of assets, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms of this Warrant, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all such terms and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the rights of the Holder against dilution or other impairment.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company (a) will not permit the par value of any Warrant Shares to exceed the amount payable therefor upon such exercise, (b) will take all such action as may be reasonably necessary or appropriate in order that the Company may validly and legally issue the Warrant Shares and (c) will not take any action that results in any adjustment of the Warrant Price if the total number of Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrant after such action would exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock (or Other Securities, if applicable) then authorized by the Company’s Charter Documents and available for the purpose of issuance upon such exercise.
 
6.      ACCOUNTANTS’ REPORT AS TO ADJUSTMENTS.  In each case of any adjustment or readjustment in the Warrant Shares issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant, the Company at its sole expense will promptly compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms of this Warrant and cause independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing (which may be the regular auditors of the Company) selected by the Company to verify such computation (other than any computation of the Fair Market Value, which shall be determined in accordance with the definition thereof) and, in connection with the preparation of the Company’s quarterly financial statements, prepare a report setting forth such adjustment or readjustment and showing in reasonable detail the method of calculation thereof and the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based, including a statement of (a) the consideration received or to be received by the Company for any Additional Shares issued or sold or deemed to have been issued, (b) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding or deemed to be outstanding and (c) the Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to such issue or sale and as adjusted and readjusted (if required by Section 2) on account thereof.  The Company will forthwith mail a copy of each such report to each Holder and will, upon the written request at any time of any such Holder, furnish to such Holder a like report setting forth the Warrant Price at the time in effect and showing in reasonable detail how it was calculated.  The Company will also keep copies of all such reports at its Chief Executive Office and will cause the same to be available for inspection at such office during normal business hours by any Holder or any prospective purchaser of this Warrant designated by the Holder.
 
7.      NOTICES OF CORPORATE ACTION.  If at any time prior to the expiration date of the Warrants and prior to their exercise in full, any one or more of the following events shall occur:
 
(a)           any taking by the Company of a record of the holders of any class of securities for the purpose of determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any dividend or other distribution, or any right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of Capital Stock of the Company or any Other Securities or property, or to receive any other right;
 
(b)           any capital reorganization of the Company, any reclassification or recapitalization of the Capital Stock of the Company or any consolidation or merger involving the Company and any other Person or any Transfer of all or substantially all the assets of the Company to any other Person; or
 
(c)           any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up of the Company,
 
 
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then the Company will mail to each Holder a notice specifying (i) the date or expected date on which any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend, distribution or right, and the amount and character of such dividend, distribution or right, (ii) the date or expected date on which any such reorganization, reclassification, recapitalization, consolidation, merger, Transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up is to take place, (iii) the time, if any such time is to be fixed, as of which the holders of record of shares of Common Stock (or Other Securities) shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock (or Other Securities) for the cash, Capital Stock or other property deliverable upon such reorganization, reclassification, recapitalization, consolidation, merger, Transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up and a description in reasonable detail of the transaction and (iv) the date of such issuance, together with a description of the Capital Stock so issued and the consideration received by the Company therefor.  Such notice shall be delivered at least ten (10) Business Days prior to the date therein specified.
 
8.      REGISTRATION RIGHTS.
 
8.1      General.  If any shares of Common Stock required to be reserved for purposes of exercise of this Warrant require registration with or approval of any governmental authority under any federal or state law (other than the Securities Act) before such shares of Common Stock may be issued upon exercise, then the Company will, at its sole expense and as expeditiously as possible, cause such shares of Common Stock to be duly registered or approved, as the case may be.  At such time as any shares of Common Stock or Other Securities issuable upon exercise of this Warrant are listed on any national securities exchange, the Company will, at its sole expense, obtain promptly and maintain the approval for listing on each such exchange, upon official notice of issuance, any and all Warrant Shares of the same class and maintain the listing of such Warrant Shares after their issuance.
 
8.2      Demand Rights.  The Company shall use its best efforts to remain qualified to register securities pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 (or any successor form) under the Securities Act.  Beginning on September 1, 2015, a Holder or Holders of Warrants and/or Warrant Shares anticipated to have an aggregate sale price (net underwriting discounts and commissions, if any) in excess of $500,000 and who is not then immediately eligible to sell all such securities under Rule 144 without any volume limitations or manner-of-sale restrictions shall have the right to require the Company to file registration statements, including a shelf registration statement (if the Company is eligible at such time to utilize a shelf registration for the Warrant Shares), and if the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, an automatic shelf registration statement, on Form S-3 or any successor form under the Securities Act covering all or any part of their and their Affiliates’ Warrants and/or Warrant Shares, by delivering a written request therefor to the Company.  Such request shall state the number of Warrants and/or Warrant Shares to be disposed of and the intended method of disposition of such shares by such Holder or Holders.  The Company shall give notice to all other Holders of the receipt of a request for registration pursuant to this Section 8.2 and such Holders shall then have thirty (30) days to notify the Company in writing of their desire to participate in the registration.  The Company shall use its best efforts to effect promptly the registration statement registering all shares on Form S-3 (or a comparable successor form) to the extent requested by such Holders, but in any event shall cause the registration statement to become effective within ninety (90) days after the date of the request by the Holder(s) (or 120 days in the event of a “full review” by the SEC).  The Company shall use its best efforts to keep such registration statement effective until the earlier of one hundred twenty (120) days or until such Holders have completed the distribution described in such registration statement.  Notwithstanding the forgoing, to the extent that registration on Form S-3 is not available to a Holder that has requested registration under this Section 8.2, the Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect such registration on Form S-1 under the Securities Act.  Without limiting the foregoing obligations, if a registration requested under this Section 8.2 is not effective within ninety (90) days following delivery of the request by the Holder(s) (or 120 days in the event of a “full review” by the SEC), then the Company shall pay to the Holder(s) on the first business day after the 90- or 120-day period, as applicable, and each thirtieth day thereafter until registration is effective, an amount equal to one percent (1%) of the Initial Warrant Price, as adjusted in accordance with Section 2, for each of the Warrant Shares not sold by Purchasers prior to the beginning of such period.  Such payments shall be prorated on a daily basis during each thirty-day period and will be paid to the Purchaser by wire transfer or check within five days after the end of each thirty-day period.
 

 
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8.3      Piggyback Registration. Beginning September 1, 2015, if the Company proposes to register any of its shares of Common Stock or Other Securities under the Securities Act in connection with an underwritten public offering of such shares of Common Stock or Other Securities, then the Company will promptly give notice to the Holders of its intention to do so.  Upon the request of any Holder received within ten (10) days after receipt of any such notice from the Company, the Company will, in each instance, cause such Holder’s Warrant and/or Warrant Shares to be registered under the Securities Act and registered or qualified, as the case may be, under any state securities laws; provided, however, that the obligation to give such notice and to cause such registration shall not apply to any registration (a) on Form S-8 (or any successor form), (b) of solely a dividend reinvestment plan or (c) for the sole purpose of offering registered securities to another Person in connection with the acquisition of assets or Capital Stock of such Person or in connection with a merger, consolidation, combination or similar transaction with such Person; or (d) to the extent the underwriter advises the Company that marketing factors require a limitation of shares and no other security holder of the Company has Capital Stock included in such registration .  In connection with any underwritten offering of securities on behalf of the Company or any other holders of the Company’s Capital Stock, the Company is not required to include any Warrant or Warrant Shares held by any Holder unless such Holder agrees to the reasonable and customary terms of the underwriting; provided, however, that (i) such Holder shall not be required to make any representation other than that it is the owner of any Warrant and/or Warrant Shares of such Holder that are being included in the offering and that it has full power and authority to transfer them pursuant such offering, and (ii) the total indemnification or other liability of such Holder thereunder shall be limited to the aggregate net cash proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of such Warrant and/or the Warrant Shares in such offering.  The Company will include in any registration effected pursuant to this Section 8.4 (i) first, securities offered to be sold by the Company and by any holder of demand registration rights that is exercising such rights in connection with such registration, (ii) second, the Warrant and/or any Warrant Shares of any Holder requesting piggyback registration rights hereunder, in each case pro rata based on the number of Warrant Shares held thereby (in such quantity as will not, in the written opinion of the underwriters, jeopardize the success of the offering), and (iii) third, any other securities requested to be included in such registration (in such quantity as will not, in the written opinion of the underwriters, jeopardize the success of the offering).   
 
8.4      Deemed Underwriter. The Company agrees that, if a Holder or any of its Affiliates could reasonably be deemed to be an “underwriter,” as defined in Section 2(a)(11) of the Securities Act, in connection with any registration of the Company’s securities of any Holder or any of its Affiliates pursuant to this Warrant, and any amendment or supplement thereof (any such registration statement or amendment or supplement a “Deemed Underwriter Registration Statement”), then the Company will cooperate with such Holder or Affiliate in allowing such Holder or Affiliate to conduct customary “underwriter’s due diligence” with respect to the Company and satisfy its obligations in respect thereof.  In addition, at the Holder’s request, the Company will furnish to the Holder, on the date of the effectiveness of any Deemed Underwriter Registration Statement and thereafter from time to time on such dates as the Holder may reasonably request (i) a letter, dated such date, from the Company’s independent certified public accountants in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the Holder, and (ii) an opinion, dated as of such date, of counsel representing the Company for purposes of such Deemed Underwriter Registration Statement, in form, scope and substance as is customarily given in an underwritten public offering, including, without limitation, a standard “10b-5” statement for such offering, addressed to the Holder.  The Company will also permit legal counsel to the Holder to review and comment upon any such Deemed Underwriter Registration Statement at least ten business days prior to its filing with the SEC and all amendments and supplements to any such Deemed Underwriter Registration Statement within a reasonable number of days prior to their filing with the SEC and not file any Deemed Underwriter Registration Statement or amendment or supplement thereto in a form to which the Holder’s legal counsel reasonably objects.
 

 
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8.5      Expenses.  The Company will pay all Registration Expenses in connection with all registrations (which, for purposes of this Section 8.6 and Section 8.8, shall include any qualifications, notifications and exemptions) under this Section 8.
 
8.6      Obligations of the Company.  Whenever required under this Section 10 to effect the registration of any Warrant and/or Warrant Shares, the Company shall, as expeditiously as reasonably possible:
 
(a)           prepare and file with the Commission a registration statement with respect to such Warrant and/or Warrant Shares and use commercially reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective and to keep such registration statement effective for a period of up to one hundred twenty (120) days;
 
(b)           furnish, at least five (5) business days before filing such registration statement, a prospectus relating thereto or any amendments or supplements relating to such a registration statement or prospectus, to counsel selected by the Requisite Holders (the “Holder’s Counsel”), copies of all such documents proposed to be filed for such counsel’s review and comment (it being understood that such five (5) business day period need not apply to successive drafts of the same document proposed to be filed so long as such successive drafts are supplied to such counsel in advance of the proposed filing by a period of time that is customary and reasonable under the circumstances) and not file any such registration statement, prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto in a form to which Holder’s Counsel reasonably objects;
 
(c)           prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement;
 
(d)           notify in writing the Holder’s Counsel promptly (i) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to any comments by the Commission with respect to such registration statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing thereof or for additional information with respect thereto, (ii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto or the initiation of any action threatening any proceeding for that purpose and (iii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of such Warrant and/or Warrant Shares for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation of any action threatening the qualification of such Warrant and/or Warrant Shares for sale in any jurisdiction;
 
(e)           furnish to each Holder of the Warrant and or Warrant Shares covered by such registration such numbers of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and such other documents as such Holder may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Warrant and/or Warrant Shares owned thereby;
 

 
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(f)           use commercially reasonable efforts to register and to qualify the securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto (i) to qualify to do business in any such states or jurisdictions, (ii) to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions or (iii) to subject itself to taxation in any such states or jurisdictions;
 
(g)           in the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing underwriter of such offering, provided that each Holder participating in such underwriting shall also enter into and perform its obligations under such underwriting agreement;
 
(h)           notify the Holders in advance of the delivery of any information under the Credit Agreement that would constitute material non-public information and cooperate with the Holders’ reasonable requests related to the coordination of such information delivery with amendments to the registration statement to ensure the public availability of such information (which amendments shall be effected promptly upon the awareness by the Company of the new information);
 
(i)           notify each Holder of the Warrant and/or Warrant Shares covered by such registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing and, at the request of such Holder, prepare and furnish to such Holder a reasonable number of copies of a supplement to or amendment of such prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to any offeree of such shares, such prospectus shall not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing;
 
(j)           make available for inspection by each Holder of the Warrant and/or Warrant Shares covered by such registration statement, the Holder’s Counsel or any underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such registration statement and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by any such Holder or underwriter (collectively, the “Inspectors”) all pertinent financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company (collectively, the “Records”), as shall be reasonably necessary to enable them to exercise their due diligence responsibility, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information (together with the Records, the “Information”) reasonably requested by any such Inspector in connection with such registration statement, including, but not limited to, monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements.  Any of the Information that the Company determines in good faith to be confidential, and of which determination the Inspectors are so notified, shall not be disclosed by the Inspectors to any third party unless (i) the disclosure of such Information is necessary to avoid or correct a misstatement or omission in the registration statement, (ii) the release of such Information is ordered pursuant to a subpoena or other order from a court of competent jurisdiction or a governmental agency having jurisdiction over such matter or (iii) such Information has been made generally available to the public.  The Holders of any Warrant and/or Warrant Shares covered by such registration statement hereby agree that they will, upon learning that disclosure of such Information is sought by a court of competent jurisdiction or a governmental agency having jurisdiction over such matter, give notice to the Company and allow the Company, at the Company’s expense, to undertake appropriate action to prevent disclosure of the Information deemed confidential;
 

 
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(k)           in the case of an underwritten offering, use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain from its independent certified public accountants “comfort” letters (i) listing the Company and each selling Holder as an addressee thereof or otherwise naming the Company and each selling Holder as a third party beneficiary thereof and (ii) otherwise in customary form and at customary times and covering matters of the type customarily covered by comfort letters given by independent certified public accountants in such transactions;
 
(l)           in the case of an underwritten offering, use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain from its counsel an opinion or opinions (i) listing the Company and each selling Holder as an addressee thereof or otherwise naming the Company and each selling Holder as a third party beneficiary thereof and (ii) otherwise covering such matters as are customary in such transactions, including, without limitation, a standard “10b-5” opinion for such offering;
 
(m)           provide a transfer agent and registrar (which may be the same entity and which may be the Company) for such Warrant and/or Warrant Shares;
 
(n)           issue to any underwriter to which any Holder may sell shares in such offering one or more certificates (or replacements warrants) evidencing such Warrant and/or Warrant Shares;
 
(o)           use commercially reasonable efforts to assist the selling Holders and the managing underwriters or agents, if any, in marketing any Warrant and/or Warrant Shares that are included in the registration statement, including, without limitation, causing its officers and employees to participate in any “roadshow” and other investor presentations that the Requisite Holders may reasonably request; and
 
(p)           subject to all of the other provisions of this Warrant, use commercially reasonable efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect the registration of the Warrant and/or Warrant Shares contemplated hereby.
 
The Company may suspend the use of a prospectus included in any registration statement filed pursuant to this Warrant if the Company is then in possession of material, non-public information, the disclosure of which the Board of Directors has reasonably determined in good faith would have a material adverse effect upon the Company.  The Company shall promptly notify all Holders of the Warrant and/or Warrant Shares covered by such registration of any such determination by the Board of Directors and, upon receipt of such notice, each such Holder shall immediately discontinue any sales of securities pursuant to such registration statement.  Upon such suspension, the Company shall take all commercially reasonable steps to cause the condition that caused such suspension to cease to exist as soon as practicable (but such efforts need not include the abandonment of any proposed transaction).  The Company hereby agrees that no such suspension shall last more than ninety (90) days without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders.  Without limiting the foregoing, in the event that the Company exercises its right to suspend the use of a prospectus such that a suspension exists for more than 30 days in any circumstance or 45 aggregate days in any year, then any suspension shall become an “Unqualified Suspension.”  On the thirtieth day following the date that a suspension becomes an Unqualified Suspension and on each 30th day thereafter, the Company shall pay to Purchasers an amount equal to one percent (1%) of the Initial Warrant Price, as adjusted in accordance with Section 2, for each of the Warrant Shares not sold by Purchasers prior to the beginning of such period.  Such payments shall be prorated on a daily basis during each thirty-day period and will be paid to the Purchaser by wire transfer or check within five days after the end of each thirty-day period.
 

 
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8.7      Indemnification.
 
(a)           In connection with any registration under this Section 8, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Holder that is a selling holder of Warrants and/or Warrant Shares (including its partners (including partners of partners and shareholders of such partners)), each underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act), and directors, officers, employees and agents of any of them, and each other Person who participates in the offering of such securities and each other Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act) such seller, underwriter or participating Person (individually and collectively, the “Indemnified Person”) against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (collectively, the “liability”), joint or several, to which such Indemnified Person may become subject under the Securities Act or any other statute or at common law, insofar as such liability (or action in respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained, on the effective date thereof, in any registration statement under which such securities were registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any free writing prospectus used in connection with any offering, including but not limited to, any free writing prospectus used by the Company, the underwriters or the Holders, or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation by the Company of the Securities Act, any state securities or “blue sky” laws or any sale or regulation thereunder in connection with such registration, or (iv) any information provided by the Company or at the instruction of the Company to any Person participating in the offer at the point of sale containing any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact or omitting or allegedly omitting any material fact required to be included in such information or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 8.7(c), the Company shall reimburse each such Indemnified Person in connection with investigating or defending any such liability; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person in any such case to the extent that any such liability arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in such registration statement, preliminary or final prospectus, or amendment or supplement thereto, free writing prospectus, or other information, in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such Person specifically for use therein; and provided further, however, that the Company shall not be required to indemnify any Person against any liability arising from any untrue or misleading statement or omission contained in any preliminary prospectus if such deficiency is corrected in the final prospectus or for any liability which arises out of the failure of any Person to deliver a prospectus as required by the Securities Act.
 

 
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(b)           In connection with any registration under this Section 8, each Holder selling any securities included in such registration being effected shall indemnify and hold harmless each other selling holder of any securities, the Company, its directors and officers, each underwriter and each other Person, if any, who controls (within the meaning of the Securities Act) the Company or such underwriter (individually and collectively also the “Indemnified Person”), against any liability, joint or several, to which any such Indemnified Person may become subject under the Securities Act or any other statute or at common law, insofar as such liability (or actions in respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained, on the effective date thereof, in any registration statement under which securities were registered under the Securities Act at the request of such selling Holder, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, any free writing prospectus used in connection with such offering, including but not limited to, any free writing prospectus used by the Company, the underwriters, or the Holders, or (ii) any omission or alleged omission by such selling Holder to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any information provided at the instruction of the Company to any Person participating in the offer at the point of sale containing any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact or omitting or allegedly omitting any material fact required to be included in such information or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and in the case of (i), (ii) and (iii) to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in such registration statement, preliminary or final prospectus, amendment or supplement thereto, free writing prospectus or other information, in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by such selling Holder specifically for use therein.  Such selling Holder shall reimburse any Indemnified Person for any legal fees incurred in investigating or defending any such liability; provided, however, that in no event shall the liability of any Holder for indemnification under this Section 8.7 in its capacity as a seller of Warrants and/or Warrant Shares exceed the lesser of (i) that proportion of the total of such losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities indemnified against equal to the proportion of the total securities sold under such registration statement which is being held by such Holder, or (ii) the  amount equal to the proceeds to such Holder of the securities sold in any such registration; and provided further, however, that no selling Holder shall be required to indemnify any Person against any liability arising from any untrue or misleading statement or omission contained in any preliminary prospectus if such deficiency is corrected in the final prospectus or for any liability which arises out of the failure of any Person to deliver a prospectus as required by the Securities Act.
 
(c)           In the event the Company, any selling Holder or other Person receives a complaint, claim or other notice of any liability or action, giving rise to a claim for indemnification under Sections 8.7(a) or (b) above, the Person claiming indemnification under such paragraphs shall promptly notify the Person against whom indemnification is sought of such complaint, notice, claim or action, and such indemnifying Person shall have the right to investigate and defend any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action.
 
(d)           If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8.7 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an Indemnified Person with respect to any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability referred to therein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Person hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Person as a result of such any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party, on the one hand, and of the Indemnified Person, on the other hand, in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided, however, that in no event shall any contribution by a Holder under this Section 8.7(d) when combined with any other amounts paid by such Holder pursuant to this Section 8.7 exceed the lesser of (i) that proportion of the total of such losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities indemnified against equal to the proportion of the total securities sold under such registration statement which is being held by such Holder, or (ii) the  amount equal to the proceeds to such Holder of the securities sold in any such registration.  The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the Indemnified Person shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the Indemnified Person and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information, and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
 

 
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(e)           The obligations of the Company and Holders under this Section 8.7 shall survive the completion of any offering of securities in a registration statement under this Section 8 or otherwise.
 
9.      AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION; RULE 144.
 
9.1      The Company shall comply with the reporting requirements of Section 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and shall comply with all public information reporting requirements of the Commission (including Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act (“Rule 144”)) from time to time in effect and relating to the availability of an exemption from the Securities Act for the sale of any Restricted Securities.
 
9.2      The Company shall also cooperate with each Holder of any Restricted Securities in supplying such information as may be necessary for such Holder to complete and file any information reporting forms presently or hereafter required by the Commission as a condition to the availability of an exemption from the Securities Act for the sale of any Restricted Securities.
 
9.3      The Company shall furnish to each Holder, promptly upon their becoming available, copies of all financial statements, reports, notices and proxy statements sent or made available generally by the Company to its stockholders, and copies of all regular and periodic reports and all registration statements and prospectuses filed by the Company with any securities exchange or with the Commission.
 
9.4      If requested by a Holder, the Company shall make a public disclosure of any material non-public information previously supplied to such Holder in order to facilitate the sale of Warrant Shares by such Holder pursuant to Rule 144; such disclosure shall be made no later than forty-five days following the request by the Holder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, Company may suspend the disclosure of material, non-public information, the disclosure of which the Board of Directors has reasonably determined in good faith would have a material adverse effect upon the Company, in which event the Company shall immediately provide notice of the determination to the Holder(s) of Warrant Shares.  Upon such determination, the Company shall take all commercially reasonable steps to cause the condition that caused such suspension to cease to exist as soon as practicable (but such efforts need not include the abandonment of any proposed transaction).  The Company hereby agrees that no such suspension shall last more than ninety (90) days without the prior written consent of the Requisite Holders.  Without limiting the foregoing, in the event that the Company exercises its right to suspend the use of a prospectus such that a suspension exists for more than 30 days in any circumstance or 45 aggregate days in any year, then any suspension shall become an Unqualified Suspension.  On the thirtieth day following the date that a suspension becomes an Unqualified Suspension and on each 30th day thereafter, the Company shall pay to Purchasers an amount equal to one percent (1%) of the Initial Warrant Price, as adjusted in accordance with Section 2, for each of the Warrant Shares not sold by Purchasers prior to the beginning of such period.  Such payments shall be prorated on a daily basis during each thirty-day period and will be paid to the Purchaser by wire transfer or check within five days after the end of each thirty-day period.
 
10.      RESERVATION OF SHARES, ETC.  The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, solely for issuance and delivery upon exercise of this Warrant, the number of shares of Common Stock or Other Securities from time to time issuable upon exercise in full of this Warrant.  All Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant shall be duly authorized and, when issued upon such exercise, shall be validly issued and, in the case of shares, fully paid and nonassessable, with no liability on the part of the Holders thereof.
 

 
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11.      OWNERSHIP, TRANSFER AND SUBSTITUTION OF WARRANTS.
 
11.1           Ownership of Warrants.  The Company may treat any Person(s) in whose name this Warrant is registered on the register kept at the Company’s Chief Executive Office as the owner and holder thereof for all purposes, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, except that, if and when this Warrant is properly assigned in blank, the Company may (but shall not be obligated to) treat the bearer thereof as the owner of this Warrant for all purposes, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.  This Warrant, if properly assigned, may be exercised by a new Holder without a new Warrant first having been issued, subject to applicable securities laws and Section 1.6 hereof.
 
11.2           Office; Transfer and Exchange of Warrants.
 
(a)           The Company shall maintain an office (which may be an agency maintained at a bank) in the State of Texas where notices, presentations and demands in respect of this Warrant may be made upon it.  Such office shall be the Company’s Chief Executive Office, until such time as the Company shall notify the Holders of any change of location of such office within the State of Texas.
 
(b)           The Company shall cause to be kept at its Chief Executive Office a register for the registration and transfer of this Warrant.  The names and addresses of the Holders, the transfer thereof and the names and addresses of any transferees of this Warrant shall be registered in such register.  The Person(s) in whose names this Warrant shall be so registered shall be deemed and treated as the owner and Holder thereof for all purposes of this Warrant, and the Company shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary.
 
(c)           Subject to the transfer restrictions referred to in the legend herein and Section 1.6 hereof, this Warrant and all rights hereunder are transferable, in whole or in part, without charge to the Holder, upon surrender of this Warrant with a properly executed assignment (in the form of Exhibit II hereto) at the Company’s Chief Executive Office.  Upon such surrender, the Company at its expense will execute and deliver to or upon the order of the applicable Holder a new Warrant or Warrants of like tenor, in the name of such Holder or as such Holder (upon payment by such Holder of any applicable transfer taxes) may direct, calling in the aggregate on the face or faces therefor for the number of Warrant Shares called for on the face or faces of the Warrant or Warrants so surrendered.
 
11.3           Assistance in Disposition of Warrant or Warrant Shares.  Notwithstanding any other provision herein, in the event that it becomes unlawful for a Holder to continue to hold this Warrant, in whole or in part, or some or all of the Warrant Shares held by it, or restrictions are imposed on any Holder by any statute, regulation or governmental authority which, in the judgment of such Holder, make it unduly burdensome to continue to hold the Warrant or Warrant Shares, the Holder may sell or otherwise dispose of the Warrant or Warrant Shares (subject to any restrictions on transfer described herein), and the Company agrees to provide reasonable assistance to the Holder in disposing of the Warrant or Warrant Shares in a prompt and orderly manner and, at the request of the Holder, to provide (and authorize the Holder to provide) financial and other information concerning the Company to any prospective purchaser of the Warrant or Warrant Shares owned by the Holder.
 

 
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11.4        Replacement of Warrants.  Upon receipt of reasonable evidence of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of any Warrant and, in the case of any such loss, theft or destruction of any Warrant held by a Person other than a Purchaser or any other institutional investor to whom the Purchaser may Transfer this Warrant, upon delivery of indemnity satisfactory to the Company in form and amount or, in the case of any such mutilation, upon surrender of such Warrant for cancellation at the Company’s Chief Executive Office, the Company at its sole expense will execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Warrant of like tenor and dated the date hereof.
 
12.      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
 
12.1        Representations and Warranties of the Company.  The Company hereby represents and warrants to the Purchasers that each of the representations and warranties of the Company and Holdings set forth in the Credit Agreement are true and correct as of the date hereof, each such representation and warranty being hereby incorporated by reference herein, mutatis mutandi, for all purposes.
 
12.2        Representations and Warranties of the Purchasers.  Each of the Purchasers hereby represents and warrants to the Company and to each other Purchaser as of the date hereof and as of the date of each exercise of this Warrant as follows:
 
(a)           Organization and Qualification.  Such Purchaser, if an entity, is a corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company, in either case duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of formation.
 
(b)           Authority; Enforceability.  Such Purchaser has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver this Warrant and to perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby, and all action required on the part of such Purchaser for such execution, delivery and performance has been duly and validly taken.  Assuming due execution and delivery by the Company, this Warrant constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Purchaser enforceable against such Purchaser in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium and other similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles.
 
(c)           Accredited Investor; Securities Laws Compliance.
 
(i)           Such Purchaser (i) is an “accredited investor” (as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act) and (ii) has such knowledge, skill and experience in business and financial matters, based on actual participation, that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of an investment in the Company and the suitability thereof as an investment for such Purchaser.

(ii)           Except as otherwise contemplated by this Warrant, such Purchaser is acquiring this Warrant and any Warrant Shares for investment for its own account and not with a view to any distribution thereof in violation of applicable securities laws.

(iii)           Such Purchaser agrees that any certificates representing this Warrant and its Warrant Shares will bear the following legend and that such Warrant Shares will not be offered, sold or transferred in the absence of registration or exemption under applicable securities laws:

“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY (A) HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE PLEDGED, SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, TRANSFERRED, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF REGISTRATION UNDER OR EXEMPTION FROM SUCH ACT AND ALL APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS”
 

 
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(iv)           Such Purchaser understands that (i) the offering and sale of this Warrant and any Warrant Shares by the Company is intended to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to section 4(a)(2) thereof and Regulation D, (ii) there is no existing public or other market for this Warrant or the Warrant Shares, and (iii) this Warrant and the Warrant Shares may be resold only pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to a valid exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

(v)           Such Purchaser is familiar with Rule 144, as presently in effect, and understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities Act, including, without limitation, the Rule 144 condition that current information about the Company be made available to the public.  Such Purchaser acknowledges that such information is not now available and that the Company has no present plans to make such information available.

13.      DEFINITIONS.  As used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms have the following respective meanings:
 
Additional Shares” means any and all shares of Capital Stock of the Company issued or sold (or, pursuant 2.4, deemed to be issued) by the Company after the date hereof, whether or not subsequently reacquired or retired by the Company, other than the Warrant Shares.
 
 “Appraised Value” means the value of any securities or other property as finally determined by the Appraiser in accordance with the provisions hereof.  For purposes hereof, the Appraiser’s determination shall assume the Company is sold in an arm’s length transaction between a willing seller and a willing buyer as a going concern, without deduction for (a) liquidity considerations, (b) minority shareholder status, or (c) any liquidation or other preference or any right of redemption in favor of any other equity securities of the Company.  The Appraiser shall be directed to determine the Appraised Value of such securities or property as soon as practicable, but in no event later than thirty (30) days from the date of its selection.  Any determination of the Appraised Value that is made in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant shall be conclusive and binding on all applicable parties.  The Appraised Value of each Warrant Share at a time when (a) the Company is not a reporting company under the Exchange Act and (b) the Common Stock is not traded in the organized securities markets, will, in all cases, be calculated by determining the Appraised Value of the entire Company taken as a whole (after giving effect to the repayment of any Funded Debt), and by dividing that value by the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock and Other Securities then outstanding (measured on a Fully-Diluted Basis), without premium for control or discount for minority interests, illiquidity or restrictions on transfer.  In no event shall the Appraised Value of a Warrant Share be less than the per share consideration received or receivable with respect to the applicable Common Stock or Other Securities in connection with any pending Sale Transaction.  The prevailing market prices for any security or property will not be dispositive of the Appraised Value thereof.
 
Appraiser” shall mean an independent nationally recognized investment banking firm mutually agreeable to the Holders and the Company.  If the Holders and the Company cannot agree on an Appraiser within fifteen (15) days after the applicable Valuation Date, then, the Company, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, shall each select an Appraiser within fifteen (15) days of the applicable Valuation Date.  Each such Appraiser shall then independently determine the applicable Appraised Value within thirty (30) days after the applicable Valuation Event.  If the difference between such determinations of Appraised Value is less than twenty percent (20%), then the average of such determinations shall be the conclusive and binding determination of the applicable Appraised Value. If, however, the difference between such determinations of Appraised Value is equal to or more than twenty percent (20%), then both Appraisers shall jointly select one independent Appraiser to determine the Appraised Value, such selection and determination to be made within sixty (60) days after the applicable Valuation Date.  Any and all fees, costs and other expenses of the Appraiser shall be borne by the Company.
 

 
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Average Market Value” means the weighted-average of the Closing Prices for the security in question for the thirty trading days immediately preceding the date of determination.
 
Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any other body that exercises ultimate executive authority over the business and affairs of the Company, including, without limitation, any executive committee of such board of directors.
 
Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday or a day on which commercial banking institutions in Texas are authorized or obligated by law or executive order to be closed.  Any reference to “days” (unless Business Days are specified) shall mean calendar days.
 
Capital Stock” means, as to any Person, its shares of common stock, preferred stock, and/or any other capital stock or other equity interests authorized from time to time, and any other securities, options, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of or in such Person, whether voting or nonvoting, including, without limitation, options, warrants, phantom stock, stock appreciation rights, convertible notes or debentures, stock purchase rights, and all agreements, instruments, documents and securities convertible, exercisable, or exchangeable, in whole or in part, into any one or more of the foregoing.
 
 “Chief Executive Office means the Chief Executive Office of the Company located at 1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250, Houston TX 77058.
 
Closing Price” means, for any given trading day, (a) if the primary market for the security in question is a national securities exchange registered under the Exchange Act, the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System-National Market System or some other market or quotation system in which last sale transactions are reported on a contemporaneous basis, then the last reported sales price of such security for such day, or, if there has not been a sale of such security on such trading day, then the highest closing or last bid quotation therefor on such trading day (excluding, in any case, any price that is not the result of bona fide arm’s length trading), or (b) if the primary market for the security in question is not an exchange or quotation system in which last sale transactions are contemporaneously reported, then the highest closing or last bona fide bid or asked quotation by disinterested Persons in the over-the-counter market on such trading day as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers through its Automated Quotation System or its successor or such other generally accepted source of publicly reported bid quotations as the parties hereto may designate.
 
Commission” means the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.
 
Common Stock” means the duly authorized shares of the Company’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share, and shall include any Capital Stock into which such shares of Common Stock shall have been changed or any Capital Stock resulting from any reclassification of such shares of Common Stock, and all other Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) of the Company the Holders of which have the right, without limitation as to amount, either to all or to a share of the balance of current dividends, distributions and liquidating dividends after the payment of dividends, distributions and distributions on any Capital Stock entitled to preference.
 

 
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Company” shall have the meaning given to such term in the introduction to this Warrant and shall include any Person that shall succeed to or assume the obligations of the Company.
 
Convertible Securities” means any evidences of indebtedness, shares of Capital Stock (other than shares of Common Stock) or other securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock.
 
 “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be in effect at the time.
 
Fair Market Value” means (a) as to securities regularly traded on a national securities exchange or some other nationally-recognized market quotation system, the Average Market Value, and (b) as to all securities not regularly traded on a national securities exchange or some other nationally-recognized market quotation system and as to all other property, the fair market value of such securities or property as mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Holders, assuming such securities are to be sold in an arm’s length transaction between a willing seller and a willing buyer as a going concern, without deduction for (i) liquidity considerations, (ii) minority shareholder status, or (iii) any liquidation or other preference or any right of redemption in favor of any other equity securities of the Company, at the time of the transaction requiring the applicable determination of Fair Market Value pursuant to this Warrant (each such authorization, a “Valuation Event”); provided, however, that, if the Company and the Holders are unable to agree on any calculation of Fair Market Value in accordance with the provisions hereof within fifteen (15) days after the occurrence of any Valuation Event, then, upon the written request of either the Holders or the Company delivered at any time thereafter, the Fair Market Value of such securities and/or other property will be its Appraised Value.
 
Fully Diluted Basis” means at any time (i) as applied to any calculation of the number of securities of the Company, after giving effect to (x) all shares of Common Stock and Other Securities of the Company outstanding at the time of determination and (y) all shares of Common Stock or Other Securities issuable upon the exercise of any Convertible Security or Option outstanding as of the date hereof; and (ii) as applied to any calculation of value, after giving effect to the foregoing securities and the payment of any consideration payable upon the exercise of any Convertible Security or Option referred to in clause above if such Convertible Security or Option were exercisable at such time.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Fully-Diluted Basis” shall not include any shares of any class of Capital Stock that are issuable in connection with the exercise of any Option that is not “in the money”, nor shall it ascribe any value to any such Option.
 
Funded Debt” of any Person means, without duplication, (a) all borrowed money of such Person, whether or not evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (b) all obligations of such Person as lessee under capital leases that have been or should be recorded as liabilities on a balance sheet of such Person in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied, (c) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business and costs in excess of billings), (d) all indebtedness secured by a lien or other encumbrance on the property of such Person, whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person; provided, however, that if such Person has not assumed or otherwise become liable for such indebtedness, then such indebtedness shall be measured at the lesser of (i) Fair Market Value of such property securing such indebtedness at the time of determination and (ii) the amount of such indebtedness secured thereby, (e) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, with respect to the face amount of all letters of credit (whether or not drawn), bankers’ acceptances and similar obligations issued for the account of such Person, (f) all hedging obligations of such Person and (g) all contingent liabilities of such Person.
 

 
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 “Holder” shall mean each and every holder or beneficial owner of any portion of this Warrant or any of the Warrant Shares.  Without in any way limiting the foregoing, the term “Holder” shall include the Purchasers and each of their respective successors and/or assigns that at any time holds or otherwise owns any portion of this Warrant or the Warrant Shares.  If at any time there shall exist more than one Holder, then, with respect to any action, approval or consent of the Holder required or otherwise permitted pursuant to the provisions hereof, such action, approval or consent shall be deemed to have been taken, received or otherwise obtained if such action, approval or consent is taken, received or otherwise obtained by or from Requisite Holders.
 
 "Initial Warrant Price" means the lower of (x) $3.395828553 per share and (y) the lowest price per share at which the Company issues any Common Stock (or sets an exercise price for the purchase of Common Stock in another security) between the date hereof and June 30, 2015.
 
 “New Securities” means any Capital Stock of the Company other than the Warrant Shares.
 
Options” means any rights, options or warrants to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities.
 
Other Securities” means any Capital Stock (other than shares of Common Stock) of the Company or any other Person (a) that the Holders of the Warrants at any time shall be entitled to receive, or shall have received, upon the exercise of Warrants, in lieu of or in addition to shares of Common Stock and (b) that at any time shall be issuable or shall have been issued in exchange for or in replacement of Warrant Shares.
 
Person” means an individual, a partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization or any federal, state, county or municipal governmental or quasi-governmental agency, department, commission, board, bureau, instrumentality or similar entity, foreign or domestic, having jurisdiction over either the Company or any Holder.
 
Purchasers” shall have the meaning given to such term in the introduction to this Warrant.
 
"Registration Expenses" means all expenses incident to the Company’s performance of or compliance with Section 10, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees (including fees of the Commission and a national stock exchange or national securities market), all fees and expenses of complying with state securities or blue sky laws, all word processing, duplicating and printing expenses, messenger and delivery expenses, the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and of its independent public accountants, including the expenses of any special audits or “cold comfort” letters in underwritten offerings required by or incident to such performance and compliance, the fees and disbursements of Holder’s Counsel and any accountants retained by the Holders with respect to any Warrant and/or Warrant Shares being registered, premiums and other costs of policies of insurance against liabilities arising out of the public offering of such securities and any fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily paid by issuers or sellers of securities, but excluding underwriting discounts and commissions and transfer taxes, if any.
 
“Requisite Holders” shall mean Holders that own or otherwise hold more than sixty-six percent (66%) of the Warrant Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of this Warrant.
 
“Restricted Securities” means all of the following: (a) any Warrants bearing the legend or legends contained herein or substantially similar thereto, (b) any Warrant Shares that have been issued upon the exercise of this Warrant and that are evidenced by a certificate or certificates bearing the applicable legend or legends contained herein or substantially similar thereto and (c) unless the context otherwise requires, any Warrant Shares that are at the time issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant and that, when so issued, will be evidenced by a certificate or certificates bearing the applicable legend or legends contained herein or substantially similar thereto.
 

 
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Sale Transaction” means any transaction pursuant to which (a) the Company sells or disposes (in one or a series of related sales or dispositions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company on a consolidated basis (other than inventory in the ordinary course of business), including any sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the capital stock, membership interests, partnership interests or assets of the Subsidiaries of the Company, or (b) the Company engages in any merger, consolidation, combination or similar transaction, (in one or a series of related transactions), such that the beneficial owners of shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the transaction or transactions will, immediately after such transaction or transactions, beneficially own less than a majority of the shares of Common Stock or outstanding equity of the surviving corporation (measured on a Fully-Diluted Basis) or (c) the Company engages in any transaction or series of related transactions that results in any change of control of the Company (as the term “control” is defined in Rule 405 the Securities Act), whether such change of control occurs through the sale of assets, securities or shares of Common Stock, exchange of securities or otherwise.
 
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, or any similar federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the same shall be amended and in effect at the time.
 
Transfer” means any sale, transfer, issuance, assignment, pledge or other disposition or conveyance of shares of Capital Stock of the Company.
 
 “Warrant” shall mean this Common Stock Purchase Warrant, as the same may be amended, restated or otherwise modified from time to time, together with any and all replacement and/or substitute warrants issued with respect hereto.
 
Warrant Shares” shall mean any shares of Common Stock or Other Securities issued or issuable in connection with any exercise of this Warrant, in each case as such number may be adjusted from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.
 
Unless the context of this Warrant clearly requires otherwise, references to the plural include the singular, references to the singular include the plural, the term “including” is not limiting, and the term “or” has, except where otherwise indicated, the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase “and/or.”  References in this Warrant to the “Holder” or “Holders” of this Warrant include the singular and the plural, it being understood that there may be one or more Holders of this Warrant at any particular time.
 
14.      [Intentionally Omitted].
 
15.      REMEDIES.  The Company stipulates that the remedies at law available to the Holder in the event of any default or threatened default by the Company in the performance of or compliance with any of the terms of this Warrant are not and will not be adequate and that, to the fullest extent permitted, such terms may be specifically enforced by a decree for the specific performance of any agreement contained herein or by an injunction against a violation of any of the terms hereof or otherwise.
 
16.      DUTIES AMONG HOLDERS; NO LIABILITIES AS STOCKHOLDER.  Each Holder agrees that no other Holder will by virtue of this Warrant be under any fiduciary or other duty to give or withhold any consent or approval under this Warrant or to take any other action or omit to take any action under this Warrant, and that each other Holder may act or refrain from acting under this Warrant as such other Holder may, in its discretion, elect. Nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as imposing any obligation on such Holder to purchase any securities or as imposing any liabilities on such Holder as a stockholder of the Company, whether such obligation or liabilities are asserted by the Company or by creditors of the Company.
 

 
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17.      NO EFFECT ON LENDER RELATIONSHIP.  The Company acknowledges and agrees that, notwithstanding anything in this Warrant or the Credit Agreement to the contrary, nothing contained in this Warrant shall affect, limit or impair the rights and remedies of any Holder or any of its Affiliates (a) in its or their capacity as a lender or as agent for lenders to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any agreement under which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries has borrowed money, including, without limitation, the Credit Agreement, or (b) in its or their capacity as a lender or as agent for lenders to any other Person who has borrowed money.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any such Person, in exercising its rights as a lender, including making its decision on whether to foreclose on any collateral security, will have no duty to consider (x) its or any of its Affiliates’ status as a Holder, (y) the interests of the Company or its Subsidiaries or (z) any duty it may have to any other Holders or any stockholders of the Company, except as may be required under the applicable loan documents or by commercial law applicable to creditors generally.  No consent, approval, vote or other action taken or required to be taken by any Holder in such capacity shall in any way impact, affect or alter the rights and remedies of the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates as a lender or agent for lenders.
 
18.      CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.
 
18.1           General.  In recognition and anticipation (i) that the Purchasers will be significant equity holders of the Company, (ii) that directors, officers and/or employees of the Purchasers may serve as directors of the Company, (iii) that the Purchasers may, directly or indirectly, through ownership interests in a variety of enterprises, engage in activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage, (iv) that the Purchasers may have an interest in the same areas of corporate opportunity as the Company and its Affiliates, and (v) that, as a consequence of the foregoing, it is in the best interests of the Company that the respective rights and duties of the Company and of the Purchasers, and the duties of any directors of the Company who are also directors, officers or employees of the Purchasers, be determined and delineated in respect of any transactions between, or opportunities that may be suitable for both, the Company and any of its Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Purchasers, on the other hand, the provisions of this Section 18 shall to the fullest extent permitted by law regulate and define the conduct of certain of the business and affairs of the Company in relation to the Purchasers and the conduct of certain affairs of the Company as they may involve the Purchasers, their respective officers, directors and employees, and the power, rights, duties and liabilities of the Company and its officers, directors and stockholders in connection therewith. Any Person purchasing or otherwise acquiring this Warrant or any Warrant Shares, or any interest therein, shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Section 18.
 
18.2           Duties of the Purchasers.  The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that nothing in this Warrant shall create a fiduciary duty of the Purchasers or any of their Affiliates, or any officer, director or employee of the Purchasers or any of their Affiliates, to the Company or its shareholders.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in the Credit Agreement or any actions or omissions by representatives of the Purchasers or any of their Affiliates in whatever capacity, including as a director or observer to the Company’s Board of Directors, it is understood that neither the Purchasers nor any of their Affiliates are acting as financial advisors, agents or underwriters to the Company or any of its Affiliates or otherwise on behalf of the Company or any of its Affiliates unless retained to provide such services pursuant to a separate written agreement.  Except as otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Purchasers, the Purchasers shall to the fullest extent permitted by law have no duty to refrain from (i) engaging in the same or similar activities or lines of business as the Company or (ii) doing business with any client, customer or vendor of the Company.  If the Purchasers acquire knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for both the Company and the Purchasers, then the Company to the fullest extent permitted by law renounces any interest or expectancy in such business opportunity and waives any claim that such business opportunity constituted a corporate opportunity that should have been presented to the Company or any of its Affiliates.  In the case of any such corporate opportunity, the Purchasers shall to the fullest extent permitted by law not be liable to the Company or its stockholders, or to any other Holder, as an equity holder of the Company by reason of the fact that the Purchasers acquire or seek such corporate opportunity for themselves, direct such corporate opportunity to another Person or otherwise do not communicate information regarding such corporate opportunity to the Company.
 

 
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18.3           Duties of Certain of the Purchasers’ Affiliates.  If a director of the Company, who also serves as an officer, director or employee of the Purchasers, acquires knowledge of a potential transaction or matter that may be a corporate opportunity for both the Company and the Purchasers, then such officer or director shall have no duty to communicate or present such corporate opportunity to the Company and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, not be liable to the Company or its stockholders, or to any other Holder, for breach of fiduciary duty as an officer or director of the Company by reason of the fact that the Purchasers pursue or acquire such corporate opportunity for themselves, direct such corporate opportunity to another Person or do not present such corporate opportunity to the Company, and the Company to the fullest extent permitted by law renounces any interest or expectancy in such business opportunity and waives any claim that such business opportunity constituted a corporate opportunity that should be presented to the Company.
 
18.4           Corporate Opportunities Defined.  For purposes of this Section 18, “corporate opportunities” shall include, but not be limited to, business opportunities that the Company is financially able to undertake, that are, from their nature, in the line of the Company’s business, that are of practical advantage to it and that are ones in which the Company, but for the provisions of Sections 18.2 and 18.3, would have an interest or a reasonable expectancy, and in which, by embracing the opportunities, the self-interest of the Purchasers or its officers or directors will be brought into conflict with that of the Company.
 
19.      NON PROMOTION.  The Company agrees that it will not, without the prior written consent of the applicable Purchaser, in each instance, (a) use in advertising, publicity, or otherwise the name of the Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, or any partner or employee of such Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, nor any trade name, trademark, trade device, service mark, symbol or any abbreviation, contraction or simulation thereof owned by such Purchaser or any of its Affiliates, or (b) represent, directly or indirectly, that any product or any service provided by the Company has been approved or endorsed by such Purchaser or any of its Affiliates.
 
20.      USE OF LOGO.  The Company grants the Purchasers permission to use the Company’s name and logo in any Purchaser’s or their Affiliates’ marketing materials.  The Purchasers or their Affiliate, as applicable, shall include a trademark attribution notice giving notice of the Company’s ownership of its trademarks in the marketing materials in which the Company’s name and logo appear.
 
21.      LOCK-UP LIMITATIONS.  Notwithstanding anything in this Warrant, none of the provisions of this Warrant shall in any way limit the Purchasers or their Affiliates from engaging in any brokerage, investment advisory, financial advisory, anti-raid advisory, principaling, merger advisory, financing, asset management, trading, market making, arbitrage, investment activity and other similar activities conducted in the ordinary course of their business. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Warrant, the restrictions contained in this Warrant shall not apply to Common Stock or Convertible Securities acquired by the Purchasers or any of their Affiliates following the effective date of the first registration statement of the Company covering Common Stock (or other securities) to be sold on behalf of the Company in an underwritten public offering.
 

 
23

 

22.      NOTICES.  Any notice or other communication in connection with this Warrant shall be deemed to be delivered if in writing (or, in the form of a telex or telecopy) addressed as hereinafter provided and if either (x) actually delivered at said address (evidenced in the case of a telex by receipt of the correct answerback) or (y) in the case of a letter, three (3) Business Days shall have elapsed after the same shall have been deposited in the United States mails, postage prepaid and registered or certified; (a) if to any Holder of any Warrant, at the registered address of such Holder as set forth in the register kept at the Chief Executive Office; or (b) if to the Company, to the attention of its Chief Executive officer or President at its Chief Executive Office; provided, however, that the exercise of any Warrant shall be effective only in the manner provided in Section 1.
 
23.      WAIVERS; AMENDMENTS.  Any provision of this Warrant may be amended or waived with (but only with) the written consent of the Company and the Requisite Holders.  Any amendment or waiver effected in compliance with this Section 23 shall be binding upon the Company and all of the Holders regardless of whether all Holders execute such amendment or waiver.  The Company shall give prompt notice to the Holders of any amendment or waiver effected in compliance with this Section 23.  No failure or delay of the Company or the Holders in exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereon or the exercise of any other right or power.  No notice or demand on the Company in any case shall entitle the Company to any other or future notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.  The rights and remedies of the Company and the Holders hereunder are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which it would otherwise have.
 
24.      INDEMNIFICATION.
 
24.1           Without limitation of any other provision of this Warrant or any agreement executed in connection herewith, the Company agrees to defend, indemnify and hold each Holder, its respective affiliates and direct and indirect partners (including partners of partners and stockholders and members of partners), members, stockholders, directors, officers, employees and agents and each person who controls any of them within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, or Section 20 of the Exchange Act (collectively, the  “Holder Indemnified Parties” and, individually, a “Holder Indemnified Party”) harmless from and against any and all damages, liabilities, losses, taxes, fines, penalties, reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable fees of a single counsel representing the Holder Indemnified Parties), as the same are incurred, of any kind or nature whatsoever (whether or not arising out of third-party claims and including all amounts paid in investigation, defense or settlement of the foregoing) which may be sustained or suffered by any such Holder Indemnified Party (“Losses”), based upon, arising out of, or by reason of (i) any breach of any representation or warranty made by the Company in this Warrant or any other agreement executed in connection herewith, (ii) any breach of any covenant or agreement made by the Company in this Warrant or in any other agreement executed in connection herewith, or (iii) any third party or governmental claims relating in any way to such Holder Indemnified Party’s status as a security holder, creditor, director, agent, representative or controlling person of the Company or otherwise relating to such Holder Indemnified Party’s involvement with the Company (including, without limitation, any and all Losses under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, which relate directly or indirectly to the registration, purchase, sale or ownership of any securities of the Company or to any fiduciary obligation owed with respect thereto), including, without limitation, in connection with any third party or governmental action or claim relating to any action taken or omitted to be taken or alleged to have been taken or omitted to have been taken by any Holder Indemnified Party as security holder, director, agent, representative or controlling person of the Company or otherwise, alleging so-called control person liability or securities law liability; provided, however, that the Company will not be liable to the extent that such Losses arise from and are based on (A) an untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission in a registration statement or prospectus which is made in reliance on and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder Indemnified Party, or (B) conduct by a Holder Indemnified Party which constitutes fraud or willful misconduct.
 

 
24

 

24.2           If the indemnification provided for in Section 24.1 above for any reason is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to a Holder Indemnified Party in respect of any Losses referred to therein, then the Company, in lieu of indemnifying such Holder Indemnified Party thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Holder Indemnified Party as a result of such Losses (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and the Holder, or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company and the Holder in connection with the action or inaction which resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative fault of the Company and the Holder shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company and the Holder and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
 
24.3           Each of the Company and the Holder agrees that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to Section 24.2 were determined by pro rata or per capita allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph.
 
25.      MISCELLANEOUS.
 
25.1           Expenses.  The Company shall pay all reasonable expenses of the Holders, including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel, in connection with the preparation of the Warrant, any waiver or consent hereunder or any amendment or modification hereof (regardless of whether the same becomes effective), or the enforcement of the provisions hereof.
 
25.2           Successors and Assigns.  All the provisions of this Warrant by or for the benefit of the Company or the Holders shall bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns.
 
25.3           Severability.  In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Warrant shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.  The parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.
 
25.4           Equitable Remedies.  Without limiting the rights of the Company and the Holders to pursue all other legal and equitable rights available to such party for the other parties’ failure to perform its obligations hereunder, the Company and the Holders each hereto acknowledge and agree that the remedy at law for any failure to perform any obligations hereunder would be inadequate and that each shall be entitled to specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies in the event of any such failure.
 

 
25

 

25.5           Continued Effect.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the rights and benefits conferred on the Holders pursuant to the provisions hereof (including without limitation Section 2, Section 3, Section 4, and Section 5 and any covenants made by the Company) shall continue to inure to the benefit of, and shall be enforceable by, the Holders, notwithstanding the surrender of the Warrant to, and its cancellation by, the Company upon the full or partial exercise or repurchase hereof.  The Holders shall be entitled to retain a copy of this Warrant as evidence of the continued effect of the provisions hereof.
 
25.6           Governing Law.  THIS WARRANT SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF LAW.
 
25.7           Waiver of Jury Trial.  EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS WARRANT OR ANY OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).  EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS WARRANT AND THE OTHER TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
 
25.8           Section Headings.  The section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not be construed in any way to affect the interpretation of any provisions of this Warrant.
 
25.9           Counterparts.  This Warrant may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together, shall be deemed to be one and the same instrument.
 
[Signature Page Follows]
 

 
26

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be duly executed as of the date hereof.
 
 
COMPANY:
   
 
VERTEX ENERGY, INC.
   
   
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart              
 
Name:
_______________________
 
Title:
_______________________
 
 
 
The undersigned is executing this Warrant as of the date hereof to evidence its consent to, and, to the extent applicable, its agreement to be bound by, the provisions of Section 8.7 of this Warrant for the benefit of the Company and each other Holder.
 

 
 
PURCHASER:
   
 
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
   
   
 
By:
/s/ Stephen W. Hipp                 
 
Name:
Stephen W. Hipp                       
 
Title:
Authorized Signatory               
 
 

 
 
27

 

EXHIBIT I
 
FORM OF SUBSCRIPTION
 
[To be executed only upon exercise of Warrant]
 
To [____________________________]
 
The undersigned registered Holder of the within Warrant hereby irrevocably exercises such Warrant for, and purchases thereunder, ______ shares of Common Stock and herewith makes payment of $_________ therefor, and requests that the certificates for such shares of Common Stock be issued in the name of, and delivered to _______________________, whose address is __________________________.
 
Dated:
 
       
 
 (Signature must conform in all respects to name of Holder as specified on the face of Warrant)
       
       
    (Street Address)  
       
       
 
 (City)
(State)
(Zip Code)

 

 
28

 

EXHIBIT II
 
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
 
[To be executed only upon transfer of Warrant]
 
For value received, the undersigned registered Holder of the within Warrant hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto _________________________ the rights represented by such Warrant to purchase _____shares of Common Stock of Vertex Energy, Inc. (the “Company”) to which and such Warrant relates, and appoints ____________________________ Attorney to make such transfer on the books of the Company maintained for such purpose, with full power of substitution in the premises.
 
Dated:
 
 
       
 
 (Signature must conform in all respects to name of Holder as specified on the face of Warrant)
       
       
    (Street Address)  
       
       
 
 (City)
(State)
(Zip Code)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 29

 
EX-10.3 4 ex10-3.htm LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT BETWEEN VERTEX ENERGY, INC., VERTEX ENERGY OPERATING, LLC, VERTEX ACQUISITION SUB, LLC, VERTEX REFINING LA, LLC, VERTEX II GP, LLC, VERTEX MERGER SUB, LLC, CEDAR MARINE TERMINALS, LP, CROSSROAD CARRIERS, L.P., H & H OIL, L. P., ex10-3.htm


****************************************
MATERIAL BELOW MARKED BY AN "***" HAS BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT. THIS ENTIRE EXHIBIT INCLUDING THE OMITTED CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE COMMISSION
****************************************
 
Exhibit 10.3
MIDCAP BUSINESS CREDIT LLC

LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
(ALL ASSETS)

March ____, 2015

1.           SECURITY INTEREST. Vertex Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("Vertex Energy"), Vertex Energy Operating, LLC, a Texas limited liability company ("Vertex Energy Operating"), Vertex Acquisition Sub, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company ("Vertex Acquisition"), Vertex Refining LA, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company ("Vertex Refining"), Vertex II GP, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company ("Vertex II GP"), Vertex Merger Sub, LLC, a California limited liability company ("Vertex Merger"), Cedar Marine Terminals, LP, a Texas limited partnership ("Cedar Marine"), Crossroad Carriers, L.P., a Texas limited partnership ("Crossroad Carriers"), H & H Oil, L. P., a Texas limited partnership ("H & H"), and Vertex Recovery, L.P., a Texas limited partnership ("Vertex Recovery") (Vertex Energy, Vertex Energy Operating, Vertex Acquisition, Vertex Refining, Vertex II GP, Vertex Merger, Cedar Marine, Crossroad Carriers, H & H and Vertex Recovery are hereinafter, individually and collectively referred to as the "Borrower"), for valuable consideration, receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hereby grants to MidCap Business Credit LLC, a Texas limited liability company, the secured party hereunder (hereinafter called the "Lender"), a continuing security interest in and to, and assigns to Lender, all assets of the Borrower, wherever located and whether now owned or hereafter acquired, including, without limitation, the following:  all accounts, chattel paper, documents, general intangibles, instruments, deposit accounts, letter of credit rights, supporting obligations, commercial tort claims, investment property, inventory, equipment and other goods (as those terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) and all proceeds and products of all of the foregoing in any form, including, without limitation, all proceeds of credit, fire or other insurance, and also including, without limitation, rents and profits resulting from the temporary use of any of the foregoing (hereinafter called the "Collateral").

2.           OBLIGATIONS SECURED. The security interest granted hereby is to secure payment and performance of all debts, liabilities and obligations of Borrower to Lender hereunder and also any and all other debts, liabilities and obligations of Borrower to Lender of every kind and description, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, primary or secondary, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising, whether or not such obligations are related to the transactions described in this Agreement, by class, or kind, or whether or not contemplated by the parties at the time of the granting of this security interest, regardless of how they arise or by what agreement or instrument they may be evidenced or whether evidenced by any agreement or instrument, and includes obligations to perform acts and refrain from taking action as well as obligations to pay money including, without limitation, all interest, fees, charges and expenses (all hereinafter called "Obligations").

3.           BORROWER'S PLACES OF BUSINESS, INVENTORY LOCATIONS AND RETURNS POLICY.  Borrower warrants that Borrower has no places of business other than those listed on Schedule "A".

Borrower's principal executive office and the office where Borrower keeps its records concerning its accounts, contract rights and other property, is that shown at the end of this Agreement.  All inventory presently owned by Borrower is stored at the locations set forth on Schedule "A".

 
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Borrower will promptly notify Lender in writing of any change in the location of any place of business or the location at which inventory is stored or the establishment of any new place of business or location at which inventory is stored or office where its records are kept which would be shown in this Agreement if it were executed after such change.

4.           BORROWER'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Borrower represents and warrants that:

(a)           Each Borrower is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of its organization and shall hereafter remain in good standing in that state, and is duly qualified and in good standing in every other state in which it is doing business, and shall hereafter remain duly qualified and in good standing in every other state in which the failure to qualify or become licensed could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business or operations of such Borrower or the value of any Collateral.

(b)           Borrower's exact legal name is as set forth in this Agreement.

(c)           The organizational identification number of each Borrower is as set forth on Schedule "A" annexed hereto.

(d)           The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and any other document executed in connection herewith, are within Borrower's powers, have been duly authorized, are not in contravention of law or the terms of Borrower's charter, by−laws, operating agreement or other organizational papers, or of any indenture, agreement or undertaking to which a Borrower is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound.

(e)           All Certificates of Incorporation, Articles of Organization and Certificates of Formation and all amendments thereto of Borrower have been duly filed.  All capital stock and/or membership interests issued by Borrower and outstanding was and is properly issued and all books and records of Borrower, including but not limited to its minute books, by−laws, operating agreement and books of account, are accurate and up to date and will be so maintained.

(f)           The exact legal names of the entities entering into Negative Pledge Agreements with the Lender are as follows:  E-Source Holdings, LLC ("E-Source"), Vertex Refining OH, LLC ("Vertex Ohio") and Vertex Refining NV, LLC ("Vertex Nevada") (E-Source, Vertex Ohio and Vertex Nevada are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Affiliate").

(g)           Vertex Energy and its consolidated subsidiaries own all of the assets reflected in the most recent of Borrower's financial statements provided to Lender, except assets sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business since the date thereof, and such assets together with any assets acquired since such date, including without limitation the Collateral, are free and clear of any lien, pledge, security interest, charge, mortgage or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever, except (i) the security interests and other encumbrances (if any) listed on Schedule "B" annexed hereto, (ii) those leases of personal property set forth on Schedule "C" annexed hereto, (iii) those liens permitted pursuant to Section 15(d) of this Agreement (hereinafter "Permitted Liens"), or (iv) liens and security interests in favor of Lender.

 
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(h)           Borrower and Affiliate have made or filed (or is subject to a duly filed extension) all tax returns, reports and declarations relating to any material tax liability required by any jurisdiction to which it is subject (any tax liability which may result in a lien on any Collateral being hereby deemed material); have paid all taxes shown or determined to be due thereon except those being contested in good faith and which Borrower has, prior to the date of such contest, identified in writing to Lender as being contested; and have made adequate provision for the payment of all taxes so contested, so that no lien will encumber any Collateral, and in respect of subsequent periods.

(i)           Borrower (i) is subject to no charter, corporate or other legal restriction, or any judgment, award, decree, order, governmental rule or regulation or contractual restriction which could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or business, and (ii) is in compliance with its charter documents, by−laws and operating agreement, all contractual requirements by which it or any of its properties may be bound and all applicable laws, rules and regulations (including without limitation those relating to environmental protection) other than laws, rules or regulations the validity or applicability of which it is contesting in good faith or provisions of any of the foregoing the failure to comply with which cannot reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect its financial condition or business or the value of any Collateral.

(j)           There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or, to Borrower's knowledge, threatened against or affecting it or any of its assets before or by any court or other governmental authority which, if determined adversely to it, would have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or business or the value of any Collateral.
 
 
(k)           Borrower is in compliance with ERISA; no Reportable Event has occurred and is continuing with respect to any Plan; and it has no unfunded vested liability under any Plan.  The word "Plan" as used in this Agreement means any employee plan subject to Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") maintained for employees of Borrower, any subsidiary of Borrower or any other trade or business under common control with Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any regulations thereunder.

(l)           Neither Borrower nor, to the knowledge of Borrower, any of its owners, subsidiaries or affiliates, is in violation of any laws relating to terrorism or money laundering ("Anti-Terrorism Laws"), including Executive Order No. 13224 on Terrorist Financing, effective September 24, 2001 (the "Executive Order"), and the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Public Law 107-56.

(m)           Neither Borrower nor, to the knowledge of Borrower, any of its owners, subsidiaries or affiliates or other agent of Borrower acting or benefitting in any capacity in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder, is any of the following: (i) a person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive Order; (ii) a person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, any person that is listed in the annex to, or is otherwise subject to the provisions of, the Executive Order; (iii) a person with which Lender is prohibited from dealing or otherwise engaging in any transaction by any Anti-Terrorism Law; (iv) a person that commits, threatens or conspires to commit or supports "terrorism" as defined in the Executive Order; or (v) a person that is named as a "specially designated national and blocked person" on the most current list published by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control ("OFAC") at its official website or any replacement website or other replacement official publication of such list.

 
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(n)           Neither Borrower nor, to the knowledge of Borrower, any agent of any of its owners, subsidiaries or affiliates acting in any capacity in connection with the transactions contemplated hereunder (i) conducts any business or engages in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any person described in subsection (l) above, (ii) deals in, or otherwise engages in any transaction relating to, any property or interest in property blocked pursuant to the Executive Order, or (iii) engages in or conspires to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempts to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law.

5.           LOANS AND OTHER FINANCIAL ACCOMMODATIONS.

(a)           From time to time upon Borrower’s request, so long as the sum of the aggregate principal amount of all revolving loans outstanding and the requested loan does not exceed the lesser of (i) the Borrowing Base (as defined below), or (ii) the Credit Limit (as defined below), Lender shall make such requested loan, provided that there has not occurred an Event of Default or an event which, with notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

        In order to facilitate the borrowing procedure hereunder, the Borrower hereby appoints Vertex Energy Operating as Borrower's duly authorized agent to request, receive and distribute loans hereunder and to communicate with Lender with respect hereto, and Vertex Energy Operating does hereby accept such appointment.

(b)           All loans made by Lender pursuant to this Section 5 shall bear interest and, at the option of Lender, shall be evidenced by and repayable in accordance with a revolving note drawn to the order of Lender substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 hereto (the "Note"), as the same may hereafter be amended, supplemented or restated from time to time and any note or notes issued in substitution therefor, but in all events shall be conclusively evidenced by Lender's records of loans and repayments.

Interest will be charged to Borrower at a fluctuating rate which is the daily equivalent to a rate equal to the aggregate of : (x) the Prime Rate, and (y) one and three-quarters of one (1.75%) percent per annum, or at such other rate agreed on from time to time by the parties, upon the greater of (i) any balance owing to Lender at the close of each day; or (ii) a minimum assumed average daily loan balance of Three Million ($3,000,000.00) Dollars (the "Minimum Loan Balance").  The rate of interest payable by Borrower shall be changed effective as of that date in which a change in the Prime Rate becomes effective.  Interest shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of three hundred sixty (360) days. The term "Prime Rate" as used herein and in any supplement and amendment hereto shall mean the Prime Rate as published from time to time in the "Money Rates" section of The Wall Street Journal or any successor publication, or in the event that such rate is no longer published in The Wall Street Journal, a comparable index or reference selected by Lender. The Prime Rate need not and may not necessarily be the lowest or most favorable rate. Interest shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America to Lender, or as Lender shall direct, without set-off, deduction or counterclaim monthly, in arrears, on the first day of each month, commencing on the first day of the month next succeeding the date hereof.

 
-4-

 

(c)           The term "Borrowing Base" as used herein shall mean the sum of the following:

(i)           eighty-five (85%) percent of the unpaid face amount of Qualified Accounts (as defined below) or such other percentage thereof as may from time to time be fixed by Lender upon notice to Borrower, if Lender determines in its reasonable judgment that there has been a change in circumstances relating to any or all Accounts from those circumstances in existence on or prior to the date hereof, PLUS

(ii)           the lesser of (A) Three Million ($3,000,000.00) Dollars, or (B) fifty (50%) percent of the cost or market value, whichever is lower, of all Eligible Inventory (as defined below), MINUS

(iii)           the Borrowing Base Reserve (as defined below).

The foregoing notwithstanding, the Borrower and the Lender agree that until such time as (i) the Borrower completes a capital stock offering, the net cash proceeds of which are not less than Nine Million One Hundred Thousand ($9,100,000.00) Dollars (consistent with Section 5.13(b) of the GS Credit Agreement (as defined in Section 15(d) hereof) as amended as of the date hereof), or (ii) the date that the Borrower and Goldman Sachs enter into an amendment, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, eliminating the prepayment requirement set forth in Section 2.13(f) of the GS Credit Agreement as amended as of the date hereof, the advance rate against Qualified Account shall be reduced to fifty-three (53%) percent and the advance rate against Eligible Inventory shall be reduced to thirty-one (31%) percent.

The advance rate against Qualified Accounts shall be reduced by one (1%) percentage point for each percentage point by which Dilution is in excess of three (3%) percent.

The term "Borrowing Base Reserve" as used herein means, as of any date of determination, such amounts (expressed as either a specified amount or as a percentage of a specified category or item) as the Lender may from time to time establish and adjust in reducing the amount available for borrowing (a) to reflect events, conditions, contingencies or risks which, as determined by the Lender, do or may affect (i) the Collateral or its value, (ii) the assets or business of the Borrower, or (iii) the security interests and other rights of the Lender in the Collateral (including the enforceability, perfection and priority thereof), or (b) to reflect the Lender’s judgment that any collateral report or financial information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Lender is or may have been incomplete, inaccurate or misleading in any material respect, or (c) in respect of any state of facts that the Lender determines constitutes an Event of Default.

 
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The term "Dilution" as used herein shall mean , as of any date of determination, a percentage, based upon the year-to-date period ending on the date of determination, that is the result of dividing (a) actual bad debt write-downs, discounts, advertising allowances, credits, or other dilutive items with respect to the Accounts as determined by Lender in its sole discretion during such period, by (b) Borrower’s gross sales during such period (excluding non-recurring items).

Without limiting Lender's discretion, notwithstanding the actual net face value of any Qualified Account of Borrower, for purposes of computing the Borrowing Base, the value of all Qualified Accounts due from any account debtor shall not exceed the sum of Five Hundred Thousand ($500,000.00) Dollars in the aggregate.  Lender may, in its sole discretion, raise or lower the Five Hundred Thousand ($500,000.00) Dollar limit set forth in the immediately preceding sentence without in any way creating a course of conduct which requires Lender to maintain such raised or lowered limit or to raise or lower such limit again in the future.  Lender, in its exercise of its discretion, has initially set higher credit limits on those customers of Borrower set forth on Exhibit 2 attached hereto.

(d)           The term "Credit Limit" as used herein shall mean an amount equal to Seven Million ($7,000,000.00) Dollars.

(e)           Borrower hereby authorizes and directs Lender, in Lender's sole discretion (provided, however, Lender shall have no obligation to do so): (i) to pay accrued interest as the same becomes due and payable pursuant to this Agreement or pursuant to any note or other agreement between Borrower and Lender by charging any of Borrower's accounts under the control of Lender; or (ii) subject to the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined in Section 23(q) below), to apply the proceeds of Collateral, including, without limitation, payments on accounts and other payments from sales or lease of inventory and any other funds to the payment of such items.  Lender shall promptly notify Borrower of any such charges or applications.

(f)           The Borrowing Base formula set forth above is intended solely for monitoring purposes.  The making of loans, advances, and credits by Lender to Borrower in excess of the above described Borrowing Base formula is for the benefit of Borrower and does not affect the obligations of Borrower hereunder; all such loans constitute Obligations and must be repaid by Borrower in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

(g)           Borrower shall pay to Lender the principal amount of all loans as follows:

(i)           Borrowing Base Exceeded. Whenever the outstanding principal balance of all loans exceed the Borrowing Base, Borrower shall immediately pay to Lender the excess of the outstanding principal balance of the loans over the Borrowing Base.

(ii)           Payment in Full on Termination. On termination of this Agreement, pursuant to Section 21 or acceleration of the obligations pursuant to Section 16, Borrower shall pay to Lender the entire outstanding principal balance of all loans and shall deliver to Lender cash collateral in an amount equal to the aggregate of (A) amounts then undrawn on all outstanding Letters of Credit issued pursuant to this Agreement for the account of the Borrower, and (B) the amount of all outstanding acceptances issued pursuant to this Agreement.

 
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(h)          Lender may, at any time and from time to time, in its reasonable judgment establish reserves against the Accounts and/or the Inventory of the Borrower.  The amount of such reserves shall be subtracted from Qualified Accounts or Eligible Inventory, as applicable, when calculating the amount of the Borrowing Base.

(i)           It is the intention of the parties hereto to comply strictly with applicable usury laws, if any; accordingly, notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in this Agreement or any other documents or instruments executed in connection herewith, in no event shall this Agreement or such documents or instruments require or permit the payment, taking, reserving, receiving, collecting or charging of any sums constituting interest under applicable laws which exceed the maximum amount permitted by such laws.  If any such excess interest is called for, contracted for, charged, paid, taken, reserved, collected or received in connection with the Obligations or in any communication by Lender or any other person or entity to the Borrower or any other person or entity, or in the event all or part of the principal of the Obligations or interest thereon shall be prepaid or accelerated, so that under any of such circumstances or under any other circumstance whatsoever the amount of interest contracted for, charged, taken, collected, reserved, or received on the amount of principal actually outstanding from time to time under this Agreement shall exceed the maximum amount of interest permitted by applicable usury laws, if any, then in any such event it is agreed as follows: (i) the provisions of this paragraph shall govern and control, (ii) neither the Borrower nor any other person or entity now or hereafter liable for the payment of the Obligations shall be obligated to pay the amount of such interest to the extent such interest is in excess of the maximum amount of interest permitted by applicable usury laws, if any, (iii) any such excess which is or has been received notwithstanding this paragraph shall be credited against the then unpaid principal balance hereof or, if the Obligations have been or would be paid in full by such credit, refunded to the Borrower, and (iv) the provisions of this Agreement and the other documents or instruments executed in connection herewith, and any communication to the Borrower, shall immediately be deemed reformed and such excess interest reduced, without the necessity of executing any other document, to the maximum lawful rate allowed under applicable laws as now or hereafter construed by courts having jurisdiction hereof or thereof.  Without limiting the foregoing, all calculations of the rate of interest contracted for, charged, taken, collected, reserved, or received in connection herewith which are made for the purpose of determining whether such rate exceeds the maximum lawful rate shall be made to the extent permitted by applicable laws by amortizing, prorating, allocating and spreading during the period of the full term of the Obligations, including all prior and subsequent renewals and extensions, all interest at any time contracted for, charged, taken, collected, reserved or received.  The terms of this paragraph shall be deemed to be incorporated in every loan document and communication relating to the Obligations.

6.           DEFINITION OF QUALIFIED ACCOUNT.  The term "Qualified Account", as used herein, means an account owing to Borrower which met the following specifications at the time it came into existence and continues to meet the same until it is collected in full:

(a)           The account is not unpaid more than ninety (90) days from the date of the invoice thereof.

(b)           The account arose from the performance of services or an outright sale of goods by Borrower, such goods have been shipped or title transferred to the account debtor, and Borrower has possession of, or has delivered to Lender, shipping and delivery receipts evidencing such shipment or has evidence of the same.

 
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(c)           The account is not subject to any prior assignment, claim, lien, or security interest, and Borrower will not make any further assignment thereof or create any further security interest therein, except as set forth on Schedule "B" annexed hereto, nor permit Borrower's rights therein to be reached by attachment, levy, garnishment or other judicial process.

(d)           The account is not subject to set−off, credit, allowance or adjustment by the account debtor, except discount allowed for prompt payment and the account debtor has not complained as to his liability thereon and has not returned any of the goods from the sale of which the account arose.

(e)           The account arose in the ordinary course of Borrower's business and did not arise from the performance of services or a sale of goods to a supplier or employee of Borrower.

(f)           No notice of bankruptcy or insolvency of the account debtor has been received by or is known to Borrower.

(g)           The account is not owed by an account debtor whose principal place of business is outside the United States of America or Canada, unless (i) backed by a bank letter of credit naming the Lender as beneficiary or assigned to the Lender, in the Lender’s possession or control, and with respect to which a control agreement concerning the letter-of-credit rights is in effect, and acceptable to the Lender in all respects, in its sole discretion, or (ii) covered by a foreign receivables insurance policy acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion which names Lender as beneficiary or co-insured.

(h)           The account is not owed by an entity which is a parent, brother/sister, subsidiary or affiliate of Borrower.

(i)           The account debtor is not located in the State of New Jersey, in the State of Minnesota or in the State of West Virginia (or any other state that requires an entity to file a business activity report or similar document in order to bring suit or otherwise enforce its remedies against an account debtor in the courts or through any judicial process of such state), unless (i) Borrower has filed and shall file all legally required Notice of Business Activities Reports with the New Jersey Division of Taxation, the Minnesota Department of Revenue or the West Virginia Department of Tax and Revenue, as the case may be; or (ii) Borrower is exempt from such filing requirement.

(j)           The account is not evidenced by a promissory note.

(k)           The account did not arise out of any sale made on a bill and hold, dating or delayed shipment basis.

(l)           The account does not arise out of a progress billing prior to completion of the order therefor.

(m)           Lender, in accordance with its normal credit policies, has not, for any reason, deemed the account or the account debtor to be unacceptable.

 
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PROVIDED THAT if at any time twenty-five (25%) percent or more of the aggregate amount of the accounts due from any account debtor are unpaid in whole or in part more than ninety (90) days from the respective dates of invoice, from and after such time none of the accounts (then existing or hereafter arising) due from such account debtor shall be deemed to be Qualified Accounts until such time as less than twenty-five (25%) percent of the unpaid accounts due from such account debtor are (as a result of actual payments received thereon) more than ninety (90) days from the date of invoice; accounts payable by Borrower to an account debtor shall be netted against accounts due from such account debtor and the difference (if positive) shall constitute Qualified Accounts from such account debtor for purposes of determining the Borrowing Base (notwithstanding paragraph (d) above);  characterization of any account due from an account debtor as a Qualified Account shall not be deemed a determination by Lender as to its actual value nor in any way obligate Lender to accept any account subsequently arising from such account debtor to be, or to continue to deem such account to be, a Qualified Account; it is Borrower's responsibility to determine the creditworthiness of account debtors and all risks concerning the same and collection of accounts are with Borrower; and all accounts whether or not Qualified Accounts constitute Collateral.

7.           DEFINITION OF ELIGIBLE INVENTORY.  The term "Eligible Inventory", as used herein, means Borrower's raw material and finished goods which are initially and at all times until sold: consist of distressed hydrocarbon and petrochemical streams in the case of raw material, consist of processed or refined hydrocarbon and petrochemical streams in the case of finished goods,  merchantable and saleable through normal trade channels; at a location which has been identified in writing to Lender; subject to a perfected first priority security interest in favor of Lender; owned by Borrower free and clear of any lien except (a) in favor of Lender, (b) set forth on Schedule "B" annexed hereto, or (c) Permitted Liens; not obsolete, not scrap, not waste (unless saleable in the ordinary course of operations of Borrower), not defective goods and the like, not excess, and is currently saleable in the ordinary course of the operations of Borrower; have been produced by Borrower in accordance with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, and all rules, regulations and orders promulgated thereunder; not stored with a bailee, warehouseman or similar party unless Lender has given its prior written consent thereto; not work in process; not perishable or alive; not supplies; not packaging; not sample inventory or customer supplied parts or inventory; and have not been designated by Lender, in its sole discretion, as unacceptable for any reason by notice to Borrower.  The value of Eligible Inventory located at an outside processor shall be reduced by the amount of accounts payable due to such outside processor.

Borrower acknowledges that the inventory located at LBC Houston, L.P.'s Bayport, Texas Facility, will not be deemed to  be Eligible Inventory until such time as Lender has received a Landlord's Consent and Waiver of Lien for the two 6,500 Barrel Carbon Steel Tanks (B-7 and B-11) located at LBC Houston, L.P.'s Bayport, Texas Facility.

8.           LENDER'S REPORTS.  After the end of each month, Lender will render to Borrower a statement of Borrower's loan account with Lender hereunder, showing all applicable credits and debits.  Each statement shall be considered correct and to have been accepted by Borrower and shall be conclusively binding upon Borrower in respect of all charges, debits and credits of whatsoever nature contained therein under or pursuant to this Agreement, and the closing balance shown therein, unless Borrower notifies Lender in writing of any discrepancy within twenty (20) days from the mailing by Lender to Borrower of any such monthly statement.

 
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9.           CONDITIONS OF LENDING.

(a)           The willingness of Lender to consider making the initial loan hereunder shall be subject to the condition precedent that Lender shall have received all of the following, each in form and substance satisfactory to Lender:

(i)             This Agreement, properly executed on behalf of Borrower.

(ii)            The Note drawn to the order of Lender in the face amount of the Credit Limit.

(iii)           A true and correct copy of any and all leases pursuant to which Borrower is leasing any real property, together with a landlord’s consent and waiver with respect to such real property.

(iv)           Current searches of appropriate filing offices showing that (A) no state or federal tax liens have been filed and remain in effect against Borrower, (B) no financing statements have been filed and remain in effect against Borrower, except those financing statements relating to liens set forth on Schedule "B", the liens of the secured lender to be paid with the proceeds of the initial loan and those financing statements filed by Lender, and (C) Lender has duly filed all financing statements necessary to perfect the security interests granted hereunder, to the extent the security interests are capable of being perfected by filing.

(v)            A certificate of the Secretary, Manager or General Partner of Borrower, certifying as to (A) the resolutions of the directors, managers and/or general partners and, if required, the shareholders and members of Borrower, authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and related documents, (B) the Articles of Organization, Certificate of Formation, By-Laws, Operating Agreement and/or Partnership Agreement of Borrower, and (C) the signatures of the officers, managers, general partners or agents of Borrower authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and other instruments, agreements and certificates, including loan requests, on behalf of Borrower.

(vi)           A current certificate issued by the Secretary of State of the state of Borrower’s organization, certifying that Borrower is in compliance with all organizational requirements of such state.

(vii)           Evidence that Borrower is duly licensed or qualified to transact business in all jurisdictions where the character of the property owned or leased or the nature of the business transacted by it makes such licensing or qualification necessary.

(viii)         An opinion of counsel to Borrower, addressed to Lender.

(ix)           Certificates of the insurance required hereunder, with all hazard insurance containing a lender’s loss payable endorsement in favor of Lender and naming the Lender as an additional insured.

 
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(x)           The Intercreditor Agreement, properly executed by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender.

(xi)           Evidence that Goldman Sachs Bank USA has waived all known current violations of its loan agreement or has entered into a forbearance agreement with Borrower on terms and conditions satisfactory to Lender.

(xii)           Junior mortgages on all real estate subject to mortgages in favor of Goldman Sachs Bank USA.

(xiii)          Copies of all existing agreements between Borrower and any landlord, warehouseman, processor, shipper, bailee or other person that owns any property at which any Collateral may be dept or that otherwise may process or handle any Collateral, including without limitation, Marrero Refinery located in Louisiana, KMTEX located in Port Arthur, Texas, and LBC Tank Terminals located in Seabrook, Texas.

(xiv)          Payment of the fees due through the date of the initial loan and expenses incurred by Lender through such date required to be paid by Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

(xv)          A Borrowing Base Certificate which indicates that Borrower has the necessary loan availability to pay Bank of America, N.A.

(xvi)          Such other documents, instruments and agreements as Lender in its sole but reasonable discretion may require.

(xvii)         Evidence that after making the initial loan and the payment by Borrower of all fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith, satisfying all obligations owed to Bank of America, N.A., satisfying any payables stretched beyond their customary payment practices, and other past due obligations of the Borrower (including book overdrafts and delinquent payroll taxes), the amount, by which the Borrowing Base exceeds the principal balance of the Note, shall not be less than One Million ($1,000,000.00) Dollars.

(xviii)        A Customer Identification Information form and such other forms and verification as the Lender may need to comply with the U.S.A. Patriot Act.

(b)           Lender will not consider a request for any loan to be made after the date of this Agreement unless on the date thereof:

(i)           the representations and warranties contained in Sections 3 and 4 hereof are correct on and as of the date of such loan, as though made on and as of such date, except to the extent that such representations and warranties relate solely to an earlier date;

(ii)          no event has occurred and is continuing, or would result from such loan which constitutes an Event of Default or which, with notice or the passage of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default; and

 
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(iii)           no act, condition, event or circumstance that, taken alone or in conjunction with other events or circumstances, has a material adverse effect, taken as a whole, on (A) the business operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Vertex Energy and its subsidiaries taken as a whole; (B) the ability of any Borrower to fully and timely perform its obligations; (C) the legality, validity, binding effect, or enforceability against any Borrower of any loan document to which it is a party; or (D) the rights, remedies and benefits available to, or conferred upon, Lender under this Agreement or any related loan document.

10.           FEES.

(a)           Facility Fee.  Borrower shall pay to the Lender a non-refundable annual fee equal to the then Credit Limit times three-quarters of one (.75%) percent due and payable upon the execution of this Agreement and on each anniversary date of this Agreement.

(b)           Audit Fees. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay the Lender, on demand, audit fees in connection with any audits or inspections conducted by the Lender or its agents of any Collateral or the Borrower's operations or business at reasonable rates established from time to time by the Lender as its audit fees (which fees are currently Nine Hundred Fifty ($950.00) Dollars per person, per 7½ hour day), together with all actual out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in conducting any such audit or inspection; provided, however, that absent (i) demand for repayment made by the Lender; or (ii) the occurrence of an Event of Default hereunder, Borrower shall not have to reimburse Lender for more than four (4) such audits in any given twelve-month period.

(c)           Collateral Monitoring Charge.  The Borrower hereby agrees to pay the Lender a monthly collateral monitoring charge for services rendered by the Lender in connection with the maintenance of this revolving line of credit (the "Collateral Monitoring Charge").  The amount of the Collateral Monitoring Charge shall be equal to two-tenths of one (.20%) percent multiplied by the greater of (i) the average balance of the loan owing to Lender at the close of each day for such monthly period, or (ii) the Minimum Loan Balance (the "Minimum Collateral Monitoring Charge").  The Collateral Monitoring Charge shall be reduced on a pro-rata basis during the first and last months of the Term (as defined below) if less than a full calendar month.

(d)           Unused Line Fee.  Borrower shall pay to Lender a fee equal to three-quarters of one (.75%) percent per annum of the difference between (i) the Credit Limit, and (ii) the greater of (A) the Minimum Loan Balance, or (B) the average amount of the principal balance of loans outstanding for each monthly period this Agreement is in effect.  Such fee shall be payable monthly in arrears and shall be treated as a loan to Borrower, which shall be added to Borrower's loan balance pursuant to this Agreement.

(e)           Placement Fee.  Borrower shall pay to Lender a one-time placement fee equal to the Credit Limit times one-half of one (.50%) percent due and payable upon the execution of this Agreement.  Such fee shall be remitted by Lender to Strategic Finance, LLC.

 
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11.           COLLECTIONS; SET OFF; DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS; NOTICE OF ASSIGNMENT; EXPENSES; POWER OF ATTORNEY.
 
(a)           Borrower will promptly, upon receipt of all checks, drafts, cash and other remittances in payment of any inventory sold or in payment or on account of Borrower's accounts, contracts, contract rights, notes, bills, drafts, acceptances, general intangibles, choses in action and all other forms of obligations, deliver the same to Lender accompanied by a remittance report in form specified by Lender.  Said proceeds shall be delivered to Lender in the same form received except for the endorsement of Borrower where necessary to permit collection of items, which endorsement Borrower agrees to make.  Lender will credit (conditional upon final collection) all such payments against the principal or interest of any loans secured hereby; provided, however, for the purpose of computing interest and the Collateral Monitoring Charge, any items or payments received by the Lender shall not be considered to have been credited against any loans secured hereby until three (3) days after receipt by Lender of any such items.  The order and method of such application shall be in the sole discretion of Lender and any portion of such funds which Lender elects not to so apply shall be paid over from time to time by Lender to Borrower. Lender will at all times have the right to require Borrower (i) to enter into a lockbox arrangement with Lender for the collection of such remittances and payments, or (ii) to deposit such remittances and payments at a financial institution which has agreed to accept drafts drawn on it by Lender under a written depository transfer agreement with Lender and to block Borrower's account and waive its rights as against such account.

(b)           Borrower hereby grants to Lender a lien, security interest and right of setoff as security for all liabilities and Obligations to Lender, whether now existing or hereafter  arising, upon and against all deposits, credits, collateral and property, now or hereafter in the possession, custody, safekeeping or control of Lender.  At any time, without demand or notice, Lender may set off the same or any part thereof and apply the same to any liability or Obligation of Borrower and any guarantor even though unmatured and regardless of the adequacy of any other collateral securing the Obligations.  ANY AND ALL RIGHTS TO REQUIRE LENDER TO EXERCISE ITS RIGHTS OR REMEDIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY OTHER COLLATERAL WHICH SECURES THE OBLIGATIONS, PRIOR TO EXERCISING ITS RIGHT OF SETOFF WITH RESPECT TO SUCH DEPOSITS, CREDITS OR OTHER PROPERTY OF BORROWER OR ANY GUARANTOR, ARE HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVED.

(c)           Borrower shall maintain all of its bank accounts, including without limitation, its operating and depository accounts, as described on Schedule "D" annexed hereto (the "Bank Schedule").  Upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Lender's determination to make a loan to Borrower, the Lender shall disburse the proceeds of the requested loan by crediting the same to the operating account of Borrower designated by Borrower to receive proceeds of loan advances on the Bank Schedule (the "Designated Account").  The Borrower hereby agrees to maintain the accounts as set forth on the Bank Schedule except for changes consented to in advance by the Lender, which any such consent by the Lender may be conditioned, among other things, upon receipt of an updated Bank Schedule.  Upon the request of the Lender, the Borrower shall, and shall cause the respective bank to, enter into and thereafter maintain a control agreement with respect to one operating account of the Borrower, such agreement to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender.

(d)           Lender may at any time during the existence of an Event of Default which is continuing, notify account debtors that Collateral has been assigned to Lender and that payments shall be made directly to Lender.  Upon request of Lender at any time during the existence of an Event of Default, Borrower will so notify such account debtors and will indicate on all billings to such account debtors that their accounts must be paid to Lender.  Lender shall have full power to collect, compromise, endorse, sell or otherwise deal with the Collateral or proceeds thereof in its own name or in the name of Borrower.

 
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(e)           Borrower shall pay to Lender on demand any and all reasonable counsel fees and other expenses incurred by Lender in connection with the preparation, interpretation, enforcement, administration or amendment of this Agreement, or of any documents relating thereto, and any and all expenses, including, but not limited to, all attorneys' fees and expenses, and all other expenses of like or unlike nature which may be expended by Lender to obtain or enforce payment of any account either as against the account debtor, Borrower, or any guarantor or surety of Borrower or in the prosecution or defense of any action or concerning any matter growing out of or connected with the subject matter of this Agreement, the Obligations or the Collateral or any of Lender's rights or interests therein or thereto, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any counsel fees or expenses incurred in any bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings and all costs and expenses (including search fees) incurred or paid by Lender in connection with the administration, supervision, protection or realization on any security held by Lender for the debt secured hereby, whether such security was granted by Borrower or by any other person primarily or secondarily liable (with or without recourse) with respect to such debt, and all costs and expenses incurred by Lender in connection with the defense, settlement or satisfaction of any action, claim or demand asserted against Lender in connection therewith, which amounts shall be considered advances to protect Lender's security, and shall be secured hereby.  At its option and without limiting any other rights or remedies, Lender may at any time pay or discharge any taxes, liens, security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied against or placed on any of the Collateral other than Permitted Liens, and may procure and pay any premiums on any insurance required to be carried by Borrower, and provide for the maintenance and preservation of any of the Collateral, and otherwise take any action reasonably deemed necessary by Lender to protect its security, and all amounts expended by Lender in connection with any of the foregoing matters, including reasonable attorneys' fees, shall be considered obligations of Borrower and shall be secured hereby.

(f)           Borrower does hereby make, constitute and appoint any officer or agent of Lender as Borrower's true and lawful attorney−in−fact, with power to endorse the name of Borrower or any of Borrower's officers or agents upon any notes, checks, drafts, money orders, or other instruments of payment (including payments payable under any policy of insurance on the Collateral) or Collateral that may come into possession of Lender in full or partial payment of any amounts owing to Lender; to sign and endorse the name of Borrower or any of Borrower's officers or agents upon any invoice, freight or express bill, bill of lading, storage or warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications and notices in connection with accounts, and any instrument or documents relating thereto or to Borrower's rights therein; to give written notice to such office and officials of the United States Post Office to effect such change or changes of address so that all mail addressed to Borrower may be delivered directly to Lender; granting upon Borrower's said attorney full power to do any and all things necessary to be done in and about the premises as fully and effectually as Borrower might or could do, and hereby ratifying all that said attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.  Neither Lender nor Lender's attorney shall be liable for any acts or omissions nor for any error of judgment or mistake, except for their gross negligence or willful misconduct.  This power of attorney shall be irrevocable for the term of this Agreement and all transactions hereunder and thereafter as long as Borrower may be indebted to Lender.  The foregoing notwithstanding, excepting only the endorsement of checks that come into the possession of Lender, Lender agrees not to exercise the foregoing power of attorney absent the occurrence of an Event of Default which is continuing.

 
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12.           FINANCING STATEMENTS.  Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes Lender at any time and from time to time to file in any Uniform Commercial Code jurisdiction any initial financing statements and amendments thereto that (a) indicate the Collateral (i) as all assets of Borrower or words of similar effect, regardless of whether any particular asset comprised in the Collateral falls within the scope of Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code of such jurisdiction, or (ii) as being of an equal or lesser scope or with greater detail, and (b) contain any other information required by the Uniform Commercial Code for the sufficiency or filing office acceptance of any financing statement or amendment, including (i) whether Borrower is an organization, the type of organization and any organization identification number issued to Borrower, and (ii) in the case of a financing statement filed as a fixture filing or indicating Collateral as as-extracted Collateral or timber to be cut, a sufficient description of real property to which the Collateral relates. Borrower agrees to furnish any such information to Lender promptly upon request.  Borrower also ratifies its authorization for Lender to have filed in any Uniform Commercial Code jurisdiction any like initial financing statements or amendments thereto if filed prior to the date hereof.

13.           BORROWER'S REPORTS.

(a)           Borrower covenants and agrees that from the date hereof until payment and performance in full of all Obligations, and until the termination of this Agreement, unless Lender otherwise consents in writing, Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Lender:

(i)           within thirty (30) days after the close of each fiscal month of Borrower, internally prepared financial statements of Borrower and Affiliate including consolidated and consolidating balance sheets as of the close of each month and consolidated and consolidating statements of income and consolidated and consolidating retained earnings for such month and for that portion of the fiscal year-to-date then ended, which shall be prepared on a basis consistent with that of the preceding period or containing disclosure of the effect on financial condition or results of operations of any change in such preparation, and which shall be certified by the chief financial officer of Borrower as being accurate and fairly presenting the financial condition of Borrower;

(ii)           within thirty (30) days of the end of each fiscal quarter, a copy of the general ledger trial balance of the Borrower;

(iii)          within ninety (90) days after the close of each fiscal year of Borrower, audited consolidated and consolidating financial statements including a balance sheet as of the close of such fiscal year and statements of income, stockholders' capital and cash flow for the year then ended, prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, applied on a basis consistent with that of the preceding year or containing disclosure of the effect on financial condition or results of operations of any change in the application of accounting principles during the year, and accompanied by a report thereon containing an unqualified opinion of a recognized certified public accounting firm selected by Borrower and reasonably satisfactory to Lender, which opinion shall state that such financial statements fairly present the financial condition and results of operations of Borrower in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 
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(iv)           annually, at least thirty (30) days before the beginning of each fiscal year of Borrower, projections of Borrower's balance sheet, statement of profit and loss and cash flow for the next succeeding fiscal year broken down on a month to month basis;

(v)           within ten (10) days of the close of each month, monthly aging of accounts receivable and accounts payable and inventory status reports in form, scope and substance satisfactory to Lender;

(vi)           within one (1) business day of the close of each week an inventory status report indicating on-hand volumes with values extended based on the immediately preceding fiscal month’s average costs;

(vii)          daily loan and collateral descriptions, including without limitation, sales, cash receipts and adjustments, in the form supplied by Lender to Borrower;

(viii)         within ten (10) days after Borrower's receipt, any management letter prepared by Borrower's independent auditors;

(ix)           contemporaneously with the delivery to governmental agencies, copies of all reports and information filed with governmental agencies;

(x)            upon receipt, copies of all bank account statements for all bank accounts maintained by Borrower;

(xi)           within thirty (30) days of the filing for each calendar year, a copy of the federal and state income tax returns filed by Borrower with each taxing authority;

(xii)           promptly upon Lender's written request, such other information about the financial condition and operations of Borrower, as Lender may, from time to time, reasonably request; and

(xiii)          promptly upon becoming aware of any Event of Default, or the occurrence or existence of an event which, with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both, would constitute an Event of Default hereunder, notice thereof in writing.

(b)           All information regarding sales, cash receipts, accounts and inventory shall be transmitted to Lender electronically, in acceptable formats (files with extensions *.prn, *.pdf, *.txt, *.xls, and other electronic readable formats are acceptable; scanned copies are not acceptable), either transmitted to Lender via internet or e-mail.  In the event that Borrower fails to report such information to Lender electronically, Lender reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to charge Borrower, upon ten (10) days notice to Borrower, a monthly fee in an amount necessary to cover the costs of the manual input of such data by Lender.

14.           GENERAL AGREEMENTS OF BORROWER.

(a)           Borrower agrees to keep all the Collateral insured with coverage and in amounts not less than that usually carried by one engaged in a like business and in any event not less than that required by Lender with loss payable to Lender and Borrower, as their interests may appear, hereby appointing Lender as attorney for Borrower in obtaining, adjusting, settling and canceling such insurance and endorsing any drafts.  As further assurance for the payment and performance of the Obliga­tions, Borrower hereby assigns to Lender all sums, including returns of unearned premiums, which may become payable under any policy of insurance on the Collateral and Borrower hereby directs each insurance company issuing any such policy to make payment of such sums directly to Lender.

 
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(b)           Although, as above set forth, Lender has a continuing security interest in all of Borrower's Collateral and in the proceeds thereof, Borrower will at all times maintain as the minimum security hereunder a Borrowing Base not less than the aggregate unpaid principal of all loans made hereunder and if Borrower fails to do so, Borrower will immediately make the necessary reduction in the unpaid principal amount of said loans so that the loans outstanding hereunder do not in the aggregate exceed the Borrowing Base.

(c)           Borrower will at all times keep accurate and complete records of Borrower's inventory, accounts and other Collateral, and Lender, or any of its agents, shall have the right, upon reasonable notice (except when an Event of Default exists), to call at Borrower's place or places of business at intervals to be determined by Lender, and without hindrance or delay, to inspect, audit, check, and make extracts from any copies of the books, records, journals, orders, receipts, correspondence which relate to Borrower's accounts, and other Collateral or other transactions, between the parties thereto and the general financial condition of Borrower and Lender may remove any of such records temporarily for the purpose of having copies made thereof.

(d)           Borrower will maintain its existence in good standing and comply in all material respects with all laws and regula­tions of the United States or of any state or states thereof or of any political subdivision thereof, or of any governmental authority which may be applicable to it or to its business.

(e)           Borrower will pay all real and personal property taxes, assessments and charges and all franchises, income, unemployment, old age benefits, withholding, sales and other taxes assessed against it, or payable by it at such times and in such manner as to prevent any penalty from accruing or any lien (other than Permitted Liens) or charge from attaching to its property, other than those contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

(f)           Lender may in its own name or in the name of others communicate with account debtors in order to verify with them to Lender's satisfaction the existence, amount and terms of any accounts.

(g)           If any of Borrower's accounts arise out of contracts with the United States or any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, Borrower will immediately notify Lender thereof in writing and execute any instruments and take any steps required by Lender in order that all monies due and to become due under such contracts shall be assigned to Lender and notice thereof given to the Government under the Federal Assignment of Claims Act.

(h)           If any of Borrower's accounts should be evidenced by promissory notes, trade acceptances, or other instruments for the payment of money, Borrower will immediately deliver same to Lender, appropriately endorsed to Lender's order and, regardless of the form of such endorsement, Borrower hereby waives presentment, demand, notice of dishonor, protest and notice of protest and all other notices with respect thereto.

 
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(i)           Subject to the Intercreditor Agreement, if any goods are at any time in the possession of a bailee, Borrower shall promptly notify Lender thereof and, if requested by Lender, shall promptly obtain an acknowledgment from the bailee, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, that the bailee holds such Collateral for the benefit of Lender and shall act upon the instructions of Lender, without the further consent of Borrower.  Lender agrees with Borrower that Lender shall not give any such instructions unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after taking into account any action by Borrower with respect to the bailee.

(j)           If Borrower is at any time a beneficiary under a letter of credit now or hereafter issued in favor of Borrower, Borrower shall promptly notify Lender thereof and, at the request and option of Lender, Borrower shall, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, either (i) arrange for the issuer and any confirmer of such letter of credit to consent to an assignment to Lender of the proceeds of any drawing under the letter of credit, or (ii) arrange for Lender to become the transferee beneficiary of the letter of credit, with Lender agreeing, in each case, that the proceeds of any drawing under the letter of credit are to be applied  in the same manner as any other payment on an account.

(k)           If Borrower shall at any time hold or acquire a commercial tort claim, Borrower shall immediately notify Lender in a writing signed by Borrower of the brief details thereof and grant to Lender in such writing a security interest therein, and in the proceeds thereof, all upon the terms of this Agreement, with such writing to be in form and substance satisfactory to Lender.

(l)           Borrower will promptly pay when due all taxes and assessments upon the Collateral or for its use or operation or upon this Agreement, or upon any note or notes evidencing the Obligations, except those contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and will, at the request of Lender, promptly furnish Lender the receipted bills therefor.  At its option, Lender may discharge taxes, liens or security interests or other encumbrances at any time levied or placed on the Collateral (other than Permitted Liens), may pay for insurance on the Collateral and may pay for the maintenance and preservation of the Collateral.  Borrower agrees to reimburse Lender on demand for any payments made, or any expenses incurred by Lender pursuant to the foregoing authorization, and upon failure of Borrower so to reimburse Lender, any such sums paid or advanced by Lender shall be deemed secured by the Collateral and constitute part of the Obligations.

(m)           Borrower will immediately notify Lender upon receipt of notification of any potential or known release or threat of release of any Hazardous Substances under any Environmental Law.  As used herein, the following terms shall the following meanings:

"Hazardous Substances" means pollutants, contaminants, hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, petroleum and fractions thereof, and all other chemicals, wastes, substances and materials listed in, regulated by or identified in any Environmental Law; and

 
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"Environmental Law" means any federal, state, local or other governmental statute, regulation, law or ordinance dealing with the protection of human health and the environment to the extent applicable to Borrower.

(n)           Except for Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct, Borrower will indemnify and save Lender harmless from all loss, costs, damage, liability or expenses (including, without limita­tion, court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees) that Lender may sustain or incur by reason of defending or protecting this security interest or the priority thereof or enforcing the Obligations, or in the prosecution or defense of any action or proceeding concerning any matter growing out of or in connection with this Agreement and/or any other documents now or hereafter executed in connection with this Agreement and/or the Obligations and/or the Collateral.  This indemnity shall survive the repayment of the Obligations and the termination of Lender's agreement to make loans available to Borrower and the termination of this Agreement.

(o)           At the option of Lender, Borrower will furnish to Lender, from time to time, within five (5) days after the accrual in accordance with applicable law of Borrower's obligation to make deposits for F.I.C.A. and withholding taxes and/or sales taxes, proof satisfactory to Lender that such deposits have been made as required.

(p)           Should Borrower fail to make any of such deposits or furnish such proof then Lender may, in its sole and absolute discretion, (i) make any of such deposits or any part thereof, (ii) pay such taxes, or any part thereof, or (iii) set−up such reserves as Lender, in its judgment, shall deem necessary to satisfy the liability for such taxes.  Each amount so deposited or paid shall constitute an advance under the terms hereof, repayable on demand with interest, as provided herein, and secured by all Collateral and any other property at any time pledged by Borrower with Lender.  Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate Lender to make any such deposit or payment or set−up such reserve and the making of one or more of such deposits or payments or the setting−up of such reserve shall not constitute (i) an agreement on Lender's part to take any further or similar action, or (ii) a waiver of any default by Borrower under the terms hereof.

(q)           All advances by Lender to Borrower under this Agreement and under any other agreement constitute one general revolving fluctuating loan, and all indebtedness of Borrower to Lender under this and under any other agreement constitute one general Obligation.  Each advance to Borrower hereunder or otherwise shall be made upon the security of all of the Collateral held and to be held by Lender.  It is distinctly understood and agreed that all of the rights of Lender contained in this Agreement shall likewise apply, insofar as applicable, to any modification of or supplement to this Agreement and to any other agreements between Lender and Borrower.  Any default of this Agreement by Borrower shall constitute, likewise, a default by Borrower of any other existing agreement with Lender, and any default by Borrower of any other agreement with Lender shall constitute a default of this Agreement.  The entire Obligation of Borrower to Lender shall become due and payable upon termination of this Agreement.

(r)           Borrower hereby grants to Lender for a term to commence on the date of this Agreement and continuing thereafter until all debts and Obligations of any kind or character owing from Borrower to Lender are fully paid and dis­charged, the right to use all premises or places of business which Borrower presently has or may hereafter have and where any of the Collateral may be located, at a total rental for the entire period of $1.00.  Lender agrees not to exercise the rights granted in this paragraph unless and until Lender determines to exercise its rights against the Collateral.

 
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(s)           Borrower will, at its expense, upon request of Lender promptly and duly execute and deliver such documents and assurances and take such actions as may be necessary or desirable or as Lender may request in order to correct any defect, error or omission which may at any time be discovered or to more effectively carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement and to establish, perfect and protect Lender's security interest, rights and remedies created or intended to be created hereunder.

(t)           Borrower hereby grants to Lender for a term to commence on the date of this Agreement and continuing thereafter until all debts and Obligations of any kind or character owed to Lender are fully paid and discharged, a non−exclusive irrevocable royalty−free license in connection with Lender's exercise of its rights hereunder, to use, apply or affix any trademark, trade name logo or the like and to use any patents, in which Borrower now or hereafter has rights, which license may be used by Lender in connection with the operation of Borrower's business upon and after the occurrence of any one or more of the Events of Default, provided, however, that such use by Lender shall be suspended if such Events of Default are cured.  This license shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the inclusion of all of Borrower's trademarks, servicemarks, tradenames, logos, goodwill, patents, franchises and licenses in the Collateral; in addition to the right to use said Collateral as provided in this paragraph, Lender shall have full right to exercise any and all of its other rights regarding Collateral with respect to such trademarks, servicemarks, tradenames, logos, goodwill, patents, franchises and licenses.

(u)           Borrower covenants and agrees that during the term of this Agreement, neither Borrower nor any of its owners, subsidiaries or affiliates shall, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise (i) knowingly conduct any business or engage in making or receiving any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any person described in Section 4(l) above, (ii) knowingly deal in, or otherwise engage in any transaction relating to, any property or interests in property blocked pursuant to the Executive Order or any other Anti-Terrorism Law, (iii) knowingly engage in or conspire to engage in any transaction that evades or avoids, or has the purpose of evading or avoiding, or attempt to violate, any of the prohibitions set forth in any Anti-Terrorism Law (and Borrower shall deliver to Lender any certification or other evidence requested from time to time by Lender in its reasonable discretion, confirming Borrower's compliance with this section, or (iv) cause or permit any of the funds of Borrower that are used to repay the Loans to be derived from any unlawful activity with the result that the making of the Loans would be in violation of law.

(v)           Borrower covenants and agrees that during the term of this Agreement, neither Borrower nor any of its owners, subsidiaries or affiliates shall, directly or indirectly, by operation of law or otherwise, knowingly cause or permit (i) any of the funds or properties of Borrower or any of its owners, subsidiaries or affiliates that are used to repay the Loans to constitute property of, or be beneficially owned directly or indirectly by, any person subject to sanctions or trade restrictions under United States law ("Embargoed Person" or "Embargoed Persons") that is identified on (A) the "List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Person" (the "SDN List") maintained by OFAC and/or on any other similar list ("Other List") maintained by OFAC pursuant to any authorizing statutes including, but not limited to, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. §§ 1701 et seq., The Trading with the Enemy Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 1 et seq., and any Executive Order or regulation promulgated thereunder, with the result that the investment in Borrower (whether directly or indirectly) is prohibited by law, or the Loans made by Lender would be in violation of law, or (B) the Executive Order, any related enabling legislation or any other similar Executive Orders, or (ii) any Embargoed Person to have any direct or indirect interest, or any nature whatsoever in Borrower or any of its owners, subsidiaries ore affiliates, with the result that the investment in Borrower (whether directly or indirectly) is prohibited by law or any of the transactions contemplated hereunder is in violation of law.

 
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15.           BORROWER'S NEGATIVE COVENANTS.  Borrower will not at any time:

(a)           (Minimum Availability) permit availability to be less than ten (10%) of the Credit Limit (currently Seven Hundred Thousand ($700,000.00) Dollars) at any time; for purposes of this covenant, "availability" shall mean the maximum amount of loans which under the Borrowing Base (without regard to the Credit Limit) could be obtained by Borrower, less the Borrowing Base Reserves made known to Borrower, less the aggregate amount of loans outstanding under this Agreement at the time such calculation is made;

(b)           (Pass Through Tax Entities) if Borrower is a Pass Through Tax Entity, make distributions to its shareholders and/or members during any fiscal year of Borrower in an aggregate amount greater than the amount necessary to pay federal and state income taxes upon such shareholders' or members' respective shares of Borrower's undistributed income for such year; provided that any Borrower may distribute up to Fifty Thousand ($50,000.00) Dollars in any twelve (12) month period to the extent necessary to permit Vertex Energy to pay general administrative costs and expenses;

(c)           (Disposition of Collateral) sell, assign, exchange or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral, other than (i) inventory consisting of (a) scrap, waste, defective goods and the like; (b) obsolete goods; and (c) finished goods sold in the ordinary course of business or any interest therein to any individual, partnership, trust or other corporation; (ii) equipment which is no longer required or deemed necessary for the conduct of Borrower's business, so long as Borrower receives therefor a sum substantially equal to such equipment's fair value, remits such sum to Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement or replaces such equipment with other equipment of similar value which is subject to a security interest in Lender's favor; and (iii) sales of assets by one Borrower to another Borrower;

(d)           (Liens) create, permit to be created or suffer to exist any lien, encumbrance or security interest of any kind ("Lien") upon any of the Collateral or any other property of Borrower or Affiliate, now owned or hereafter acquired, except: (i) landlords', carriers', warehousemen's, mechanics' and other similar liens arising by operation of law in the ordinary course of Borrower's business; (ii) arising out of pledge or deposits under worker's compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pension, social security, retirement benefits or other similar legislation; (iii) purchase money Liens arising in the ordinary course of business for the purchase of equipment (so long as the indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the lesser of the cost or fair market value of the property subject thereto, and such Lien extends to no other property); (iv) Liens for unpaid taxes that are either (x) not yet due and payable, or (y) are subject of permitted protests; (v) Liens which are the subject of permitted protests; (vi) those Liens and encumbrances set forth on Schedule "B" annexed hereto; (vii) in favor of Lender; and (viii) other liens permitted by the Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of May 2, 2014 among Vertex Energy, Vertex Energy Operating, certain other subsidiaries of Vertex Energy, as guarantors, various lenders party thereto and Goldman Sachs Bank USA as administrative agent (as the same may be amended, revised, supplemented or restated from time to time, the "GS Credit Agreement"); the term "permitted protests" as used herein means the right of Borrower to protest any Lien (other than a Lien that secures the Obligations), tax (other than payroll taxes or taxes that are the subject of a federal or state tax lien) or rental payment, provided that (x) a reserve with respect to such liability is established on the books of Borrower in an amount that is reasonably satisfactory to Lender, (y) any such protest is instituted and diligently prosecuted by Borrower in good faith, and (z) Lender is satisfied that, while such protest is pending, there will be no impairment of the enforceability, validity or priority of any of the Liens of Lender in and to the Collateral;

 
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(e)           (Dividends and Distributions) pay any dividends on or make any distribution on account of (except, if Borrower is a Pass Through Tax Entity, consistent with subparagraph (b) above) any class of Borrower's capital stock (other than additional shares of such stock) or membership interests in cash or in property, or redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any of such stock or membership interests;

(f)           (Loans) make any loans or advances to any individual, partnership, trust or other corporation, including without limitation Borrower's directors, managers, officers and employees, except (i) advances to officers, managers or employees with respect to expenses incurred by them in the ordinary course of their duties which are properly reimbursable by Borrower, and (ii) intercompany loans by one Borrower to another;

(g)           (Guarantees) assume, guaranty, endorse or otherwise become directly or contingently liable in respect of (including without limitation by way of agreement, contingent or otherwise, to purchase, provide funds to or otherwise invest in a debtor or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss), any indebtedness of any individual, partnership, trust or other corporation, except (i) guarantees by any Borrower of the obligations of another Borrower hereunder or with respect to other indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to subsection (h) below, (ii) guarantees by endorsement of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course of business, (iii) indemnities arising under agreements entered into by a Borrower in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) guarantees in favor of Lender;

(h)           (Indebtedness) issue, or permit Affiliate to issue, evidence of indebtedness or suffer to, or permit Affiliate to suffer to, exist indebtedness in addition to indebtedness to the Lender except (i) indebtedness or liabilities of the Borrower other than for money borrowed, incurred or arising in the ordinary course of business, (ii) indebtedness of the Borrower for money borrowed which has been subordinated on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Lender, (iii) indebtedness relating to Permitted Liens, (iv) indebtedness of any Borrower to another Borrower; or (v) indebtedness due to Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent, and the lenders party to the GS Credit Agreement;

(i)           (Investments) use any loan proceeds to purchase or carry any "margin stock" (as defined in Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) or (ii) invest in or purchase any stock, securities or membership interest of any individual, partnership, trust, limited liability company or other corporation except (A) acquisitions of stock, securities or membership interests permitted pursuant to subsection (l) below, (B) investments owned as of the date of this Agreement in any Borrower or any subsidiary of a Borrower and investments made after the date of this Agreement in any Borrower, (C) investments made after the date of this Agreement in Vertex Ohio and/or Vertex Nevada with the proceeds of contemporaneous equity issuances by Vertex Energy, (D) readily marketable direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America or any agency thereof, (E) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from Moody’s; (F) certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances maturing within one year after such date and issued or accepted by any Lender or by any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia that (1) is at least “adequately capitalized” (as defined in the regulations of its primary Federal banking regulator), and (2) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) of not less than One Hundred Million ($100,000,000.00) Dollars; and (G) shares of any money market mutual fund that (1) has substantially all of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to in clause (A) above, (2) has net assets of not less than Five Hundred Million ($500,000,000.00) Dollars, and (3) has the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Moody’s.;

 
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(j)           (Transactions with Affiliates) enter into any lease or other transaction with any shareholder, officer or affiliate on terms any less favorable than those which might be obtained at the time from persons who (or entities which) are not such a shareholder, officer or affiliate;

(k)           (Subsidiaries) sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any stock of any subsidiary of Borrower, other than a sale, transfer or other disposition of such stock to another Borrower;

(l)           (Mergers, Consolidations, Sales or Asset Acquisitions) (i) merge or consolidate with or into any corporation, except a Borrower may merge with or into another Borrower; (ii) enter into any joint venture or partnership with any person, firm or corporation; (iii) convey, lease or sell all or any material portion of its property or assets or business to any other person, firm or corporation, except for (A) the sale of inventory in the ordinary course of its business, (B) disposals of obsolete or worn out property, (C) sales of assets by one Borrower to another Borrower, and (D) dispositions permitted by subsection (c) above; (iv) convey, lease or sell any of its assets to any person, firm or corporation for less than the fair market value thereof; or (v) acquire (in any transaction analogous in purpose or effect to a consolidation or merger) all or substantially all of the assets or membership interests of any person or entity, other than permitted acquisitions; or

(m)           (Change in Legal Status) (i) change its name, its place of business or, if more than one, chief executive office, or its mailing address or organizational identification number if it has one, and (ii) change its type of organization, jurisdiction of organization or other legal structure.  If the Borrower does not have an organizational identification number and later obtains one, the Borrower shall forthwith notify the Lender of such organizational identification number.

For purposes of this section: "affiliate" shall mean any person or entity (i) which directly or indirectly controls, or is controlled by or is under common control with the Borrower or a subsidiary, (ii) which directly or indirectly beneficially holds or owns five (5%) percent or more of any class of voting stock of the Borrower or any subsidiary, or (iii) five (5%) percent or more of the voting stock of which is directly or indirectly beneficially owned or held by the Borrower or a subsidiary; "control" shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of any person or entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; "distributions" shall mean all payment or distributions to shareholders, members or partners in cash or in property other than reasonable salaries, bonuses and expense reimbursements; "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles; and "permitted acquisitions" means any acquisition by Borrower, whether by purchase, merger or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the assets of, all of the capital stock of, or a business line or unit or a division of, any entity; provided, (i) immediately prior to, and after giving effect thereto, there does not exist an Event of Default or an event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default; (ii) in the case of the acquisition of capital stock, all of the capital stock acquired by the Borrower in connection with such acquisition shall be owned one hundred (100%) percent by the Borrower; (iii) any assets or division as acquired in accordance herewith shall be in the same business or lines of business in which Borrower is engaged as of the date hereof; (iv) such acquisition is funded solely from (A) capital stock of Vertex Energy, (B) the net cash proceeds from a contemporaneous issuance of capital stock by Vertex Energy, (C) funds on deposit in the so-called Vertex Refining Cash Collateral Account (i.e., Bank of America Account #488038572041 in the name of Vertex Nevada), or (D) any combination of the foregoing.

 
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All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP consistent with those applied in the preparation of the financial statements referred to herein, and all financial data submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in accordance with such principles.

16.           DEFAULT; RIGHTS AND REMEDIES UPON DEFAULT.

(a)           Upon the occurrence of any one or more of the following events (herein, "Events of Default"), Lender may decline to make any or all further loans hereunder or under any other agreements with Borrower, any and all Obligations of the Borrower to Lender shall become immediately due and payable, at the option of Lender and without notice or demand.  The occurrence of any such Event of Default shall also constitute, without notice or demand, a default under all other agreements between Lender and the Borrower and instruments and papers given Lender by the Borrower, whether such agreements, instruments, or papers now exist or hereafter arise, namely:

(i)           The failure by the Borrower to pay when due any principal, interest, fees, costs, and expenses due pursuant to this Agreement.

(ii)          The failure by Borrower to pay when due any other Obligations.

(iii)         Default by the Borrower in the observance or performance of any of the covenants or agreements of the Borrower contained in Sections 5(b), 11(a) or 15 of this Agreement.

(iv)         The failure by the Borrower to promptly, punctually and faithfully perform, or observe any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed pursuant to any of the provisions of this Agreement, other than those described in Sections 5(b), 5(g), 11(a), 14(b) or 15, or in any other agreement with Lender which is not remedied within the earlier of ten (10) business days after (i) notice thereof by Lender to Borrower, or (ii) the date Borrower was required to give notice to Lender pursuant to Section 13(a)(xiii) hereof.

 
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(v)           The determination by Lender that any representation or warranty heretofore, now or hereafter made by Borrower to Lender, in any documents, instrument, agreement, or paper was not true or accurate when given.

(vi)          The occurrence of any event such that the principal amount of any indebtedness of Borrower in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand ($250,000.00) Dollars from any lender other than Lender could be accelerated, notwithstanding that such acceleration has not taken place.

(vii)         The occurrence of any event which would cause a lien creditor, as that term is defined in Section 9−102 of the Code, to take priority over advances made by Lender.

(viii)        A filing against or relating to Borrower of (A) a federal tax lien in favor of the United States of America or any political subdivision of the United States of America, or (B) a state tax lien in favor of any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state.

(ix)          The occurrence of any event of default under any other loan document between Lender and Borrower relating to this Agreement, whether such loan document now exists or hereafter arises (notwithstanding that Lender may not have exercised its rights upon default under any such loan document).

(x)          Any act by, against, or relating to Borrower, or its property or assets, which act constitutes the application for, consent to, or sufferance of the appointment of a receiver, trustee or other person, pursuant to court action or otherwise, over all, or any part of Borrower's property.

(xi)         The granting of any trust mortgage or execution of an assignment for the benefit of the creditors of Borrower, or the occurrence of any other voluntary or involuntary liquidation or extension of debt agreement for Borrower; the failure by Borrower to generally pay the debts of Borrower as they mature; adjudication of bankruptcy or insolvency relative to Borrower; the entry of an order for relief or similar order with respect to Borrower in any proceeding pursuant to Title 11 of the United States Code entitled "Bankruptcy" (the "Bankruptcy Code") or any other federal bankruptcy law; the filing of any complaint, application, or petition by or against Borrower initiating any matter in which Borrower is or may be granted any relief from the debts of Borrower pursuant to the Bankruptcy Code or any other insolvency statute or procedure; the calling or sufferance of a meeting of creditors of Borrower; the meeting by Borrower with a formal or informal creditor's committee; the offering by or entering into by Borrower of any composition, extension or any other arrangement seeking relief or extension for the debts of Borrower, or the initiation of any other judicial or non−judicial proceeding or agreement by, against or including Borrower which seeks or intends to accomplish a reorganization or arrangement with creditors.

 
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(xii)           The entry of any judgment against Borrower in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand ($250,000.00) Dollars (to the extent not adequately covered by insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated insurance company has acknowledged coverage), which judgment is not satisfied or appealed from (with execution or similar process stayed) within thirty (30) days of its entry.

(xiii)           The occurrence of any event or circumstance with respect to Borrower such that Lender shall believe in good faith that the prospect of payment of all or any part of the Obligations or the performance by Borrower under this Agreement or any other agreement between Lender and Borrower is impaired or there shall occur any material adverse change in the business or financial condition of Borrower.

(xiv)           The entry of any court order which enjoins, restrains or in any way prevents Borrower from conducting all or any material part of its business affairs in the ordinary course of business.

(xv)           Any event, transaction or occurrence as a result of which Benjamin P. Cowart shall for any reason cease to be actively engaged in the day-to-day management of Vertex Energy and its subsidiaries in the role he serves on the date hereof, unless (A) an interim successor reasonably acceptable to Lender is appointed within ten (10) days, and (B) a permanent successor reasonably acceptable to Lender is appointed within sixty (60) days.  Lender agrees to accept or reject any such successor within ten (10) days after notice of the impending appointment is given by Vertex Energy.

(xvi)           There shall have occurred a Change of Control.  As used herein, a "Change of Control" shall mean, at any time (A) Benjamin P. Cowart shall cease to beneficially own and control at least twenty (20%) percent on a fully diluted basis of the economic and voting interests in Vertex Energy; (B) any person or "group" (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) other than Benjamin P. Cowart (1) shall have acquired beneficial ownership of thirty (30%) percent or more on a fully diluted basis of the voting and/or economic interest in Vertex Energy, or (2) shall have obtained the power (whether or not exercised) to elect a majority of the members of the board of directors (or similar governing body) of Vertex Energy; (C) Vertex Energy shall cease to beneficially own and control one hundred (100%) percent on a fully diluted basis of the economic and voting interest in each other Borrower.

(xvii)          The occurrence of any uninsured loss, theft, damage or destruction to any material asset(s) of Borrower.

(xviii)         Any act by or against, or relating to Borrower or its assets pursuant to which any creditor of Borrower seeks to reclaim or repossess or reclaims or repossesses all or a portion of Borrower's assets.

(xix)           The termination of existence, dissolution, or liquidation of Borrower or the ceasing to carry on actively any substantial part of Borrower's current business.

(xx)           This Agreement shall, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason, cease (A) to create a valid and perfected first priority security interest in and to the property purported to be subject to this Agreement; or (B) to be in full force and effect or shall be declared null and void, or the validity or enforceability hereof shall be contested by Borrower or any guarantor of Borrower denies it has any further liability or obligation hereunder.

 
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(xxi)           Any Borrower or any of its senior officers is criminally indicted or convicted for (A) a felony committed in the conduct of such Borrower's business, or (B) any state or federal law (including the Controlled Substances Act, Money Laundering Control Act of 1986 and Illegal Exportation of War Materials Act) that could lead to forfeiture of any material property or any Collateral.

(xxii)          The Borrower shall take or participate in any action which would be prohibited under the provisions of any subordination or intercreditor agreement or make any payment on subordinated debt to any person or entity that was not entitled to receive under the provisions of any such agreement.

(xxiii)         The repudiation of any loan document (including any Negative Pledge Agreement and/or the Intercreditor Agreement) by any party to such document.

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Lender may declare any obligation Lender may have hereunder to be cancelled, declare all Obligations of Borrower to be due and payable and proceed to enforce payment of the Obligations and to exercise any and all of the rights and remedies afforded to Lender by the Uniform Commercial Code or under the terms of this Agreement or otherwise.  Upon the occurrence of, and during the continuance of, an Event of Default, Borrower, as additional compensation to Lender for its increased credit risk, promises to pay interest on all Obligations (including, without limitation, principal, whether or not past due, past due interest and any other amounts past due under this Agreement) at a per annum rate of three (3%) percent greater than the rate of interest then specified in Section 5 of this Agreement (the "Default Rate").

(b)          Any sale or other disposition of the Collateral may be at public or private sale upon such terms and in such manner as Lender deems advisable, having due regard to compliance with any statute or regulation which might affect, limit or apply to Lender's disposition of the Collateral.  Lender may conduct any such sale or other disposition of the Collateral upon Borrower's premises.  Unless the Collateral is perishable or threatens to decline speedily in value, or is of a type customarily sold on a recognized market (in which event Lender shall provide Borrower with such notice as may be practicable under the circumstances), Lender shall give Borrower at least the greater of the minimum notice required by law, but not less than ten (10) days prior written notice of the date, time and place of any proposed public sale, and of the date after which any private sale or other disposition of the Collateral may be made.  Lender may purchase the Collateral, or any portion of it at any public sale.

(c)           If the Lender sells any of the Collateral on credit, the Borrower will be credited only with payments actually made by the purchaser of such Collateral and received by the Lender.  If the purchaser fails to pay for the Collateral, the Lender may re-sell the Collateral and the Borrower shall be credited with the proceeds of the sale.

 
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(d)           In connection with Lender's exercise of Lender's rights under this Agreement, Lender may enter upon, occupy and use any premises owned or occupied by Borrower, and may exclude Borrower from such premises or portion thereof as may have been so entered upon, occupied, or used by Lender.  Lender shall not be required to remove any of the Collateral from any such premises upon Lender's taking possession thereof, and may render any Collateral unusable to Borrower.  In no event shall Lender be liable to Borrower for use or occupancy by Lender of any premises pursuant to this Agreement.

(e)           Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, Lender may require Borrower to assemble the Collateral and make it available to Lender at Borrower's sole risk and expense at a place or places which are reasonably convenient to both Lender and Borrower.

17.           STANDARDS FOR EXERCISING REMEDIES.  To the extent that applicable law imposes duties on Lender to exercise remedies in a commercially reasonable manner, Borrower acknowledges and agrees that it is not commercially unreasonable for Lender (a) to fail to incur expenses reasonably deemed significant by Lender to prepare Collateral for disposition or otherwise to complete raw material or work in process into finished goods or other finished products for disposition, (b) to fail to obtain third party consents for access to Collateral to be disposed of, or to obtain or, if not required by other law, to fail to obtain governmental or third party consents for the collection or disposition of Collateral to be collected or disposed of, (c) to fail to exercise collection remedies against account debtors or other persons obligated on Collateral or to remove liens or encumbrances on or any adverse claims against Collateral, (d) to exercise collection remedies against account debtors and other persons obligated on Collateral directly or through the use of collection agencies and other collection specialists, (e) to advertise dispositions of Collateral through publications or media of general circulation, whether or not the Collateral is of a specialized nature, (f) to contact other persons, whether or not in the same business as Borrower, for expressions of interest in acquiring  all or any portion of the Collateral, (g) to hire one or more professional auctioneers to assist in the disposition of Collateral, whether or not the Collateral is of a specialized nature, (h) to dispose of the Collateral by utilizing Internet sites that provide for the auction of assets of the types included in the Collateral or that have the reasonable capability of doing so, or that match buyers and sellers of assets, (i) to dispose of assets in wholesale rather than retail markets, (j) to disclaim disposition warranties, and specifically to disclaim any warranties of title or the like, (k) to purchase insurance or credit enhancements to insure Lender against risks of loss, collection or disposition of Collateral or to provide to Lender a guaranteed return from the collection or disposition of Collateral, or (l) to the extent deemed appropriate by Lender, to obtain the services of other brokers, investment bankers, consultants and other professionals to assist Lender in the collection or disposition of any of the Collateral. Borrower acknowledges that the purpose of this section is to provide non-exhaustive indications of what actions or omissions by Lender would not be commercially unreasonable in Lender's exercise of remedies against the Collateral and that other actions or omissions by Lender shall not be deemed commercially unreasonable solely on account of not being indicated in this section.  Without limitation upon the foregoing, nothing contained in this section shall be construed to grant any rights to Borrower or to impose any duties on Lender that would not have been granted or imposed by this Agreement or by applicable law in the absence of this section.

 
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18.           PROCESSING AND SALES OF INVENTORY.  So long as no Event of Default exists, Borrower shall have the right, in the regular course of business, to process and sell Borrower's inventory.  A sale in the ordinary course of business shall not include a transfer in total or partial satisfaction of a debt.

19.           WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  BORROWER AND LENDER EACH HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT BORROWER OR LENDER MAY HAVE OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.  Borrower hereby certifies that neither Lender nor any of its representatives, agents or counsel has represented, expressly or otherwise, that Lender would not, in the event of any such suit, action or proceeding, seek to enforce this waiver of right to trial by jury.  Borrower acknowledges that Lender has been induced to enter into this Agreement by, among other things, this waiver.  Borrower acknowledges that it has read the provisions of this Agreement and in particular, this section; has consulted legal counsel; understands the right it is granting in this Agreement and is waiving in this section in particular; and makes the above waiver knowingly, voluntarily and intentionally.

20.           CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.  Borrower and Lender agree that any action or proceeding to enforce or arising out of this Agreement may be commenced in any court of the State of Connecticut or in the District Court of the United States for the District of Connecticut, and Borrower waives personal service of process and agrees that a summons and complaint commencing an action or proceeding in any such court shall be properly served and confer personal jurisdiction if served by registered or certified mail to Borrower, or as otherwise provided by the laws of the State of Connecticut or the United States of America.

21.           TERMINATION.

(a)           Unless sooner terminated by Lender as a result of the occurrence of an Event of Default, Borrower's eligibility to request loans hereunder shall commence on the date hereof and shall continue for a period through and including the second anniversary date of this Agreement (the "Term").  If Borrower desires to terminate this Agreement prior to the end of the Term, Borrower shall give at least sixty (60) days prior written notice to Lender of Borrower's intention to do so and shall pay to Lender the termination charge set forth in Section 21(b) below.  Borrower's eligibility to request loans may be extended after the Term (and after any Renewal Term, as defined below) only with the express written consent of both Borrower and Lender.  Any such extension (and any further extension) shall be made only with the express written consent of both Borrower and Lender (each being a "Renewal Term").  At the end of the Term (or at the end of a Renewal Term, if applicable), unless extended as set forth herein, Borrower shall pay the entire balance of the loans and all other outstanding Obligations.  Further, upon termination of this Agreement, all of the rights, interests and remedies of Lender and Obligations of Borrower shall survive and Borrower shall have no right to receive, and Lender shall have no obligation to make, any further loans.  Upon full, final and indefeasible payment of the Obligations to Lender, all rights and remedies of Borrower and Lender hereunder shall cease, so long as any payment so made to Lender and applied to the Obligations is not thereafter recovered from or repaid by Lender in whole or in part in any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding instituted by or against Borrower, whereupon this Agreement shall be automatically reinstated without any further action by Borrower and Lender and shall continue to be fully applicable to such Obligations to the same extent as though the payment so recovered or repaid had never been originally made on such Obligations.

 
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(d)          If this Agreement is terminated by the Lender following the occurrence of an Event of Default that begins prior to the second anniversary date of this Agreement, or if the Borrower requests that the Lender terminate on a date prior to the second anniversary date of this Agreement, then the Borrower shall pay to the Lender a termination fee in an amount equal to Seventy Thousand ($70,000.00) Dollars.  The foregoing notwithstanding, a termination charge will not be charged to the Borrower if this Agreement is terminated by the Borrower after thirteen (13) months from the date hereof and the Obligations paid with the proceeds of a loan from Community Trust Bank.

(e)           In the event that Borrower desires to terminate this Agreement prior to the end of the Term (or any Renewal Term, if applicable) and fails to deliver to Lender the sixty (60) day notice required pursuant to Section 21(a) above, Borrower may nevertheless terminate this Agreement and pay the Obligations in full if it (i) pays the termination charge set forth in Section 21(b) above, and (ii) pays additional interest for each day that the notice was short of the required sixty (60) day notice, which interest shall be in an amount that is equal to the Default Rate based on the greater of (i) Borrower's average borrowings under this Agreement for the two (2) month period prior to the date that Lender receives delivery of actual notice of Borrower's intention to terminate this Agreement, or (ii) the Minimum Loan Balance.

(f)           In the event that Lender continues to make loans hereunder after the Term or Renewal Term, as the case may be (the "Termination Date"), without a written extension of the Termination Date or after the occurrence of an Event of Default, all such loans: (i) shall be made in the sole and absolute discretion of Lender; and (ii) shall, together with all other Obligations, be payable thereafter ON DEMAND.

22.           JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY.

(a)           Each Borrower is accepting joint and several liability under this Agreement in consideration of the financial accommodations to be provided by Lender under this Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each Borrower and in consideration of the undertakings of each other Borrower to accept joint and several liability for the Obligations of each Borrower to Lender.

(b)           Each Borrower, jointly and severally, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor, joint and several liability with each other Borrower, with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Obligations of each Borrower to Lender under this Agreement (including, without limitation, any Obligations arising under this section), it being the intention of the parties hereto that all the Obligations of each Borrower to Lender under this Agreement shall be the joint and several Obligations of each of the Borrowers without preferences or distinction among them.

(c)           If and to the extent that any of the Borrowers shall fail to make any payment with respect to any of the Obligations of each Borrower to Lender under this Agreement,  as and when due or to perform any of such Obligations in accordance with the terms thereof, then in each such event the other Borrower, under this Agreement will make such payment with respect to, or perform, such Obligation.

 
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(d)           The Obligations of each Borrower under the provisions of this section constitute full recourse Obligations of each Borrower enforceable against each such Borrower to the full extent of its properties and assets, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of this Agreement or any other circumstance whatsoever.

(e)           Except as provided in Section 16(b), each Borrower hereby waives notice of acceptance of its joint and several liability, notice of any loans made under this Agreement, notice of any action at any time taken or omitted by Lender under or in respect of any of the Obligations of each Borrower to Lender under this Agreement, and, generally, to the extent permitted by applicable law, all demands, notices and other formalities of every kind in connection with this Agreement.  Except as provided in Section 16, each Borrower hereby assents to, and waives notice of, any extension or postponement of the time for the payment of any of the Obligations of each Borrower to Lender under this Agreement, the acceptance of any payment of any of such Obligations, the acceptance of any partial payment thereon, any waiver, consent or other action or acquiescence by Lender at any time or times in respect of any default by any Borrower in the performance or satisfaction of any term, covenant, condition or provision of this Agreement, any and all other indulgences whatsoever by Lender in respect of any of the Obligations of each Borrower to Lender under this Agreement, and the taking, addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, at any time or times, of any security for any of such Obligations of each Borrower to Lender or the addition, substitution or release, in whole or in part, of any Borrower.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower assents to any other action or delay in acting or failure to act on Lender's part with respect to the failure by any Borrower to comply with any of its respective Obligations, including, without limitation, any failure strictly or diligently to assert any right or to pursue any remedy or to comply fully with applicable laws or regulations thereunder, which might, but for the provisions of this section, afford grounds for terminating, discharging or relieving any Borrower, in whole or in part, from any of its Obligations under this section, it being the intention of each Borrower that, so long as any of the Obligations under this Agreement remain unsatisfied, the Obligations of such Borrower under this section shall not be discharged except by performance and then only to the extent of such performance.  The Obligations of each Borrower under this section shall not be diminished or rendered unenforceable by any winding up, reorganization, arrangement, liquidation, reconstruction or similar proceeding with respect to any other Borrower or Lender.  The joint and several liability of each Borrower under this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any absorption, merger, amalgamation or any other change whatsoever in the name, membership, constitution or place of formation of any Borrower or Lender.

(f)           The provisions of this section are made for the benefit of Lender and Lender's successors and assigns, and may be enforced by Lender in good faith from time to time against any or all of the Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may arise and without requirement on Lender's part first to marshal any of its claims or to exercise any of its rights against any Borrower or to exhaust any remedies available to Lender against any other Borrower or to resort to any other source or means of obtaining payment of any of the Obligations under this Agreement or to elect any other remedy.  The provisions of this section shall remain in effect until all of the Obligations of each Borrower to Lender under this Agreement shall have been paid in full or otherwise fully satisfied.  If at any time, any payment, or any part thereof, made in respect of any of such Obligations of each Borrower to Lender, is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by Lender upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of any Borrower, or otherwise, the provisions of this section will forthwith be reinstated in effect, as though such payment had not been made.

 
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(g)           Each Borrower agrees that it shall not exercise, and hereby expressly waives until full and final payment of all Obligations to Lender: (i) any right to subrogation or indemnification, and any other right to payment from or reimbursement by any other Borrower, in connection with or as a consequence of any payment made by any Borrower to Lender, (ii) any right to enforce any right or remedy which Lender may have or may hereafter have against any other Borrower, and (iii) any benefit of, and any right to participate in (A) any collateral now or hereafter held by Lender, or (B) any payment to Lender by, or collection by Lender from any other Borrower.  The provisions of this paragraph are made for the express benefit of each Borrower as well as Lender, and may be enforced independently by each Borrower or any successor in interest to each Borrower.

23.           MISCELLANEOUS.

(a)           No delay or omission on the part of Lender in exercising any rights shall operate as a waiver of such right or any other right. Waiver on any one occasion shall not be construed as a bar to or waiver of any right or remedy on any future occasion.  All Lender's rights and remedies, whether evidenced hereby or by any other agreement, instrument or paper, shall be cumulative and may be exercised singularly or concurrently.

(b)           Lender is authorized to make loans under the terms of this Agreement upon the request, either written or oral, in the name of Borrower by any authorized person whose name appears at the end of this Agreement or by any of the following named persons, from time to time, holding the following offices of Borrower, President, Treasurer and such other officers and authorized signatories as may from time to time be set forth in separate resolutions.

(c)           This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto; provided, however, that Borrower may not assign this Agreement or any rights or duties hereunder without Lender's prior written consent and any prohibited assignment shall be absolutely void.  No consent to an assignment by Lender shall release Borrower from its Obligations.  Lender may assign this Agreement and its rights and duties hereunder and no consent or approval by Borrower is required in connection with any such assignment.  Lender reserves the right to sell, assign, transfer, negotiate or grant participations in all or any part of, or any interest in Lender's rights and benefits hereunder.  In connection with any assignment or participation, Lender may disclose all documents and information which Lender now or hereafter may have relating to Borrower or Borrower's business.  To the extent that Lender assigns its rights and obligations hereunder to another party, Lender thereafter shall be released from such assigned obligations to Borrower and such assignment shall effect a novation between Borrower and such other party.

(d)           Borrower agrees that any and all loans made by Lender to Borrower or for its account under this Agreement shall be conclusively deemed to have been authorized by Borrower and to have been made pursuant to duly authorized requests therefor on its behalf.

 
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(e)           Unless otherwise defined in this Agreement, capitalized words shall have the meanings set forth in the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Connecticut as of the date of this Agreement.

(f)           Paragraph and section headings used in this Agreement are for convenience only, and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.  If one or more provisions of this Agreement (or the application thereof) shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect in any jurisdiction, the same shall not invalidate or render illegal or unenforceable such provision (or its application) in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of this Agreement (or its application).  This Agreement is the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior written or verbal communications or instruments relating thereto.

(g)           Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices or demands by any party relating to this Agreement or any other loan document shall be in writing and (except for financial statements and other informational documents which may be sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid) shall be personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested ), overnight courier, electronic mail or telefacsimile to Borrower or to Lender, as the case may be, at its address set forth at the end of this Agreement.

The parties hereto may change the address at which they are to receive notices hereunder, by notice in writing in the foregoing manner given to the other.  All notices or demand sent in accordance with this section shall be deemed received on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or three (3) days after the deposit thereof in the mail.

(h)           Lender shall have no obligation to maintain any electronic records or any documents, schedules, invoices, agings or any other paper delivered to Lender by Borrower in connection with this Agreement or any other agreement for more than four (4) months after receipt of the same by Lender.

(i)           Neither this Agreement nor any uncertainty or ambiguity herein shall be construed or resolved against Lender or Borrower, whether under any rule of construction or otherwise.  On the contrary, this Agreement has been reviewed by all parties and shall be construed and interpreted according to the ordinary meaning of the words used so as to fairly accomplish the purposes and intentions of all parties hereto.

(j)           Each provision of this Agreement shall be severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.

(k)           This Agreement, together with the other documents and instruments executed concurrently herewith represent the entire and final understanding of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not be contradicted or qualified by evidence of any prior, contemporaneous or subsequent other agreement, oral or written, before the date hereof.

(l)           This Agreement can only be amended by a writing signed by both Lender and Borrower.

 
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(m)           Lender hereby notifies Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies Borrower and each other party to the transaction contemplated hereunder, which information includes the name and address of Borrower and each such other party and other information that will allow Lender to identify Borrower and each such other party in accordance therewith.

(n)           This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be effective upon delivery and, thereafter, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which shall be taken as one and the same instrument with the same effect as if each party hereto had signed on the same signature page.  Any signature page of this Agreement may be detached from any counterpart of this Agreement without impairing the legal effect of any signature thereto and may be attached to another part of this Agreement identical in form hereto and having attached to it one or more additional signature pages.  This Agreement may be transmitted by facsimile machine or by electronic mail in portable document format (“pdf”) and signatures appearing on faxed instruments and/or electronic mail instruments shall be treated as original signatures.  Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telefacsimile or other electronic method of transmission also shall deliver an original executed counterpart of this Agreement, but the failure to deliver an original executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability or binding effect hereof.

(o)           The laws of the State of Connecticut shall govern the construction of this Agreement and the rights and duties of the parties hereto.  This Agreement shall take effect as a sealed instrument.

(p)           Borrower confirms that the proceeds of the Loan are being, or will be, used solely for the purposes of conducting commercial activities and not for personal family or household purposes.

(q)           Reference is made to the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of March _____, 2015 among Lender, as the Revolving Lender (as defined therein), Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as the Term Loan Administrative Agent (as defined therein), Vertex Energy, Vertex Energy Operating, and the subsidiaries of Vertex Energy named therein (as amended, modified, restated, amended and restated or supplemented from time to time, the "Intercreditor Agreement").  Each person or entity that benefits from the security thereunder, by accepting the benefits of the security provided thereby, (i) consents (or is deemed to consent), to the subordination of liens provided for in the Intercreditor Agreement, (ii) agrees (or is deemed to agree) that it will be bound by, and will take no actions contrary to, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, (iii) authorizes (or is deemed to authorize) the Revolving Lender and the Term Loan Administrative Agent on behalf of such person or entity to enter into, and perform under, the Intercreditor Agreement and (iv) acknowledges (or is deemed to acknowledge) that a copy of the Intercreditor Agreement was delivered, or made available, to such person or entity.


[Remainder of Page Left Intentionally Blank; Signature Pages Follow]




 
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Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, the liens created hereby and the rights, remedies, duties and obligations provided for herein are subject in all respects to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement shall control.
 
Witnessed By:
 
VERTEX ENERGY, INC.
   
VERTEX ENERGY OPERATING, LLC
   
VERTEX ACQUISITION SUB, LLC
   
VERTEX REFINING LA, LLC
   
VERTEX II GP, LLC
   
VERTEX MERGER SUB, LLC
         
         
/s/ Chris Carlson                                                              
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart                                 
     
Benjamin P. Cowart, President and Chief
     
Executive Officer of Each of the Above
         
   
CEDAR MARINE TERMINALS, LP
   
CROSSROAD CARRIERS, L.P.
   
H & H OIL, L. P.
   
VERTEX RECOVERY, L.P.
   
By:
VERTEX II GP, LLC,
     
Sole General Partner of Each of the Above
         
         
/s/ Chris Carlson                                                              
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart                                 
     
Benjamin P. Cowart
     
President and Chief Executive Officer
         
   
Address:
1331 Gemini, Suite 250
       
Houston, Texas 77058
   
Telephone:
281-486-4182
   
Telecopier:
 
   
Email:
 
         
   
MIDCAP BUSINESS CREDIT LLC
         
         
   
By:
/s/ Steven A. Samson                                     
     
Steven A. Samson, President
         
   
Address:
433 South Main Street
       
West Hartford, Connecticut 06110
   
Telephone:
860-503-1629
   
Telecopier:
800-217-0500
   
E-mail:
ssamson@midcapcredit.com

 
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STATE OF TEXAS

Harris, Houston, ss.

On this _____ day of March, 2015, before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared Benjamin P. Cowart, as President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex Energy, Inc., Vertex Energy Operating, LLC, Vertex Acquisition Sub, LLC, Vertex Refining LA, LLC, Vertex II GP, LLC and Vertex Merger Sub, LLC, and as President and Chief Executive Officer of Vertex II GP, LLC, Sole General Partner of Cedar Marine Terminals, LP, Crossroad Carriers, L.P., H & H Oil, L. P. and Vertex Recovery, L.P., proved to me to be the person whose name is signed on the preceding or attached document, through satisfactory evidence of identification, namely, a driver's license issued by the State of Texas bearing the photographic image of the face and signature of Benjamin P. Cowart, and acknowledged to me that he signed it voluntarily for its stated purpose.

 
________________________________________
 
Notary Public
 
My Commission Expires:
 
 

 
 
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SCHEDULES

The following Schedules to the within Loan and Security Agreement (All Assets) are respectively described in the section indicated.  Those Schedules in which no information has been inserted shall be deemed to read "None".

SCHEDULE "A"
Borrower's Places of Business and Organizational Identification Number (§3)

Borrower
Address
Property Located at Such Address
Organizational Identification Number
Vertex Energy, Inc.
1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77058
General office supplies and equipment
NV20081229119
Vertex Energy Operating, LLC
1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77058
General office supplies and equipment
801959969
Vertex Acquisition Sub, LLC
1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77058
General office supplies and equipment
NV20111698674
Vertex Refining LA, LLC
5000 River Road, Marrero, LA 70072
Used oil re-refinery and related inventory equipment
41456232K
 
278 E. Ravenna Road, Myrtle Grove, LA 70037
Used oil re-refinery and related inventory equipment
 
Vertex II GP, LLC
1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77058
General office supplies and equipment
NV20121491058
Vertex Merger Sub, LLC
1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77058
General office supplies and equipment
200814410055
Cedar Marine Terminals, LP
200 Atlantic Pipeline Rd., Baytown, TX 77520
Storage Tanks
Rolling Stock
Process Production Equipment
Inventory
0800533829
Crossroad Carriers, L.P.
1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77058
General office supplies and equipment
0800854831
H & H Oil, L.P.
20909 FM 685, Pflugerville, TX 78660
Storage Tanks
Rolling Stock
 
0800848980
 
7311 Decker Drive, Baytown, TX 77520
Storage Tanks
Rolling Stock
 
 
7941 Recycle Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78409
Storage Tanks
Rolling Stock
 
 
11626 Old Corpus Christi Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78223
Storage Tanks
Rolling Stock
 
 
Vertex Recovery, L.P.
1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250, Houston, Texas 77058
General office supplies and equipment
0800095940


 
 

 

SCHEDULE "B"
Other Encumbrances and Liens (§4(f)(i)
Vertex Energy:
 
Jurisdiction
Secured Party
Filing No. and Date
Collateral
NV
Banc of America Leasing & Capital, LLC
2013005448-2 - 3/1/13
2013005619-5 - Amend - 3/4/13
2013010495-8 - Amend - 4/24/13
2014021155-3 - Amend - 8/18/14
2014028186-5
Amend - 11/3/14
Leased Equipment
NV
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
2014010925-3
5/2/14
All Assets
NV
Bank of America, N.A.
2014011157-5
5/6/14
All Assets
NV
Pacific Western Equipment Finance, a division of Pacific Western Bank
2014014276-0
6/3/14
Leased Equipment
NV
Pacific Western Equipment Finance, a division of Pacific Western Bank
2014014277-2
6/3/14
Leased Equipment


 
 

 


Vertex Energy Operating:

Jurisdiction
Secured Party
Filing No. and Date
Collateral
TX
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
14-0014070906
5/2/14
All Assets
TX
Bank of America, N.A.
14-0014090564
5/5/14
All Assets

Pursuant to Article XXIV of that certain Tolling Agreement dated July 1, 2012 between Vertex Energy Operating (as successor in interest to Vertex Energy) and KMTEX LLC, as amended by First Amendment dated November 1, 2013, KMTEX LLC has an expressed contract lien upon all materials and products stored and handled under the terms of the agreement, or under any other agreements between Vertex Operating and KMTEX LLC.

Vertex Acquisition Sub:
 
Jurisdiction
Secured Party
Filing No. and Date
Collateral
NV
Bank of America, N.A.
2012024422-9
9/13/12
All Assets
NV
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
2014010926-5
5/2/14
All Assets
NV
Bank of America, N.A.
2014011155-1
5/6/14
All Assets
 
 
 
 

 

Vertex Refining:
 
Jurisdiction
Secured Party
Filing No. and Date
Collateral
LA
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
26-338783
5/2/14
Fixtures
LA
Bank of America, N.A.
26-338784
5/2/14
Fixtures
LA
Bank of America, N.A.
38-14-1392
5/5/14
Fixtures
LA
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative
26-338786
5/5/14
All Assets
LA
Bank of America, N.A.
17-1402309
5/5/14
All Assets
LA
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders
38-14-1387
5/5/14
Fixtures
LA
Pacific Western Equipment Finance, a Division of Pacific Western Bank
17-1403372
6/5/14
Leased Equipment
LA
Pacific Western Equipment Finance, a Division of Pacific Western Bank
17-1403376
6/5/14
Leased Equipment
LA
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
26-342331
11/5/14
Specific Equipment
LA
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent for Lenders
26-342770
11/24/14
Fixtures
LA
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders
38-14-3182
12/2/14
Fixtures

 
 
 

 
 
Vertex II GP:
 
Jurisdiction
Secured Party
Filing No. and Date
Collateral
NV
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
2014010924-1
5/2/14
All assets
NV
Bank of America, N.A.
2014011156-3
5/6/14
All assets

 
Vertex Merger Sub:
 
Jurisdiction
Secured Party
Filing No. and Date
Collateral
CA
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
14-7410423945
5/2/14
All assets
CA
Bank of America, N.A.
14-7410532724
5/5/14
All assets

 
Cedar Marine:
 
Jurisdiction
Secured Party
Filing No. and Date
Collateral
TX
Bank of America, N.A.
12-0028945051
9/12/12
All Assets
TX
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
14-0014071391
5/2/14
All Assets
TX
Bank of America, N.A.
14-0014090685
5/5/14
All Assets
TX
Imagenet Consulting LLC
15-0003147031
2/5/15
Specific Equipment

 

 
 

 

Crossroad Carriers:
 
Jurisdiction
Secured Party
Filing No. and Date
Collateral
TX
Bank of America, N.A.
12-0028945314
9/12/12
All Assets
TX
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
14-0014071270
5/2/14
All Assets
TX
Bank of America, N.A.
14-0014090706
5/5/14
All Assets

 
H & H:
 
Jurisdiction
Secured Party
Filing No. and Date
Collateral
TX
Bank of America, N.A.
12-0028945798
9/12/12
All Assets
TX
Toyota Motor Credit Corporation
11-0011849378 - 4/20/11
Leased Equipment
TX
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc.
14-0001563373 - 1/8/14
Leased Equipment
TX
Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
14-0014071159
5/2/14
All Assets
TX
Bank of America, N.A.
14-0014091191
5/5/14
All Assets


 
 

 

E-Source:
 
Jurisdiction
Secured Party
Filing No. and Date
Collateral
TX
Texas Citizens Bank N.A.
10-0033746872 - 11/23/10
Specific Equipment
TX
Olympus America Inc.
12-0013192655 - 4/26/12
Specific Equipment
TX
Texas Citizens Bank N.A.
12-0019556059 - 6/19/12
Specific Equipment
TX
Texas Citizens Bank, N.A.
12-0019556312 - 6/19/12
Specific Equipment
TX
Texas Citizens Bank, N.A.
13-0007164961 - 3/6/13
All Assets
TX
Texas Citizens Bank, N.A.
14-0003538923 - 1/29/14
Specific Equipment
TX
Texas Citizens Bank, N.A.
14-0003544768 - 1/29/14
Specific Equipment

 
 
 

 

SCHEDULE "C"
Leases (§4(f)(ii))

Borrower/Affiliate
Lessor
Description of Property
Date of Lease and Term
Rental Payable
Vertex Energy Operating, LLC
Banc of America Leasing & Capital, LLC
Petroleum process production equipment
February 27, 2013
60 months
$13,327.84/month
Vertex Refining LA, LLC
Sterling National Bank (as successor in interest to Pacific Western Equipment Finance)
Filter banks
Schedule 001:
January 1, 2011
48 months
$24,284.06/month
Vertex Refining LA, LLC
First National Bank of St. Louis (as successor in interest to Pacific Western Equipment Finance)
Hydrotreater
Schedule 003:
July 1, 2012
60 months
$50,408.91/month
Vertex Refining LA, LLC
First Utah Bank (as successor in interest to Pacific Western Equipment Finance)
Hydrogen compressors
Schedule 004: October 1, 2012
60 months
$17,146.12/month
Vertex Refining LA, LLC
CAM2 International, LLC (sublessor) and General American Transportation Corporation
Railcars
Varied by railcar rider
Varied by railcar rider
Vertex Refining LA, LLC
Louisiana LV OR LLC (f/k/a Omega Refining, LLC) (sublessor) and Trinity Chemical Industries, L.L.C.
Railcars
Varied by railcar rider
Varied by railcar rider
Vertex Refining LA, LLC
CAM2 International, LLC (sublessor) and Union Tank Car Company
Railcars
Varied by railcar rider
Varied by railcar rider
Vertex Refining OH, LLC
Mobile Mini, Inc.
Mobile Office Facility
March 2008
Month to month
$400.73/month
Vertex Refining OH, LLC
Nalco Company
TRASAR 5500 Controller
December 12, 2013
Month to month
$2,434.00/month
Vertex Refining OH, LLC
Stolt-Nielsen USA Inc.
Railcars
Varied by railcar rider
Varied by railcar rider
Vertex Refining OH, LLC
Ware
Boiler
June 10, 2014
Month to month
$5,832.00/month
Vertex Refining OH, LLC
Paragon Tank Leasing LLC
Chemical tank trailer
April 17, 2009
Month to month
$1,100/month
Vertex Refining OH, LLC
Sterling Environmental Service, LLC
Trucks and storage tanks
November 15, 2010
Five years
$2,835.00/month


 
 

 
 
****************************************
MATERIAL BELOW MARKED BY AN "***" HAS BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT. THIS ENTIRE EXHIBIT INCLUDING THE OMITTED CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE COMMISSION
****************************************

SCHEDULE "D"
Bank Schedule (§11(c))

Designated Account

Borrower
Bank
Account Number
Location
Vertex Energy Operating, LLC
Bank of America
***
Houston, TX
 
 
Each Other Deposit Account

Borrower
Bank
Account Number
Location
Vertex Energy Operating, LLC
Bank of America
***
Houston, TX
Vertex Energy Operating, LLC
Bank of America
***
Houston, TX

 

 



 
 

 
 

EXHIBIT 1

 
MIDCAP BUSINESS CREDIT LLC

REVOLVING NOTE


$7,000,000.00
March _____, 2015

For value received, the undersigned (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Borrower"), hereby promise, jointly and severally, to pay to the order of MidCap Business Credit LLC (the "Lender"), at its offices in West Hartford, Connecticut, or at any other place designated at any time by the holder hereof, in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, the principal sum of Seven Million ($7,000,000.00) Dollars, or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all loans made by the Lender to the Borrower under the Loan Agreement (defined below) together with interest on the principal amount hereunder remaining unpaid from time to time, computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a 360-day year, from the date hereof until this Note is fully paid at the rate from time to time in effect under the Loan and Security Agreement (All Assets) of even date herewith (the "Loan Agreement") by and between the Lender and the Borrower.  The principal hereof and interest accruing thereon shall be due and payable as provided in the Loan Agreement.  This Note may be prepaid only in accordance with the Loan Agreement.

This Note is issued pursuant, and is subject, to the Loan Agreement, which provides, among other things, for acceleration hereof.  This Note is the "Note" referred to in the Loan Agreement.

This Note is secured, among other things, pursuant to the Loan Agreement, and may now or hereafter be secured by one or more other security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, assignments or other instruments or agreements.

The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all costs of collection, including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses in the event this Note is not paid when due, whether or not legal proceedings are commenced.

Presentment or other demand for payment, notice of dishonor and protest are expressly waived.

 
 

 


All rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut and this Note shall be deemed to be under seal.
 
Witnessed By:
 
VERTEX ENERGY, INC
 
   
VERTEX ENERGY OPERATING, LLC
 
   
VERTEX ACQUISITION SUB, LLC
 
   
VERTEX REFINING LA, LLC
 
   
VERTEX II GP, LLC
 
   
VERTEX MERGER SUB, LLC
 
         
   
By:
   
     
Benjamin P. Cowart, President and Chief
 
     
Executive Officer of Each of the Above
 
         
   
CEDAR MARINE TERMINALS, LP
 
   
CROSSROAD CARRIERS, L.P.
 
   
H & H OIL, L. P.
 
   
By:
VERTEX II GP, LLC,
 
     
Sole General Partner of Each of the Above
 
         
   
By:
   
     
Benjamin P. Cowart
 
     
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
-2- 

 
 
****************************************
MATERIAL BELOW MARKED BY AN "***" HAS BEEN OMITTED PURSUANT TO A REQUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT. THIS ENTIRE EXHIBIT INCLUDING THE OMITTED CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION HAS BEEN FILED SEPARATELY WITH THE COMMISSION
****************************************
 
EXHIBIT 2


ACCOUNT NAME
CREDIT LIMIT
***
$1,000,000.00
***
$1,000,000.00
***
$1,000,000.00
***
$600,000.00
***
$1,000,000.00



 
 
 
 

EX-10.4 5 ex10-4.htm REVOLVING NOTE BY VERTEX ENERGY, INC., VERTEX ENERGY OPERATING, LLC, VERTEX ACQUISITION SUB, LLC, VERTEX REFINING LA, LLC, VERTEX II GP, LLC, VERTEX MERGER SUB, LLC, CEDAR MARINE TERMINALS, LP, CROSSROAD CARRIERS, L.P., H & H OIL, L. P., AND VERTEX RECOVE ex10-4.htm


Exhibit 10.4
MIDCAP BUSINESS CREDIT LLC

REVOLVING NOTE
 
 
$7,000,000.00
March _____, 2015


For value received, the undersigned (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Borrower"), hereby promise, jointly and severally, to pay to the order of MidCap Business Credit LLC (the "Lender"), at its offices in West Hartford, Connecticut, or at any other place designated at any time by the holder hereof, in lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds, the principal sum of Seven Million ($7,000,000.00) Dollars, or, if less, the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all loans made by the Lender to the Borrower under the Loan Agreement (defined below) together with interest on the principal amount hereunder remaining unpaid from time to time, computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed and a 360-day year, from the date hereof until this Note is fully paid at the rate from time to time in effect under the Loan and Security Agreement (All Assets) of even date herewith (the "Loan Agreement") by and between the Lender and the Borrower.  The principal hereof and interest accruing thereon shall be due and payable as provided in the Loan Agreement.  This Note may be prepaid only in accordance with the Loan Agreement.

This Note is issued pursuant, and is subject, to the Loan Agreement, which provides, among other things, for acceleration hereof.  This Note is the "Note" referred to in the Loan Agreement.

This Note is secured, among other things, pursuant to the Loan Agreement, and may now or hereafter be secured by one or more other security agreements, mortgages, deeds of trust, assignments or other instruments or agreements.

The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all costs of collection, including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses in the event this Note is not paid when due, whether or not legal proceedings are commenced.

Presentment or other demand for payment, notice of dishonor and protest are expressly waived.

 
 

 
 
All rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of Connecticut and this Note shall be deemed to be under seal.
 
Witnessed By:
 
VERTEX ENERGY, INC.
   
VERTEX ENERGY OPERATING, LLC
   
VERTEX ACQUISITION SUB, LLC
   
VERTEX REFINING LA, LLC
   
VERTEX II GP, LLC
 
 
VERTEX MERGER SUB, LLC
       
/s/ Chris Carlson                                                              
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart                                 
     
Benjamin P. Cowart, President and Chief
     
Executive Officer of Each of the Above
       
   
CEDAR MARINE TERMINALS, LP
   
CROSSROAD CARRIERS, L.P.
   
H & H OIL, L. P.
   
VERTEX RECOVERY, L.P.
   
By:
VERTEX II GP, LLC,
     
Sole General Partner of Each of the Above
       
/s/ Chris Carlson                                                              
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart                                 
     
Benjamin P. Cowart
     
President and Chief Executive Officer

 2

EX-10.5 6 ex10-5.htm INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT DATED MARCH 26, 2015, BY AND BETWEEN MIDCAP BUSINESS CREDIT LLC AND GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA ex10-5.htm


Exhibit 10.5
 
Execution Version
INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
 
Intercreditor Agreement (this “Agreement”), dated as of ____________________, 2015, among MIDCAP BUSINESS CREDIT LLC, a Texas limited liability company (with its successors and assigns, and as more specifically defined below, the “Revolving Lender”), GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, as administrative agent and collateral agent (in such capacity, with its successors and assigns, and as more specifically defined below, the “Term Loan Administrative Agent”) for the benefit of the Term Loan Secured Parties (as defined below), and each of the Loan Parties (as defined below) party hereto.
 
RECITALS
 
WHEREAS, Vertex Energy, Inc., a Nevada corporation (“Holdings”), and Vertex Energy Operating, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (the “Company”, and together with Holdings, the “Borrowers”), as borrowers, and Bank of America, N.A. (“BOA”) are parties to that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of May 2, 2014 (the “BOA Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which BOA agreed to make loans and extend other financial accommodations to the Borrowers, which loans and financial accommodations are guaranteed by the other Loan Parties (the “BOA Loan”);
 
WHEREAS, Holdings, the Company, the Term Loan Administrative Agent and certain financial institutions and other entities are parties to that certain Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of May 2, 2014 (the “Existing Term Loan Agreement”) pursuant to which such financial institutions and other entities have agreed to make term loans to the Company, which term loans are guaranteed by the other Loan Parties;
 
WHEREAS, the Revolving Lender, the Borrowers and Vertex Acquisition Sub, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (“Vertex Acquisition”), Vertex Refining LA, LLC, a Louisiana limited liability company (“Vertex Refining”), Vertex II GP, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company (“Vertex II GP”), Vertex Merger Sub, LLC, a California limited liability company (“Vertex Merger”), Cedar Marine Terminals, LP, a Texas limited partnership (“Cedar Marine”), Crossroad Carriers, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“Crossroad Carriers”), H & H Oil, L. P., a Texas limited partnership (“H & H”), and Vertex Recovery, L.P., a Texas limited partnership (“Vertex Recovery”) (the Borrowers and Vertex Acquisition, Vertex Refining, Vertex II GP, Vertex Merger, Cedar Marine, Crossroad Carriers, H & H and Vertex Recovery are collectively referred to herein at times as the “MidCap Loan Parties” and each a “MidCap Loan Party”), are parties to that certain Loan and Security Agreement (All Assets) dated as of the date hereof (the “MidCap Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which the Revolving Lender has agreed to make loans and extend other financial accommodations to the MidCap Loan Parties, which loans and financial accommodations will replace, payoff and refinance the BOA Loan;
 
WHEREAS, each Loan Party has granted to the Revolving Lender Liens in the Revolving Credit Collateral (as defined below) as security for payment and performance of the Revolving Credit Obligations (as defined below); and
 
WHEREAS, each Loan Party has granted to the Term Loan Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Term Loan Secured Parties Liens in the Term Loan Collateral (as defined below) as security for payment and performance of the Term Loan Obligations (as defined below).
 
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the existence and sufficiency of which is expressly recognized by all of the parties hereto, the parties agree as follows:
 

 
1

 
 
SECTION 1.           Definitions; Rules of Construction.
 
1.1           UCC Definitions.  The following terms which are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code are used herein as so defined: Accounts, Chattel Paper, Commercial Tort Claims, Deposit Accounts, Documents, Equipment, General Intangibles, Goods, Instruments, Inventory, Investment Property, Letter of Credit, Letter of Credit Rights, Payment Intangibles, Records, Securities Accounts, and Supporting Obligations.
 
1.2.           Defined Terms.  The following terms, as used herein, have the following meanings:
 
Access Period” means, with respect to each parcel or item of Term Loan Priority Collateral, the period, following the commencement of any Enforcement Action, which begins on the earlier of: (a) the day on which the Revolving Lender provides the Term Loan Administrative Agent with the notice of its election to request access to such parcel or item of Term Loan Priority Collateral pursuant to Section  3.4(d), and (b) the fifth (5th) Business Day after the Term Loan Administrative Agent provides the Revolving Lender with notice that the Term Loan Administrative Agent (or its agent) has obtained possession or control of such parcel or item of Term Loan Priority Collateral, and ends on the earliest of (i) the day which is 120 days after the date (the “Initial Access Date”) on which the Revolving Lender initially takes physical possession of, or otherwise controls physical access to, such parcel or item of Term Loan Priority Collateral plus such number of days, if any, after the Initial Access Date that the Revolving Lender is (x) stayed or otherwise prohibited by law or court order from exercising remedies with respect to associated Revolving Credit Priority Collateral and (y) is using commercially reasonable efforts to seek relief from such stay or prohibition (unless it is a stay in an Insolvency Proceeding in which case the Revolving Lender is not required to seek relief from such stay), (ii) the date on which all or substantially all of the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral associated with such parcel or item of Term Loan Priority Collateral is removed from any such parcel or is sold, collected or liquidated, and (iii) the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date.
 
Account Agreements” means any lockbox account agreement, pledged account agreement, blocked account agreement, securities account control agreement or any similar deposit or securities account agreement among the Term Loan Administrative Agent, the Revolving Lender, one or more Loan Parties, and the relevant financial institution depository or securities intermediary.
 
Banking Services Obligations” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any obligations of such Loan Party owed to Revolving Lender (or any of its affiliates) in respect of treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts and interstate depository network services), credit card services, stored-value card services or other cash management services.
 
Bankruptcy Code” means the United States Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. §101 et seq.), as amended from time to time.
 
Bankruptcy Law” means the Bankruptcy Code and any similar Federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.
 
BOA Credit Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.
 
Business Day” means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Houston, Texas or New York State are authorized or required by law to remain closed.
 

 
2

 
 
Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of our interests in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any preferred stock and partnership or limited liability company interests but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
 
Collateral” means all assets and properties of any kind whatsoever, real or personal, tangible or intangible and wherever located, of any Loan Party, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, upon which a Lien (including, without limitation, any Liens granted in any Insolvency Proceeding) is now or hereafter granted or purported to be granted.
 
Common Collateral” means all Collateral that constitutes both Revolving Credit Collateral and Term Loan Collateral.
 
Company” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.
 
Comparable Security Document” means, in relation to any Senior Collateral subject to any Senior Security Document, that Junior Security Document that creates a Lien in the same Senior Collateral, granted by the same Loan Party, as applicable.
 
Copyright Licenses” means any and all agreements granting any right in, to or under Copyrights (whether a Loan Party is licensee or licensor thereunder).
 
Copyrights” means all United States, state and foreign copyrights, including but not limited to copyrights in software and databases, and all “Mask Works” (as defined under 17 U.S.C. 901 of the U.S. Copyright Act), whether registered or unregistered, now or hereafter in force, owned or used in the business of any Loan Party, and with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (i) all registrations and applications therefor, (ii) all extensions and renewals thereof, (iii) all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world, (iv) all rights to sue for past, present and future infringements thereof, (v) all licenses, claims, damages and proceeds of suit arising therefrom, and (vi) all payments and royalties and rights to payments and royalties arising out of the sale, lease, license, assignment, or other disposition thereof.
 
 “Enforcement Action” means, with respect to the Revolving Credit Obligations or the Term Loan Obligations, the exercise of any rights and remedies with respect to any Common Collateral securing such obligations or the commencement or prosecution of enforcement of any of the rights and remedies under, as applicable, the Revolving Credit Documents or the Term Loan Documents, or applicable law, including without limitation the exercise of any rights of set-off or recoupment, and the exercise of any rights or remedies of a secured creditor under the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction or under the Bankruptcy Code; provided, that Enforcement Action does not include (i)  commencing or joining with others in commencing an Insolvency Proceeding against any one or more of the Loan Parties, (ii) any Secured Party entering into any forbearance or similar agreement with any Loan Party, or retaining or requiring any Loan Party to retain any investment banker or other advisor for the purpose of marketing or selling any or otherwise disposing of any Common Collateral, (iii) making demand for payment or accelerating the maturity of any Revolving Credit Obligations or Term Loan Obligations, (iv) the filing by any Secured Party of a proof of claim in any Insolvency Proceeding, (v) the imposition of a default rate or late fee or (vi) in the case of the Revolving Credit Obligations, collecting proceeds of receivables from a lock box, deposit account or similar arrangement in the absence of (x) notification by the Revolving Lender to account debtors to make payment to any such lock box, deposit account or similar arrangement or (y) the termination by the Revolving Lender of the making of advances under the Revolving Credit Agreement due to a default or event of default under the Revolving Credit Agreement.

 
3

 
 
Excess Obligations” means the Excess Revolving Credit Obligations and the Excess Term Loan Obligations.
 
Excess Revolving Credit Obligations” means the sum of (a) the portion of the aggregate principal amount of the loans outstanding under the Revolving Credit Documents, the undrawn amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit and the unreimbursed amount of all Letters of Credit that is in excess of the Revolving Principal Debt Cap, plus (b) all Revolving Credit Swap Obligations (other than those that have been specifically approved in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Agreement by the applicable percentage of “Lenders” (under and as such term is defined in the Term Loan Agreement)), plus (c) the portion of all Banking Services Obligations that is in excess of the limit imposed thereon under Section 6.1(h) of the Existing Term Loan Agreement (as in effect on the date hereof) or any equivalent provision in any subsequent Term Loan Agreement that is no more restrictive to the Borrower, plus (d) without duplication, the portion of accrued and unpaid interest and fees on account of such portion of the loans, Letters of Credit and other obligations described in clauses (a), (b) or (c) of this definition; provided, however, that any interest, fees, or reimbursement obligations in respect of expenses that accrue, or are incurred, after the date when Revolving Lender or the Term Loan Administrative Agent, as applicable, commences Enforcement Action with respect to all or any material portion of the Collateral shall not constitute Excess Revolving Credit Obligations, regardless of whether any such amounts are added to the principal balance of the loans pursuant to the terms of the Revolving Credit Documents. Any Revolving Credit DIP Financing within the limits of Section 5.2(a) shall not constitute Excess Revolving Credit Obligations. In no event shall automated clearinghouse (ACH) transactions of the Loan Parties constitute Excess Revolving Credit Obligations.
 
Excess Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date” means the first date on which (a) all Excess Revolving Credit Obligations (other than those that constitute Unasserted Contingent Obligations) have been paid in cash in full (or cash collateralized in accordance with the terms of the Revolving Credit Documents), (b) all commitments to extend credit that would constitute Excess Revolving Credit Obligations under the Revolving Credit Documents have been terminated, (c) there are no outstanding Letters of Credit or similar instruments issued under the Revolving Credit Documents (other than such as have been cash collateralized in accordance with the terms of the Revolving Credit Documents) that constitute Excess Revolving Credit Obligations, (d) the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date has occurred and (e) so long as the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date shall not have occurred, the Revolving Lender has delivered a written notice to the Term Loan Administrative Agent stating that the events described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) have occurred to the satisfaction of the Revolving Lender.
 
Excess Term Loan Obligations” means the sum of (a) the portion of the principal amount of the loans outstanding under the Term Loan Documents that is in excess of the Term Loan Principal Debt Cap, plus (b) all Term Loan Swap Obligations (other than those that have been specifically approved in accordance with the terms of the Revolving Credit Agreement by the Revolving Lender), plus (c) without duplication, the portion of accrued and unpaid interest on account of such portion of the loans described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition; provided, however, that any interest, fees, or reimbursement obligations in respect of expenses that accrue, or are incurred, after the date when Revolving Lender or the Term Loan Administrative Agent, as applicable, commences Enforcement Action with respect to all or any material portion of the Collateral shall not constitute Excess Term Loan Obligations, regardless of whether any such amounts are added to the principal balance of the loans pursuant to the terms of the Term Credit Documents. Any Term Loan DIP Financing within the limits of Section 5.2(b) shall not constitute Excess Term Loan Obligations.
 
Excess Term Loan Obligations Payment Date” means the first date on which (a) all Excess Term Loan Obligations (other than those that constitute Unasserted Contingent Obligations) have been paid in cash in full, (b) all commitments to extend credit that would constitute Excess Term Loan Obligations under the Term Loan Documents have been terminated, (c) the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date has occurred and (d) so long as the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date shall not have occurred, the Term Loan Administrative Agent has delivered a written notice to the Revolving Lender stating that the events described in clauses (a) and (b) have occurred to the satisfaction of the Term Loan Secured Parties.
 

 
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Exigent Circumstances” means (a) a fraud has been committed by any Loan Party in connection with the Revolving Credit Obligations, including any withholding of collections of Accounts or other Proceeds constituting Revolving Credit Priority Collateral or any other property in violation of the terms of the Revolving Credit Documents or (b) an event or circumstance that materially and imminently threatens the Revolving Lender’s ability to realize upon any material portion of the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral.
 
Existing Term Loan Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.
 
Final Order” shall mean an order of the applicable bankruptcy court or any other court of competent jurisdiction as to which the time to appeal, petition for certiorari, or move for reargument or rehearing has expired and as to which no appeal, petition for certiorari, or other proceedings for reargument or rehearing shall then be pending, or, in the event that an appeal, writ of certiorari, or reargument or rehearing thereof has been filed or sought, such order of such bankruptcy court or other court of competent jurisdiction shall have been affirmed by the highest court to which such order was appealed, or from which certiorari, reargument or rehearing was sought, and the time to take any further appeal, petition for certiorari or move for reargument or rehearing shall have expired; provided that the possibility that a motion under Rule 59 or Rule 60 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or any analogous rule under the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure or applicable state court rules of civil procedure, may be filed with respect to such order shall not cause such order not to be a Final Order.
 
“Holdings” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.
 
Insolvency Proceeding” means:
 
(a)           any case commenced by or against the Company or any other Loan Party under the Bankruptcy Code or any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Company or any other Loan Party, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Company or any other Loan Party or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Company or any other Loan Party or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;
 
(b)           any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of, or relating to, the Company or any other Loan Party, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency, unless otherwise permitted by the Revolving Credit Documents and the Term Loan Documents;
 
(c)           any proceeding seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other insolvency official with similar powers with respect to the Company or any other Loan Party or any of their respective assets; or
 
(d)           any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Company or any other Loan Party are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.
 

 
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Intellectual Property” means, collectively, Copyrights, Copyright Licenses, Patents, Patent Licenses, Trademarks, Trademark Licenses, Trade Secrets, and Trade Secret Licenses.
 
Junior Collateral” means with respect to any Junior Secured Party, any Common Collateral on which it has a Junior Lien.
 
Junior Documents” means, collectively, with respect to any Junior Obligation, any provision pertaining to such Junior Obligation in any Junior Security Document or any other document, instrument or certificate evidencing or delivered in connection with such Junior Obligation.
 
Junior Liens” means (a) with respect to any Revolving Credit Priority Collateral, all Liens securing the Term Loan Obligations and (b) with respect to any Term Loan Priority Collateral, all Liens securing the Revolving Credit Obligations.
 
Junior Obligations” means (a) with respect to any Revolving Credit Priority Collateral, all Term Loan Obligations and (b) with respect to any Term Loan Priority Collateral, all Revolving Credit Obligations.
 
Junior Representative” means (a) with respect to any Revolving Credit Obligations or any Revolving Credit Priority Collateral, the Term Loan Administrative Agent, and (b) with respect to any Term Loan Obligations or any Term Loan Priority Collateral, the Revolving Lender.
 
Junior Secured Parties” means (a) with respect to the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral, all Term Loan Secured Parties, and (b) with respect to the Term Loan Priority Collateral, all Revolving Credit Secured Parties.
 
Junior Security Documents” means with respect to any Junior Secured Party, the Security Documents that secure the Junior Obligations.
 
Junior Standstill Period” has the meaning set forth in Section 3.2.
 
 “Lien” means, with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt, lien, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, assignation, debenture, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset, (b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement, capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to such asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar right of a third party with respect to such securities.
 
Lien Priority” means with respect to any Lien of the Revolving Lender or Term Loan Administrative Agent in the Common Collateral, (i) the order of priority of such Lien specified in Section 2.1 and (ii) the application of proceeds under Section 4.1.
 
Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation Joinder” means an agreement substantially in the form of Annex 2.
 
Loan Party” means Holdings, the Company and each direct or indirect subsidiary of Holdings that is now or hereafter becomes a party to any Revolving Credit Document or Term Loan Document, including, but not limited to each MidCap Loan Party, E-Source Holdings, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“E-Source”) and Vertex Refining Ohio, LLC, an Ohio limited liability company (“Vertex Ohio”).  All references in this Agreement to any Loan Party shall include such Loan Party as a debtor-in-possession and any receiver or trustee for such Loan Party in any Insolvency Proceeding.
 

 
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MidCap Credit Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.
 
MidCap Loan Parties” has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this Agreement.
 
Omega/Bango Financing Documents” has the meaning set forth in the Existing Term Loan Agreement.
 
Patent License” means all agreements granting any right in, to, or under Patents (whether any Loan Party is licensee or licensor thereunder).
 
Patents” means all United States and foreign patents and certificates of invention, or similar industrial property rights, now or hereafter in force, owned or used in the business of any Loan Party, and with respect to any and all of the foregoing, (i) all applications therefore, (ii) all reissues, divisions, continuations, continuations-in-part, extensions, renewals, and reexaminations thereof, (iii) all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world, (iv) all inventions and improvements described therein, (v) all rights to sue for past, present and future infringements thereof, (vi) all licenses, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit arising therefrom, and (vii) all payments and royalties and rights to payments and royalties arising out of the sale, lease, license, assignment, or other disposition thereof.
 
Person” means any person, individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, joint venture, corporation, limited liability company, unincorporated organization, association, institution, entity, party, including any government and any political subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof.
 
Post-Petition Interest” means any interest or entitlement to fees or expenses or other charges that accrues after the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding (or would accrue but for the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding), whether or not allowed or allowable in any such Insolvency Proceeding.
 
Post-Petition Property” means Revolving Credit Post-Petition Assets and Term Loan Post- Assets.
 
Priority Collateral” means the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral or the Term Loan Priority Collateral, as the context may require.
 
Proceeds” means (a) all “proceeds,” as defined in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code, with respect to the Common Collateral, and (b) whatever is recoverable or recovered when any Common Collateral is sold, exchanged, collected, or disposed of, whether voluntarily or involuntarily.
 
Protective Advances” means an advance under the Revolving Credit Agreement to preserve, protect, or insure Collateral or any portion of Collateral or to pay principal or interest on the Term Loan Obligations.
 
Purchase Notice” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
 
Purchasing Term Loan Creditors” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
 
Real Property” means any right, title or interest in and to real property, including any fee interest, leasehold interest, easement, or license and any other right to use or occupy real property, including any right arising by contract.
 
Recovery” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.5.
 

 
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Replacement Revolving Credit Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Revolving Credit Agreement”.
 
Replacement Term Loan Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Term Loan Agreement”.
 
Revolving Credit Agreement” means the collective reference to (a) the MidCap Credit Agreement and (b) any credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or other agreement or instrument evidencing or governing the terms of any indebtedness or other financial accommodation that has been incurred to extend, replace, refinance or refund in whole or in part the indebtedness and other obligations outstanding under the MidCap Credit Agreement (regardless of whether such replacement, refunding or refinancing is a “working capital” facility, asset-based facility, or otherwise) unless such agreement or instrument expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not a Revolving Credit Agreement hereunder (a “Replacement Revolving Credit Agreement”) and in each case that does not contain any provision that could not be introduced by amendment in accordance with Section 6(b).  Any reference to the Revolving Credit Agreement hereunder shall be deemed a reference to any Revolving Credit Agreement then extant.
 
Revolving Credit Collateral” means all Collateral in which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted at any time to any Revolving Credit Secured Party as security for any Revolving Credit Obligation (including, but not limited to, Accounts, Capital Stock, Chattel Paper, Intellectual Property, Documents, General Intangibles, Instruments, Inventory, Investment Property, Letters of Credit and Letter of Credit Rights, Supporting Obligations, Deposit Accounts, cash or cash equivalents, Commercial Tort Claims, Equipment, Goods, Real Property, and accessions to, substitutions for, and replacements, Proceeds and products of the foregoing, together with all books and records, customer lists, credit files, computer files, programs, printouts, and other computer materials and records related thereto and any General Intangibles at any time evidencing or relating to any of the foregoing, and all other assets of each Loan Party now or hereafter as set forth in the Revolving Credit Security Documents).
 
Revolving Credit DIP Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a).
 
Revolving Credit Documents” means the Revolving Credit Agreement, each Revolving Credit Security Document, each Revolving Credit Guarantee and each other “Loan Document” as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement.
 
Revolving Credit Lien” means any Lien created by the Revolving Credit Security Documents.
 
Revolving Credit Guarantee” means any guarantee by any Loan Party of any or all of the Revolving Credit Obligations.
 
Revolving Credit Obligations” means (a) all principal of and interest (including without limitation any Post-Petition Interest) and premium (if any) on all loans made pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement or any Revolving Credit DIP Financing by the Revolving Lender, (b) all reimbursement obligations (if any) and interest thereon (including without limitation any Post-Petition Interest) with respect to any Letter of Credit or similar instruments issued pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement, (c) all Revolving Credit Swap Obligations, (d) all Banking Services Obligations, (e) all guarantee obligations, indemnities, fees, expenses and other amounts payable from time to time pursuant to the Revolving Credit Documents and (f) all other “Obligations” as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement (as in effect on the date hereof), in each case whether or not allowed or allowable in an Insolvency Proceeding; provided that Excess Revolving Credit Obligations shall not constitute Revolving Credit Obligations for  purposes of this Agreement.  To the extent any payment with respect to any Revolving Credit Obligation (whether by or on behalf of any Loan Party, as Proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise) is declared to be a fraudulent conveyance or a preference in any respect, set aside or required to be paid to a debtor in possession, any Term Loan Secured Party, receiver or similar Person, then the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall, for the purposes of this Agreement and the rights and obligations of the Revolving Credit Secured Parties and the Term Loan Secured Parties, be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred.
 
 
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Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date” means the first date on which (a) all Revolving Credit Obligations (other than those that constitute Unasserted Contingent Obligations) have been paid in cash in full (or cash collateralized in accordance with the terms of the Revolving Credit Documents), (b) all commitments to extend credit under the Revolving Credit Documents have been terminated, (c) there are no outstanding Letters of Credit or similar instruments issued under the Revolving Credit Documents (other than such as have been cash collateralized in accordance with the terms of the Revolving Credit Documents), and (d) so long as the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date shall not have occurred, the Revolving Lender has delivered a written notice to the Term Loan Administrative Agent stating that the events described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) have occurred to the satisfaction of the Revolving Lender.  It is understood that the purchase of the Revolving Credit Obligations under Section 7 shall not cause the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date to occur.
 
Revolving Credit Post-Petition Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b).
 
Revolving Credit Priority Collateral” means all of each Loan Party’s now owned or hereafter acquired Revolving Credit Collateral that constitutes:
 
 
(1)
Accounts and all rights to receive payments, indebtedness and other obligations (other than any Account (or any such right, indebtedness or other obligations) representing the obligation to pay for the sale, lease, license, assignment or other disposition of Term Loan Collateral that is Real Estate, Equipment, Fixtures, Capital Stock, or Intellectual Property or any such indebtedness or other obligation in respect thereof);
 
 
(2)
Inventory;
 
 
(3)
Deposit Accounts (and all monies, securities and instruments deposited therein), collection accounts, disbursement accounts and lock boxes, other than (x) the Term Loan Collateral Proceeds Account (except to the extent of identifiable direct Proceeds of other Revolving Credit Priority Collateral on deposit in the Term Loan Collateral Proceeds Account), (y) any identifiable direct Proceeds of other Term Loan Priority Collateral in any other Deposit Account and (z) the Vertex Refining Cash Collateral Account (except to the extent of identifiable direct Proceeds of other Revolving Credit Priority Collateral on deposit in the Vertex Refining Cash Collateral Account);
 
 
(4)
Securities Accounts (and all monies, securities and instruments deposited therein or securities entitlements credited thereto other than any identifiable direct Proceeds of any Term Loan Priority Collateral credited to any such Securities Account, in each case, other than any Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower);
 
 
(5)
Payment Intangibles (including corporate and other tax refunds) other than any Payment Intangible representing the obligation to pay for the sale, lease, license, assignment or other disposition of Term Loan Collateral that is Real Estate, Equipment, Fixtures, Capital Stock, or Intellectual Property);
 
 
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(6)
Instruments, Documents, General Intangibles, Letter-of-Credit Rights, Supporting Obligations and Chattel Paper (including Electronic Chattel Paper) in each case, to the extent arising out of, evidencing, relating to or given in exchange or settlement for any Inventory, Accounts of the type described in clause 1 above or (to the extent included as Revolving Credit Priority Collateral under clause (5) above) any Payment Intangible, together with all books, records, customer lists, credit files, computer files, databases, program printouts and other computer materials and records related thereto or which contain information relating to any of the items included as Revolving Credit Collateral and referred to in preceding clauses (1) through (5) (whether tangible or intangible); and
 
 
(7)
all General Intangibles that relate in any way to any of the Inventory, including all warranties of title; and
 
 
(8)
all substitutions, replacements, accessions, products, and Proceeds of the foregoing, including collateral security and guarantees with respect to any of the foregoing and all cash, money, insurance proceeds, Instruments (other than Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof), Securities (other than Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof), Financial Assets (other than Capital Stock of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof), income, royalties, payments, licensing, damages and Deposit Accounts constituting Proceeds of the foregoing;
 
provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) any Collateral of the type that constitutes Term Loan Priority Collateral, if received in exchange for Revolving Credit Priority Collateral (x) pursuant to an Enforcement Action in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or (y) outside the ordinary course of business during an Insolvency Proceeding shall be treated as Revolving Credit Priority Collateral under this Agreement, the Term Loan Security Documents and the Revolving Credit Security Documents; and (B) any Collateral of the type that constitutes Revolving Credit Priority Collateral, if received in exchange for Term Loan Priority Collateral (x) pursuant to an Enforcement Action in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, or (y) outside the ordinary course of business during an Insolvency Proceeding shall be treated as Term Loan Priority Collateral under this Agreement, the Term Loan Security Documents and the Revolving Credit Security Documents; and
 
provided, further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) prior to the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, other than in connection with an Enforcement Action in accordance with this Agreement or (y) from and after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding, and in the ordinary course of business during such Insolvency Proceeding, any Proceeds of Common Collateral, whether or not deposited in Account Agreements, which are used by any Loan Party to acquire other Common Collateral shall not (solely as between the Revolving Credit Secured Parties and the Term Loan Secured Parties) be treated as Proceeds of such original Common Collateral (and shall be treated as the category or type of other Common Collateral so acquired) for purposes of determining the relative priorities in the Common Collateral.
 
Revolving Credit Secured Parties” means the Revolving Lender and any other holders of the Revolving Credit Obligations.
 
Revolving Credit Security Documents” means the security agreements which create or otherwise affect the rights of the Revolving Credit Secured Parties in the Revolving Credit Collateral and any other documents that create Liens to secure the Revolving Credit Obligations.
 
 
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Revolving Credit Swap Obligations” means, with respect to any Loan Party, (a) any obligations of such Loan Party owed to the Revolving Lender (or any of its affiliates) in respect of any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities (including fuel), equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, and (b) any credit extended to any Loan Party by the Revolving Lender to enable such Loan Party to acquire any fuel hedge.
 
Revolving Lender” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereof or, in the case of any Replacement Revolving Credit Agreement, the Revolving Lender shall be the Person identified as such in the applicable Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation Joinder.
 
Revolving Principal Debt” means the principal amount of indebtedness for borrowed money  and letters of credit incurred under the Revolving Credit Documents (with letters of credit being deemed to have (at any time) a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of any Loan Party (at such time)).
 
Revolving Principal Debt Cap” means the sum of (a) the lesser of (i) $10,000,000 and (ii) the Borrowing Base under and as such term is defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement (as in effect on the date hereof or as amended as permitted hereby) plus (b) the principal amount of Protective Advances not exceeding $2,000,000 in the aggregate. Any revolving advance incurred or letter of credit issued in compliance with clause (a) of this definition at the time made or issued shall deemed to be within clause (a) of the Revolving Principal Debt Cap notwithstanding any subsequent diminution in the Borrowing Base under and as such term is defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement (as in effect on the date hereof or as amended as permitted hereby).
 
Secured Claim” means any claim in respect of a Junior Obligation or Senior Obligation that is not an Unsecured Claim.
 
Secured Debt Documents” means, collectively, the Revolving Credit Documents and the Term Loan Documents.
 
Secured Obligations” means the Revolving Credit Obligations and the Term Loan Obligations.
 
Secured Parties” means the Revolving Credit Secured Parties and the Term Loan Secured Parties.
 
Security Documents” means, collectively, the Revolving Credit Security Documents and the Term Loan Security Documents.
 
Senior Adequate Protection Liensmeans any “replacement Liens” granted to the Senior Secured Parties as adequate protection of their interests in their Senior Collateral in respect of any Revolving Credit DIP Facility or Term Loan DIP Facility, as applicable.
 
 “Senior Collateral” means with respect to any Senior Secured Party, any Common Collateral on which it has a Senior Lien.
 
Senior Documents” means, collectively, with respect to any Senior Obligation, any provision pertaining to such Senior Obligation in any Senior Security Document or any other document, instrument or certificate evidencing or delivered in connection with such Senior Obligation.
 

 
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Senior Liens” means (a) with respect to the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral, all Liens securing the Revolving Credit Obligations and (b) with respect to the Term Loan Priority Collateral, all Liens securing the Term Loan Obligations.
 
Senior Obligations” means (a) with respect to any Revolving Credit Priority Collateral, all Revolving Credit Obligations and (b) with respect to any Term Loan Priority Collateral, all Term Loan Obligations.
 
Senior Obligations Payment Date” means (a) with respect to Revolving Credit Obligations, the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date and (b) with respect to any Term Loan Obligations, the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date.
 
Senior Representative” means (a) with respect to any Revolving Credit Priority Collateral, the Revolving Lender, and (b) with respect to any Term Loan Priority Collateral, the Term Loan Administrative Agent.
 
Senior Secured Parties” means (a) with respect to the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral, all Revolving Credit Secured Parties, and (b) with respect to the Term Loan Priority Collateral, all Term Loan Secured Parties.
 
Senior Security Documents” means with respect to any Senior Secured Party, the Security Documents that secure the Senior Obligations.
 
Term Loan Administrative Agent” has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph hereof or, in the case of any Replacement Term Loan Agreement, the Term Loan Administrative Agent shall be the Person identified as such in the applicable Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation Joinder.
 
Term Loan Agreement” means the collective reference to (a) the Existing Term Loan Agreement and (b) any credit agreement, loan agreement, note agreement, promissory note, indenture or other agreement or instrument evidencing or governing the terms of any indebtedness or other financial accommodation that has been incurred to extend, replace, refinance or refund in whole or in part the indebtedness and other obligations outstanding under the Existing Term Loan Agreement unless such agreement or instrument expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not an Term Loan Agreement hereunder (a “Replacement Term Loan Agreement”) and in each case that does not contain any provision that could not be introduced by amendment in accordance with Section 6(a).  Any reference to the Term Loan Agreement hereunder shall be deemed a reference to any Term Loan Agreement then extant.
 
Term Loan Collateral” means all Collateral in which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted to any Term Loan Secured Party as security for any Term Loan Obligation (including, but not limited to, Accounts, Chattel Paper, Intellectual Property, Documents, General Intangibles, Instruments, Inventory, Investment Property, Letters of Credit and Letter-of-Credit Rights, Supporting Obligations, Deposit Accounts, cash or cash equivalents, Commercial Tort Claims, Equipment, Goods, Real Property, and accessions to, substitutions for, and replacements, Proceeds of Term Loan Collateral and products of the foregoing, together with all books and records, customer lists, credit files, computer files, programs, printouts, and other computer materials and records related thereto and any General Intangibles at any time evidencing or relating to any of the foregoing, and all other assets of each Loan Party now or hereafter as set forth in the Term Loan Security Documents).
 
Term Loan Collateral Proceeds Account” means one or more Deposit Accounts or securities accounts established or maintained by the Company or any other Loan Party or the Term Loan Administrative Agent for the sole purpose of holding the identifiable proceeds of any sale or other disposition of any Term Loan Priority Collateral, including those that are required to be held in trust in such account or accounts pursuant to the terms of any Term Loan Document.
 

 
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Term Loan Creditors” means the “Lenders” and the “Secured Parties”, each as defined in the Term Loan Agreement.
 
Term Loan DIP Financing” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(b).
 
Term Loan Documents” means each Term Loan Agreement, each Term Loan Security Document, each Term Loan Guarantee and each other “Credit Document” as defined in the Term Loan Agreement.
 
Term Loan Guarantee” means any guarantee by any Loan Party of any or all of the Term Loan Obligations.
 
Term Loan Lien” means any Lien created, or intended to be created, pursuant to the Term Loan Security Documents.
 
Term Loan Obligations” means (a) all principal of and interest (including without limitation any Post-Petition Interest) and premium (if any) on all indebtedness under the Term Loan Agreement or any Term Loan DIP Financing by the Term Loan Creditors, (b) all reimbursement obligations (if any) and interest thereon (including without limitation any Post-Petition Interest) with respect to any Letter of Credit or similar instruments issued pursuant to the Term Loan Agreement, (c) all Term Loan Swap Obligations, (d) all guarantee obligations, indemnities, fees, expenses and other amounts payable from time to time pursuant to the Term Loan Documents, in each case whether or not allowed or allowable in an Insolvency Proceeding and (e) all other “Obligations” as defined in the Term Loan Agreement; provided that Excess Term Loan Obligations shall not constitute Term Loan Obligations for  purposes of this Agreement.  To the extent any payment with respect to any Term Loan Obligation (whether by or on behalf of any Loan Party, as Proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff or otherwise) is declared to be a fraudulent conveyance or a preference in any respect, set aside or required to be paid to a debtor in possession, any Revolving Credit Secured Party, receiver or similar Person, then the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall, for the purposes of this Agreement and the rights and obligations of the Revolving Credit Secured Parties and the Term Loan Secured Parties, be deemed to be reinstated and outstanding as if such payment had not occurred.
 
Term Loan Obligations Payment Date” means the first date on which (a) all Term Loan Obligations (other than those that constitute Unasserted Contingent Obligations) have been paid in cash in full, (b) all commitments to extend credit under the Term Loan Documents have been terminated, and (c) so long as the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date shall not have occurred, the Term Loan Administrative Agent has delivered a written notice to the Revolving Lender stating that the events described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) have occurred to the satisfaction of the Term Loan Secured Parties.
 
Term Loan Post-Petition Assets” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.2(a).
 
Term Loan Principal Debt” means the principal amount of indebtedness for borrowed money incurred under the Term Loan Documents.
 
Term Loan Principal Debt Cap” means, as of any date of determination, the amount in respect of principal under the Term Loan Agreement not to exceed the sum of (a) the total of  (i) $40,000,000 minus (ii) the amount of principal payments applied to reduce the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan Obligations other than with the proceeds of loans made under any Replacement Term Loan Agreement, plus (b) any payments in kind made by capitalizing such amount to the then outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan Obligations or issuing new promissory notes in relation thereto, plus (c) 25% of the amount in clause (a)(i).
 

 
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“Term Loan Priority Collateral” means (a) the Term Loan Collateral Proceeds Account and the Vertex Refining Cash Collateral Account (in each case, other than any identifiable direct Proceeds of Revolving Credit Priority Collateral on deposit therein), and (b) all Common Collateral, other than Revolving Credit Priority Collateral.
 
Term Loan Secured Parties” means the Term Loan Administrative Agent, the Term Loan Creditors and any other holders of the Term Loan Obligations.
 
Term Loan Security Documents” means the “Collateral Documents” as defined in the Term Loan Agreement and any other documents creating or intending to create a Lien in favor of Term Loan Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Term Loan Secured Parties.
 
Term Loan Swap Obligations” means, with respect to any Loan Party, (a) any obligations of such Loan Party owed to the Term Loan Administrative Agent, any other Term Loan Creditor (or any of their respective affiliates) in respect of any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities (including fuel), equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions, and (b) any credit extended to any Loan Party by any one or more of the “Lenders” (as defined in the Term Loan Agreement) to enable any Loan Party to acquire any fuel hedge.
 
Trade Secret Licenses” means any and all agreements granting any right in or to Trade Secrets (whether a Loan Party is licensee or licensor thereunder).
 
Trade Secrets” means all trade secrets and all other confidential or proprietary information and know-how, whether or not reduced to a writing or other tangible form, now or hereafter in force, owned or used in, or contemplated at any time for use in, the business of any Loan Party, including with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (a) all documents and things embodying, incorporating, or referring in any way thereto, (b) all rights to sue for past, present and future infringement thereof, (c) all licenses, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit arising therefrom, and (d) all payments and royalties and rights to payments and royalties arising out of the sale, lease, license, assignment, or other dispositions thereof.
 
Trademark Licenses” means any and all agreements granting any right in or to Trademarks (whether a Loan Party is licensee or licensor thereunder).
 
Trademarks” means all United States, state and foreign trademarks, service marks, certification marks, collective marks, trade names, corporate names, d/b/as, business names, fictitious business names, Internet domain names, trade styles, logos, other source or business identifiers, designs and general intangibles of a like nature, rights of publicity and privacy pertaining to the names, likeness, signature and biographical data of natural persons, now or hereafter in force, owned or used in the business of any Loan Party, and, with respect to any and all of the foregoing: (a) all registrations and applications therefor, (b) the goodwill of the business symbolized thereby, (c) all rights corresponding thereto throughout the world, (d) all rights to sue for past, present and future infringement or dilution thereof or for any injury to goodwill, (e) all licenses, claims, damages, and proceeds of suit arising therefrom, and (f) all payments and royalties and rights to payments and royalties arising out of the sale, lease, license assignment or other disposition thereof.

 
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Trigger Event” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.
 
Unasserted Contingent Obligations” means, at any time, Revolving Credit Obligations or Term Loan Obligations, as applicable, for taxes, costs, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities (excluding (a) the principal of, and interest and premium (if any) on, and fees and expenses relating to, any Revolving Credit Obligation or Term Loan Obligation, as applicable, and (b) contingent reimbursement obligations in respect of amounts that may be drawn under outstanding Letters of Credit or similar instruments) in respect of which no assertion of liability (whether oral or written) and no claim or demand for payment (whether oral or written) has been made (and, in the case of Revolving Credit Obligations or Term Loan Obligations, as applicable, for indemnification, no notice for indemnification has been issued by the indemnitee) at such time.
 
Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the applicable jurisdiction.
 
Unsecured Claim” means allowed unsecured claim under Section 506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision under any other Bankruptcy Law) as determined by a Final Order
 
Vertex Refining Cash Collateral Account” means (i) the “Vertex Refining Cash Collateral Account” as defined in the Existing Term Loan Agreement as in effect on the date hereof and (ii) the Deposit Account or Deposit Accounts of the Company and/or Holdings established to receive the proceeds of the issuance of capital stock required under Section 5.13(b) of the Existing Term Loan Agreement (as amended pursuant to that certain First Amendment to Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of December 5, 2014, and that certain Second Amendment to Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of the date hereof) and any related issuances of capital stock in Holdings.
 
Vertex Refining NV” means Vertex Refining NV, LLC, a Nevada limited liability company.
 
1.3           Rules of Construction.  The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined.  Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms.  The words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”.  The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”.  Unless the context requires otherwise (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (d) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights.
 
SECTION 2.          Lien Priority.
 
2.1           Lien Subordination.  Notwithstanding the date, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Junior Lien in respect of any Common Collateral or of any Senior Lien in respect of any Common Collateral and notwithstanding any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code, any applicable law, any Security Document, any alleged or actual defect or deficiency in any of the foregoing or any other circumstance whatsoever, the Junior Representative, on behalf of each Junior Secured Party in respect of such Common Collateral hereby agrees that:
 

 
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(a)           any Senior Lien in respect of such Common Collateral, regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, shall be and shall remain senior and prior to any Junior Lien in respect of such Common Collateral (whether or not such Senior Lien is subordinated to any Lien securing any other obligation); and
 
(b)           any Junior Lien in respect of such Common Collateral, regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, shall be junior and subordinate in all respects to any Senior Lien in respect of such Common Collateral.
 
2.2           Prohibition on Contesting Liens.  In respect of any Common Collateral, the Junior Representative, on behalf of each Junior Secured Party, in respect of such Common Collateral agrees that it shall not, and hereby waives any right to:
 
(a)           contest, or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency Proceeding), the priority, validity or enforceability of any Senior Lien on such Common Collateral; or
 
(b)           demand, request, plead or otherwise assert or claim the benefit of any marshalling, appraisal, valuation or similar right which it may have in respect of such Common Collateral or the Senior Liens on such Common Collateral, except to the extent that such rights are expressly granted in this Agreement.
 
2.3           Nature of Obligations.  The Term Loan Administrative Agent on behalf of itself and the other Term Loan Secured Parties acknowledges that a portion of the Revolving Credit Obligations represents debt that is revolving in nature and that the amount thereof that may be outstanding at any time or from time to time may be increased or reduced and subsequently reborrowed, and that subject to Section 6 (b) the terms of the Revolving Credit Obligations may be modified, extended or amended from time to time and the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Obligations may be increased, replaced or refinanced with notice to, but without the consent of, the Term Loan Secured Parties so long as the aggregate Revolving Principal Debt does not exceed the Revolving Principal Debt Cap without affecting the provisions hereof.  The Revolving Lender acknowledges that subject to Section 6(a), the Term Loan Obligations may be replaced or refinanced, and that the terms of the Term Loan Obligations may be modified, extended or amended from time to time and the aggregate amount of the Term Loan Obligations may be increased, replaced or refinanced with notice to, but without the consent of, the Revolving Credit Secured Parties so long as the aggregate Term Loan Principal Debt does not exceed Term Loan Principal Debt Cap without affecting the provisions hereof.  The Lien Priorities provided in Section 2.1 shall not be altered or otherwise affected by any such amendment, modification, supplement, extension, repayment, reborrowing, increase, replacement, renewal, restatement or refinancing of either the Revolving Credit Obligations or the Term Loan Obligations, or any portion thereof.
 

 
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2.4           No New Liens.
 
(a)           Until the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date, no Term Loan Secured Party shall acquire or hold any Lien on any assets of any Loan Party securing any Term Loan Obligation which assets are not also subject to the Lien of the Revolving Lender under the Revolving Credit Documents, subject to the Lien Priority set forth herein.  If any Term Loan Secured Party shall (nonetheless and in breach hereof) acquire or hold any Lien on any assets of any Loan Party securing any Term Loan Obligation which assets are not also subject to the Lien of the Revolving Lender under the Revolving Credit Documents, subject to the Lien Priority set forth herein, then the Term Loan Administrative Agent (or the relevant Term Loan Secured Party) shall, without the need for any further consent of any other Term Loan Secured Party and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other Term Loan Document be deemed to also hold and have held such Lien for the benefit of the Revolving Lender as security for the Revolving Credit Obligations (subject to the Lien Priority and other terms hereof) and shall promptly notify the Revolving Lender in writing of the existence of such Lien.
 
(b)           Until the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date, no Revolving Credit Secured Party shall acquire or hold any Lien on any assets of any Loan Party securing any Revolving Credit Obligation which assets are not also subject to the Lien of the Term Loan Administrative Agent under the Term Loan Documents, subject to the Lien Priority set forth herein.  If any Revolving Credit Secured Party shall (nonetheless and in breach hereof) acquire or hold any Lien on any assets of any Loan Party securing any Revolving Credit Obligation which assets are not also subject to the Lien of the Term Loan Administrative Agent under the Term Loan Documents, subject to the Lien Priority set forth herein, then the Revolving Lender (or the relevant Revolving Credit Secured Party), without the need for any further consent of any other Revolving Credit Secured Party and notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any other Revolving Credit Document be deemed to also hold and have held such Lien for the benefit of the Term Loan Administrative Agent as security for the Term Loan Obligations (subject to the Lien Priority and other terms hereof) and shall promptly notify the Term Loan Administrative Agent in writing of the existence of such Lien.
 
(c)           It is understood and agreed that if Vertex Refining NV consummates the Bango Acquisition (as defined as of the date hereof in the Existing Term Loan Agreement) in a manner that results in the release by the Term Loan Secured Parties of the guaranty by Vertex Refining NV of the First Lien Obligations and the release by the Term Loan Secured Parties of the Liens on assets of Vertex Refining NV securing the Term Loan Obligations, in each case, as required by the Existing Term Loan Agreement as in effect on the date hereof, then and in any such event, any guaranty by Vertex Refining NV of the Revolving Credit Obligations and any Liens on property of Vertex Refining NV securing the Revolving Credit Obligations shall be released by the Revolving Credit Secured Parties, and no Revolving Credit Secured Party shall be permitted to accept from Vertex Refining NV any guaranty the Revolving Credit Obligations or any Lien on any of Vertex Refining NV’s present or future assets to secure the Revolving Credit Obligations.
 
(d)           On or shortly after the date hereof, the Term Loan Administrative Agent will take an assignment of the Omega/Bango Financing Documents, record an assignment of any mortgage(s) and/or deed(s) of trust included in same, will record an assignment of the UCC-1 financing statements filed to perfect the Liens securing the obligations of Omega Financing and Bango Financing to Vertex Refining NV and will take possession of any promissory notes and other original Omega/Bango Financing Documents.  The Omega/Bango Financing Documents shall constitute Common Collateral, provided that the Revolving Lender will not be named as an assignee in such assignments and will not take separate assignments of such financing statements and/or mortgage(s) and/or deed(s) of trust except as provided in the immediately succeeding sentence.  Without limitation of the obligations of the Term Loan Administrative Agent with respect thereto under Section 2.6(b), promptly following the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date (and so long as the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date has not occurred), the Term Loan Administrative Agent shall deliver to the Revolving Lender any original Omega/Bango Financing Documents in its possession and will assign to the Revolving Lender (without representation or warranty of any kind and wholly without recourse) such financing statements and mortgages.  The Borrowers agree to the delivery by the Term Loan Administrative Agent to the Revolving Lender of such Omega/Bango Financing Documents and the assignment of the financing statements and mortgage(s) and deed(s) of trust to the Revolving Lender, in each case, as contemplated by this paragraph (d).
 

 
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2.5           Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classification.  Each Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that (i) the grants of Liens pursuant to the Revolving Credit Security Documents and the Term Loan Security Documents constitute two separate and distinct grants of Liens and (ii) because of, among other things, their differing rights in the Common Collateral, the Term Loan Obligations are fundamentally different from the Revolving Credit Obligations and should be separately classified in any plan of reorganization proposed or adopted in an Insolvency Proceeding.  To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, if it is held that the claims of the Revolving Credit Secured Parties and the Term Loan Secured Parties in respect of the Common Collateral constitute claims in the same class (rather than separate classes of senior and junior secured claims), then the Revolving Credit Secured Parties and the Term Loan Secured Parties hereby acknowledge and agree that all distributions shall be made as if there were separate classes of Revolving Credit Obligation claims and Term Loan Obligation claims against the Loan Parties (with the effect being that, to the extent that the aggregate value of the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral or Term Loan Priority Collateral is sufficient (for this purpose ignoring all claims held by the other Secured Parties), the Revolving Credit Secured Parties or the Term Loan Secured Parties, respectively, shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them in respect of principal, pre-petition interest and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of Post-Petition Interest that is available from each pool of Priority Collateral for each of the Revolving Credit Secured Parties and the Term Loan Secured Parties, respectively, before any distribution is made in respect of the claims held by the other Secured Parties, with the other Secured Parties hereby acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the respective other Secured Parties amounts otherwise received or receivable by them to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence, even if such turnover has the effect of reducing the aggregate recoveries.
 
2.6           Agreements Regarding Actions to Perfect Liens.
 
(a)           The Revolving Lender and each Revolving Credit Secured Party agrees, on the one hand, and the Term Loan Administrative Agent agrees, on behalf of itself and the other Term Loan Secured Parties, with respect to the Term Loan Security Documents, on the other hand, that each such Security Document granting any Lien in the Collateral will contain the following legend (or a legend substantially similar thereto):
 
“Reference is made to the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of __________________, 2015 among MIDCAP BUSINESS CREDIT LLC, as the Revolving Lender (as defined therein), GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, as the Term Loan Administrative Agent (as defined therein), VERTEX ENERGY, INC., a Nevada corporation (“Holdings”), VERTEX ENERGY OPERATING, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and the subsidiaries of Holdings named therein (as amended, modified, restated, amended and restated or supplemented from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”).  Each Person that benefits from the security hereunder, by accepting the benefits of the security provided hereby, (i) consents (or is deemed to consent), to the subordination of Liens provided for in the Intercreditor Agreement, (ii) agrees (or is deemed to agree) that it will be bound by, and will take no actions contrary to, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, (iii) authorizes (or is deemed to authorize) the [Revolving Lender] [Term Loan Administrative Agent] on behalf of such Person to enter into, and perform under, the Intercreditor Agreement and (iv) acknowledges (or is deemed to acknowledge) that a copy of the Intercreditor Agreement was delivered, or made available, to such Person.
 
Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, this Agreement, the Liens created hereby and the rights, remedies, duties and obligations provided for herein are subject in all respects to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the Intercreditor Agreement, the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement shall control.”
 
 
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(b)           Each of the Revolving Lender and the Term Loan Administrative Agent hereby acknowledges that, to the extent that it holds, or a third party holds on its behalf, physical possession of or “control” (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) over Common Collateral (including the Omega/Bango Financing Documents) pursuant to the Revolving Credit Security Documents or the Term Loan Security Documents, as applicable, whether as bailee for perfection or otherwise, such possession or control is also for the benefit of the Term Loan Administrative Agent and the other Term Loan Secured Parties or the Revolving Lender and the other Revolving Credit Secured Parties, as applicable, solely to the extent required to perfect their Lien in such Common Collateral. Nothing in the preceding sentence shall be construed to impose any duty on the Revolving Lender or the Term Loan Administrative Agent (or any third party acting on either such Person’s behalf) with respect to such Common Collateral or provide the Term Loan Administrative Agent, any other Term Loan Secured Party, the Revolving Lender or any other Revolving Credit Secured Party, as applicable, with any rights with respect to such Common Collateral beyond those specified in this Agreement, the Revolving Credit Security Documents and the Term Loan Security Documents, as applicable; provided that:
 
(c)           subsequent to the occurrence of the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date (so long as the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date shall not have occurred) and subject to the terms of any applicable Account Agreement, the Revolving Lender shall (i) deliver to the Term Loan Administrative Agent, at the Loan Parties’ sole cost and expense, the Common Collateral in its possession or control together with any necessary endorsements to the extent required by the Term Loan Documents or (ii) direct and deliver such Common Collateral as a court of competent jurisdiction otherwise directs; and
 
(d)           subsequent to the occurrence of the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date (so long as the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date shall not have occurred), the Term Loan Administrative Agent shall (i) deliver to the Revolving Lender, at the Loan Parties’ sole cost and expense, the Common Collateral in its possession or control (including, but not limited to certificates of title, certificates evidencing Capital Stock, and promissory notes), together with any necessary endorsements to the extent required by the Revolving Credit Documents or (ii) direct and deliver such Common Collateral as a court of competent jurisdiction otherwise directs.
 
The provisions of this Agreement are intended solely to govern the respective Lien priorities as between the Revolving Credit Secured Parties and the Term Loan Secured Parties and (i) shall not impose on the Revolving Credit Secured Parties or the Term Loan Secured Parties any obligations in respect of the disposition of any Common Collateral (or any Proceeds thereof) that would conflict with prior perfected Liens or any claims thereon in favor of any other Person that is not a Secured Party, and (ii) shall not constitute a subordination of the Term Loan Obligations to the Revolving Credit Obligations or the Revolving Credit Obligations to the Term Loan Obligations.
 
 
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SECTION 3.          Enforcement Rights.
 
3.1           Exclusive Enforcement.  Until the Senior Obligations Payment Date has occurred, whether or not an Insolvency Proceeding has been commenced by or against any Loan Party, the Senior Secured Parties shall have the exclusive right to take and continue any Enforcement Action (including the right to credit bid their debt) with respect to their Senior Collateral, without any consultation with or consent of any Junior Secured Party, but subject to Section 2.1(a) and Section 2.1(b) and the proviso set forth in Section 5.1 and the last sentence of Section 3.2.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a default or an event of default under the Senior Documents, the Senior Representative and the other Senior Secured Parties may take and continue any Enforcement Action with respect to the Senior Obligations and the Senior Collateral in such order and manner as they may determine in their sole discretion in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Senior Documents, subject to Section 3.4.
 
3.2           Standstill and Waivers.  Each Junior Representative, on behalf of itself and the other Junior Secured Parties, agrees that, until the Senior Obligations Payment Date has occurred, subject to Section 2.1(a) and Section 2.1(b), the proviso set forth in Section 5.1 and the last sentence in this Section 3.2:
 
(a)           they will not take or cause to be taken any action, the purpose or effect of which is to make any Lien on any Senior Collateral that secures any Junior Obligation pari passu with or senior to, or to give any Junior Secured Party any preference or priority relative to, the Liens on the Senior Collateral securing the Senior Obligations;
 
(b)           they will not contest, oppose, object to, interfere with, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings (including without limitation the filing of an Insolvency Proceeding) or otherwise, any foreclosure, sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of the Senior Collateral by any Senior Secured Party or any other Enforcement Action taken (or any forbearance from taking any Enforcement Action) in respect of the Senior Collateral by or on behalf of any Senior Secured Party;
 
(c)           they have no right to (x) direct either the Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party to exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to the Senior Collateral or pursuant to the Senior Security Documents in respect of the Senior Collateral or (y) consent or object to the exercise by the Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to the Senior Collateral or pursuant to the Senior Security Documents with respect to the Senior Collateral or to the timing or manner in which any such right is exercised or not exercised (or, to the extent they may have any such right described in this clause (c), whether as a junior lien creditor in respect of the Senior Collateral or otherwise, they hereby irrevocably waive such right);
 
(d)           they will not in any Insolvency Proceeding or other proceeding, make any claim against any Senior Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise, with respect to, and no Senior Secured Party shall be liable for, any action taken or omitted to be taken by any Senior Secured Party with respect to the Senior Collateral or pursuant to the Senior Documents in respect of the Senior Collateral (other than any action taken or omitted to be taken in violation of this Agreement);
 
(e)           they will not commence judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of any Senior Collateral, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce their interest in or realize upon, the Senior Collateral;

 
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(f)           they will not seek, and hereby waive any right, to have the Senior Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of the Senior Collateral; and
 
(g)           they will not take any action that would hinder any exercise of remedies undertaken by the Senior Secured Parties with respect to the Senior Collateral under the Senior Security Documents, including any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of any Common Collateral by the Senior Secured Parties, whether by foreclosure or otherwise, and each Junior Secured Party waives any and all rights it may have as a junior lien creditor or otherwise to object to the manner in which any Senior Secured Party seek to enforce its Senior Liens on any of the Senior Collateral, regardless of whether any action or failure to act by or on behalf of the Senior Secured Parties is adverse to the interests of the Junior Secured Parties (subject, however, to the rights of the Revolving Lender under Section 3.4).
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Junior Representative may, (i) take all such actions as it shall deem necessary to (A) perfect or continue the perfection of its Junior Liens or (B) create or preserve (but not enforce) the Junior Liens on any Collateral, and (ii) subject at all times to the provisions of Section 4, enforce or exercise any or all such rights and remedies as to any Junior Collateral commencing 180 days after the date of the receipt by the Senior Representative of written notice from the Junior Representative of the declaration by the Junior Secured Parties of an event of default under the applicable Junior Documents in accordance with the terms of such Junior Documents that is continuing and the written demand by the Junior Secured Parties of the immediate payment in full of all of the applicable Junior Obligations (such 180-day period being referred to herein as the “Junior Standstill Period”); provided that
 
(i)           in the event that at any time after the Junior Representative has sent a notice to the Senior Representative to commence the Junior Standstill Period, the event of default that was the basis for such notice is cured or waived or otherwise ceases to exist and no other events of default under the applicable Junior Documents (including the failure to pay all accelerated Junior Obligations) have occurred and are then continuing, then the notice shall automatically and without further action of the parties be deemed rescinded and no Junior Standstill Period shall be deemed to have been commenced;
 
(j)           the Junior Standstill Period shall be tolled for any period during which the Senior Representative is stayed from exercising rights or remedies pursuant to an Insolvency Proceeding or court order so long as, except in the case of an Insolvency Proceeding, the Senior Representative is using its commercially reasonable efforts to have such stay lifted;
 
(k)           prior to taking its first action to enforce or exercise any or all such rights and remedies after the end of the Junior Standstill Period, the Junior Representative shall give the Senior Representative not more than ten (10) Business Days’ and not less than five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice of the intention of Junior Representative to exercise its rights and remedies, including specifying the rights and remedies that it intends to exercise, which notice may be sent prior to the end of the Junior Standstill Period and in the event that Junior Representative shall not take any action to enforce or exercise any or all of such rights within ninety (90) days after the end of the Junior Standstill Period, then the notice to commence such Junior Standstill Period shall automatically and without further action of the parties be deemed rescinded and no Junior Standstill Period shall be deemed to have been commenced; and
 
(l)           notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3.2, the Junior Representative and the other Junior Secured Parties may not exercise any rights and remedies against any specific item or items of Junior Collateral after the end of the Junior Standstill Period, if and for so long as the Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party is diligently pursuing in good faith the exercise of its enforcement rights or remedies in respect of such Collateral.

 
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Each Junior Secured Party hereby acknowledges and agrees that no covenant, agreement or restriction contained in any Junior Document shall be deemed to restrict in any way the rights and remedies of any Senior Secured Party to take any Enforcement Action in accordance with this Agreement and the applicable Senior Document.
 
3.3           Judgment Creditors.  In the event that any Term Loan Secured Party becomes a judgment lien creditor in respect of Common Collateral as a result of its enforcement of its rights as an unsecured creditor, such judgment lien shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement for all purposes (including in relation to the Revolving Credit Liens and the Revolving Credit Obligations) to the same extent as all other Liens securing the Term Loan Obligations are subject to the terms of this Agreement. In the event that any Revolving Credit Secured Party becomes a judgment lien creditor in respect of Common Collateral as a result of its enforcement of its rights as an unsecured creditor, such judgment lien shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement for all purposes (including in relation to the Term Loan Liens and the Term Loan Obligations) to the same extent as all other Liens securing the Revolving Credit Obligations are subject to the terms of this Agreement.
 
3.4           Cooperation; Sharing of Information and Access.
 
(a)           (i)  The Term Loan Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the other Term Loan Secured Parties, agrees that each of them shall take such actions as the Revolving Lender shall reasonably request in connection with the exercise by the Revolving Credit Secured Parties of their rights set forth herein in respect of the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral; and (ii) The Revolving Lender agrees that it shall take such actions as the Term Loan Administrative Agent shall reasonably request in connection with the exercise by the Term Loan Secured Parties of their rights set forth herein in respect of the Term Loan Priority Collateral.
 
(b)           (i)  In the event that the Revolving Lender shall, in the exercise of its rights under the Revolving Credit Security Documents or otherwise, receive possession or control of any books and Records of any Loan Party which contain information identifying or pertaining to any of the Term Loan Priority Collateral, the Revolving Lender shall promptly notify the Term Loan Administrative Agent of such fact and, upon request from the Term Loan Administrative Agent and as promptly as practicable thereafter (subject to any confidentiality provisions in the Revolving Credit Documents), either make available to the Term Loan Administrative Agent such books and Records for inspection and duplication or provide to the Term Loan Administrative Agent copies thereof; (ii) in the event that the Term Loan Administrative Agent shall, in the exercise of its rights under the Term Loan Security Documents or otherwise, receive possession or control of any books and Records of any Loan Party which contain information identifying or pertaining to any of the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral, the Term Loan Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Revolving Lender of such fact and, upon request from the Revolving Lender and as promptly as practicable thereafter (subject to any confidentiality provisions in the Term Loan Documents), either make available to the Revolving Lender such books and Records for inspection and duplication or provide the Revolving Lender copies thereof.
 
(c)           (i) To the extent that the Term Loan Administrative Agent acquires ownership of any Intellectual Property that constitutes Term Loan Priority Collateral, the Term Loan Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the other Term Loan Secured Parties, hereby irrevocably grants the Revolving Lender a non-exclusive worldwide license or right to use, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and to the extent of the Term Loan Administrative Agent’s and the other Term Loan Secured Parties’ interest therein, exercisable without payment of royalty or other compensation, to use any of the Intellectual Property now or hereafter owned by, licensed to, or otherwise used by the Loan Parties in order for Revolving Lender and Revolving Credit Secured Parties to purchase, use, market, repossess, possess, store, assemble, manufacture, process, sell, transfer, distribute or otherwise dispose of any asset included in the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral in connection with the liquidation, disposition or realization upon the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Revolving Credit Security Documents and the other Revolving Credit Documents and (ii) prior to acquiring any such ownership, the Term Loan Administrative Agent shall take no action to interfere with the use by the Revolving Lender and the Revolving Credit Secured Parties of any license in Intellectual Property acquired by the Revolving Credit Secured Parties from any Loan Party to take any of the actions contemplated by clause (a) of this sentence.  Until the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date, the Term Loan Administrative Agent agrees that any sale, transfer or other disposition by or at the direction of the Term Loan Administrative Agent of any of the Loan Parties’ Intellectual Property (whether by foreclosure or otherwise) will be subject to the Revolving Lender’s rights as set forth in this Section 3.4.

 
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(d)           If the Term Loan Administrative Agent, or any agent or representative of the Term Loan Administrative Agent, or any receiver, shall, after the commencement of any Enforcement Action, obtain possession or physical control of any of the Term Loan Priority Collateral constituting Real Property or any material Term Loan Priority Collateral constituting Equipment or Fixtures, the Term Loan Administrative Agent shall use its reasonable best efforts to promptly notify the Revolving Lender in writing of that fact, and the Revolving Lender shall, within thirty (30) Business Days thereafter, notify the Term Loan Administrative Agent in writing as to whether the Revolving Lender desires to exercise access rights under this Agreement.  In addition, if the Revolving Lender, or any agent or representative of the Revolving Lender, or any receiver, shall obtain possession or physical control of any of the Term Loan Priority Collateral in connection with an Enforcement Action, then the Revolving Lender shall promptly notify the Term Loan Administrative Agent that the Revolving Lender is exercising its access rights under this Agreement and its rights under Section 3.4 under either circumstance.  Upon delivery of such notice by the Revolving Lender to the Term Loan Administrative Agent, the parties shall confer in good faith to coordinate with respect to the Revolving Lender’s exercise of such access rights, with such access rights to apply to any parcel or item of Term Loan Priority Collateral access to which is reasonably necessary to enable the Revolving Lender during normal business hours: (i) to convert Revolving Credit Priority Collateral consisting of raw materials and work-in-process into saleable finished goods; (ii) to complete any service or project required for the practical realization of the benefits of the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral; (iii) to transport such Revolving Credit Priority Collateral to a point where such conversion can occur; (iv) to otherwise prepare Revolving Credit Priority Collateral for sale; and/or (v) to arrange or effect the sale of Revolving Credit Priority Collateral, all in accordance with the manner in which such matters are completed in the ordinary course of business.  Consistent with the definition of “Access Period,” access rights will apply to differing parcels or items of Term Loan Priority Collateral at differing times, in which case, a differing Access Period will apply to each such parcel or items (provided that different Access Periods shall not apply to different items located on a single parcel).  During any pertinent Access Period, the Revolving Lender and its agents, representatives and designees shall have an irrevocable, non-exclusive right to have access to, and a rent-free right to use, the relevant parcel or item of Term Loan Priority Collateral for the purposes described above.  The Revolving Lender shall take proper and reasonable care under the circumstances of any Term Loan Priority Collateral that is used by the Revolving Lender during the Access Period and repair and replace any damage (ordinary wear-and-tear excepted) caused by the Revolving Lender or its agents, representatives or designees and the Revolving Lender shall comply with all applicable laws and any applicable lease in all material respects in connection with its use or occupancy or possession of the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral and shall conform in such use to customary industry practices with respect to the use and maintenance thereof, and, if requested by the Term Loan Administrative Agent, the Revolving Lender shall provide to the Term Loan Administrative Agent evidence of liability insurance held by the Revolving Lender (or by its agents, a receiver or other designee acting on its behalf) and no moveable item of Term Loan Priority Collateral may be removed from the premises at which such equipment was theretofore located without the prior written consent of the Term Loan Administrative Agent.  The Revolving Lender will not be liable for any diminution in the value of Term Loan Priority Collateral caused by the absence of the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral therefrom.  The Revolving Lender and the Term Loan Administrative Agent shall cooperate and use reasonable efforts to ensure that their activities during the Access Period as described above do not interfere materially with the activities of the other as described above, including the right of Term Loan Administrative Agent to show the Term Loan Priority Collateral to prospective purchasers and to ready the Term Loan Priority Collateral for sale. Consistent with the definition of the term “Access Period,” if any order or injunction is issued or stay is granted or is otherwise effective by operation of law that prohibits the Revolving Lender from exercising any of its rights hereunder, then the Access Period granted to the Revolving Lender under this Section 3.4 shall be stayed during the period of such prohibition (so long as the Revolving Lender is using commercially reasonable efforts to lift any such order, injunction, stay or operation of law, unless it is a stay issued in an Insolvency Proceeding, in which case Revolving Lender is not required to attempt to lift such stay) and shall continue thereafter for the number of days remaining as required under this Section 3.4.  The Term Loan Administrative Agent shall not foreclose or otherwise sell, remove or dispose of any of the Term Loan Priority Collateral during the Access Period with respect to such Collateral if such Collateral is reasonably necessary to enable the Revolving Lender to convert, transport or arrange to sell the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral as described above.
 
 
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3.5           No Additional Rights For the Loan Parties Hereunder.  Except as provided in Section 3.6 hereof, if any Revolving Credit Secured Party or Term Loan Secured Party shall enforce its rights or remedies in violation of the terms of this Agreement, no Loan Party shall be entitled to use such violation as a defense to any action by any Revolving Credit Secured Party or Term Loan Secured Party, nor to assert such violation as a counterclaim or basis for set off or recoupment against any Revolving Credit Secured Party or any Term Loan Secured Party.
 
3.6           Actions Upon Breach.  Should any Revolving Credit Secured Party or Term Loan Secured Party, contrary to this Agreement, in any way take, attempt to or threaten to take any action with respect to the Common Collateral (including, without limitation, any attempt to realize upon or enforce any remedy with respect to this Agreement), or fail to take any action required by this Agreement, any Revolving Credit Secured Party or any Term Loan Secured Party (in its own name or in the name of the relevant Loan Party), as applicable, or the relevant Loan Party, may obtain relief against such Revolving Credit Secured Party or Term Loan Secured Party, as applicable, by injunction, specific performance and/or other appropriate equitable relief, it being understood and agreed by each of the Revolving Lender and the Term Loan Administrative Agent on behalf of each Term Loan Secured Party that (i) the Revolving Credit Secured Parties’ or Term Loan Secured Parties’, as applicable, damages from its actions may at that time be difficult to ascertain and may be irreparable, and (ii) each Term Loan Secured Party or each Revolving Credit Secured Party, as applicable, waives any defense that the Loan Parties and/or the Term Loan Secured Parties and/or Revolving Credit Secured Parties, as applicable, cannot demonstrate damage and/or be made whole by the awarding of damages.

 
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SECTION 4.
Application of Proceeds of Senior Collateral; Dispositions and Releases of Liens; Notices and Insurance.
 
4.1           Application of Proceeds.
 
(a)           Application of Proceeds of Common Collateral.  The Senior Representative and Junior Representative, each hereby agree that all Common Collateral, and all Proceeds thereof, received by either of them in connection with the collection, sale or disposition of Common Collateral in an Enforcement Action shall be applied,
 
first, (a) with respect to any Common Collateral or Proceeds thereof, to the payment of costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and court costs) of the Senior Representative in connection with such Enforcement Action, or (to the extent such Enforcement Action was taken in conformity with this Agreement by the Junior Representative in lieu of the Senior Representative), of the Junior Representative, in connection with such Enforcement Action (provided that the Junior Representative can provide reasonably satisfactory evidence of its costs and expenses incurred in connection therewith);
 
next, (b) solely with respect to Revolving Credit Priority Collateral and Proceeds thereof;
 
first, to the payment of Revolving Credit Obligations until the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date;
 
second, to the payment of Term Loan Obligations until the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date;
 
third, to the payment of Excess Revolving Credit Obligations until the Excess Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date;
 
fourth, to the payment of Excess Term Loan Obligations until the Excess Term Loan Obligations Payment Date and
 
fifth, the balance, if any, to the Loan Parties or to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct; and
 
next, (c) solely with respect to Term Loan Priority Collateral and Proceeds thereof:
 
first, to the payment of Term Loan Obligations until the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date;
 
second, to the payment of Revolving Credit Obligations until the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date;
 
third, to the payment of Excess Term Loan Obligations until the Excess Term Loan Obligations Payment Date;

 
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fourth, to the payment of Excess Revolving Credit Obligations until the Excess Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date; and
 
fifth, the balance, if any, to the Loan Parties or to whosoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.
 
(b)           Limited Obligation or Liability.  In exercising remedies, whether as a secured creditor or otherwise, the Senior Representative shall have no obligation or liability to the Junior Representative or to any Junior Secured Party, regarding the adequacy of any Proceeds or for any action or omission, save and except solely for an action or omission that breaches the express obligations undertaken by each party under the terms of this Agreement.
 
(c)           Segregation of Collateral.  Until the occurrence of the Senior Obligations Payment Date, any Senior Collateral that may be received by any Junior Secured Party in violation of this Agreement shall be segregated and held in trust and promptly paid over to the Senior Representative, for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties, in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements, and each Junior Secured Party or such holder hereby authorizes the Senior Representative to make any such endorsements as agent for the Junior Representative (which authorization, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable).
 
4.2           Releases of Liens.  Upon any release, sale or disposition of Senior Collateral (x) permitted pursuant to the terms of the Senior Documents and the Junior Documents that results in the release of the Senior Lien on any Senior Collateral or (y) pursuant to any Enforcement Action (other than release of the Senior Lien due to the occurrence of the Senior Obligations Payment Date), the Junior Lien on such Senior Collateral (excluding any portion of the Proceeds of such Senior Collateral remaining after the Senior Obligations Payment Date occurs) shall be automatically and unconditionally released with no further consent by or action of any Person.  The Junior Representative shall promptly execute and deliver such release documents and instruments and shall take such further actions as the Senior Representative shall request to evidence any release of the Junior Lien described in this Section 4.2.  The Junior Representative hereby appoints the Senior Representative and any officer or duly authorized person of the Senior Representative, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power of attorney in the place and stead of the Junior Representative and in the name of the Junior Representative or in the Senior Representative’s own name, from time to time, in the Senior Representative’s sole discretion, for the purposes of carrying out the terms of this Section 4.2, to take any and all appropriate action and to execute and deliver any and all documents and instruments as may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of this Section 4.2, including, without limitation, any financing statements, endorsements, assignments, releases or other documents or instruments of transfer (which appointment, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable).
 
4.3           Insurance.  Proceeds of Common Collateral include insurance proceeds and therefore the Lien Priority shall govern the ultimate disposition of casualty insurance proceeds.  Each of the Revolving Lender and the Term Loan Administrative Agent (each for and on behalf of their respective Secured Parties), shall be named as additional insured or loss payee, as applicable, with respect to all insurance policies relating to any Common Collateral. Prior to the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date, the Revolving Lender shall have the sole and exclusive right, as between the Term Loan Administrative Agent on the one hand and the Revolving Lender on the other hand, to adjust settlement of insurance claims in the event of any covered loss, theft or destruction of Revolving Credit Priority Collateral.  Prior to the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date, the Term Loan Administrative Agent shall have the sole and exclusive right, as between the Revolving Lender on the one hand and the Term Loan Administrative Agent on the other hand, to adjust settlement of insurance claims in the event of any covered loss, theft or destruction of Term Loan Priority Collateral.  All proceeds of such insurance shall be remitted to the Revolving Lender (to the extent the Revolving Lender has a Senior Lien on the property giving rise to such insurance proceeds) or the Term Loan Administrative Agent (to the extent the Term Loan Administrative Agent has a Senior Lien on the property giving rise to such insurance proceeds) and each of the Term Loan Administrative Agent and Revolving Lender shall cooperate (if necessary) in a reasonable manner in effecting the payment of insurance proceeds in accordance with Section 4.1.

 
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4.4.           Rights as Unsecured and Secured Creditors. Except to the extent in contravention of the express terms of this Agreement any Secured Party may exercise rights and remedies as an unsecured creditor against any Loan Party in accordance with the terms of the applicable Revolving Credit Documents or Term Loan Documents and applicable law.  Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the receipt by any Secured Party of required payments in respect of interest, principal and other obligations under the applicable Revolving Credit Documents or Term Loan Documents unless such payment is made with an application of proceeds that violates the waterfall for application of proceeds set forth in Section 4.1 or otherwise violates any other provision of this Agreement.
 
SECTION 5.         Insolvency Proceedings.
 
5.1           Filing of Motions.  Until the Senior Obligations Payment Date has occurred, the Junior Representative agrees on behalf of itself and the other Junior Secured Parties that no Junior Secured Party shall, in or in connection with any Insolvency Proceeding, file any pleadings or motions, take any position at any hearing or proceeding of any nature, or otherwise take any action whatsoever, in each case in respect of any of the Senior Collateral, including, without limitation, with respect to the determination of any Liens or claims held by the Senior Representative (including the validity and enforceability thereof) or any other Senior Secured Party in respect of any Senior Collateral or the value of any claims of such parties under Section 506(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or otherwise; provided that the Junior Representative may (i) file a proof of claim in an Insolvency Proceeding, (ii) file any necessary responsive or defensive pleadings in opposition of any motion or other pleadings made by any Person objecting to or otherwise seeking the disallowance of any Person objecting to or otherwise seeking the disallowance of the claims of the Junior Secured Parties on the Senior Collateral, (iii) seek adequate protection in respect of its Junior Lien to the extent permitted by this Agreement, (iv) seek or object to any valuation of the Senior Collateral (other than as otherwise prohibited hereby), and (v) object to any Revolving Credit DIP Financing or Term Loan DIP Financing based on lack of adequate protection in respect of the Senior Collateral to the extent that such financing is inconsistent with the consents provided by the Junior Representative in Section 5.2, in each case, subject to the limitations contained in this Agreement and only if consistent with the terms and the limitations on the Junior Representative imposed hereby.
 
5.2           Financing Matters.
 
(a)           If any Loan Party becomes subject to any Insolvency Proceeding in the United States at any time prior to the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date, and if the Revolving Lender or the other Revolving Credit Secured Parties desire to consent (or not object) to the use of cash collateral under the Bankruptcy Code or to provide financing to any Loan Party under the Bankruptcy Code or to consent (or not object) to the provision of such financing to any Loan Party by any third party (any such financing, “Revolving Credit DIP Financing”), then the Term Loan Administrative Agent agrees, on behalf of itself and the other Term Loan Secured Parties, that each Term Loan Secured Party (i) will be deemed to have consented to, will raise no objection to, nor support any other Person objecting to, the use of such cash collateral or to such Revolving Credit DIP Financing on the grounds of a failure to provide “adequate protection” for the Term Loan Lien or on any other grounds (and will not request any adequate protection solely as a result of such Revolving Credit DIP Financing) and (ii) will subordinate (and will be deemed hereunder to have subordinated) the Term Loan Liens on any Revolving Credit Priority Collateral (A) to such Revolving Credit DIP Financing on the same terms as the Term Loan Liens are subordinated thereto (and such subordination will not alter in any manner the terms of this Agreement), (B) to any adequate protection provided to the Revolving Credit Secured Parties and (C) to any “carve-out” agreed to by the Revolving Lender or the other Revolving Credit Secured Parties, so long as (v) the proposed Revolving Credit DIP Financing does not compel any Loan Party to seek confirmation of a specific plan of reorganization for which all or substantially all of the material terms are set forth in such financing documentation, (w) the maximum principal amount of the Revolving Credit DIP Financing (together with any Revolving Credit Obligations that will not be repaid or fully cash collateralized with the proceeds of the initial advance under the Revolving Credit DIP Financing) will not exceed the Revolving Principal Debt Cap, (x) the Term Loan Administrative Agent retains its Term Loan Lien (in each case, including Proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of the case under the Bankruptcy Code) and, as to the Term Loan Priority Collateral only, such Lien has the same priority as existed prior to the commencement of the case under the Bankruptcy Code and any Lien securing such Revolving Credit DIP Financing is junior and subordinate to the Term Loan Lien on the Term Loan Priority Collateral, (y) all Liens on Revolving Credit Priority Collateral securing any such Revolving Credit DIP Financing shall be senior to or on a parity with the Revolving Credit Lien on the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral and (z) if the Revolving Lender receives a replacement or adequate protection Lien on post-petition assets of the debtor to secure the Revolving Credit Obligations, and such replacement or adequate protection Lien is on any of the Term Loan Priority Collateral, (1) such replacement or adequate protection Lien on such post-petition assets which are part of the Term Loan Priority Collateral (the “Term Loan Post-Petition Assets”) is junior and subordinate to the Term Loan Lien on the Term Loan Priority Collateral and (2) the Term Loan Administrative Agent also receives a replacement or adequate protection Lien on such Term Loan Post-Petition Assets of the debtor to secure the Term Loan Obligations. In no event will any of the Revolving Credit Secured Parties seek to obtain a priming Lien on any of the Term Loan Priority Collateral and nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a consent by Term Loan Secured Parties to any adequate protection payments using Term Loan Priority Collateral.

 
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(b)           If any Loan Party becomes subject to any Insolvency Proceeding in the United States at any time prior to the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date, and if the Term Loan Administrative Agent or the other Term Loan Secured Parties desire to consent (or not object) or to provide financing to any Loan Party under the Bankruptcy Code or to consent (or not object) to the provision of such financing to any Loan Party by any third party (any such financing, “Term Loan DIP Financing”), then the Revolving Lender agrees that the Revolving Lender (i) will be deemed to have consented to, will raise no objection to, nor support any other Person objecting to such Term Loan DIP Financing on the grounds of a failure to provide “adequate protection” for the Revolving Credit Lien or on any other grounds (and will not request any adequate protection solely as a result of such Term Loan DIP Financing) and (ii) will subordinate (and will be deemed hereunder to have subordinated) the Revolving Credit Liens on any Term Loan Priority Collateral (A) to such Term Loan DIP Financing on the same terms as the Revolving Credit Liens are subordinated thereto (and such subordination will not alter in any manner the terms of this Agreement), (B) to any adequate protection provided to the Term Loan Secured Parties and (C) to any “carve-out” agreed to by the Term Loan Administrative Agent or the other Term Loan Secured Parties, so long as (v) the proposed Term Loan DIP Financing does not compel any Loan Party to seek confirmation of a specific plan of reorganization for which all or substantially all of the material terms are set forth in such financing documentation, (w) the maximum principal amount of the Term Loan DIP Financing (together with any Term Loan Obligations that will not be repaid or fully cash collateralized with the proceeds of the initial advance under the Term Loan DIP Financing) will not exceed the Term Loan Principal Debt Cap, (x) the Revolving Lender retains its Revolving Credit Lien (in each case, including Proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of the case under the Bankruptcy Code) and, as to the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral only, such Lien has the same priority as existed prior to the commencement of the case under the Bankruptcy Code and any Lien securing such Term Loan DIP Financing is junior and subordinate to the Revolving Credit Lien on the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral, (y) all Liens on Term Loan Priority Collateral securing any such Term Loan DIP Financing shall be senior to or on a parity with the Term Loan Lien on the Term Loan Priority Collateral and (z) if the Term Loan Administrative Agent receives a replacement or adequate protection Lien on post-petition assets of the debtor to secure the Term Loan Obligations, and such replacement or adequate protection Lien is on any of the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral, (1) such replacement or adequate protection Lien on such post-petition assets which are part of the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral (the “Revolving Credit Post-Petition Assets”) is junior and subordinate to the Revolving Credit Lien on the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral and (2) the Revolving Lender also receives a replacement or adequate protection Lien on such Revolving Credit Post-Petition Assets of the debtor to secure the Revolving Credit Obligations. In no event will any of the Term Loan Secured Parties seek to obtain a priming Lien on any of the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral and nothing contained herein shall be deemed to be a consent by the Revolving Credit Secured Parties to any adequate protection payments using Revolving Credit Priority Collateral.

 
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(c)           All Liens granted to the Term Loan Administrative Agent or the Revolving Lender in any Insolvency Proceeding, whether as adequate protection or otherwise, are intended to be and shall be deemed to be subject to the Lien Priority and the other terms and conditions of this Agreement.
 
5.3           Relief From the Automatic Stay.  Until the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date, the Term Loan Administrative Agent agrees, on behalf of itself and the other Term Loan Secured Parties, that none of them will seek relief from the automatic stay or from any other stay in any Insolvency Proceeding or take any action in derogation thereof, in each case in respect of any Revolving Credit Priority Collateral, without the prior written consent of the Revolving Lender.  Until the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date, the Revolving Lender agrees that it will not seek relief from the automatic stay or from any other stay in any Insolvency Proceeding or take any action in derogation thereof, in each case in respect of any Term Loan Priority Collateral, without the prior written consent of the Term Loan Administrative Agent. In addition, neither the Term Loan Administrative Agent nor the Revolving Lender shall seek any relief from the automatic stay with respect to any Common Collateral without providing thirty (30) days’ prior written notice to the other, unless otherwise agreed in writing by both the Revolving Lender and the Term Loan Administrative Agent.
 
5.4           Adequate Protection.
 
(a)           The Junior Representative, on behalf of itself and the Junior Secured Parties, agrees that, prior to the Senior Obligations Payment Date, none of them shall contest (or support any other Person contesting) (a) any request by the Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party for adequate protection of its interest in the Senior Collateral (unless in contravention of Section 5.2(a) or (b), as applicable), or (b) any objection by the Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party to any motion, relief, action, or proceeding based on a claim by the Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party that its interests in the Senior Collateral (unless in contravention of Section 5.2(a) or (b), as applicable) are not adequately protected (or any other similar request under any law applicable to an Insolvency Proceeding), so long as any Liens granted to the Senior Representative as adequate protection of its interests are subject to this Agreement.

 
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(b)           Among other things, the Senior Representative may seek or request adequate protection of its interest in the Senior Collateral in the form of a replacement Lien on Post-Petition Assets of any Loan Party which Lien, if granted, will be senior to the Liens securing the Junior Obligations, including any Liens permitted under this Section 5.4 to the extent such Post-Petition Assets of such Loan Party would have constituted Senior Collateral as to the Senior Representative for the applicable Senior Obligations but for the occurrence of the Insolvency Proceeding (but may not seek adequate protection in the form of replacement Liens on property that is (or that but for the occurrence of the Insolvency Proceeding would be) Junior Collateral (as to such Senior Representative)).
 
(c)           Notwithstanding the preceding Section 5.4(a) and Section 5.4(b), in any Insolvency Proceeding involving a Loan Party, except as permitted in this Section 5.4, no Junior Secured Party  may seek or request adequate protection or other relief.  If the Senior Representative is granted adequate protection in the form of additional or replacement Collateral in connection with any Revolving Credit DIP Financing or Term Loan DIP Financing, then (A) the Junior Representative may seek or request adequate protection in the form of a replacement Lien on Post-Petition Assets of any Loan Party that would have constituted Junior Collateral (as to Junior Representative) for the applicable Junior Obligations but for the occurrence of the Insolvency Proceeding, provided that any such Lien shall be subordinated to all Liens securing repayment of the Revolving Credit DIP Financing or Term Loan DIP Financing (as applicable), all Senior Adequate Protections Liens (as to such Junior Representative), and  any “carve-out” agreed to by the Senior Representative (and all Senior Obligations relating thereto) in respect of such Senior Representative’s Senior Collateral pursuant to Section 5.2 on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Junior Obligations are so subordinated to the Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement and (B) in the event the Junior Representative seeks or requests adequate protection in respect of its Junior Collateral and such adequate protection is granted in the form of Liens on Post-Petition Assets of any Loan Party that would have constituted Junior Collateral (as to Junior Representative) for the applicable Junior Obligations but for the occurrence of the Insolvency Proceeding, then such Junior Representative agrees that the Senior Representative shall also be granted a Senior Lien on such Post-Petition Assets of such Loan Party as security for the applicable Senior Obligations to the extent such Post-Petition Assets of such Loan Party would have constituted Senior Collateral for the Senior Representative but for the occurrence of the Insolvency Proceeding and for any the Revolving Credit DIP Financing or Term Loan DIP Financing (as applicable), and that any Lien on such Post-Petition Assets of such Loan Party securing the Junior Obligations shall be subordinated to the Liens on such Post-Petition Assets securing the Senior Obligations, all Liens securing the Revolving Credit DIP Financing or Term Loan DIP Financing (as applicable), all Senior Adequate Protections Liens, and any “carve-out” agreed to by the Senior Representative in respect of Senior Collateral (and all Senior Obligations relating thereto) on the same basis as the other Junior Liens securing the Junior Obligations are so subordinated to such Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement.
 
(d)           So long as Senior Representative is receiving payment in cash of all Post-Petition Interest (including all interest at the applicable rate under the Senior Documents), Junior Representative may seek and, subject to the terms hereof, retain payments of Post-Petition Interest (consisting of interest at the applicable rate under the Junior Documents. If a Junior Secured Party receives any such adequate protection payments before the Senior Obligations Payment Date, then upon the effective date of any plan or the conclusion or dismissal of any Insolvency Proceeding, the Junior Secured Party will pay over to the Senior Representative an amount equal to the lesser of (i) any such adequate protection payments received by the Junior Secured Party and (ii) the amount necessary to cause the Senior Obligations Payment Date to occur.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no Junior Secured Parties may request or receive adequate protection payments from Proceeds of any Collateral which as to such Junior Secured Party is not its Senior Collateral, and nothing herein shall limit the rights of the Senior Representative to object to such adequate protection in the form of cash payments, periodic cash payments or cash payments of interest to the Junior Secured Parties.

 
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5.5           Avoidance Issues.  If any Senior Secured Party is required in any Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise to disgorge, turn over or otherwise pay to the estate of any Loan Party, because such amount was avoided or ordered to be paid or disgorged for any reason, including without limitation because it was found to be a fraudulent or preferential transfer, any amount (a “Recovery”), whether received as Proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of set-off or otherwise, then the Senior Obligations shall be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and deemed to be outstanding as if such payment had not occurred and the Senior Obligations Payment Date shall be deemed not to have occurred.  If this Agreement shall have been terminated prior to such Recovery, this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of the parties hereto.  The Junior Secured Parties agree that none of them shall be entitled to benefit from any avoidance action affecting or otherwise relating to any distribution or allocation made in accordance with this Agreement, whether by preference or otherwise, it being understood and agreed that the benefit of such avoidance action otherwise allocable to them shall instead be allocated and turned over for application in accordance with the priorities set forth in this Agreement.
 
5.6           Asset Dispositions in an Insolvency Proceeding.  Neither the Junior Representative nor any other Junior Secured Party shall, in an Insolvency Proceeding or otherwise, oppose any sale or disposition of any Senior Collateral that is supported by the Senior Secured Parties, and the Junior Representative and each other Junior Secured Party will be deemed to have consented under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code (and otherwise) to any sale of any Senior Collateral supported by the Senior Secured Parties and to have released their Liens on such assets; provided, that (A) such Junior Representative’s Lien(s) attaches to the proceeds of such sale or other disposition (subject to the terms of this Agreement) and (B) the Junior Representative may object to any the application of proceeds of such sale, other than an application to repay Senior Obligations, Revolving Credit DIP Financing or Term Loan DIP Financing.
 
5.7           Other Matters.  To the extent that the Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party has or acquires rights under Section 363 or Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code with respect to any of the Junior Collateral, the Senior Representative agrees, on behalf of itself and the other Senior Secured Parties, not to assert any of such rights without the prior written consent of the Junior Representative; provided that if requested by the Junior Representative, the Senior Representative shall timely exercise such rights in the manner requested by the Junior Representative, including any rights to payments in respect of such rights.
 
5.8           Effectiveness in Insolvency Proceedings.  This Agreement, which the parties hereto expressly acknowledge is a “subordination agreement” under Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, shall be effective before, during and after the commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding.
 
5.9.           Reorganization Securities.  If, in any Insolvency Proceeding, debt obligations of any reorganized Loan Party secured by Lien upon any property of such reorganized Loan Party are distributed pursuant to a plan of reorganization on account of Senior Obligations and Junior Obligations, then, to the extent such debt obligations are secured by Liens upon Common Collateral (or Post-Petition Assets that but for the Insolvency Proceeding would be Common Collateral), the provisions of this Agreement will survive the distribution of such debt obligations and will apply with like effect to the Liens securing such debt obligations.

 
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5.10.            Post-Petition Interest.  No Secured Party shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the any other Secured Party for allowance in any Insolvency Proceeding of Revolving Credit Obligations or Term Loan Obligations consisting of Post-Petition Interest, or post-petition fees or expenses to the extent of the value of the Senior Lien securing such other Secured Party’s claim, without regard to the existence of the Junior Lien on the applicable Common Collateral.

 
SECTION 6.          Term Loan Documents and Revolving Credit Documents.
 
(a)           Each Loan Party and the Term Loan Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the Term Loan Secured Parties, agrees that it shall not at any time execute or deliver any amendment or other modification to any of the Term Loan Documents inconsistent with or in violation of this Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing, without the prior written consent of the Revolving Lender, no Term Loan Document may be amended, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified, whether or not in connection with a Replacement Term Loan Agreement, in each case if the effect of any such amendment, supplement, replacement or modification is to do any of the following:
 
(i)           change or otherwise modify the method of computing interest or increase the “Applicable Margin” or similar component of the interest provisions applicable to the Term Loan Obligations so that the interest rate is increased by more than 3.00% per annum from the interest rate in effect on the date hereof (excluding increases resulting from (A) increases in any underlying reference rate not caused by an amendment, supplement, modification or refinancing of the Term Loan Agreement, (B) the application of any pricing grid set forth in the Term Loan Agreement as in effect on the date hereof, or (C) the accrual of interest at the default rate);
 
(ii)           increase the Term Loan Obligations in respect of principal (or the commitments with respect thereto) to an amount exceeding the Term Loan Principal Debt Cap or otherwise to create Excess Term Loan Obligations;
 
(iii)           impose any restriction or limitation on the Loan Parties’ ability (including, without limitation, by changing the requisite vote of the Term Loan Secured Parties) to effect any amendment, supplement, modification or refinancing of the Revolving Credit Documents that is materially more restrictive or limiting than any restriction or limitation contained in the Term Loan Documents in effect as of the date hereof;
 
(iv)           accelerate or increase the amount of any mandatory prepayments or shorten or reduce the scheduled final maturity date for repayment in full of the Term Loan Obligations in the Term Loan Documents in effect as of the date hereof to an earlier date; or
 
(v)           modify or add any covenant or event of default under the Term Loan
 
Documents which directly restricts one or more Loan Parties from making payments under the Revolving Credit Documents which would otherwise be permitted under the Term Loan Documents as in effect on the date hereof.
 
(b)           Each Loan Party and the Revolving Lender agrees that it shall not at any time execute or deliver any amendment or other modification to any of the Revolving Credit Documents inconsistent with or in violation of this Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing, without the prior written consent of the Term Loan Administrative Agent, no Revolving Credit Document may be amended, supplemented, replaced or otherwise modified, whether or not in connection with a Replacement Revolving Credit Agreement, in each case if the effect of any such amendment, supplement, replacement or modification is to do any of the following:

 
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(i)           change or otherwise modify the method of computing interest or increase the “Applicable Margin” or similar component of the interest provisions applicable to the Revolving Credit Obligations so that the interest rate is increased by more than 3.00% per annum from the interest rate in effect on the date hereof (excluding increases resulting from (A) increases in any underlying reference rate not caused by an amendment, supplement, modification or refinancing of the Revolving Credit Agreement, (B) the application of any pricing grid set forth in the Revolving Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof, or (C) the accrual of interest at the default rate);
 
(ii)           (x) increase the Revolving Principal Debt (or the commitments with respect thereto) to an amount exceeding the Revolving Principal Debt Cap or otherwise create Excess Revolving Credit Obligations, or (y) increase any advance rate included in the definition of Borrowing Base by more than 5 percentage points (5%) from those in effect on the date hereof (for the avoidance of doubt, it being understood that the Revolving Lender shall have the sole right and discretion to determine, audit and approve the calculation of the Borrowing Base under and as such term is defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement (as in effect on the date hereof or as amended as permitted hereby), and to determine whether inventory and accounts satisfy the criteria for “Eligible Accounts” or “Eligible Inventory”, as the case may be, under the Revolving Credit Agreement and to establish, increase or decrease reserves in respect of the Borrowing Base from time to time, provided, however, that no such determination, audit, approval, establishment, increase or decrease shall, for the purposes of the Revolving Principal Debt Cap, apply retroactively to any revolving advance made or letter of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Agreement);
 
(iii)           impose any restriction or limitation on the Loan Parties’ ability (including, without limitation, by changing the requisite vote of the Revolving Credit Secured Parties) to effect any amendment, supplement, modification or refinancing of the Term Loan Documents that is materially more restrictive or limiting than any restriction or limitation contained in the Revolving Credit Documents in effect as of the date hereof;
 
(iv)           accelerate or increase the amount of any mandatory prepayments or shorten or reduce the scheduled final maturity date for repayment in full of the Revolving Credit Obligations in the Revolving Credit Documents in effect as of the date hereof to an earlier date; or
 
(v)           modify or add any covenant or event of default under the Revolving Credit Documents which directly restricts one or more Loan Parties from making payments under the Term Loan Documents which would otherwise be permitted under the Revolving Credit Documents as in effect on the date hereof.

 
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(c)           In the event the Senior Representative enters into any amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the Senior Security Documents for the purpose of adding to, or deleting from, or waiving or consenting to any departures from any provisions of, any Senior Security Document or changing in any manner the rights of any parties thereunder, in each case solely with respect to any Senior Collateral, then such amendment, waiver or consent shall apply automatically to any comparable provision of the Comparable Security Document without the consent of or action by any Junior Secured Party (with all such amendments, waivers and modifications subject to the terms hereof); provided that, (i) no such amendment, waiver or consent shall have the effect of removing assets subject to the Lien of any Junior Security Document, except to the extent that a release of such Lien is permitted by Section 4.2, (ii) any such amendment, waiver or consent that adversely affects the rights of the Junior Secured Parties and does not affect the Senior Secured Parties in a like or similar manner shall not apply to the Junior Security Documents without the consent of the Junior Representative, (iii) no such amendment, waiver or consent with respect to any provision applicable to the Junior Representative under the Junior Documents shall be made without the prior written consent of the Junior Representative and (iv) notice of such amendment, waiver or consent shall be given to the Junior Representative no later than 30 days after its effectiveness; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the effectiveness and validity thereof.
 
(d)           All Revolving Credit Security Documents and all Term Loan Security Documents shall be in substantially the same form.  Any amendment, modification or supplement of or to any Revolving Credit Security Document that adds Collateral or adds or increases any obligation on any one or more of the Loan Parties or further restricts any one or more of the Loan Parties shall be deemed to have been made to the corresponding Term Loan Security Document and each Loan Party will promptly provide such amendment, modification or supplement to the Term Loan Administrative Agent and cooperate with the Term Loan Administrative Agent in documenting such deemed change. Any amendment, modification or supplement of or to any Term Loan Security Document that adds Collateral or adds or increases any obligation on any one or more of the Loan Parties or further restricts any one or more of the Loan Parties shall be deemed to have been made to the corresponding Revolving Credit Security Document and each Loan Party will promptly provide such amendment, modification or supplement to the Revolving Lender and cooperate with the Revolving Lender in documenting such deemed change.  The provisions of this paragraph (d) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.4(d).
 
SECTION 7.          Purchase Option.
 
7.1           Notice of Exercise.  Upon the earliest to occur of (i) the acceleration of all Revolving Credit Obligations under the Revolving Credit Documents, without either being rescinded or without an agreement by the Revolving Lender to forbear from the exercise of remedies which continues without rescission for at least ten (10) days, (ii) the commencement by the Revolving Lender of any Enforcement Action with respect to Collateral, which results in the collection and/or disposition (in each case, through an Enforcement Action) of Revolving Credit Priority Collateral representing Revolving Credit Priority Collateral consisting of inventory, accounts and proceeds thereof having an aggregate book value equal to 10% or more of the total book value of the Revolving Credit Priority Collateral of such type as of the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements have been delivered under the Revolving Credit Agreement and Term Loan Agreement or (iii) the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding (such earliest occurrence, the “Trigger Event”), any one or more of the Term Loan Creditors, acting as a single group (the “Purchasing Term Loan Creditors”), shall have the option within fifteen (15) Business Days of the Trigger Event upon at least ten (10) Business Days' prior written notice to the Revolving Lender (the “Purchase Notice”) to purchase all of the Revolving Credit Obligations from the Revolving Credit Secured Parties.  The Purchase Notice shall be irrevocable.

 
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7.2           Purchase and Sale.  On the date specified by the relevant Purchasing Term Loan Creditors in the Purchase Notice (which date shall not be less than ten (10) Business Days from the receipt by the Revolving Lender of the Purchase Notice and shall not be more than twenty-five (25) Business Days after the Trigger Event), the Revolving Lender shall sell to the Purchasing Term Loan Creditors, and the Purchasing Term Loan Creditors shall purchase from the Revolving Lender and each other Revolving Credit Secured Party, the Revolving Credit Obligations; provided that, (x) the Revolving Lender and the Revolving Credit Secured Parties shall retain all rights to be indemnified or held harmless by the Loan Parties in accordance with the terms of the Revolving Credit Documents but shall not retain any rights to the security therefor and (y) the Revolving Credit Secured Parties shall continue to own the Excess Revolving Credit Obligations, provided, however, that until later of the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date and the Revolving Credit Payment Obligations Date, the Revolving Credit Secured Parties shall have no right to exercise any rights in respect thereof (and shall have no voting rights in respect thereof, other than the right to consent to any amendment, modification or supplement to the Excess Revolving Credit Obligations that treats the Excess Revolving Credit Obligations in a manner which is different and more adverse to the holders of the Excess Revolving Credit Obligations than the corresponding amendment, modification or supplement to Revolving Credit Obligations so purchased and outstanding). For the purposes of this Section 7.2, the terms Revolving Lender and Revolving Credit Secured Parties shall mean the Persons that constitute the Revolving Lender and the Revolving Credit Secured Parties immediately prior to the consummation of the purchase of the Revolving Credit Obligations and shall not refer to the Purchasing Term Loan Creditors.
 
7.3           Payment of Purchase Price.  Upon the date of such purchase and sale, the Purchasing Term Loan Creditors shall (a) pay to the Revolving Lender for the benefit of the Revolving Credit Secured Parties as the purchase price therefor the full amount of all the Revolving Credit Obligations then outstanding and unpaid (including principal, interest, fees and expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses), (b) furnish cash collateral to the Revolving Lender in a manner and in such amounts as the Revolving Lender determines is reasonably necessary to secure the Revolving Lender, the Revolving Credit Secured Parties, Letter of Credit issuing banks and applicable affiliates in connection with any issued and outstanding Letters of Credit, Banking Services Obligations, hedging obligations secured by the Revolving Credit Documents and indemnification obligations which may become payable under the Revolving Credit Documents (other than indemnification obligations that are Unasserted Contingent Obligations), (c) agree to reimburse the Revolving Lender, the Revolving Credit Secured Parties and Letter of Credit issuing banks for any loss, cost, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses) in connection with any commissions, fees, costs or expenses related to any issued and outstanding Letters of Credit and any checks or other payments provisionally credited to the Revolving Credit Obligations, and/or as to which the Revolving Lender has not yet received final payment, (d) agree to reimburse the Revolving Credit Secured Parties including, any Letter of Credit issuing banks, in respect of indemnification obligations of the Loan Parties under the Revolving Credit Documents as to matters or circumstances known to the Revolving Credit Secured Parties at the time of the purchase and sale which would reasonably be expected to result in any loss, cost, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses) to the Revolving Credit Secured Parties or Letter of Credit issuing banks, as applicable, and (e) agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Revolving Credit Secured Parties, Letter of Credit issuing banks and applicable affiliates in connection with any issued and outstanding Letters of Credit, from and against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel) arising out of any claim asserted by a third party in respect of the Revolving Credit Obligations as a direct result of any acts by any Term Loan Secured Party occurring after the date of such purchase; provided, that in no event shall any of the amounts described in any of clauses (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) above include any Excess Revolving Credit Obligations.   Such purchase price and cash collateral shall be remitted by wire transfer in federal funds to such bank account as the Revolving Lender may designate in writing for such purpose.

 
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7.4           Limitation on Representations and Warranties.  Such purchase shall be expressly made without representation or warranty of any kind by the Revolving Lender or any Revolving Credit Secured Party and without recourse of any kind, except that the Revolving Lender and each Revolving Credit Secured Party shall represent and warrant:  (a) the amount of the Revolving Credit Obligations being purchased from it, (b) that such Revolving Credit Secured Party owns the Revolving Credit Obligations free and clear of any Liens or encumbrances and (c) that such Revolving Credit Secured Party has the right to assign such Revolving Credit Obligations and the assignment is duly authorized.
 
7.5.           Limitation on Exercise of Remedies.  After the receipt by the Revolving Lender of a Purchase Notice and until the later of (a) the expiration of the applicable period for consummation of the purchase of Revolving Credit Obligations contemplated by such Purchase Notice (as such period may be mutually extended by the Revolving Lender and Purchasing Term Loan Creditors) and (b) the purchase of the Revolving Credit Obligations contemplated by such Purchase Notice, except in the event of Exigent Circumstances, the Revolving Credit Secured Parties shall not take any material Enforcement Action without the consent of the Purchasing Term Loan Creditors, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed (it being understood that from and after the purchase of the Revolving Credit Obligations contemplated by this Section 7, Purchasing Term Loan Creditors in their capacities as Revolving Credit Secured Parties shall not be bound by this Section 7.5).
 
SECTION 8.         Reliance; Waivers; etc.
 
8.1           Reliance.  The Revolving Credit Documents are deemed to have been executed and delivered, and all extensions of credit thereunder are deemed to have been made or incurred, in reliance upon this Agreement. The Term Loan Administrative Agent, on behalf of it itself and the other Term Loan Secured Parties, expressly waives all notice of the acceptance of and reliance on this Agreement by the Revolving Lender and the other Revolving Credit Secured Parties.  The Term Loan Documents are deemed to have been executed and delivered, and all extensions of credit thereunder are deemed to have been made or incurred, in reliance upon this Agreement.  The Revolving Lender expressly waives all notices of the acceptance of and reliance on this Agreement by the Term Loan Administrative Agent and the other Term Loan Secured Parties.
 
8.2           No Warranties or Liability.  The Term Loan Administrative Agent and the Revolving Lender acknowledge and agree that neither has made any representation or warranty with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectability or enforceability of any other Revolving Credit Document or any other Term Loan Document.  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Term Loan Administrative Agent and the Revolving Lender will be entitled to manage and supervise the respective extensions of credit to any Loan Party in accordance with law and their usual practices, modified from time to time as they deem appropriate.
 
8.3           No Waivers.  No right or benefit of any party hereunder shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of such party or any other party hereto or by any noncompliance by any Loan Party with the terms and conditions of any of the Revolving Credit Documents or the Term Loan Documents.
 
SECTION 9.         Obligations Unconditional. All rights, interests, agreements and obligations hereunder of the Senior Representative and the Senior Secured Parties in respect of any Collateral and the Junior Representative and the Junior Secured Parties in respect of such Collateral shall remain in full force and effect regardless of:
 
(a)           any lack of validity or enforceability of any Senior Document or any Junior Document and regardless of whether the Liens of the Senior Representative and Senior Secured Parties are not perfected or are voidable for any reason;
 
 
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(b)           any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other terms of, all or any of the Senior Obligations or Junior Obligations, or any amendment or waiver or other modification, including any increase in the amount thereof, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, of the terms of any Senior Document or any Junior Document, so long as such change is no prohibited by this Agreement;
 
(c)           any exchange, release or lack of perfection of any Lien on any Collateral or any other asset, or any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether in writing or by course of conduct or otherwise, of all or any of the Senior Obligations or Junior Obligations or any guarantee thereof;
 
(d)           the commencement of any Insolvency Proceeding in respect of any Loan Party; or
 
(e)           any other circumstances which otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, any Loan Party in respect of any Secured Obligation or of any Junior Secured Party in respect of this Agreement.
 
provided, however, that nothing contained in this Section shall limit any provision of the definitions of Revolving Credit Obligations, Term Loan Obligations, Excess Revolving Credit Obligations, Excess Term Loan Obligations, Revolving Credit Principal Debt Cap, Term Loan Principal Debt Cap, Section 6(a) or Section 6(b) or the effect of any other provision that limits the ability of any Secured Party to amend the Revolving Credit Documents or Term Loan Documents or imposes limits on the permitted amount of Revolving Credit Obligations or Term Loan Obligations.
 
SECTION 10.         Miscellaneous.
 
10.1           Rights of Subrogation.
 
The Term Loan Administrative Agent, for and on behalf of itself and the Term Loan Secured Parties, agrees that no payment to the Revolving Lender or any other Revolving Credit Secured Party pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall entitle the Term Loan Administrative Agent or any other Term Loan Secured Party to exercise any rights of subrogation in respect thereof until the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date.  Following the Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date, the Revolving Lender agrees to execute such documents, agreements, and instruments as the Term Loan Administrative Agent or any other Term Loan Secured Party may reasonably request to evidence the transfer by subrogation to any such Person of an interest in the Revolving Credit Obligations resulting from payments to the Revolving Lender by such Person, so long as all costs and expenses (including all reasonable legal fees and disbursements) incurred in connection therewith by the Revolving Lender are paid by such Person upon request for payment thereof.  The Revolving Lender agrees that no payment to the Term Loan Administrative Agent or any other Term Loan Secured Party pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall entitle the Revolving Lender or any other Revolving Credit Secured Party to exercise any rights of subrogation in respect thereof until the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date.  Following the Term Loan Obligations Payment Date, the Term Loan Administrative Agent agrees to execute such documents, agreements, and instruments as the Revolving Lender or any other Revolving Credit Secured Party may reasonably request to evidence the transfer by subrogation to any such Person of an interest in the Term Loan Obligations resulting from payments to the Term Loan Administrative Agent by such Person, so long as all costs and expenses (including all reasonable legal fees and disbursements) incurred in connection therewith by the Term Loan Administrative Agent are paid by such Person upon request for payment thereof.

 
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10.2           Further Assurances.  Each of the Term Loan Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the other Term Loan Secured Parties, and the Revolving Lender will, at their own expense (which may be reimbursable by the Loan Parties) and at any time and from time to time, promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the other party may reasonably request, in order to protect any right or interest granted or purported to be granted hereby or to enable the Revolving Lender or the Term Loan Administrative Agent to exercise and enforce their respective rights and remedies hereunder; provided, however, that no party shall be required to pay over any payment or distribution, execute any instruments or documents, or take any other action referred to in this Section 10.2, to the extent that such action would contravene any law, order or other legal requirement or any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement, and in the event of a controversy or dispute, such party may interplead any payment or distribution in any court of competent jurisdiction, without further responsibility in respect of such payment or distribution under this Section 10.2.
 
10.3           Continuing Nature of Provisions.  Subject to Section 5.5, this Agreement shall continue to be effective, and shall not be revocable by any party hereto, until the earlier of (i) the Excess Revolving Credit Obligations Payment Date and (ii) the Excess Term Loan Obligations Payment Date.  This is a continuing agreement and the Revolving Credit Secured Parties and the Term Loan Secured Parties may continue, at any time and without notice to the other parties hereto, to extend credit and other financial accommodations, lend monies and provide indebtedness to, or for the benefit of, any Loan Party on the faith hereof.
 
10.4           Amendments; Waivers.  No amendment or modification of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Revolving Lender and the Term Loan Administrative Agent, and, in the case of amendments or modifications of Sections 3.5, or 3.6, 10.6 or 10.7 that directly affect the rights or duties of any Loan Party, such Loan Party.
 
10.5           Information Concerning Financial Condition of the Loan Parties.  Each of the Term Loan Administrative Agent and the Revolving Lender hereby assume responsibility for keeping itself informed of the financial condition of the Loan Parties and all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Term Loan Obligations or the Revolving Credit Obligations.  The Term Loan Administrative Agent and the Revolving Lender hereby agree that no party shall have any duty to advise any other party of information known to it regarding such condition or any such circumstances.  In the event the Term Loan Administrative Agent or the Revolving Lender, in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any information to any other party to this Agreement, it shall be under no obligation (a) to provide any such information to such other party or any other party on any subsequent occasion, (b) to undertake any investigation not a part of its regular business routine, or (c) to disclose any other information.
 
10.6           Governing Law.  THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE REQUIRED BY MANDATORY PROVISIONS OF LAW AND EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT REMEDIES PROVIDED BY THE LAWS OF ANY JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.
 
10.7           Submission to Jurisdiction; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.
 
(a)           Each Revolving Credit Secured Party, each Term Loan Secured Party and each Loan Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any state court in the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each such party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such Texas state or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court.  Each such party agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement shall affect any right that the any Revolving Credit Secured Party or Term Loan Secured Party may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding against any Loan Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
 
 
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(b)           Each Revolving Credit Secured Party, each Term Loan Secured Party and each Loan Party hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do so (i) any objection it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section and (ii) the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding.
 
(c)           Each party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 10.8.  Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner permitted by law.
 
(d)           EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES ITS RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY HERETO REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.
 
10.8           Notices.  Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and may be personally served, telecopied, or sent by overnight express courier service or United States mail and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service, upon receipt of a telecopy or five days after deposit in the United States mail (certified, with postage prepaid and properly addressed).  For the purposes hereof, the addresses of the parties hereto (until notice of a change thereof is delivered as provided in this Section 10.8) shall be as set forth below each party’s name on the signature pages hereof, or, as to each party, at such other address as may be designated by such party in a written notice to all of the other parties.
 
10.9           Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the parties hereto and each of the Revolving Credit Secured Parties and Term Loan Secured Parties and their respective successors and assigns.  Nothing herein is intended, or shall be construed to give, any other Person any right, remedy or claim under, to or in respect of this Agreement or any Collateral.
 
10.10           Headings.  Section headings used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

 
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10.11           Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such provision in any other jurisdiction.
 
10.12           Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto on different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by telecopy, portable document format, or other electronic means shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement.  This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by each party hereto.
 
10.13           Additional Loan Parties.  The Company shall cause each Person that becomes a Loan Party after the date hereof to become a party to this Agreement by execution and delivery by such Person of a Joinder Agreement in the form of Annex 1 hereto.
 
10.14           Authorization.  By its signature, each Person executing this Agreement on behalf of a party hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that it is duly authorized to execute this Agreement.
 
10.15           No Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement and the rights and benefits hereof shall inure to the benefit of the Secured Parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns and shall inure to the benefit of each of the Revolving Lender and the Term Loan Administrative Agent, on behalf of itself and the other Term Loan Secured Parties and shall be binding upon each Loan Party and, in the case of Sections 10.4, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8  and this Section 10.15 shall benefit each Loan Party and its successors and permitted assigns.  No other Person shall have or be entitled to assert rights or benefits hereunder.  Nothing in this shall impair as between each of the Loan Parties and the Senior Secured Parties, or as between each of the Loan Parties and the Junior Secured Parties, the obligations of each of the Loan Parties to pay principal, interest, fees and other amounts as provided in the Senior Documents and the Junior Documents, respectively.
 
[Remainder of page intentionally blank; signature pages follow]
 

 
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
 
 
REVOLVING LENDER:
   
 
MIDCAP BUSINESS CREDIT LLC
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Steven A. Samson              
   
Steven A. Samson, President
     
     
 
Address:
     
 
MidCap Business Credit LLC
 
433 South Main Street
 
West Hartford, CT 06110
 
Facsimile: (508) 655-8051
 
Attn: Steven A. Samson
     
 
With a copy to
     
 
Ruberto Israel & Weiner P.C.
 
255 State Street, 7th Floor
 
Boston, MA 02109
 
Facsimile: (617) 742-2355
 
Attn: Michael Ruberto, Esq.


 

Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement
 
 

 
 

  TERM LOAN ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:
   
   
 
GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
   
   
 
By: /s/ Steven W. Hipp                        
   
   
 
Address:
   
 
Goldman Sachs Bank USA
 
6011 Connection Drive
 
Irving, Texas 75039
 
Facsimile: (972) 368-5099
 
Attn: Vertex Energy Account Officer
   
 
With copies to
   
 
Goldman Sachs Bank USA
 
6011 Connection Drive
 
Irving, Texas 75039
 
Facsimile: (972) 368-5099
 
Attn: Goldman Sachs Bank USA – In-House Counsel
   
 
and
   
 
King & Spalding LLP
 
1180 Peachtree Street NE
 
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
 
Facsimile: (404) 572-5149
 
Attn: Carolyn Z. Alford, Esq.



Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement
 
 

 

 
 
LOAN PARTIES:
     
 
VERTEX ENERGY, INC.
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart                
   
Benjamin P. Cowart
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
     
 
VERTEX ENERGY OPERATING, LLC
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart                  
   
Benjamin P. Cowart
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
     
 
VERTEX ACQUISITION SUB, LLC
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart                
   
Benjamin P. Cowart
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
     
 
VERTEX REFINING NV, LLC
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart                
   
Benjamin P. Cowart
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
     
 
VERTEX REFINING LA, LLC
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart                  
   
Benjamin P. Cowart
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
     
 
VERTEX II GP, LLC
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart                
   
Benjamin P. Cowart
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
     
 
VERTEX MERGER SUB, LLC
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart                  
   
Benjamin P. Cowart
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement
 
 

 


 
 
GOLDEN STATE LUBRICANT WORKS, LLC
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart                  
   
Benjamin P. Cowart
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
     
     
 
CEDAR MARINE TERMINALS, L.P.
 
CROSSROAD CARRIERS, L.P.
 
H & H OIL, LP
 
VERTEX RECOVERY, L.P.
 
By:
Vertex II GP, LLC
    Sole General Partner of Each of the Above
     
 
By:
/s/ Benjamin P. Cowart                  
   
Benjamin P. Cowart
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
     
     
 
Address:
     
 
1331 Gemini Street, Suite 250
 
Houston, Texas  77058
 
Facsimile:  (281) 486-0217

 
Signature Page to Intercreditor Agreement
 
 

 
 
ANNEX 1
 
JOINDER AGREEMENT
 
THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of ________ ____, 20__, is executed by ________________________________, a _________________ (the “New Subsidiary”) in favor of MIDCAP BUSINESS CREDIT LLC (“Revolving Lender”) and Goldman Sachs Bank USA  (“Term Loan Administrative Agent”), in their capacities as Revolving Lender and Term Loan Administrative Agent, respectively, under that certain Intercreditor Agreement (the “Intercreditor Agreement”), dated as of May 2, 2014 among the Revolving Lender, the Term Loan Administrative Agent, Vertex Energy, Inc., Vertex Energy Operating, LLC, and each of the other Loan Parties party thereto. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.
 
The New Subsidiary, for the benefit of the Revolving Lender and the Term Loan Administrative Agent, hereby agrees as follows:
 
1.       The New Subsidiary hereby acknowledges the Intercreditor Agreement and acknowledges, agrees and confirms that, by its execution of this Agreement, the New Subsidiary will be deemed to be a Loan Party under the Intercreditor Agreement and shall have all of the obligations of a Loan Party thereunder as if it had executed the Intercreditor Agreement as of the date thereof.  The New Subsidiary hereby ratifies, as of the date hereof, and agrees to be bound by, all of the terms, provisions and conditions contained in the Intercreditor Agreement.
 
2.       The address of the New Subsidiary for purposes of Section 10.9 of the Intercreditor Agreement is as follows:
 
 
     
     
     
 
3.       The provisions of Section 10.6 and 10.7 of the Intercreditor Agreement will apply with like effect to this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Subsidiary has caused this Agreement to be duly executed by its authorized officer, as of the day and year first above written.

Annex 1 to Intercreditor Agreement
 

 
 
ANNEX 2
 
[FORM OF]
Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation Joinder

[_______ __, 20__]
 
Reference is made to the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of _______, 2015 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof, the “Intercreditor Agreement”) among MIDCAP BUSINESS CREDIT LLC (the “Revolving Lender”), Goldman Sachs Bank USA, as administrative agent and collateral Agent (the “Term Loan Administrative Agent”), Vertex Energy, Inc., Vertex Energy Operating, LLC, and each of the other Loan Parties party thereto. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.
 
This Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation Joinder is being executed and delivered in accordance with the definition of [Revolving Credit Agreement][Term Loan Agreement] as set forth in the Intercreditor Agreement.
 
1.       Joinder.  The undersigned, [ ], a [ ], (the “New Representative”) as [trustee] [collateral trustee] [administrative agent] [collateral agent] [hedge provider] under that certain [describe applicable indenture, credit agreement, hedge agreement or other document governing the additional secured debt] (the “Replacement [Credit][Term Loan] Agreement”) hereby:
 
(a)           represents that the New Representative has been authorized to become a party to the Intercreditor Agreement on behalf of the [Revolving Credit Secured Parties under a Replacement Revolving Credit Agreement][Term Loan Secured Parties under the Replacement Term Loan Agreement] as [an Revolving Lender under a Replacement Revolving Credit Agreement] [a Term Loan Administrative Agent under a Replacement Collateral Trust Agreement] under the Intercreditor Agreement for all purposes thereof on the terms set forth therein, and to be bound by the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement as fully as if the undersigned had executed and delivered the Intercreditor Agreement as of the date thereof; and
 
(b)           agrees that its address for receiving notices pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreement shall be as follows:
 
[Address];
 
2.           Governing Law and Miscellaneous Provisions.  The provisions of Sections 10.7 and 10.8 of the Intercreditor Agreement will apply with like effect to this Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation Joinder.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Lien Sharing and Priority Confirmation Joinder to be executed by their respective officers or representatives as of the date first above written.

 

Annex 2 to Intercreditor Agreement