-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, DmzTptiS3gUSDF2FwaVwiyF3b5Y4cD9PMqxob41IsihWDcq4EM2NnYfjxIWBAuSH qWP2l4ihAVv2zlS3maaZkg== 0001193125-05-160405.txt : 20050808 0001193125-05-160405.hdr.sgml : 20050808 20050808130905 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-05-160405 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 20 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050630 FILED AS OF DATE: 20050808 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050808 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000895126 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311] IRS NUMBER: 731395733 STATE OF INCORPORATION: OK FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-Q SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-13726 FILM NUMBER: 051005227 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 6100 N WESTERN AVE CITY: OKLAHOMA CITY STATE: OK ZIP: 73118 BUSINESS PHONE: 4058488000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 6100 NORTH WESTERN AVE CITY: OKLAHOMA CITY STATE: OK ZIP: 73118 10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q FORM 10-Q
Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

x Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2005

 

¨ Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from              to             

 

Commission File No. 1-13726

 


 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 


 

Oklahoma   73-1395733

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

  73118
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(405) 848-8000

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

As of August 4, 2005, there were 323,113,841 shares of our $0.01 par value common stock outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2005

 

          Page

PART I. Financial Information     
Item 1.   

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited):

    
    

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004

   3
    

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 and 2004

   4
    

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 and 2004

   5
    

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 and 2004

   6
    

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   7
Item 2.   

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   18
Item 3.   

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   32
Item 4.   

Controls and Procedures

   36
PART II. Other Information     
Item 1.   

Legal Proceedings

   37
Item 2.   

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   37
Item 3.   

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   37
Item 4.   

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

   37
Item 5.   

Other Information

   38
Item 6.   

Exhibits

   38

 

2


Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

    

June 30,

2005


   

December 31,

2004


 
     ($ in thousands)  
ASSETS                 

CURRENT ASSETS:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —       $ 6,896  

Accounts receivable:

                

Oil and gas sales

     356,508       347,081  

Joint interest, net of allowances of $4,765,000 and $4,648,000, respectively

     73,704       68,220  

Related parties

     13,186       8,286  

Other

     29,237       35,781  

Deferred income tax asset

     51,184       18,068  

Short-term derivative instruments

     6,012       51,061  

Inventory and other

     42,175       32,147  
    


 


Total Current Assets

     572,006       567,540  
    


 


PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:

                

Oil and gas properties, at cost based on full-cost accounting:

                

Evaluated oil and gas properties

     11,736,088       9,451,413  

Unevaluated properties

     1,109,097       761,785  

Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil and gas properties

     (3,445,403 )     (3,057,742 )
    


 


Total oil and gas properties, at cost based on full-cost accounting

     9,399,782       7,155,456  

Other property and equipment

     428,523       324,495  

Drilling rigs

     78,629       49,375  

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization of other property and equipment

     (103,577 )     (84,942 )
    


 


Total Property and Equipment

     9,803,357       7,444,384  
    


 


OTHER ASSETS:

                

Investment in Pioneer Drilling

     117,531       65,950  

Other investments

     46,096       26,793  

Long-term derivative instruments

     39,934       44,169  

Other assets

     78,962       95,673  
    


 


Total Other Assets

     282,523       232,585  
    


 


TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 10,657,886     $ 8,244,509  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY                 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                

Accounts payable

   $ 534,723     $ 367,176  

Accrued interest

     60,268       66,514  

Short-term derivative instruments

     131,997       91,414  

Other accrued liabilities

     214,949       222,029  

Revenues and royalties due others

     223,907       216,820  
    


 


Total Current Liabilities

     1,165,844       963,953  
    


 


LONG-TERM LIABILITIES:

                

Long-term debt, net

     4,125,929       3,075,109  

Deferred income tax liability

     1,361,259       933,873  

Asset retirement obligation

     82,938       73,718  

Long-term derivative instruments

     32,776       1,296  

Revenues and royalties due others

     19,233       17,007  

Other liabilities

     18,261       16,670  
    


 


Total Long-Term Liabilities

     5,640,396       4,117,673  
    


 


CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS (Note 3)

                

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                

Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized:

                

6.00% cumulative convertible preferred stock, 101,375 and 103,110 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively, entitled in liquidation to $5,068,750 and

$5,155,500

     5,069       5,156  

5.00% cumulative convertible preferred stock (series 2003), 1,725,000 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, entitled in liquidation to $172,500,000

     172,500       172,500  

4.125% cumulative convertible preferred stock, 268,250 and 313,250 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively, entitled in liquidation to $268,250,000

and $313,250,000

     268,250       313,250  

5.00% cumulative convertible preferred stock (series 2005), 4,600,000 and 0 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively, entitled in liquidation to $460,000,000

     460,000       —    

Common Stock, $.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 323,872,133 and 316,940,784 shares issued at June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively

     3,239       3,169  

Paid-in capital

     2,521,395       2,440,105  

Retained earnings

     537,016       262,987  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax of $20,556,000 and ($11,489,000), respectively

     (35,762 )     20,425  

Unearned compensation

     (53,970 )     (32,618 )

Less: treasury stock, at cost; 5,329,341 and 5,072,121 common shares as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, respectively

     (26,091 )     (22,091 )
    


 


Total Stockholders’ Equity

     3,851,646       3,162,883  
    


 


TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 10,657,886     $ 8,244,509  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3


Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


   

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 
     ($ in thousands, except per share data)  

REVENUES:

                                

Oil and gas sales

   $ 772,401     $ 399,665     $ 1,311,343     $ 819,458  

Oil and gas marketing sales

     275,617       174,627       520,125       317,963  
    


 


 


 


Total Revenues

     1,048,018       574,292       1,831,468       1,137,421  
    


 


 


 


OPERATING COSTS:

                                

Production expenses

     72,333       49,595       141,895       94,398  

Production taxes

     47,253       22,751       83,211       37,687  

General and administrative expenses:

                                

General and administrative (excluding stock-based compensation)

     9,282       7,420       18,932       15,586  

Stock-based compensation

     2,506       672       4,923       2,541  

Oil and gas marketing expenses

     270,003       171,115       507,279       310,779  

Oil and gas depreciation, depletion and amortization

     209,371       136,743       390,339       256,651  

Depreciation and amortization of other assets

     11,807       6,716       21,889       12,455  
    


 


 


 


Total Operating Costs

     622,555       395,012       1,168,468       730,097  
    


 


 


 


INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

     425,463       179,280       663,000       407,324  
    


 


 


 


OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):

                                

Interest and other income

     2,005       1,335       5,362       2,678  

Interest expense

     (53,902 )     (28,806 )     (97,030 )     (75,351 )

Loss on repurchases or exchanges of Chesapeake debt

     (68,400 )     —         (69,300 )     (6,925 )
    


 


 


 


Total Other Income (Expense)

     (120,297 )     (27,471 )     (160,968 )     (79,598 )
    


 


 


 


INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX

     305,166       151,809       502,032       327,726  

INCOME TAX EXPENSE:

                                

Current

     —         —         —         —    

Deferred

     111,387       54,654       183,243       117,981  
    


 


 


 


Total Income Tax Expense

     111,387       54,654       183,243       117,981  
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME

     193,779       97,155       318,789       209,745  

PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS

     (9,859 )     (11,344 )     (15,322 )     (19,512 )

LOSS ON CONVERSION/EXCHANGE OF PREFERRED STOCK

     (4,743 )     —         (4,743 )     —    
    


 


 


 


NET INCOME AVAILABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

   $ 179,177     $ 85,811     $ 298,724     $ 190,233  
    


 


 


 


EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE:

                                

Basic

   $ 0.58     $ 0.36     $ 0.96     $ 0.80  

Assuming dilution

   $ 0.52     $ 0.30     $ 0.88     $ 0.67  

CASH DIVIDEND DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE

   $ 0.050     $ 0.045     $ 0.095     $ 0.080  

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING (in thousands):

                                

Basic

     311,181       241,147       310,523       239,016  

Assuming dilution

     364,063       322,194       356,478       310,937  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

4


Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2005

    2004

 
     ($ in thousands)  

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

NET INCOME

   $ 318,789     $ 209,745  

ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME TO CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

                

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

     408,084       266,715  

Unrealized losses on derivatives

     29,896       33,829  

Deferred income taxes

     183,243       117,729  

Amortization of loan costs

     4,144       2,390  

Amortization of bond discount

     2,765       2,098  

Stock-based compensation

     4,923       2,541  

Income from equity investments

     (2,169 )     (1,017 )

Loss on repurchases or exchanges of Chesapeake debt

     69,300       6,925  

Other

     (229 )     772  
    


 


Cash provided by operating activities before changes in assets and liabilities

     1,018,746       641,727  

Change in assets and liabilities

     61,561       28,830  
    


 


Cash provided by operating activities

     1,080,307       670,557  
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

                

Acquisitions of oil and gas companies, proved properties and unproved properties, net of cash acquired

     (1,352,458 )     (1,002,341 )

Exploration and development of oil and gas properties

     (1,037,459 )     (535,059 )

Additions to buildings and other fixed assets

     (98,389 )     (44,985 )

Additions to drilling rig equipment

     (29,255 )     (7,683 )

Additions to investments

     (22,422 )     (10,000 )

Divestitures of oil and gas properties

     114       271  

Other

     (9 )     347  
    


 


Cash used in investing activities

     (2,539,878 )     (1,599,450 )
    


 


CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

                

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

     2,419,000       767,000  

Payments on long-term borrowings

     (2,023,000 )     (611,000 )

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock, net of offering costs

     447,167       304,936  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs

     —         298,028  

Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net of offering costs

     1,180,766       288,557  

Purchases or exchanges of Chesapeake senior notes, including redemption premiums

     (608,074 )     (57,271 )

Common stock dividends

     (27,901 )     (16,014 )

Preferred stock dividends

     (10,928 )     (18,891 )

Financing costs of credit facility

     (4,645 )     (8,291 )

Purchases of treasury shares

     (4,000 )     —    

Net increase in outstanding payments in excess of cash balance

     75,164       11,125  

Cash received from exercise of stock options and warrants

     11,600       6,588  

Other financing costs

     (2,474 )     (218 )
    


 


Cash provided by financing activities

     1,452,675       964,549  
    


 


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (6,896 )     35,656  

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     6,896       40,581  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ —       $ 76,237  
    


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

5


Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


   

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 
     ($ in thousands)  

Net income

   $ 193,779     $ 97,155     $ 318,789     $ 209,745  

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of income tax:

                                

Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net of income taxes of $18,778,000, ($25,758,000), ($44,563,000) and ($62,562,000)

     32,668       (45,792 )     (77,527 )     (111,222 )

Reclassification of (gain) loss on settled contracts, net of income taxes of $10,964,000, $18,249,000, ($1,017,000) and $11,669,000

     19,074       32,443       (1,769 )     20,744  

Ineffective portion of derivatives qualifying for cash flow hedge accounting, net of income taxes of ($422,000), $2,891,000, ($215,000) and $5,483,000

     (734 )     5,140       (374 )     9,747  

Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net of income taxes of $4,183,000, $0, $13,498,000 and $0

     7,278       —         23,483       —    
    


 


 


 


Comprehensive income

   $ 252,065     $ 88,946     $ 262,602     $ 129,014  
    


 


 


 


 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

6


Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Chesapeake Energy Corporation and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q as prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Chesapeake’s 2004 Annual Report on Form 10-K includes certain definitions and a summary of significant accounting policies and should be read in conjunction with this Form 10-Q. All material adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods have been reflected. The results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. This Form 10-Q relates to the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 (the “Current Quarter” and “Current Period”, respectively) and the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 (the “Prior Quarter” and “Prior Period”, respectively).

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

Stock Options. Chesapeake has elected to follow APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations in accounting for its employee and director stock options. Under APB No. 25, compensation expense is recognized for the difference between the option exercise price and market value on the measurement date. The original issuance of stock options has not resulted in the recognition of compensation expense because the exercise price of the stock options granted under the plans has equaled the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant. In March 2000, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued FASB Interpretation No. 44 (FIN 44), which provided clarification regarding the application of APB No. 25. FIN 44 specifically addressed the accounting consequence of various modifications to the terms of a previously granted fixed-price stock option. Pursuant to FIN 44, we recognized stock-based compensation expense (a sub-category of general and administrative expenses) arising from modifications made to previously issued stock options in the condensed consolidated statements of operations of $0.3 million, $0.2 million, $0.4 million and $0.2 million in the Current Quarter, Prior Quarter, Current Period and Prior Period, respectively.

 

Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is required by SFAS No. 123 and has been determined as if we had accounted for our employee and director stock options under the fair value method of the statement. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the periods presented: interest rates (zero-coupon U.S. government issues with a remaining life equal to the expected term of the options) ranging from 3.81% to 4.18%, dividend yields ranging from 0.82% to 1.22%, and volatility factors for the expected market price of our common stock ranging from 0.30 to 0.33. We used a weighted-average expected life of the options of five years for each of the periods presented.

 

Presented below is pro forma financial information assuming Chesapeake had applied the fair value method under SFAS No. 123:

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


   

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 
     ($ in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Net Income:

                                

As reported

   $ 193,779     $ 97,155     $ 318,789     $ 209,745  

Stock-based compensation expense included in net income, net of tax

     1,591       430       3,126       1,626  

Pro forma compensation expense, net of tax

     (4,071 )     (3,256 )     (7,958 )     (7,495 )
    


 


 


 


Pro forma

   $ 191,299     $ 94,329     $ 313,957     $ 203,876  
    


 


 


 


Basic earnings per common share

                                

As reported

   $ 0.58     $ 0.36     $ 0.96     $ 0.80  
    


 


 


 


Pro forma

   $ 0.57     $ 0.34     $ 0.95     $ 0.77  
    


 


 


 


Diluted earnings per common share

                                

As reported

   $ 0.52     $ 0.30     $ 0.88     $ 0.67  
    


 


 


 


Pro forma

   $ 0.51     $ 0.29     $ 0.87     $ 0.66  
    


 


 


 


 

7


Table of Contents

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

 

For purposes of the pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the option vesting period, which is four years for employee options.

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 123(R), Share-Based Payment, a revision of SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. This statement establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services by requiring a public entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. That cost will be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award. The fair value of employee stock options will be estimated using option-pricing models. Excess tax benefits will be recognized as an addition to paid-in capital. Cash retained as a result of those excess tax benefits will be presented in the statement of cash flows as financing cash inflows. The write-off of deferred tax assets relating to unrealized tax benefits associated with recognized compensation cost will be recognized as income tax expense unless there are excess tax benefits from previous awards remaining in paid-in capital to which it can be offset. This statement was initially effective as of the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. However, in April 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted a new rule that amends the compliance dates for SFAS 123(R). The new rule allows the implementation of SFAS 123(R) at the beginning of the annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005, instead of the next reporting period. The SEC’s new rule only changes the date for compliance with the standard.

 

Chesapeake will implement SFAS 123(R) in the first quarter of 2006, and the Black-Scholes option pricing model will be used to value the stock options as of the grant date. Based on the stock options outstanding and unvested at June 30, 2005, we do not believe the new accounting requirement will have a significant impact on future results of operations.

 

Restricted Stock. Chesapeake began issuing shares of restricted common stock to employees in January 2004. The total value of restricted shares granted is recorded as unearned compensation in stockholders’ equity based on the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. This value is amortized over the vesting period, which is four years from the date of grant. To the extent amortization of compensation cost relates to employees directly involved in acquisition, exploration and development activities, such amounts are capitalized to oil and gas properties. Amounts not capitalized to oil and gas properties are recognized in stock-based compensation expense (a sub-category of general and administrative costs).

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We consider accounting policies related to hedging, oil and gas properties, income taxes and business combinations to be critical policies. These policies are summarized in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

2. Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

Oil and Gas Hedging Activities

 

Our results of operations and operating cash flows are impacted by changes in market prices for oil and gas. To mitigate a portion of the exposure to adverse market changes, we have entered into various derivative instruments. As of June 30, 2005, our oil and gas derivative instruments were comprised of swaps, cap-swaps, basis protection swaps, call options and collars. These instruments allow us to predict with greater certainty the effective oil and gas prices to be received for our hedged production. Although derivatives often fail to achieve 100% effectiveness for accounting purposes, we believe our derivative instruments continue to be highly effective in achieving the risk management objectives for which they were intended.

 

    For swap instruments, Chesapeake receives a fixed price for the hedged commodity and pays a floating market price to the counterparty. The fixed-price payment and the floating-price payment are netted, resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty.

 

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

 

    For cap-swaps, Chesapeake receives a fixed price and pays a floating market price. The fixed price received by Chesapeake includes a premium in exchange for a “cap” limiting the counterparty’s exposure. In other words, there is no limit to Chesapeake’s exposure but there is a limit to the downside exposure of the counterparty.

 

    Basis protection swaps are arrangements that guarantee a price differential for oil or gas from a specified delivery point. Chesapeake receives a payment from the counterparty if the price differential is greater than the stated terms of the contract and pays the counterparty if the price differential is less than the stated terms of the contract.

 

    For call options, Chesapeake receives a cash premium from the counterparty in exchange for the sale of a call option. If the market price exceeds the fixed price of the call option, then Chesapeake pays the counterparty such excess. If the market price settles below the fixed price of the call option, no payment is due from Chesapeake.

 

    Collars contain a fixed floor price (put) and ceiling price (call). If the market price exceeds the call strike price or falls below the put strike price, Chesapeake receives the fixed price and pays the market price. If the market price is between the call and the put strike price, no payments are due from either party.

 

Chesapeake enters into counter-swaps from time to time for the purpose of locking-in the value of a swap. Under the counter-swap, Chesapeake receives a floating price for the hedged commodity and pays a fixed price to the counterparty. The counter-swap is 100% effective in locking-in the value of a swap since subsequent changes in the market value of the swap are entirely offset by subsequent changes in the market value of the counter-swap. We refer to this locked-in value as a locked swap. At the time Chesapeake enters into a counter-swap, Chesapeake removes the original swap’s designation as a cash flow hedge and classifies the original swap as a non-qualifying hedge under SFAS 133. The reason for this new designation is that collectively the swap and the counter-swap no longer hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows. Instead, the swap and counter-swap effectively lock-in a specific gain (or loss) that will be unaffected by subsequent variability in oil and gas prices. Any locked-in gain or loss is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified to oil and gas sales in the month of related production.

 

With respect to counter-swaps that are designed to lock-in the value of cap-swaps, the counter-swap is effective in locking-in the value of the cap-swap until the floating price reaches the cap (or floor) stipulated in the cap-swap agreement. The value of the counter-swap will increase (or decrease), but in the opposite direction, as the value of the cap-swap decreases (or increases) until the floating price reaches the pre-determined cap (or floor) stipulated in the cap-swap agreement. However, because of the written put option embedded in the cap-swap, the changes in value of the cap-swap are not completely effective in offsetting changes in value of the corresponding counter-swap. Changes in the value of the cap-swaps and the counter-swaps are recorded as adjustments to oil and gas sales.

 

In accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 39, to the extent that a legal right of setoff exists, Chesapeake nets the value of its derivative arrangements with the same counterparty in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Chesapeake enters into basis protection swaps for the purpose of locking-in a price differential for oil or gas from a specified delivery point. We currently have basis protection swaps covering four different delivery points which correspond to the actual prices we receive for much of our gas production. By entering into these basis protection swaps, we have effectively reduced our exposure to market changes in future gas price differentials. As of June 30, 2005, the fair value of our basis protection swaps was $128.1 million. As of June 30, 2005, our basis protection swaps cover approximately 44% of our anticipated remaining gas production in 2005, 28% in 2006, 25% in 2007, 22% in 2008 and 16% in 2009.

 

Gains or losses from derivative transactions are reflected as adjustments to oil and gas sales on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains (losses) included in oil and gas sales were ($44.4) million, ($55.3) million, ($4.0) million and ($29.7) million in the Current Quarter, Prior Quarter, Current Period and Prior Period, respectively. Pursuant to SFAS 133, certain derivatives do not qualify for designation as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair value of these non-qualifying derivatives that occur prior to their maturity (i.e., temporary

 

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

 

fluctuations in value) are reported currently in the consolidated statements of operations as unrealized gains (losses) within oil and gas sales. Unrealized gains (losses) included in oil and gas sales were $84.1 million, ($20.2) million, ($33.1) million and ($34.2) million, in the Current Quarter, Prior Quarter, Current Period and Prior Period, respectively.

 

Following provisions of SFAS 133, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective in offsetting cash flows attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Any change in fair value resulting from ineffectiveness is recognized currently in oil and gas sales as unrealized gains (losses). We recorded a gain (loss) on ineffectiveness of $1.2 million, ($8.0) million, $0.6 million and ($15.2) million in the Current Quarter, Prior Quarter, Current Period and Prior Period, respectively.

 

The estimated fair values of our oil and gas derivative instruments as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 are provided below. The associated carrying values of these instruments are equal to the estimated fair values.

 

    

June 30,

2005


   

December 31,

2004


 
     ($ in thousands)  

Derivative assets (liabilities):

                

Fixed-price gas swaps

   $ (77,690 )   $ 57,073  

Fixed-price gas locked swaps

     (55,914 )     (77,299 )

Fixed-price gas cap-swaps

     (97,487 )     (48,761 )

Fixed-price gas counter-swaps

     17,537       4,654  

Gas basis protection swaps

     128,120       122,287  

Gas call options(a)

     (5,940 )     (5,793 )

Fixed-price gas collars

     (5,262 )     (5,573 )

Fixed-price oil swaps

     (11,408 )     —    

Fixed-price oil cap-swaps

     (10,133 )     (8,238 )
    


 


Estimated fair value

   $ (118,177 )   $ 38,350  
    


 



(a) After adjusting for the remaining $1.6 million and $3.2 million premium paid to Chesapeake by the counterparty, the cumulative unrealized loss related to these call options as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 was $4.3 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

 

Based upon the market prices at June 30, 2005, we expect to transfer approximately $51.5 million (net of income taxes) of the loss included in the balance in accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next 12 months when the transactions actually close. All transactions hedged as of June 30, 2005 are expected to mature by December 31, 2007, with the exception of our basis protection swaps which extend through 2009.

 

We have two secured hedging facilities, each of which permits us to enter into cash-settled natural gas and oil commodity transactions, valued by the counterparty, for up to $500 million. The scheduled maturity date for these facilities is May 2010. Outstanding transactions under each facility are collateralized by certain of our oil and gas properties that do not secure any of our other obligations. One of the hedging facilities is subject to an annual fee of 0.30% of the maximum total capacity, and each of them has a 1.0% exposure fee, which is assessed quarterly on the average of the daily negative fair market value amounts, if any, during the quarter. As of June 30, 2005, the fair market value of the natural gas and oil hedging transactions was a liability of $42.8 million under one of the facilities and an asset of $45.9 million under the other facility. The hedging facilities contain the standard representations and default provisions that are typical of such agreements. The agreements also contain various restrictive provisions which govern the aggregate gas and oil production volumes that we are permitted to hedge under all of our agreements at any one time.

 

Interest Rate Derivatives

 

We utilize hedging strategies to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates. To the extent interest rate swaps have been designated as fair value hedges, changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument and the corresponding debt are reflected as adjustments to interest expense in the corresponding months covered by the derivative agreement. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments not qualifying as fair value hedges are recorded currently as adjustments to interest expense.

 

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

 

As of June 30, 2005, the following interest rate swap was used to convert a portion of our long-term fixed-rate debt to floating-rate debt was outstanding:

 

                          Term                           


  

Notional

Amount


  

Fixed

Rate


   

Floating Rate


  

Fair Value

Gain (Loss)


 
                     ($ in thousands)  

September 2004 – August 2012

   $ 75,000,000    9.000 %   6 month LIBOR plus 452 basis points    $ (714 )

 

Subsequent to June 30, 2005, we entered into the following interest rate swaps (which qualify as fair value hedges) to convert a portion of our long-term fixed-rate debt to floating-rate debt:

 

                        Term                         


  

Notional

Amount


  

Fixed

Rate


   

Floating Rate


July 2005 – January 2015

   $ 150,000,000    7.750 %   6 month LIBOR plus 289 basis points

July 2005 – June 2014

   $ 150,000,000    7.500 %   6 month LIBOR plus 282 basis points

August 2005 – August 2014

   $ 200,000,000    7.000 %   6 month LIBOR plus 205.5 basis points

 

In the Current Quarter and Current Period, we closed various interest rate swaps for gains totaling $4.3 million and $5.1 million, respectively. These interest rate swaps were designated as fair value hedges, and the settlement amounts received will be amortized as a reduction to realized interest expense over the remaining terms of the related senior notes.

 

In March 2004, Chesapeake entered into an interest rate swap which required Chesapeake to pay a fixed rate of 8.68% while the counterparty paid Chesapeake a floating rate of six month LIBOR plus 0.75% on a notional amount of $142.7 million. On March 15, 2005, we elected to terminate the interest rate swap and paid $31.8 million to the counterparty.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial instruments is made in accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 107, Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments. We have determined the estimated fair values by using available market information and valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. The use of different market assumptions or valuation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts.

 

The carrying values of items comprising current assets and current liabilities approximate fair values due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. We estimate the fair value of our long-term fixed-rate debt using primarily quoted market prices. Our carrying amount for such debt, excluding discounts or premiums related to interest rate derivatives, at June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 was $3,664.1 million and $3,014.1 million, respectively, compared to approximate fair values of $3,865.7 million and $3,281.1 million, respectively. The carrying amounts for our convertible preferred stock as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 were $905.8 million and $490.9 million, respectively, compared to approximate fair values of $994.8 million and $533.7 million, respectively.

 

Concentration of Credit Risk

 

A significant portion of our liquidity is concentrated in derivative instruments that enable us to hedge a portion of our exposure to price volatility from producing oil and natural gas. These arrangements expose us to credit risk from our counterparties. Other financial instruments which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of investments in equity instruments and accounts receivable. Our accounts receivable are primarily from purchasers of oil and natural gas products and exploration and production companies which own interests in properties we operate. This industry concentration has the potential to impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that our customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, industry or other conditions. We generally require letters of credit for receivables from customers which are judged to have sub-standard credit, unless the credit risk can otherwise be mitigated.

 

 

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

 

3. Contingencies and Commitments

 

Litigation

 

Chesapeake is currently involved in various disputes incidental to its business operations. Management, after consultation with legal counsel, is of the opinion that the final resolution of all currently pending or threatened litigation is not likely to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

Employment Agreements with Officers

 

Chesapeake has employment agreements with its chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief financial officer and various other senior management personnel, which provide for annual base salaries, bonus compensation and various benefits. The agreements provide for the continuation of salary and benefits for varying terms in the event of termination of employment without cause. The agreements with the chief executive officer and chief operating officer have terms of five years commencing July 1, 2005. The term of each agreement is automatically extended for one additional year on each January 31 unless the company provides 30 days notice of non-extension. The agreements with the chief financial officer and other senior managers expire on September 30, 2006. The company’s employment agreements with the executive officers provide for payments in the event of a change in control. The chief executive officer and chief operating officer are each entitled to receive a payment in the amount of three times his base salary, the prior year’s bonus compensation and the value of benefits provided during the prior year, plus a tax gross-up payment, and the chief financial officer and other officers are each entitled to receive a payment in the amount of two times his or her base salary and bonuses paid during the prior year.

 

Environmental Risk

 

Due to the nature of the oil and gas business, Chesapeake and its subsidiaries are exposed to possible environmental risks. Chesapeake has implemented various policies and procedures to avoid environmental contamination and risks from environmental contamination. Chesapeake conducts periodic reviews, on a company-wide basis, to identify changes in our environmental risk profile. These reviews evaluate whether there is a contingent liability, its amount, and the likelihood that the liability will be incurred. The amount of any potential liability is determined by considering, among other matters, incremental direct costs of any likely remediation and the proportionate cost of employees who are expected to devote a significant amount of time directly to any possible remediation effort. We manage our exposure to environmental liabilities on properties to be acquired by identifying existing problems and assessing the potential liability. Depending on the extent of an identified environmental problem, Chesapeake may exclude a property from the acquisition, require the seller to remediate the property to our satisfaction, or agree to assume liability for the remediation of the property. Chesapeake has historically not experienced any significant environmental liability, and is not aware of any potential material environmental issues or claims at June 30, 2005.

 

Other Commitments

 

Chesapeake’s wholly owned subsidiary, Nomac Drilling Company, has contracted to acquire 18 rigs to be constructed during 2005 and 2006. The total cost of the rigs will be approximately $150 million.

 

4. Net Income Per Share

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, Earnings Per Share, requires presentation of “basic” and “diluted” earnings per share, as defined, on the face of the statements of operations for all entities with complex capital structures. SFAS 128 requires a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted EPS computations.

 

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

 

The following securities were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share, as the effect was antidilutive:

 

    For the Current Quarter, the Prior Quarter, Current Period and Prior Period, outstanding options to purchase 0.2 million, 0.1 million, 0.1 million and 0.2 million shares of common stock at a weighted-average exercise price of $26.53, $26.73, $27.88 and $19.93, respectively, were antidilutive because the exercise prices of the options were greater than the average market price of the common stock during the respective periods.

 

    For each of the Prior Quarter and the Prior Period, outstanding warrants to purchase 0.3 million shares of common stock at a weighted-average exercise price of $15.72 were antidilutive because the exercise prices of the warrants were greater than the average market price of the common stock during the period.

 

    For the Current Quarter and Current Period, diluted shares do not include the common stock equivalent of 4.125% preferred stock outstanding prior to conversion (convertible into 2,613,403 and 2,657,704 shares, respectively) as the effect was antidilutive, and the preferred stock dividend adjustment to net income does not include $5.1 million and $5.5 million, respectively, of dividends and loss on conversion related to these preferred shares.

 

Reconciliations for the three months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 and the six months ended June 30, 2005 and 2004 are as follows:

 

    

Income

(Numerator)


  

Shares

(Denominator)


  

Per Share

Amount


     ($ in thousands, except per share data)
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2005:                   

Basic EPS:

                  

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 179,177    311,181    $ 0.58
    

  
  

Effect of Dilutive Securities

                  

Assumed conversion as of the beginning of the period of preferred shares outstanding during the period:

                  

Common shares assumed issued for 4.125% convertible preferred stock

     —      16,110       

Common shares assumed issued for 5.00% convertible preferred stock (series 2003)

     —      10,516       

Common shares assumed issued for 6.00% convertible preferred stock

     —      493       

Common shares assumed issued for 5.00% convertible preferred stock (series 2005)

     —      14,168       

Common stock equivalent of 6.00% preferred stock outstanding prior to conversion

     —      5       

Preferred stock dividends

     9,550    —         

Employee stock options

     —      10,408       

Restricted stock

     —      1,175       

Warrants assumed in Gothic acquisition

     —      7       
    

  
      

Diluted EPS Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions

   $ 188,727    364,063    $ 0.52
    

  
  

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2004:

                  

Basic EPS:

                  

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 85,811    241,147    $ 0.36
    

  
  

Effect of Dilutive Securities

                  

Assumed conversion as of the beginning of the period pf preferred shares outstanding during the period:

                  

Common shares assumed issued for 4.125% convertible preferred stock

     —      18,711       

Common shares assumed issued for 5.00% convertible preferred stock (series 2003)

     —      10,516       

Common shares assumed issued for 6.00% convertible preferred stock

     —      22,358       

Common shares assumed issued for 6.75% convertible preferred stock

     —      19,466       

Preferred stock options

     11,344    —         

Employee stock options

     —      9,838       

Restricted stock

     —      149       

Warrants assumed in Gothic acquisition

     —      9       
    

  
      

Diluted EPS Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions

   $ 97,155    322,194    $ 0.30
    

  
  

 

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

 

    

Income

(Numerator)


  

Shares

(Denominator)


  

Per Share

Amount


     ($ in thousands, except per share data)

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005:

                  

Basic EPS:

                  

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 298,724    310,523    $ 0.96
    

  
  

Effect of Dilutive Securities

                  

Assumed conversion as of the beginning of the period of preferred shares outstanding during the period:

                  

Common shares assumed issued for 4.125% convertible preferred stock

     —      16,110       

Common shares assumed issued for 5.00% convertible preferred stock (series 2003)

     —      10,516       

Common shares assumed issued for 6.00% convertible preferred stock

     —      493       

Common shares assumed issued for 5.00% convertible preferred stock (series 2005)

     —      7,123       

Common stock equivalent of 6.00% preferred stock outstanding prior to conversion

     —      7       

Preferred stock dividends

     14,549    —         

Employee stock options

     —      10,539       

Restricted stock

     —      1,151       

Warrants assumed in Gothic acquisition

     —      16       
    

  
      

Diluted EPS Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions

   $ 313,273    356,478    $ 0.88
    

  
  

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004:

                  

Basic EPS:

                  

Income available to common shareholders

   $ 190,233    239,016    $ 0.80
    

  
  

Effect of Dilutive Securities

                  

Assumed conversion as of the beginning of the period pf preferred shares outstanding during the period:

                  

Common shares assumed issued for 4.125% convertible preferred stock

     —      9,537       

Common shares assumed issued for 5.00% convertible preferred stock (series 2003)

     —      10,516       

Common shares assumed issued for 6.00% convertible preferred stock

     —      22,358       

Common shares assumed issued for 6.75% convertible preferred stock

     —      19,466       

Preferred stock options

     19,512    —         

Employee stock options

     —      9,858       

Restricted stock

     —      180       

Warrants assumed in Gothic acquisition

     —      6       
    

  
      

Diluted EPS Income available to common shareholders and assumed conversions

   $ 209,745    310,937    $ 0.67
    

  
  

 

5. Senior Notes and Revolving Bank Credit Facility

 

Our long-term debt consisted of the following as of June 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004:

 

    

June 30,

2005


   

December 31,

2004


 
     ($ in thousands)  

8.375% Senior Notes due 2008

   $ 7,990     $ 18,990  

8.125% Senior Notes due 2011

     7,583       245,407  

9.0% Senior Notes due 2012

     1,140       300,000  

7.5% Senior Notes due 2013

     363,823       363,823  

7.0% Senior Notes due 2014

     300,000       300,000  

7.5% Senior Notes due 2014

     300,000       300,000  

7.75% Senior Notes due 2015

     300,408       300,408  

6.375% Senior Notes due 2015

     600,000       600,000  

6.625% Senior Notes due 2016

     600,000       —    

6.875% Senior Notes due 2016

     670,437       670,437  

6.25% Senior Notes due 2018

     600,000       —    

Revolving bank credit facility

     455,000       59,000  

Discount on senior notes

     (87,272 )     (84,924 )

Premium for interest rate derivatives(a)

     6,820       1,968  
    


 


Total senior notes and long-term debt

   $ 4,125,929     $ 3,075,109  
    


 



(a) See note 2 for further discussion related to these instruments.

 

No scheduled principal payments are required on any of the senior notes until 2008 when $8.0 million is due.

 

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

 

During the periods covered by this report, we repurchased or exchanged Chesapeake debt through various private and public transactions. The following table sets forth the losses we incurred in connection with these transactions ($ in millions):

 

    

Notes

Retired


   Loss on Repurchases/Exchanges

        Premium

   Other(a)

   Total

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2005:

                           

8.125% Senior Notes due 2011

   $ 237.8    $ 16.8    $ 4.3    $ 21.1

9.0% Senior Notes due 2012

     298.9      41.3      6.0      47.3
    

  

  

  

     $ 536.7    $ 58.1    $ 10.3    $ 68.4
    

  

  

  

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005:

                           

8.375% Senior Notes due 2008

   $ 11.0    $ 0.8    $ 0.1    $ 0.9

8.125% Senior Notes due 2011

     237.8      16.8      4.3      21.1

9.0% Senior Notes due 2012

     298.9      41.3      6.0      47.3
    

  

  

  

     $ 547.7    $ 58.9    $ 10.4    $ 69.3
    

  

  

  

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004:

                           

7.875% Senior Notes due 2004

   $ 42.1    $ —      $ —      $ —  

8.5% Senior Notes due 2012

     4.3      0.2      0.7      0.9

8.125% Senior Notes due 2011

     482.8      —        6.0      6.0

7.75% Senior Notes due 2015

     9.1      —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

     $ 538.3    $ 0.2    $ 6.7    $ 6.9
    

  

  

  


(a) Includes the write-off of unamortized discounts, deferred charges, transaction costs and derivative charges.

 

There were no repurchases or exchanges of Chesapeake debt in the Prior Quarter.

 

The senior note indentures permit us to redeem the senior notes at any time at specified make-whole or redemption prices. The indentures contain covenants limiting our ability and our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends on our capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire our capital stock or subordinated indebtedness; make investments and other restricted payments; incur liens; engage in transactions with affiliates; sell assets and consolidate, merge or transfer assets.

 

Chesapeake is a holding company and owns no operating assets and has no significant operations independent of its subsidiaries. Our obligations under our outstanding senior notes have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on a joint and several basis, by all of our wholly owned subsidiaries.

 

We have a $1.25 billion syndicated revolving bank credit facility which matures in January 2010. As of June 30, 2005, we had $455.0 million of outstanding borrowings under our facility and utilized $53.1 million of the facility for various letters of credit. Borrowings under our facility are collateralized by certain producing oil and gas properties and bear interest at either (i) the greater of the reference rate of Union Bank of California, N.A. or the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50% or (ii) the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), at our option, plus a margin that varies according to our senior unsecured long-term debt ratings. The collateral value and borrowing base are determined periodically. The unused portion of the facility is subject to an annual commitment fee that also varies according to our senior unsecured long-term debt ratings. Currently, the annual commitment fee rate is 0.30%. Interest is payable quarterly or, if LIBOR applies, it may be payable at more frequent intervals.

 

The credit facility agreement contains various covenants and restrictive provisions which govern our ability to incur additional indebtedness, sell properties, purchase or redeem our capital stock, make investments or loans, and create liens. The credit facility agreement requires us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined) of at least 2.5 to 1 and an indebtedness to EBITDA ratio (as defined) not to exceed 3.5 to 1. At June 30, 2005, our fixed charge coverage ratio was 5.79 to 1 and our indebtedness to EBITDA ratio was 2.25 to 1. If we should fail to perform our obligations under these and other covenants, the revolving credit commitment could be terminated and any outstanding borrowings under the facility could be declared immediately due and payable. Such acceleration, if involving a principal amount of $10 million ($50 million in the case of our 6.625% Senior Notes due 2016 and 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018), would constitute an event of default under our senior note indentures which could in turn result in the acceleration of a significant portion of our senior note indebtedness. The credit facility agreement also has cross default provisions that apply to other indebtedness we may have with an outstanding principal amount in excess of $50 million.

 

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

 

Our subsidiary, Chesapeake Exploration Limited Partnership, is the borrower under our revolving bank credit facility. The facility is guaranteed by Chesapeake and all of our other wholly owned subsidiaries.

 

6. Segment Information

 

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information, we have identified two reportable operating segments. These segments are managed separately because of the nature of their products and services. Chesapeake’s two segments are the exploration and production segment and the marketing segment. The exploration and production segment is responsible for finding and producing natural gas and crude oil. The marketing segment is responsible for gathering, processing, transporting, and selling natural gas and crude oil production primarily from Chesapeake operated wells. Revenues from the marketing segment’s sale of oil and gas related to Chesapeake’s ownership interests are reflected as exploration and production revenues. Such amounts totaled $463.9 million and $310.3 million for the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter, respectively, and $869.1 million and $582.4 million for the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively.

 

Management evaluates the performance of our segments based upon income before income taxes.

 

    

Exploration

and Production


   Marketing

   Consolidated

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2005:

                    

Revenues

   $ 772,401    $ 275,617    $ 1,048,018

Income (loss) before income taxes

     301,188      3,978      305,166

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2004:

                    

Revenues

   $ 399,665    $ 174,627    $ 574,292

Income before income taxes

     151,466      343      151,809

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005:

                    

Revenues

   $ 1,311,343    $ 520,125    $ 1,831,468

Income before income taxes

     492,375      9,657      502,032

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004:

                    

Revenues

   $ 819,458    $ 317,963    $ 1,137,421

Income before income taxes

     326,413      1,313      327,726

As of June 30, 2005:

                    

Total assets

   $ 10,281,484    $ 376,402    $ 10,657,886

As of December 31, 2004:

                    

Total assets

   $ 7,926,263    $ 318,246    $ 8,244,509

 

7. Acquisitions

 

The following table describes significant acquisitions that we completed in the Current Period ($ in millions):

 

Quarter


  

Acquisition


  

Location


   Amount

 

First

   BRG Petroleum Corporation    Mid-Continent and Ark-La-Tex    $  325 (a)
     Laredo Energy II, L.L.C.    South Texas      228  
     Other    Various      89 (b)

Second

   Houston-based oil and gas company    Texas Gulf Coast/South Texas      202  
     Pecos Production Company    Permian      198  
     Laredo II Partners    Texas Gulf Coast/South Texas      139  
     Dallas-based oil and gas company    Ark-La-Tex      85  
     Midland-based oil and gas company    Permian      38  
     Other    Various      65  
              


               $ 1,369  
              



(a) We paid $16.3 million of the purchase amount in 2004.
(b) During the Current Period, we paid the remaining $57 million of the purchase price related to an acquisition transaction with Hallwood Energy Corporation in the fourth quarter 2004.

 

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CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)

 

During the Current Period, we have recorded approximately $252 million of deferred tax liability to reflect the tax effect of the cost paid in excess of the tax basis acquired on certain acquisitions.

 

8. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission recently issued the following standards which were reviewed by Chesapeake to determine the potential impact on our financial statements upon adoption.

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 123(R), Share-Based Payment, a revision of SFAS 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. This statement establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services by requiring a public entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. This statement is effective as of the beginning of the first annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. The effect of SFAS 123 (R) is more fully described in Note 1.

 

In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. (FIN) 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations. FIN 47 specifies the accounting treatment for conditional asset retirement obligations under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143. FIN 47 is effective no later than the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2005. We plan to adopt this statement effective December 31, 2005. Implementation of FIN 47 is not expected to have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

9. Subsequent Events

 

On July 6, 2005, we completed cash tender offers for our 8.125% Senior Notes due 2011 and 9.0% Senior Notes due 2012. Subsequent to June 30, 2005, approximately $0.3 million was used to purchase $0.1 million of 8.125% Senior Notes due 2011 and $0.2 million of 9.0% Senior Notes due 2012. Subsequent to the expiration of these tender offers, we notified the trustee of our intention to redeem the remaining 8.125% and 9.0% Senior Notes on August 17, 2005 based on the make-whole redemption provisions in the indentures.

 

In July 2005, we exchanged 2,225,111 shares of our common stock for 34,452 shares of our 4.125% cumulative convertible preferred stock.

 

On July 18, 2005, we purchased $249.5 million of Barnett Shale natural gas assets from Hallwood Energy III L.P. We used our revolving bank credit facility to fund this acquisition.

 

Subsequent to June 30, 2005, we obtained a 49% interest in Mountain Drilling Company, a newly formed venture with a New York-based investment banking firm in which Chesapeake and its partner have each invested $25 million to secure four specialty rigs for drilling in urban areas or in areas of special environmental sensitivity.

 

Subsequent to June 30, 2005, we have agreed to acquire $160 million of natural gas assets in the East Texas and Permian Basin regions in three transactions with three private companies.

 

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Table of Contents

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Overview

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the production volumes, oil and gas sales, average sales prices received and expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2005 (the “Current Quarter” and the “Current Period”) and the three and six months ended June 30, 2004 (the “Prior Quarter” and the “Prior Period”):

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


   

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2005

    2004

    2005

    2004

 

Net Production:

                                

Oil (mbbl)

     2,012       1,673       3,758       3,138  

Gas (mmcf)

     101,128       76,510       195,259       146,608  

Gas equivalent (mmcfe)

     113,200       86,548       217,807       165,436  

Oil and Gas Sales ($ in thousands):

                                

Oil sales

   $ 96,798     $ 59,930     $ 176,742     $ 107,961  

Oil derivatives – realized gains (losses)

     (10,650 )     (12,878 )     (17,717 )     (21,208 )

Oil derivatives – unrealized gains (losses)

     10,900       (1,470 )     (1,942 )     (7,489 )
    


 


 


 


Total oil sales

     97,048       45,582       157,083       79,264  
    


 


 


 


Gas sales

     635,901       415,216       1,171,678       775,317  

Gas derivatives – realized gains (losses)

     (33,702 )     (42,453 )     13,713       (8,462 )

Gas derivatives – unrealized gains (losses)

     73,154       (18,680 )     (31,131 )     (26,661 )
    


 


 


 


Total gas sales

     675,353       354,083       1,154,260       740,194  
    


 


 


 


Total oil and gas sales

   $ 772,401     $ 399,665     $ 1,311,343     $ 819,458  
    


 


 


 


Average Sales Price (excluding all gains (losses) on derivatives):

                                

Oil ($ per bbl)

   $ 48.11     $ 35.82     $ 47.03     $ 34.40  

Gas ($ per mcf)

   $ 6.29     $ 5.43     $ 6.00     $ 5.29  

Gas equivalent ($ per mcfe)

   $ 6.47     $ 5.49     $ 6.19     $ 5.34  

Average Sales Price (excluding unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives):

                                

Oil ($ per bbl)

   $ 42.82     $ 28.12     $ 42.32     $ 27.65  

Gas ($ per mcf)

   $ 5.95     $ 4.87     $ 6.07     $ 5.23  

Gas equivalent ($ per mcfe)

   $ 6.08     $ 4.85     $ 6.17     $ 5.16  

Expenses ($ per mcfe):

                                

Production expenses

   $ 0.64     $ 0.57     $ 0.65     $ 0.57  

Production taxes(a)

   $ 0.42     $ 0.26     $ 0.38     $ 0.23  

General and administrative expenses:

                                

General and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation)

   $ 0.08     $ 0.09     $ 0.09     $ 0.09  

Stock-based compensation

   $ 0.02     $ 0.01     $ 0.02     $ 0.02  

Oil and gas depreciation, depletion and amortization

   $ 1.85     $ 1.58     $ 1.79     $ 1.55  

Depreciation and amortization of other assets

   $ 0.10     $ 0.08     $ 0.10     $ 0.08  

Interest expense(b)

   $ 0.48     $ 0.44     $ 0.46     $ 0.46  

Interest Expense ($ in thousands):

                                

Interest expense

   $ 54,710     $ 37,513     $ 102,003     $ 76,077  

Interest rate derivatives – realized (gains) losses

     (675 )     353       (1,796 )     (405 )

Interest rate derivatives – unrealized (gains) losses

     (133 )     (9,060 )     (3,177 )     (321 )
    


 


 


 


Total interest expense

   $ 53,902     $ 28,806     $ 97,030     $ 75,351  
    


 


 


 


Net Wells Drilled

     196       131       365       240  

Net Producing Wells as of the End of the Period

     9,054       7,348       9,054       7,348  

(a) The Prior Period includes a pre-tax benefit of $6.8 million, or $0.04 per mcfe, from prior period severance tax credits.
(b) Includes the effects of realized gains (losses) from hedging, but does not include the effects of unrealized gains (losses) from hedging.

 

Chesapeake is the third largest independent producer of natural gas in the U.S. and owns interests in approximately 21,500 producing oil and gas wells. Our primary operating area is the Mid-Continent region of the United States, which includes Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and the Texas Panhandle, and we are building significant secondary operating areas in the South Texas and Texas Gulf Coast regions, the Permian Basin of western Texas and eastern New Mexico, the Barnett Shale area of north-central Texas and the Ark-La-Tex areas of eastern Texas and northern Louisiana.

 

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Table of Contents

Our revenues, operating results, profitability and future growth depend on our ability to find, develop and acquire oil and gas reserves that are economically recoverable based on prevailing prices for natural gas and oil. We favor gas over oil, strive to establish regional dominance in our operating areas, have grown through a combination of drilling and acquisitions and manage price risk through opportunistic oil and natural gas hedging. We believe we have among the largest onshore U.S. inventory of leasehold and 3-D seismic data (approximately 4.1 million and 10.8 million net acres, respectively) with a nine year drilling backlog of approximately 14,000 locations.

 

Oil and natural gas production for the Current Quarter was 113.2 bcfe, an increase of 26.7 bcfe, or 31%, over the 86.5 bcfe produced in the Prior Quarter. We have increased our production for 16 consecutive quarters. During these 16 quarters, Chesapeake’s U.S. production has increased 214%, for an average compound quarterly growth rate of 7.4% and an average compound annual growth rate of 33.1%.

 

In addition to increased oil and natural gas production, the prices we received were higher in the Current Quarter than in the Prior Quarter. On a natural gas equivalent basis, weighted average prices (excluding the effect of unrealized gains or losses on derivatives) were $6.08 per mcfe in the Current Quarter compared to $4.85 per mcfe in the Prior Quarter. The increase in prices resulted in an increase in revenue of $139.2 million, and increased production resulted in an increase in revenue of $129.3 million, for a total increase in revenue of $268.5 million (excluding the effect of unrealized gains or losses on derivatives). In each of the core operating areas where Chesapeake sells its oil and natural gas, established marketing and transportation infrastructures exist thereby contributing to relatively high wellhead price realizations for our production.

 

Chesapeake began 2005 with estimated proved reserves of 4,902 bcfe and ended the Current Quarter with 5,850 bcfe, an increase of 948 bcfe, or 19%. During the 2005 first half, we replaced 218 bcfe of production with an estimated 1,166 bcfe of new proved reserves, for a reserve replacement rate of 535%. Reserve replacement through the drillbit was 583 bcfe, or 268% of production (including 43 bcfe from positive performance revisions and 25 bcfe from oil and natural gas price increases), or 50% of the total increase. Reserve replacement through acquisitions was 583 bcfe, or 267% of production, or 50% of the total increase.

 

During the Current Quarter, Chesapeake drilled 224 (162 net) operated wells and participated in another 296 (34 net) wells operated by other companies. The company’s drilling success rate was 97% for operated wells and 98% for non-operated wells. During the quarter, Chesapeake invested $400 million in operated wells (using an average of 73 operated rigs), $77 million in non-operated wells (using an average of approximately 65 non-operated rigs) and $52 million in acquiring new 3-D seismic data and new leasehold (excluding leasehold acquired through acquisitions). Our acquisition expenditures totaled $778 million during the Current Quarter (including amounts paid for unproved leasehold and excluding $132 million of deferred taxes in connection with certain corporate acquisitions).

 

We have taken several actions to mitigate higher field service costs, ensure our timely access to drilling rigs and participate in service industry growth. Through our wholly owned subsidiary Nomac Drilling Corporation, we have 14 rigs dedicated to drilling Chesapeake-operated wells and we have an additional 18 rigs on order for delivery over the next year. In addition, we have entered into drilling contracts for the use of 20 rigs currently being built or refurbished by private drilling companies, to be available to us in 2005 and 2006. We also have invested approximately $43 million in the common stock of publicly held Pioneer Drilling Company over the past two years, and now hold approximately 17% of its outstanding common stock. At June 30, 2005, our Pioneer shares had a market value of $117.5 million. We also have invested $15 million in the common stock of DHS Drilling Company, a Casper, Wyoming-based drilling company which has four rigs operating in the Rocky Mountains and which will expand to ten rigs over the next several months. At June 30, 2005, our ownership percentage was approximately 45%. Subsequent to June 30, 2005, we obtained a 49% interest in Mountain Drilling Company, a newly formed venture with a New York-based investment banking firm in which Chesapeake and its partner have each invested $25 million to secure four specialty rigs for drilling in urban areas or in areas of special environmental sensitivity.

 

As of June 30, 2005, the company’s debt as a percentage of total capitalization (total capitalization is the sum of debt and stockholders’ equity) was 52%, compared to 49% as of December 31, 2004. During the Current Period, we received net proceeds of $1,627.9 million through issuances of $460 million of preferred equity (series 2005

 

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5.0% convertible preferred stock), $600 million principal amount of 6.625% Senior Notes due 2016 and $600 million principal amount of 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018. We exchanged 45,000 shares of our outstanding 4.125% preferred stock for 2,911,250 shares of common stock, and holders of our 6.0% preferred stock converted 1,735 shares into 8,432 shares of common stock. Additionally, we purchased and retired $11.0 million principal amount of 8.375% Senior Notes due 2008, $237.8 million principal amount of 8.125% Senior Notes due 2011 and $298.9 million principal amount of 9.0% Senior Notes due 2012 which resulted in an aggregate loss on repurchases or exchanges of Chesapeake debt of $69.3 million for the Current Period. As a result of our debt transactions during the Current Period, we have extended the average maturity of our long-term debt to over ten years and have lowered our average interest rate to approximately 6.9%.

 

We intend to continue to focus on improving the strength of our balance sheet. We believe our business strategy and operational performance will lead to an investment grade credit rating for our unsecured debt in the future.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Sources of Liquidity

 

Our primary source of liquidity to meet operating expenses and fund capital expenditures (other than for certain acquisitions) is cash flow from operations. Based on our current production, price and expense assumptions, we expect cash flow from operations will exceed our drilling capital expenditures in 2005. Our budget for drilling, land and seismic activities during 2005 is currently between $1.9 billion and $2.1 billion. We believe this level of exploration and development will be sufficient to increase our reserves in 2005 and achieve our goal of a 10% to 20% increase in production over 2004 production (inclusive of acquisitions completed or scheduled to close in 2005 through the filing date of this report but without regard to any additional acquisitions that may be completed in 2005). However, higher drilling and field operating costs, drilling results that alter planned development schedules, acquisitions or other factors could cause us to revise our drilling program, which is largely discretionary. Any cash flow from operations not needed to fund our drilling program will be available for acquisitions, debt repayment or other general corporate purposes in 2005.

 

Cash provided by operating activities (exclusive of changes in assets and liabilities) was $1,018.7 million in the Current Period compared to $641.7 million in the Prior Period. The $377.0 million increase was primarily due to higher realized prices and higher volumes of oil and gas production. We expect that 2005 production volumes will be higher than in 2004 and that cash provided by operating activities in 2005 will exceed 2004 levels. While a precipitous decline in gas prices in the remainder of 2005 would significantly affect the amount of cash flow that would be generated from operations, we have 47% of our expected oil production for the remainder of 2005 hedged at an average NYMEX price of $52.22 per barrel of oil and 59% of our expected natural gas production for the remainder of 2005 hedged at an average NYMEX price of $6.65 per mcf. This level of hedging provides greater certainty of the cash flow we will receive for a substantial portion of our remaining 2005 production. Depending on changes in oil and gas futures markets and management’s view of underlying oil and natural gas supply and demand trends, however, we may increase or decrease our current hedging positions.

 

Based on fluctuations in natural gas and oil prices, our hedging counterparties may require us to deliver cash collateral or other assurances of performance from time to time. At June 30, 2005 and August 4, 2005, we had issued $50 million and $51 million, respectively, of letters of credit securing our performance of hedging contracts. To mitigate the liquidity impact of those collateral requirements, we have negotiated caps on the amount of collateral that we might be required to post with four of our counterparties. All of our existing commodity hedges that are not under our secured hedge facilities (described below under Contractual Obligations) are with these counterparties and the maximum amount of collateral that we would be required to post with these counterparties is capped at $180 million.

 

A significant source of liquidity is our $1.25 billion syndicated revolving bank credit facility which matures in January 2010. At August 4, 2005, there was $264.9 million of borrowing capacity available under the revolving bank credit facility. We use the facility to fund daily operating activities and acquisitions as needed. We borrowed $2,419 million and repaid $2,023 million in the Current Period, and we borrowed $767.0 million and repaid $611.0 million in the Prior Period under our bank credit facility. We incurred $4.6 million and $8.3 million of financing costs related to our revolving credit facility in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively, as a result of amendments to the credit agreement.

 

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Table of Contents

We believe that our available cash, cash provided by operating activities and funds available under our revolving bank credit facility will be sufficient to fund our operating, interest and general and administrative expenses, our capital expenditure budget, our short-term contractual obligations and dividend payments at current levels for the foreseeable future. Our revolving bank credit facility and secured hedge facilities do not contain material adverse change or adequate assurance clauses. Although the applicable interest rates and commitment fees in our bank credit facility fluctuate slightly based on our long-term senior unsecured credit ratings, the bank facility and the secured hedge facilities do not contain provisions which would trigger an acceleration of amounts due under the facilities or a requirement to post additional collateral in the event of a downgrade of our credit ratings.

 

The public and institutional markets have been our principal source of long-term financing for acquisitions. We have sold debt and equity in both public and private offerings in the past, and we expect that these sources of capital will continue to be available to us in the future for acquisitions. Nevertheless, we caution that ready access to capital on reasonable terms and the availability of desirable acquisition targets at attractive prices are subject to many uncertainties, as explained under “Risk Factors” in Item 1—Business of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

The following table reflects the proceeds from sales of securities we issued in the Current Period and the Prior Period ($ in millions):

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,

     2005

   2004

     Total Proceeds

   Net Proceeds

   Total Proceeds

   Net Proceeds

Convertible preferred stock

   $ 460.0    $ 447.2    $ 313.3    $ 304.9

Common stock

     —        —        310.7      298.0

Unsecured senior notes guaranteed by subsidiaries

     1,200.0      1,180.7      300.0      288.6
    

  

  

  

Total

   $ 1,660.0    $ 1,627.9    $ 924.0    $ 891.5
    

  

  

  

 

We have an effective $600 million universal shelf registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Securities issued under this shelf may be in the form of common stock, preferred stock, depository shares representing fractional shares of preferred stock or debt securities of Chesapeake. A prospectus supplement will be prepared at the time of a debt or equity offering and will contain specific information about the security issued and the use of proceeds. No securities have been issued under this shelf registration statement.

 

We paid dividends on our common stock of $27.9 million and $16.0 million in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively. The Board of Directors voted on June 10, 2005 to increase the annual dividend per common share by 11%, from $0.18 to $0.20. The first dividend at this higher rate was paid on July 15, 2005 to common shareholders of record on July 1, 2005. We paid dividends on our preferred stock of $10.9 million and $18.9 million in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively. We received $11.6 million and $6.6 million from the exercise of employee and director stock options and warrants in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively.

 

Outstanding payments from certain disbursement accounts in excess of funded cash balances where no legal right of set-off exists increased by $75.2 million and $11.1 million in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively. All disbursements are funded on the day they are presented to our bank using available cash on hand or draws on our credit facility.

 

Historically, we have used significant funds to purchase and retire outstanding senior notes issued by Chesapeake. The following table shows our purchases and exchanges of senior notes ($ in millions):

 

     Senior Notes Activity

     Retired

   Premium

   Other(a)

   Issued(b)

   Cash Paid

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005:                                   

8.375% Senior Notes due 2008

   $ 11.0    $ 0.8    $ —      $ —      $ 11.8

8.125% Senior Notes due 2011

     237.8      16.8      0.7      —        255.3

9.0% Senior Notes due 2012

     298.9      41.3      0.8      —        341.0
    

  

  

  

  

     $ 547.7    $ 58.9    $ 1.5    $ —      $ 608.1
    

  

  

  

  

 

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     Senior Notes Activity

     Retired

   Premium

   Other(a)

   Issued(b)

    Cash Paid

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004:

                                   

7.875% Senior Notes due 2004

   $ 42.1    $  —      $ —      $ —       $ 42.1

8.5% Senior Notes due 2012

     4.3      0.2      —        —         4.5

8.125% Senior Notes due 2011

     482.8      —        61.5      (533.6 )     10.7

7.75% Senior Notes due 2015

     9.1      —        0.6      (9.7 )     —  
    

  

  

  


 

     $ 538.3    $ 0.2    $ 62.1    $ (543.3 )   $ 57.3
    

  

  

  


 


(a) Includes adjustments to accrued interest and discount associated with notes retired and new notes issued, cash in lieu of fractional notes, transaction costs and fair value hedging adjustments.
(b) We issued $72.8 million of our 7.75% Senior Notes and $470.5 million of our 6.875% Senior Notes.

 

Cash used in investing activities increased to $2,539.9 million during the Current Period, compared to $1,599.5 million during the Prior Period. The following table shows our capital expenditures during these periods ($ in millions):

 

    

Six Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2005

    2004

 

Acquisitions of oil and gas companies, proved and unproved properties, net of cash acquired

   $ 1,352.4     $ 1,002.3  

Exploration and development of oil and gas properties

     1,037.5       535.1  

Additions to buildings and other fixed assets

     98.4       45.0  

Additions to drilling rig equipment

     29.3       7.7  

Additions to investments

     22.4       10.0  

Divestitures of oil and gas properties

     (0.1 )     (0.3 )

Other

     —         (0.3 )
    


 


Total

   $ 2,539.9     $ 1,599.5  
    


 


 

Our accounts receivable are primarily from purchasers of oil and natural gas ($356.5 million at June 30, 2005) and exploration and production companies which own interests in properties we operate ($73.7 million at June 30, 2005). This industry concentration has the potential to impact our overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, in that our customers may be similarly affected by changes in economic, industry or other conditions. We generally require letters of credit for receivables from customers which are judged to have sub-standard credit, unless the credit risk can otherwise be mitigated.

 

Our liquidity is not dependent on the use of off-balance sheet financing arrangements, such as the securitization of receivables or obtaining access to assets through special purpose entities. We have not relied on off-balance sheet financing arrangements in the past and we do not intend to rely on such arrangements in the future as a source of liquidity. We are not a commercial paper issuer.

 

Investing and Financing Transactions

 

The following table describes significant investing transactions that we completed in the Current Period ($            in millions):

 

Quarter


  

Acquisition


  

Location


   Amount

 

First

   BRG Petroleum Corporation    Mid-Continent and Ark-La-Tex    $  325 (a)
     Laredo Energy II, L.L.C.    South Texas      228  
     Other    Various      89 (b)

Second

   Houston-based oil and gas company    Texas Gulf Coast/South Texas      202  
     Pecos Production Company    Permian      198  
     Laredo II Partners    Texas Gulf Coast/South Texas      139  
     Dallas-based oil and gas company    Ark-La-Tex      85  
     Midland-based oil and gas company    Permian      38  
     Other    Various      65  
              


               $ 1,369  
              



(a) We paid $16.3 million of the purchase amount in 2004.
(b) During the Current Period, we paid the remaining $57 million of the purchase price related to an acquisition transaction with Hallwood Energy Corporation in the fourth quarter 2004.

 

During 2004 and continuing in 2005, we have taken several steps to improve our capital structure. These transactions enabled us to extend our average maturity of long-term debt to over ten years with an average interest rate of approximately 6.9%. Achieving a debt-to-total-capitalization ratio of below 50% and reducing debt per mcfe of proved reserves remain key goals of our business strategy.

 

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We completed the following significant financing transactions in the Current Period:

 

First Quarter 2005

 

    Amended our revolving bank credit facility to increase the committed borrowing base to $1.25 billion and extended the maturity of the facility to January 2010.

 

    Completed a private purchase of $11.0 million of our 8.375% Senior Notes due 2008 for $12.0 million (including a premium of $0.8 million).

 

Second Quarter 2005

 

    Completed private offerings of $600 million principal amount of 6.625% Senior Notes due 2016 and 4,600,000 shares of 5.0% convertible preferred stock having a liquidation preference of $100 per share. Net proceeds of $1,031.5 million from these transactions were used to finance acquisitions totaling $459 million that closed in the second quarter of 2005 and to repay debt incurred under our credit facility to temporarily finance the BRG and the Laredo acquisitions completed in the first quarter.

 

    Completed a private placement of $600 million of 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018. Net proceeds of approximately $596.4 million were used to fund our purchases in June 2005 of $237.8 million of our 8.125% Senior Notes due 2011 for $255.3 million (including a premium of $16.8 million and transaction costs of $0.7 million) and $298.9 million of our 9.0% Senior Notes due 2012 for $341.0 million (including a premium of $41.3 million and transaction costs of $0.8 million) pursuant to tender offers for the 8.125% and 9.0% Senior Notes. We acquired a total of $237.9 million principal amount of 8.125% Senior Notes due 2011 and $299.1 million, principal amount of 9.00% senior notes due 2012, representing 96.9% and 99.7%, respectively, of the amounts outstanding, in the tender offers, which expired on July 6, 2005. Subsequent to the expiration of these tender offers, we notified the trustee of our intention to redeem the remaining 8.125% and 9.0% Senior Notes on August 17, 2005 based on the make-whole redemption provisions in the indentures.

 

    Completed a private exchange of 45,000 shares of our outstanding 4.125% preferred stock for 2,911,250 shares of common stock. No cash was received or paid in connection with this transaction.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

We currently have a $1.25 billion syndicated revolving bank credit facility which matures in January 2010. The credit facility was increased from $600 million to $1.25 billion in January 2005. As of June 30, 2005, we had $455.0 million of outstanding borrowings under this facility and had utilized $53.1 million of the facility for various letters of credit. Borrowings under the facility are collateralized by certain producing oil and gas properties and bear interest at either (i) the greater of the reference rate of Union Bank of California, N.A., or the federal funds effective rate plus 0.50% or (ii) London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), at our option, plus a margin that varies according to our senior unsecured long-term debt ratings. The collateral value and borrowing base are redetermined periodically. The unused portion of the facility is subject to an annual commitment fee that also varies according to our senior unsecured long-term debt ratings. Currently the annual commitment fee is 0.30%. Interest is payable quarterly or, if LIBOR applies, it may be payable at more frequent intervals.

 

The credit facility agreement contains various covenants and restrictive provisions which limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, sell properties, purchase or redeem our capital stock, make investments or loans, and create liens. The credit facility agreement requires us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined) of at least 2.5 to 1 and an indebtedness to EBITDA ratio (as defined) not to exceed 3.5 to 1. At June 30, 2005, our fixed charge coverage ratio was 5.79 to 1 and our indebtedness to EBITDA ratio was 2.25 to 1. If we should fail to perform our obligations under these and other covenants, the revolving credit commitment could be terminated and

 

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any outstanding borrowings under the facility could be declared immediately due and payable. Such acceleration, if involving a principal amount of $10 million ($50 million in the case of our 6.625% Senior Notes due 2016 and 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018), would constitute an event of default under our senior note indentures which could in turn result in the acceleration of a significant portion of our senior note indebtedness. The credit facility agreement also has cross default provisions that apply to other indebtedness we may have with an outstanding principal amount in excess of $50 million.

 

As of June 30, 2005, we owned 14 rigs dedicated to drilling wells operated by Chesapeake and have contracted to acquire 18 additional rigs to be constructed in 2005 and 2006. We expect to spend approximately $150 million to complete the rigs under construction.

 

Some of our commodity price and financial risk management arrangements require us to deliver cash collateral or other assurances of performance to the counterparties in the event that our payment obligations exceed certain levels. As of June 30, 2005, we were required to post $50 million of collateral in the form of letters of credit with respect to such derivative transactions. These collateral requirements were $51 million as of August 4, 2005. Future collateral requirements are uncertain and will depend on arrangements with our counterparties and fluctuations in natural gas and oil prices and interest rates. We currently have arrangements with four of our counterparties which limit the amount of collateral that we would be required to post with them to no more than $180 million in the aggregate.

 

We have two secured hedging facilities, each of which permits us to enter into cash-settled natural gas and oil commodity transactions, valued by the counterparty, for up to $500 million. The scheduled maturity date for these facilities is May 2010. Outstanding transactions under each facility are collateralized by certain of our oil and gas properties that do not secure any of our other obligations. One of the hedging facilities is subject to an annual fee of 0.30% of the maximum total capacity and each of them has a 1.0% exposure fee, which is assessed quarterly on the average of the daily negative fair market value amounts, if any, during the quarter. As of June 30, 2005, the fair market value of the natural gas and oil hedging transactions was a liability of $42.8 million under one of the facilities and an asset of $45.9 million under the other facility. The hedging facilities contain the standard representations and default provisions that are typical of such agreements. The agreements also contain various restrictive provisions which govern the aggregate gas and oil production volumes that we are permitted to hedge under all of our agreements at any one time.

 

Our subsidiary, Chesapeake Exploration Limited Partnership, is the borrower under our revolving bank credit facility and is the named party to our hedging facilities. The facilities are guaranteed by Chesapeake and all its other subsidiaries. Our revolving bank credit facility and secured hedge facilities do not contain material adverse change or adequate assurance clauses. Although the applicable interest rates and commitment fees in our bank credit facility fluctuate slightly based on our long-term senior unsecured credit ratings, the bank facility and the secured hedge facilities do not contain provisions which would trigger an acceleration of amounts due under the facilities or a requirement to post additional collateral in the event of a downgrade of our credit ratings.

 

In addition to outstanding revolving bank credit facility borrowings discussed above, as of June 30, 2005, our senior notes represented approximately $3.7 billion of our long-term debt and consisted of the following ($ in thousands):

 

8.375% Senior Notes due 2008

   $ 7,990  

8.125% Senior Notes due 2011

     7,583  

9.0% Senior Notes due 2012

     1,140  

7.5% Senior Notes due 2013

     363,823  

7.0% Senior Notes due 2014

     300,000  

7.5% Senior Notes due 2014

     300,000  

7.75% Senior Notes due 2015

     300,408  

6.375% Senior Notes due 2015

     600,000  

6.625% Senior Notes due 2016

     600,000  

6.875% Senior Notes due 2016

     670,437  

6.25% Senior Notes due 2018

     600,000  

Discount on senior notes

     (87,272 )

Premium for interest rate derivatives

     6,820  
    


     $ 3,670,929  
    


 

No scheduled principal payments are required on any of the senior notes until 2008, when $8.0 million is due.

 

Debt ratings for the senior notes are Ba3 by Moody’s Investor Service (positive outlook), BB- by Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services (positive outlook) and BB by Fitch Ratings.

 

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Our senior notes are unsecured senior obligations of Chesapeake and rank equally with all of our other unsecured indebtedness. All of our wholly owned subsidiaries guarantee the notes. The indentures permit us to redeem the senior notes at any time at specified make-whole or redemption prices. The indentures contain covenants limiting our ability and our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends on our capital stock or redeem, repurchase or retire our capital stock or subordinated indebtedness; make investments and other restricted payments; incur liens; engage in transactions with affiliates; sell assets; and consolidate, merge or transfer assets. The debt incurrence covenants do not presently restrict our ability to borrow under or expand our secured credit facility. As of June 30, 2005, we estimate that secured commercial bank indebtedness of approximately $2.1 billion could have been incurred under the most restrictive indenture covenant.

 

Results of Operations — Three Months Ended June 30, 2005 vs. June 30, 2004

 

General. For the Current Quarter, Chesapeake had net income of $193.8 million, or $0.52 per diluted common share, on total revenues of $1,048.0 million. This compares to net income of $97.2 million, or $0.30 per diluted common share, on total revenues of $574.3 million during the Prior Quarter. The Current Quarter net income includes, on a pre-tax basis, $84.2 million in net unrealized gains on oil and gas and interest rate derivatives and a $68.4 million loss on repurchases or exchanges of debt. The Prior Quarter net income included, on a pre-tax basis, $11.1 million in net unrealized losses on oil and gas and interest rate derivatives.

 

Oil and Gas Sales. During the Current Quarter, oil and gas sales were $772.4 million compared to $399.7 million in the Prior Quarter. In the Current Quarter, Chesapeake produced 113.2 bcfe at a weighted average price of $6.08 per mcfe, compared to 86.5 bcfe produced in the Prior Quarter at a weighted average price of $4.85 per mcfe (weighted average prices exclude the effect of unrealized gains or (losses) on derivatives of $84.1 million and ($20.2) million in the Current Quarter and Prior Quarter, respectively). In the Current Quarter, the increase in prices resulted in an increase in revenue of $139.2 million and increased production resulted in a $129.3 million increase, for a total increase in revenues of $268.5 million (excluding unrealized gains or losses on oil and gas derivatives). The increase in production from the Prior Quarter to the Current Quarter is due to the combination of production growth generated from drilling as well as acquisitions completed in 2004 and 2005.

 

The change in oil and gas prices has a significant impact on our oil and gas revenues and cash flows. Assuming the Current Quarter production levels, a change of $0.10 per mcf of gas sold would have resulted in an increase or decrease in revenues and cash flow of approximately $10.1 million and $9.4 million, respectively, and a change of $1.00 per barrel of oil sold would have resulted in an increase or decrease in revenues and cash flow of approximately $2.0 million and $1.9 million, respectively, without considering the effect of derivative activities.

 

For the Current Quarter, we realized an average price per barrel of oil of $42.82, compared to $28.12 in the Prior Quarter (weighted average prices for both quarters discussed exclude the effect of unrealized gains or losses on derivatives). Natural gas prices realized per mcf (excluding unrealized gains or losses on derivatives) were $5.95 and $4.87 in the Current Quarter and Prior Quarter, respectively. Realized gains or losses from our oil and gas derivatives resulted in a net decrease in oil and gas revenues of $44.4 million, or $0.39 per mcfe, in the Current Quarter and a net decrease of $55.3 million, or $0.64 per mcfe, in the Prior Quarter.

 

The following table shows our production by region for the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter:

 

     For the Three Months Ended June 30,

 
     2005

    2004

 
     Mmcfe

   Percent

    Mmcfe

   Percent

 

Mid-Continent

   74,569    66 %   64,064    74 %

South Texas and Texas Gulf Coast

   16,142    14     10,494    12  

Ark-La-Tex (including Barnett Shale)

   12,491    11     3,307    4  

Permian Basin

   9,325    8     8,042    9  

Other

   673    1     641    1  
    
  

 
  

Total Production

   113,200    100 %   86,548    100 %
    
  

 
  

 

Natural gas production represented approximately 89% of our total production volume on an equivalent basis in the Current Quarter, compared to 88% in the Prior Quarter.

 

Oil and Gas Marketing Sales and Expenses. Chesapeake realized $275.6 million in oil and gas marketing sales to third parties in the Current Quarter, with corresponding oil and gas marketing expenses of $270.0 million, for a net margin of $5.6 million. Marketing activities are substantially for third parties that are owners in Chesapeake-operated wells. This compares to sales of $174.6 million, expenses of $171.1 million and a net margin of $3.5 million in the Prior Quarter. In the Current Quarter, Chesapeake realized an increase in oil and gas marketing sales volumes and an increase in oil and gas prices.

 

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Table of Contents

Production Expenses. Production expenses, which include lifting costs and ad valorem taxes, were $72.3 million in the Current Quarter compared to $49.6 million in the Prior Quarter. On a unit-of-production basis, production expenses were $0.64 per mcfe in the Current Quarter compared to $0.57 per mcfe in the Prior Quarter. The increase in the Current Quarter was primarily due to higher field service costs and ad valorem taxes on oil and gas properties. We expect that production expenses for the remainder of 2005 will range from $0.68 to $0.72 per mcfe produced.

 

Production Taxes. Production taxes were $47.3 million and $22.8 million in the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter, respectively. On a unit-of-production basis, production taxes were $0.42 per mcfe in the Current Quarter compared to $0.26 per mcfe in the Prior Quarter. The $24.5 million increase in production taxes in the Current Quarter is due primarily to approximately 26.7 bcfe of increased production and the increase in sales prices (excluding gains or losses on derivatives). In general, production taxes are calculated using value-based formulas that produce higher per unit costs when oil and gas prices are higher. We expect production taxes for the remainder of 2005 to range from $0.43 to $0.48 per mcfe based on NYMEX prices of $50 per barrel of oil and natural gas wellhead prices ranging from $5.75 to $8.00 per mcf.

 

General and Administrative Expenses (excluding stock-based compensation). General and administrative expenses, which are net of internal payroll and non-payroll general and administrative costs capitalized in our oil and gas properties, were $9.3 million, or $0.08 per mcfe, in the Current Quarter and $7.4 million, or $0.09 per mcfe, in the Prior Quarter. The $1.9 million increase in the Current Quarter was the result of the company’s growth related to various acquisitions completed in the Current Period and in 2004 and the increase in drilling activity. This growth has resulted in a substantial increase in employees and related costs. We anticipate that general and administrative expenses for the remainder of 2005 will be between $0.10 and $0.12 per mcfe produced, which is approximately the same level as the Current Quarter.

 

Chesapeake follows the full-cost method of accounting under which all costs associated with property acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized. We capitalize internal costs that can be directly identified with our acquisition, exploration and development activities and do not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. We capitalized $23.5 million and $12.4 million of internal costs in the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter, respectively, directly related to our oil and gas exploration and development efforts.

 

Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation was $2.5 million in the Current Quarter and $0.7 million in the Prior Quarter. During the Current Quarter, a nominal number of shares of restricted stock were issued to employees. The cost of all outstanding restricted shares is amortized over a four-year period which resulted in the recognition of $4.1 million during the Current Quarter. Of this amount, $2.2 million was reflected as stock-based compensation expense (a sub-category of general and administrative expenses) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, and the remaining $1.9 million was capitalized to oil and gas properties. We also recognized $0.3 million in stock-based compensation expense in the Current Quarter as a result of modifications made to previously issued stock options. Stock-based compensation was $0.02 per mcfe for the Current Quarter and $0.01 per mcfe for the Prior Quarter. We anticipate that stock-based compensation expense for the remainder of 2005 will be between $0.03 and $0.05 per mcfe produced.

 

Oil and Gas Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization. Depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil and gas properties was $209.4 million and $136.7 million during the Current Quarter and the Prior Quarter, respectively. The average DD&A rate per mcfe, which is a function of capitalized costs, future development costs and the related underlying reserves in the periods presented, was $1.85 and $1.58 in the Current Quarter and in the Prior Quarter, respectively. The $0.27 increase in the average DD&A rate is primarily the result of higher drilling costs and higher costs associated with acquisitions, including the recognition of the tax effect of acquisition costs in excess of tax basis acquired in certain corporate acquisitions. We expect the DD&A rate for the remainder of 2005 to be between $1.85 and $1.95 per mcfe produced.

 

Depreciation and Amortization of Other Assets. Depreciation and amortization of other assets was $11.8 million in the Current Quarter compared to $6.7 million in the Prior Quarter. The increase in the Current Quarter was primarily the result of higher depreciation costs resulting from the acquisition of various gathering facilities, construction of new buildings at our corporate headquarters and the purchase of additional information technology equipment in 2004 and the Current Quarter. Property and equipment costs are depreciated on a straight-line basis.

 

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Table of Contents

Buildings are depreciated over 39 years, drilling rigs are depreciated over 15 years and all other property and equipment are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from two to fifteen years. To the extent drilling rigs are used to drill our wells, the depreciation is capitalized in oil and gas properties as exploration or development costs. We expect depreciation and amortization of other assets for the remainder of 2005 to be between $0.09 and $0.11 per mcfe produced.

 

Interest and Other Income. Interest and other income was $2.0 million in the Current Quarter compared to $1.3 million in the Prior Quarter. The Current Quarter income consisted of $0.4 million of interest income, $1.1 million related to earnings of equity investees and $0.5 million of miscellaneous income. The Prior Quarter income consisted of $0.5 million of interest income, $0.6 million related to earnings of equity investees and $0.2 million of miscellaneous income.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased from $28.8 million in the Prior Quarter to $53.9 million in the Current Quarter as follows:

 

    

Three Months Ended

June 30,


 
     2005

    2004

 
     ($ in millions)  

Interest expense on senior notes and revolving bank credit facility

   $ 71.2     $ 43.8  

Capitalized interest

     (17.9 )     (7.4 )

Amortization of loan discount

     1.4       1.1  

Unrealized (gain) loss on interest rate derivatives

     (0.1 )     (9.1 )

Realized (gain) loss on interest rate derivatives

     (0.7 )     0.4  
    


 


Total interest expense

   $ 53.9     $ 28.8  
    


 


Average long-term borrowings

   $ 3,554     $ 2,240  
    


 


 

The $27.4 million increase in interest expense on senior notes ($21.7 million increase) and revolving bank credit facility ($5.7 million increase) is due to a higher average balance of senior notes outstanding, $3.6 billion in the Current Quarter compared to $2.2 billion in the Prior Quarter, partially offset by a decrease in the average interest rate, 7.2% in the Current Quarter compared to 7.7% in the Prior Quarter. The increase in the credit facility interest expense is the result of higher borrowings and an increase in interest rates.

 

The $10.5 million increase in capitalized interest is the direct result of interest capitalized on our additional investments in unevaluated properties acquired since the Prior Quarter. Interest is capitalized on significant investments in unevaluated properties that are not being currently depreciated, depleted or amortized and on which exploration activities are in progress.

 

Interest expense, excluding unrealized gains or losses on derivatives, was $0.48 per mcfe in the Current Quarter compared to $0.44 per mcfe in the Prior Quarter. We expect interest expense (before considering the effect of interest rate derivatives) for the remainder of 2005 to be between $0.45 and $0.49 per mcfe produced.

 

Loss on Repurchases or Exchanges of Chesapeake Debt. We repurchased or exchanged Chesapeake debt in the Current Quarter and incurred losses in connection with these transactions. The following table shows the losses related to these transactions ($ in millions):

 

    

Notes

Retired


   Loss on Repurchases/Exchanges

      Premium

   Other(a)

   Total

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2005:

                           

8.125% Senior Notes due 2011

   $ 237.8    $ 16.8    $ 4.3    $ 21.1

9.0% Senior Notes due 2012

     298.9      41.3      6.0      47.3
    

  

  

  

     $ 536.7    $ 58.1    $ 10.3    $ 68.4
    

  

  

  


(a) Includes write-offs of discounts, deferred charges and interest rate derivatives associated with notes retired and transaction costs.

 

There were no losses on repurchases or exchanges of Chesapeake debt in the Prior Quarter.

 

Income Tax Expense. Chesapeake recorded income tax expense of $111.4 million in the Current Quarter, compared to income tax expense of $54.7 million in the Prior Quarter. Our effective income tax rate increased to 36.5% in the Current Quarter compared to 36% in the Prior Quarter. The increase in the Current Quarter reflected the impact state income taxes and permanent differences had on our overall effective rate. All 2004 income tax expense was deferred, and we expect most, if not all, of our 2005 income tax expense to be deferred.

 

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Results of Operations — Six Months Ended June 30, 2005 vs. June 30, 2004

 

General. For the Current Period, Chesapeake had net income of $318.8 million, or $0.88 per diluted common share, on total revenues of $1,831.5 million. This compares to net income of $209.7 million, or $0.67 per diluted common share, on total revenues of $1,137.4 million during the Prior Period. The Current Period net income includes, on a pre-tax basis, $29.9 million in net unrealized losses on oil and gas and interest rate derivatives and a $69.3 million loss on repurchases or exchanges of debt. The Prior Period net income included, on a pre-tax basis, $33.8 million in net unrealized losses on oil and gas and interest rate derivatives and a $6.9 million loss on repurchases or exchanges of debt.

 

Oil and Gas Sales. During the Current Period, oil and gas sales were $1,311.3 million compared to $819.5 million in the Prior Period. In the Current Period, Chesapeake produced 217.8 bcfe at a weighted average price of $6.17 per mcfe, compared to 165.4 bcfe produced in the Prior Period at a weighted average price of $5.16 per mcfe (weighted average prices exclude the effect of unrealized gains or (losses) on derivatives of ($33.1) million and ($34.2) million in the Current Period and Prior Period, respectively). In the Current Period, the increase in prices resulted in an increase in revenue of $220.0 million and increased production resulted in a $270.8 million increase, for a total increase in revenues of $490.8 million (excluding unrealized gains or losses on oil and gas derivatives). The increase in production from the Prior Period to the Current Period is due to the combination of production growth generated from drilling as well as acquisitions completed in 2004 and 2005.

 

The change in oil and gas prices has a significant impact on our oil and gas revenues and cash flows. Assuming the Current Period production levels, a change of $0.10 per mcf of gas sold would have resulted in an increase or decrease in revenues and cash flow of approximately $19.5 million and $18.3 million, respectively, and a change of $1.00 per barrel of oil sold would have resulted in an increase or decrease in revenues and cash flow of approximately $3.8 million and $3.5 million, respectively, without considering the effect of derivative activities.

 

For the Current Period, we realized an average price per barrel of oil of $42.32, compared to $27.65 in the Prior Period (weighted average prices for both periods discussed exclude the effect of unrealized gains or losses on derivatives). Natural gas prices realized per mcf (excluding unrealized gains or losses on derivatives) were $6.07 and $5.23 in the Current Period and Prior Period, respectively. Realized gains or losses from our oil and gas derivatives resulted in a net decrease in oil and gas revenues of $4.0 million, or $0.02 per mcfe, in the Current Period and a net decrease of $29.7 million, or $0.18 per mcfe, in the Prior Period.

 

The following table shows our production by region for the Current Period and the Prior Period:

 

     For the Six Months Ended June 30,

 
     2005

    2004

 
     Mmcfe

   Percent

    Mmcfe

   Percent

 

Mid-Continent

   147,381    67 %   126,640    77 %

South Texas and Texas Gulf Coast

   28,078    13     18,728    11  

Ark-La-Tex (including Barnett Shale)

   23,914    11     5,299    3  

Permian Basin

   17,112    8     13,463    8  

Other

   1,322    1     1,306    1  
    
  

 
  

Total Production

   217,807    100 %   165,436    100 %
    
  

 
  

 

Natural gas production represented approximately 90% of our total production volume on an equivalent basis in the Current Period, compared to 89% in the Prior Period.

 

Oil and Gas Marketing Sales and Expenses. Chesapeake realized $520.1 million in oil and gas marketing sales to third parties in the Current Period, with corresponding oil and gas marketing expenses of $507.3 million, for a net margin of $12.8 million. Marketing activities are substantially for third parties that are owners in Chesapeake- operated wells. This compares to sales of $318.0 million, expenses of $310.8 million and a net margin of $7.2 million in the Prior Period. In the Current Period, Chesapeake realized an increase in oil and gas marketing sales volumes and an increase in oil and gas prices.

 

Production Expenses. Production expenses, which include lifting costs and ad valorem taxes, were $141.9 million in the Current Period compared to $94.4 million in the Prior Period. On a unit-of-production basis, production expenses were $0.65 per mcfe in the Current Period compared to $0.57 per mcfe in the Prior Period. The increase in the Current Period was primarily due to higher field service costs and ad valorem taxes on oil and gas properties. We expect that production expenses for the remainder of 2005 will range from $0.68 to $0.72 per mcfe.

 

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Production Taxes. Production taxes were $83.2 million and $37.7 million in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively. On a unit-of-production basis, production taxes were $0.38 per mcfe in the Current Period compared to $0.23 per mcfe in the Prior Period. The $45.5 million increase in production taxes in the Current Period is due primarily to approximately 52.4 bcfe of increased production and the increase in sales price (excluding gains or losses on derivatives). Also included in the Prior Period was a credit of $6.8 million, or $0.04 per mcfe, related to certain Oklahoma severance tax abatements for the period July 2003 through December 2003. In April 2004, the Oklahoma Tax Commission concluded that a pre-determined oil and gas price cap for 2003 sales had not been exceeded (on a statewide basis) and notified the company that it was eligible to receive certain severance tax abatements for the period from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004. The company had previously estimated that the average oil and gas sales prices in Oklahoma (on a statewide basis) could exceed the price cap, and did not reflect the benefit from these potential severance tax abatements until the first quarter of 2004. In general, production taxes are calculated using value-based formulas that produce higher per unit costs when oil and gas prices are higher. We expect production taxes for the remainder of 2005 will range from $0.43 to $0.48 per mcfe based on NYMEX prices of $50 per barrel of oil and natural gas wellhead prices ranging from $5.75 to $8.00 per mcf.

 

General and Administrative Expenses (excluding stock-based compensation). General and administrative expenses, which are net of internal payroll and non-payroll general and administrative costs capitalized in our oil and gas properties, were $18.9 million, or $0.09 per mcfe, in the Current Period and $15.6 million, or $0.09 per mcfe, in the Prior Period. The $3.3 million increase in the Current Period was the result of the company’s growth related to various acquisitions completed in the Current Period and in 2004 and the increase in drilling activity. This growth has resulted in a substantial increase in employees and related costs. We anticipate that general and administrative expenses for the remainder of 2005 will be between $0.10 and $0.12 per mcfe produced, which is approximately the same level as the Current Period.

 

Chesapeake follows the full-cost method of accounting under which all costs associated with property acquisition, exploration and development activities are capitalized. We capitalize internal costs that can be directly identified with our acquisition, exploration and development activities and do not include any costs related to production, general corporate overhead or similar activities. We capitalized $45.8 million and $23.3 million of internal costs in the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively, directly related to our oil and gas exploration and development efforts.

 

Stock-Based Compensation. Stock-based compensation was $4.9 million in the Current Period and $2.5 million in the Prior Period. During the Current Period, 1.8 million shares of restricted stock were issued to employees. The cost of all outstanding restricted shares is amortized over a four-year period which resulted in the recognition of $8.1 million during the Current Period. Of this amount, $4.4 million was reflected as stock-based compensation expense (a sub-category of general and administrative expenses) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, and the remaining $3.7 million was capitalized to oil and gas properties. We also recognized $0.4 million in stock-based compensation expense in the Current Period as a result of modifications made to previously issued stock options and an additional $0.1 million related to the issuance of common stock to a director. Stock-based compensation was $0.02 per mcfe for the Current Period and $0.02 per mcfe for the Prior Period. We anticipate that stock-based compensation expense for the remainder of 2005 will be between $0.03 and $0.05 per mcfe produced.

 

Oil and Gas Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization. Depreciation, depletion and amortization of oil and gas properties was $390.3 million and $256.7 million during the Current Period and the Prior Period, respectively. The average DD&A rate per mcfe, which is a function of capitalized costs, future development costs and the related underlying reserves in the periods presented, was $1.79 and $1.55 in the Current Period and in the Prior Period, respectively. The $0.24 increase in the average DD&A rate is primarily the result of higher drilling costs and higher costs associated with acquisitions, including the recognition of the tax effect of acquisition costs in excess of tax basis acquired in certain corporate acquisitions. We expect the DD&A rate for the remainder of 2005 to be between $1.85 and $1.95 per mcfe produced.

 

Depreciation and Amortization of Other Assets. Depreciation and amortization of other assets was $21.9 million in the Current Period compared to $12.5 million in the Prior Period. The increase in the Current Period was primarily the result of higher depreciation costs resulting from the acquisition of various gathering facilities, construction of new buildings at our corporate headquarters and the purchase of additional information technology equipment in 2004 and the Current Period. Property and equipment costs are depreciated on a straight-line basis. Buildings are depreciated over 39 years, drilling rigs are depreciated over 15 years and all other property and equipment are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from two to fifteen years. To the extent drilling rigs are used to drill our wells, the depreciation is capitalized in oil and gas properties as exploration or development costs. We expect depreciation and amortization of other assets for the remainder of 2005 to be between $0.09 and $0.11 per mcfe produced.

 

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Interest and Other Income. Interest and other income was $5.4 million in the Current Period compared to $2.7 million in the Prior Period. The Current Period income consisted of $3.1 million of interest income, $1.2 million related to earnings of equity investees and $1.1 million of miscellaneous income. The Prior Period income consisted of $0.9 million of interest income, $1.1 million related to earnings of equity investees and $0.7 million of miscellaneous income.

 

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased from $75.4 million in the Prior Period to $97.0 million in the Current Period as follows:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,


 
     2005

    2004

 
     ($ in millions)  

Interest expense on senior notes and revolving bank credit facility

   $ 133.1     $ 86.7  

Capitalized interest

     (33.9 )     (12.7 )

Amortization of loan discount

     2.8       2.1  

Unrealized gain on interest rate derivatives

     (3.2 )     (0.3 )

Realized gain on interest rate derivatives

     (1.8 )     (0.4 )
    


 


Total interest expense

   $ 97.0     $ 75.4  
    


 


Average long-term borrowings

   $ 3,356     $ 2,188  
    


 


 

The $46.4 million increase in interest expense on senior notes ($37.1 million increase) and revolving bank credit facility ($9.3 million increase) is due to a higher average balance of senior notes outstanding, $3.4 billion in the Current Period compared to $2.2 billion in the Prior Period, partially offset by a decrease in the average interest rate, 7.2% in the Current Period compared to 7.8% in the Prior Period. The increase in the credit facility interest expense is the result of higher borrowings and an increase in interest rates.

 

The $21.2 million increase in capitalized interest is the direct result of interest capitalized on our additional investments in unevaluated properties acquired since the Prior Period. Interest is capitalized on significant investments in unevaluated properties that are not being currently depreciated, depleted or amortized and on which exploration activities are in progress.

 

Interest expense, excluding unrealized gains or losses on derivatives, was $0.46 per mcfe in the Current Period and Prior Period. We expect interest expense (before considering the effect of interest rate derivatives) for the remainder of 2005 to be between $0.45 and $0.49 per mcfe produced.

 

Loss on Repurchases or Exchanges of Chesapeake Debt. We have repurchased or exchanged Chesapeake debt and incurred losses in connection with these transactions. The following table shows the losses related to these transactions ($ in millions):

 

    

Notes

Retired


   Loss on Repurchases/Exchanges

      Premium

   Other(a)

   Total

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2005:

                           

8.375% Senior Notes due 2008

   $ 11.0    $ 0.8    $ 0.1    $ 0.9

8.125% Senior Notes due 2011

     237.8      16.8      4.3      21.1

9.0% Senior Notes due 2012

     298.9      41.3      6.0      47.3
    

  

  

  

     $ 547.7    $ 58.9    $ 10.4    $ 69.3
    

  

  

  

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2004:

                           

7.875% Senior Notes due 2004

   $ 42.1    $ —      $ —      $ —  

8.5% Senior Notes due 2012

     4.3      0.2      0.7      0.9

8.125% Senior Notes due 2011

     482.8      —        6.0      6.0

7.75% Senior Notes due 2015

     9.1      —        —        —  
    

  

  

  

     $ 538.3    $ 0.2    $ 6.7    $ 6.9
    

  

  

  


(a) Includes write-offs of discounts, deferred charges and interest rate derivatives associated with notes retired and transaction costs.

 

Income Tax Expense. Chesapeake recorded income tax expense of $183.2 million in the Current Period, compared to income tax expense of $118.0 million in the Prior Period. Our effective income tax rate increased to 36.5% in the Current Period compared to 36% in the Prior Period. The increase in the Current Period reflected the impact state income taxes and permanent differences had on our overall effective rate. All 2004 income tax expense was deferred, and we expect most, if not all, of our 2005 income tax expense to be deferred.

 

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Critical Accounting Policies

 

We consider accounting policies related to hedging, oil and gas properties, income taxes and business combinations to be critical policies. These policies are summarized in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission recently issued the following standards which were reviewed by Chesapeake to determine the potential impact on our financial statements upon adoption.

 

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 123(R), Share-Based Payment, a revision of SFAS 123, accounting for stock-based compensation. This statement establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services by requiring a public entity to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award. This statement is effective as of the beginning of the annual reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005.

 

Chesapeake will implement SFAS 123(R) in the first quarter of 2006 and the Black-Scholes option pricing model will be used to value the stock options as of the grant date. Based on the stock options outstanding and unvested at June 30, 2005 and our current intention to limit future awards of stock options, we do not believe the new accounting requirement will have a significant impact on future results of operations.

 

In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. (FIN) 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations. FIN 47 specifies the accounting treatment for conditional asset retirement obligations under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143. FIN 47 is effective no later than the end of the fiscal year ending after December 15, 2005. Implementation of FIN 47 is not expected to have a material effect on our financial statements.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements give our current expectations or forecasts of future events. They include statements regarding oil and gas reserve estimates, planned capital expenditures, the drilling of oil and gas wells and future acquisitions, expected oil and gas production, cash flow and anticipated liquidity, business strategy and other plans and objectives for future operations and expected future expenses. Statements concerning the fair values of derivative contracts and their estimated contribution to our future results of operations are based upon market information as of a specific date. These market prices are subject to significant volatility.

 

Although we believe the expectations and forecasts reflected in these and other forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance they will prove to have been correct. They can be affected by inaccurate assumptions or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results are described under “Risk Factors” in Item 1 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and include:

 

    the volatility of oil and gas prices,

 

    our level of indebtedness,

 

    the strength and financial resources of our competitors,

 

    the availability of capital on an economic basis to fund reserve replacement costs,

 

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

 

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    our ability to replace reserves and sustain production,

 

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

 

    unsuccessful exploration and development drilling,

 

    declines in the value of our oil and gas properties resulting in ceiling test write-downs,

 

    lower prices realized on oil and gas sales and collateral required to secure hedging liabilities resulting from our commodity price risk management activities and

 

    drilling and operating risks.

 

We caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report, and we undertake no obligation to update this information. We urge you to carefully review and consider the disclosures made in this report and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business.

 

ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Oil and Gas Hedging Activities

 

Our results of operations and operating cash flows are impacted by changes in market prices for oil and gas. To mitigate a portion of the exposure to adverse market changes, we have entered into various derivative instruments. As of June 30, 2005, our oil and gas derivative instruments were comprised of swaps, cap-swaps, basis protection swaps, call options and collars. These instruments allow us to predict with greater certainty the effective oil and gas prices to be received for our hedged production. Although derivatives often fail to achieve 100% effectiveness for accounting purposes, we believe our derivative instruments continue to be highly effective in achieving the risk management objectives for which they were intended.

 

    For swap instruments, Chesapeake receives a fixed price for the hedged commodity and pays a floating market price to the counterparty. The fixed-price payment and the floating-price payment are netted, resulting in a net amount due to or from the counterparty.

 

    For cap-swaps, Chesapeake receives a fixed price and pays a floating market price. The fixed price received by Chesapeake includes a premium in exchange for a “cap” limiting the counterparty’s exposure. In other words, there is no limit to Chesapeake’s exposure but there is a limit to the downside exposure of the counterparty.

 

    Basis protection swaps are arrangements that guarantee a price differential for oil or gas from a specified delivery point. Chesapeake receives a payment from the counterparty if the price differential is greater than the stated terms of the contract and pays the counterparty if the price differential is less than the stated terms of the contract.

 

    For call options, Chesapeake receives a cash premium from the counterparty in exchange for the sale of a call option. If the market price exceeds the fixed price of the call option, then Chesapeake pays the counterparty such excess. If the market price settles below the fixed price of the call option, no payment is due from Chesapeake.

 

    Collars contain a fixed floor price (put) and ceiling price (call). If the market price exceeds the call strike price or falls below the put strike price, Chesapeake receives the fixed price and pays the market price. If the market price is between the call and the put strike price, no payments are due from either party.

 

Chesapeake enters into counter-swaps from time to time for the purpose of locking-in the value of a swap. Under the counter-swap, Chesapeake receives a floating price for the hedged commodity and pays a fixed price to the counterparty. The counter-swap is 100% effective in locking-in the value of a swap since subsequent changes in the market value of the swap are entirely offset by subsequent changes in the market value of the counter-swap. We refer to this locked-in value as a locked swap. At the time Chesapeake enters into a counter-swap, Chesapeake removes the original swap’s designation as a cash flow hedge and classifies the original swap as a non-qualifying

 

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hedge under SFAS 133. The reason for this new designation is that collectively the swap and the counter-swap no longer hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows. Instead, the swap and counter-swap effectively lock-in a specific gain (or loss) that will be unaffected by subsequent variability in oil and gas prices. Any locked-in gain or loss is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified to oil and gas sales in the month of related production.

 

With respect to counter-swaps that are designed to lock-in the value of cap-swaps, the counter-swap is effective in locking-in the value of the cap-swap until the floating price reaches the cap (or floor) stipulated in the cap-swap agreement. The value of the counter-swap will increase (or decrease), but in the opposite direction, as the value of the cap-swap decreases (or increases) until the floating price reaches the pre-determined cap (or floor) stipulated in the cap-swap agreement. However, because of the written put option embedded in the cap-swap, the changes in value of the cap-swap are not completely effective in offsetting changes in value of the corresponding counter-swap. Changes in the value of cap-swaps and the counter-swaps are recorded as adjustments to oil and gas sales.

 

In accordance with FASB Interpretation No. 39, to the extent that a legal right of setoff exists, Chesapeake nets the value of its derivative arrangements with the same counterparty in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

 

Chesapeake enters into basis protection swaps for the purpose of locking-in a price differential for oil or gas from a specified delivery point. We currently have basis protection swaps covering four different delivery points which correspond to the actual prices we receive for much of our gas production. By entering into these basis protection swaps, we have effectively reduced our exposure to market changes in future gas price differentials. As of June 30, 2005, the fair value of our basis protection swaps was $128.1 million. As of June 30, 2005, our basis protection swaps cover approximately 44% of our anticipated gas production remaining in 2005, 28% in 2006, 25% in 2007, 22% in 2008 and 16% in 2009.

 

Gains or losses from derivative transactions are reflected as adjustments to oil and gas sales on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Realized gains (losses) included in oil and gas sales were ($44.4) million, ($55.3) million, ($4.0) million and ($29.7) million in the Current Quarter, Prior Quarter, Current Period and Prior Period, respectively. Pursuant to SFAS 133, certain derivatives do not qualify for designation as cash flow hedges. Changes in the fair value of these non-qualifying derivatives that occur prior to their maturity (i.e., temporary fluctuations in value) are reported currently in the consolidated statements of operations as unrealized gains (losses) within oil and gas sales. Unrealized gains (losses) included in oil and gas sales were $84.1 million, ($20.2) million, ($33.1) million and ($34.2) million, in the Current Quarter, Prior Quarter, Current Period and Prior Period, respectively.

 

Following provisions of SFAS 133, changes in the fair value of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, to the extent they are effective in offsetting cash flows attributable to the hedged risk, are recorded in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Any change in fair value resulting from ineffectiveness is recognized currently in oil and gas sales as unrealized gains (losses). We recorded a gain (loss) on ineffectiveness of $1.2 million, ($8.0) million, $0.6 million and ($15.2) million in the Current Quarter, Prior Quarter, Current Period and Prior Period, respectively.

 

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As of June 30, 2005, we had the following open oil and gas derivative instruments designed to hedge a portion of our oil and gas production for periods after June 2005:

 

     Volume

   

Weighted-

Average Fixed
Price to be
Received (Paid)


    Weighted
Average
Put
Fixed
Price


  

Weighted-

Average
Call

Fixed
Price


   Weighted-
Average
Differential


    SFAS 133
Hedge


   Premiums
Received


  

Fair

Value at June
30, 2005

($ in thousands)


 

Natural Gas (mmbtu):

                                                        

Swaps:

                                                        

2005 Remaining

   82,490,000     $ 7.02     $ —      $ —      $ —       Yes    $ —      $ (21,032 )

2006

   90,235,000       7.45       —        —        —       Yes      —        (53,142 )

2007

   9,900,000       8.24       —        —        —       Yes      —        (3,516 )

Basis Protection Swaps:

                                                        

2005 Remaining

   96,280,000       —         —        —        (0.27 )   No      —        25,520  

2006

   130,140,000       —         —        —        (0.32 )   No      —        26,564  

2007

   126,495,000       —         —        —        (0.28 )   No      —        31,138  

2008

   118,610,000       —         —        —        (0.27 )   No      —        28,121  

2009

   86,600,000       —         —        —        (0.29 )   No      —        16,777  

Cap-Swaps:

                                                        

2005 Remaining

   42,640,000       6.30       4.66      —        —       No      —        (46,129 )

2006

   42,950,000       6.90       5.12      —        —       No      —        (51,358 )

Counter Swaps:

                                                        

2006

   (7,300,000 )     (5.59 )     —        —        —       No      —        17,537  

Call Options:

                                                        

2005 Remaining

   3,680,000       —         —        5.79      —       No      1,638      (5,940 )

Collars:

                                                        

2005 Remaining

   2,968,000       —         3.59      5.37      —       Yes      —        (5,262 )

2006

   180,000       —         6.00      9.70      —       Yes      —        —    

Locked Swaps:

                                                        

2005 Remaining

   16,560,000       —         —        —        —       No      —        (21,687 )

2006

   25,550,000       —         —        —        —       No      —        (22,601 )

2007

   25,550,000       —         —        —        —       No      —        (11,626 )
                                             

  


Total Natural Gas

                                              1,638      (96,636 )
                                             

  


Oil (bbls):

                                                        

Swaps:

                                                        

2005 Remaining

   1,272,000       55.63       —        —        —       Yes      —        (3,618 )

2006

   2,341,000       56.58       —        —        —       Yes      —        (5,264 )

2007

   590,000       53.33       —        —        —       Yes      —        (2,526 )

Cap-Swaps:

                                                        

2005 Remaining

   552,000       44.35       33.33      —        —       No      —        (7,897 )

2006

   501,500       57.58       40.54      —        —       No      —        (2,236 )
                                             

  


Total Oil

                                              —        (21,541 )
                                             

  


Total Natural Gas and Oil

                                            $ 1,638    $ (118,177 )
                                             

  


 

We have established the fair value of all derivative instruments using estimates of fair value reported by our counterparties and subsequently evaluated internally using established index prices and other sources. The actual contribution to our future results of operations will be based on the market prices at the time of settlement and may be more or less than the fair value estimates used at June 30, 2005.

 

Based upon the market prices at June 30, 2005, we expect to transfer approximately $51.5 million (net of income taxes) of the loss included in the balance in accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next 12 months when the transactions actually occur. All transactions hedged as of June 30, 2005 are expected to mature by December 31, 2007, with the exception of our basis protection swaps which extend through 2009.

 

 

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Additional information concerning the fair value of our oil and gas derivative instruments is as follows:

 

     2005

 
     ($ in thousands)  

Fair value of contracts outstanding, as of January 1

   $ 38,350  

Change in fair value of contracts during the period

     (160,532 )

Contracts realized or otherwise settled during the period

     4,005  
    


Fair value of contracts outstanding, as of June 30

   $ (118,177 )
    


 

The change in the fair value of our derivative instruments since January 1, 2005 resulted from the settlement of derivatives for a realized gain as well as an increase in oil and natural gas prices. Derivative instruments reflected as current in the condensed consolidated balance sheet represent the estimated fair value of derivative instrument settlements scheduled to occur over the subsequent twelve-month period based on market prices for oil and gas as of the condensed consolidated balance sheet date. The derivative settlement amounts are not due and payable until the month in which the related underlying hedged transaction occurs.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The table below presents principal cash flows and related weighted average interest rates by expected maturity dates. As of June 30, 2005, the fair value of the fixed-rate long-term debt has been estimated based on quoted market prices.

 

     Years of Maturity

 
     2005

   2006

   2007

   2008

    2009

   Thereafter

    Total

    Fair Value

 

Liabilities:

                                                            

Long-term debt — fixed-rate(a)

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ 8.0     $ —      $ 3,743.4     $ 3,751.4     $ 3,865.7  

Average interest rate

     —        —        —        8.4 %     —        6.9 %     6.9 %     6.9 %

Long-term debt — variable rate

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —       $ —      $ 455.0     $ 455.0     $ 455.0  

Average interest rate

     —        —        —        —         —        4.6 %     4.6 %     4.6 %

(a) This amount does not include the discount included in long-term debt of ($87.3) million and the premium for interest rate swaps of $6.8 million.

 

Changes in interest rates affect the amount of interest we earn on our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and the interest rate we pay on borrowings under our revolving bank credit facility. All of our other long-term indebtedness is fixed rate and therefore does not expose us to the risk of earnings or cash flow loss due to changes in market interest rates. However, changes in interest rates do affect the fair value of our debt.

 

Interest Rate Derivatives

 

We use interest rate derivatives to mitigate our exposure to the volatility in interest rates. For interest rate derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges (in accordance with SFAS 133), changes in fair value of interest rate derivatives are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets as assets (liabilities) and the debt’s carrying value amount is adjusted by the change in the fair value of the debt subsequent to the initiation of the derivative. Any resulting differences are recorded currently as ineffectiveness in the consolidated statements of operations as an adjustment to interest expense. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments not qualifying as fair value hedges are recorded currently as adjustments to interest expense.

 

As of June 30, 2005, the following interest rate swap was used to convert a portion of our long-term fixed-rate debt to floating-rate debt was outstanding:

 

Term


  

Notional

Amount


  

Fixed

Rate


   

Floating Rate


  

Fair Value

Gain (Loss)


 
                     ($ in thousands)  

September 2004 – August 2012

   $ 75,000,000    9.000 %   6 month LIBOR plus 452 basis points    $ (714 )

 

Subsequent to June 30, 2005, we entered into the following interest rate swaps (which qualify as fair value hedges) to convert a portion of our long-term fixed-rate debt to floating-rate debt:

 

Term


  

Notional

Amount


  

Fixed

Rate


   

Floating Rate


July 2005 – January 2015

   $ 150,000,000    7.750 %   6 month LIBOR plus 289 basis points

July 2005 – June 2014

   $ 150,000,000    7.500 %   6 month LIBOR plus 282 basis points

August 2005 – August 2014

   $ 200,000,000    7.000 %   6 month LIBOR plus 205.5 basis points

 

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In the Current Quarter and Current Period, we closed various interest rate swaps for gains totaling $4.3 million and $5.1 million, respectively. These interest rate swaps were designated as fair value hedges, and the settlement amounts received will be amortized as a reduction to realized interest expense over the remaining terms of the related senior notes.

 

In March 2004, Chesapeake entered into an interest rate swap which required Chesapeake to pay a fixed rate of 8.68% while the counterparty paid Chesapeake a floating rate of six month LIBOR plus 0.75% on a notional amount of $142.7 million. On March 15, 2005, we elected to terminate the interest rate swap and paid $31.8 million to the counterparty.

 

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Chesapeake in reports filed or submitted by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. At the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of Chesapeake management, including Chesapeake’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of Chesapeake’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

No changes in Chesapeake’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the Current Quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Chesapeake’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

Chesapeake is currently involved in various disputes incidental to its business operations. Management is of the opinion that the final resolution of currently pending or threatened litigation is not likely to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

The following table presents information about repurchases of our common stock during the three months ended June 30, 2005:

 

Period


  

Total Number

of Shares

Purchased(a)


  

Average

Price Paid

Per Share(a)


  

Total Number of

Shares Purchased

as Part of Publicly

Announced Plans

or Programs


  

Maximum Number

of Shares That May

Yet Be Purchased

Under the Plans

or Programs(b)


April 1, 2005 through April 30, 2005

   27,174    $ 19.654    —      —  

May 1, 2005 through May 31, 2005

   56,089      19.231    —      —  

June 1, 2005 through June 30, 2005

   16,764      22.559    —      —  
    
  

  
  

Total

   100,027    $ 19.904    —      —  
    
  

  
  

(a) Includes 97,089 shares purchased in the open market for the matching contributions we make to our 401(k) plans and the surrender to the company of 2,938 shares of common stock to pay withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of employee restricted stock.
(b) We make matching contributions to our 401(k) plans and 401(k) make-up plan using Chesapeake common stock which is held in treasury or is purchased by the respective plan trustees in the open market. The plans contain no limitation on the number of shares that may be purchased for purposes of company contributions.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

Three matters were submitted to a vote of the shareholders at Chesapeake’s annual meeting of shareholders held on June 10, 2005: the election of directors for three year terms expiring in 2008, approval of the company’s Long Term Incentive Plan covering awards of stock-based compensation to its employees, consultants and non-employee directors and approval of the Founder Well Participation Program which permits the company’s two founders, Aubrey K. McClendon and Tom L. Ward, to continue participating as working interest owners in the wells that the company drills in the future.

 

In the election of directors, Aubrey K. McClendon received 275,023,161 votes for election and 14,536,458 votes were withheld from voting for Mr. McClendon; and Donald L. Nickles received 282,469,884 votes for election and 7,089,735 votes were withheld from voting for Mr. Nickles. There were no broker non-votes for the election of directors. The other directors whose terms continue after the meeting are Breene M. Kerr and Charles T. Maxwell, whose terms expire in 2006, and Tom L. Ward, Frank A. Keating and Frederick B. Whittemore, whose terms expire in 2007. Shannon Self, a director of the Company since 1993, advised the Board of Directors on April 21, 2005 that he would not stand for re-election at the expiration of his term at the meeting.

 

On the proposal to adopt the Long Term Incentive Plan, 159,556,528 votes were received for approval of the plan, 47,734,116 votes were received against approval of the plan and holders of 3,671,650 shares abstained from voting on this proposal. There were 78,597,325 broker non-votes on this proposal.

 

On the proposal to approve the Founder Well Participation Program, 214,568,187 votes were received for approval of the program, 70,724,971 votes were received against approval of the program and holders of 4,266,460 shares abstained from voting on this proposal. There was one broker non-vote on this proposal.

 

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Item 5. Other Information

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are filed as a part of this report:

 

Exhibit

Number


 

Description


3.1.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to Chesapeake’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
3.1.2   Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, as amended. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.2 to Chesapeake’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
3.1.3*   Certificate of Designation of 6% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, as amended.
3.1.4   Certificate of Designation of 5% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (Series 2003), as amended. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.4 to Chesapeake’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
3.1.5*   Certificate of Designation of 4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, as amended.
3.1.6   Certificate of Designation of 5% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (Series 2005), as amended. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.6 to Chesapeake’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
4.1.1*   Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of May 27, 2004 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 7.50% Senior Notes due 2014.
4.2.1*   Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of August 2, 2004 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 7.00% Senior Notes due 2014.
4.3.1   Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 21, 2005 to Indenture dated as of April 6, 2001 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York (formerly United States Trust Company of New York), as Trustee, with respect to 8.125% Senior Notes due 2011. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-K filed June 23, 2005.
4.4.1*   Twelfth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of November 5, 2001 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 8.375% Senior Notes due 2008.
4.5.1   Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 21, 2005 to Indenture dated as of August 12, 2002 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 9.0% Senior Notes due 2012. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-K filed June 23, 2005.
4.6.1*   Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of December 20, 2002 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 7.75% Senior Notes due 2015.

 

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4.9.1*   Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of March 5, 2003 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 7.50% Senior Notes due 2013.
4.10.1*   Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of November 26, 2003 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 6.875% Senior Notes due 2016.
4.11.1   Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 13, 2005 to Indenture dated as of December 8, 2004 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, with respect to 6.375% Senior Notes due 2015. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2.1 to Chesapeake’s registration statement on Form S-4/A (No. 333-123634) filed May 23, 2005.
4.11.2*   Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of December 8, 2004 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, with respect to 6.375% Senior Notes due 2015.
4.12.1*   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of April 19, 2005 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, with respect to 6.625% Senior Notes due 2016.
4.13*   Indenture dated as of June 20, 2005 among Chesapeake, as Issuer, the subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, with respect to 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018.
4.14   Registration Rights Agreement dated June 20, 2005 between Chesapeake and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, with respect to 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Chesapeake’s registration statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-126476) filed July 8, 2005.
10.1.18   Long Term Incentive Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit A to Chesapeake’s definitive proxy statement for its 2005 annual meeting of shareholders filed April 29, 2005.
10.1.18.1   Form of Non-Employee Director Stock Option Agreement for the Long Term Incentive Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1.18.1 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-K filed June 16, 2005.
10.1.18.2   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for the Long Term Incentive Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1.18.2 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-K filed June 16, 2005.
10.1.18.3   Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement for the Long Term Incentive Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1.18.3 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-K filed June 16, 2005.
10.1.19   Founder Well Participation Program. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit B to Chesapeake’s definitive proxy statement for its 2005 annual meeting of shareholders filed April 29, 2005.
10.2.1   Fourth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 2005, between Aubrey K. McClendon and Chesapeake. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2.1 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-K filed June 16, 2005.

 

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10.2.2   Fourth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 2005, between Tom L. Ward and Chesapeake. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2.2 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-K filed June 16, 2005.
10.4*   Non-Employee Director Compensation
10.5*   Named Executive Officer Compensation
12*   Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.
21*   Subsidiaries of Chesapeake.
31.1*   Aubrey K. McClendon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*   Marcus C. Rowland, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1**   Aubrey K. McClendon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2**   Marcus C. Rowland, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

* Filed herewith.
** Furnished as provided in Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

 

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Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
    (Registrant)
By:  

/s/ AUBREY K. MCCLENDON


    Aubrey K. McClendon
    Chairman of the Board and
    Chief Executive Officer
By:  

/s/ MARCUS C. ROWLAND


    Marcus C. Rowland
    Executive Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: August 8, 2005

 

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Table of Contents

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Number


 

Description


3.1.1   Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to Chesapeake’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
3.1.2   Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, as amended. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.2 to Chesapeake’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
3.1.3*   Certificate of Designation of 6% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, as amended.
3.1.4   Certificate of Designation of 5% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (Series 2003), as amended. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.4 to Chesapeake’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
3.1.5*   Certificate of Designation of 4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, as amended.
3.1.6   Certificate of Designation of 5% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (Series 2005), as amended. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.6 to Chesapeake’s Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
4.1.1*   Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of May 27, 2004 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 7.50% Senior Notes due 2014.
4.2.1*   Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of August 2, 2004 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 7.00% Senior Notes due 2014.
4.3.1   Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 21, 2005 to Indenture dated as of April 6, 2001 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York (formerly United States Trust Company of New York), as Trustee, with respect to 8.125% Senior Notes due 2011. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-K filed June 23, 2005.
4.4.1*   Twelfth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of November 5, 2001 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 8.375% Senior Notes due 2008.
4.5.1   Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as of June 21, 2005 to Indenture dated as of August 12, 2002 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 9.0% Senior Notes due 2012. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-K filed June 23, 2005.
4.6.1*   Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of December 20, 2002 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 7.75% Senior Notes due 2015.
4.9.1*   Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of March 5, 2003 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 7.50% Senior Notes due 2013.

 

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4.10.1*   Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of November 26, 2003 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee, with respect to 6.875% Senior Notes due 2016.
4.11.1   Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of May 13, 2005 to Indenture dated as of December 8, 2004 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, with respect to 6.375% Senior Notes due 2015. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2.1 to Chesapeake’s registration statement on Form S-4/A (No. 333-123634) filed May 23, 2005.
4.11.2*   Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of December 8, 2004 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, with respect to 6.375% Senior Notes due 2015.
4.12.1*   First Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005 to Indenture dated as of April 19, 2005 among Chesapeake, as issuer, its subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors, and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, with respect to 6.625% Senior Notes due 2016.
4.13*   Indenture dated as of June 20, 2005 among Chesapeake, as Issuer, the subsidiaries signatory thereto, as Subsidiary Guarantors and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, with respect to 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018.
4.14   Registration Rights Agreement dated June 20, 2005 between Chesapeake and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, with respect to 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Chesapeake’s registration statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-126476) filed July 8, 2005.
10.1.18   Long Term Incentive Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit A to Chesapeake’s definitive proxy statement for its 2005 annual meeting of shareholders filed April 29, 2005.
10.1.18.1   Form of Non-Employee Director Stock Option Agreement for the Long Term Incentive Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1.18.1 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-K filed June 16, 2005.
10.1.18.2   Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement for the Long Term Incentive Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1.18.2 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-K filed June 16, 2005.
10.1.18.3   Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement for the Long Term Incentive Plan. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1.18.3 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-K filed June 16, 2005.
10.1.19   Founder Well Participation Program. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit B to Chesapeake’s definitive proxy statement for its 2005 annual meeting of shareholders filed April 29, 2005.
10.2.1   Fourth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 2005, between Aubrey K. McClendon and Chesapeake. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2.1 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-K filed June 16, 2005.
10.2.2   Fourth Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 2005, between Tom L. Ward and Chesapeake. Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2.2 to Chesapeake’s Form 8-K filed June 16, 2005.
10.4*   Non-Employee Director Compensation
10.5*   Named Executive Officer Compensation
12*   Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.

 

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21*   Subsidiaries of Chesapeake.
31.1*   Aubrey K. McClendon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*   Marcus C. Rowland, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1**   Aubrey K. McClendon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2**   Marcus C. Rowland, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

* Filed herewith.
** Furnished as provided in Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

 

44

EX-3.1.3 2 dex313.htm CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF 6% CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK Certificate of Designation of 6% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock

Exhibit 3.1.3

 

EXECUTION COPY

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION

OF

6.00% CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

OF

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

Pursuant to Section 1032(G) of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION, an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify that the following resolution was duly adopted by action of the Board of Directors of the Company, with the provisions thereof fixing the number of shares of the series and the dividend rate being set by action of the Board of Directors of the Company:

 

RESOLVED that pursuant to the authority expressly granted to and vested in the Board of Directors of the Company by the provisions of Article IV, Section 1 of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and pursuant to Section 1032(G) of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, the Board of Directors hereby creates a series of preferred stock of the Company and hereby states that the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of which, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof (in addition to the provisions set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation which are applicable to the preferred stock of all classes and series), shall be as follows:

 

1. Designation and Amount; Ranking. (a) There shall be created from the 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company authorized to be issued pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, a series of preferred stock, designated as the “6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock,” par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), and the number of shares of such series shall be 4,600,000. Such number of shares may be decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Preferred Stock to a number less than that of the shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding plus the number of shares issuable upon exercise of options or rights then outstanding.


(b) The Preferred Stock will, with respect to both dividend rights and rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company, rank on a parity with the 6.75% Preferred Stock, and the Preferred Stock will, with respect to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company rank (i) senior to all Junior Stock, (ii) on a parity with all other Parity Stock and (iii) junior to all Senior Stock.

 

2. Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(1) “Accrued Dividends” shall mean, with respect to any share of Preferred Stock, as of any date, the accrued and unpaid dividends on such share from and including the most recent Dividend Payment Date (or the Issue Date, if such date is prior to the first Dividend Payment Date) to but not including such date.

 

(2) “Accumulated Dividends” shall mean, with respect to any share of Preferred Stock, as of any date, the aggregate accumulated and unpaid dividends on such share from the Issue Date until the most recent Dividend Payment Date on or prior to such date. There shall be no Accumulated Dividends with respect to any share of Preferred Stock prior to the first Dividend Payment Date.

 

(3) “Affiliate” shall have the meaning ascribed to it, on the date hereof, under Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(4) “Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company or, with respect to any action to be taken by the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors duly authorized to take such action.

 

(5) “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

 

(6) “Change of Control” shall mean any of the following events: (i) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (determined on a consolidated basis) to any Person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than to Permitted Holders; (ii) the adoption of a plan the consummation of which would result in the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (iii) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any Person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than Permitted Holders, of beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; provided, however, that the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly

 

2


or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company than such other Person or group and do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the Board of Directors (for the purposes of this definition, such other Person or group shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of a specified corporation held by a parent corporation, if such other Person or group is the beneficial owner (as defined above), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent corporation and the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as defined in this proviso), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent corporation and do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the Board of Directors of such parent corporation); or (iv) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period comprised the Board of Directors of the Company (together with any new directors whose election by such Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company was approved by a vote of 66 2/3% of the directors of the Company then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company then in office. For purposes of this definition of “Change of Control,” the term “Permitted Holders” means Aubrey K. McClendon and Tom L. Ward and their respective Affiliates.

 

(7) “Change of Control Date” shall mean the date on which the Change of Control event occurs.

 

(8) “Conversion Price” shall mean $10.287, subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 7(c).

 

(9) “Common Stock” shall mean the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, or any other class of stock resulting from successive changes or reclassifications of such common stock consisting solely of changes in par value, or from par value to no par value, or as a result of a subdivision, combination, or merger, consolidation or similar transaction in which the Company is a constituent corporation.

 

(10) “DTC” or “Depository” means The Depository Trust Company.

 

(11) “Dividend Payment Date” shall mean March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2003.

 

(12) “Dividend Record Date” shall mean March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year.

 

3


(13) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(14) “Holder” or “holder” shall mean a holder of record of the Preferred Stock.

 

(15) “Issue Date” shall mean March 5, 2003, the original date of issuance of the Preferred Stock.

 

(16) “Junior Stock” shall mean all classes of common stock of the Company and the Series A Junior Participating Convertible Preferred Stock and each other class of capital stock or series of preferred stock established after the Issue Date, by the Board of Directors, the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series ranks senior to or on parity with the Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company.

 

(17) “Liquidation Preference” shall mean, with respect to each share of Preferred Stock, $50.

 

(18) “Market Value” shall mean the average closing price of the Common Stock for a five consecutive trading day period on the NYSE (or such other national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is then listed or authorized for quotation or, if the Common Stock is not so listed or authorized for quotation, an amount determined in good faith by the Board of Directors to be the fair value of the Common Stock).

 

(19) “NYSE” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

 

(20) “Officer” means the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.

 

(21) “Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers.

 

(22) “Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Transfer Agent. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Transfer Agent.

 

(23) “Parity Stock” shall mean the 6.75% Preferred Stock and any class of capital stock or series of preferred stock established after the Issue Date by the Board of Directors, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank on parity with the Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company.

 

4


(24) “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

(25) “Purchase Agreement” shall mean that certain Purchase Agreement with respect to the Preferred Stock, dated February 27, 2003, among the Company, Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Salomon Smith Barney Inc. and the other initial purchasers named therein.

 

(26) “Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement dated March 5, 2003, among the Company, Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, Salomon Smith Barney Inc. and the other initial purchasers named in the Purchase Agreement, with respect to the Preferred Stock.

 

(27) “SEC” or “Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(28) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(29) “Senior Stock” shall mean each class of capital stock or series of preferred stock established after the Issue Date by the Board of Directors, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank senior to the Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company.

 

(30) “Shelf Registration Statement” shall mean a shelf registration statement filed with the SEC to cover resales of Transfer Restricted Securities by holders thereof, as required by the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

(31) “6.75% Preferred Stock” shall mean the series of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company designated as the “6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.”

 

(32) “Transfer Agent” shall mean UMB Bank, N.A., the Company’s duly appointed transfer agent, registrar and conversion and dividend disbursing agent for the Preferred Stock. The Company may, in its sole discretion, remove the Transfer Agent with 10 days’ prior notice to the Transfer Agent; provided, that the Company shall appoint a successor Transfer Agent who shall accept such appointment prior to the effectiveness or such removal.

 

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(33) “Transfer Restricted Securities” shall mean each share of Preferred Stock (or the shares of Common Stock into which such share of Preferred Stock is convertible) until (i) the date on which such security or its predecessor has been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement or (ii) the date on which such security or predecessor is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or is saleable pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.

 

(34) “Voting Rights Triggering Event” shall mean the failure of the Company to pay dividends on the Preferred Stock with respect to six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive).

 

(35) “Voting Stock” shall mean, with respect to any Person, securities of any class or classes of Capital Stock in such Person entitling the holders thereof (whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has voting power by reason of contingency) to vote in the election of members of the Board of Directors or other governing body of such Person. For purposes of this definition, “Capital Stock” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock or partnership interests and any and all warrants, options and rights with respect thereto (whether or not currently exercisable), including each class of common stock and preferred stock of such Person.

 

3. Dividends.

 

(1) The holders of shares of the outstanding Preferred Stock shall be entitled, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds of the Company legally available therefor, to receive cumulative cash dividends at the rate per annum of 6.00% per share on the Liquidation Preference (equivalent to $3.00 per annum per share), payable quarterly in arrears (the “Dividend Rate”). The Dividend Rate may be increased in the circumstances described in Section 3(b) below. Dividends payable for each full dividend period will be computed by dividing the Dividend Rate by four and shall be payable in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date (commencing June 15, 2003) for the quarterly period ending immediately prior to such Dividend Payment Date, to the holders of record of Preferred Stock at the close of business on the Dividend Record Date applicable to such Dividend Payment Date. Such dividends shall be cumulative from the most recent date as to which dividends shall have been paid or, if no dividends have been paid, from the Issue Date (whether or not in any dividend period or periods there shall be funds of the Company legally available for the payment of such dividends) and shall accrue on a day-to-day basis, whether or not earned or declared, from and after the Issue Date. Dividends payable for any partial dividend period shall be computed on the basis of days elapsed over a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Accumulations of dividends on shares of Preferred Stock shall not bear interest.

 

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(2) If (i) by May 5, 2003, the Shelf Registration Statement has not been filed with the Commission, (ii) by September 1, 2003, the Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission or (iii) after the Shelf Registration Statement has been declared effective, (A) the Shelf Registration Statement thereafter ceases to be effective or (B) the Shelf Registration Statement or the related prospectus ceases to be usable (in each case, subject to the exceptions described below) in connection with resales of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period that any Transfer Restricted Securities remain outstanding (each such event referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), a “Registration Default”), additional dividends shall accrue on the Preferred Stock at the rate of .50% per annum (resulting in a Dividend Rate of 6.50% per annum during the continuance of a Registration Default), from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured. At all other times, dividends shall accumulate on the Preferred Stock at the Dividend Rate as described in Section 3(a).

 

A Registration Default referred to in clause (iii) of Section 3(b) shall be deemed not to have occurred and be continuing in relation to the Shelf Registration Statement or the related prospectus if (i) such Registration Default has occurred solely as a result of (x) the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement to incorporate annual audited financial information with respect to the Company where such post-effective amendment is not yet effective and needs to be declared effective to permit Holders to use the related prospectus or (y) other material events, with respect to the Company that would need to be described in the Shelf Registration Statement or the related prospectus and (ii) in the case of clause (y), the Company is proceeding promptly and in good faith to amend or supplement such Shelf Registration Statement and related prospectus to describe such events; provided, however, that in any case if such Registration Default referred to in clause (iii) of Section 3(b) occurs for a continuous period in excess of 30 days, additional dividends as described in Section 3(b) shall be payable in accordance therewith from the day such Registration Default occurs until such Registration Default is cured.

 

(3) No dividend will be declared or paid upon, or any sum set apart for the payment of dividends upon, any outstanding share of the Preferred Stock with respect to any dividend period unless all dividends for all preceding dividend periods have been declared and paid or declared and a sufficient sum set apart for the payment of such dividend, upon all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.

 

(4) No dividends or other distributions (other than a dividend or distribution payable solely in shares of Parity Stock or Junior Stock (in the case of Parity Stock) or Junior Stock (in the case of Junior Stock) and other than cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) may be declared, made or paid, or set apart for payment upon, any Parity Stock or Junior Stock, nor may any Parity Stock or Junior Stock be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any money paid to or made

 

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available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any Parity Stock or Junior Stock) by or on behalf of the Company (except by conversion into or exchange for shares of Parity Stock or Junior Stock (in the case of Parity Stock) or Junior Stock (in the case of Junior Stock)), unless full Accumulated Dividends shall have been or contemporaneously are declared and paid, or are declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof is set apart for such payment, on the Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock for all dividend payment periods terminating on or prior to the date of such declaration, payment, redemption, purchase or acquisition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if full dividends have not been paid on the Preferred Stock and any Parity Stock, dividends may be declared and paid on the Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock so long as the dividends are declared and paid pro rata so that the amounts of dividends declared per share on the Preferred Stock and such Parity Stock will in all cases bear to each other the same ratio that accumulated and unpaid dividends per share on the shares of Preferred Stock and such other Parity Stock bear to each other.

 

(5) Holders of shares of Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends on the Preferred Stock, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Preferred Stock which may be in arrears.

 

(6) The holders of shares of Preferred Stock at the close of business on a Dividend Record Date will be entitled to receive the dividend payment on those shares on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the subsequent conversion thereof or the Company’s default in payment of the dividend due on that Dividend Payment Date. However, shares of Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion during the period between the close of business on any Dividend Record Date and the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Dividend Payment Date must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the dividend payable on the shares on that Dividend Payment Date. A holder of shares of Preferred Stock on a Dividend Record Date who (or whose transferee) tenders any shares for conversion on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date will receive the dividend payable by the Company on the Preferred Stock on that date, and the converting holder need not include payment in the amount of such dividend upon surrender of shares of Preferred Stock for conversion. Except as provided above with respect to a voluntary conversion pursuant to Section 7, the Company shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on converted shares or for dividends on the shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion.

 

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4. Change of Control.

 

(1) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Preferred Stock shall, in the event that the Market Value for the period ending on the Change of Control Date is less than the Conversion Price, have a one-time option (the “Change of Control Option”) to convert all of such holder’s outstanding shares of Preferred Stock into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at an adjusted Conversion Price equal to the greater of (i) the Market Value for the period ending on the Change of Control Date and (ii) $5.47. The Change of Control Option must be exercised, if at all, during the period of not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days commencing on the third Business Day after notice of a Change in Control has been given by the Company in accordance with Section 4(b). In lieu of issuing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion in the event of a Change of Control, the Company may, at its option, make a cash payment equal to the Market Value for each share of such Common Stock otherwise issuable determined for the period ending on the Change of Control Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control in which (i) each holder of Common Stock receives consideration consisting solely of common stock of the successor, acquiror or other third party (and cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) that is listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ National Market and (ii) all the Common Stock has been exchanged for, converted into or acquired for common stock of the successor, acquiror or other third party (and cash in lieu of factional shares), and the Preferred Stock becomes convertible solely into such common stock, the Conversion Price will not be adjusted as described in this Section 4(a).

 

(2) In the event of a Change of Control (other than a Change of Control described in the last sentence of Section 4(a)), notice of such Change of Control shall be given, within five Business Days of the Change of Control Date, by the Company by first-class mail to each record holder of shares of Preferred Stock, at such holder’s address as the same appears on the books of the Company. Each such notice shall state (i) that a Change of Control has occurred; (ii) the last day on which the Change of Control Option may be exercised (the “Expiration Date”) pursuant to the terms hereof; (iii) the name and address of the Transfer Agent; and (iv) the procedures that holders must follow to exercise the Change of Control Option.

 

(3) On or before the Expiration Date, each holder of shares of Preferred Stock wishing to exercise the Change of Control Option shall surrender the certificate or certificates representing the shares of Preferred Stock to be converted, in the manner and at the place designated in the notice described in Section 4(b), and on such date the cash or shares of Common Stock due to such holder shall be delivered to the Person whose name appears on such certificate or certificates as the owner thereof and the shares represented by each surrendered certificate shall be returned to authorized but unissued shares. Upon surrender (in accordance with the notice described in Section 4(b)) of the certificate or certificates representing any shares to be so converted (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Company shall so require and the notice shall so state), such shares shall be converted by the Company at the adjusted Conversion Price, if applicable, as described in Section 4(a).

 

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(4) The rights of holders of Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 4 are in addition to, and not in lieu of, the rights of holders of Preferred Stock provided for in Section 7 hereof.

 

5. Voting.

 

(1) The shares of Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise required by Oklahoma law from time to time:

 

(i) If and whenever at any time or times a Voting Rights Triggering Event occurs, then the holders of shares of Preferred Stock, voting as a single class with any other preferred stock or preference securities having similar voting rights that are exercisable (the “Voting Rights Class”), will be entitled at the next regular or special meeting of stockholders of the Company to elect two additional directors of the Company, unless the Board of Directors is comprised of fewer than six directors at such time, in which case the Voting Rights Class shall be entitled to elect one additional director. Upon the election of any such additional directors, the number of directors that comprise the Board of Directors shall be increased by such number of additional directors.

 

(ii) Such voting rights may be exercised at a special meeting of the holders of the shares of the Voting Rights Class, called as hereinafter provided, or at any annual meeting of stockholders held for the purpose of electing directors, and thereafter at each such annual meeting until such time as all dividends in arrears on the shares of Preferred Stock shall have been paid in full, at which time or times such voting rights and the term of the directors elected pursuant to Section 5(a)(i) shall terminate.

 

(iii) At any time when such voting rights shall have vested in holders of shares of the Voting Rights Class, an Officer of the Company may call, and, upon written request of the record holders of shares representing at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the voting power of the shares then outstanding of the Voting Rights Class, addressed to the Secretary of the Company, shall call a special meeting of the holders of shares of the Voting Rights Class. Such meeting shall be held at the earliest practicable date upon the notice required for annual meetings of stockholders at the place for holding annual meetings of stockholders of the Company, or, if none, at a place designated by the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(a)(iii), no such special meeting shall be called during a period within the 60 days immediately preceding the date fixed for the next annual meeting of stockholders in which such case, the election of directors pursuant to Section 5(a)(i) shall be held at such annual meeting of stockholders.

 

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(iv) At any meeting held for the purpose of electing directors at which the holders of the Voting Rights Class shall have the right to elect directors as provided herein, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares representing more than fifty percent (50%) in voting power of the then outstanding shares of the Voting Rights Class shall be required and shall be sufficient to constitute a quorum of such class for the election of directors by such class. The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of Preferred Stock constituting a majority of the shares of Preferred Stock present at such meeting, in person or by proxy, shall be sufficient to elect any such director.

 

(v) Any director elected pursuant to the voting rights created under this Section 5(a) shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders (unless such term has previously terminated pursuant to Section 5 (a)(ii)) and any vacancy in respect of any such director shall be filled only by vote of the remaining director so elected by holders of the Voting Rights Class, or if there be no such remaining director, by the holders of shares of the Voting Rights Class at a special meeting called in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 5, or, if no such special meeting is called, at the next annual meeting of stockholders. Upon any termination of such voting rights, the term of office of all directors elected pursuant to this Section 5 shall terminate.

 

(vi) So long as any shares of Preferred Stock remain outstanding, unless a greater percentage shall then be required by law, the Company shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding Preferred Stock voting or consenting, as the case may be, separately as one class, (i) create, authorize or issue any class or series of Senior Stock (or any security convertible into Senior Stock) or (ii) amend the Certificate of Incorporation so as to affect adversely the specified rights, preferences, privileges or voting rights of holders of shares of Preferred Stock.

 

(vii) In exercising the voting rights set forth in this Section 5(a), each share of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote.

 

(2) The Company may authorize, increase the authorized amount of, or issue any class or series of Parity Stock or Junior Stock, without the consent of the holders of Preferred Stock, and in taking such actions the Company shall not be deemed to have affected adversely the rights, preferences, privileges or voting rights of holders of shares of Preferred Stock.

 

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6. Liquidation Rights.

 

(1) In the event of any liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company, whether voluntary of involuntary, each holder of shares of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders the Liquidation Preference plus Accumulated Dividends and Accrued Dividends thereon in preference to the holders of, and before any payment or distribution is made on, any Junior Stock, including, without limitation, on any Common Stock.

 

(2) Neither the sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all the assets or business of the Company (other than in connection with the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of its business) nor the merger or consolidation of the Company into or with any other Person shall be deemed to be a liquidation, winding-up or dissolution, voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this Section 6.

 

(3) After the payment to the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock of full preferential amounts provided for in this Section 6, the holders of Preferred Stock as such shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Company.

 

(4) In the event the assets of the Company available for distribution to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock upon any liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to Section 6(a), no such distribution shall be made on account of any shares of Parity Stock upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding-up unless proportionate distributable amounts shall be paid on account of the shares of Preferred Stock, ratably, in proportion to the full distributable amounts for which holders of all Preferred Stock and of any Parity Stock are entitled upon such liquidation, winding-up or dissolution.

 

7. Conversion.

 

(a) Each holder of Preferred Stock shall have the right, at its option, exercisable at any time and from time to time from the Issue Date to convert, subject to the terms and provisions of this Section 7, any or all of such holder’s shares of Preferred Stock. In such case, the shares of Preferred Stock shall be converted into such whole number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is equal, subject to Section 7(g), to the product of the number of shares of Preferred Stock being so converted multiplied by the quotient of (i) the Liquidation Preference divided by (ii) the Conversion Price (as defined below) then in effect. The Conversion Price initially shall be $10.287, subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 7(c).

 

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The conversion right of a holder of Preferred Stock shall be exercised by the holder by the surrender to the Company of the certificates representing shares to be converted at any time during usual business hours at its principal place of business or the offices of its duly appointed Transfer Agent to be maintained by it, accompanied by written notice to the Company in the form of Exhibit B that the holder elects to convert all or a portion of the shares of Preferred Stock represented by such certificate and specifying the name or names (with address) in which a certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock are to be issued and (if so required by the Company or its duly appointed Transfer Agent) by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company or its duly appointed Transfer Agent duly executed by the holder or its duly authorized legal representative and transfer tax stamps or funds therefor, if required pursuant to Section 7(i). Immediately prior to the close of business on the date of receipt by the Company or its duly appointed Transfer Agent of notice of conversion of shares of Preferred Stock, each converting holder of Preferred Stock shall be deemed to be the holder of record of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such holder’s Preferred Stock notwithstanding that the share register of the Company shall then be closed or that certificates representing such Common Stock shall not then be actually delivered to such holder. On the date of any conversion, all rights with respect to the shares of Preferred Stock so converted, including the rights, if any, to receive notices, will terminate, except only the rights of holders thereof to (i) receive certificates for the number of whole shares of Common Stock into which such shares of Preferred Stock have been converted and cash, in lieu of any fractional shares as provided in Section 7(f); and (ii) exercise the rights to which they are entitled as holders of Common Stock.

 

(b) If the last day for the exercise of the conversion right shall not be a Business Day, then such conversion right may be exercised on the next preceding Business Day.

 

 

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(c) The Conversion Price shall be subject to adjustment as follows:

 

(i) In case the Company shall at any time or from time to time (A) pay a dividend (or other distribution) payable in shares of Common Stock on any class of capital stock (which, for purposes of this Section 7(c) shall include, without limitation, any dividends or distributions in the form of options, warrants or other rights to acquire capital stock) of the Company (other than the issuance of shares of Common Stock in connection with the conversion of preferred stock); (B) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares; (C) combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares; (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Common Stock; or (E) pay a dividend or make a distribution to all holders of shares of Common Stock (other than a dividend or distribution subject to Section 7(c)(ii)) pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, “poison pill” or similar arrangement and excluding dividends payable on the Preferred Stock then, and in each such case, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted (and any other appropriate actions shall be taken by the Company) so that the holder of any share of Preferred Stock thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock that such holder would have owned or would have been entitled to receive upon or by reason of any of the events described above, had such share of Preferred Stock been converted into shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the occurrence of such event. An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 7(c)(i) shall become effective retroactively (x) in the case of any such dividend or distribution, to the day immediately following the close of business on the record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such dividend or distribution or (y) in the case of any such subdivision, combination or reclassification, to the close of business on the day upon which such corporate action becomes effective.

 

(ii) In case the Company shall at any time or from time to time issue to all holders of its Common Stock rights, options or warrants entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock) at a price per share less than the Market Value for the period ending on the date of issuance (treating the price per share of any security convertible, or exchangeable or exercisable into Common Stock as equal to (A) the sum of the price paid to acquire such security convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into Common Stock plus any additional consideration payable (without regard to any anti-dilution adjustments) upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of such security into Common Stock divided by (B) the number of shares of Common Stock into which such convertible, exchangeable or exercisable security is initially convertible, exchangeable or exercisable), other than (I) issuances of such rights, options or warrants if the holder of Preferred Stock would be entitled to receive such rights, options or warrants upon conversion at any time of shares of Preferred Stock into Common Stock and (II) issuances that are subject to certain triggering events (until such time as such triggering events occur), then, and in each such case, the Conversion Price then in effect shall be adjusted by dividing the Conversion Price in effect on the day immediately prior to the record date

 

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of such issuance by a fraction (y) the numerator of which shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional shares of Common Stock issued or to be issued upon or as a result of the issuance of such rights, options or warrants (or the maximum number into or for which such convertible or exchangeable securities initially may convert or exchange or for which such options, warrants or other rights initially may be exercised) and (z) the denominator of which shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date plus the number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate consideration for the total number of such additional shares of Common Stock so issued (or into or for which such convertible or exchangeable securities may convert or exchange or for which such options, warrants or other rights may be exercised plus the aggregate amount of any additional consideration initially payable upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of such security) would purchase at the Market Value for the period ending on the date of conversion; provided, that if the Company distributes rights or warrants (other than those referred to above in this subparagraph (c)(ii)) pro rata to the holders of Common Stock, so long as such rights or warrants have not expired or been redeemed by the Company, (y) the holder of any Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to receive upon such conversion, in addition to the shares of Common Stock then issuable upon such conversion (the “Conversion Shares”), a number of rights or warrants to be determined as follows: (i) if such conversion occurs on or prior to the date for the distribution to the holders of rights or warrants of separate certificates evidencing such rights or warrants (the “Distribution Date”), the same number of rights or warrants to which a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Conversion Shares is entitled at the time of such conversion in accordance with the terms and provisions applicable to the rights or warrants and (ii) if such conversion occurs after the Distribution Date, the same number of rights or warrants to which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such Preferred Stock was convertible immediately prior to such Distribution Date would have been entitled on such Distribution Date had such Preferred Stock been converted immediately prior to such Distribution Date in accordance with the terms and provisions applicable to the rights and warrants, and (z) the Conversion Price shall not be subject to adjustment on account of any declaration, distribution or exercise of such rights or warrants.

 

(iii) In case the Company shall at any time or from time to time (A) make a pro rata distribution to all holders of shares of its Common Stock consisting exclusively of cash (excluding any cash portion of distributions referred to in clause (E) of paragraph (c)(i) above, or cash distributed upon a merger or consolidation to which paragraph (g) below applies), that, when combined together with (x) all other such all-cash distributions made within the then-preceding 12 months in respect of which no adjustment has been made and (y) any cash and the fair market value of other consideration paid or payable in respect of any tender offer by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for shares of Common Stock concluded within the then-preceding 12 months in respect of which no

 

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adjustment pursuant to this Section 7(c) has been made, in the aggregate exceeds 15% of the Company’s market capitalization (defined as the product of the Market Value for the period ending on the record date of such distribution times the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date) on the record date of such distribution; (B) complete a tender or exchange offer by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for shares of Common Stock that involves an aggregate consideration that, together with (I) any cash and other consideration payable in a tender or exchange offer by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for shares of Common Stock expiring within the then-preceding 12 months in respect of which no adjustment pursuant to this Section 7(c) has been made and (II) the aggregate amount of any such all-cash distributions referred to in clause (A) above to all holders of shares of Common Stock within the then-preceding 12 months in respect of which no adjustments have been made, exceeds 15% of the Company’s market capitalization on the expiration of such tender offer; or (C) make a distribution to all holders of its Common Stock consisting of evidences of indebtedness, shares of its capital stock other than Common Stock or assets (including securities, but excluding those dividends, rights, options, warrants and distributions referred to in paragraphs (c)(i), (c)(ii) above or this (c)(iii)), then, and in each such case, the Conversion Price then in effect shall be adjusted by dividing the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the date of such distribution or completion of such tender or exchange offer, as the case may be, by a fraction (x) the numerator of which shall be the Market Value for the period ending on the record date referred to below, or, if such adjustment is made upon the completion of a tender or exchange offer, on the payment date for such offer, and (y) the denominator of which shall be such Market Value less the then fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company) of the portion of the cash, evidences of indebtedness, securities or other assets so distributed or paid in such tender or exchange offer, applicable to one share of Common Stock (but such denominator shall not be less than one); provided, however, that no adjustment shall be made with respect to any distribution of rights to purchase securities of the Company if the holder of shares of Preferred Stock would otherwise be entitled to receive such rights upon conversion at any time of shares of Preferred Stock into shares of Common Stock unless such rights are subsequently redeemed by the Company, in which case such redemption shall be treated for purposes of this Section 7(c)(iii) as a dividend on the Common Stock. Such adjustment shall be made whenever any such distribution is made or tender or exchange offer is completed, as the case may be, and shall become effective retroactively to a date immediately following the close of business on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such distribution.

 

(iv) In the case the Company at any time or from time to time shall take any action affecting its Common Stock (it being understood that the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock, or any options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock) to any Person at a price per share less than the Conversion Price then in effect shall not be deemed such an action), other than an action described in any of Section 7(c)(i) through

 

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Section 7(c)(iii), inclusive, or Section 7(g), then the Conversion Price shall be adjusted in such manner and at such time as the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith determines to be equitable in the circumstances (such determination to be evidenced in a resolution, a certified copy of which shall be mailed to the holders of the Preferred Stock).

 

(v) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no adjustment under this Section 7(c) need be made to the Conversion Price unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% of the Conversion Price then in effect. Any lesser adjustment shall be carried forward and shall be made at the time of and together with the next subsequent adjustment, if any, which, together with any adjustment or adjustments so carried forward, shall amount to an increase or decrease of at least 1% of such Conversion Price.

 

(vi) The Company reserves the right to make such reductions in the Conversion Price in addition to those required in the foregoing provisions as it considers advisable in order that any event treated for Federal income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights will not be taxable to the recipients. In the event the Company elects to make such a reduction in the Conversion Price, the Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder if and to the extent that such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the reduction of the Conversion Price.

 

(d) If the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend or other distribution, and shall thereafter (and before the dividend or distribution has been paid or delivered to stockholders) legally abandon its plan to pay or deliver such dividend or distribution, then thereafter no adjustment in the Conversion Price then in effect shall be required by reason of the taking of such record.

 

(e) Upon any increase or decrease in the Conversion Price, then, and in each such case, the Company promptly shall deliver to each holder of Preferred Stock a certificate signed by an authorized officer of the Company, setting forth in reasonable detail the event requiring the adjustment and the method by which such adjustment was calculated and specifying the increased or decreased Conversion Price then in effect following such adjustment.

 

(f) No fractional shares or securities representing fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon the conversion of any shares of Preferred Stock, whether voluntary or mandatory. If more than one share of Preferred Stock shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same holder, the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate Liquidation Preference of the shares of Preferred Stock so surrendered. If the

 

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conversion of any share or shares of Preferred Stock results in a fraction, an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the last reported sale price of the Common Stock on the NYSE (or on such other national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is then listed for trading or authorized for quotation or, if the Common Stock is not then so listed or authorized for quotation, an amount determined in good faith by the Board of Directors to be the fair value of the Common Stock) at the close of business on the trading day next preceding the day of conversion shall be paid to such holder in cash by the Company.

 

(g) In the event of any reclassification of outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value), or in the event of any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another Person or any merger of another Person with or into the Company (other than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the resulting or surviving Person and which does not result in any reclassification or change of outstanding Common Stock), or in the event of any sale or other disposition to another Person of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (computed on a consolidated basis) (any of the foregoing, a “Transaction”), each share of Preferred Stock then outstanding shall, without the consent of any holder of Preferred Stock, become convertible at any time, at the option of the holder thereof, only into the kind and amount of securities (of the Company or another issuer), cash and other property receivable upon such Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such share of Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such Transaction, after giving effect to any adjustment event. The provisions of this Section 7(g) and any equivalent thereof in any such securities similarly shall apply to successive Transactions. The provisions of this Section 7(g) shall be the sole right of holders of Preferred Stock in connection with any Transaction and such holders shall have no separate vote thereon.

 

(h) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available for issuance upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock such number of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock as will from time to time be sufficient to permit the conversion of all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, and shall take all action required to increase the authorized number of shares of Common Stock if at any time there shall be insufficient unissued shares of Common Stock to permit such reservation or to permit the conversion of all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.

 

(i) The issuance or delivery of certificates for Common Stock upon the conversion of shares of Preferred Stock shall be made without charge to the converting holder of shares of Preferred Stock for such certificates or for any tax in respect of the issuance or delivery of such certificates or the securities represented thereby, and such certificates shall be issued or delivered in the respective names of, or in such names as may be directed by, the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock converted; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in

 

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respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any such certificate in a name other than that of the holder of the shares of Preferred Stock converted, and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver such certificate unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance or delivery thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall have established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.

 

8. Mandatory Conversion.

 

(a) At any time on or after March 20, 2006, the Company shall have the right, at its option, to cause the Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, to be automatically converted into that number of whole shares of Common Stock for each share of Preferred Stock equal to the quotient of (i) the Liquidation Preference divided by (ii) the Conversion Price then in effect, with any resulting fractional shares of Common Stock to be settled in accordance with Section 7(f). The Company may exercise its right to cause a mandatory conversion pursuant to this Section 8(a) only if the closing price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds 130% of the Conversion Price then in effect for at least 20 trading days in any consecutive 30-day trading period on the NYSE (or such other national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is then listed or authorized for quotation, including the last trading day of such 30-day period, ending on the trading day prior to the Company’s issuance of a press release announcing the mandatory conversion as described in Section 8(b).

 

(b) To exercise the mandatory conversion right described in Section 8(a), the Company must issue a press release for publication on the Dow Jones News Service prior to the opening of business on the first trading day following any date on which the conditions described in Section 8(a) are met, announcing such a mandatory conversion. The Company shall also give notice by mail or by publication (with subsequent prompt notice by mail) to the holders of Preferred Stock (not more than four Business Days after the date of the press release) of the mandatory conversion announcing the Company’s intention to convert the Preferred Stock. The conversion date will be a date selected by the Company (the “Mandatory Conversion Date”) and will be no more than five days after the date on which the Company issues the press release described in this Section 8(b).

 

(c) In addition to any information required by applicable law or regulation, the press release and notice of a mandatory conversion described in Section 8(b) shall state, as appropriate: (i) the Mandatory Conversion Date; (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of each share of Preferred Stock; (iii) the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be converted; and (iv) that dividends on the Preferred Stock to be converted will cease to accrue on the Mandatory Conversion Date.

 

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(d) On and after the Mandatory Conversion Date, dividends will cease to accrue on the Preferred Stock called for a mandatory conversion pursuant to Section 8(a) and all rights of holders of such Preferred Stock will terminate except for the right to receive the whole shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof and cash, in lieu of any fractional shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section 7(f). The dividend payment with respect to the Preferred Stock called for a mandatory conversion pursuant to Section 8(a) on a date during the period between the close of business on any Dividend Record Date to the close of business on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date will be payable on such Dividend Payment Date to the record holder of such share on such Dividend Record Date if such share has been converted after such Dividend Record Date and prior to such Dividend Payment Date. Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence with respect to a mandatory conversion pursuant to Section 8(a), no payment or adjustment will be made upon conversion of Preferred Stock for Accrued Dividends or for dividends with respect to the Common Stock issued upon such conversion.

 

(e) The Company may not authorize, issue a press release or give notice of any mandatory conversion pursuant to Section 8(a) unless, prior to giving the conversion notice, all Accumulated Dividends on the Preferred Stock for periods ended prior to the date of such conversion notice shall have been paid in cash.

 

(f) In addition to the mandatory conversion right described in Section 8(a), if there are less than 250,000 shares of Preferred Stock outstanding, the Company shall have the right, at any time on or after March 20, 2008, at its option, to cause the Preferred Stock to be automatically converted into that number of whole shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (i) the Liquidation Preference divided by (ii) the lesser of (A) the Conversion Price then in effect and (B) the Market Value for the period ending on the second trading day immediately prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date, with any resulting fractional shares of Common Stock to be settled in cash in accordance with Section 7(f). The provisions of clauses (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this Section 8 shall apply to any mandatory conversion pursuant to this clause (f); provided that (i) the Mandatory Conversion Date described in Section 8(b) shall not be less than 15 days nor more than 30 days after the date on which the Company issues a press release pursuant to Section 8(b) announcing such mandatory conversion and (ii) the press release and notice of mandatory conversion described in Section 8(c) will not state the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of each share of Preferred Stock.

 

9. Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets.

 

(a) The Company, without the consent of the holders of any of the outstanding Preferred Stock, may consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets to any Person or may permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into, or transfer or lease all or substantially all its

 

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properties to, the Company; provided, however, that (a) the successor, transferee or lessee is organized under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof; (b) the shares of Preferred Stock will become shares of such successor, transferee or lessee, having in respect of such successor, transferee or lessee the same powers, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights and the qualification, limitations or restrictions thereon, the Preferred Stock had immediately prior to such transaction; and (c) the Company delivers to the Transfer Agent an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such transaction complies with this Certificate of Designation.

 

(b) Upon any consolidation by the Company with, or merger by the Company into, any other person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all the assets of the Company as described in Section 9(a), the successor resulting from such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the transferee or lessee to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made, will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the shares of Preferred Stock, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor (if still in existence) will be released from its obligations and covenants with respect to the Preferred Stock.

 

10. SEC Reports.

 

Whether or not the Company is required to file reports with the Commission, if any shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company shall file with the Commission all such reports and other information as it would be required to file with the Commission by Section 13(a)or 15(d) under the Exchange Act. The Company shall supply each holder of Preferred Stock, upon request, without cost to such holder, copies of such reports or other information.

 

11. Certificates.

 

(a) Form and Dating. The Preferred Stock and the Transfer Agent’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Certificate of Designation. The Preferred Stock certificate may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Preferred Stock certificate shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Preferred Stock certificate set forth in Exhibit A are part of the terms of this Certificate of Designation.

 

(i) Global Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock shall be issued initially in the form of one or more fully registered global certificates with the global securities legend and restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto (the “Global Preferred

 

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Stock”), which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers represented thereby with the Transfer Agent, as custodian for DTC (or with such other custodian as DTC may direct), and registered in the name of DTC or a nominee of DTC, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Transfer Agent as hereinafter provided. The number of shares of Preferred Stock represented by Global Preferred Stock may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Transfer Agent and DTC or its nominee as hereinafter provided. With respect to shares of Preferred Stock that are not “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 on a conversion date, all shares of Common Stock distributed on such conversion date will be freely transferable without restriction under the Securities Act (other than by affiliates), and such shares will be eligible for receipt in global form through the facilities of DTC.

 

(ii) Book-Entry Provisions. In the event Global Preferred Stock is deposited with or on behalf of DTC, the Company shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Preferred Stock certificates that (a) shall be registered in the name of DTC as depository for such Global Preferred Stock or the nominee of DTC and (b) shall be delivered by the Transfer Agent to DTC or pursuant to DTC’s instructions or held by the Transfer Agent as custodian for DTC.

 

Members of, or participants in, DTC (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Certificate of Designation with respect to any Global Preferred Stock held on their behalf by DTC or by the Transfer Agent as the custodian of DTC or under such Global Preferred Stock, and DTC may be treated by the Company, the Transfer Agent and any agent of the Company or the Transfer Agent as the absolute owner of such Global Preferred Stock for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Transfer Agent or any agent of the Company or the Transfer Agent from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by DTC or impair, as between DTC and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of DTC governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Preferred Stock.

 

(iii) Certificated Preferred Stock; Certificated Common Stock. Except as provided in this paragraph 11(a) or in paragraph 11(c), owners of beneficial interests in Global Preferred Stock will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Preferred Stock in fully registered certificated form (“Certificated Preferred Stock”). With respect to shares of Preferred Stock that are “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 on a conversion date, all shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of such shares on such conversion date will be issued in fully registered certificated form (“Certificated Common Stock”). Certificates of Certificated Common Stock will be mailed or made available at the office of the Transfer Agent for the Preferred Stock on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant conversion date to the converting holder.

 

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After a transfer of any Preferred Stock or Certificated Common Stock during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Preferred Stock or such Certificated Common Stock, all requirements pertaining to legends on such Preferred Stock (including Global Preferred Stock) or Certificated Common Stock will cease to apply, the requirements requiring that any such Certificated Common Stock issued to Holders be issued in certificated form, as the case may, will cease to apply, and Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be, in global or fully registered certificated form, in either case without legends, will be available to the transferee of the Holder of such Preferred Stock or Certificated Common Stock upon exchange of such transferring Holder’s Preferred Stock or Common Stock or directions to transfer such Holder’s interest in the Global Preferred Stock, as applicable.

 

(b) Execution and Authentication. Two Officers shall sign the Preferred Stock certificate for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Preferred Stock certificate no longer holds that office at the time the Transfer Agent authenticates the Preferred Stock certificate, the Preferred Stock certificate shall be valid nevertheless.

 

A Preferred Stock certificate shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Transfer Agent manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Preferred Stock certificate. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Preferred Stock certificate has been authenticated under this Certificate of Designation.

 

The Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver certificates for up to 4,600,000 shares of Preferred Stock for original issue upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and an Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Such order shall specify the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Preferred Stock is to be authenticated.

 

The Transfer Agent may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the certificates for Preferred Stock. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate certificates for Preferred Stock whenever the Transfer Agent may do so. Each reference in this Certificate of Designation to authentication by the Transfer Agent includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as the Transfer Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

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(c) Transfer and Exchange. (i) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Preferred Stock. When Certificated Preferred Stock is presented to the Transfer Agent with a request to register the transfer of such Certificated Preferred Stock or to exchange such Certificated Preferred Stock for an equal number of shares of Certificated Preferred Stock, the Transfer Agent shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Certificated Preferred Stock surrendered for transfer or exchange:

 

(1) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Transfer Agent, duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and

 

(2) is being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to clause (I) or (II) below, and is accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:

 

(I) if such Certificated Preferred Stock is being delivered to the Transfer Agent by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto; or

 

(II) if such Certificated Preferred Stock is being transferred to the Company or to a “qualified institutional buyer” (“QIB”) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act, (i) a certification to that effect (in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto) and (ii) if the Company so requests, an Opinion of Counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in paragraph 11 (c) (vii).

 

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(ii) Restrictions on Transfer of Certificated Preferred Stock for a Beneficial Interest in Global Preferred Stock. Certificated Preferred Stock may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in Global Preferred Stock except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of Certificated Preferred Stock, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Transfer Agent, together with written instructions directing the Transfer Agent to make, or to direct DTC to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Global Preferred Stock to reflect an increase in the number of shares of Preferred Stock represented by the Global Preferred Stock, then the Transfer Agent shall cancel such Certificated Preferred Stock and cause, or direct DTC to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between DTC and the Transfer Agent, the number of shares of Preferred Stock represented by the Global Preferred Stock to be increased accordingly. If no Global Preferred Stock is then outstanding, the Company shall issue and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate, upon written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, a new Global Preferred Stock representing the appropriate number of shares.

 

(iii) Transfer and Exchange of Global Preferred Stock. The transfer and exchange of Global Preferred Stock or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through DTC, in accordance with this Certificate of Designation (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of DTC therefor.

 

(iv) Transfer of a Beneficial Interest in Global Preferred Stock for a Certificated Preferred Stock.

 

(1) Any Person having a beneficial interest in Preferred Stock that is being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to another exemption from registration thereunder may upon request, but only with the consent of the Company, and if accompanied by a certification from such Person to that effect (in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto), exchange such beneficial interest for Certificated Preferred Stock representing the same number of shares of Preferred Stock. Upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of written instructions or such other form of instructions as is customary for DTC from DTC or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in Global Preferred Stock and upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of a written order or such other form of instructions as is customary for DTC or the Person designated by DTC as having such a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Security only, then, the Transfer Agent or DTC, at the direction of the Transfer Agent, will cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between DTC and the Transfer Agent, the number of shares of Preferred Stock represented by Global Preferred Stock to be reduced on its books and records and, following such reduction, the Company will execute and the Transfer Agent will authenticate and deliver to the transferee Certificated Preferred Stock.

 

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(2) Certificated Preferred Stock issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Global Preferred Stock pursuant to this paragraph 11(c)(iv) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as DTC, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent shall deliver such Certificated Preferred Stock to the Persons in whose names such Preferred Stock are so registered in accordance with the instructions of DTC.

 

(v) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Preferred Stock.

 

(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Certificate of Designation (other than the provisions set forth in paragraph 11(c)(vi)), Global Preferred Stock may not be transferred as a whole except by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any such nominee to a successor depository or a nominee of such successor depository.

 

(2) In the event that the Global Preferred Stock is exchanged for Preferred Stock in definitive registered form pursuant to paragraph 11(c)(vi) prior to the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such securities, such Preferred Stock may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this paragraph 11(c) (including the certification requirements set forth in the Exhibits to this Certificate of Designation intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A or such other applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Company.

 

(vi) Authentication of Certificated Preferred Stock. If at any time:

 

(1) DTC notifies the Company that DTC is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for the Global Preferred Stock and a successor depository for the Global Preferred Stock is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after delivery of such notice;

 

(2) DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depository for the Global Preferred Stock is not appointed by the Company within 90 days; or

 

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(3) the Company, in its sole discretion, notifies the Transfer Agent in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Certificated Preferred Stock under this Certificate of Designation,

 

then the Company will execute, and the Transfer Agent, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and an Assistant Treasurer of the Company requesting the authentication and delivery of Certificated Preferred Stock to the Persons designated by the Company, will authenticate and deliver Certificated Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of Preferred Stock represented by the Global Preferred Stock, in exchange for such Global Preferred Stock.

 

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(vii) Legend. (1) Except as permitted by the following paragraph (2) and in paragraph 11(a)(iii), each certificate evidencing the Global Preferred Stock, the Certificated Preferred Stock and Certificated Common Stock shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS SECURITY (AND THE COMMON STOCK INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS CONVERTIBLE) MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY (AND THE COMMON STOCK INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS CONVERTIBLE) MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (2) OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (3) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (4) TO THE COMPANY OR (5) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (1) THROUGH (5) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE. IN ANY CASE, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY WILL NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ENGAGE IN ANY HEDGING TRANSACTION WITH REGARD TO THE SECURITY EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.” (1)


1 Subject to removal upon registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or otherwise when the security shall no longer be a Transfer Restricted Security.

 

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(2) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by Global Preferred Stock) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or another exemption from registration under the Securities Act or an effective registration statement under the Securities Act:

 

(I) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security that is a Certificated Preferred Stock, the Transfer Agent shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for Certificated Preferred Stock that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security; and

 

(II) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security that is represented by a Global Preferred Stock, with the consent of the Company, the Transfer Agent shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for Certificated Preferred Stock that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security, if the Holder’s request for such exchange was made in reliance on Rule 144 or another exemption from registration under the Securities Act and the Holder certifies to that effect in writing to the Transfer Agent (such certification to be in the form set forth in Exhibit C hereto).

 

(viii) Cancelation or Adjustment of Global Preferred Stock. At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Preferred Stock have either been exchanged for Certificated Preferred Stock, converted or canceled, such Global Preferred Stock shall be returned to DTC for cancelation or retained and canceled by the Transfer Agent. At any time prior to such cancelation, if any beneficial interest in Global Preferred Stock is exchanged for Certificated Preferred Stock, converted or canceled, the number of shares of Preferred Stock represented by such Global Preferred Stock shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Transfer Agent with respect to such Global Preferred Stock, by the Transfer Agent or DTC, to reflect such reduction.

 

(ix) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Preferred Stock. (1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate Certificated Preferred Stock and Global Preferred Stock as required pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph 11(c).

 

(2) All Certificated Preferred Stock and Global Preferred Stock issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Certificated Preferred Stock or Global Preferred Stock shall be the valid obligations of the Company, entitled to the same benefits under this Certificate of Designation as the Certificated Preferred Stock or Global Preferred Stock surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

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(3) Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any shares of Preferred Stock, the Transfer Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name such shares of Preferred Stock are registered as the absolute owner of such Preferred Stock and neither the Transfer Agent nor the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(4) No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange upon surrender of any Preferred Stock certificate or Common Stock certificate at the office of the Transfer Agent maintained for that purpose. However, the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Preferred Stock certificates or Common Stock certificates.

 

(5) Upon any sale or transfer of shares of Preferred Stock (including any Preferred Stock represented by a Global Preferred Stock Certificate) or of Certificated Common Stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 144 or another exemption from registration under the Securities Act (and based upon an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company if it so requests):

 

  (A) in the case of any Certificated Preferred Stock or Certificated Common Stock, the Company and the Transfer Agent shall permit the holder thereof to exchange such Preferred Stock or Certificated Common Stock for Certificated Preferred Stock or Certificated Common Stock, as the case may be, that does not bear the legend set forth in paragraph (c)(vii) above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Preferred Stock or Common Stock issuable in respect of the conversion of the Preferred Stock; and

 

  (B) in the case of any Global Preferred Stock, such Preferred Stock shall not be required to bear the legend set forth in paragraph (c)(vii) above but shall continue to be subject to the provisions of paragraph (c)(iv) hereof; provided, however, that with respect to any request for an exchange of Preferred Stock that is represented by Global Preferred Stock for Certificated Preferred Stock that does not bear the legend set forth in paragraph (c)(vii) above in connection with a sale or transfer thereof pursuant to Rule 144 or another exemption from registration under the Securities Act (and based upon an Opinion of Counsel if the

 

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       Company so requests), the Holder thereof shall certify in writing to the Transfer Agent that such request is being made pursuant to such exemption (such certification to be substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto).

 

(x) No Obligation of the Transfer Agent.

 

(1) The Transfer Agent shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of Global Preferred Stock, a member of, or a participant in DTC or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Preferred Stock or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than DTC) of any notice or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Global Preferred Stock. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Preferred Stock shall be given or made only to the Holders (which shall be DTC or its nominee in the case of the Global Preferred Stock). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Preferred Stock shall be exercised only through DTC subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC. The Transfer Agent may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by DTC with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

 

(2) The Transfer Agent shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Certificate of Designation or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Preferred Stock (including any transfers between or among DTC participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Preferred Stock) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Certificate of Designation, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

(d) Replacement Certificates. If a mutilated Preferred Stock certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent or if the Holder of a Preferred Stock certificate claims that the Preferred Stock certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Transfer Agent shall countersign a replacement Preferred Stock certificate if the reasonable requirements of the Transfer Agent and of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Oklahoma are met. If required by the Transfer Agent or the Company, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Transfer Agent to protect the Company and the Transfer Agent from any loss which either of them may suffer if a

 

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Preferred Stock certificate is replaced. The Company and the Transfer Agent may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Preferred Stock certificate.

 

(e) Temporary Certificates. Until definitive Preferred Stock certificates are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Transfer Agent shall countersign temporary Preferred Stock certificates. Temporary Preferred Stock certificates shall be substantially in the form of definitive Preferred Stock certificates but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Preferred Stock certificates. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Transfer Agent shall countersign definitive Preferred Stock certificates and deliver them in exchange for temporary Preferred Stock certificates.

 

(f) Cancelation. (i) In the event the Company shall purchase or otherwise acquire Certificated Preferred Stock, the same shall thereupon be delivered to the Transfer Agent for cancelation.

 

(ii) At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Preferred Stock have either been exchanged for Certificated Preferred Stock, converted, repurchased or canceled, such Global Preferred Stock shall thereupon be delivered to the Transfer Agent for cancelation.

 

(iii) The Transfer Agent and no one else shall cancel and destroy all Preferred Stock certificates surrendered for transfer, exchange, replacement or cancelation and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company unless the Company directs the Transfer Agent to deliver canceled Preferred Stock certificates to the Company. The Company may not issue new Preferred Stock certificates to replace Preferred Stock certificates to the extent they evidence Preferred Stock which the Company has purchased or otherwise acquired.

 

12. Additional Rights of Holders. In addition to the rights provided to Holders under this Certificate of Designation, Holders shall have the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

32


13. Other Provisions.

 

(1) With respect to any notice to a holder of shares of Preferred Stock required to be provided hereunder, neither failure to mail such notice, nor any defect therein or in the mailing thereof, to any particular holder shall affect the sufficiency of the notice or the validity of the proceedings referred to in such notice with respect to the other holders or affect the legality or validity of any distribution, rights, warrant, reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, or the vote upon any such action. Any notice which was mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the holder receives the notice.

 

(2) Shares of Preferred Stock issued and reacquired will be retired and canceled promptly after reacquisition thereof and, upon compliance with the applicable requirements of Oklahoma law, have the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock of the Company undesignated as to series and may with any and all other authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock of the Company be designated or redesignated and issued or reissued, as the case may be, as part of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation, except that any issuance or reissuance of shares of Preferred Stock must be in compliance with this Certificate of Designation.

 

(3) The shares of Preferred Stock shall be issuable only in whole shares.

 

(4) All notice periods referred to herein shall commence on the date of the mailing of the applicable notice.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this certificate to be signed and attested this 28th day of February, 2003.

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

By:

  

/s/ TOM L. WARD


    

Tom L. Ward

 

Attest:

  

/s/ JENNIFER M. GRIGSBY


    

Jennifer M. Grigsby

 

33


EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF PREFERRED STOCK

 

FACE OF SECURITY

 

[THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS SECURITY (AND THE COMMON STOCK INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS CONVERTIBLE) MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY (AND THE COMMON STOCK INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS CONVERTIBLE) MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (2) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (3) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (4) TO THE COMPANY OR (5) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (1) THROUGH (5) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE. IN ANY CASE, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY WILL NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ENGAGE IN ANY HEDGING TRANSACTION WITH REGARD TO THE SECURITY EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”(2)


2 Subject to removal upon registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or otherwise when the security shall no longer be a Transfer Restricted Security.

 

 


[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OF PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO. HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.] (3)

 

[TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION REFERRED TO BELOW.] (3)

 

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

 

Certificate Number

   Number of Shares of
     Convertible Preferred Stock

[    ]

  

[    ]

     CUSIP NO. : 165167 60 2 (4)

 

6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (par value $0.01) (liquidation

preference $50 per share of Convertible Preferred Stock)

 

of

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation


3 Subject to removal if not a global security.
4 CUSIP Number 165167 70 1, if not a Transfer Restricted Security.

 

 


Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), hereby certifies that [    ] (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of [    ] fully paid and non-assessable preferred securities of the Company designated the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (par value $0.01) (liquidation preference $50 per share of Preferred Stock) (the “Preferred Stock”). The shares of Preferred Stock are transferable on the books and records of the Transfer Agent, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designations, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Designation dated February 28, 2003, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Certificate of Designation”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Certificate of Designation. The Company will provide a copy of the Certificate of Designation to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Company at its principal place of business.

 

Reference is hereby made to select provisions of the Preferred Stock set forth on the reverse hereof, and to the Certificate of Designation, which select provisions and the Certificate of Designation shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Certificate of Designation and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

 

Unless the Transfer Agent’s Certificate of Authentication hereon has been properly executed, these shares of Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Certificate of Designation or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this certificate this      day of     , 2003.

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

By:

 

 


Name:

   

Title:

   

By:

 

 


Name:

   

Title:

   

 

 

3


TRANSFER AGENT’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

These are shares of the Preferred Stock referred to in the within-mentioned Certificate of Designation.

 

Dated:             , 2003

 

UMB BANK, N.A., as Transfer Agent,

By:

 

 


    Authorized Signatory

 

 

4


REVERSE OF SECURITY

 

Cash dividends on each share of Preferred Stock shall be payable at a rate per annum set forth in the face hereof or as provided in the Certificate of Designation.

 

The shares of Preferred Stock shall be convertible into the Company’s Common Stock in the manner and according to the terms set forth in the Certificate of Designation.

 

The Company will furnish without charge to each holder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

 

5


ASSIGNMENT

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers the shares of Preferred Stock evidenced hereby to:

 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)

 

(Insert address and zip code of assignee)

 

and irrevocably appoints:

 

agent to transfer the shares of Preferred Stock evidenced hereby on the books of the Transfer Agent. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

 

 

6


Date:                             

 

Signature:                                             

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Preferred Stock Certificate)

 

Signature Guarantee:(5)                                                                  


5 (Signature must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Transfer Agent, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Transfer Agent in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

 

7


EXHIBIT B

 

NOTICE OF CONVERSION

 

(To be Executed by the Holder

in order to Convert the Preferred Stock)

 

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to convert (the “Conversion”) shares of 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”), represented by stock certificate No(s). (the “Preferred Stock Certificates”) into shares of common stock (“Common Stock”) of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Company”) according to the conditions of the Certificate of Designation of the Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”), as of the date written below. If shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto and is delivering herewith the Preferred Stock Certificates. No fee will be charged to the holder for any conversion, except for transfer taxes, if any. A copy of each Preferred Stock Certificate is attached hereto (or evidence of loss, theft or destruction thereof).

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that all offers and sales by the undersigned of the shares of Common Stock issuable to the undersigned upon conversion of the Preferred Stock shall be made pursuant to registration of the Common Stock under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”), or pursuant to any exemption from registration under the Act.

 

Any holder, upon the exercise of its conversion rights in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designation and the Preferred Stock, agrees to be bound by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in or pursuant to the Certificate of Designation.

 

Date of Conversion:


Applicable Conversion Price:


Number of shares of

Preferred Stock to be Converted:


Number of shares of

Common Stock to be Issued:*


Signature:



   

Name:


   
   

Address:**


   
   

Fax No.:


   

* The Company is not required to issue shares of Common Stock until the original Preferred Stock Certificate(s) (or evidence of loss, theft or destruction thereof) to be converted are received by the Company or its Transfer Agent. The Company shall issue and deliver shares of Common Stock to an overnight courier not later than three business days following receipt of the original Preferred Stock Certificate(s) to be converted.
** Address where shares of Common Stock and any other payments or certificates shall be sent by the Company.

 

2


EXHIBIT C

 

CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR

REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF PREFERRED STOCK

 

Re: 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) of
     Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Company”)

 

This Certificate relates to          shares of Preferred Stock held in |    | */ book-entry or |    | */ definitive form by                          (the “Transferor”).

 

The Transferor*:

 

|    | has requested the Transfer Agent by written order to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Preferred Stock held by the Depository shares of Preferred Stock in definitive, registered form equal to its beneficial interest in such Preferred Stock (or the portion thereof indicated above); or

 

|    | has requested the Transfer Agent by written order to exchange or register the transfer of Preferred Stock.

 

In connection with such request and in respect of such Preferred Stock, the Transferor does hereby certify that the Transferor is familiar with the Certificate of Designation relating to the above-captioned Preferred Stock and that the transfer of this Preferred Stock does not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) because */:

 

|    | Such Preferred Stock is being acquired for the Transferor’s own account without transfer.

 

|    | Such Preferred Stock is being transferred to the Company.

 

|    | Such Preferred Stock is being transferred to a qualified institutional buyer (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act), in reliance on Rule 144A.


* /Please check applicable box.


|    | Such Preferred Stock is being transferred in reliance on and in compliance with another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (and based on an Opinion of Counsel if the Company so requests).

 

[ INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR ]

 

  by

 

Date:                     

 

2


CERTIFICATE OF ELIMINATION

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the Oklahoma General Corporation Act,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That the Corporation has acquired 600,000 shares of its 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Acquired Shares”).

 

SECOND: That the Board of Directors of the Corporation has adopted resolutions retiring the Acquired Shares.

 

THIRD: That the Certificate of Designation for the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”) prohibits the reissuance of shares when so retired and, pursuant to the provisions of Section 1078 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, upon the date of the filing of this Certificate of Elimination, the Certificate of Designation shall be amended so as to reduce the number of authorized shares of the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock by 600,000 shares, being the total number of the Acquired Shares retired by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, the number of authorized but undesignated shares of preferred stock of the Company shall be increased by 600,000 shares. The retired Acquired Shares have a par value of $.01 per share and an aggregate par value of $6,000.00.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate to be executed by its Treasurer and Senior Vice President - Human Resources and attested to by its Secretary, this 24th day of November, 2004.

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ MARTHA A BURGER


    Martha A. Burger
    Treasurer and
    Senior Vice President – Human Resources

 

ATTEST:

 

/s/ JENNIFER M. GRIGSBY


Jennifer M. Grigsby, Secretary


CERTIFICATE OF ELIMINATION

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the Oklahoma General Corporation Act,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That the Corporation has acquired 3,896,890 shares of its 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Acquired Shares”).

 

SECOND: That the Board of Directors of the Corporation has adopted resolutions retiring the Acquired Shares.

 

THIRD: That the Certificate of Designation for the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”) prohibits the reissuance of shares when so retired and, pursuant to the provisions of Section 1078 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, upon the date of the filing of this Certificate of Elimination, the Certificate of Designation shall be amended so as to reduce the number of authorized shares of the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock by 3,896,890 shares, being the total number of the Acquired Shares retired by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, the number of authorized but undesignated shares of preferred stock of the Company shall be increased by 3,896,890 shares. The retired Acquired Shares have a par value of $.01 per share and an aggregate par value of $38,968.90.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate to be executed by its Treasurer and Senior Vice President - Human Resources and attested to by its Secretary, this 13th day of January, 2005.

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ MARTHA A BURGER


    Martha A. Burger
    Treasurer and
    Senior Vice President – Human Resources

 

ATTEST:

 

/s/ JENNIFER M. GRIGSBY


Jennifer M. Grigsby, Secretary


CERTIFICATE OF ELIMINATION

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the Oklahoma General Corporation Act,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That the Corporation has acquired 1,235 shares of its 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Acquired Shares”).

 

SECOND: That the Board of Directors of the Corporation has adopted resolutions retiring the Acquired Shares.

 

THIRD: That the Certificate of Designation for the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”) prohibits the reissuance of shares when so retired and, pursuant to the provisions of Section 1078 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, upon the date of the filing of this Certificate of Elimination, the Certificate of Designation shall be amended so as to reduce the number of authorized shares of the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock by 1,235 shares, being the total number of the Acquired Shares retired by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, the number of authorized but undesignated shares of preferred stock of the Company shall be increased by 1,235 shares. The retired Acquired Shares have a par value of $.01 per share and an aggregate par value of $12.35.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate to be executed by its Treasurer and Senior Vice President - Human Resources and attested to by its Secretary, this 28th day of June, 2005.

 

    CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

By:

 

/s/ Martha A. Burger

   

Martha A. Burger

Treasurer and

Senior Vice President – Human Resources

 

ATTEST:

/s/ Jennifer M. Grigsby

Jennifer M. Grigsby, Secretary

EX-3.1.5 3 dex315.htm CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION OF 4.125% CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK Certificate of Designation of 4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock

Exhibit 3.1.5

 

CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION

OF

4.125% CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

OF

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

Pursuant to Section 1032(G) of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION, an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify that the following resolution was duly adopted by action of the Board of Directors of the Company, with the provisions thereof fixing the number of shares of the series and the dividend rate being set by action of the Board of Directors of the Company:

 

RESOLVED that pursuant to the authority expressly granted to and vested in the Board of Directors of the Company by the provisions of Article IV, Section 1 of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended from time to time (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), and pursuant to Section 1032(G) of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, the Board of Directors hereby creates a series of preferred stock of the Company and hereby states that the voting powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of which, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof (in addition to the provisions set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation which are applicable to the preferred stock of all classes and series), shall be as follows:

 

1. Designation and Amount; Ranking

 

(a) There shall be created from the 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company authorized to be issued pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, a series of preferred stock, designated as the “4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock,” par value $0.01 per share (the “Preferred Stock”), and the number of shares of such series shall be 313,250. Such number of shares may be decreased by resolution of the Board of Directors; provided that no decrease shall reduce the number of shares of Preferred Stock to a number less than that of the shares of Preferred Stock then outstanding plus the number of shares issuable upon exercise of options or rights then outstanding.

 

(b) The Preferred Stock will, with respect to both dividend rights and rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company, rank on a parity with the 6.75% Preferred Stock, the 6.00% Preferred Stock and the 5.00% Preferred Stock, and the Preferred Stock will, with respect to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company rank (i) senior to all Junior Stock, (ii) on a parity with all other Parity Stock and (iii) junior to all Senior Stock.

 

2. Definitions. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

 

(a) “Accrued Dividends” shall mean, with respect to any share of Preferred Stock, as of any date, the accrued and unpaid dividends on such share from and including the most recent Dividend Payment Date (or the Issue Date, if such date is prior to the first Dividend Payment Date) to but not including such date.


(b) “Accumulated Dividends” shall mean, with respect to any share of Preferred Stock, as of any date, the aggregate accumulated and unpaid dividends on such share from the Issue Date until the most recent Dividend Payment Date on or prior to such date. There shall be no Accumulated Dividends with respect to any share of Preferred Stock prior to the first Dividend Payment Date.

 

(c) “Affiliate” shall have the meaning ascribed to it, on the date hereof, under Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(d) “Board of Directors” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company or, with respect to any action to be taken by the Board of Directors, any committee of the Board of Directors duly authorized to take such action.

 

(e) “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in The City of New York are authorized or required by law or executive order to close.

 

(f) “Change of Control” shall mean any of the following events: (i) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (determined on a consolidated basis) to any Person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than to Permitted Holders; (ii) the adoption of a plan the consummation of which would result in the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (iii) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any Person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than Permitted Holders, of beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; provided, however, that the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company than such other Person or group and do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the Board of Directors (for the purposes of this definition, such other Person or group shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of a specified corporation held by a parent corporation, if such other Person or group is the beneficial owner (as defined above), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent corporation and the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as defined in this proviso), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent corporation and do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the Board of Directors of such parent corporation); or (iv) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period comprised the Board of Directors of the Company (together with any new directors whose election by such Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company was approved by a vote of 66 2/3% of the directors of the Company then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company then in office. For purposes of this definition of “Change of Control,” the term “Permitted Holders” means Aubrey K. McClendon and Tom L. Ward and their respective Affiliates.

 

2


(g) “Change of Control Date” shall mean the date on which the Change of Control event occurs.

 

(h) “Closing Sale Price” of the Common Stock on any date means the closing sale price per share (or if no closing sale price is reported, the average of the closing bid and ask prices or, if more than one in either case, the average of the average closing bid and the average closing ask prices) on such date as reported on the principal United States securities exchange on which the Common Stock is traded or, if the Common Stock is not listed on a United States national or regional securities exchange, as reported by Nasdaq or by the National Quotation Bureau Incorporated. In the absence of such a quotation, the Company will determine the Closing Sale Price on the basis it considers appropriate.

 

(i) “Conversion Price” shall mean $16.6513, subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 7(d).

 

(j) “Common Stock” shall mean the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, or any other class of stock resulting from successive changes or reclassifications of such common stock consisting solely of changes in par value, or from par value to no par value, or as a result of a subdivision, combination, or merger, consolidation or similar transaction in which the Company is a constituent corporation.

 

(k) “DTC” or “Depository” shall mean The Depository Trust Company.

 

(l) “Dividend Payment Date” shall mean March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2004.

 

(m) “Dividend Record Date” shall mean March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year.

 

(n) “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(o) “Holder” or “holder” shall mean a holder of record of the Preferred Stock.

 

(p) “Issue Date” shall mean March 30, 2004, the original date of issuance of the Preferred Stock.

 

(q) “Junior Stock” shall mean all classes of common stock of the Company and the Series A Junior Participating Convertible Preferred Stock and each other class of capital stock or series of preferred stock established after the Issue Date, by the Board of Directors, the terms of which do not expressly provide that such class or series ranks senior to or on parity with the Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company.

 

(r) “Liquidation Preference” shall mean, with respect to each share of Preferred Stock, $1,000.00.

 

3


(s) “Market Value” shall mean the average closing price of the Common Stock for a five consecutive trading day period on the NYSE (or such other national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is then listed or authorized for quotation or, if the Common Stock is not so listed or authorized for quotation, an amount determined in good faith by the Board of Directors to be the fair value of the Common Stock).

 

(t) “NYSE” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

 

(u) “Officer” shall mean the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, any Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company.

 

(v) “Officers’ Certificate” shall mean a certificate signed by two Officers.

 

(w) “Opinion of Counsel” shall mean a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Transfer Agent. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Transfer Agent.

 

(x) “Parity Stock” shall mean the 6.00% Preferred Stock, the 6.75% Preferred Stock, the 5.00% Preferred Stock and any class of capital stock or series of preferred stock established after the Issue Date by the Board of Directors, the terms of which expressly provide that such class or series will rank on parity with the Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company.

 

(y) “Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, general partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, limited liability company, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

(z) “Purchase Agreement” shall mean that certain Purchase Agreement with respect to the Preferred Stock, dated March 24, 2004, among the Company, Lehman Brothers Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and Credit Suisse First Boston LLC and the other initial purchasers named therein.

 

(aa) “Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement dated March 30, 2004, among the Company, Lehman Brothers Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and Credit Suisse First Boston LLC and the other initial purchasers named in the Purchase Agreement, with respect to the Preferred Stock.

 

(bb) “SEC” or “Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

(cc) “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

(dd) “Senior Stock” shall mean each class of capital stock or series of preferred stock established after the Issue Date by the Board of Directors, the terms of which expressly

 

4


provide that such class or series will rank senior to the Preferred Stock as to dividend rights or rights upon the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company.

 

(ee) “Shelf Registration Statement” shall mean a shelf registration statement filed with the SEC to cover resales of Transfer Restricted Securities by holders thereof, as required by the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

(ff) “5.00% Preferred Stock” shall mean the series of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company designated as the “5.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.”

 

(gg) “6.00% Preferred Stock” shall mean the series of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company designated as the “6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.”

 

(hh) “6.75% Preferred Stock” shall mean the series of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company designated as the “6.75% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock.”

 

(ii) “Trading Day” shall mean a day during which trading in securities generally occurs on the New York Stock Exchange or, if Common Stock is not listed on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal other national or regional securities exchange on which Common Stock is then listed or, if Common Stock is not listed on a national or regional securities exchange, on Nasdaq or, if Common Stock is not quoted on Nasdaq, on the principal other market on which Common Stock is then traded.

 

(jj) “Trading Price” of the Preferred Stock on any date of determination means the average of the secondary market bid quotations obtained by the Company or the calculation agent for 5,000 shares of Preferred Stock at approximately 3:30 p.m., New York City time, on such determination date from three independent nationally recognized securities dealers that the Company or the calculation agent selects; provided that if three such bids cannot reasonably be obtained by the Company or the calculation agent, but two such bids are obtained, the average of the two bids shall be used, and if only one such bid can reasonably be obtained by the Company or the calculation agent, that one bid shall be used. If the Company or the calculation agent cannot reasonably obtain at least one bid for 5,000 shares of Preferred Stock from a nationally recognized securities dealer, then the Trading Price per share of Preferred Stock will be deemed to be less than 98% of the product of (A) the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock on such date (B) and the Conversion Price on such date.

 

(kk) “Transfer Agent” shall mean UMB Bank, N.A., the Company’s duly appointed transfer agent, registrar and conversion and dividend disbursing agent for the Preferred Stock. The Company may, in its sole discretion, remove the Transfer Agent with 10 days’ prior notice to the Transfer Agent; provided, that the Company shall appoint a successor Transfer Agent who shall accept such appointment prior to the effectiveness of such removal.

 

(ll) “Transfer Restricted Securities” shall mean each share of Preferred Stock (or the shares of Common Stock into which such share of Preferred Stock is convertible) until (i) the date on which such security or its predecessor has been effectively registered under the

 

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Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement or (ii) the date on which such security or predecessor is distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or is saleable pursuant to Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act.

 

(mm) “Voting Rights Triggering Event” shall mean the failure of the Company to pay dividends on the Preferred Stock with respect to six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive).

 

(nn) “Voting Stock” shall mean, with respect to any Person, securities of any class or classes of Capital Stock in such Person entitling the holders thereof (whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has voting power by reason of contingency) to vote in the election of members of the Board of Directors or other governing body of such Person. For purposes of this definition, “Capital Stock” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock or partnership interests and any and all warrants, options and rights with respect thereto (whether or not currently exercisable), including each class of common stock and preferred stock of such Person.

 

3. Dividends.

 

(a) The holders of shares of the outstanding Preferred Stock shall be entitled, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors out of funds of the Company legally available therefor, to receive cumulative cash dividends at the rate per annum of 4.125 % per share on the Liquidation Preference (equivalent to $41.25 per annum per share), payable quarterly in arrears (the “Dividend Rate”). The Dividend Rate may be increased in the circumstances described in Section 3(b) below. Dividends payable for each full dividend period will be computed by dividing the Dividend Rate by four and shall be payable in arrears on each Dividend Payment Date (commencing June 15, 2004) for the quarterly period ending immediately prior to such Dividend Payment Date, to the holders of record of Preferred Stock at the close of business on the Dividend Record Date applicable to such Dividend Payment Date. Such dividends shall be cumulative from the most recent date as to which dividends shall have been paid or, if no dividends have been paid, from the Issue Date (whether or not in any dividend period or periods there shall be funds of the Company legally available for the payment of such dividends) and shall accrue on a day-to-day basis, whether or not earned or declared, from and after the Issue Date. Dividends payable for any partial dividend period, including the initial partial dividend period ending immediately prior to June 15, 2004, shall be computed on the basis of days elapsed over a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Accumulations of dividends on shares of Preferred Stock shall not bear interest.

 

(b) If (i) by July 28, 2004, the Shelf Registration Statement has not been filed with the Commission, (ii) by November 25, 2004, the Shelf Registration Statement has not been declared effective by the Commission or (iii) after the Shelf Registration Statement has been declared effective, (A) the Shelf Registration Statement thereafter ceases to be effective or (B) the Shelf Registration Statement or the related prospectus ceases to be usable (in each case, subject to the exceptions described below) in connection with resales of Transfer Restricted Securities during the period that any Transfer Restricted Securities (other than Transfer Restricted Securities held or beneficially owned by affiliates of the Company) remain

 

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outstanding (each such event referred to in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), a “Registration Default”), additional dividends shall accrue on the Preferred Stock at the rate of .50% per annum (resulting in a Dividend Rate of 4.625% per annum during the continuance of a Registration Default), from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured. At all other times, dividends shall accumulate on the Preferred Stock at the Dividend Rate as described in Section 3(a).

 

A Registration Default referred to in clause (iii) of Section 3(b) shall be deemed not to have occurred and be continuing in relation to the Shelf Registration Statement or the related prospectus if (i) such Registration Default has occurred solely as a result of (x) the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement to incorporate annual audited financial information with respect to the Company where such post-effective amendment is not yet effective and needs to be declared effective to permit Holders to use the related prospectus or (y) other material events, with respect to the Company that would need to be described in the Shelf Registration Statement or the related prospectus and (ii) in the case of clause (y), the Company is proceeding promptly and in good faith to amend or supplement such Shelf Registration Statement and related prospectus to describe such events; provided, however, that in any case if such Registration Default referred to in clause (iii) of Section 3(b) occurs for a continuous period in excess of 30 days, additional dividends as described in Section 3(b) shall be payable in accordance therewith from the day such Registration Default occurs until such Registration Default is cured.

 

(c) No dividend will be declared or paid upon, or any sum set apart for the payment of dividends upon, any outstanding share of the Preferred Stock with respect to any dividend period unless all dividends for all preceding dividend periods have been declared and paid or declared and a sufficient sum set apart for the payment of such dividend, upon all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.

 

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

 

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(e) Holders of shares of Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any dividends on the Preferred Stock, whether payable in cash, property or stock, in excess of full cumulative dividends. No interest, or sum of money in lieu of interest, shall be payable in respect of any dividend payment or payments on the Preferred Stock which may be in arrears.

 

(f) The holders of shares of Preferred Stock at the close of business on a Dividend Record Date will be entitled to receive the dividend payment on those shares on the next following Dividend Payment Date notwithstanding the subsequent conversion thereof or the Company’s default in payment of the dividend due on that Dividend Payment Date. However, shares of Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion during the period between the close of business on any Dividend Record Date and the close of business on the Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Dividend Payment Date must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the dividend payable on the shares on that Dividend Payment Date. A holder of shares of Preferred Stock on a Dividend Record Date who (or whose transferee) tenders any shares for conversion on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date will receive the dividend payable by the Company on the Preferred Stock on that date, and the converting holder need not include payment in the amount of such dividend upon surrender of shares of Preferred Stock for conversion. Except as provided above with respect to a voluntary conversion pursuant to Section 7, the Company shall make no payment or allowance for unpaid dividends, whether or not in arrears, on converted shares or for dividends on the shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion.

 

4. Change of Control.

 

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder of Preferred Stock shall, in the event that the Market Value for the period ending on the Change of Control Date is less than the Conversion Price, have a one-time option (the “Change of Control Option”) to convert all of such holder’s outstanding shares of Preferred Stock into fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock at an adjusted Conversion Price equal to the greater of (i) the Market Value for the period ending on the Change of Control Date and (ii) $8.0733. The Change of Control Option must be exercised, if at all, during the period of not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days commencing on the third Business Day after notice of a Change in Control has been given by the Company in accordance with Section 4(b). In lieu of issuing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion in the event of a Change of Control, the Company may, at its option, make a cash payment equal to the Market Value for each share of such Common Stock otherwise issuable determined for the period ending on the Change of Control Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control in which (i) each holder of Common Stock receives consideration consisting solely of common stock of the successor, acquiror or other third party (and cash paid in lieu of fractional shares) that is listed on a national securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ National Market and (ii) all the Common Stock has been exchanged for, converted into or acquired for common stock of the successor, acquiror or other third party (and cash in lieu of factional shares), and the Preferred Stock becomes convertible solely into such common stock, the Conversion Price will not be adjusted as described in this Section 4(a).

 

(b) In the event of a Change of Control (other than a Change of Control described in the last sentence of Section 4(a)), notice of such Change of Control shall be given,

 

8


within five Business Days of the Change of Control Date, by the Company by first-class mail to each record holder of shares of Preferred Stock, at such holder’s address as the same appears on the books of the Company. Each such notice shall state (i) that a Change of Control has occurred; (ii) the last day on which the Change of Control Option may be exercised (the “Expiration Date”) pursuant to the terms hereof; (iii) the name and address of the Transfer Agent; and (iv) the procedures that holders must follow to exercise the Change of Control Option.

 

(c) On or before the Expiration Date, each holder of shares of Preferred Stock wishing to exercise the Change of Control Option shall surrender the certificate or certificates representing the shares of Preferred Stock to be converted, in the manner and at the place designated in the notice described in Section 4(b), and on such date the cash or shares of Common Stock due to such holder shall be delivered to the Person whose name appears on such certificate or certificates as the owner thereof and the shares represented by each surrendered certificate shall be returned to authorized but unissued shares. Upon surrender (in accordance with the notice described in Section 4(b)) of the certificate or certificates representing any shares to be so converted (properly endorsed or assigned for transfer, if the Company shall so require and the notice shall so state), such shares shall be converted by the Company at the adjusted Conversion Price, if applicable, as described in Section 4(a).

 

(d) The rights of holders of Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section 4 are in addition to, and not in lieu of, the rights of holders of Preferred Stock provided for in Section 7 hereof.

 

5. Voting.

 

(a) The shares of Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights except as set forth below or as otherwise required by Oklahoma law from time to time:

 

(i) If and whenever at any time or times a Voting Rights Triggering Event occurs, then the holders of shares of Preferred Stock, voting as a single class with any other preferred stock or preference securities having similar voting rights that are exercisable, including the 5.00% Preferred Stock, the 6.00% Preferred Stock and the 6.75% Preferred Stock (the “Voting Rights Class”), will be entitled at the next regular or special meeting of stockholders of the Company to elect two additional directors of the Company. Upon the election of any such additional directors, the number of directors that comprise the Board of Directors shall be increased by such number of additional directors.

 

(ii) Such voting rights may be exercised at a special meeting of the holders of the shares of the Voting Rights Class, called as hereinafter provided, or at any annual meeting of stockholders held for the purpose of electing directors, and thereafter at each such annual meeting until such time as all dividends in arrears on the shares of Preferred Stock shall have been paid in full, at which time or times such voting rights and the term of the directors elected pursuant to Section 5(a)(i) shall terminate.

 

(iii) At any time when such voting rights shall have vested in holders of shares of the Voting Rights Class, an Officer of the Company may call, and, upon

 

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written request of the record holders of shares representing at least twenty-five percent (25%) of the voting power of the shares then outstanding of the Voting Rights Class, addressed to the Secretary of the Company, shall call a special meeting of the holders of shares of the Voting Rights Class. Such meeting shall be held at the earliest practicable date upon the notice required for annual meetings of stockholders at the place for holding annual meetings of stockholders of the Company, or, if none, at a place designated by the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5(a)(iii), no such special meeting shall be called during a period within the 60 days immediately preceding the date fixed for the next annual meeting of stockholders in which such case, the election of directors pursuant to Section 5(a)(i) shall be held at such annual meeting of stockholders.

 

(iv) At any meeting held for the purpose of electing directors at which the holders of the Voting Rights Class shall have the right to elect directors as provided herein, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of shares representing more than fifty percent (50%) in voting power of the then outstanding shares of the Voting Rights Class shall be required and shall be sufficient to constitute a quorum of such class for the election of directors by such class. The affirmative vote of the holders of shares of Preferred Stock constituting a majority of the shares of Preferred Stock present at such meeting, in person or by proxy, shall be sufficient to elect any such director.

 

(v) Any director elected pursuant to the voting rights created under this Section 5(a) shall hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders (unless such term has previously terminated pursuant to Section 5(a)(ii) ) and any vacancy in respect of any such director shall be filled only by vote of the remaining director so elected by holders of the Voting Rights Class, or if there be no such remaining director, by the holders of shares of the Voting Rights Class at a special meeting called in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 5, or, if no such special meeting is called, at the next annual meeting of stockholders. Upon any termination of such voting rights, the term of office of all directors elected pursuant to this Section 5 shall terminate.

 

(vi) So long as any shares of Preferred Stock remain outstanding, unless a greater percentage shall then be required by law, the Company shall not, without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding Preferred Stock voting or consenting, as the case may be, separately as one class, (i) create, authorize or issue any class or series of Senior Stock (or any security convertible into Senior Stock) or (ii) amend the Certificate of Incorporation so as to affect adversely the specified rights, preferences, privileges or voting rights of holders of shares of Preferred Stock.

 

(vii) In exercising the voting rights set forth in this Section 5(a), each share of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote.

 

(b) The Company may authorize, increase the authorized amount of, or issue any class or series of Parity Stock or Junior Stock, without the consent of the holders of Preferred Stock, and in taking such actions the Company shall not be deemed to have affected adversely the rights, preferences, privileges or voting rights of holders of shares of Preferred Stock.

 

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6. Liquidation Rights.

 

(a) In the event of any liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company, whether voluntary of involuntary, each holder of shares of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive and to be paid out of the assets of the Company available for distribution to its stockholders the Liquidation Preference plus Accumulated Dividends and Accrued Dividends thereon in preference to the holders of, and before any payment or distribution is made on, any Junior Stock, including, without limitation, on any Common Stock.

 

(b) Neither the sale, conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all the assets or business of the Company (other than in connection with the liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of its business) nor the merger or consolidation of the Company into or with any other Person shall be deemed to be a liquidation, winding-up or dissolution, voluntary or involuntary, for the purposes of this Section 6.

 

(c) After the payment to the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock of full preferential amounts provided for in this Section 6, the holders of Preferred Stock as such shall have no right or claim to any of the remaining assets of the Company.

 

(d) In the event the assets of the Company available for distribution to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock upon any liquidation, winding-up or dissolution of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, shall be insufficient to pay in full all amounts to which such holders are entitled pursuant to Section 6(a), no such distribution shall be made on account of any shares of Parity Stock upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding-up unless proportionate distributable amounts shall be paid on account of the shares of Preferred Stock, ratably, in proportion to the full distributable amounts for which holders of all Preferred Stock and of any Parity Stock are entitled upon such liquidation, winding-up or dissolution.

 

7. Conversion.

 

(a) Each holder of Preferred Stock shall have the right, only on or after the occurrence of the conversion triggering events described in Section 7(b), at its option, from the Issue Date to convert, subject to the terms and provisions of this Section 7, any or all of such holder’s shares of Preferred Stock. In such case, the shares of Preferred Stock shall be converted into such whole number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is equal, subject to Section 7(h), to the product of the number of shares of Preferred Stock being so converted multiplied by the quotient of (i) the Liquidation Preference divided by (ii) the Conversion Price (as defined below) then in effect. The Conversion Price initially shall be $16.6513, subject to adjustment as set forth in Section 7(d).

 

The conversion right of a holder of Preferred Stock shall be exercised by the holder by the surrender to the Company of the certificates representing shares to be converted at any time during usual business hours at its principal place of business or the offices of its duly appointed Transfer Agent to be maintained by it, accompanied by written notice to the Company in the form of Exhibit B that the holder elects to convert all or a portion of the shares of Preferred Stock represented by such certificate and specifying the name or names (with address) in which a

 

11


certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock are to be issued and (if so required by the Company or its duly appointed Transfer Agent) by a written instrument or instruments of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company or its duly appointed Transfer Agent duly executed by the holder or its duly authorized legal representative and transfer tax stamps or funds therefor, if required pursuant to Section 7(j). Immediately prior to the close of business on the date of receipt by the Company or its duly appointed Transfer Agent of notice of conversion of shares of Preferred Stock, each converting holder of Preferred Stock shall be deemed to be the holder of record of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such holder’s Preferred Stock notwithstanding that the share register of the Company shall then be closed or that certificates representing such Common Stock shall not then be actually delivered to such holder. On the date of any conversion, all rights with respect to the shares of Preferred Stock so converted, including the rights, if any, to receive notices, will terminate, except only the rights of holders thereof to (i) receive certificates for the number of whole shares of Common Stock into which such shares of Preferred Stock have been converted and cash, in lieu of any fractional shares as provided in Section 7(g); and (ii) exercise the rights to which they are entitled as holders of Common Stock.

 

(b) A holder’s right to convert its shares of Preferred Stock will arise only upon the occurrence of the following events:

 

(i) Conversion Rights Based on Common Share Price. A holder may surrender shares of Preferred Stock for conversion into shares of Common Stock during any fiscal quarter after the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2004 (and only during such fiscal quarter) if the Closing Sale Price of Common Stock for at least 20 Trading Days in a period of 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on the last Trading Day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter is more than 130% of the Conversion Price on such Trading Day. If this Closing Sale Price condition is not satisfied at the end of any fiscal quarter, then conversion pursuant to this Section 7(b)(i) will not be permitted in the following fiscal quarter. The Company shall determine for each Trading Day during the 30 consecutive Trading Day period specified in this Section 7(b)(i) whether the Closing Sale Price exceeds 130% of the Conversion Price and whether the Preferred Stock shall be convertible as a result of the occurrence of the event set forth in this Section 7(b)(i).

 

(ii) Conversion Upon Satisfaction of Trading Price Condition. A holder may surrender its shares of Preferred Stock for conversion into Common Stock during the five business day period after any five consecutive Trading Day period in which the Trading Price of the Preferred Stock for each day of such five Trading Day period was less than 98% of the product of the Closing Sale Price of the Common Stock and the Conversion Price in effect on each such day. The Company shall determine whether the Preferred Stock may be converted pursuant to this Section 7(b)(ii) based on Trading Prices obtained from three independent nationally known securities dealers. The Company shall have no obligation to determine the Trading Price unless a holder of Preferred Stock provides it with reasonable evidence that the Trading Price was less than 98% of the product of the Closing Sale Price and the then-current Conversion Price. If such evidence is provided, the Company shall determine the Trading Price of the Preferred Stock beginning on the next Trading Day and on each successive Trading Day until the Trading Price is greater than or equal to 98% of the product of the Closing Sale Price and the then current Conversion Price.

 

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(iii) Conversion Rights Upon Occurrence of Certain Corporate Transactions.

 

(1) If the Company is party to a consolidation, merger, binding share exchange or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, in each case pursuant to which the Common Stock would be converted into cash, securities or other property, a holder may surrender its shares of Preferred Stock for conversion into Common Stock at any time from and after the date that is 15 days prior to the anticipated effective date of the transaction until 15 days after the actual date of such transaction and, at the effective time, the right to convert shares of Preferred Stock into Common Stock will be changed into a right to convert such Preferred Stock into the kind and amount of cash, securities or other property of the Company or another person that the holder would have received if the holder had converted the holder’s Preferred Stock immediately prior to the transaction.

 

(2) If the Company elects to (A) distribute to all holders of Common Stock rights or warrants entitling them to purchase, for a period expiring within 45 days of the record date for such distribution, Common Stock at less than the average Closing Sale Price for the ten consecutive Trading Days immediately preceding the declaration date for such distribution or (B) distribute to all holders of Common Stock, cash, assets, debt securities or rights to purchase the Company’s securities, which distribution has a per share value exceeding 5% of the Closing Sale Price of Common Stock on the Trading Day immediately preceding the declaration date for such distribution; then, in either case, the Company must notify holders of Preferred Stock at least 20 days prior to the ex-dividend date for such distribution. Once the Company has given such notice, a holder may surrender its shares of Preferred Stock for conversion at any time until the earlier of the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the ex-dividend date or any announcement by the Company that such distribution will not take place. Notwithstanding the foregoing, holders shall not have the right to surrender shares of Preferred Stock for conversion pursuant to this Section 7(b)(iii)(2), and no adjustment to the Conversion Price will be made, if all holders of the Preferred Stock will otherwise participate, on the same basis as a holder of Common Shares, in the distribution described above without first converting Preferred Stock into Common Shares.

 

(iv) Upon a Change of Control, holders of Preferred Stock shall, if the Market Value at such time is less than the Conversion Price, have a one-time option to convert all of their outstanding shares of Preferred Stock into Common Stock pursuant to Section 4.

 

(v) Upon determination that holders of Preferred Stock are or will be entitled to convert their Preferred Stock into Common Stock in accordance with any of the provisions of this Section 7(b), the Company will issue a press release and publish such information on its website on the World Wide Web.

 

(c) If the last day for the exercise of the conversion right shall not be a Business Day, then such conversion right may be exercised on the next preceding Business Day.

 

(d) The Conversion Price shall be subject to adjustment as follows:

 

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(i) In case the Company shall at any time or from time to time (A) pay a dividend (or other distribution) payable in shares of Common Stock on any class of capital stock (which, for purposes of this Section 7(d) shall include, without limitation, any dividends or distributions in the form of options, warrants or other rights to acquire capital stock) of the Company (other than the issuance of shares of Common Stock in connection with the conversion of preferred stock); (B) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a larger number of shares; (C) combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares; (D) issue any shares of its capital stock in a reclassification of the Common Stock; or (E) pay a dividend or make a distribution to all holders of shares of Common Stock (other than a dividend or distribution subject to Section 7(d)(ii)) pursuant to a stockholder rights plan, “poison pill” or similar arrangement and excluding dividends payable on the Preferred Stock then, and in each such case, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such event shall be adjusted (and any other appropriate actions shall be taken by the Company) so that the holder of any share of Preferred Stock thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock that such holder would have owned or would have been entitled to receive upon or by reason of any of the events described above, had such share of Preferred Stock been converted into shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the occurrence of such event. An adjustment made pursuant to this Section 7(d)(i) shall become effective retroactively (x) in the case of any such dividend or distribution, to the day immediately following the close of business on the record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such dividend or distribution or (y) in the case of any such subdivision, combination or reclassification, to the close of business on the day upon which such corporate action becomes effective.

 

(ii) In case the Company shall at any time or from time to time issue to all holders of its Common Stock rights, options or warrants entitling the holders thereof to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock) at a price per share less than the Market Value for the period ending on the date of issuance (treating the price per share of any security convertible or exchangeable or exercisable into Common Stock as equal to (A) the sum of the price paid to acquire such security convertible, exchangeable or exercisable into Common Stock plus any additional consideration payable (without regard to any anti-dilution adjustments) upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of such security into Common Stock divided by (B) the number of shares of Common Stock into which such convertible, exchangeable or exercisable security is initially convertible, exchangeable or exercisable), other than (i) issuances of such rights, options or warrants if the holder of Preferred Stock would be entitled to receive such rights, options or warrants upon conversion at any time of shares of Preferred Stock into Common Stock and (ii) issuances that are subject to certain triggering events (until such time as such triggering events occur), then, and in each such case, the Conversion Price then in effect shall be adjusted by dividing the Conversion Price in effect on the day immediately prior to the record date of such issuance by a fraction (y) the numerator of which shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional shares of Common Stock issued or to be issued upon or as a result of the issuance of such rights, options or warrants (or the maximum number into or for which such convertible or exchangeable securities initially may convert or exchange or for which such options, warrants or other rights initially may be exercised) and (z) the denominator of which shall be the sum of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date plus the number of shares

 

14


of Common Stock which the aggregate consideration for the total number of such additional shares of Common Stock so issued (or into or for which such convertible or exchangeable securities may convert or exchange or for which such options, warrants or other rights may be exercised plus the aggregate amount of any additional consideration initially payable upon the conversion, exchange or exercise of such security) would purchase at the Market Value for the period ending on the date of conversion; provided, that if the Company distributes rights or warrants (other than those referred to above in this subparagraph (d)(ii)) pro rata to the holders of Common Stock, so long as such rights or warrants have not expired or been redeemed by the Company, (y) the holder of any Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion shall be entitled to receive upon such conversion, in addition to the shares of Common Stock then issuable upon such conversion (the “Conversion Shares”), a number of rights or warrants to be determined as follows: (i) if such conversion occurs on or prior to the date for the distribution to the holders of rights or warrants of separate certificates evidencing such rights or warrants (the “Distribution Date”), the same number of rights or warrants to which a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Conversion Shares is entitled at the time of such conversion in accordance with the terms and provisions applicable to the rights or warrants and (ii) if such conversion occurs after the Distribution Date, the same number of rights or warrants to which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such Preferred Stock was convertible immediately prior to such Distribution Date would have been entitled on such Distribution Date had such Preferred Stock been converted immediately prior to such Distribution Date in accordance with the terms and provisions applicable to the rights and warrants and (z) the Conversion Price shall not be subject to adjustment on account of any declaration, distribution or exercise of such rights or warrants.

 

(iii) If the Company shall at any time make a distribution, by dividend or otherwise, to all holders of shares of its Common Stock consisting exclusively of cash (excluding any cash portion of distributions referred to in clause (E) of paragraph (d)(i) above and cash distributed upon a merger or consolidation to which paragraph (h) below applies) in an amount per share of Common Stock that, when combined with the per share amounts of all other all-cash distributions to all holders of shares of its Common Stock made within the 90-day period ending on the record date for the distribution giving rise to an adjustment pursuant to this Section 7(d)(iii), exceeds $0.055 per share of Common Stock (the “Distribution Threshold Amount”), then the Conversion Price will be adjusted by multiplying:

 

(1) the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the close of business on the record date fixed for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive such distribution by

 

(2) a fraction, the numerator of which will be the Market Value on the fourth trading day on the NYSE prior to such record date minus the amount of cash per share of Common Stock so distributed in excess of the Dividend Threshold Amount for which an adjustment has not otherwise been made pursuant to this Section 7(d)(iii) and the denominator of which will be the Market Value on the fourth trading day on the NYSE prior to such record date.

 

Subject to Section 7(e), such adjustment shall become effective immediately after the record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled to receive the distribution giving rise to an adjustment pursuant to this Section 7(d)(iii). The Dividend

 

15


Threshold Amount is subject to adjustment under the same circumstances under which the Conversion Price is subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7(d)(i) or Section 7(d)(ii).

 

(iv) In the case the Company at any time or from time to time shall take any action affecting its Common Stock (it being understood that the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Common Stock, or any options, warrants or other rights to acquire shares of Common Stock) to any Person at a price per share less than the Conversion Price then in effect shall not be deemed such an action), other than an action described in any of Section 7(d)(i) through Section 7(d)(iii), inclusive, or Section 7(h), then the Conversion Price shall be adjusted in such manner and at such time as the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith determines to be equitable in the circumstances (such determination to be evidenced in a resolution, a certified copy of which shall be mailed to the holders of the Preferred Stock).

 

(v) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no adjustment under this Section 7(d) need be made to the Conversion Price unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% of the Conversion Price then in effect. Any lesser adjustment shall be carried forward and shall be made at the time of and together with the next subsequent adjustment, if any, which, together with any adjustment or adjustments so carried forward, shall amount to an increase or decrease of at least 1% of such Conversion; provided, however, that with respect to adjustments to be made to the Conversion Price in connection with cash dividends paid by the Company, the Company shall make such adjustments, regardless of whether such aggregate adjustments amount to 1% or more of the Conversion Price, no later than March 15 of each calendar year.

 

(vi) The Company reserves the right to make such reductions in the Conversion Price in addition to those required in the foregoing provisions as it considers advisable in order that any event treated for Federal income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights will not be taxable to the recipients. In the event the Company elects to make such a reduction in the Conversion Price, the Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder if and to the extent that such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the reduction of the Conversion Price.

 

(e) If the Company shall take a record of the holders of its Common Stock for the purpose of entitling them to receive a dividend or other distribution, and shall thereafter (and before the dividend or distribution has been paid or delivered to stockholders) legally abandon its plan to pay or deliver such dividend or distribution, then thereafter no adjustment in the Conversion Price then in effect shall be required by reason of the taking of such record.

 

(f) Upon any increase or decrease in the Conversion Price, then, and in each such case, the Company promptly shall deliver to each holder of Preferred Stock a certificate signed by an authorized officer of the Company, setting forth in reasonable detail the event requiring the adjustment and the method by which such adjustment was calculated and specifying the increased or decreased Conversion Price then in effect following such adjustment.

 

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(g) No fractional shares or securities representing fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued upon the conversion of any shares of Preferred Stock, whether voluntary or mandatory. If more than one share of Preferred Stock shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the same holder, the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate Liquidation Preference of the shares of Preferred Stock so surrendered. If the conversion of any share or shares of Preferred Stock results in a fraction, an amount equal to such fraction multiplied by the last reported sale price of the Common Stock on the NYSE (or on such other national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is then listed for trading or authorized for quotation or, if the Common Stock is not then so listed or authorized for quotation, an amount determined in good faith by the Board of Directors to be the fair value of the Common Stock) at the close of business on the trading day next preceding the day of conversion shall be paid to such holder in cash by the Company.

 

(h) In the event of any reclassification of outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value), or in the event of any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into another Person or any merger of another Person with or into the Company (other than a consolidation or merger in which the Company is the resulting or surviving Person and which does not result in any reclassification or change of outstanding Common Stock), or in the event of any sale or other disposition to another Person of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (computed on a consolidated basis) (any of the foregoing, a “Transaction”), each share of Preferred Stock then outstanding shall, without the consent of any holder of Preferred Stock, become convertible at any time, at the option of the holder thereof, only into the kind and amount of securities (of the Company or another issuer), cash and other property receivable upon such Transaction by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such share of Preferred Stock could have been converted immediately prior to such Transaction, after giving effect to any adjustment event. The provisions of this Section 7(h) and any equivalent thereof in any such securities similarly shall apply to successive Transactions. The provisions of this Section 7(h) shall be the sole right of holders of Preferred Stock in connection with any Transaction and such holders shall have no separate vote thereon.

 

(i) The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available for issuance upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock such number of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock as will from time to time be sufficient to permit the conversion of all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, and shall take all action required to increase the authorized number of shares of Common Stock if at any time there shall be insufficient unissued shares of Common Stock to permit such reservation or to permit the conversion of all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.

 

(j) The issuance or delivery of certificates for Common Stock upon the conversion of shares of Preferred Stock shall be made without charge to the converting holder of shares of Preferred Stock for such certificates or for any tax in respect of the issuance or delivery of such certificates or the securities represented thereby, and such certificates shall be issued or delivered in the respective names of, or in such names as may be directed by, the holders of the shares of Preferred Stock converted; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and

 

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delivery of any such certificate in a name other than that of the holder of the shares of Preferred Stock converted, and the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver such certificate unless or until the Person or Persons requesting the issuance or delivery thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall have established to the reasonable satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.

 

8. Mandatory Conversion.

 

(a) At any time on or after March 15, 2009, the Company shall have the right, at its option, to cause the Preferred Stock, in whole but not in part, to be automatically converted into that number of whole shares of Common Stock for each share of Preferred Stock equal to the quotient of (i) the Liquidation Preference divided by (ii) the Conversion Price then in effect, with any resulting fractional shares of Common Stock to be settled in accordance with Section 7(g). The Company may exercise its right to cause a mandatory conversion pursuant to this Section 8(a) only if the closing price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds 130% of the Conversion Price then in effect for at least 20 trading days in any consecutive 30-day trading period on the NYSE (or such other national securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Common Stock is then listed or authorized for quotation), including the last trading day of such 30-day period, ending on the trading day prior to the Company’s issuance of a press release announcing the mandatory conversion as described in Section 8(b).

 

(b) To exercise the mandatory conversion right described in Section 8(a), the Company must issue a press release for publication on the Dow Jones News Service prior to the opening of business on the first trading day following any date on which the conditions described in Section 8(a) are met, announcing such a mandatory conversion. The Company shall also give notice by mail or by publication (with subsequent prompt notice by mail) to the holders of Preferred Stock (not more than four Business Days after the date of the press release) of the mandatory conversion announcing the Company’s intention to convert the Preferred Stock. The conversion date will be a date selected by the Company (the “Mandatory Conversion Date”) and will be no more than five days after the date on which the Company issues the press release described in this Section 8(b).

 

(c) In addition to any information required by applicable law or regulation, the press release and notice of a mandatory conversion described in Section 8(b) shall state, as appropriate: (i) the Mandatory Conversion Date; (ii) the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of each share of Preferred Stock; (iii) the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be converted; and (iv) that dividends on the Preferred Stock to be converted will cease to accrue on the Mandatory Conversion Date.

 

(d) On and after the Mandatory Conversion Date, dividends will cease to accrue on the Preferred Stock called for a mandatory conversion pursuant to Section 8(a) and all rights of holders of such Preferred Stock will terminate except for the right to receive the whole shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof and cash, in lieu of any fractional shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section 7(g). The dividend payment with respect to the Preferred Stock called for a mandatory conversion pursuant to Section 8(a) on a date during the period between the close of business on any Dividend Record Date to the close of business on the corresponding Dividend Payment Date will be payable on such Dividend Payment Date to

 

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the record holder of such share on such Dividend Record Date if such share has been converted after such Dividend Record Date and prior to such Dividend Payment Date. Except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence with respect to a mandatory conversion pursuant to Section 8(a), no payment or adjustment will be made upon conversion of Preferred Stock for Accrued Dividends or for dividends with respect to the Common Stock issued upon such conversion.

 

(e) The Company may not authorize, issue a press release or give notice of any mandatory conversion pursuant to Section 8(a) unless, prior to giving the conversion notice, all Accumulated Dividends on the Preferred Stock for periods ended prior to the date of such conversion notice shall have been paid in cash.

 

(f) In addition to the mandatory conversion right described in Section 8(a), if there are less than 25,000 shares of Preferred Stock outstanding, the Company shall have the right, at any time on or after March 15, 2009, at its option, to cause the Preferred Stock to be automatically converted into that number of whole shares of Common Stock equal to the quotient of (i) the Liquidation Preference divided by (ii) the lesser of (A) the Conversion Price then in effect and (B) the Market Value for the period ending on the second trading day immediately prior to the Mandatory Conversion Date, with any resulting fractional shares of Common Stock to be settled in cash in accordance with Section 7(g). The provisions of clauses (b), (c), (d) and (e) of this Section 8 shall apply to any mandatory conversion pursuant to this clause (f); provided that (i) the Mandatory Conversion Date described in Section 8(b) shall not be less than 15 days nor more than 30 days after the date on which the Company issues a press release pursuant to Section 8(b) announcing such mandatory conversion and (ii) the press release and notice of mandatory conversion described in Section 8(c) will not state the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of each share of Preferred Stock.

 

9. Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets.

 

(a) The Company, without the consent of the holders of any of the outstanding Preferred Stock, may consolidate with or merge into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets to any Person or may permit any Person to consolidate with or merge into, or transfer or lease all or substantially all its properties to, the Company; provided, however, that (a) the successor, transferee or lessee is organized under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof; (b) the shares of Preferred Stock will become shares of such successor, transferee or lessee, having in respect of such successor, transferee or lessee the same powers, preferences and relative participating, optional or other special rights and the qualification, limitations or restrictions thereon, the Preferred Stock had immediately prior to such transaction; and (c) the Company delivers to the Transfer Agent an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such transaction complies with this Certificate of Designation.

 

(b) Upon any consolidation by the Company with, or merger by the Company into, any other person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all the assets of the Company as described in Section 9(a), the successor resulting from such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the transferee or lessee to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made, will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power

 

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of, the Company under the shares of Preferred Stock, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor (if still in existence) will be released from its obligations and covenants with respect to the Preferred Stock.

 

10. SEC Reports.

 

Whether or not the Company is required to file reports with the Commission, if any shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Company shall file with the Commission all such reports and other information as it would be required to file with the Commission by Section 13(a)or 15(d) under the Exchange Act. The Company shall supply each holder of Preferred Stock, upon request, without cost to such holder, copies of such reports or other information.

 

11. Certificates.

 

(a) Form and Dating. The Preferred Stock and the Transfer Agent’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Certificate of Designation. The Preferred Stock certificate may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Preferred Stock certificate shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Preferred Stock certificate set forth in Exhibit A are part of the terms of this Certificate of Designation.

 

(i) Global Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock shall be issued initially in the form of one or more fully registered global certificates with the global securities legend and restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit A hereto (the “Global Preferred Stock”), which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers represented thereby with the Transfer Agent, as custodian for DTC (or with such other custodian as DTC may direct), and registered in the name of DTC or a nominee of DTC, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Transfer Agent as hereinafter provided. The number of shares of Preferred Stock represented by Global Preferred Stock may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Transfer Agent and DTC or its nominee as hereinafter provided. With respect to shares of Preferred Stock that are not “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 on a conversion date, all shares of Common Stock distributed on such conversion date will be freely transferable without restriction under the Securities Act (other than by affiliates), and such shares will be eligible for receipt in global form through the facilities of DTC.

 

(ii) Book-Entry Provisions. In the event Global Preferred Stock is deposited with or on behalf of DTC, the Company shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Preferred Stock certificates that (a) shall be registered in the name of DTC as depository for such Global Preferred Stock or the nominee of DTC and (b) shall be delivered by the Transfer Agent to DTC or pursuant to DTC’s instructions or held by the Transfer Agent as custodian for DTC.

 

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Members of, or participants in, DTC (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Certificate of Designation with respect to any Global Preferred Stock held on their behalf by DTC or by the Transfer Agent as the custodian of DTC or under such Global Preferred Stock, and DTC may be treated by the Company, the Transfer Agent and any agent of the Company or the Transfer Agent as the absolute owner of such Global Preferred Stock for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Transfer Agent or any agent of the Company or the Transfer Agent from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by DTC or impair, as between DTC and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of DTC governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Preferred Stock.

 

(iii) Certificated Preferred Stock; Certificated Common Stock. Except as provided in this paragraph 11(a) or in paragraph 11(c), owners of beneficial interests in Global Preferred Stock will not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Preferred Stock in fully registered certificated form (“Certificated Preferred Stock”). With respect to shares of Preferred Stock that are “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 on a conversion date, all shares of Common Stock issuable on conversion of such shares on such conversion date will be issued in fully registered certificated form (“Certificated Common Stock”). Certificates of Certificated Common Stock will be mailed or made available at the office of the Transfer Agent for the Preferred Stock on or as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant conversion date to the converting holder.

 

After a transfer of any Preferred Stock or Certificated Common Stock during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Preferred Stock or such Certificated Common Stock, all requirements pertaining to legends on such Preferred Stock (including Global Preferred Stock) or Certificated Common Stock will cease to apply, the requirements requiring that any such Certificated Common Stock issued to Holders be issued in certificated form, as the case may, will cease to apply, and Preferred Stock or Common Stock, as the case may be, in global or fully registered certificated form, in either case without legends, will be available to the transferee of the Holder of such Preferred Stock or Certificated Common Stock upon exchange of such transferring Holder’s Preferred Stock or Common Stock or directions to transfer such Holder’s interest in the Global Preferred Stock, as applicable.

 

(b) Execution and Authentication. Two Officers shall sign the Preferred Stock certificate for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

 

If an Officer whose signature is on a Preferred Stock certificate no longer holds that office at the time the Transfer Agent authenticates the Preferred Stock certificate, the Preferred Stock certificate shall be valid nevertheless.

 

A Preferred Stock certificate shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Transfer Agent manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Preferred Stock certificate. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Preferred Stock certificate has been authenticated under this Certificate of Designation.

 

The Transfer Agent shall authenticate and deliver certificates for up to 313,250 shares of Preferred Stock for original issue upon a written order of the Company signed by two

 

21


Officers or by an Officer and an Assistant Treasurer of the Company. Such order shall specify the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Preferred Stock is to be authenticated.

 

The Transfer Agent may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the certificates for Preferred Stock. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate certificates for Preferred Stock whenever the Transfer Agent may do so. Each reference in this Certificate of Designation to authentication by the Transfer Agent includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as the Transfer Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

(c) Transfer and Exchange. (i) Transfer and Exchange of Certificated Preferred Stock. When Certificated Preferred Stock is presented to the Transfer Agent with a request to register the transfer of such Certificated Preferred Stock or to exchange such Certificated Preferred Stock for an equal number of shares of Certificated Preferred Stock, the Transfer Agent shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Certificated Preferred Stock surrendered for transfer or exchange:

 

(1) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Transfer Agent, duly executed by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and

 

(2) is being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) below, and is accompanied by the following additional information and documents, as applicable:

 

(I) if such Certificated Preferred Stock is being delivered to the Transfer Agent by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a certification from such Holder to that effect in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto; or

 

(II) if such Certificated Preferred Stock is being transferred to the Company or to a “qualified institutional buyer (“QIB”) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act, (i) a certification to that effect (in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto) and (ii) if the Company so requests, an Opinion of Counsel or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to it as to the compliance with the restrictions set forth in the legend set forth in paragraph 11(c) (vii).

 

(ii) Restrictions on Transfer of Certificated Preferred Stock for a Beneficial Interest in Global Preferred Stock. Certificated Preferred Stock may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in Global Preferred Stock except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of Certificated Preferred Stock, duly endorsed or accompanied by appropriate instruments of transfer, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Transfer Agent, together with written instructions directing

 

22


the Transfer Agent to make, or to direct DTC to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Global Preferred Stock to reflect an increase in the number of shares of Preferred Stock represented by the Global Preferred Stock, then the Transfer Agent shall cancel such Certificated Preferred Stock and cause, or direct DTC to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between DTC and the Transfer Agent, the number of shares of Preferred Stock represented by the Global Preferred Stock to be increased accordingly. If no Global Preferred Stock is then outstanding, the Company shall issue and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate, upon written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, a new Global Preferred Stock representing the appropriate number of shares.

 

(iii) Transfer and Exchange of Global Preferred Stock. The transfer and exchange of Global Preferred Stock or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through DTC, in accordance with this Certificate of Designation (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of DTC therefor.

 

(iv) Transfer of a Beneficial Interest in Global Preferred Stock for a Certificated Preferred Stock.

 

(1) Any Person having a beneficial interest in Preferred Stock that is being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to another exemption from registration thereunder may upon request, but only with the consent of the Company, and if accompanied by a certification from such Person to that effect (in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto), exchange such beneficial interest for Certificated Preferred Stock representing the same number of shares of Preferred Stock. Upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of written instructions or such other form of instructions as is customary for DTC from DTC or its nominee on behalf of any Person having a beneficial interest in Global Preferred Stock and upon receipt by the Transfer Agent of a written order or such other form of instructions as is customary for DTC or the Person designated by DTC as having such a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Security only, then, the Transfer Agent or DTC, at the direction of the Transfer Agent, will cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between DTC and the Transfer Agent, the number of shares of Preferred Stock represented by Global Preferred Stock to be reduced on its books and records and, following such reduction, the Company will execute and the Transfer Agent will authenticate and deliver to the transferee Certificated Preferred Stock.

 

(2) Certificated Preferred Stock issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Global Preferred Stock pursuant to this paragraph 11(c)(iv) shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations as DTC, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Transfer Agent. The Transfer Agent shall deliver such Certificated Preferred Stock to the Persons in whose names such Preferred Stock are so registered in accordance with the instructions of DTC.

 

(v) Restrictions on Transfer and Exchange of Global Preferred Stock.

 

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(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Certificate of Designation (other than the provisions set forth in paragraph 11(c)(vi)), Global Preferred Stock may not be transferred as a whole except by DTC to a nominee of DTC or by a nominee of DTC to DTC or another nominee of DTC or by DTC or any such nominee to a successor depository or a nominee of such successor depository.

 

(2) In the event that the Global Preferred Stock is exchanged for Preferred Stock in definitive registered form pursuant to paragraph 11(c)(vi) prior to the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such securities, such Preferred Stock may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this paragraph 11(c) (including the certification requirements set forth in the Exhibits to this Certificate of Designation intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A or such other applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Company.

 

(vi) Authentication of Certificated Preferred Stock. If at any time:

 

(1) DTC notifies the Company that DTC is unwilling or unable to continue as depository for the Global Preferred Stock and a successor depository for the Global Preferred Stock is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after delivery of such notice;

 

(2) DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depository for the Global Preferred Stock is not appointed by the Company within 90 days; or

 

(3) the Company, in its sole discretion, notifies the Transfer Agent in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Certificated Preferred Stock under this Certificate of Designation,

 

then the Company will execute, and the Transfer Agent, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and an Assistant Treasurer of the Company requesting the authentication and delivery of Certificated Preferred Stock to the Persons designated by the Company, will authenticate and deliver Certificated Preferred Stock equal to the number of shares of Preferred Stock represented by the Global Preferred Stock, in exchange for such Global Preferred Stock.

 

(vii) Legend.

 

(1) Except as permitted by the following paragraph (2) and in paragraph 11(a)(iii), each certificate evidencing the Global Preferred Stock, the Certificated Preferred Stock and Certificated Common Stock shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

“THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT

 

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OF 1933 (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS SECURITY (AND THE COMMON STOCK INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS CONVERTIBLE) MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY (AND THE COMMON STOCK INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS CONVERTIBLE) MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (2) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (3) TO THE COMPANY OR (4) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (1) THROUGH (4) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE. IN ANY CASE, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY WILL NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ENGAGE IN ANY HEDGING TRANSACTION WITH REGARD TO THE SECURITY EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”1

 

(2) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by Global Preferred Stock) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or another exemption from registration under the Securities Act or an effective registration statement under the Securities Act:

 

(I) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security that is a Certificated Preferred Stock, the Transfer Agent shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for Certificated Preferred Stock that


1 Subject to removal upon registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or otherwise when the security shall no longer be a Transfer Restricted Security.

 

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does not bear a restrictive legend and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security; and

 

(II) in the case of any Transfer Restricted Security that is represented by a Global Preferred Stock, with the consent of the Company, the Transfer Agent shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for Certificated Preferred Stock that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security, if the Holder’s request for such exchange was made in reliance on Rule 144 or another exemption from registration under the Securities Act and the Holder certifies to that effect in writing to the Transfer Agent (such certification to be in the form set forth in Exhibit C hereto).

 

(viii) Cancelation or Adjustment of Global Preferred Stock. At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Preferred Stock have either been exchanged for Certificated Preferred Stock, converted or canceled, such Global Preferred Stock shall be returned to DTC for cancelation or retained and canceled by the Transfer Agent. At any time prior to such cancelation, if any beneficial interest in Global Preferred Stock is exchanged for Certificated Preferred Stock, converted or canceled, the number of shares of Preferred Stock represented by such Global Preferred Stock shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Transfer Agent with respect to such Global Preferred Stock, by the Transfer Agent or DTC, to reflect such reduction.

 

(ix) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Preferred Stock.

 

(1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Transfer Agent shall authenticate Certificated Preferred Stock and Global Preferred Stock as required pursuant to the provisions of this paragraph 11(c).

 

(2) All Certificated Preferred Stock and Global Preferred Stock issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Certificated Preferred Stock or Global Preferred Stock shall be the valid obligations of the Company, entitled to the same benefits under this Certificate of Designation as the Certificated Preferred Stock or Global Preferred Stock surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

 

(3) Prior to due presentment for registration of transfer of any shares of Preferred Stock, the Transfer Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name such shares of Preferred Stock are registered as the absolute owner of such Preferred Stock and neither the Transfer Agent nor the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(4) No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange upon surrender of any Preferred Stock certificate or Common Stock certificate at the office of the Transfer Agent maintained for that purpose. However, the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other

 

26


governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of Preferred Stock certificates or Common Stock certificates.

 

(5) Upon any sale or transfer of shares of Preferred Stock (including any Preferred Stock represented by a Global Preferred Stock Certificate) or of Certificated Common Stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to Rule 144 or another exemption from registration under the Securities Act (and based upon an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company if it so requests):

 

(A) in the case of any Certificated Preferred Stock or Certificated Common Stock, the Company and the Transfer Agent shall permit the holder thereof to exchange such Preferred Stock or Certificated Common Stock for Certificated Preferred Stock or Certificated Common Stock, as the case may be, that does not bear a restrictive legend and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Preferred Stock or Common Stock issuable in respect of the conversion of the Preferred Stock; and

 

(B) in the case of any Global Preferred Stock, such Preferred Stock shall not be required to bear the legend set forth in paragraph (c)(vii) above but shall continue to be subject to the provisions of paragraph (c)(iv) hereof; provided, however, that with respect to any request for an exchange of Preferred Stock that is represented by Global Preferred Stock for Certificated Preferred Stock that does not bear the legend set forth in paragraph (c)(vii) above in connection with a sale or transfer thereof pursuant to Rule 144 or another exemption from registration under the Securities Act (and based upon an Opinion of Counsel if the Company so requests), the Holder thereof shall certify in writing to the Transfer Agent that such request is being made pursuant to such exemption (such certification to be substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto).

 

(x) No Obligation of the Transfer Agent.

 

(1) The Transfer Agent shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of Global Preferred Stock, a member of, or a participant in DTC or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Preferred Stock or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than DTC) of any notice or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Global Preferred Stock. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Preferred Stock shall be given or made only to the Holders (which shall be DTC or its nominee in the case of the Global Preferred Stock). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Preferred Stock shall be exercised only through DTC subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC. The Transfer Agent may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by DTC with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

 

27


(2) The Transfer Agent shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Certificate of Designation or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Preferred Stock (including any transfers between or among DTC participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Preferred Stock) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Certificate of Designation, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

(d) Replacement Certificates. If a mutilated Preferred Stock certificate is surrendered to the Transfer Agent or if the Holder of a Preferred Stock certificate claims that the Preferred Stock certificate has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Transfer Agent shall countersign a replacement Preferred Stock certificate if the reasonable requirements of the Transfer Agent and of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Oklahoma are met. If required by the Transfer Agent or the Company, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Transfer Agent to protect the Company and the Transfer Agent from any loss which either of them may suffer if a Preferred Stock certificate is replaced. The Company and the Transfer Agent may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Preferred Stock certificate.

 

(e) Temporary Certificates. Until definitive Preferred Stock certificates are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Transfer Agent shall countersign temporary Preferred Stock certificates. Temporary Preferred Stock certificates shall be substantially in the form of definitive Preferred Stock certificates but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Preferred Stock certificates. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Transfer Agent shall countersign definitive Preferred Stock certificates and deliver them in exchange for temporary Preferred Stock certificates.

 

(f) Cancelation. (i) In the event the Company shall purchase or otherwise acquire Certificated Preferred Stock, the same shall thereupon be delivered to the Transfer Agent for cancelation.

 

(ii) At such time as all beneficial interests in Global Preferred Stock have either been exchanged for Certificated Preferred Stock, converted, repurchased or canceled, such Global Preferred Stock shall thereupon be delivered to the Transfer Agent for cancelation.

 

(iii) The Transfer Agent and no one else shall cancel and destroy all Preferred Stock certificates surrendered for transfer, exchange, replacement or cancelation and deliver a certificate of such destruction to the Company unless the Company directs the Transfer Agent to deliver canceled Preferred Stock certificates to the Company. The Company may not issue new Preferred Stock certificates to replace Preferred Stock certificates to the extent they evidence Preferred Stock which the Company has purchased or otherwise acquired.

 

28


12. Additional Rights of Holders. In addition to the rights provided to Holders under this Certificate of Designation, Holders shall have the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

13. Other Provisions.

 

(a) With respect to any notice to a holder of shares of Preferred Stock required to be provided hereunder, neither failure to mail such notice, nor any defect therein or in the mailing thereof, to any particular holder shall affect the sufficiency of the notice or the validity of the proceedings referred to in such notice with respect to the other holders or affect the legality or validity of any distribution, rights, warrant, reclassification, consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding-up, or the vote upon any such action. Any notice which was mailed in the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given whether or not the holder receives the notice.

 

(b) Shares of Preferred Stock issued and reacquired will be retired and canceled promptly after reacquisition thereof and, upon compliance with the applicable requirements of Oklahoma law, have the status of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock of the Company undesignated as to series and may with any and all other authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock of the Company be designated or redesignated and issued or reissued, as the case may be, as part of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation, except that any issuance or reissuance of shares of Preferred Stock must be in compliance with this Certificate of Designation.

 

(c) The shares of Preferred Stock shall be issuable only in whole shares.

 

(d) All notice periods referred to herein shall commence on the date of the mailing of the applicable notice.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this certificate to be signed and attested this 29th day of March, 2004.

 

       

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

        By:  

/s/ MARTHA A. BURGER

               

Martha A. Burger

Treasurer & Sr. Vice President

         
Attest:  

/s/ JENNIFER M. GRIGSBY

       
   

Jennifer M. Grigsby

Assistant Treasurer & Corporate Secretary

           

 

29


EXHIBIT A

 

FORM OF PREFERRED STOCK

 

FACE OF SECURITY

 

[THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS SECURITY (AND THE COMMON STOCK INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS CONVERTIBLE) MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER. THE HOLDER OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) SUCH SECURITY (AND THE COMMON STOCK INTO WHICH THIS SECURITY IS CONVERTIBLE) MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (1) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHO THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (2) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE), (3) TO THE COMPANY OR (4) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (1) THROUGH (4) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATES OF THE UNITED STATES AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE. IN ANY CASE, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY WILL NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ENGAGE IN ANY HEDGING TRANSACTION WITH REGARD TO THE SECURITY EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.][1]

 

[UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO., OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC) ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY

 


1 Subject to removal upon registration under the Securities Act of 1933 or otherwise when the security shall no longer be a Transfer Restricted Security.

 

A-1


PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO. HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.][2]

 

[TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE CERTIFICATE OF DESIGNATION REFERRED TO BELOW.]2

 

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

 


2 Subject to removal if not a global security.

 

A-2


Certificate Number

  Number of Shares of Convertible Preferred Stock

[            ]

  [            ]

 

CUSIP NO.: 165167883

 

4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (par value $0.01)

(liquidation preference $1000 per share of Convertible Preferred Stock)

 

of

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), hereby certifies that [                                ] (the “Holder”) is the registered owner of [                                        ] fully paid and non-assessable preferred securities of the Company designated the 4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (par value $0.01) (liquidation preference $1000 per share of Preferred Stock) (the “Preferred Stock”). The shares of Preferred Stock are transferable on the books and records of the Transfer Agent, in person or by a duly authorized attorney, upon surrender of this certificate duly endorsed and in proper form for transfer. The designations, rights, privileges, restrictions, preferences and other terms and provisions of the Preferred Stock represented hereby are issued and shall in all respects be subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Designation dated March 29, 2004, as the same may be amended from time to time (the “Certificate of Designation”). Capitalized terms used herein but not defined shall have the meaning given them in the Certificate of Designation. The Company will provide a copy of the Certificate of Designation to a Holder without charge upon written request to the Company at its principal place of business.

 

Reference is hereby made to select provisions of the Preferred Stock set forth on the reverse hereof, and to the Certificate of Designation, which select provisions and the Certificate of Designation shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

 

Upon receipt of this certificate, the Holder is bound by the Certificate of Designation and is entitled to the benefits thereunder.

 

Unless the Transfer Agent’s Certificate of Authentication hereon has been properly executed, these shares of Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Certificate of Designation or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

A-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has executed this certificate this [        ] day of [                            ], 2004.

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

By:

 

 


Name:

   

Title:

   

By:

 

 


Name:

   

Title:

   

 

A-4


TRANSFER AGENT’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

 

These are shares of the Preferred Stock referred to in the within-mentioned Certificate of Designation.

 

Dated:                         , 2004

 

UMB BANK, N.A., as Transfer Agent,

 

By:                                                                                                      

Authorized Signatory

 

A-5


REVERSE OF SECURITY

 

Cash dividends on each share of Preferred Stock shall be payable at a rate per annum set forth in the face hereof or as provided in the Certificate of Designation.

 

The shares of Preferred Stock shall be convertible into the Company’s Common Stock in the manner and according to the terms set forth in the Certificate of Designation.

 

The Company will furnish without charge to each holder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights.

 

A-6


ASSIGNMENT

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned assigns and transfers the shares of Preferred Stock evidenced hereby to:

 


 


 


 

(Insert assignee’s social security or tax identification number)

 


 


 


 

(Insert address and zip code of assignee)

 

and irrevocably appoints:                                                                                                                                                                                

 


 


 


 

agent to transfer the shares of Preferred Stock evidenced hereby on the books of the Transfer Agent. The agent may substitute another to act for him or her.

 

Date:                                                                  

 

Signature:                                                                                       

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Preferred Stock Certificate)

 

Signature Guarantee:3                                                                      

 


1 (Signature must be guaranteed by an "eligible guarantor institution" that is a bank, stockbroker, savings and loan association or credit union meeting the requirements of the Transfer Agent, which requirements include membership or participation in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program ("STAMP") or such other "signature guarantee program" as may be determined by the Transfer Agent in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.)

 

A-7


EXHIBIT B

 

NOTICE OF CONVERSION

 

(To be Executed by the Holder

in order to Convert the Preferred Stock)

 

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to convert (the “Conversion”) shares of 4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”), represented by stock certificate No(s).                                                   (the “Preferred Stock Certificates”) into shares of common stock (“Common Stock”) of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Company”) according to the conditions of the Certificate of Designation of the Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”), as of the date written below. If shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect thereto and is delivering herewith the Preferred Stock Certificates. No fee will be charged to the holder for any conversion, except for transfer taxes, if any. A copy of each Preferred Stock Certificate is attached hereto (or evidence of loss, theft or destruction thereof).

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that all offers and sales by the undersigned of the shares of Common Stock issuable to the undersigned upon conversion of the Preferred Stock shall be made pursuant to registration of the Common Stock under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”), or pursuant to any exemption from registration under the Act.

 

Any holder, upon the exercise of its conversion rights in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Designation and the Preferred Stock, agrees to be bound by the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in or pursuant to the Certificate of Designation.

 

Date of Conversion:                                                                                                                                                           

 

Applicable Conversion Price:                                                                                                                                               

 

Number of shares of Preferred Stock to be Converted:                                                                                                        

 

Number of shares of Common Stock to be Issued: *                                                                                                            

 

Signature:                                                                                                                                                                            

 

Name:                                                                                                                                                                                  

 

Address:**                                                                                                                                                                          

 

Fax No.:                                                                                                                                                                                  

 

*The Company is not required to issue shares of Common Stock until the original Preferred Stock Certificate(s) (or evidence of loss, theft or destruction thereof) to be converted are received

 

B-1


by the Company or its Transfer Agent. The Company shall issue and deliver shares of Common Stock to an overnight courier not later than three business days following receipt of the original Preferred Stock Certificate(s) to be converted.

 

**Address where shares of Common Stock and any other payments or certificates shall be sent by the Company.

 

B-2


EXHIBIT C

 

CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR

REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF PREFERRED STOCK

 

Re: 4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Preferred Stock”) of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Company”)

 

This Certificate relates to              shares of Preferred Stock held in ¨*/ book-entry or ¨*/ definitive form by                          (the “Transferor”).

 

The Transferor*:

 

  ¨ has requested the Transfer Agent by written order to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Preferred Stock held by the Depository shares of Preferred Stock in definitive, registered form equal to its beneficial interest in such Preferred Stock (or the portion thereof indicated above); or

 

  ¨ has requested the Transfer Agent by written order to exchange or register the transfer of Preferred Stock.

 

In connection with such request and in respect of such Preferred Stock, the Transferor does hereby certify that the Transferor is familiar with the Certificate of Designation relating to the above-captioned Preferred Stock and that the transfer of this Preferred Stock does not require registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) because */:

 

  ¨ Such Preferred Stock is being acquired for the Transferor’s own account without transfer.

 

  ¨ Such Preferred Stock is being transferred to the Company.

 

  ¨ Such Preferred Stock is being transferred to a qualified institutional buyer (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act), in reliance on Rule 144A.

 

  ¨ Such Preferred Stock is being transferred in reliance on and in compliance with another exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (and based on an Opinion of Counsel if the Company so requests).

 


[INSERT NAME OF TRANSFEROR]

by:    
     

 

 

Date:                                

 

*/ Please check applicable box.

 

C-1


CERTIFICATE OF ELIMINATION

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the Oklahoma General Corporation Act,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That the Corporation has acquired 45,000 shares of its 4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Acquired Shares”).

 

SECOND: That the Board of Directors of the Corporation has adopted resolutions retiring the Acquired Shares.

 

THIRD: That the Certificate of Designation for the 4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”) prohibits the reissuance of shares when so retired and, pursuant to the provisions of Section 1078 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, upon the date of the filing of this Certificate of Elimination, the Certificate of Designation shall be amended so as to reduce the number of authorized shares of the 4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock by 45,000 shares, being the total number of the Acquired Shares retired by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, the number of authorized but undesignated shares of preferred stock of the Company shall be increased by 45,000 shares. The retired Acquired Shares have a par value of $.01 per share and an aggregate par value of $450.00.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate to be executed by its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and attested to by its Secretary, this 1st day of July, 2005.

 

    CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Marcus C. Rowland

   

Marcus C. Rowland

Executive Vice President &

Chief Financial Officer

 

ATTEST:

/s/ Jennifer M. Grigsby

Jennifer M. Grigsby, Secretary


CERTIFICATE OF ELIMINATION

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Corporation”), a corporation organized and existing under the Oklahoma General Corporation Act,

 

DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

 

FIRST: That the Corporation has acquired 34,452 shares of its 4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the “Acquired Shares”).

 

SECOND: That the Board of Directors of the Corporation has adopted resolutions retiring the Acquired Shares.

 

THIRD: That the Certificate of Designation for the 4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designation”) prohibits the reissuance of shares when so retired and, pursuant to the provisions of Section 1078 of the Oklahoma General Corporation Act, upon the date of the filing of this Certificate of Elimination, the Certificate of Designation shall be amended so as to reduce the number of authorized shares of the 4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock by 34,452 shares, being the total number of the Acquired Shares retired by the Board of Directors. Accordingly, the number of authorized but undesignated shares of preferred stock of the Company shall be increased by 34,452 shares. The retired Acquired Shares have a par value of $.01 per share and an aggregate par value of $344.52.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate to be executed by its Treasurer and Senior Vice President-Human Resources, and attested to by its Secretary, this 22nd day of July, 2005.

 

    CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Martha A. Burger

   

Martha A. Burger

Treasurer & Senior Vice President-

Human Resources

 

ATTEST:

/s/ Jennifer M. Grigsby

Jennifer M. Grigsby, Secretary

EX-4.1.1 4 dex411.htm FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO INDENTURE DATED AS OF MAY 27, 2004 Fourth Supplemental Indenture to Indenture dated as of May 27, 2004

Exhibit 4.1.1


 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

and

 

the Subsidiary Guarantors named herein

 


 

7.5% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2014

 


 

FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF JULY 15, 2005

 


 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK

 

as Trustee

 


 



THIS FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of July 15, 2005 is among Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), each of the parties identified under the caption “Subsidiary Guarantors” on the signature page hereto (the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors a party thereto and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of May 27, 2004, as supplemented prior to the date hereof (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Company has originally issued $300,000,000 in principal amount of 7.5% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “Notes”); and

 

WHEREAS, Section 9.01(3) of the Indenture provides that the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture without notice to or consent of any Holder to reflect the addition of any Subsidiary Guarantor, as provided for in the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has designated Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp. as a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and desires to add the entity as a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, all acts and things prescribed by the Indenture, by law and by the charter and the bylaws (or comparable constituent documents) of the Company, of the Subsidiary Guarantors and of the Trustee necessary to make this Fourth Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument legally binding on the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in consideration of the above premises, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

 

Section 1.01. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Indenture and does and shall be deemed to form a part of, and shall be construed in connection with and as part of, the Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

Section 1.02. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall become effective immediately upon its execution and delivery by each of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

 

- 2 -


ARTICLE 2

 

Section 2.01. From this date, in accordance with Section 10.03 of the Indenture and by executing this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp., a New Brunswick corporation, is subject to the provisions of the Indenture as Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent provided for in Article Ten thereunder.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

Section 3.01. Except as specifically modified herein, the Indenture and the Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed (mutatis mutandis) and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms with all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the same respective meanings ascribed to them as in the Indenture.

 

Section 3.02. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no duties, responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto.

 

Section 3.03. The Company hereby notifies the Trustee that Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp. has been designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as a Restricted Subsidiary (as that term is defined in the Indenture).

 

Section 3.04. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE AND ENFORCE THIS FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

 

Section 3.05. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of such executed copies together shall represent the same agreement.

 

[NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE]

 

- 3 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fourth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon

Aubrey K. McClendon

Chief Executive Officer of the Company and of the Subsidiaries listed below:
Corporate Subsidiaries:

CHESAPEAKE EAGLE CANADA CORP.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY LOUISIANA CORPORATION

CHESAPEAKE PRH CORP.

CHESAPEAKE SOUTH TEXAS CORP.

NOMAC DRILLING CORPORATION

OXLEY PETROLEUM CO.

CHESAPEAKE OPERATING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the following limited partnerships:

CHESAPEAKE EXPLORATION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CHESAPEAKE LOUISIANA, L.P.

CHESPEAKE NFW, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE SIGMA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE-STAGHORN ACQUISITION, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ZAPATA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY MARKETING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the following limited partnerships:

MIDCON COMPRESSION, L.P.

Limited Liability Company Subsidiaries:

CARMEN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ENO ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE EP, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE LAND COMPANY, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ORC, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ROYALTY, L.L.C.

 

- 4 -


GOTHIC PRODUCTION, L.L.C.

JOHN C. OXLEY, L.L.C.

MC MINERAL COMPANY, L.L.C.

MAYFIELD PROCESSING, L.L.C.

TRUSTEE:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Steven D. Torgeson

Name:

 

Steven. D. Torgeson

Title:

 

Vice President

 

- 5 -

EX-4.2.1 5 dex421.htm FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE TO INDENTURE DATED AS OF AUGUST 2, 2004 Fourth Supplemental Indenture to Indenture dated as of August 2, 2004

Exhibit 4.2.1


 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

and

 

the Subsidiary Guarantors named herein

 


 

7.00% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2014

 


 

FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF JULY 15, 2005

 


 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK

 

as Trustee

 


 



THIS FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of July 15, 2005, is among Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (the Company”), each of the parties identified under the caption “Subsidiary Guarantors” on the signature page hereto (the Subsidiary Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors a party thereto and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of August 2, 2004, as supplemented prior to the date hereof (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Company has originally issued $300,000,000 in principal amount of 7.00% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “Notes”); and

 

WHEREAS, Section 9.01(3) of the Indenture provides that the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture without notice to or consent of any Holder to reflect the addition of any Subsidiary Guarantor, as provided for in the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has designated Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp. as a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and desires to add the entity as a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, all acts and things prescribed by the Indenture, by law and by the charter and the bylaws (or comparable constituent documents) of the Company, of the Subsidiary Guarantors and of the Trustee necessary to make this Fourth Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument legally binding on the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in consideration of the above premises, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

 

Section 1.01. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Indenture and does and shall be deemed to form a part of, and shall be construed in connection with and as part of, the Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

Section 1.02. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture shall become effective immediately upon its execution and delivery by each of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

 

- 2 -


ARTICLE 2

 

Section 2.01. From this date, in accordance with Section 10.03 of the Indenture and by executing this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp., a New Brunswick corporation, is subject to the provisions of the Indenture as Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent provided for in Article Ten thereunder.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

Section 3.01. Except as specifically modified herein, the Indenture and the Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed (mutatis mutandis) and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms with all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the same respective meanings ascribed to them as in the Indenture.

 

Section 3.02. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no duties, responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. This Fourth Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto.

 

Section 3.03. The Company hereby notifies the Trustee that Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp. has been designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as a Restricted Subsidiary (as that term is defined in the Indenture).

 

Section 3.04. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE AND ENFORCE THIS FOURTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

 

Section 3.05. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Fourth Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of such executed copies together shall represent the same agreement.

 

[NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE]

 

- 3 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fourth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon

Aubrey K. McClendon

Chief Executive Officer of the Company and of the Subsidiaries listed below:
Corporate Subsidiaries:

CHESAPEAKE EAGLE CANADA CORP.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY LOUISIANA CORPORATION

CHESAPEAKE PRH CORP.

CHESAPEAKE SOUTH TEXAS CORP.

NOMAC DRILLING CORPORATION

OXLEY PETROLEUM CO.

CHESAPEAKE OPERATING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the following limited partnerships:

CHESAPEAKE EXPLORATION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CHESAPEAKE LOUISIANA, L.P.

CHESPEAKE NFW, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE SIGMA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE-STAGHORN ACQUISITION, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ZAPATA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY MARKETING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the following limited partnerships:

MIDCON COMPRESSION, L.P.

Limited Liability Company Subsidiaries:

CARMEN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ENO ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE EP, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE LAND COMPANY, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ORC, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ROYALTY, L.L.C.

 

- 4 -


GOTHIC PRODUCTION, L.L.C.

JOHN C. OXLEY, L.L.C.

MC MINERAL COMPANY, L.L.C.

MAYFIELD PROCESSING, L.L.C.

TRUSTEE:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Steven D. Torgeson

Name:

 

Steven. D. Torgeson

Title:

 

Vice President

 

- 5 -

EX-4.4.1 6 dex441.htm TWELFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE DATED AS OF JULY 15, 2005 Twelfth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005

Exhibit 4.4.1


 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

and

 

the Subsidiary Guarantors named herein

 


 

8.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2008

 


 

TWELFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF JULY 15, 2005

 


 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK

 

as Trustee

 


 



THIS TWELFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of July 15, 2005, is among Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (the Company”), each of the parties identified under the caption “Subsidiary Guarantors” on the signature page hereto (the Subsidiary Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors a party thereto and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of November 5, 2001, as supplemented prior to the date hereof (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Company has originally issued $250,000,000 in principal amount of 8.375% Senior Notes due 2008 (the “Notes”); and

 

WHEREAS, Section 9.01(3) of the Indenture provides that the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture without notice to or consent of any Holder to reflect the addition of any Subsidiary Guarantor, as provided for in the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has designated Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp. as a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and desires to add the entity as a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, all acts and things prescribed by the Indenture, by law and by the charter and the bylaws (or comparable constituent documents) of the Company, of the Subsidiary Guarantors and of the Trustee necessary to make this Twelfth Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument legally binding on the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in consideration of the above premises, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

 

Section 1.01. This Twelfth Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Indenture and does and shall be deemed to form a part of, and shall be construed in connection with and as part of, the Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

Section 1.02. This Twelfth Supplemental Indenture shall become effective immediately upon its execution and delivery by each of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

 

ARTICLE 2

 

Section 2.01. From this date, in accordance with Section 10.03 of the Indenture and by executing this Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp., a New

 

- 2 -


Brunswick corporation, is subject to the provisions of the Indenture as Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent provided for in Article Ten thereunder.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

Section 3.01. Except as specifically modified herein, the Indenture and the Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed (mutatis mutandis) and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms with all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the same respective meanings ascribed to them as in the Indenture.

 

Section 3.02. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no duties, responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this Twelfth Supplemental Indenture. This Twelfth Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto.

 

Section 3.03. The Company hereby notifies the Trustee that Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp. has been designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as a Restricted Subsidiary (as that term is defined in the Indenture).

 

Section 3.04. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE AND ENFORCE THIS TWELFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

 

Section 3.05. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Twelfth Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of such executed copies together shall represent the same agreement.

 

[NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE]

 

- 3 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Twelfth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon

Aubrey K. McClendon

Chief Executive Officer of the Company and of the Subsidiaries listed below:
Corporate Subsidiaries:

CHESAPEAKE EAGLE CANADA CORP.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY LOUISIANA CORPORATION

CHESAPEAKE PRH CORP.

CHESAPEAKE SOUTH TEXAS CORP.

NOMAC DRILLING CORPORATION

OXLEY PETROLEUM CO.

CHESAPEAKE OPERATING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the following limited partnerships:

CHESAPEAKE EXPLORATION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CHESAPEAKE LOUISIANA, L.P.

CHESPEAKE NFW, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE SIGMA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE-STAGHORN ACQUISITION, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ZAPATA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY MARKETING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the following limited partnerships:

MIDCON COMPRESSION, L.P.

Limited Liability Company Subsidiaries:

CARMEN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ENO ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE EP, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE LAND COMPANY, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ORC, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

 

- 4 -


CHESAPEAKE ROYALTY, L.L.C.

GOTHIC PRODUCTION, L.L.C.

JOHN C. OXLEY, L.L.C.

MC MINERAL COMPANY, L.L.C.

MAYFIELD PROCESSING, L.L.C.

TRUSTEE:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Steven D. Torgeson

Name:

 

Steven. D. Torgeson

Title:

 

Vice President

 

- 5 -

EX-4.6.1 7 dex461.htm EIGHTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE DATED AS OF JULY 15, 2005 Eighth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005

Exhibit 4.6.1


 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

and

 

the Subsidiary Guarantors named herein

 


 

7.75% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015

 


 

EIGHTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF JULY 15, 2005

 


 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK

 

as Trustee

 


 



THIS EIGHTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of July 15, 2005, is among Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (the Company”), each of the parties identified under the caption “Subsidiary Guarantors” on the signature page hereto (the Subsidiary Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors a party thereto and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of December 20, 2002, as supplemented prior to the date hereof (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Company has originally issued $150,000,000 in principal amount of 7.75% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “Notes”); and

 

WHEREAS, Section 9.01(3) of the Indenture provides that the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture without notice to or consent of any Holder to reflect the addition of any Subsidiary Guarantor, as provided for in the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has designated Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp. as a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and desires to add the entity as a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, all acts and things prescribed by the Indenture, by law and by the charter and the bylaws (or comparable constituent documents) of the Company, of the Subsidiary Guarantors and of the Trustee necessary to make this Eighth Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument legally binding on the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in consideration of the above premises, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

 

Section 1.01. This Eighth Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Indenture and does and shall be deemed to form a part of, and shall be construed in connection with and as part of, the Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

Section 1.02. This Eighth Supplemental Indenture shall become effective immediately upon its execution and delivery by each of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

 

ARTICLE 2

 

Section 2.01. From this date, in accordance with Section 10.03 of the Indenture and by executing this Eighth Supplemental Indenture, Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp., a New

 

- 2 -


Brunswick corporation, is subject to the provisions of the Indenture as Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent provided for in Article Ten thereunder.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

Section 3.01. Except as specifically modified herein, the Indenture and the Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed (mutatis mutandis) and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms with all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the same respective meanings ascribed to them as in the Indenture.

 

Section 3.02. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no duties, responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this Eighth Supplemental Indenture. This Eighth Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto.

 

Section 3.03. The Company hereby notifies the Trustee that Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp. has been designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as a Restricted Subsidiary (as that term is defined in the Indenture).

 

Section 3.04. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE AND ENFORCE THIS EIGHTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

 

Section 3.05. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Eighth Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of such executed copies together shall represent the same agreement.

 

[NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE]

 

- 3 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Eighth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon

Aubrey K. McClendon

Chief Executive Officer of the Company and of the Subsidiaries listed below:
Corporate Subsidiaries:

CHESAPEAKE EAGLE CANADA CORP.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY LOUISIANA CORPORATION

CHESAPEAKE PRH CORP.

CHESAPEAKE SOUTH TEXAS CORP.

NOMAC DRILLING CORPORATION

OXLEY PETROLEUM CO.

CHESAPEAKE OPERATING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the following limited partnerships:

CHESAPEAKE EXPLORATION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CHESAPEAKE LOUISIANA, L.P.

CHESPEAKE NFW, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE SIGMA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE-STAGHORN ACQUISITION, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ZAPATA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY MARKETING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the following limited partnerships:

MIDCON COMPRESSION, L.P.

Limited Liability Company Subsidiaries:

CARMEN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ENO ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE EP, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE LAND COMPANY, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ORC, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ROYALTY, L.L.C.

 

- 4 -


GOTHIC PRODUCTION, L.L.C.

JOHN C. OXLEY, L.L.C.

MC MINERAL COMPANY, L.L.C.

MAYFIELD PROCESSING, L.L.C.

TRUSTEE:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Steven D. Torgeson

Name:

 

Steven. D. Torgeson

Title:

 

Vice President

 

- 5 -

EX-4.9.1 8 dex491.htm SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE DATED AS OF JULY 15, 2005 Seventh Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005

Exhibit 4.9.1


 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

and

 

the Subsidiary Guarantors named herein

 


 

7.5% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2013

 


 

SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF JULY 15, 2005

 


 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK

 

as Trustee

 


 



THIS SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of July 15, 2005, is among Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (the Company”), each of the parties identified under the caption “Subsidiary Guarantors” on the signature page hereto (the Subsidiary Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors a party thereto and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of March 5, 2003, as supplemented prior to the date hereof (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Company has originally issued $300,000,000 in principal amount of 7.5% Senior Notes due 2013 (the “Notes”); and

 

WHEREAS, Section 9.01(3) of the Indenture provides that the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture without notice to or consent of any Holder to reflect the addition of any Subsidiary Guarantor, as provided for in the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has designated Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp. as a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and desires to add the entity as a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, all acts and things prescribed by the Indenture, by law and by the charter and the bylaws (or comparable constituent documents) of the Company, of the Subsidiary Guarantors and of the Trustee necessary to make this Seventh Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument legally binding on the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in consideration of the above premises, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

 

Section 1.01. This Seventh Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Indenture and does and shall be deemed to form a part of, and shall be construed in connection with and as part of, the Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

Section 1.02. This Seventh Supplemental Indenture shall become effective immediately upon its execution and delivery by each of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

 

ARTICLE 2

 

Section 2.01. From this date, in accordance with Section 10.03 of the Indenture and by executing this Seventh Supplemental Indenture, Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp., a New

 

- 2 -


Brunswick corporation, is subject to the provisions of the Indenture as Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent provided for in Article Ten thereunder.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

Section 3.01. Except as specifically modified herein, the Indenture and the Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed (mutatis mutandis) and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms with all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the same respective meanings ascribed to them as in the Indenture.

 

Section 3.02. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no duties, responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this Seventh Supplemental Indenture. This Seventh Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto.

 

Section 3.03. The Company hereby notifies the Trustee that Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp. has been designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as a Restricted Subsidiary (as that term is defined in the Indenture).

 

Section 3.04. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE AND ENFORCE THIS SEVENTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

 

Section 3.05. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Seventh Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of such executed copies together shall represent the same agreement.

 

[NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE]

 

- 3 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Seventh Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon

Aubrey K. McClendon

Chief Executive Officer of the Company and of the Subsidiaries listed below:
Corporate Subsidiaries:

CHESAPEAKE EAGLE CANADA CORP.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY LOUISIANA CORPORATION

CHESAPEAKE PRH CORP.

CHESAPEAKE SOUTH TEXAS CORP.

NOMAC DRILLING CORPORATION

OXLEY PETROLEUM CO.

CHESAPEAKE OPERATING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the following limited partnerships:

CHESAPEAKE EXPLORATION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CHESAPEAKE LOUISIANA, L.P.

CHESPEAKE NFW, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE SIGMA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE-STAGHORN ACQUISITION, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ZAPATA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY MARKETING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the following limited partnerships:

MIDCON COMPRESSION, L.P.

Limited Liability Company Subsidiaries:

CARMEN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ENO ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE EP, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE LAND COMPANY, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ORC, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ROYALTY, L.L.C.

 

- 4 -


GOTHIC PRODUCTION, L.L.C.

JOHN C. OXLEY, L.L.C.

MC MINERAL COMPANY, L.L.C.

MAYFIELD PROCESSING, L.L.C.

TRUSTEE:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Steven D. Torgeson

Name:

 

Steven. D. Torgeson

Title:

 

Vice President

 

- 5 -

EX-4.10.1 9 dex4101.htm FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE DATED AS OF JULY 15, 2005 Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005

Exhibit 4.10.1


 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

and

 

the Subsidiary Guarantors named herein

 


 

6.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2016

 


 

FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF JULY 15, 2005

 


 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK

 

as Trustee

 


 



THIS FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of July 15, 2005, is among Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (the Company”), each of the parties identified under the caption Subsidiary Guarantors on the signature page hereto (the Subsidiary Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York, as Trustee.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors a party thereto and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of November 26, 2003, as supplemented prior to the date hereof (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Company has originally issued $200,000,000 in principal amount of 6.875% Senior Notes due 2016 (the “Notes”); and

 

WHEREAS, Section 9.01(3) of the Indenture provides that the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture without notice to or consent of any Holder to reflect the addition of any Subsidiary Guarantor, as provided for in the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has designated Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp. as a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and desires to add the entity as a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, all acts and things prescribed by the Indenture, by law and by the charter and the bylaws (or comparable constituent documents) of the Company, of the Subsidiary Guarantors and of the Trustee necessary to make this Fifth Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument legally binding on the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in consideration of the above premises, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

 

Section 1.01. This Fifth Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Indenture and does and shall be deemed to form a part of, and shall be construed in connection with and as part of, the Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

Section 1.02. This Fifth Supplemental Indenture shall become effective immediately upon its execution and delivery by each of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

 

ARTICLE 2

 

Section 2.01. From this date, in accordance with Section 10.03 of the Indenture and by executing this Fifth Supplemental Indenture, Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp., a New

 

- 2 -


Brunswick corporation, is subject to the provisions of the Indenture as Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent provided for in Article Ten thereunder.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

Section 3.01. Except as specifically modified herein, the Indenture and the Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed (mutatis mutandis) and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms with all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the same respective meanings ascribed to them as in the Indenture.

 

Section 3.02. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no duties, responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture. This Fifth Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto.

 

Section 3.03. The Company hereby notifies the Trustee that Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp. has been designated by the Board of Directors of the Company as a Restricted Subsidiary (as that term is defined in the Indenture).

 

Section 3.04. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE AND ENFORCE THIS FIFTH SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

 

Section 3.05. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Fifth Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of such executed copies together shall represent the same agreement.

 

[NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE]

 

- 3 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Fifth Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon

Aubrey K. McClendon

Chief Executive Officer of the Company and of the Subsidiaries listed below:
Corporate Subsidiaries:

CHESAPEAKE EAGLE CANADA CORP.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY LOUISIANA CORPORATION

CHESAPEAKE PRH CORP.

CHESAPEAKE SOUTH TEXAS CORP.

NOMAC DRILLING CORPORATION

OXLEY PETROLEUM CO.

CHESAPEAKE OPERATING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the following limited partnerships:

CHESAPEAKE EXPLORATION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CHESAPEAKE LOUISIANA, L.P.

CHESPEAKE NFW, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE SIGMA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE-STAGHORN ACQUISITION, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ZAPATA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY MARKETING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the following limited partnerships:

MIDCON COMPRESSION, L.P.

Limited Liability Company Subsidiaries:

CARMEN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ENO ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE EP, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE LAND COMPANY, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ORC, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ROYALTY, L.L.C.

 

- 4 -


GOTHIC PRODUCTION, L.L.C.

JOHN C. OXLEY, L.L.C.

MC MINERAL COMPANY, L.L.C.

MAYFIELD PROCESSING, L.L.C.

TRUSTEE:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee

By:  

/s/ Steven D. Torgeson

Name:

 

Steven. D. Torgeson

Title:

 

Vice President

 

- 5 -

EX-4.11.2 10 dex4112.htm THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE DATED AS OF JULY 15, 2005 Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005

Exhibit 4.11.2


 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

and

 

the Subsidiary Guarantors named herein

 


 

6.375% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2015

 


 

THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF JULY 15, 2005

 


 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

 

as Trustee

 


 



THIS THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of July 15, 2005, is among Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (the Company”), each of the parties identified under the caption “Subsidiary Guarantors” on the signature page hereto (the Subsidiary Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors a party thereto and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of December 8, 2004, as supplemented prior to the date hereof (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Company has originally issued $600,000,000 in principal amount of 6.375% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “Notes”); and

 

WHEREAS, Section 9.01(3) of the Indenture provides that the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture without notice to or consent of any Holder to reflect the release of any Subsidiary Guarantor, as provided for in the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has taken all actions required to effect the release, pursuant to Sections 10.02 and 10.04 of the Indenture, of Chesapeake PPC Corp., a Texas corporation as Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

WHEREAS, all acts and things prescribed by the Indenture, by law and by the charter and the bylaws (or comparable constituent documents) of the Company, of the Subsidiary Guarantors and of the Trustee necessary to make this Third Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument legally binding on the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in consideration of the above premises, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

 

Section 1.01. This Third Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Indenture and does and shall be deemed to form a part of, and shall be construed in connection with and as part of, the Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

Section 1.02. This Third Supplemental Indenture shall become effective immediately upon its execution and delivery by each of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

 

- 2 -


ARTICLE 2

 

Section 2.01. As a result of the merger of Chesapeake PPC Corp., with and into Chesapeake Exploration Limited Partnership, an Oklahoma limited partnership (“CELP”), which constitutes a merger with a Subsidiary Guarantor under Section 10.02(a) of the Indenture, Chesapeake PPC Corp., shall for all purposes be released as a Subsidiary Guarantor from all of its Guarantees and related obligations in the Indenture, pursuant to Section 10.04 of the Indenture. The notation on the Securities relating to the Guarantee shall be deemed to exclude the name of Chesapeake PPC Corp. and the signature of an Officer of Chesapeake PPC Corp.

 

Section 2.02. As the surviving entity in its merger with Chesapeake PPC Corp. and a Subsidiary Guarantor, CELP hereby agrees to assume all of the obligations of Chesapeake PPC Corp.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

Section 3.01. Except as specifically modified herein, the Indenture and the Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed (mutatis mutandis) and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms with all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the same respective meanings ascribed to them as in the Indenture.

 

Section 3.02. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no duties, responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this Third Supplemental Indenture. This Third Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto.

 

Section 3.03. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE AND ENFORCE THIS THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

 

Section 3.04. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Third Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of such executed copies together shall represent the same agreement.

 

[NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE]

 

- 3 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Third Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon

Aubrey K. McClendon

Chief Executive Officer of the Company and of the Subsidiaries listed below:
Corporate Subsidiaries:

CHESAPEAKE EAGLE CANADA CORP.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY LOUISIANA CORPORATION

CHESAPEAKE PRH CORP.

CHESAPEAKE SOUTH TEXAS CORP.

NOMAC DRILLING CORPORATION

OXLEY PETROLEUM CO.

CHESAPEAKE OPERATING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the following limited partnerships:

CHESAPEAKE EXPLORATION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CHESAPEAKE LOUISIANA, L.P.

CHESPEAKE NFW, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE SIGMA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE-STAGHORN ACQUISITION, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ZAPATA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY MARKETING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the following limited partnerships:

MIDCON COMPRESSION, L.P.

Limited Liability Company Subsidiaries:

CARMEN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ENO ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE EP, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE LAND COMPANY, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ORC, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

 

- 4 -


CHESAPEAKE ROYALTY, L.L.C.

GOTHIC PRODUCTION, L.L.C.

JOHN C. OXLEY, L.L.C.

MC MINERAL COMPANY, L.L.C.

MAYFIELD PROCESSING, L.L.C.

TRUSTEE:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A., as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Steven D. Torgeson

Name:

 

Steven. D. Torgeson

Title:

 

Vice President

 

- 5 -

EX-4.12.1 11 dex4121.htm FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE DATED AS OF JULY 15, 2005 First Supplemental Indenture dated as of July 15, 2005

Exhibit 4.12.1


 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

and

 

the Subsidiary Guarantors named herein

 


 

6.625% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2016

 


 

FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF JULY 15, 2005

 


 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

 

as Trustee

 


 



THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of July 15, 2005, is among Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (the Company”), each of the parties identified under the caption “Subsidiary Guarantors” on the signature page hereto (the Subsidiary Guarantors”) and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors a party thereto and the Trustee entered into an Indenture, dated as of April 19 2005, (the “Indenture”), pursuant to which the Company has originally issued $600,000,000 in principal amount of 6.625% Senior Notes due 2016 (the “Notes”); and

 

WHEREAS, Section 9.01(3) of the Indenture provides that the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture without notice to or consent of any Holder to reflect the release of any Subsidiary Guarantor, as provided for in the Indenture; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company has taken all actions required to effect the release, pursuant to Sections 10.02 and 10.04 of the Indenture, of Chesapeake PPC Corp., a Texas corporation as Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

WHEREAS, all acts and things prescribed by the Indenture, by law and by the charter and the bylaws (or comparable constituent documents) of the Company, of the Subsidiary Guarantors and of the Trustee necessary to make this First Supplemental Indenture a valid instrument legally binding on the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, in accordance with its terms, have been duly done and performed;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, to comply with the provisions of the Indenture and in consideration of the above premises, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee covenant and agree for the equal and proportionate benefit of the respective Holders of the Notes as follows:

 

ARTICLE 1

 

Section 1.01. This First Supplemental Indenture is supplemental to the Indenture and does and shall be deemed to form a part of, and shall be construed in connection with and as part of, the Indenture for any and all purposes.

 

Section 1.02. This First Supplemental Indenture shall become effective immediately upon its execution and delivery by each of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee.

 

- 2 -


ARTICLE 2

 

Section 2.01. As a result of the merger of Chesapeake PPC Corp., with and into Chesapeake Exploration Limited Partnership, an Oklahoma limited partnership (“CELP”), which constitutes a merger with a Subsidiary Guarantor under Section 10.02(a) of the Indenture, Chesapeake PPC Corp., shall for all purposes be released as a Subsidiary Guarantor from all of its Guarantees and related obligations in the Indenture, pursuant to Section 10.04 of the Indenture. The notation on the Securities relating to the Guarantee shall be deemed to exclude the name of Chesapeake PPC Corp. and the signature of an Officer of Chesapeake PPC Corp.

 

Section 2.02. As the surviving entity in its merger with Chesapeake PPC Corp. and a Subsidiary Guarantor, CELP hereby agrees to assume all of the obligations of Chesapeake PPC Corp.

 

ARTICLE 3

 

Section 3.01. Except as specifically modified herein, the Indenture and the Notes are in all respects ratified and confirmed (mutatis mutandis) and shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms with all capitalized terms used herein without definition having the same respective meanings ascribed to them as in the Indenture.

 

Section 3.02. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no duties, responsibilities or liabilities are assumed, or shall be construed to be assumed, by the Trustee by reason of this First Supplemental Indenture. This First Supplemental Indenture is executed and accepted by the Trustee subject to all the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture with the same force and effect as if those terms and conditions were repeated at length herein and made applicable to the Trustee with respect hereto.

 

Section 3.03. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE AND ENFORCE THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

 

Section 3.04. The parties may sign any number of copies of this First Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of such executed copies together shall represent the same agreement.

 

[NEXT PAGE IS SIGNATURE PAGE]

 

- 3 -


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this First Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Aubrey K. McClendon

Aubrey K. McClendon

 

Chief Executive Officer of the Company
and of the Subsidiaries listed below:

 

Corporate Subsidiaries:

 

CHESAPEAKE EAGLE CANADA CORP.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY LOUISIANA CORPORATION

CHESAPEAKE PRH CORP.

CHESAPEAKE SOUTH TEXAS CORP.

NOMAC DRILLING CORPORATION

OXLEY PETROLEUM CO.

 

CHESAPEAKE OPERATING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the
following limited partnerships:

 

CHESAPEAKE EXPLORATION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CHESAPEAKE LOUISIANA, L.P.

CHESPEAKE NFW, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE SIGMA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE-STAGHORN ACQUISITION, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ZAPATA, L.P.

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY MARKETING, INC.,

On behalf of itself and, as general partner, the
following limited partnerships:

 

MIDCON COMPRESSION, L.P.

 

Limited Liability Company Subsidiaries:

 

CARMEN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ENO ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE EP, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE LAND COMPANY, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ORC, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

 

- 4 -


CHESAPEAKE ROYALTY, L.L.C.

GOTHIC PRODUCTION, L.L.C.

JOHN C. OXLEY, L.L.C.

MC MINERAL COMPANY, L.L.C.

MAYFIELD PROCESSING, L.L.C.

 

TRUSTEE:

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY,
N.A., as Trustee

By:   /s/ Steven D. Torgeson
Name:   Steven. D. Torgeson
Title:   Vice President

 

- 5 -

EX-4.13 12 dex413.htm INDENTURE DATED AS OF JUNE 20, 2005 Indenture dated as of June 20, 2005

Exhibit 4.13

 

EXECUTION COPY

 


 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

 

as Issuer,

 

THE SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS,

 

as Guarantors,

 

AND

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

 

as Trustee

 


 

INDENTURE

 

DATED AS OF June 20, 2005

 


 

6.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2018

 


 



CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

 

TIA SECTION


  

INDENTURE SECTION


310    (a) (1)    7.10
     (a) (2)    7.10
     (a) (3)    N.A.
     (a) (4)    N.A.
     (a) (5)    7.08
     (b)    7.08; 7.10
     (c)    N.A.
311    (a)    7.11
     (b)    7.11
     (c)    N.A.
312    (a)    2.05
     (b)    12.03
     (c)    12.03
313    (a)    7.06
     (b) (1)    N.A.
     (b) (2)    7.06
     (c)    7.06; 12.02
     (d)    7.06
314    (a)    4.02; 4.03; 12.02
     (b)    N.A.
     (c) (1)    12.04
     (c) (2)    12.04
     (c) (3)    N.A.
     (d)    N.A.
     (e)    12.05
     (f)    N.A.
315    (a)    7.01 (b)
     (b)    7.05; 12.02
     (c)    7.01 (a)
     (d)    7.01 (c)
     (e)    6.11
316    (a) (last sentence)    2.09
     (a) (1) (A)    6.05
     (a) (1) (B)    6.02; 6.04; 9.02
     (a) (2)    N.A.
     (b)    6.07
     (c)    N.A.
317    (a) (1)    6.08
     (a) (2)    6.09
     (b)    2.04
318    (a)    12.01
318    (c)    12.01

N.A. means Not Applicable

 

NOTE: This Cross-Reference table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed part of this Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Pages

ARTICLE One     
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE     

SECTION 1.01. Definitions.

   1

SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions.

   20

SECTION 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act

   20

SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction.

   21
ARTICLE Two     
THE SECURITIES     

SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating

   21

SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication

   21

SECTION 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent

   22

SECTION 2.04. Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust

   22

SECTION 2.05. Holder Lists

   23

SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange

   23

SECTION 2.07. Replacement Securities

   23

SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Securities

   23

SECTION 2.09. Temporary Securities

   24

SECTION 2.10. Cancelation

   24

SECTION 2.11. Defaulted Interest

   24

SECTION 2.12. CUSIP Numbers

   24

SECTION 2.13. Issuance of Additional Securities

   24
ARTICLE Three     
REDEMPTION     

SECTION 3.01. Notice to Trustee

   25

SECTION 3.02. Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed

   25

SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption

   25

SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption

   26

SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price

   27

SECTION 3.06. Securities Redeemed in Part

   27

SECTION 3.07. Optional Redemption

   27

SECTION 3.08. Equity Offering Redemption

   27

SECTION 3.09. Optional Redemption at Make-Whole Price

   28
ARTICLE Four     
COVENANTS     

SECTION 4.01. Payment of Securities

   28

SECTION 4.02. SEC Reports

   28

SECTION 4.03. Compliance Certificates

   29

SECTION 4.04. Maintenance of Office or Agency

   29

SECTION 4.05. Corporate Existence

   30


SECTION 4.06. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws

   30

SECTION 4.07. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims

   30

SECTION 4.08. Maintenance of Properties and Insurance

   31

SECTION 4.09. Limitation on Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness.

   31

SECTION 4.10. Limitation on Restricted Payments

   32

SECTION 4.11. Limitation on Sale of Assets

   33

SECTION 4.12. Limitation on Liens Securing Indebtedness

   35

SECTION 4.13. Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions

   35

SECTION 4.14. Limitation on Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries

   36

SECTION 4.15. Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates

   36

SECTION 4.16. Change of Control

   37

SECTION 4.17. Covenant Termination.

   38
ARTICLE Five     
SUCCESSOR CORPORATION     

SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge, etc

   38

SECTION 5.02. Successor Corporation Substituted

   39
ARTICLE Six     
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES     

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default

   39

SECTION 6.02. Acceleration

   41

SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies

   42

SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults

   42

SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority

   42

SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Remedies

   42

SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment

   43

SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee

   43

SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim

   43

SECTION 6.10. Priorities

   43

SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs

   44
ARTICLE Seven     
TRUSTEE     

SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee

   44

SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee

   45

SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee

   46

SECTION 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer

   46

SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults

   46

SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders

   46

SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity

   47

SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee

   48

SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc

   48

SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification

   48

SECTION 7.11. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company

   49


ARTICLE Eight     
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE     

SECTION 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

   49

SECTION 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge

   49

SECTION 8.03. Covenant Defeasance

   49

SECTION 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance

   50

SECTION 8.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions

   51

SECTION 8.06. Repayment to Company

   52

SECTION 8.07. Reinstatement

   52
ARTICLE Nine     
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS     

SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders.

   52

SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders

   53

SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act

   54

SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents

   54

SECTION 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Senior Notes

   55

SECTION 9.06. Trustee Protected

   55
ARTICLE Ten     
GUARANTEES     

SECTION 10.01. Unconditional Guarantee

   55

SECTION 10.02. Subsidiary Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms

   56

SECTION 10.03. Addition of Subsidiary Guarantors

   57

SECTION 10.04. Release of a Subsidiary Guarantor

   57

SECTION 10.05. Limitation of Subsidiary Guarantor’s Liability

   58

SECTION 10.06. Contribution

   58

SECTION 10.07. [Intentionally Omitted.]

   58

SECTION 10.08. Severability

   58
ARTICLE Eleven     
MISCELLANEOUS     

SECTION 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls

   58

SECTION 11.02. Notices

   59

SECTION 11.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders

   59

SECTION 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent

   59

SECTION 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion

   60

SECTION 11.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents

   60

SECTION 11.07. Legal Holidays

   60

SECTION 11.08. Governing Law

   60

SECTION 11.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements

   60

SECTION 11.10. No Recourse Against Others

   60

SECTION 11.11. Successors

   60

SECTION 11.12. Duplicate Originals

   61

SECTION 11.13. Severability

   61

SIGNATURES

   62


RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX

   A-1

EXHIBIT 1 TO THE RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX – FORM OF INITIAL SECURITY

   B-1

EXHIBIT A-1 – FORM OF EXCHANGE SECURITY OR PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITY

   C-1

NOTE: This Table of Contents shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of this Indenture.


INDENTURE, dated as of June 20, 2005, among CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION, an Oklahoma corporation (the “Company”), the SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS listed as signatories hereto and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association, as Trustee.

 

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Company’s 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018:

 

ARTICLE ONE

 

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

SECTION 1.01. Definitions.

 

“Additional Securities” means, subject to the Company’s compliance with Section 4.09(a), 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018 issued from time to time after the Issue Date under the terms of this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 2.06, 2.07, 2.09 or 3.06 of this Indenture and other than Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities issued pursuant to an exchange offer for other Securities outstanding under this Indenture).

 

“Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA” means the Consolidated Net Income of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the Reference Period, (a) increased (to the extent deducted in determining Consolidated Net Income) by the sum, without duplication, of: (i) all income and state franchise taxes of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries paid or accrued according to GAAP for such period (other than income taxes attributable to extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains or losses); (ii) all interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries paid or accrued in accordance with GAAP for such period (including amortization of original issue discount or premium); (iii) depreciation and depletion of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; (iv) amortization of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries including, without limitation, amortization of capitalized debt issuance costs; (v) any loss realized in accordance with GAAP upon the sale or other disposition of any property, plant or equipment of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any loss realized in accordance with GAAP upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person; (vi) any loss realized in accordance with GAAP from currency exchange transactions not in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (vii) any loss net of income taxes realized in accordance with GAAP attributable to extraordinary items; (viii) any charges associated with the repurchase, prepayment or retirement of any Indebtedness including, without limitation, charges related to any premium or penalty paid or the write-off of deferred financing charges; and (ix) any other non-cash charges to the extent deducted from Consolidated Net Income and (b) decreased (to the extent included in determining Consolidated Net Income) by the sum of (i) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during the Reference Period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments and (ii) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments.

 

“Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio” means, for any Reference Period, the ratio on a pro forma basis of (a) Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA for the Reference Period to (b) Adjusted Consolidated Interest Expense


for such Reference Period; provided, that, in calculating Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA and Adjusted Consolidated Interest Expense (i) acquisitions which occurred during the Reference Period or subsequent to the Reference Period and on or prior to the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio (the “Transaction Date”) will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the Reference Period, including any Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA and any pro forma expense and cost reductions that have occurred or are reasonably expected to occur, in the reasonable judgment of the chief financial or accounting officer of the Company regardless of whether those cost savings or operating improvements could then be reflected in pro forma financial statements in accordance with Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act or any other regulation or policy of the SEC related thereto, (ii) the incurrence of any Indebtedness (including the issuance of the Securities) or issuance of any Disqualified Stock during the Reference Period or subsequent to the Reference Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date shall be assumed to have occurred on the first day of such Reference Period, (iii) any Indebtedness that had been outstanding during the Reference Period that has been repaid on or prior to the Transaction Date shall be assumed to have been repaid as of the first day of such Reference Period, (iv) the Adjusted Consolidated Interest Expense attributable to interest on any Indebtedness or dividends on any Disqualified Stock bearing a floating interest (or dividend) rate shall be computed on a pro forma basis as if the rate in effect on the Transaction Date were the average rate in effect during the entire Reference Period and (v) in determining the amount of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.09, the incurrence of Indebtedness or issuance of Disqualified Stock giving rise to the need to calculate the Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio and, to the extent the net proceeds from the incurrence or issuance thereof are used to retire Indebtedness, the application of the proceeds therefrom shall be assumed to have occurred on the first day of the Reference Period.

 

“Adjusted Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, for the Reference Period, the aggregate amount (without duplication) of (a) interest expensed in accordance with GAAP (including, in accordance with the following sentence, interest attributable to Capitalized Lease Obligations, but excluding interest attributable to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and amortization of deferred debt expense) during such period in respect of all Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including (i) amortization of original issue discount or premium on any Indebtedness (other than with respect to the Existing Notes and the Securities), (ii) the interest portion of all deferred payment obligations, calculated in accordance with GAAP, and (iii) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to bankers’ acceptance financings and currency and interest rate swap arrangements, in each case to the extent attributable to such period), and (b) dividend requirements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any Preferred Stock dividends (whether in cash or otherwise (except dividends paid solely in shares of Qualified Stock)) paid (other than to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), declared, accrued or accumulated during such period, in each case to the extent attributable to such period and excluding items eliminated in consolidation. For purposes of this definition, (a) interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by the Company to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP and (b) interest expense attributable to any Indebtedness represented by the guarantee by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of an obligation of another Person shall be deemed to be the interest expense attributable to the Indebtedness guaranteed.

 

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“Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” or “ACNTA” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, (a) the sum of (i) discounted future net revenue from proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal income taxes, as estimated by petroleum engineers (which may include the Company’s internal engineers) in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue of (A) estimated proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to any acquisition consummated since the date of such year-end reserve report, and (B) estimated proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities conducted or otherwise occurring since the date of such year-end reserve report, which, in the case of sub-clauses (A) and (B), would, in accordance with standard industry practice, result in such increases as calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report), and decreased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue of (C) estimated proved oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries produced or disposed of since the date of such year-end reserve report and (D) reductions in the estimated oil and gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries since the date of such year-end reserve report attributable to downward revisions of estimates of proved oil and gas reserves due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities conducted or otherwise occurring since the date of such year-end reserve report which, in the case of sub-clauses (C) and (D), would, in accordance with standard industry practice, result in such decreases as calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report); provided that, in the case of each of the determinations made pursuant to clauses (A) through (D), such increases and decreases shall be as estimated by the Company’s engineers, (ii) the capitalized costs that are attributable to oil and gas properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no proved oil and gas reserves are attributable, based on the Company’s books and records as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements, (iii) the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements and (iv) the greater of (I) the net book value on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements and (II) the appraised value, as estimated by independent appraisers, of other tangible assets (including Investments in unconsolidated Subsidiaries) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest audited financial statements, minus (b) the sum of (i) minority interests, (ii) any gas balancing liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected as a long-term liability in the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements, (iii) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), attributable to reserves which are required to be delivered to third parties to fully satisfy the obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Volumetric Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto, (iv) the

 

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discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments which, based on the estimates of production included in determining the discounted future net revenue specified in (a) (i) above (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), would be necessary to fully satisfy the payment obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto and (v) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), attributable to reserves subject to participation interests, overriding royalty interests or other interests of third parties, pursuant to participation, partnership, vendor financing or other agreements then in effect, or which otherwise are required to be delivered to third parties. If the Company changes its method of accounting from the full cost method to the successful efforts method or a similar method of accounting, Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets will continue to be calculated as if the Company were still using the full cost method of accounting.

 

“Adjusted Net Assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor” at any date shall mean the lesser of (i) the amount by which the fair value of the property of such Subsidiary Guarantor exceeds the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities (after giving effect to all other fixed and contingent liabilities incurred or assumed on such date), but excluding liabilities under the Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor at such date and (ii) the amount by which the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor at such date exceeds the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Subsidiary Guarantor on its debts (after giving effect to all other fixed and contingent liabilities incurred or assumed on such date and after giving effect to any collection from any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such Subsidiary under the Guarantee), excluding debt in respect of the Guarantee, as they become absolute and matured.

 

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

 

“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar.

 

“Asset Sale” means any sale, lease, transfer, exchange or other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers, exchanges or dispositions) having a fair market value of $5,000,000 or more of shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares), or of property or assets (including the creation of Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production Payments, other than Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production Payments created or sold in connection with the financing of, and within 30 days after, the acquisition of the properties subject thereto) or any interests therein (each referred to for purposes of this definition as a “disposition”) by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar

 

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transaction (other than (a) by the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary or by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary, (b) a sale of oil, gas or other hydrocarbons or other mineral products in the ordinary course of business of the Company’s oil and gas production operations, (c) any abandonment, farm-in, farm-out, lease and sub-lease of developed and/or undeveloped properties made or entered into in the ordinary course of business, but excluding (x) any sale of a net profits or overriding royalty interest, in each case conveyed from or burdening proved developed or proved undeveloped reserves and (y) any sale of hydrocarbons or other mineral products as a result of the creation of Dollar-Denominated Production Payments or Volumetric Production Payments, other than Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production Payments created or sold in connection with the financing of, and within 30 days after, the acquisition of the properties subject thereto), (d) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in compliance with Article Five, (e) Sale/Leaseback Transactions in compliance with Section 4.13, (f) the provision of services and equipment for the operation and development of the Company’s oil and gas wells, in the ordinary course of the Company’s oil and gas service businesses, notwithstanding that such transactions may be recorded as asset sales in accordance with full cost accounting guidelines, and (g) the issuance by the Company of shares of its Capital Stock).

 

“Attributable Indebtedness” means, with respect to any particular lease under which any Person is at the time liable and at any date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined, the present value of the total net amount of rent required to be paid by such Person under the lease during the primary term thereof, without giving effect to any renewals at the option of the lessee, discounted from the respective due dates thereof to such date at the rate of interest per annum implicit in the terms of the lease. As used in the preceding sentence, the “net amount of rent” under any lease for any such period shall mean the sum of rental and other payments required to be paid with respect to such period by the lessee thereunder excluding any amounts required to be paid by such lessee on account of maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates or similar charges. In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon payment of a penalty, such net amount of rent shall also include the amount of such penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated.

 

“Average Life” means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the product of (x) the number of years from such date to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness multiplied by (y) the amount of such principal payment by (ii) the sum of all such principal payments.

 

“Board of Directors” means, with respect to any Person, the Board of Directors of such Person or any committee of the Board of Directors of such Person duly authorized to act on behalf of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

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

 

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“Business Day” means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. is open for trading and which is not a Legal Holiday.

 

“Capital Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock or partnership or limited liability company interests and any and all warrants, options and rights with respect thereto (whether or not currently exercisable), including each class of common stock and preferred stock of such Person.

 

“Capitalized Lease Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease of property, real or personal, that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following: (i) the sale, lease or transfer, in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to any Person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than to Permitted Holders; (ii) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; (iii) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any Person or group (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), other than Permitted Holders, of beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, except that such Person shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all shares that any such Person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after passage of time) of more than 50% of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company; provided, however, that the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company than such other Person and do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company (for the purposes of this definition, such other Person shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of a specified corporation held by a parent corporation, if such other Person is the beneficial owner (as defined above), directly or indirectly, of more than 35% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent corporation and the Permitted Holders beneficially own (as defined in this proviso), directly or indirectly, in the aggregate a lesser percentage of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent corporation and do not have the right or ability by voting power, contract or otherwise to elect or designate for election a majority of the Board of Directors of such parent corporation); or (iv) during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Board of Directors of the Company (together with any new directors whose election by such Board of Directors or whose nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company was approved by a vote of 66-2/3% of the directors of the Company then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company then in office.

 

“Change of Control Triggering Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Rating Decline.

 

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“Company” means the party named as such above, until a successor replaces such Person in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, and thereafter means such successor.

 

“Consolidated Net Income” of the Company means, for any period, the aggregate net income (or loss) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income: (a) any net income of any Person if such Person is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, except that (i) subject to the limitations contained in clause (d) below, the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Person for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash or cash equivalents actually distributed by such Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (c) below) and (ii) the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary) for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income; (b) any net income (or loss) of any Person acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary in a pooling of interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such acquisition; (c) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company, is prohibited; (d) any gain (but not loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any property, plant or equipment of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (including pursuant to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain (but not loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person; (e) any gain (but not loss) from currency exchange transactions not in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice; (f) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles; (g) to the extent deducted in the calculation of net income, the non-cash charges associated with the repayment of Indebtedness with the proceeds from the sale of the Securities or any other Senior Indebtedness scheduled to mature no earlier than the Indebtedness being repaid and the prepayment of any of the Securities or such other Senior Indebtedness; and (h) any writedowns of non-current assets; provided, however, that any “ceiling limitation” writedowns under SEC guidelines shall be treated as capitalized costs, as if such writedowns had not occurred;(i) any gain (but not loss) attributable to extraordinary items; and (j) any unrealized non-cash gains or losses or charges in respect of hedge or non-hedge derivatives (including those resulting from the application of FAS 133).

 

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

 

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“Currency Hedge Obligations” means, at any time as to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, the obligations of any such Person at such time that were incurred in the ordinary course of business pursuant to any foreign currency exchange agreement, option or futures contract or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect against or manage such Person’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

“Debt Issuances” means, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more issuances after the Issue Date of Indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar securities or instruments.

 

“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time would be, an Event of Default.

 

“De Minimis Guaranteed Amount” means a principal amount of Indebtedness that does not exceed $5,000,000.

 

“Disinterested Director” means, with respect to an Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions, a member of the Board of Directors of the Company who has no financial interest, and whose employer has no financial interest, in such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions.

 

“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or with the passage of time, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the Maturity Date or which is exchangeable or convertible into debt securities of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, except to the extent that such exchange or conversion rights cannot be exercised prior to the Maturity Date.

 

“Dollar-Denominated Production Payments” mean production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

 

“Equity Offering” means any public offering of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company pursuant to a registration statement filed pursuant to the Securities Act or any private placement of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (other than to any Person who, prior to such private placement, was an Affiliate of the Company) which offering or placement is consummated after the Issue Date.

 

“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC thereunder.

 

“Existing Notes” means the Company’s outstanding (a) 8.375% Senior Notes due 2008, (b) 8.125% Senior Notes due 2011, (c) 9.00% Senior Notes due 2012, (d) 7.50% Senior Notes due 2013, (e) 7.00% Senior Notes due 2014, (f) 7.50% Senior Notes due 2014, (g) 7.75% Senior Notes due 2015, (h) 6.375 Senior Notes due 2015, (i) 6.875% Senior Notes due 2016 and (j) 6.625% Senior Notes due 2016.

 

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“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in the United States of America as of the Issue Date.

 

“Guarantee” means, individually and collectively, the guarantees given by the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to Article Ten hereof.

 

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s books.

 

“Indebtedness” means, without duplication, with respect to any Person, (a) all obligations of such Person (i) in respect of borrowed money (whether or not the recourse of the lender is to the whole of the assets of such Person or only to a portion thereof), (ii) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (iii) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services (other than accounts payable or other obligations arising in the ordinary course of business), (iv) evidenced by bankers’ acceptances or similar instruments issued or accepted by banks, (v) for the payment of money relating to a Capitalized Lease Obligation, or (vi) evidenced by a letter of credit or a reimbursement obligation of such Person with respect to any letter of credit; (b) all net obligations of such Person under Interest Rate Hedging Agreements, Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts and Currency Hedge Obligations, except to the extent such net obligations are taken into account in the determination of future net revenues from proved oil and gas reserves for purposes of the calculation of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; (c) all liabilities of others of the kind described in the preceding clauses (a) or (b) that such Person has guaranteed or that are otherwise its legal liability (including, with respect to any Production Payment, any warranties or guaranties of production or payment by such Person with respect to such Production Payment but excluding other contractual obligations of such Person with respect to such Production Payment); (d) Indebtedness (as otherwise defined in this definition) of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person, the amount of such obligations being deemed to be the lesser of (1) the full amount of such obligations so secured, and (2) the fair market value of such asset, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of such Person, which determination shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution, (e) with respect to such Person, the liquidation preference or any mandatory redemption payment obligations in respect of Disqualified Stock; (f) the aggregate preference in respect of amounts payable on the issued and outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of any of such Person’s Restricted Subsidiaries in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up (excluding any such preference attributable to such shares of Preferred Stock that are owned by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, that if such Person is the Company, such exclusion shall be for such preference attributable to such shares of Preferred Stock that are owned by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries); and (g) any and all deferrals, renewals, extensions, refinancings and refundings (whether direct or indirect) of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) or this clause (g), whether or not between or among the same parties. Subject to clause (c) of the preceding sentence, neither Dollar-Denominated Production Payments nor Volumetric Production Payments shall be deemed to be Indebtedness.

 

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“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof.

 

“Initial Purchaser” means Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC.

 

“Interest Rate Hedging Agreements” means, with respect to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, the obligations of such Persons under (i) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements and (ii) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect any such Person or any of its Subsidiaries against fluctuations in interest rates.

 

“Investment” of any Person means (i) all investments by such Person in any other Person in the form of loans, advances or capital contributions, (ii) all guarantees of Indebtedness or other obligations of any other Person by such Person, (iii) all purchases (or other acquisitions for consideration) by such Person of assets, Indebtedness, Capital Stock or other securities of any other Person and (iv) all other items that would be classified as investments (including, without limitation, purchases of assets outside the ordinary course of business) or advances on a balance sheet of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s or BBB– (or the equivalent) by S&P.

 

“Issue Date” means June 20, 2005.

 

“Lien” means, with respect to any Person, any mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, easement, restriction, covenant, right-of-way, charge or adverse claim affecting title or resulting in an encumbrance against real or personal property of such Person, or a security interest of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option, right of first refusal or other similar agreement to sell, in each case securing obligations of such Person and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statute or statutes) of any jurisdiction).

 

“Make-Whole Amount” with respect to a Security means an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the present value of the remaining interest, premium and principal payments due on such Security (excluding any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the redemption date) as if such Security were redeemed on July 15, 2010, computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate plus 50 basis points, over (ii) the outstanding principal amount of such Security. As used herein, “Treasury Rate” is defined as the yield to maturity (calculated on a semi-annual bond equivalent basis) at the time of the computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled by and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519), which has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the date of the redemption notice or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data) most nearly equal to the then remaining maturity of the Securities assuming redemption of the Securities on July 15, 2010; provided, however, that if the Make-Whole Average Life of such Security is not equal to the constant maturity of the United States Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of United States Treasury securities for

 

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which such yields are given, except that if the Make-Whole Average Life of such Securities is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used. As used herein, “Make-Whole Average Life” means the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) between the date of redemption and July 15, 2010.

 

“Make-Whole Price” means the greater of (i) the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed plus (B) the Make-Whole Amount and (ii) the redemption price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount) of the Securities on July 15, 2010 set forth in Section 3.07.

 

“Maturity Date” means January 15, 2018.

 

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

 

“Net Available Proceeds” means, with respect to any Asset Sale or Sale/ Leaseback Transaction of any Person, cash proceeds received (including any cash proceeds received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, and excluding any other consideration until such time as such consideration is converted into cash) therefrom, in each case net of all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses incurred, and all federal, state or local taxes required to be accrued as a liability as a consequence of such Asset Sale or Sale/ Leaseback Transaction, and in each case net of all Indebtedness which is secured by such assets, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or with respect to such assets, or which must, by its terms or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Sale or Sale/ Leaseback Transaction or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Sale or Sale/Leaseback Transaction and which is actually so repaid.

 

“Net Cash Proceeds” means, in the case of any sale by the Company of securities pursuant to clauses (B) or (C) of Section 4.10(a)(iii), the aggregate net cash proceeds received by the Company, after payment of expenses, commissions, discounts, taxes and any other transaction costs incurred in connection therewith.

 

“Net Working Capital” means (i) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, minus (ii) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in Indebtedness.

 

“Non-Recourse Indebtedness” means Indebtedness or that portion of Indebtedness of a Non-Recourse Subsidiary as to which (a) neither the Company nor any other Subsidiary (other than a Non-Recourse Subsidiary) (i) provides credit support, including any undertaking, agreement or instrument which would constitute Indebtedness or (ii) is directly or indirectly liable for such Indebtedness and (b) no default with respect to such Indebtedness (including any rights which the holders thereof may have to take enforcement action against a Non-Recourse Subsidiary) would permit (upon notice, lapse of time or both) any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness) of the Company or its Subsidiaries (other than a Non-Recourse Subsidiary) to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.

 

11


“Non-Recourse Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary or an Affiliate (i) established for the purpose of acquiring or investing in property securing Non-Recourse Indebtedness, (ii) substantially all of the assets of which consist of property securing Non-Recourse Indebtedness, and (iii) which shall have been designated as a Non-Recourse Subsidiary by a Board Resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee. The Company may redesignate any Non-Recourse Subsidiary of the Company to be a Subsidiary other than a Non-Recourse Subsidiary by a Board Resolution adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company, as evidenced by an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, if, after giving effect to such redesignation, the Company could borrow $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.09(a) (such redesignation being deemed an incurrence of additional Indebtedness (other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness)).

 

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer or the Treasurer of such Person.

 

“Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either the Secretary, or an Assistant Secretary or Assistant Treasurer of such Person. One of the Officers signing an Officers’ Certificate given pursuant to Section 4.03(a) shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer of the Person delivering such certificate.

 

“Oil and Gas Business” means the business of the exploration for, and exploitation, development, production, processing (but not refining), marketing, storage and transportation of, hydrocarbons, and other related energy and natural resource businesses (including oil and gas services businesses related to the foregoing).

 

“Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts” means any oil and gas purchase or hedging agreement, and other agreement or arrangement, in each case, that is designed to provide protection against price fluctuations of oil, gas or other commodities.

 

“Oil and Gas Securities” means the Voting Stock of a Person primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business, provided that such Voting Stock shall constitute a majority of the Voting Stock of such Person in the event that such Voting Stock is not registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

 

“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company (or any Subsidiary Guarantor, if applicable).

 

“Permitted Business Investments” means (i) Investments in assets used in the Oil and Gas Business; (ii) the acquisition of Oil and Gas Securities; (iii) the entry into operating agreements, joint ventures, processing agreements, farm-out agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, contracts for the sale, transportation or exchange of oil and natural gas, unitization agreements, pooling arrangements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, partnership agreements (whether general or limited) or other similar or customary agreements, transactions, properties, interests or arrangements, and Investments and expenditures in connection therewith or pursuant thereto, in

 

12


each case made or entered into in the ordinary course of the Oil and Gas Business, excluding, however, Investments in corporations; (iv) the acquisition of working interests, royalty interests or mineral leases relating to oil and gas properties; (v) Investments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Person which, immediately prior to the making of such Investment, is a Restricted Subsidiary; (vi) Investments in the Company by any Restricted Subsidiary; (vii) Investments permitted under Section 4.11 or Section 4.13; (viii) Investments in any Person the consideration for which consists of Qualified Stock and (ix) any other Investments in an amount not to exceed 10% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets determined as of the date of the making or incurrence of such Investment.

 

“Permitted Company Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company, the net proceeds of which are used to renew, extend, refinance, refund or repurchase outstanding Indebtedness of the Company, provided that (i) if the Indebtedness (including the Securities) being renewed, extended, refinanced, refunded or repurchased is pari passu with or subordinated in right of payment to the Securities, then such Indebtedness is pari passu or subordinated in right of payment to, as the case may be, the Securities at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced, refunded or repurchased, (ii) such Indebtedness is scheduled to mature no earlier than the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced, refunded or repurchased, and (iii) such Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Indebtedness is incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced, refunded or repurchased; provided, further, that such Indebtedness (to the extent that such Indebtedness constitutes Permitted Company Refinancing Indebtedness) is in an aggregate principal amount (or, if such Indebtedness is issued at a price less than the principal amount thereof, the aggregate amount of gross proceeds therefrom is) not in excess of the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced, refunded or repurchased (or if the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced, refunded or repurchased was issued at a price less than the principal amount thereof, then not in excess of the amount of liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with GAAP).

 

“Permitted Financial Investments” means the following kinds of instruments if, in the case of instruments referred to in clauses (i)-(iv) below, on the date of purchase or other acquisition of any such instrument by the Company or any Subsidiary, the remaining term to maturity is not more than one year; (i) readily marketable obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed as to principal of and interest thereon by the United States of America or by any agency or authority controlled or supervised by and acting as an instrumentality of the United States of America; (ii) repurchase obligations for instruments of the type described in clause (i) for which delivery of the instrument is made against payment; (iii) obligations (including, but not limited to, demand or time deposits, bankers’ acceptances and certificates of deposit) issued by a depositary institution or trust company incorporated or doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or a branch or subsidiary of any such depositary institution or trust company operating outside the United States, provided, that such depositary institution or trust company has, at the time of the Company’s or such Subsidiary’s investment therein or contractual commitment providing for such investment, capital surplus or undivided profits (as of the date of such institution’s most recently published financial statements) in excess of $500,000,000;

 

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(iv) commercial paper issued by any corporation, if such commercial paper has, at the time of the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s investment therein or contractual commitment providing for such investment, credit ratings of A-1 (or higher) by S&P and P-1 (or higher) by Moody’s; and (v) money market mutual or similar funds having assets in excess of $500,000,000.

 

“Permitted Holders” means Aubrey K. McClendon and Tom L. Ward and their respective Affiliates.

 

“Permitted Indebtedness” means (i) additional Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries under Credit Facilities in a principal amount outstanding under this clause (i) at any time not to exceed the greater of (a) $1,250 million and (b) $100 million plus 20% of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; (ii) Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on the Issue Date; (iii) other Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in a principal amount not to exceed $100 million at any one time outstanding; (iv) Non-Recourse Indebtedness; (v) Indebtedness of the Company to any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (vi) Permitted Company Refinancing Indebtedness; (vii) Permitted Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness; (viii) obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries under Currency Hedge Obligations, Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts or Interest Rate Hedging Agreements; (ix) Indebtedness under the Securities (excluding any Additional Securities); (x) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary pursuant to a Guarantee of the Securities in accordance with Article Ten of this Indenture; (xi) Indebtedness consisting of any guarantee by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the Issue Date or permitted by this Indenture to be incurred thereafter by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiary; and (xii) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary incurred and outstanding on or prior to the date on which such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness incurred in connection with, or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company); provided, however, that on the date such Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary and after giving pro forma effect thereto, the Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio is greater than the Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio immediately prior to the acquisition.

 

“Permitted Investments” means Permitted Business Investments and Permitted Financial Investments.

 

“Permitted Liens” means (i) Liens existing on the Issue Date; (ii) Liens securing Indebtedness under Credit Facilities permitted by this Indenture to be incurred; (iii) Liens now or hereafter securing any Interest Rate Hedging Agreements so long as the related Indebtedness (a) constitutes the Existing Notes or the Securities (or any Permitted Company Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof) or (b) is, or is permitted to be under this Indenture, secured by a Lien on the same property securing such interest rate hedging obligations; (iv) Liens securing Permitted Company Refinancing Indebtedness or Permitted Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, that such Liens extend to or cover only the property or assets currently securing the Indebtedness being refinanced and that the Indebtedness being refinanced was not incurred under the Credit Facilities; (v) Liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges not yet delinquent or being contested in

 

14


good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established to the extent required by GAAP; (vi) mechanics’, worker’s, materialmen’s, operators’ or similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business; (vii) Liens in connection with worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance or other social security, old age pension or public liability obligations; (viii) Liens, deposits or pledges to secure the performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money), leases, public or statutory obligations, surety, stay, appeal, indemnity, performance or other similar bonds, or other similar obligations arising in the ordinary course of business; (ix) survey exceptions, encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, rights of way, zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties, and minor defects in title which, in the case of any of the foregoing, were not incurred or created to secure the payment of borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of property or services, and in the aggregate do not materially adversely affect the value of such properties or materially impair use for the purposes of which such properties are held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries; (x) Liens on, or related to, properties to secure all or part of the costs incurred in the ordinary course of business of exploration, drilling, development or operation thereof; (xi) Liens on pipeline or pipeline facilities which arise out of operation of law; (xii) judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default or Liens created by or existing from any litigation or legal proceeding that are currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made; (xiii) (a) Liens upon any property of any Person existing at the time of acquisition thereof by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) Liens upon any property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged or consolidated with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or existing at the time of the sale or transfer of any such property of such Person to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or (c) Liens upon any property of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, that in each case such Lien has not been created in contemplation of such sale, merger, consolidation, transfer or acquisition, and provided, further, that in each such case no such Lien shall extend to or cover any property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the property being acquired and improvements thereon; (xiv) Liens on deposits to secure public or statutory obligations or in lieu of surety or appeal bonds entered into in the ordinary course of business; (xv) Liens in favor of collecting or payor banks having a right of setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money or instruments of the Company or any Subsidiary on deposit with or in possession of such bank; (xvi) purchase money security interests granted in connection with the acquisition of assets in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices, provided, that (A) such Liens attach only to the property so acquired with the purchase money indebtedness secured thereby and (B) such Liens secure only Indebtedness that is not in excess of 100% of the purchase price of such assets; (xvii) Liens reserved in oil and gas mineral leases for bonus or rental payments and for compliance with the terms of such leases; (xviii) Liens arising under partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, farm-out agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation or processing (but not refining) of oil, gas or other hydrocarbons, unitization and pooling declarations and agreements, development agreements, operating agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, and other similar agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; (xix) Liens securing obligations of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries under Currency Hedge Obligations or Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts; and (xx) Liens to secure Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production Payments; provided, that after termination of the covenants referred to in the first paragraph of Section 4.17, for

 

15


purposes of complying with Section 4.12, the Lien described in clause (ii) of this “Permitted Liens” definition will be a Permitted Lien only to the extent that Lien secures Indebtedness not exceeding, at the time of determination, 15% of the Adjusted Consolidated Tangible Net Assets of the Company. For the avoidance of doubt, once effective, this 15% limitation will continue to apply during any later period in which the Securities do not have an Investment Grade Rating by S&P or Moody’s.

 

“Permitted Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary, the net proceeds of which are used to renew, extend, refinance, refund or repurchase outstanding Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary, provided that (i) if the Indebtedness (including the Guarantees) being renewed, extended, refinanced, refunded or repurchased is pari passu with or subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantees, then such Indebtedness is pari passu with or subordinated in right of payment to, as the case may be, the Guarantees at least to the same extent as the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced, refunded or repurchased, (ii) such Indebtedness is scheduled to mature no earlier than the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced, refunded or repurchased, and (iii) such Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Indebtedness is incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced, refunded or repurchased; provided, further, that such Indebtedness (to the extent that such Indebtedness constitutes Permitted Subsidiary Refinancing Indebtedness) is in an aggregate principal amount (or, if such Indebtedness is issued at a price less than the principal amount thereof, the aggregate amount of gross proceeds therefrom is) not in excess of the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced, refunded or repurchased (or if the Indebtedness being renewed, extended, refinanced, refunded or repurchased was issued at a price less than the principal amount thereof, then not in excess of the amount of liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with GAAP); provided, however, that a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor shall not incur refinancing Indebtedness to renew, extend, refinance, refund or repurchase outstanding Indebtedness of the Company or another Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, estate, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

 

“Preferred Shares” means the 624,037 shares of 7% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company having a par value of $0.01 per share and a liquidation preference of $50 per share issued by the Company pursuant to the Preferred Stock Offering, all of which shares were redeemed as of May 1, 2001.

 

“Preferred Stock,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any corporation, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated), which is preferred as to the payment of dividends, or upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such corporation, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such corporation.

 

“Preferred Stock Offering” means the private placement of Preferred Shares that closed on or about April 22, 1998.

 

“Production Payments” means, collectively, Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production Payments.

 

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“pro forma” means, with respect to any calculation made or required to be made pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, a calculation in accordance with Article Eleven of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

 

“Proved Developed Properties” means working interests, royalty interests, and other interests in oil, gas or mineral leases or other interests in oil, gas or mineral properties to which reserves are attributed which may properly be categorized as proved developed reserves under Regulation S-X under the Securities Act; together with all contracts, agreements and contract rights which cover, affect or otherwise relate to such interests; all hydrocarbons and all payments of any type in lieu of production; all improvements, fixtures, equipment, information, data and other property used in connection therewith or in connection with the treating, handling, storing, processing, transporting or marketing of such hydrocarbons; all insurance policies relating thereto or to the operation thereof; all personal property related thereto; and all proceeds thereof.

 

“Qualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock.

 

“Rating Decline” means the occurrence of a decrease in rating of the Securities by one or more gradations by either Moody’s or S&P (including gradations within the rating categories, as well as between categories), within 90 days before or after the earlier of (x) a Change of Control, (y) public notice of the occurrence of a Change of Control or (z) public notice of the intention of the Company to effect a Change of Control (which 90-day period shall be extended so long as the rating of the Securities is under publicly announced consideration for possible downgrade by either Moody’s or S&P).

 

“Reference Date” means March 31, 1998.

 

“Reference Period” means, with respect to any Person, the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the last full fiscal quarter for which financial information is available immediately preceding any date upon which any determination is to be made pursuant to the terms of the Securities or this Indenture.

 

“Restricted Payment” means, with respect to any Person, any of the following: (i) any dividend or other distribution in respect of such Person’s Capital Stock (other than (a) dividends or distributions payable solely in Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) (b) in the case of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company, dividends or distributions payable to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company and (c) in the case of the Company, cash dividends payable on the Preferred Shares); (ii) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock, including any option, warrant, or other right to acquire shares of Capital Stock, of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (iii) the making of any principal payment on, or the purchase, defeasance, repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value, prior to any scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, of any Indebtedness which is subordinated in right of payment to the Securities or any Guarantee; and (iv) the making by such Person of any Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

 

“Restricted Security” has the meaning provided in Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act.

 

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“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that, immediately after giving effect to such designation of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, the Company could incur at least $1.00 in additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.09(a). As of the Issue Date, all of the Company’s existing Subsidiaries shall be Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

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

 

“Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any arrangement with any Person providing for the leasing by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any principal property, acquired or placed into service more than 180 days prior to such arrangement, whereby such property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to such Person.

 

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

“Senior Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter incurred), unless such Indebtedness is contractually subordinate or junior in right of payment of principal, premium and interest to the Securities or the Guarantees, respectively.

 

“Subordinated Indebtedness of a Subsidiary Guarantor” means any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter incurred) which is contractually subordinate or junior in right of payment of principal, premium and interest to the Guarantees.

 

“Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company” means any Indebtedness of the Company (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter incurred) which is contractually subordinate or junior in right of payment of principal, premium and interest to the Securities.

 

“Subsidiary” means any subsidiary of the Company. A “subsidiary” of any Person means (i) a corporation a majority of whose Voting Stock is at the time, directly or indirectly, owned by such Person, by one or more subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more subsidiaries of such Person, (ii) a partnership in which such Person or a subsidiary of such Person is, at the date of determination, a general or limited partner of such partnership, but only if such Person or its subsidiary is entitled to receive more than 50 percent of the assets of such partnership upon its dissolution, or (iii) any other Person (other than a corporation or partnership) in which such Person, directly or indirectly, at the date of determination thereof, has (x) at least a majority ownership interest or (y) the power to elect or direct the election of a majority of the directors or other governing body of such Person.

 

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means (i) each of the Subsidiaries on the Issue Date; and (ii) each of the other Subsidiaries that becomes a guarantor

 

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of the Securities in compliance with the provisions of Article Ten of this Indenture and (iii) each of the Subsidiaries executing a supplemental indenture in which such Subsidiary agrees to be bound by the terms of this Indenture.

 

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S. Code Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of this Indenture, except as provided in Section 9.03.

 

“Trust Officer” means any officer or assistant officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer its corporate trust matters and who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture.

 

“Trustee” means the party named as such above until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.

 

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means (a) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary and (b) any Subsidiary of the Company or of a Restricted Subsidiary that is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary by a resolution adopted by the Board of Directors in accordance with the requirements of the following sentence. The Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company or of a Restricted Subsidiary (including a newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary by a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company, as evidenced by written notice thereof delivered to the Trustee, if immediately after giving effect to such designation, (i) the Company could incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.09(a), (ii) the Company could make an additional Restricted Payment of $1.00 pursuant to Section 4.10(a), (iii) such Subsidiary does not own or hold any Capital Stock of, or any lien on any property of, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and (iv) such Subsidiary is not liable, directly or indirectly, with respect to any Indebtedness other than Unrestricted Subsidiary Indebtedness.

 

“Unrestricted Subsidiary Indebtedness” of any Person means Indebtedness of such Person (a) as to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary is directly or indirectly liable (by virtue of the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s being the primary obligor, or guarantor of, or otherwise liable in any respect on, such Indebtedness and (b) which is not secured by any assets of the Company or of any Restricted Subsidiary.

 

“U.S. Government Securities” means securities that are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.

 

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

 

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“Volumetric Production Payments” mean production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

 

“Voting Stock” means, with respect to any Person, securities of any class or classes of Capital Stock in such Person entitling the holders thereof (whether at all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has voting power by reason of contingency) to vote in the election of members of the Board of Directors or other governing body of such Person.

 

SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions.

 

Other terms used in this Indenture are defined in the Appendix or in the Section indicated below:

 

Term


   Defined in Section

“Affiliate Transaction”

     4.15

“Appendix”

     2.01

“Bankruptcy Law”

     6.01

“Change of Control Offer”

     4.16

“Change of Control Notice”

     4.16

“Change of Control Payment Date”

     4.16

“Covenant Defeasance”

     8.03

“Custodian”

     6.01

“Event of Default”

     6.01

“Excess Proceeds”

     4.11

“Funding Guarantor”

   10.06

“incur”

     4.09

“Legal Defeasance”

     8.02

“Legal Holiday”

   11.07

“Net Proceeds Offer”

     4.11

“Net Proceeds Offer Amount”

     4.11

“Net Proceeds Payment Date”

     4.11

“Paying Agent”

     2.03

“Payment Default”

     6.01

“Payment Restriction”

     4.14

“Permitted Consideration”

     4.11

“Registrar”

     2.03

 

SECTION 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms, if used in this Indenture, have the following meanings:

 

“Commission” means the SEC.

 

“indenture securities” means the Securities and the Guarantees.

 

“indenture security holder” means a Holder.

 

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture.

 

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

 

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“obligor” on the indenture securities means the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and any other obligor on the Securities or the Guarantees.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.04. Rules of Construction.

 

Unless the context otherwise requires:

 

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

 

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

 

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

 

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

 

(5) any gender used in this Indenture shall be deemed to include the neuter, masculine or feminine genders;

 

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

 

(7) “herein,” “hereof” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other Subdivision.

 

ARTICLE TWO

 

THE SECURITIES

 

SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating. Provisions relating to the Initial Securities, the Private Exchange Securities and the Exchange Securities are set forth in the Rule 144A/Regulation S Appendix attached hereto (the “Appendix”) which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made part of this Indenture. The Initial Securities and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit 1 to the Appendix which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Exchange Securities, the Private Exchange Securities and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company and to the Trustee). Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Securities set forth in the Appendix and Exhibit A are part of the terms of this Indenture.

 

SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication. Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

 

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If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall be valid nevertheless.

 

A Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Security. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this Indenture.

 

On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver $600 million of Initial Securities and, at any time and from time to time thereafter, the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver Securities for original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in such order, in each case upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company. Such order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated and, in the case of an issuance of Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 after the Issue Date, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.09.

 

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Securities. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Securities whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights with respect to the Company as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

 

SECTION 2.03. Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where Securities may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent.

 

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar, Paying Agent or co-registrar not a party to this Indenture, which shall incorporate the terms of the TIA. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee of the name and address of any such agent and shall furnish the Trustee with an executed counterpart of any such agency agreement. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Company or any wholly owned Subsidiary incorporated or organized within The United States of America may act as Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or transfer agent.

 

The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar and Paying Agent in connection with the Securities.

 

SECTION 2.04. Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust. Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York time, each due date of the principal and interest on any Security, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that the Paying

 

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Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section, the Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.

 

SECTION 2.05. Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders.

 

SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange. The Securities shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Security for registration of transfer. When a Security is presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the requirements of this Indenture and Section 8-401(a) of the Uniform Commercial Code are met. When Securities are presented to the Registrar or a co-registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Securities of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met.

 

SECTION 2.07. Replacement Securities. If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met and the Holder satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. If required by the Trustee or the Company, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and any co-registrar from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced. The Company and the Trustee may charge the Holder for their expenses in replacing a Security.

 

Every replacement Security is an additional obligation of the Company.

 

SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Securities. Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancelation and those described in this Section as not outstanding. A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

 

If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

 

If the Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient

 

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to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, then on and after that date such Securities (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

 

SECTION 2.09. Temporary Securities. Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate temporary Securities. Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Securities. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Securities and deliver them in exchange for temporary Securities.

 

SECTION 2.10. Cancelation. The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancelation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and dispose of (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancelation in its customary manner and upon request shall deliver a certificate of such disposal to the Company unless the Company directs the Trustee to deliver canceled Securities to the Company. The Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancelation.

 

SECTION 2.11. Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities, the Company shall pay defaulted interest (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly mail to each Holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.

 

SECTION 2.12. CUSIP Numbers. The Company in issuing the Securities may use “CUSIP” numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall notify the Trustee of any change in the CUSIP numbers.

 

SECTION 2.13. Issuance of Additional Securities. The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.09(a), to issue Additional Securities under this Indenture which shall have identical terms as the Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price. The Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, any Additional Securities and all Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities issued in exchange therefor shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.

 

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With respect to any Additional Securities, the Company shall set forth in a resolution of the Board of Directors and an Officers’ Certificate, a copy of each which shall be delivered to the Trustee, the following information:

 

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

 

(2) the issue price, the issue date and the CUSIP number of such Additional Securities; provided, however, that no Additional Securities may be issued at a price that would cause such Additional Securities to have “original issue discount” within the meaning of Section 1273 of the Code; and

 

(3) whether such Additional Securities shall be Transfer Restricted Securities and issued in the form of Initial Securities as set forth in the Appendix to this Indenture or shall be issued in the form of Exchange Securities as set forth in Exhibit A.

 

Additional Securities may be issued with the same CUSIP number as the Securities issued on the Issue Date if, and only if, the Company shall have provided the Trustee with an opinion of nationally recognized counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to the effect that such Additional Securities will be fungible with the Securities issued on the Issue Date for all United States federal income tax purposes.

 

ARTICLE THREE

 

REDEMPTION

 

SECTION 3.01. Notice to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem Securities pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Paragraphs 5, 6 or 7 of the Securities, it shall furnish to the Trustee and the Registrar, at least 45 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date (unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period in writing), an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the redemption date, the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed and the redemption price, including the detail of the calculation of the Make-Whole Price, if applicable.

 

SECTION 3.02. Selection of Securities to Be Redeemed. If less than all of the Securities are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed pro rata, by lot or, if the Securities are listed on any securities exchange, by any other method that the Trustee considers fair and appropriate and that complies with the requirements of such exchange; provided, however, that no Securities with a principal amount of $1,000 or less will be redeemed in part. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Securities not previously called for redemption not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date. Securities and portions of them it selects shall be in amounts of $1,000 or whole multiples of $1,000. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions of Securities called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of the Securities or portions of Securities selected for redemption.

 

SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption. (a) At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at such Holder’s registered address.

 

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The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

 

(1) the redemption date;

 

(2) the redemption price;

 

(3) the aggregate principal amount of Securities being redeemed;

 

(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

 

(5) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent at the address specified in such notice to collect the redemption price;

 

(6) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price or accrued interest, interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date and the only remaining right of the Holders is to receive payment of the redemption prices in respect of the Securities upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the Securities;

 

(7) if any Security is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date, upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancelation of the Security or Securities being redeemed;

 

(8) the paragraph of the Securities pursuant to which the Securities called for redemption are being redeemed; and

 

(9) the CUSIP number of the Securities.

 

(b) At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption required in Section 3.03(a) in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided, however, that the Company shall deliver to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the redemption date (unless the Trustee consents to a shorter notice period in writing), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 3.03(a).

 

SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the related interest payment date). Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.

 

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SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York time, the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or if the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) funds available on the redemption date sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Securities to be redeemed on that date. The Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money so deposited which is not required for that purpose upon the written request of the Company, except with respect to monies owed as obligations to the Trustee pursuant to Article Seven.

 

If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest will continue to be payable on the unpaid principal and premium, if any, including from the redemption date until such principal and premium, if any, is paid, and, to the extent lawful, on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Securities and in Section 4.01 hereof.

 

SECTION 3.06. Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Security that is to be redeemed in part, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder, at the expense of the Company, a new Security equal in aggregate amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

 

SECTION 3.07. Optional Redemption. Except as set forth in Sections 3.08 and 3.09 hereof, the Company shall not have the option to redeem the Securities prior to July 15, 2010. The Securities may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole or from time to time in part, at any time on or after July 15, 2010, at the redemption prices set forth below (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed), together with accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities so redeemed to the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on July 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year


   Redemption
Price


 

2010

   103.125 %

2011

   102.083 %

2012

   101.042 %

2013 and thereafter

   100.000 %

 

Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made, to the extent applicable, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

 

SECTION 3.08. Equity Offering Redemption. In the event the Company consummates one or more Equity Offerings on or prior to July 15, 2008, the Company may redeem, in its sole discretion, up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) with all or a portion of the aggregate net proceeds received by the Company from any such Equity Offering or Equity Offerings at a redemption price of 106.25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities so redeemed to the redemption date; provided, however, that (i) the date of any such redemption occurs within the 120-day period after the Equity Offering in respect of which such redemption is made and (ii) following each such redemption, at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) remains outstanding.

 

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Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.08 shall be made, to the extent applicable, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

 

SECTION 3.09. Optional Redemption at Make-Whole Price. At any time prior to July 15, 2010 the Company may, at its option, redeem all or any portion of the Securities at the Make-Whole Price plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities so redeemed to the date of redemption.

 

Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made, to the extent applicable, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

 

ARTICLE FOUR

 

COVENANTS

 

SECTION 4.01. Payment of Securities. The Company shall pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities and this Indenture. Principal, premium and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Trustee or Paying Agent holds on that date money deposited by the Company designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium and interest then due. All references to interest in this Indenture shall for all purposes be deemed to include any additional interest payable as liquidated damages pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

 

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

 

SECTION 4.02. SEC Reports. (a) The Company, within 15 days after it files the same with the SEC, shall deliver to Holders, copies of the annual reports and the information, documents and other reports (or copies of any such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding that the Company may not be required to remain subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the SEC and provide Holders with such annual reports and such information, documents and other reports specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor shall also comply with the provisions of TIA Section 314(a).

 

(b) The Company may request the Trustee on behalf of the Company at the Company’s expense to mail the foregoing to Holders. In such case, the Company shall provide the Trustee with a sufficient number of copies of all reports and other documents and information that the Trustee may be required to deliver to Holders under this Section.

 

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SECTION 4.03. Compliance Certificates. (a) The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, an Officers’ Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit J hereto, stating that a review of the activities of the Company and the Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer signing such certificate, that, to the best of such Officer’s knowledge, the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions hereof (or, if a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which such Officer may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of such Officer’s knowledge, after reasonable inquiry, no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which payments on account of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Securities are prohibited or, if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what action the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors are taking or propose to take with respect thereto. Such Officers’ Certificate shall comply with TIA Section 314(a)(4). The Company hereby represents that, as of the Issue Date, its fiscal year ends December 31, and hereby covenants that it shall notify the Trustee at least 30 days in advance of any change in its fiscal year.

 

(b) So long as not contrary to the then current recommendations of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the year-end financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 4.02 shall be accompanied by a written statement of the Company’s independent public accountants (which shall be a firm of established national reputation) that in making the examination necessary for certification of such financial statements nothing has come to their attention that would lead them to believe that the Company has violated any provisions of Sections 4.07, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11 or 4.15 of this Indenture (to the extent such provisions relate to accounting matters) or, if any such violation has occurred, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof. Where such financial statements are not accompanied by such a written statement, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers’ Certificate stating that any such written statement would be contrary to the then current recommendations of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

 

(c) The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors will, so long as any of the Securities are outstanding, deliver to the Trustee forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default or default in the performance of any covenant, agreement or condition contained in this Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor proposes to take with respect thereto.

 

SECTION 4.04. Maintenance of Office or Agency. The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, an office or agency where Securities may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any

 

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time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the address of the Trustee set forth in Section 11.02. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such surrenders, presentations, notices and demands may be made or served at the corporate trust office of the Trustee.

 

Subject to Section 2.03, the Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

 

SECTION 4.05. Corporate Existence. The Company will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence and the corporate, partnership or other existence of each Subsidiary and all rights (charter and statutory) and franchises of the Company and the Subsidiaries; provided, that the Company shall not be required to preserve the corporate existence of any Subsidiary, or any such right or franchise, if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

 

SECTION 4.06. Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws. The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor covenants (to the extent that each may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension, or usury law or other law, which would prohibit or forgive the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor from paying all or any portion of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities as contemplated herein, wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) each of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

SECTION 4.07. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims. The Company shall pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary and (b) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

 

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SECTION 4.08. Maintenance of Properties and Insurance. (a) The Company shall cause all properties used or held for use in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and supplied with all necessary equipment and shall cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any such property, or disposing of it, if such discontinuance or disposal is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business and not disadvantageous in any material respect to the Holders.

 

(b) The Company shall provide or cause to be provided, for itself and each of its Subsidiaries, insurance (including appropriate self-insurance) against loss or damage of the kinds that, in the reasonable, good faith opinion of the Company, are adequate and appropriate for the conduct of the business of the Company and such Subsidiaries in a prudent manner, with reputable insurers or with the government of the United States or an agency or instrumentality thereof, in such amounts, with such deductibles, and by such methods as shall be customary, in the reasonable, good faith opinion of the Company, for corporations similarly situated in the industry.

 

SECTION 4.09. Limitation on Incurrence of Additional Indebtedness.

 

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, issue, incur, assume, guarantee, become liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to or otherwise become responsible for the payment of (collectively, “incur”) any Indebtedness; provided, however, that if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time or as a consequence of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness if, on a pro forma basis, after giving effect to such incurrence and the application of the proceeds therefrom, either of the following tests shall have been satisfied: (i) the Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio would have been at least 2.0 to 1.0; or (ii) Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets would have been greater than 200% of Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, if no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time or as a consequence of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Permitted Indebtedness. For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09:

 

(i) in the event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Indebtedness as of the date of incurrence thereof or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) as of the date of incurrence thereof, the Company shall, in its sole discretion, classify (or later classify in whole or in part, in its sole discretion) such item of Indebtedness in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09, and

 

(ii) for purposes of determining compliance with any dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, the dollar-equivalent principal amount of such Indebtedness incurred pursuant thereto shall be calculated based on the relevant currency.

 

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Accrual of interest or dividends, the accretion of accreted value or liquidation preference and the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this Section 4.09.

 

(c) Any Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary.

 

SECTION 4.10. Limitation on Restricted Payments. (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any Restricted Payment, unless:

 

(i) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment;

 

(ii) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the Company would be able to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness (other than Permitted Indebtedness) pursuant to Section 4.09(a); and

 

(iii) immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the aggregate of all Restricted Payments declared or made after the Reference Date does not exceed the sum of (A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (or in the event such Consolidated Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit) during the period (treated as one accounting period) subsequent to the Reference Date and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of such Restricted Payment; (B) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds, and the fair market value of property other than cash (as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors and evidenced by a resolution of such Board), received by the Company during such period from any Person other than a Subsidiary of the Company as a result of the issuance or sale of Capital Stock of the Company (other than any Disqualified Stock and other than Preferred Shares issued in the Preferred Stock Offering), other than in connection with the conversion of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; (C) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds, and the fair market value of property other than cash (as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors and evidenced by a resolution of such Board), received by the Company during such period from any Person other than a Subsidiary of the Company as a result of the issuance or sale of any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock to the extent that at the time the determination is made such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, as the case may be, has been converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock); and (D)(i) in case any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been redesignated a Restricted Subsidiary, an amount equal to the lesser of (x) the book value (determined in accordance with GAAP) at the date of such redesignation of the aggregate Investments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary and (y) the fair market value of such Investments in such Unrestricted Subsidiary

 

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at the time of such redesignation, as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors, including a majority of the Company’s Disinterested Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of such Board; or (ii) in case any Restricted Subsidiary has been redesignated an Unrestricted Subsidiary, minus the greater of (x) the book value (determined in accordance with GAAP) at the date of redesignation of the aggregate Investments made by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Restricted Subsidiary and (y) the fair market value of such Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation, as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors, including a majority of the Company’s Disinterested Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and evidenced by a resolution of such Board.

 

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the above limitations will not prevent (i) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at such date of declaration such payment complied with the provisions hereof; (ii) the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) of, Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company; (iii) any dividend or other distribution payable from a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary; (iv) regularly quarterly dividends on the 6.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, the 5.00% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock or the 4.125% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company outstanding on the Issue Date, provided that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or immediately after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment; (v) repurchases, redemptions or other acquisitions or retirements for value of any Capital Stock from employees or directors of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate amount not to exceed $3,000,000 in any calendar year; and (vi) other Restricted Payments not in excess of $35,000,000 in the aggregate since the Issue Date, provided that no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of or immediately after giving effect to any such Restricted Payment. Any Restricted Payment described in the preceding clause (iii) shall be excludable in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments, and any Restricted payment described in any other clause shall be included in the calculation.

 

SECTION 4.11. Limitation on Sale of Assets. (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, make any Asset Sale unless:

 

(i) the Company (or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of such sale or other disposition at least equal to the fair market value thereof (as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors and evidenced by a resolution of such Board, including a majority of the Company’s Disinterested Directors, in the case of any Asset Sales or series of related Asset Sales having a fair market value of $50,000,000 or greater);

 

(ii) (A) the consideration consists of cash, cash equivalents, Permitted Financial Investments or property, equipment, leasehold interests or other assets used in the Oil and Gas Business (“Permitted Consideration”) or (B) the portion of the consideration that does not constitute Permitted Consideration, together with all other consideration received for Asset Sales since the Issue Date that does not constitute Permitted Consideration, has a fair market value of no more than 10% of ACNTA; and

 

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(iii) the Net Available Proceeds received by the Company (or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be) from such Asset Sale are applied in accordance with paragraphs (b) or (c) hereof.

 

(b) The Company may apply such Net Available Proceeds within 365 days after receipt of Net Available Proceeds from any Asset Sale, to: (i) the repayment of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary under Credit Facilities or other Senior Indebtedness, including any mandatory redemption or repurchase or optional redemption of the Existing Notes or the Securities; (ii) make an Investment in assets used in the Oil and Gas Business; or (iii) develop by drilling the Company’s oil and gas reserves.

 

(c) If, upon completion of the 365-day period referred to above, any portion of the Net Available Proceeds of any Asset Sale shall not have been applied by the Company as described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of the immediately preceding paragraph and such remaining Net Available Proceeds, together with any remaining net cash proceeds from any prior Asset Sale (such aggregate constituting “Excess Proceeds”), exceed $40,000,000, then the Company will be obligated to make an offer (the “Net Proceeds Offer”) to purchase the Securities and any other Senior Indebtedness in respect of which such an offer to purchase is required to be made concurrently with the Net Proceeds Offer having an aggregate principal amount equal to the Excess Proceeds (such purchase to be made on a pro rata basis if the amount available for such repurchase is less than the principal amount of the Securities and other Senior Indebtedness tendered in such Net Proceeds Offer) at a purchase price of 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities and other Senior Indebtedness so repurchased to the date of repurchase. Upon the completion of the Net Proceeds Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset to zero.

 

(d) The Company shall commence a Net Proceeds Offer by preparing and mailing a notice to the Trustee, the Paying Agent and each Holder as of such record date as the Company shall establish (upon written notice to the Trustee). Notice of a Net Proceeds Offer to purchase the Securities will be made on behalf of the Company not less than 25 Business Days nor more than 60 Business Days before the payment date of the Net Proceeds Offer (the “Net Proceeds Payment Date”), and shall set forth the Net Proceeds Offer Amount and the Net Proceeds Payment Date and refer to and summarize the material points contained in Sections 4.11(d) and (e) hereof. Securities tendered to the Company pursuant to a Net Proceeds Offer will cease to accrue interest after the Net Proceeds Payment Date. For purposes of this covenant, the term “Net Proceeds Offer Amount” means the principal of outstanding Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to any remaining Net Available Proceeds (rounded to the next lowest $1,000). If the Net Proceeds Payment Date is on or after an interest payment record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued interest payable on such interest payment date will be paid to the Person in whose name a Security is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender Securities pursuant to the Net Proceeds Offer.

 

(e) On the Net Proceeds Payment Date, the Company will (i) accept for payment Securities and any other Senior Indebtedness in respect of which such an offer to purchase is required to be made concurrently with the Net Proceeds Offer or portions thereof pursuant to the

 

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Net Proceeds Offer in an aggregate principal amount equal to the Net Proceeds Offer Amount or such lesser amount as has been tendered, (ii) deposit with the Paying Agent (or if the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Securities and such other Senior Indebtedness or portions thereof so tendered in an aggregate principal amount equal to the Net Proceeds Offer Amount or such lesser amount, including any accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and (iii) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee, Securities so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the Securities or portions thereof tendered to the Company. If the aggregate principal amount of Securities and such other Senior Indebtedness tendered exceeds the Net Proceeds Offer Amount, the Trustee will select the Securities and other Senior Indebtedness to be purchased (in integral multiples of $1,000) on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Securities and other Senior Indebtedness so tendered and notify the Company, the Registrar and the Paying Agent. The Paying Agent, upon instruction of the Company, will promptly mail or deliver to Holders of Securities so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price (representing those funds received pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 4.11(e)), and the Company will execute and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail or make available for delivery to Holders a new Security equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Security surrendered. Any Securities not so accepted will be promptly mailed or delivered to the Holder thereof by the Company, or, if the Company so directs the Trustee, by the Trustee on behalf of the Company at the Company’s expense. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Net Proceeds Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Net Proceeds Payment Date. For purposes of this Section 4.11, the Trustee will act as the Paying Agent.

 

(f) The Company will comply with Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the provisions of Regulation 14E and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act and any other federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations which may then be applicable to any Net Proceeds Offer.

 

(g) During the period between any Asset Sale and the application of the Net Available Proceeds therefrom in accordance with this covenant, all Net Available Proceeds shall be maintained in a segregated account and shall be invested in Permitted Financial Investments.

 

SECTION 4.12. Limitation on Liens Securing Indebtedness. The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens (other than Permitted Liens) upon any of their respective properties securing any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, unless the Securities or a Guarantee are equally and ratably secured; provided, that if such Indebtedness is expressly subordinated to the Securities or a Guarantee, the Lien securing such Indebtedness will be subordinated and junior to the Lien securing the Securities or such Guarantee.

 

SECTION 4.13. Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any Sale/Leaseback Transaction with any Person (other than the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary) unless (i) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, would be able to incur Indebtedness in a principal amount equal to the Attributable Indebtedness with respect to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction in accordance with Section 4.09 or (ii) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives proceeds from such

 

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Sale/Leaseback Transaction at least equal to the fair market value thereof (as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors, whose determination in good faith, evidenced by a resolution of such Board shall be conclusive) and such proceeds are applied in the same manner and to the same extent as Net Available Proceeds and Excess Proceeds from an Asset Sale.

 

SECTION 4.14. Limitation on Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (ii) pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; (iii) make loans or advances to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or (iv) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (each, a “Payment Restriction”), except for (a) encumbrances or restrictions under Credit Facilities; provided, that any Payment Restrictions thereunder (other than, with respect to (iv) above, customary restrictions in security agreements or other loan documents thereunder securing or governing Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary) may be imposed only upon the acceleration of the maturity of the Indebtedness thereunder; (b) consensual encumbrances or consensual restrictions binding upon any Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (unless the agreement creating such consensual encumbrances or consensual restrictions was entered into in connection with, or in contemplation of, such entity becoming a Restricted Subsidiary); (c) consensual encumbrances or consensual restrictions under any agreement that refinances or replaces any agreement described in clauses (a) and (b) above, provided that the terms and conditions of any such restrictions are in the aggregate no less favorable to the holders of the Securities than those under the agreement so refinanced or replaced; and (d) customary non-assignment provisions in leases, purchase money financings and any encumbrance or restriction due to applicable law.

 

SECTION 4.15. Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into any transaction or series of transactions (including, without limitation, the sale, purchase or lease of any assets or properties or the rendering of any services) with any Affiliate or beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of 10% or more of the Company’s common stock (other than with a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) (an “Affiliate Transaction”), on terms that are less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, than would be available in a comparable transaction with an unrelated Person. In addition, the Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to, enter into an Affiliate Transaction, or any series of related Affiliate Transactions having a value of (a) more than $15,000,000 unless a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company (including a majority of the Company’s Disinterested Directors) determines in good faith, as evidenced by a resolution of such Board, that such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions is fair to the Company; or (b) more than $35,000,000, unless the Company receives a written opinion from a nationally recognized investment banking firm with total assets in excess of $1,000,000,000 that such transaction or series of transactions is fair to the Company from a financial point of view.

 

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SECTION 4.16. Change of Control. (a) Following the occurrence of any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company shall offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) to purchase all outstanding Securities at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Securities, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities so purchased to the date of purchase. The Change of Control Offer shall be deemed to have commenced upon mailing of the notice described in the next succeeding paragraph and shall terminate 20 Business Days after its commencement, unless a longer offering period is required by law. Promptly after the termination of the Change of Control Offer (the “Change of Control Payment Date”), the Company shall purchase and mail or deliver payment for all Securities tendered in response to the Change of Control Offer. If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after an interest payment record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued interest payable on such interest payment date will be paid to the Person in whose name a Security is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender Securities pursuant to the Change of Control Offer.

 

(b) Within 15 days after any Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company (with notice to the Trustee and the Paying Agent), or the Trustee at the Company’s request and expense, will mail or cause to be mailed to all Holders on the date of the Change of Control Triggering Event a notice prepared by the Company (the “Change of Control Notice”) of the occurrence of such Change of Control Triggering Event and of the Holders’ rights arising as a result thereof. The Change of Control Notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable Holders to tender their Securities to the Company. The Change of Control Notice, which shall govern the terms of the Change of Control Offer, shall state: (1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.16; (2) the purchase price and the Change of Control Payment Date; (3) that any Security not tendered will continue to accrue interest at the stated rate; (4) that any Security accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer shall cease to accrue interest on the Change of Control Payment Date; (5) that Holders electing to have a Security purchased pursuant to any Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Security, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of the Security completed, to the Company, a depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to termination of the Change of Control Offer; (6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, depositary or Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Change of Control Offer, or such longer period as may be required by law, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its election to have the Security purchased; and (7) that Holders whose Securities are purchased only in part will be issued Securities equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Securities surrendered.

 

(c) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, (i) accept for payment Securities or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Notice, (ii) if the Company appoints a depositary or Paying Agent, deposit with such depositary or Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the purchase price of all Securities or portions thereof so tendered and (iii) deliver to the Trustee Securities so accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the Securities or portions thereof tendered to the Company. The depositary, the

 

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Company or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall promptly mail to the Holders of Securities so accepted payment in an amount equal to the purchase price (representing those funds received pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 4.16(c)), and the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail to each such Holder a new Security equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Security surrendered; provided that each such new Security will be in a principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date. For purposes of this Section 4.16, the Trustee shall act as the Paying Agent.

 

(d) The Company will comply with Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the provisions of Regulation 14E and any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act and any other federal and state securities laws, rules and regulations which may then be applicable to any offer by the Company to purchase the Securities at the option of the Holders upon a Change of Control.

 

SECTION 4.17. Covenant Termination. (a) If at any time (i) the rating assigned to the Securities by either S&P or Moody’s is an Investment Grade Rating and (ii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture, then upon notice thereof from the Company to the Trustee, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will no longer be subject Sections 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.14, 4.15 and 4.16 and, without limiting the remainder of Article Five, the financial test set out in clause (3) of Section 5.01 shall not apply.

 

(b) Following any termination of the covenants under this Section 4.17, the Company may not designate any Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

 

ARTICLE FIVE

 

SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

 

SECTION 5.01. When Company May Merge, etc. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any Person or sell, convey, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to any Person, unless:

 

(1) the Company survives such merger or the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or that acquires by sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition, or which leases, all or substantially all of the assets of the Company is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or Canada or any province thereof, and expressly assumes, by supplemental indenture, the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, all the Securities and the performance of every other covenant and obligation of the Company under this Indenture provided, that unless the successor Person is a corporation, a corporate co-issuer of the Securities shall be added hereto by the execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture by such co-issuer;

 

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(2) immediately before and after giving effect to such transaction no Default or Event of Default exists; and

 

(3) either:

 

(A) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio is greater than the Adjusted Consolidated EBITDA Coverage Ratio immediately before such transaction; or

 

(B) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Company (or the surviving or transferee entity) would be able to incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under the test described in Section 4.09(a) (other than Permitted Indebtedness).

 

In connection with any consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, lease, transfer or other disposition contemplated by this Section 5.01, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture.

 

SECTION 5.02. Successor Corporation Substituted. Upon any consolidation, merger, lease, conveyance or transfer in accordance with Section 5.01, the Trustee shall be notified by the Company and the successor Person, and the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such lease, conveyance or transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor had been named as the Company herein and thereafter (except in the case of a lease) the predecessor corporation will be relieved of all further obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the Securities.

 

ARTICLE SIX

 

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

 

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. An “Event of Default” occurs upon:

 

(1) default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Securities when due and payable at maturity, upon repurchase pursuant to Section 4.11 or 4.16, upon acceleration or otherwise;

 

(2) default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the payment of any installment of interest on the Securities when due and payable and continuance of such default for 30 days;

 

(3) default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the deposit of any optional redemption payment, when and as due and payable pursuant to Article Three;

 

(4) default on any other Indebtedness (other than Non-Recourse Indebtedness and Unrestricted Subsidiary Indebtedness) of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Subsidiary

 

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(other than a Non-Recourse Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary) if either (A) such default results in the acceleration of the maturity of any such Indebtedness having a principal amount of $50,000,000 or more individually or, taken together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness the maturity of which has been so accelerated, in the aggregate, or (B) such default results from the failure to pay when due principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any such Indebtedness, after giving effect to any applicable grace period (a “Payment Default”), having a principal amount of $50,000,000 or more individually or, taken together with the principal amount of any other Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default, in the aggregate; provided that if any such default is cured or waived or any such acceleration is rescinded, or such Indebtedness is repaid, within a period of 30 days from the continuation of such default beyond any applicable grace period or the occurrence of such acceleration, as the case may be, such Event of Default and any consequent acceleration of the Securities shall be rescinded, so long as any such rescission does not conflict with any judgment or decree or applicable provision of law;

 

(5) default in the performance, or breach of, the covenants set forth in Section 4.10 and Article Five, or in the performance, or breach of, any other covenant or agreement of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in this Indenture and failure to remedy such default within a period of 45 days after written notice thereof from the Trustee or Holders of 25% of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities;

 

(6) the entry by a court of one or more judgments or orders for the payment of money against the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Subsidiary (other than a Non-Recourse Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary, provided that neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary is liable, directly or indirectly, for such judgment or order) in an aggregate amount in excess of $50,000,000 (net of applicable insurance coverage by a third party insurer which is acknowledged in writing by such insurer) that has not been vacated, discharged, satisfied or stayed pending appeal within 60 days from the entry thereof;

 

(7) a Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than a release of a Guarantee in accordance with Section 10.04) or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm its obligations with respect thereto;

 

(8) the Company or any Subsidiary (other than a Non-Recourse Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary) pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

 

(A) commences a voluntary case or proceeding,

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(E) admits in writing that it generally is unable to pay its debts as the same become due; or

 

(9) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

 

(A) is for relief (with respect to the petition commencing such case) against the Company or any Subsidiary (other than a Non-Recourse Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary) in an involuntary case or proceeding,

 

(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than a Non-Recourse Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary) or for all or substantially all of its property, or

 

(C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any Subsidiary (other than a Non- Recourse Subsidiary or an Unrestricted Subsidiary), and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days.

 

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

SECTION 6.02. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in clauses (8) or (9)) under Section 6.01 occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities may declare the unpaid principal of and premium, if any, or the Change of Control purchase price if the Event of Default includes failure to pay the Change of Control purchase price, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all the Securities then outstanding to be due and payable, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee, if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest shall become immediately due and payable, notwithstanding anything contained in this Indenture or the Securities to the contrary. If an Event of Default specified in clauses 8 or 9 above occurs, all unpaid principal of, and premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on, the Securities then outstanding will become due and payable, without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

 

The Holders of a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities, by written notice to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee, may rescind and annul a declaration of acceleration and its consequences if (1) the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor has paid or deposited with such Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (A) all overdue installments of interest on all the Securities, (B) the principal of, and premium, if any, on any Securities that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and interest thereon at

 

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the rate or rates prescribed therefor in the Securities, (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on the defaulted interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in the Securities, and (D) all money paid or advanced by the Trustee thereunder and the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; (2) all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of the principal of any Securities that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture; and (3) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction. No such rescission will affect any subsequent Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

 

SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may, but is not obligated to, pursue, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, any available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal or interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture. If an Event of Default specified under clauses (8) or (9) of Section 6.01 occurs with respect to the Company at a time when the Company is the Paying Agent, the Trustee shall automatically assume the duties of Paying Agent.

 

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.

 

SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject to Sections 6.07 and 9.02, the Holders of at least a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences, except a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal or interest on the Securities, including any optional redemption payments or Change of Control or Net Proceeds Offer payments.

 

SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on such Trustee, provided that (1) such direction is not in conflict with any rule of law or with this Indenture and (2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by such Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction.

 

SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Remedies. No Holder of any of the Securities will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or pursue any remedy under this Indenture, unless:

 

(1) such Holder has previously given notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default,

 

(2) the Holders of not less than 25% of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities have made written request to such Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as Trustee under this Indenture,

 

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(3) such Holder or Holders have offered to such Trustee indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request,

 

(4) such Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any proceeding, and

 

(5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to such Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities.

 

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over other Holders.

 

SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the Holder of any Securities will have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and interest on such Securities on the stated maturity therefor and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such right may not be impaired without the consent of such Holder.

 

SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default in payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest specified in Section 6.01(1), (2) or (3) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid with respect to the Securities, and interest on overdue principal and premium, if any, and, to the extent lawful, interest on overdue interest, and such further amounts as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

 

SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. (a) The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, their creditors or their property and may collect and receive any money or securities or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same.

 

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

 

SECTION 6.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article Six, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

 

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

 

Second: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities for principal and interest, ratably, without

 

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preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities for principal and interest, respectively; and

 

Third: to the Company.

 

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10.

 

SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities.

 

ARTICLE SEVEN

 

TRUSTEE

 

SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in such exercise as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

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

 

(1) The Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth (or incorporated by reference) in this Indenture and no others.

 

(2) In the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, in the case of certificates or opinions specifically required by any provision hereof to be furnished to it, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

 

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

 

(1) This paragraph (c) does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section.

 

(2) The Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by an officer of the Trustee, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts.

 

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(3) The Trustee shall not be liable with respect to action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05, and the Trustee shall be entitled from time to time to request such a direction.

 

(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section.

 

(e) The Trustee shall be under no obligation and may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right, duty or power hereunder unless it receives indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

 

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

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

 

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper person. The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, to the extent reasonably required by such inquiry or investigation at the expense of the Company and shall incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion.

 

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

 

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

 

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(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and reliance thereon.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

(i) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver a certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture.

 

SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11.

 

SECTION 7.04. Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Securities or any prospectus, offering or solicitation documents, and it shall not be responsible for any statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

 

SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder pursuant to Section 11.02 a notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in any payment on any Security, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the board of directors, executive committee or a trust committee of officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders.

 

SECTION 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within 60 days after each April 1, beginning with the April 1 following the date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall mail to each Holder a brief report dated as of such April 1 that complies with TIA Section 313(a), but only if such report is required in any year under TIA Section 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA Sections 313(b) and 313(c). A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Securities are listed. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing when the Securities become listed on any national securities exchange or of any delisting thereof.

 

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SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors jointly and severally agree to pay the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust). The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors jointly and severally agree to reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, disbursements and advances incurred by it. Such expenses shall include when applicable the reasonable compensation and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

The Trustee shall not be under any obligation to institute any suit, or take any remedial action under this Indenture, or to enter any appearance or in any way defend any suit in which it may be a defendant, or to take any steps in the execution of the trusts created hereby or thereby or in the enforcement of any rights and powers under this Indenture, until it shall be indemnified to its satisfaction against any and all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provisions of this Indenture, including compensation for services, costs, expenses, outlays, counsel fees and other disbursements, and against all liability (including fees and expenses incurred by the Trustee pursuant to the penultimate paragraph of Section 7.08) not due to its negligence or willful misconduct. The Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors jointly and severally agree to indemnify the Trustee against any loss, liability, claim, damage or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance and administration of the trust and its duties hereunder as Trustee, Registrar and/or Paying Agent, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including with respect to this Section 7.07) and of defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder. The Trustee shall notify the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors of any claim of which a Trust Officer has received written notice for which it may seek indemnity; however, unless the position of the Company is prejudiced by such failure, the failure of the Trustee to promptly notify the Company shall not limit its right to indemnification. The Company shall defend each such claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may retain separate counsel and the Company shall reimburse the Trustee for the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent.

 

Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary Guarantors shall be obligated to reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss or liability incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own negligence or willful misconduct. To secure the payment obligations of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in this Section, the Trustee shall have a claim prior to that of the Holders of the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities. The Trustee’s right to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.07 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or Indebtedness of the Company.

 

When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after the occurrence of any Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(8) or (9), the expenses and the compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

 

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The benefits of this section shall survive termination of this Indenture and resignation or removal of the Trustee.

 

SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee, in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

 

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

 

(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

 

(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

 

(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting as Trustee hereunder.

 

If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

 

A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors. Immediately after that and upon payment of its charges hereunder, the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. A successor Trustee shall mail notice of its succession to each Holder.

 

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 30 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities may petition, at the expense of the Company, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee. Any successor Trustee shall comply with TIA Section 310(a)(5).

 

SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger, etc. If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another corporation, the successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee; provided such corporation or association shall be otherwise eligible and qualified under this Article and shall notify the Company of its successor hereunder.

 

SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. This Indenture shall always have a Trustee which satisfies the requirements of TIA Section 310(a)(1). The Trustee shall always have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. The Trustee shall also comply with TIA Section 310(b).

 

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

 

ARTICLE EIGHT

 

DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

 

SECTION 8.01. Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, at any time, with respect to the Securities, elect to exercise its rights pursuant to either Section 8.02 or 8.03 with respect to all outstanding Securities upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article Eight.

 

SECTION 8.02. Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to all outstanding Securities on the date all conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, such Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Securities, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in (a) and (b) below, and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (a) the rights of Holders of outstanding Securities to receive solely from the trust fund described in Section 8.04, and as more fully set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such Securities when such payments are due, (b) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.06, 2.07, 2.09 and 4.04, (c) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith (including, but not limited to, Section 7.07) and (d) this Article Eight. Subject to compliance with this Article Eight, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 with respect to the Securities.

 

SECTION 8.03. Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company shall be released from its obligations under the covenants contained in the second sentence of Section 4.02, Sections 4.03, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15 and 4.16 and Article Five with respect to the outstanding Securities on and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Securities shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Securities shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, such Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding

 

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Securities, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01(5), but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, Sections 6.01(4) through 6.01(9) shall not constitute Events of Default.

 

SECTION 8.04. Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. The following shall be the conditions to application of either Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 to the outstanding Securities:

 

(a) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or cause to be deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements of Section 7.10 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this Article Eight applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, (a) cash in U.S. Legal Tender in an amount, or (b) U.S. Government Securities which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the due date of any payment, cash in U.S. Legal Tender in an amount, or (c) a combination thereof, in such amounts, as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the outstanding Securities on the Maturity Date or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, of such principal or installment of principal, premium, if any, or interest and in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and of such Securities; provided that the Trustee shall have been irrevocably instructed to apply such money or the proceeds of such U.S. Government Securities to said payments with respect to the Securities.

 

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

 

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

 

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(d) No Default or Event of Default with respect to the Securities shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit or, insofar as Subsection 6.01(8) or 6.01(9) is concerned, at any time in the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such deposit (it being understood that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period);

 

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

 

(f) In the case of any election under Section 8.02 or 8.03, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit made by the Company pursuant to its election under Section 8.02 or 8.03 was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders over other creditors of the Company or with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others; and

 

(g) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for relating to either the Legal Defeasance under Section 8.02 or the Covenant Defeasance under Section 8.03 (as the case may be) have been complied with as contemplated by this Section 8.04.

 

SECTION 8.05. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.06, all money and U.S. Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 in respect of the outstanding Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, if any, acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Securities of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

 

The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or U.S. Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Securities.

 

Anything in this Article Eight to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the Company’s request any money or U.S. Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a)), are in excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

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SECTION 8.06. Repayment to Company. Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security which is not subject to the last paragraph of Section 8.05 and has remained unclaimed for two years after such principal, and premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request (unless an abandoned property law designates another Person) or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Securities shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

 

SECTION 8.07. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. Legal Tender or U.S. Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining, or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Security following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent. In the event the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities are revived and reinstated pursuant to this Section 8.07, then the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee and this Indenture that were released pursuant to Section 10.04 as a result of the Company’s exercise of its rights under this Article Eight shall be revived and reinstated as though such release had not occurred.

 

ARTICLE NINE

 

AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

 

SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders.

 

The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the Securities without notice to or consent of any Holder:

 

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

 

(2) to comply with Section 5.01 or 10.02;

 

(3) to reflect the addition or release of any Subsidiary Guarantor, as provided for by this Indenture;

 

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(4) to comply with any requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA; or

 

(5) to make any change that would provide any additional benefit or rights to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect.

 

Upon the request of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, accompanied by a Board Resolution of the Company and of each Subsidiary Guarantor authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of any supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained. After an amendment or waiver under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders of each Security affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such supplemental indenture.

 

SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders. Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities with the written consent (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of then outstanding Securities on equal terms) of the Holders of at least a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities.

 

Upon the request of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, accompanied by a Board Resolution of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor authorizing the execution of any such supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the Opinion of Counsel described in Section 9.06, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in the execution of such supplemental indenture.

 

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

 

The Holders of a majority of the principal amount of the outstanding Securities may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors with any provision of this Indenture or the Securities (including waivers obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for Securities or a solicitation of consents in respect of Securities, provided that in each case such offer or solicitation is made to all Holders of the then outstanding Securities on equal terms). However, without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section may not:

 

(1) reduce the percentage of principal amount of Securities whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver of any provision of this Indenture or the Securities;

 

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

 

(3) reduce the principal amount of any Security or change the Maturity Date of the Securities;

 

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

 

(5) reduce the repurchase price, including premium, if any, payable upon the repurchase of any Security pursuant to Sections 4.11 or 4.16, or change the time at which any Security may or shall be repurchased thereunder;

 

(6) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Securities;

 

(7) make any Security payable in money other than that stated in the Security;

 

(8) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of principal of, premium, if any, or principal on any Security pursuant to Sections 6.07 or 6.08, except as limited by Section 6.06; or

 

(9) make any change in Section 6.04 or Section 6.07 or in this sentence of this Section 9.02.

 

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

 

SECTION 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment to or supplement of this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

 

SECTION 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents. A consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security. However, until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to its Security or portion of a Security. For such revocation to be effective, the Trustee must receive the notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective.

 

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment or waiver. If the Company elects to fix a record date for such purpose, the record date shall be fixed at (i) the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or the date of the most recent list of

 

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Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation pursuant to Section 2.05, or (ii) such other date as the Company shall designate. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the provisions of the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to consent to such amendment or waiver or to revoke any consent previously given, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No consent shall be valid or effective for more than 90 days after such record date unless consent from the Holders of the principal amount of Securities required hereunder for such amendment or waiver to be effective also shall have been given and not revoked within such 90-day period.

 

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

 

SECTION 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Senior Notes. If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security about the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms.

 

SECTION 9.06. Trustee Protected. The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article if the amendment or supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights of the Trustee. If it does adversely affect the rights of the Trustee, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment or supplement or waiver the Trustee shall be provided with, and (subject to Article Seven) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment or supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by and complies with this Indenture. The Company may not sign an amendment or supplement until the Boards of Directors of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors approve it.

 

ARTICLE TEN

 

GUARANTEES

 

SECTION 10.01. Unconditional Guarantee. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby, jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally guarantees, as principal obligor and not only as surety (such guarantee to be referred to herein as the “Guarantee”), to each Holder and to the Trustee the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities and all other amounts due and payable under this Indenture and the Securities by the Company whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption, repurchase or otherwise, including, without limitation, interest on the overdue principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities, to the extent lawful, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; subject, however, to the limitations set forth in Section 10.05.

 

Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Subsidiary Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees that its

 

55


obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Securities or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Securities with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Securities, this Indenture and in this Guarantee. If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor, or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, any amount paid by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee or such Holder, this Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect. Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between each Subsidiary Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article Six for the purposes of this Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article Six, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by each Subsidiary Guarantor for the purpose of this Guarantee.

 

SECTION 10.02. Subsidiary Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms. (a) Subject to paragraph (b) of this Section 10.02, no Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate or merge with or into (whether or not such Subsidiary Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person unless (i) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger (if other than such Subsidiary Guarantor) assumes all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture and the Securities pursuant to a supplemental indenture, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee and (ii) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists. In connection with any consolidation or merger contemplated by this Section 10.02, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction an Officers’ Certificate to the foregoing effect and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the proposed transaction and such supplemental indenture comply with this Indenture. This Section 10.02(a) will not prohibit a merger between Subsidiary Guarantors or a merger between the Company and a Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

(b) In the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor or a sale or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in any case by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, then such Subsidiary Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of such a merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the Capital Stock of such Subsidiary Guarantor) or the Person acquiring the assets (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any obligations

 

56


under its Guarantees; provided that in the event such sale or disposition constitutes an Asset Sale, the Net Available Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture described under Section 4.11.

 

SECTION 10.03. Addition of Subsidiary Guarantors. (a) The Company agrees to cause each domestic Subsidiary that shall become a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date and that guarantees any other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor in excess of a De Minimis Guaranteed Amount to execute and deliver a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary shall guarantee the payment of the Securities pursuant to the terms hereof within 180 days after the later of (i) the date that Restricted Subsidiary becomes a domestic Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) the date that Restricted Subsidiary guarantees such other Indebtedness; provided that no guarantee shall be required if the Restricted Subsidiary merges into the Company or an existing Subsidiary Guarantor and the surviving entity remains a Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

(b) Any Person that was not a Subsidiary Guarantor on the Issue Date may become a Subsidiary Guarantor by executing and delivering to the Trustee (i) a supplemental indenture in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, which subjects such Person to the provisions (including the representations and warranties) of this Indenture as a Subsidiary Guarantor and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel and Officers’ Certificate to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly authorized and executed by such Person and constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Person (subject to such customary exceptions concerning creditors’ rights and equitable principles as may be acceptable to the Trustee in its discretion and provided that no opinion need be rendered concerning the enforceability of the Guarantee).

 

SECTION 10.04. Release of a Subsidiary Guarantor. Upon (i) the sale or disposition of a Subsidiary Guarantor (or all or substantially all of its assets), (ii) the designation of a Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or (iii) the cessation by a Subsidiary Guarantor to guarantee any other Indebtedness of the Company or any other Subsidiary Guarantor other than a De Minimis Guaranteed Amount, in each case which is otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, including but not limited to the provisions of Section 10.02, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be deemed released from all of its Guarantee and related obligations in this Indenture without any further action by the Trustee, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor. Subject to Section 8.07, upon the Company’s election, in compliance with the conditions set forth in Article Eight hereof, to exercise its rights pursuant to either Section 8.02 or 8.03 with respect to all outstanding Securities, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall be deemed released from all of its Guarantee and related obligations in this Indenture without any further action by the Trustee, the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor. The Trustee shall deliver an appropriate instrument evidencing such release upon receipt of a request by the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and, in the case of the release of a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to clause (i) of the first sentence of this Section 10.04, an Opinion of Counsel certifying that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture. Any Subsidiary Guarantor not so released remains liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Securities as provided in this Article Ten.

 

57


SECTION 10.05. Limitation of Subsidiary Guarantor’s Liability. Each Subsidiary Guarantor, and by its acceptance hereof each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the guarantee by such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to its Guarantee not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of any federal, state or foreign law. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Holders and each Subsidiary Guarantor hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Subsidiary Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Subsidiary Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Subsidiary Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to Section 10.06, result in the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal, state or foreign law. This Section 10.05 is for the benefit of the creditors of each Subsidiary Guarantor, and, for purposes of applicable fraudulent transfer and fraudulent conveyance law, any Indebtedness of a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Credit Facilities shall be deemed to have been incurred prior to the incurrence by such Subsidiary Guarantor of its liability under the Guarantee.

 

SECTION 10.06. Contribution. In order to provide for just and equitable contribution among the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Subsidiary Guarantors agree, inter se, that in the event any payment or distribution is made by any Subsidiary Guarantor (a “Funding Guarantor”) under the Guarantee, such Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in a pro rata amount based on the Adjusted Net Assets of each Subsidiary Guarantor (including the Funding Guarantor) for all payments, damages and expenses incurred by the Funding Guarantor in discharging the Company’s obligations with respect to the Securities or any other Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations with respect to the Guarantee.

 

SECTION 10.07. [Intentionally Omitted.]

 

SECTION 10.08. Severability. In case any provision of this Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that portion of such provision that is not invalid, illegal or unenforceable shall remain in effect, and the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

ARTICLE ELEVEN

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

SECTION 11.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. Whether prior to or following the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, if any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies, or conflicts with the duties imposed by operation of TIA Section 318(c) upon an indenture qualified under the TIA, the imposed duties shall control under this Indenture.

 

58


SECTION 11.02. Notices. Any notice or communication shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered in person or mailed by certified or registered mail (return receipt requested), facsimile, telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, addressed as follows:

 

If to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor:

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73118

 

Attention:    Chief Financial Officer
Fax:    (405) 879-9572

 

If to the Trustee:

 

The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A.

2 N. LaSalle Street

Suite 1020

Chicago, IL 60602

 

Attention:    Corporate Trust Administration
Fax:    (312) 827-8542

 

The Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

 

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

 

Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail to the address for such Holder appearing on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given to such Holder if so mailed within the time prescribed. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it. If the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor mails notice or communications to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

 

SECTION 11.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA Section 312(c).

 

SECTION 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:

 

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

 

59


(2) an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, such conditions precedent have been complied with.

 

SECTION 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include:

 

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

 

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

 

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such person, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

 

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

 

SECTION 11.06. Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for actions taken by, or meetings or consents of, Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for its functions.

 

SECTION 11.07. Legal Holidays. A “Legal Holiday” is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a day on which banks and trust companies in the City of New York are not required by law or executive order to be open. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at the place on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, without additional interest.

 

SECTION 11.08. Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES AND THE GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAWS TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION REGARDING THE VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES.

 

SECTION 11.09. No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements. This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company, any Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Subsidiary. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

 

SECTION 11.10. No Recourse Against Others. All liability described in Paragraph 22 of the Securities of any director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Trustee is waived and released.

 

SECTION 11.11. Successors. All agreements of the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in this Indenture, the Securities and the Guarantees shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successor.

 

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SECTION 11.12. Duplicate Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same instrument.

 

SECTION 11.13. Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby, and a Holder shall have no claim therefor against any party hereto.

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION,
By:      

/s/ Martha A. Burger


Name:       Martha A. Burger
Title:      

Treasurer and Senior Vice

President–Human Resources

    SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS:
   

601541 N.B. LTD.

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY LOUISIANA CORPORATION

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY MARKETING, INC.

CHESAPEAKE OPERATING, INC.

CHESAPEAKE PRH CORP.

CHESAPEAKE SOUTH TEXAS CORP.

NOMAC DRILLING CORPORATION

OXLEY PETROLEUM CO.

CARMEN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ENO ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE EP, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE LAND COMPANY, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ORC, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN ACQUISITION, L.L.C.

CHESAPEAKE ROYALTY, L.L.C.

GOTHIC PRODUCTION, L.L.C.

JOHN C. OXLEY, L.L.C.

MAYFIELD PROCESSING L.L.C.

MC MINERAL COMPANY, L.L.C.

        By:  

/s/ Martha A. Burger


        Name:   Martha A. Burger
        Title:   Treasurer and Vice President


   

CHESAPEAKE EXPLORATION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP

CHESAPEAKE LOUISIANA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE NFW, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE PERMIAN, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE SIGMA, L.P.

CHESAPEAKE-STAGHORN ACQUISITION L.P.

CHESAPEAKE ZAPATA, L.P.,

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

/s/ Martha A. Burger


Name:       Martha A. Burger
Title:      

Treasurer and Senior Vice

President—Human Resources

    MIDCON COMPRESSION, L.P.,
        By   Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc., as general partner
By:      

/s/ Martha A. Burger


Name:       Martha A. Burger
Title:       Treasurer and Vice President


THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,

as Trustee

    By:  

/s/ Mark P. Brown


    Name:   Mark P. Brown
    Title:   Authorized Signatory


RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX

 

PROVISIONS RELATING TO INITIAL SECURITIES,

PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITIES

AND EXCHANGE SECURITIES

1. Definitions

 

1.1 Definitions

 

For the purposes of this Appendix the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

 

“Depository” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.

 

“Exchange Securities” means (1) the 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018 issued pursuant to the Indenture in connection with the Registered Exchange Offer pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement and (2) Additional Securities, if any, issued pursuant to a registration statement filed with the SEC under the Securities Act.

 

“Initial Purchaser” means (1) with respect to the Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Securities, the Persons purchasing such Additional Securities under the related Purchase Agreement.

 

“Initial Securities” means (1) $600 million aggregate principal amount of 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018 issued on the Issue Date and (2) Additional Securities, if any, issued in one or more transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

“Private Exchange” means the offer by the Company, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, to the Initial Purchaser to issue and deliver to the Initial Purchaser, in exchange for the Initial Securities held by the Initial Purchaser as part of its initial distribution, a like aggregate principal amount of Private Exchange Securities.

 

“Private Exchange Securities” means any 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018 issued in connection with a Private Exchange.

 

“Purchase Agreement” means (1) with respect to the Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, the Purchase Agreement dated June 6, 2005, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Initial Purchaser, and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Securities, the purchase agreement or underwriting agreement among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Persons purchasing such Additional Securities.

 

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

 

“Registered Exchange Offer” means the offer by the Company, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, to certain Holders of Initial Securities, to issue and deliver to such Holders, in exchange for the Initial Securities, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Securities registered under the Securities Act.

 

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“Registration Rights Agreement” means (1) with respect to the Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, the Registration Rights Agreement dated June 20, 2005, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Initial Purchaser, and (2) with respect to each issuance of Additional Securities issued in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, the registration rights agreement, if any, among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Persons purchasing such Additional Securities under the related Purchase Agreement.

 

“Securities” means the Initial Securities, the Exchange Securities and the Private Exchange Securities, treated as a single class.

 

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

 

“Securities Custodian” means the custodian with respect to a Global Security (as appointed by the Depository), or any successor Person thereto and shall initially be the Trustee.

 

“Shelf Registration Statement” means the registration statement issued by the Company in connection with the offer and sale of Initial Securities or Private Exchange Securities pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement.

 

“Transfer Restricted Securities” means Securities that bear or are required to bear the legend set forth in Section 2.3(b) hereto.

 

1.2 Other Definitions

 

Term


  

Defined in

Section:


“Agent Members”

   2.1(b)

“Global Security”

   2.1(a)

“Regulation S”

   2.1(a)

“Restricted Global Security”

   2.1(a)

“Rule 144A”

   2.1(a)

 

2. The Securities.

 

2.1 (a) Form and Dating. Initial Securities offered and sold to a QIB in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”) or in reliance on Regulation S under the Securities Act (“Regulation S”), in each case as provided in a Purchase Agreement, and Private Exchange Securities, as provided in a Registration Rights Agreement, shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global Securities in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons with the global securities legend and restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto (each, a “Restricted Global Security”), which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Initial Securities represented thereby with the Trustee, at its principal corporate trust office, as Securities Custodian, and registered in the name of the Depository or a nominee of the Depository, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Securities may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depository or its nominee as hereinafter provided. Exchange Securities shall be issued in global form (with the global securities legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto) or in certificated form at the option of the Holders thereof from time to time. Exchange Securities issued in global form and Restricted Global Securities are sometimes referred to in this Appendix as “Global Securities.”

 

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(b) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.1(b) shall apply only to a Global Security deposited with or on behalf of the Depository.

 

The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.1(b), authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Securities that (a) shall be registered in the name of the Depository for such Global Security or Global Securities or the nominee of such Depository and (b) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depository or pursuant to such Depository’s instructions or held by the Trustee as Securities Custodian.

 

Members of, or participants in, the Depository (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Security held on their behalf by the Depository or by the Trustee as Securities Custodian or under such Global Security, and the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be entitled to treat the Depository as the absolute owner of such Global Security for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by the Depository or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of such Depository governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Security.

 

(c) Certificated Securities. Except as provided in this Section 2.1 or Section 2.3 or 2.4, owners of beneficial interests in Restricted Global Securities shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated Securities.

 

2.2 Authentication. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver: (1) on the Issue Date, an aggregate principal amount of $600 million 6.25% Senior Notes due 2018, (2) from time to time after the Issue Date, any Additional Securities for an original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in the written order of the Company pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Indenture and (3) Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities for issue only in a Registered Exchange Offer or a Private Exchange, respectively, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement, for a like principal amount of Initial Securities, in each case upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and either the Secretary, an Assistant Treasurer or an Assistant Secretary of the Company. Such order shall specify the amount of the Securities to be authenticated and the date on which the original issue of Securities is to be authenticated and, in the case of any issuance of Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Indenture, shall certify that such issuance is in compliance with Section 4.09(a) of the Indenture.

 

2.3 Transfer and Exchange.

 

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Securities. (i) The transfer and exchange of Global Securities or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the procedures of the Depository therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Security shall deliver to the Registrar a written order given in accordance with the Depository’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depository to be credited with a beneficial

 

A-3


interest in the Global Security. The Registrar shall, in accordance with such instructions instruct the Depository to credit to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Security and to debit the account of the Person making the transfer the beneficial interest in the Global Security being transferred.

 

(ii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.4), a Global Security may not be transferred as a whole except by the Depository to a nominee of the Depository or by a nominee of the Depository to the Depository or another nominee of the Depository or by the Depository or any such nominee to a successor Depository or a nominee of such successor Depository.

 

(iii) In the event that a Restricted Global Security is exchanged for Securities in certificated registered form pursuant to Section 2.4 of this Appendix, prior to the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer or the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Securities, such Securities may be exchanged only in accordance with such procedures as are substantially consistent with the provisions of this Section 2.3 (including the certification requirements set forth on the reverse of the Initial Securities intended to ensure that such transfers comply with Rule 144A or Regulation S, as the case may be) and such other procedures as may from time to time be adopted by the Company.

 

(b) Legend.

 

(i) Except as permitted by the following paragraphs (ii), (iii) and (iv), until the expiration of the applicable holding period with respect to the Securities set forth in Rule 144(k) of the Securities Act, each Security certificate evidencing the Restricted Global Securities (and all Securities issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

 

THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS NOTE MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) THE COMPANY, (II) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) PURSUANT TO EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (V) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (V) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

 

A-4


(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Security (including any Transfer Restricted Security represented by a Restricted Global Security) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, the Registrar shall permit the transferee thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Security for a certificated Security that does not bear the legend set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Security, if the transferor thereof certifies in writing to the Registrar that such sale or transfer was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Security).

 

(iii) After a transfer of any Initial Securities or Private Exchange Securities pursuant to and during the period of the effectiveness of a Shelf Registration Statement with respect to such Initial Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as the case may be, all requirements pertaining to legends on such Initial Security or such Private Exchange Security will cease to apply, the requirements requiring any such Initial Security or such Private Exchange Security issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will cease to apply, and a certificated Initial Security or Private Exchange Security or an Initial Security or Private Exchange Security in global form, in each case without restrictive transfer legends, will be available to the transferee of the Holder of such Initial Securities or Private Exchange Securities upon exchange of such transferring Holder’s certificated Initial Security or Private Exchange Security or directions to transfer such Holder’s interest in the Global Security, as applicable.

 

(iv) Upon the consummation of a Registered Exchange Offer with respect to the Initial Securities, all requirements pertaining to such Initial Securities that Initial Securities issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will still apply with respect to Holders of such Initial Securities that do not exchange their Initial Securities, and Exchange Securities in certificated or global form will be available to Holders that exchange such Initial Securities in such Registered Exchange Offer.

 

(v) Upon the consummation of a Private Exchange with respect to the Initial Securities, all requirements pertaining to such Initial Securities that Initial Securities issued to certain Holders be issued in global form will still apply with respect to Holders of such Initial Securities that do not exchange their Initial Securities, and Private Exchange Securities in global form with the global securities legend and the Restricted Securities Legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto will be available to Holders that exchange such Initial Securities in such Private Exchange.

 

(c) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Security. At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Security have either been exchanged for certificated Securities, redeemed, purchased or canceled, such Global Security shall be returned to the Depository for cancelation or retained and canceled by the Trustee. At any time prior to such cancelation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Security is exchanged for certificated Securities, redeemed, purchased or canceled, the principal amount of Securities represented by such Global Security shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Trustee (if it is

 

A-5


then the Securities Custodian for such Global Security) with respect to such Global Security, by the Trustee or the Securities Custodian, to reflect such reduction.

 

(d) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Securities.

 

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate certificated Securities and Global Securities at the Registrar’s or co-registrar’s request.

 

(ii) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 3.06 and 4.16 of the Indenture).

 

(iii) The Registrar or co-registrar shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Security for a period beginning 15 Business Days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Securities or 15 Business Days before an interest payment date.

 

(iv) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Security, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Security is registered as the absolute owner of such Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Security and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent, the Registrar or any co-registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

(v) All Securities issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Securities surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

 

(e) No Obligation of the Trustee.

 

(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Security, Agent Member or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any Agent Member, with respect to any ownership interest in the Securities or with respect to the delivery to any Agent Member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Securities. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Securities shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Security). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Security shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its Agent Member and any beneficial owners.

 

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(ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Security (including any transfers between or among Agent Members or beneficial owners in any Global Security) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

 

2.4 Certificated Securities.

 

(a) A Restricted Global Security deposited with the Depository or with the Trustee as Securities Custodian pursuant to Section 2.1 shall be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of certificated Securities in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security, in exchange for such Global Security, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.3 and (i) the Depository notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Restricted Global Security or if at any time such Depository ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice or (ii) an event of default has occurred and is continuing or (iii) the Company, in its sole discretion, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of certificated Securities under this Indenture.

 

(b) Any Restricted Global Security that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section shall be surrendered by the Depository to the Trustee located at its principal corporate trust office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Restricted Global Security, an equal aggregate principal amount of certificated Initial Securities of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Restricted Global Security transferred pursuant to this Section shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and any integral multiple thereof and registered in such names as the Depository shall direct. Any certificated Initial Security or Private Exchange Security delivered in exchange for an interest in the Restricted Global Security shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.3(b), bear the restricted securities legend set forth in Exhibit 1 hereto.

 

(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.4(b), the registered Holder of a Global Security shall be entitled to grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Securities.

 

(d) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 2.4(a), the Company shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of certificated Securities in definitive, fully registered form without interest coupons.

 

 

A-7


EXHIBIT 1

to

RULE 144A/REGULATION S APPENDIX

 

[FACE OF INITIAL SECURITY]

[Global Securities Legend]

 

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

 

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

 

[Restricted Securities Legend]

 

THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

 

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY TO (I) THE COMPANY, (II) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (III) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (V) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (V) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE.

 

 

B-1


No.    CUSIP NO.            
$    ISIN NO.            

 

6.25% Senior Notes due 2018

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum of                                          Dollars on January 15, 2018.

 

Interest Payment Dates: January 15 and July 15 (commencing January 15, 20061)

 

Record Dates: January 1 and July 1

 

Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side of this Security.

 

Dated:

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION,
by  

 


Name:    
Title:    
by  

 


Name:    
Title:    

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF

AUTHENTICATION

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY,

N.A.,

AS TRUSTEE, CERTIFIES THAT

THIS IS ONE OF THE SECURITIES

REFERRED TO IN THE INDENTURE.

 

    by  

 


        Authorized Signatory

 


1 Or such later date as is appropriate in the case of Additional Securities.

 

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[REVERSE SIDE OF INITIAL SECURITY]

 

6.25% Senior Note due 2018

 

1. Interest

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above; provided, however, that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, additional interest will accrue on this Security at a rate of 0.25% per annum (increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum after each consecutive 90-day period that occurs after the date on which such Registration Default occurs up to a maximum additional interest rate of 1.00%) from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured. The Company will pay interest semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing January 15, 2006. Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from June 20, 2005. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

2. Method of Payment

 

The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close of business on the January 1 or July 1 next preceding the interest payment date even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Securities represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company. The Company will make all payments in respect of a certificated Security (including principal, premium and interest) by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on a certificated Security will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 

3. Paying Agent and Registrar

 

Initially, The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association (the “Trustee”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.

 

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4. Indenture

 

The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of June 20, 2005 (“Indenture”), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “Act”). Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms.

 

The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.09(a) of the Indenture, to issue Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Indenture. The Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, any Additional Securities and all Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities issued in exchange therefor will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture.

 

5. Optional Redemption

 

The Securities may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole or from time to time in part, at any time on or after July 15, 2010, at the redemption prices set forth below (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed), together with accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities so redeemed to the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on July 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year


   Redemption
Price


2010

   103.125%

2011

   102.083%

2012

   101.042%

2013 and thereafter

   100.000%

 

Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be made, to the extent applicable, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

 

6. Equity Offering Redemption

 

In the event the Company consummates one or more Equity Offerings on or prior to July 15, 2008, the Company may redeem, in its sole discretion, up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) with all or a portion of the aggregate net proceeds received by the Company from any such Equity Offering or Equity Offerings at a redemption price of 106.25% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities so redeemed to the redemption date; provided, however, that (i) the date of any such redemption occurs within the 120-day period after the Equity Offering in respect of which such redemption is made and (ii) following each such redemption, at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) remains outstanding. Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 6 shall be made, to the extent applicable, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

 

B-4


7. Make-Whole Price Redemption

 

At any time prior to July 15, 2010, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or any portion of the Securities at the “Make-Whole Price” (as defined in the Indenture) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities so redeemed to the date of redemption. Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 7 shall be made, to the extent applicable, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

 

8. Notice of Redemption

 

Notice of redemption will be mailed to the Holder’s registered address at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed. If less than all Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select pro rata, by lot or, if the Securities are listed on any securities exchange, by any other method that the Trustee considers fair and appropriate and that complies with the requirements of such exchange, the Securities to be redeemed in multiples of $1,000; provided, however, that no Securities with a principal amount of $1,000 or less will be redeemed in part. Securities in denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Securities or portions of them called for redemption (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the redemption price or accrued interest).

 

9. Change of Control Offer

 

In the event of a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company shall be required to make an offer to purchase all or any portion of each Holder’s Securities, at 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase.

 

10. Net Proceeds Offer

 

In the event of certain Asset Sales (and Sale/Leaseback Transactions), the Company may be required to make a Net Proceeds Offer to purchase all or any portion of each Holder’s Securities, at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Net Proceeds Payment Date.

 

11. Restrictive Covenants

 

The Indenture imposes certain limitations on, among other things, the ability of the Company to merge or consolidate with any other Person or sell, lease or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its properties or assets, the ability of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries to dispose of assets, to pay dividends and make certain other distributions and payments, to make certain investments or redeem, retire, repurchase or acquire for value shares of Capital Stock, to incur additional Indebtedness or incur encumbrances against certain property and to enter into certain transactions with Affiliates, all subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture and some of which will cease to have effect, upon notice from the Company to the Trustee, if the Company obtains an Investment Grade Rating and no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

B-5


12. Ranking and Guarantees

 

The Securities are general senior unsecured obligations of the Company. The Company’s obligation to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Securities is unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis, jointly and severally, by the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to Article Ten of the Indenture. Certain limitations to the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors are set forth in further detail in the Indenture.

 

13. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

 

The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange of any Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any Securities for a period of 15 Business Days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Securities or 15 Business Days before an interest payment date.

 

14. Persons Deemed Owners

 

The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

15. Unclaimed Money

 

If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Company at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.

 

16. Discharge and Defeasance

 

Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time shall be entitled to terminate some or all of its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Securities for the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

 

17. Amendment, Supplement, Waiver

 

Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Securities may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Securities, and any past default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities. Without the consent of any Holder, the Company may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Securities to, among other things, cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect.

 

B-6


18. Successor Corporation

 

When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Securities and the Indenture, the predecessor corporation will be released from those obligations.

 

19. Defaults and Remedies

 

An Event of Default generally is: default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for 30 days in payment of interest on the Securities; default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Securities; default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the deposit of any optional redemption or repurchase payment when due and payable; defaults resulting in acceleration prior to maturity of certain other Indebtedness or resulting from payment defaults under certain other Indebtedness; failure by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for 45 days after notice to comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture; certain final judgments against the Company or Subsidiaries; a failure of any Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor to be in full force and effect or denial by any Subsidiary Guarantor of its obligations with respect thereto; and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. Subject to certain limitations in the Indenture, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may declare all the Securities to be due and payable immediately, except that in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, all outstanding Securities shall become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Securities. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Company must furnish an annual compliance certificate to the Trustee.

 

20. Trustee Dealings with Company and Subsidiary Guarantors

 

The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

21. No Recourse Against Others

 

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

 

22. Authentication

 

This Security shall not be valid until the Trustee or an authenticating agent signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Security.

 

B-7


23. Abbreviations

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=Custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

24. CUSIP Numbers

 

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company will cause CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Securities as a convenience to Holders of the Securities. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers as printed on the Securities and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed hereon.

 

25. Holders’ Compliance with Registration Rights Agreement

 

Each Holder of this Security, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the obligations of the Holders with respect to a registration and the indemnification of the Company to the extent provided therein.

 

26. Governing Law

 

THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION REGARDING THE VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES.

 

 

B-8


The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge to the Security holder a copy of the Indenture and a copy of the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, OK 73118

 

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

B-9


ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

 

I or we assign and transfer this Security to

 


(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 


(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. No.)

 

and irrevocably appoint                                               agent to transfer this Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Dated:                         Your Signature:   

 


 

 


Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.

 

In connection with any transfer of any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate occurring prior to the expiration of the period referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act after the later of the date of original issuance of such Securities and the last date, if any, on which such Securities were owned by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, the undersigned confirms that such Securities are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

 

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

 

    (1)    ¨      to the Company; or
    (2)    ¨      pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or
    (3)    ¨      inside the United States to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or
    (4)    ¨      outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933; or
    (5)    ¨      pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933.

 

B-10


Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Securities evidenced by this certificate in the name of any person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (4) or (5) is checked, the Trustee shall be entitled to require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Securities, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, such as the exemption provided by Rule 144 under such Act.

 

 

       

Signature

 

Signature Guarantee:

 

Signature must be guaranteed      

Signature

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

 


TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (3) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

 

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Security for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Dated:                           

 


       

NOTICE: To be executed by

an executive officer

 

 

B-11


SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY

 

The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange


 

Amount of decrease in
Principal amount of this
Global Security


 

Amount of increase in
Principal amount of this
Global Security


   Principal amount of this
Global Security following
such decrease or increase


   Signature of authorized
officer of Trustee or
Securities Custodian


 

B-12


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.11 or 4.16 of the Indenture, check the box:

 

¨

 

If you want to elect to have only part of this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.11 or 4.16 of the Indenture, state the amount in principal amount: $                    

 

Dated:                              Your Signature:  

 


              (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.)

 

Signature Guarantee:

  

 


    

                    (Signature must be guaranteed)

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

B-13


EXHIBIT A-1

 

[FACE OF EXCHANGE SECURITY

OR PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITY]

 

*/**/

 


*/ If the Security is to be issued in global form add the Global Securities Legend from Exhibit 1 to Appendix A and the attachment from such Exhibit 1 captioned “[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES] - SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY”.
**/ If the Security is a Private Exchange Security issued in a Private Exchange to the Initial Purchaser holding an unsold portion of its initial allotment, add the Restricted Securities Legend from Exhibit 1 to Appendix A and replace the Assignment Form included in this Exhibit A with the Assignment Form included in such Exhibit 1.

 

C-1


No.

   CUSIP NO.            

$

   ISIN NO.            

 

6.25% Senior Notes due 2018

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation, promises to pay to CEDE & CO., or registered assigns, the principal sum of                                          Dollars on January 15, 2018.

 

Interest Payment Dates: January 15 and July 15 (commencing January 15, 2006)

 

Record Dates: January 1 and July 1

 

Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side of this Security.

 

Dated:

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION,

by  

 


Name:    
Title:    
by  

 


Name:    
Title:    

 

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF

AUTHENTICATION

 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY,

N.A.,

AS TRUSTEE, CERTIFIES THAT

THIS IS ONE OF THE SECURITIES

REFERRED TO IN THE INDENTURE.

 

    by  

 


        Authorized Signatory

 

C-2


[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF EXCHANGE SECURITY

OR PRIVATE EXCHANGE SECURITY]

 

6.25% Senior Note due 2018

 

1. Interest

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation, an Oklahoma corporation (such corporation, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Security at the rate per annum shown above; provided, however, that if a Registration Default (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement) occurs, additional interest will accrue on this Security at a rate of 0.25% per annum (increasing by an additional 0.25% per annum after each consecutive 90-day period that occurs after the date on which such Registration Default occurs up to a maximum additional interest rate of 1.00%) from and including the date on which any such Registration Default shall occur to but excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured.** The Company will pay interest semiannually on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing January 15, 2006. Interest on the Securities will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from June 20, 2005. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

2. Method of Payment

 

The Company will pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close of business on the January 1 or July 1 next preceding the interest payment date even if Securities are canceled after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders must surrender Securities to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Securities represented by a Global Security (including principal, premium and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company. The Company will make all payments in respect of a certificated Security (including principal, premium and interest) by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on a certificated Security will be made by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

 


** Insert if at the date of issuance of the Exchange Security or Private Exchange Security (as the case may be) any Registration Default has occurred with respect to the related Initial Securities during the interest period in which such date of issuance occurs.

 

C-3


3. Paying Agent and Registrar

 

Initially, The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., a national banking association (the “Trustee”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar without notice. The Company or any of its domestically incorporated Wholly Owned Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.

 

4. Indenture

 

The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of June 20, 2005 (“Indenture”), among the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Securities include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date of the Indenture (the “Act”). Terms defined in the Indenture and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The Securities are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms.

 

The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.09(a) of the Indenture, to issue Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Indenture. The Initial Securities issued on the Issue Date, any Additional Securities and all Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities issued in exchange therefor will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture.

 

5. Optional Redemption

 

The Securities may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole or from time to time in part, at any time on or after, at the redemption prices set forth below (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Securities to be redeemed), together with accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities so redeemed to the redemption date, if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on July 15 of the years indicated below:

 

Year


  

Redemption

Price


 

2010

   103.125 %

2011

   102.083 %

2012

   101.042 %

2013 and thereafter

   100.000 %

 

Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 5 shall be made, to the extent applicable, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

 

6. Equity Offering Redemption

 

In the event the Company consummates one or more Equity Offerings on or prior to July 15, 2008, the Company may redeem, in its sole discretion, up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) with all or a portion of the aggregate net proceeds received by the Company from any such Equity Offering or Equity Offerings at a redemption price of 106.25% of the aggregate principal amount

 

C-4


of the Securities so redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities so redeemed to the redemption date; provided, however, that (i) the date of any such redemption occurs within the 120-day period after the Equity Offering in respect of which such redemption is made and (ii) following each such redemption, at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) remains outstanding. Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 6 shall be made, to the extent applicable, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

 

7. Make-Whole Price Redemption

 

At any time prior to July 15, 2010, the Company may, at its option, redeem all or any portion of the Securities at the “Make-Whole Price” (as defined in the Indenture) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities so redeemed to the date of redemption. Any redemption pursuant to this paragraph 7 shall be made, to the extent applicable, pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 of the Indenture.

 

8. Notice of Redemption

 

Notice of redemption will be mailed to the Holder’s registered address at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed. If less than all Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select pro rata, by lot or, if the Securities are listed on any securities exchange, by any other method that the Trustee considers fair and appropriate and that complies with the requirements of such exchange, the Securities to be redeemed in multiples of $1,000; provided, however, that no Securities with a principal amount of $1,000 or less will be redeemed in part. Securities in denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Securities or portions of them called for redemption (unless the Company shall default in the payment of the redemption price or accrued interest).

 

9. Change of Control Offer

 

In the event of a Change of Control Triggering Event, the Company shall be required to make an offer to purchase all or any portion of each Holder’s Securities, at 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase.

 

10. Net Proceeds Offer

 

In the event of certain Asset Sales (and Sale/Leaseback Transactions), the Company may be required to make a Net Proceeds Offer to purchase all or any portion of each Holder’s Securities, at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Net Proceeds Payment Date.

 

11. Restrictive Covenants

 

The Indenture imposes certain limitations on, among other things, the ability of the Company to merge or consolidate with any other Person or sell, lease or otherwise transfer all or substantially all of its properties or assets, the ability of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries to dispose of assets, to pay dividends and make certain other distributions and

 

C-5


payments, to make certain investments or redeem, retire, repurchase or acquire for value shares of Capital Stock, to incur additional Indebtedness or incur encumbrances against certain property and to enter into certain transactions with Affiliates, all subject to certain limitations described in the Indenture and some of which will cease to have effect if the Company obtains an Investment Grade Rating and no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

 

12. Ranking and Guarantees

 

The Securities are general senior unsecured obligations of the Company. The Company’s obligation to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Securities is unconditionally guaranteed on a senior basis, jointly and severally, by the Subsidiary Guarantors pursuant to Article Ten of the Indenture. Certain limitations to the obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors are set forth in further detail in the Indenture.

 

13. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

 

The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and whole multiples of $1,000. A Holder may transfer or exchange Securities in accordance with the Indenture. The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar need not register the transfer of or exchange of any Securities selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Security to be redeemed in part, the portion of the Security not to be redeemed) or any Securities for a period of 15 Business Days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Securities or 15 Business Days before an interest payment date.

 

14. Persons Deemed Owners

 

The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

 

15. Unclaimed Money

 

If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Company at its request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look only to the Company and not to the Trustee for payment.

 

16. Discharge and Defeasance

 

Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time shall be entitled to terminate some or all of its obligations under the Securities and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Securities for the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

 

17. Amendment, Supplement, Waiver

 

Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Securities may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Securities, and any past

 

C-6


default or noncompliance with any provision may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities. Without the consent of any Holder, the Company may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Securities to, among other things, cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect.

 

18. Successor Corporation

 

When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of its predecessor under the Securities and the Indenture, the predecessor corporation will be released from those obligations.

 

19. Defaults and Remedies

 

An Event of Default generally is: default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for 30 days in payment of interest on the Securities; default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in payment of principal of, or premium, if any, on the Securities; default by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor in the deposit of any optional redemption or repurchase payment when due and payable; defaults resulting in acceleration prior to maturity of certain other Indebtedness or resulting from payment defaults under certain other Indebtedness; failure by the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor for 45 days after notice to comply with any of its other agreements in the Indenture; certain final judgments against the Company or Subsidiaries; a failure of any Guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor to be in full force and effect or denial by any Subsidiary Guarantor of its obligations with respect thereto; and certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency. Subject to certain limitations in the Indenture, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Securities may declare all the Securities to be due and payable immediately, except that in the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, all outstanding Securities shall become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. Holders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it enforces the Indenture or the Securities. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Company must furnish an annual compliance certificate to the Trustee.

 

20. Trustee Dealings with Company and Subsidiary Guarantors

 

The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal with the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors or their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

 

21. No Recourse Against Others

 

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

 

C-7


22. Authentication

 

This Security shall not be valid until the Trustee or an authenticating agent signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Security.

 

23. Abbreviations

 

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=Custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

 

24. CUSIP Numbers

 

Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company will cause CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Securities as a convenience to Holders of the Securities. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers as printed on the Securities and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed hereon.

 

25. Holders’ Compliance with Registration Rights Agreement

 

Each Holder of this Security, by acceptance hereof, acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including the obligations of the Holders with respect to a registration and the indemnification of the Company to the extent provided therein.

 

26. Governing Law

 

THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK BUT WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WOULD REQUIRE THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION REGARDING THE VALIDITY OF THE SECURITIES.

 

 

C-8


The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge to the Security holder a copy of the Indenture and a copy of the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

 

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

6100 North Western Avenue

Oklahoma City, OK 73118

 

Attention: Chief Financial Officer

 

C-9


ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

To assign this Security, fill in the form below:

 

I or we assign and transfer this Security to

 

 


(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

 

 


(Insert assignee’s social security or tax I.D. No.)

 

and irrevocably appoint

   agent to transfer this

Security on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

 


 

Dated:                     

        Your Signature:  

 


 

 


Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.

 

C-10


SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL SECURITY

 

The following increases or decreases in this Global Security have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange


 

Amount of decrease in
Principal amount of this
Global Security


 

Amount of increase in
Principal amount of this
Global Security


   Principal amount of this
Global Security following
such decrease or increase


   Signature of authorized
officer of Trustee or
Securities Custodian


 

 

C-11


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

 

If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.11 or 4.16 of the Indenture, check the box:

 

¨

 

If you want to elect to have only part of this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.11 or 4.16 of the Indenture, state the amount in principal amount: $                    

 

Dated:                              Your Signature:  

 


              (Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.)

 

Signature Guarantee:

  

 


                             (Signature must be guaranteed)

 

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

C-12

EX-10.4 13 dex104.htm NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION Non-Employee Director Compensation

Exhibit 10.4

 

Non-Employee Director Compensation

 

Based on its annual review of director compensation, on June 10, 2005, Chesapeake Energy Corporation’s Board of Directors approved the annual compensation of its non-employee directors effective July 1, 2005 as follows: (1) $25,000 annual retainer to be paid in quarterly installments on the first business day of each calendar quarter; (2) $10,000 and $2,500 payable for each board meeting attended in person and telephonically, respectively, not to exceed $60,000 per year for board meetings attended; and (3) 12,500 restricted shares of Chesapeake’s common stock to be issued on the first business day in July of each year. One-quarter (1/4) of each restricted stock award will vest immediately upon award with the remaining three-quarters (3/4) of the award to vest ratably over the next three years following the date of the award.

 

EX-10.5 14 dex105.htm NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION Named Executive Officer Compensation

Exhibit 10.5

 

Named Executive Officer Compensation

 

On July 1, 2005, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors set the annual base salaries of, and awarded cash bonuses to, Chesapeake’s named executive officers, effective July 1, 2005. The new base salaries and the cash bonuses, respectively, are as follows: Aubrey K. McClendon $950,000 and $625,000; Tom L. Ward $950,000 and $625,000; Marcus C. Rowland $580,000 and $355,000; Martha A. Burger $480,000 and $250,000; and Michael A. Johnson $360,000 and $140,000.

EX-12 15 dex12.htm COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges

Exhibit 12

 

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

(dollars in 000’s)

 

    

Year

Ended

December 31,

2000


  

Year

Ended

December 31,

2001


  

Year

Ended

December 31,

2002


  

Year

Ended

December 31,

2003


  

Year

Ended

December 31,

2004


   

Six Months

Ended

June 30,

2005


 
EARNINGS:                                             

Income before income taxes and cumulative effect of accounting change

   $ 196,162    $ 361,698    $ 67,140    $ 500,952    $ 804,926     $ 502,032  

Interest expense (a)

     86,256      98,321      111,280      147,817      161,990       100,207  

(Gain)/loss on investment in equity investees in excess of distributed earnings

     —        —        —        409      (606 )     (727 )

Amortization of capitalized interest

     1,226      1,784      1,804      2,519      4,620       3,970  

Bond discount amortization (b)

     —        —        —        —        —         —    

Loan cost amortization

     3,669      4,022      4,962      4,254      5,728       4,144  
    

  

  

  

  


 


Earnings

   $ 287,313    $ 465,825    $ 185,186    $ 655,951    $ 976,658     $ 609,626  
    

  

  

  

  


 


FIXED CHARGES:                                             

Interest expense

   $ 86,256    $ 98,321    $ 111,280    $ 147,817    $ 161,990     $ 100,207  

Capitalized interest

     2,452      4,719      4,976      13,041      36,240       33,945  

Bond discount amortization (b)

     —        —        —        —        —         —    

Loan cost amortization

     3,669      4,022      4,962      4,254      5,728       4,144  
    

  

  

  

  


 


Fixed Charges

   $ 92,377    $ 107,062    $ 121,218    $ 165,112    $ 203,958     $ 138,296  
    

  

  

  

  


 


Preferred Stock Dividends

                                            

Preferred Dividend Requirements

   $ 8,484    $ 2,050    $ 10,117    $ 22,469    $ 39,506     $ 15,322  

Ratio of income before provision for taxes to net income (c)

     N/A      1.66      1.67      1.61      1.56       1.57  
    

  

  

  

  


 


Subtotal – Preferred Dividends

   $ 8,484    $ 3,411    $ 16,861    $ 36,240    $ 61,629     $ 24,056  

Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends

   $ 100,861    $ 110,473    $ 138,079    $ 201,352    $ 265,587     $ 162,352  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     3.1      4.4      1.5      4.0      4.8       4.4  

Insufficient coverage

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —       $ —    

Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends

     2.8      4.2      1.3      3.3      3.7       3.8  

Insufficient coverage

   $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —      $ —       $ —    

(a) Excludes the effect on unrealized gains or losses on interest rate derivatives.
(b) Amortization of bond discount is excluded since it is included in interest expense.
(c) Amounts of income before provision for taxes and of net income exclude the cumulative effect of accounting change.
EX-21 16 dex21.htm SUBSIDIARIES OF CHESAPEAKE Subsidiaries of Chesapeake

Exhibit 21

 

SUBSIDIARIES

OF

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CORPORATION

Oklahoma Corporation

 

Corporations


  

State of Organization


Chesapeake Eagle Canada Corp.

Chesapeake Energy Louisiana Corporation

Chesapeake Energy Marketing, Inc.

Chesapeake Operating, Inc.

Chesapeake PRH Corp.

Chesapeake South Texas Corp.

Nomac Drilling Corporation

Oxley Petroleum Co.

  

New Brunswick

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Texas

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Limited Liability Companies


  

State of Formation


Carmen Acquisition, L.L.C.

Chesapeake Acquisition, L.L.C.

Chesapeake ENO Acquisition, L.L.C.

Chesapeake EP, L.L.C.

Chesapeake Land Company, L.L.C.

Chesapeake ORC, L.L.C.

Chesapeake Permian Acquisition, L.L.C.

Chesapeake Royalty, L.L.C.

Gothic Production, L.L.C.

John C. Oxley, L.L.C.

MC Mineral Company, L.L.C.

Mayfield Processing, L.L.C.

  

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Partnerships


    

Chesapeake Exploration Limited Partnership

Chesapeake Louisiana, L.P.

Chesapeake NFW, L.P.

Chesapeake Permian, L.P.

Chesapeake Sigma, L.P.

Chesapeake-Staghorn Acquisition L.P.

Chesapeake Zapata, L.P.

MidCon Compression, L.P.

  

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

Oklahoma

EX-31.1 17 dex311.htm CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302

Exhibit 31.1

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Aubrey K. McClendon, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Chesapeake Energy Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 8, 2005  

/s/ AUBREY K. MCCLENDON


    Aubrey K. McClendon
    Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
EX-31.2 18 dex312.htm CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302

Exhibit 31.2

 

CERTIFICATION

 

I, Marcus C. Rowland, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Chesapeake Energy Corporation;

 

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  (b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

  (c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  (d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  (a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

  (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: August 8, 2005  

/s/ MARCUS C. ROWLAND


    Marcus C. Rowland
    Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
EX-32.1 19 dex321.htm CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 906

Exhibit 32.1

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Aubrey K. McClendon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

  1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ AUBREY K. MCCLENDON


Aubrey K. McClendon

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: August 8, 2005

EX-32.2 20 dex322.htm CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 906

Exhibit 32.2

 

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

In connection with the Quarterly Report of Chesapeake Energy Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2005 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Marcus C. Rowland, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

  1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

/s/ MARCUS C. ROWLAND


Marcus C. Rowland

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Date: August 8, 2005

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