0001193125-13-018231.txt : 20130122 0001193125-13-018231.hdr.sgml : 20130121 20130122072804 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-13-018231 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3ASR PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 9 FILED AS OF DATE: 20130122 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20130122 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20130122 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DENBURY RESOURCES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000945764 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311] IRS NUMBER: 752815171 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-186112 FILM NUMBER: 13538949 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 BUSINESS PHONE: 9726732000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: NEWSCOPE RESOURCES LTD DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19950627 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Denbury Air, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001189163 IRS NUMBER: 752807622 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-186112-08 FILM NUMBER: 13538957 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 BUSINESS PHONE: 972 673-2000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: EAP OPERATING INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20020913 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Denbury Operating Co CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001201777 IRS NUMBER: 752807620 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-186112-03 FILM NUMBER: 13538952 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 BUSINESS PHONE: 972 673-2000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: EAP PROPERTIES INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20021028 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DENBURY GATHERING & MARKETING INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001231519 IRS NUMBER: 753056150 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-186112-07 FILM NUMBER: 13538956 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 BUSINESS PHONE: 972-673-2043 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: DENBURY ONSHORE, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001346032 IRS NUMBER: 200467798 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-186112-04 FILM NUMBER: 13538953 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 BUSINESS PHONE: 972-673-2000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Denbury Green Pipeline-Texas LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001455728 IRS NUMBER: 262072301 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-186112-09 FILM NUMBER: 13538958 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 BUSINESS PHONE: 972-673-2000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Denbury Holdings Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001487631 IRS NUMBER: 272051216 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-186112-05 FILM NUMBER: 13538954 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 BUSINESS PHONE: 972-673-2000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: Denbury Encore Holdings Inc. DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20100319 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Denbury Gulf Coast Pipelines, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001511371 IRS NUMBER: 274160892 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-186112-06 FILM NUMBER: 13538955 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 BUSINESS PHONE: (972) 673-2000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Denbury Pipeline Holdings, LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001511372 IRS NUMBER: 274160190 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-186112-02 FILM NUMBER: 13538951 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 BUSINESS PHONE: (972) 673-2000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Greencore Pipeline Co LLC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001511373 IRS NUMBER: 270619605 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3ASR SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-186112-01 FILM NUMBER: 13538950 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 BUSINESS PHONE: (972) 673-2000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 5320 LEGACY DRIVE CITY: PLANO STATE: TX ZIP: 75024 S-3ASR 1 d470925ds3asr.htm FORM S-3ASR Form S-3ASR
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 22, 2013

Registration No.333-                

 

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-3 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

 

Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
Delaware
  DENBURY RESOURCES INC.
DENBURY AIR, LLC
DENBURY GATHERING & MARKETING, INC.
DENBURY GREEN PIPELINE-TEXAS, LLC
DENBURY GULF COAST PIPELINES, LLC
DENBURY HOLDINGS, INC.
DENBURY ONSHORE, LLC
DENBURY OPERATING COMPANY
DENBURY PIPELINE HOLDINGS, LLC
GREENCORE PIPELINE COMPANY LLC
  20-0467835
75-2807621
75-3056150
26-2072301
27-4160892
27-2051216
20-0467798
75-2807620
27-4160190
27-0619605
(State of incorporation)   (Exact name of Registrant)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1311

(Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number)

 

 

Mark C. Allen, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Denbury Resources Inc.

5320 Legacy Drive

Plano, Texas 75024

(972) 673-2000

(Name, address and telephone number of Registrant’s executive offices and agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Donald W. Brodsky
Morgan T. Hotzel

Baker & Hostetler LLP
1000 Louisiana Street Suite 2000

Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 751-1600

  Gary L. Sellers
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(212) 455-2000

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

 

Title of Each Class of

Securities to be Registered

 

Proposed

Maximum

Offering Price

 

Amount of

Registration Fee

Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023

  (1)   (1)

Subsidiary Guarantees

  (2)   (2)

 

 

(1) Not applicable pursuant to Form S-3 General Instruction II(E). An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of securities of the identified class is being registered. In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) of the Securities Act, Denbury Resources Inc. is deferring payment of the registration fee.
(2) Pursuant to Rule 457(n) of the Securities Act, no separate fee is payable with respect to the guarantees of the debt securities being registered.

 

 

 


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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and we are not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION,

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS DATED JANUARY 22, 2013

$1,000,000,000

 

LOGO

Denbury Resources Inc.

        % Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023

 

 

We are offering $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of         % Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 (the “notes”). The notes will bear interest at         % per year and will mature on                     , 2023. Interest will be payable on                      and                      of each year, beginning on                     , 2013.

We may redeem the notes in whole or in part on and after                     , 2018 at the redemption prices described herein. In addition, prior to                     , 2018 we may redeem the notes in whole or in part at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus a “make whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest. We may also redeem up to 35% of the notes before                     , 2016, with the proceeds of certain equity offerings. If we sell all or substantially all of our assets or experience specific kinds of changes in control, we must offer to repurchase the notes. There is no sinking fund for the notes.

The notes are being offered to fund the repurchase of $426.4 million of our 9 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 and $224.9 million of our 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016. The remaining proceeds from this offering will be used for repayment of current borrowings under our bank credit facility, and then for general corporate purposes.

The notes are our senior subordinated obligations. The notes will be unsecured and will rank equally with all of our existing and future unsecured senior subordinated debt, will be subordinated to all of our existing and future senior debt and will rank senior to all of our future subordinated debt. Our obligations under the notes will be guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by certain of our subsidiaries.

 

 

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “DNR.”

 

 

Investing in the notes involves substantial risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11.

 

     Per Note     Total  

Public offering price(1)

                $            

Underwriting discount

                $     

Proceeds, before expenses, to us

                $     

 

(1) Plus accrued interest from                     , 2013, if any.

The notes will not be listed on any securities exchange. Currently there is no public market for the notes.

Delivery of the notes, in book-entry form, will be made on or about February     , 2013 through The Depository Trust Company.

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

 

 

Joint Book-Running Managers

 

BofA Merrill Lynch      
      J.P. Morgan      
    Credit Suisse            
      Wells Fargo Securities                           
        RBC Capital Markets
          Credit Agricole CIB

 

 

Co-Managers

 

Scotiabank    Mitsubishi UFJ Securities    UBS Investment Bank
Capital One Southcoast    CIBC    Comerica Securities
US Bancorp    ING    SunTrust Robinson Humphrey
KeyBanc Capital Markets    SMBC Nikko    Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

 

 

January     , 2013


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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus relates to the offer and sale by us of the notes. You should rely on the information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized any person to provide you with different or inconsistent information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We and the underwriters are not making an offer to sell the notes in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information contained in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference are accurate only as of their respective dates. Our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects may have changed since those dates.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Summary

     1   

Risk Factors

     11   

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

     15   

Use of Proceeds

     16   

Capitalization

     17   

Description of the Notes

     18   

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

     63   

Underwriting

     68   

Legal Matters

     70   

Experts

     70   

Glossary

     71   

Our principal executive office is located at 5320 Legacy Drive, Plano, Texas 75024 and our telephone number is (972) 673-2000.

 

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document and the documents incorporated by reference herein include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (which is referred to as the Securities Act in this prospectus), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (which is referred to as the Exchange Act in this prospectus), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, regarding the financial position, business strategy, production and reserve growth, possible or assumed future results of operations, and other plans and objectives for the future operations of Denbury Resources Inc. (“Denbury”) and general economic conditions. See “Risk Factors.”

The events and circumstances referred to in forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Although we believe that in making such statements our expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the events and circumstances referred to may be influenced by factors that could cause actual outcomes and results to be materially different from those projected.

Except for our obligations to disclose material information under United States federal securities laws, Denbury does not undertake any obligation to release publicly any revision to any forward-looking statement, to report events or circumstances after the date of this document or to report the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, or that include words such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “plans,” “likely,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” “estimates,” “thinks,” “may” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. The following important factors, in addition to those discussed under “Risk factors” and elsewhere in this document, could affect the future results of the energy industry in general, and Denbury in particular, and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements:

 

   

uncertainties inherent in the development and production of and exploration for oil and natural gas and in estimating reserves;

 

   

the need to make unexpected future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof);

 

   

the impact of oil and natural gas price fluctuations;

 

   

the effects of our indebtedness and increases in interest rates thereon, which could restrict our ability to operate, make us vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions, place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt, and have other adverse consequences;

 

   

the effects of competition;

 

   

the success of our risk management activities;

 

   

the availability of CO2;

 

   

the ability to obtain pipeline rights-of-way and permits;

 

   

the availability of acquisition or combination opportunities (or lack thereof);

 

   

the impact of current and future laws and governmental and environmental regulations;

 

   

environmental liabilities that are not covered by an effective indemnification agreement or insurance;

 

   

general economic, market or business conditions;

 

   

difficulties related to our planned tertiary operations and delays in construction; and

 

   

the impact of severe weather conditions and other regulations on limiting our operations during certain periods.

 

ii


Table of Contents

All written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to Denbury or persons acting on behalf of Denbury are expressly qualified in their entirety by such factors. For additional information with respect to these factors, see “Where You Can Find More Information.”

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, which requires us to file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document that we file at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of its public reference room. You may view our reports electronically at the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov, or at our own website at www.denbury.com. Our website and the information contained on our website are not part of this Registration Statement, and you should rely only on the information contained in this Registration Statement and the documents incorporated by reference herein when making a decision about whether to invest in the notes.

This prospectus constitutes part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed with the SEC under the Securities Act. It omits some of the information contained in the Registration Statement, and reference is made to the Registration Statement for further information with respect to us and the securities we are offering. Any statement contained in this prospectus concerning the provisions of any document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the SEC is not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the filed document.

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to that information. Any information referred to in this way is considered part of this prospectus from the date we file the document containing it. Any reports filed by us with the SEC after the date of this prospectus and before the date that the offering of the securities by means of this prospectus is terminated will automatically update and, when applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or 7.01 of any Current Report on Form 8-K) the documents listed below and any future filings made by us with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until we sell all the securities covered by this prospectus:

Incorporated Documents

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

Current Reports on Form 8-K and Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on January 12, 2012, March 14, 2012, May 21, 2012, June 26, 2012, September 25, 2012, December 6, 2012, December 19, 2012, December 26, 2012, January 15, 2013 and January 18, 2013.

You may request a copy of these filings at no cost by writing or telephoning Jack Collins, Executive Director, Investor Relations at Denbury Resources Inc., 5320 Legacy Drive, Plano, Texas 75024, phone: (972) 673-2028.

 

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SUMMARY

In this prospectus, when we use the term “Denbury,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our,” we mean Denbury Resources Inc. and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, unless otherwise indicated or the context requires otherwise. Oil and natural gas terms used in this prospectus are defined in the “Glossary” section.

Denbury

We are a growing independent oil and natural gas company. We are the largest combined oil and natural gas operator in both Mississippi and Montana, own the largest reserves of CO2 used for tertiary oil recovery east of the Mississippi River, and hold significant operating acreage in the Rocky Mountain and Gulf Coast regions. Our goal is to increase the value of acquired properties through a combination of exploitation, drilling and proven engineering extraction practices, with the most significant emphasis relating to tertiary oil recovery operations.

Our strategy is focused on the following fundamental principles:

 

   

focus in specific regions where we have, or believe we can create, a competitive advantage as a result of our ownership or use of CO2 reserves, oil fields and CO2 infrastructure;

 

   

acquire properties where we believe additional value can be created through tertiary recovery operations and a combination of other exploitation, development, exploration and marketing techniques;

 

   

acquire properties that give us a majority working interest and operational control or where we believe we can ultimately obtain it;

 

   

maximize the value of our properties by increasing production and reserves while controlling costs; and

 

   

maintain a highly competitive team of experienced and incentivized personnel.

Our oil and natural gas properties are concentrated in the Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain regions in the United States. Our proved and producing reserves in the Gulf Coast region are situated in Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama, and in the Rocky Mountain region are primarily situated in Montana, North Dakota and Wyoming. We expect our current properties will provide us significant growth potential for at least the next decade.

Our primary focus with respect to our properties is using CO2 in enhanced oil recovery (“EOR”), which we have been doing actively for over 13 years in the Gulf Coast region. EOR, which we also refer to as “tertiary recovery” (as opposed to primary or secondary recovery), is a term used to represent techniques for extracting incremental oil out of existing oil fields. In 2010, we acquired Encore Acquisition Company (the “Encore merger”) with the intent to employ our tertiary recovery strategy using CO2 throughout the Rocky Mountain region.

Our Gulf Coast EOR operations are driven by CO2 produced from our natural source at Jackson Dome, Mississippi, which is transported to our Gulf Coast tertiary fields through pipelines that we either own or control through long-term financing leases. In the Rocky Mountain region, we have acquired significant CO2 reserves over the past two years. This includes our recently acquired one-third interest in ExxonMobil’s CO2 reserves in LaBarge Field in Wyoming (see “Recent Acquisition and Divestiture Developments—Bakken Exchange Transaction” below). We are currently negotiating pipeline connections to transport that CO2 to our Rocky Mountain tertiary fields. We also secured additional CO2 reserves through our acquisition of the Riley Ridge Federal Unit (“Riley Ridge”) in southwestern Wyoming in 2010 and 2011; however, the development of the CO2 reserves at Riley Ridge will require construction of a CO2 capture facility and pipeline to connect into our Greencore pipeline. Our Greencore pipeline, of which the first 232-mile section was completed in late 2012,

 

 

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serves as part of our trunk-line in the region and is expected to begin receiving approximately 50 MMcf/d of CO2 from ConocoPhillips’ Lost Cabin gas plant in the first half of 2013. We believe that our identified sources of CO2 in the Rocky Mountain region will allow us to utilize CO2 injection to potentially recover significant amounts of incremental oil from old oil fields.

In the Encore merger, we acquired a significant acreage position in the Bakken play in North Dakota and Montana, and we were able to increase production related to our Bakken area assets from 5,054 BOE/d during the second quarter of 2010 to 16,752 BOE/d during the third quarter of 2012. In the fourth quarter of 2012, we sold our Bakken area assets to Exxon Mobil Corporation in exchange for: $1.3 billion in cash (after preliminary closing adjustments); operating interests in the Webster and Hartzog Draw fields; and one-third of ExxonMobil’s CO2 reserves in the LaBarge Field in Wyoming (see “Recent Acquisition and Divestiture Developments—Bakken Exchange Transaction” below). The Webster and Hartzog Draw fields are near our existing CO2 pipelines and we believe both fields are well suited for CO2 flooding.

Our estimated total proved reserves at December 31, 2011 were 357.7 MMBbls of oil and 625.2 Bcf of natural gas, based on the average first-day-of-the-month prices for each month during 2011, which for NYMEX oil was $96.19 per Bbl, and for natural gas was a Henry Hub cash price of $4.16 per MMBtu, both adjusted to prices received by field. On a BOE basis, our proved reserves were 461.9 MMBOE at December 31, 2011, of which approximately 77% was oil and approximately 56% was proved developed.

Recent Acquisition and Divestiture Developments

Bakken Exchange Transaction

In late 2012, we closed a sale and exchange transaction with Exxon Mobil Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiary XTO Energy Inc. (collectively, “ExxonMobil”) under which we sold to ExxonMobil our non-tertiary Bakken area assets in North Dakota and Montana in exchange for $1.3 billion in cash, after preliminary closing adjustments, and EOR-related assets (the “Exchange Transaction”). By exchanging our non-tertiary Bakken area assets for EOR-related assets, we are able to more purely focus our attention on tertiary recovery operations. EOR-related assets acquired in the Bakken Exchange Transaction include:

 

   

operating interests in the Webster Field, a potential future tertiary field, located in southeastern Texas, made up of a nearly 100% working interest and nearly 80% net revenue interest;

 

   

operating interests in the Hartzog Draw Field, a potential future tertiary field, located in Wyoming, consisting of an 83% working interest and 71% net revenue interest in the oil producing Shannon Sandstone zone and a 67% working interest and 53% net revenue interest in the natural gas producing Big George Coal zone; and

 

   

approximately a one-third ownership interest in ExxonMobil’s CO2 reserves in LaBarge Field in Wyoming.

The Exchange Transaction closed in two phases on November 30, 2012 and December 21, 2012. We currently estimate that the proved reserves acquired at Webster and Hartzog Draw fields total approximately 9 MMBOE. Unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, giving effect to the Exchange Transaction with ExxonMobil, is incorporated herein by reference from Form 8-K/A filed January 18, 2013.

Pending CCA Acquisition

On January 14, 2013, we entered into an agreement to acquire producing assets in the Cedar Creek Anticline (“CCA”) of Montana and North Dakota from a wholly-owned subsidiary of ConocoPhillips for $1.05 billion in cash, before standard closing adjustments primarily for revenues and costs of the properties to be purchased from

 

 

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the January 1, 2013 effective date to the closing date. We plan to fund the acquisition out of the cash received in the Exchange Transaction with ExxonMobil in order to qualify the acquisition for like-kind-exchange treatment under federal income tax rules. We expect the acquisition to close at the end of the first quarter of 2013.

The assets we are to purchase from ConocoPhillips include both additional interests in certain of our existing operated fields in CCA as well as operating interests in other CCA fields. We currently estimate on a preliminary basis that, as of December 31, 2012, the proved conventional (non-tertiary) reserves associated with the acquired assets, net to our acquired interests, were approximately 42 MMBOE, of which approximately 99% is oil and natural gas liquids, and current average daily production from the to-be-acquired properties is approximately 11,000 BOE/d. We plan to incorporate the newly acquired CCA assets into our CO2 development plan that is currently being designed and to extend the Greencore pipeline north and southwest in order to deliver the CO2 necessary to flood the CCA assets.

Stock Repurchase Program

In October 2011, we commenced a common stock repurchase program for up to $500 million of Denbury common stock, as approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, which approval was increased by an additional $271.2 million in early November 2012. As of January 11, 2013, we had spent $506.5 million to repurchase 33.8 million shares, or approximately 8.5% of our outstanding shares as of September 30, 2011, at an average cost of $15.00 per share, leaving $264.7 million of additional authorized repurchases. The program has no pre-established ending date, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time. We are not obligated to repurchase any dollar amount or specific number of shares of our common stock under the program.

Concurrent Tender Offers

Simultaneously with this offering, we are offering to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding (i) $426.4 million aggregate principal amount of our 9 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 (the “9 3/4% Notes”) and (ii) $224.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 (the “9 1/2% Notes”). These tender offers are being made in conjunction with solicitations of consents to amend the indentures with respect to the 9 3/4% Notes and 9 1/2% Notes to eliminate most of the restrictive covenants and certain events of default contained in such indentures. These solicitations and consents are conditioned upon completion of this offering.

 

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Issuer

Denbury Resources Inc.

 

Notes Offered

$1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of         % Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023.

 

Maturity

The notes will mature on                     , 2023.

 

Interest

Interest on the notes will accrue from February         , 2013 at a rate of         % per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears on              and                      of each year, commencing                     , 2013.

 

Optional Redemption

Except as set forth below, we cannot redeem the notes before                     , 2018. On and after                     , 2018, we can redeem some or all of the notes in cash at the redemption prices described in this prospectus, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.

 

  At any time prior to                     , 2018, we may redeem the notes in whole or in part at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed plus a “make whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. In addition, at any time and from time to time, on and before                     , 2016, we may redeem up to 35% of the notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings, in each case at the redemption prices set forth in this prospectus, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption.

 

Change of Control

If a change of control occurs, subject to certain conditions, we must give holders of the notes an opportunity to sell the notes to us at a purchase price of 101% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the purchase. See “Description of the Notes—Change of Control.”

 

Guarantees

The payment of the principal, premium and interest on the notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by our current subsidiaries representing substantially all of our assets, operations and income and by certain of our future domestic subsidiaries. The subsidiary guarantees are subordinated to all existing and future senior indebtedness of our guarantor subsidiaries, including their guarantees of our obligations under our senior secured bank credit facility. See “Description of the Notes—Guarantees.”

 

Ranking

The notes are our senior subordinated unsecured obligations. The notes and the guarantees will rank:

 

   

junior to all of our and the guarantors’ existing and future senior indebtedness, including our senior secured bank credit facility;

 

   

equally with any of our and the guarantors’ existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness; and

 

 

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senior to any of our and the guarantors’ future subordinated indebtedness.

 

  On an as-adjusted basis for this offering and the use of proceeds thereof, as of September 30, 2012, the notes would have been subordinate to our bank indebtedness, capital lease obligations for pipelines and other capital lease obligations, which totaled $697.9 million (excluding the current portion of capital lease obligations and pipeline financings totalling $36.6 million), and pari passu with (1) $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount of our 8 1/4% senior subordinated notes due 2020, 6 3/8% senior subordinated notes due 2021, and other senior subordinated notes to remain outstanding after contemplated tender offers and redemption following this offering; and (2) $651.3 million aggregate principal amount of our 9 3/4% Notes and 9 1/2% Notes for which we have commenced tender offers as described below and which we intend to redeem with proceeds of this offering to the extent not tendered. See “Description of the Notes—Ranking.” See also “Capitalization” for an as-adjusted presentation of the obligations of the Company.

 

  The notes will be structurally subordinated to all of the liabilities and obligations of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes. Currently, our non-guarantor subsidiaries have no material operations or income and no material assets.

 

Covenants

We will issue the notes under an indenture with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. The indenture governing the notes will contain covenants that will limit our ability and certain of our subsidiaries’ ability to:

 

   

incur additional debt;

 

   

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

 

   

make investments;

 

   

create liens on our assets;

 

   

create restrictions on the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments to us;

 

   

engage in transactions with our affiliates;

 

   

transfer or sell assets; and

 

   

consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries.

 

  These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications, which are described under the caption “Description of the Notes—Certain Covenants.”

 

 

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Use of Proceeds

We estimate that the net proceeds from the offering, after deducting underwriters’ discounts and commissions and estimated offering fees and expenses payable by us, will be approximately $984.3 million.

 

  The net proceeds from this offering will be used to fund the costs of tender offers for any and all of the outstanding $426.4 million aggregate principal amount of our 9 3/4% Notes and $224.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 9 1/2% Notes. We intend to redeem the 9 3/4% Notes and the 9 1/2% Notes to the extent they are not tendered.

 

  The remaining proceeds from this offering will be used for repayment of current borrowings under our bank credit facility, and then for general corporate purposes. See “Use of Proceeds.”

 

Risk Factors

Investing in the notes involves substantial risk. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 11 of this prospectus for a discussion of certain factors that you should consider carefully before investing in the notes.

 

 

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SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following table sets forth Denbury’s selected consolidated historical financial information that has been derived from (1) Denbury’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, and for the years then ended and (2) Denbury’s consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2012 and 2011 and for the nine month periods then ended. You should read this financial information in conjunction with Denbury’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Denbury’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, which are incorporated by reference in this document.

 

    Unaudited
Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
    Year Ended December 31,  
In thousands   2012     2011     2011     2010     2009  

Consolidated statements of operations data:

         

Revenues and other income

         

Oil, natural gas, and related product sales

  $ 1,813,798     $ 1,662,814     $ 2,269,151     $ 1,793,292     $ 866,709  

CO2 sales and transportation fees

    19,256       16,808       22,711       19,204       13,422  

Gain on sale of interests in Genesis

    —          —          —          101,537       —     

Interest income and other income

    14,214       12,445       17,462       7,758       9,019  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenues and other income

    1,847,268       1,692,067       2,309,324       1,921,791       889,150  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Expenses

         

Lease operating expenses

    392,960       383,167       507,397       470,364       314,689  

Marketing expenses

    37,776       17,989       26,047       31,036       16,890  

CO2 discovery and operating expenses

    8,443       4,889       14,258       7,801       4,262  

Taxes other than income

    122,518       108,295       147,534       120,541       43,267  

General and administrative

    109,631       97,641       125,525       134,121       101,785  

Interest, net of amounts capitalized (a)

    115,745       128,643       164,360       176,113       47,430  

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

    390,119       299,067       409,196       434,307       238,323  

Derivatives expense (income)

    (32,203     (212,308     (52,497     (23,833     236,226  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    —          16,131       16,131       —          —     

Transaction and other costs related to the Encore merger

    —          4,377       4,377       92,271       8,467  

Impairment of assets

    17,515       —          22,951       —          —     

Other expenses

    23,272       —          —          —          —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total expenses

    1,185,776       847,891       1,385,279       1,442,721       1,011,339  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

    661,492       844,176       924,045       479,070       (122,189

Income tax provision (benefit)

    250,793       323,450       350,712       193,543       (47,033
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Consolidated net income (loss)

    410,699       520,726       573,333       285,527       (75,156
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Less: net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

    —          —          —          (13,804     —     
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Denbury stockholders

  $ 410,699     $ 520,726     $ 573,333     $ 271,723     $ (75,156
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

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    Unaudited
Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
    Year Ended December 31,  
In thousands   2012     2011     2011     2010     2009  

Consolidated statements of cash flows data:

         

Oil and natural gas capital expenditures

  $ 848,618     $ 741,256     $ 1,082,853     $ 671,574     $ 343,351  

Acquisitions of oil and natural gas properties (b)

    155,636       34,291       35,305       25,672       452,795  

Cash paid in Encore merger and Riley Ridge acquisitions

    —          199,233       199,263       947,241       —     

CO2 capital expenditures

    93,945       62,546       84,789       93,556       100,358  

Pipelines and plants capital investments

    231,459       142,406       236,133       207,536       566,014  

Net proceeds from sale of oil and natural gas properties and equipment (b)

    33,973       47,598       69,370       1,458,029       516,814  

Cash provided by (used in):

         

Operating activities

    1,026,126       839,092       1,204,814       855,811       530,599  

Investing activities

    (1,237,972     (1,158,252     (1,605,958     (354,780     (969,714

Financing activities

    217,187       (38,346     37,968       (139,753     442,637  

 

     Unaudited
As of September 30,
     As of December 31,  
In thousands    2012      2011      2011      2010      2009  

Consolidated balance sheet data:

              

Oil and natural gas properties, net (c)

   $ 6,301,799      $ 5,543,026      $ 5,776,165      $ 4,867,481      $ 2,230,911  

Total assets

     11,105,946        9,886,933        10,184,424        9,065,063        4,269,978  

Total long-term debt

     3,038,865        2,396,549        2,669,729        2,416,208        1,301,068  

Stockholders’ equity

     5,219,220        4,935,772        4,806,498        4,380,707        1,972,237  

 

(a) Denbury’s capitalized interest was $57.4 million and $42.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $61.6 million, $66.8 million and $68.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
(b) For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, excludes $212.5 million of cash that was received from the sale of oil and natural gas properties and subsequently paid through a qualified intermediary to support a like-kind exchange transaction.
(c)

Excludes net book value of pipelines and plants and CO2 related property and equipment.

 

 

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SUMMARY HISTORICAL HYDROCARBON AND OTHER RESERVES,

PRODUCTION INFORMATION AND OTHER DATA

The following tables set forth certain historical information with respect to Denbury’s estimated oil and natural gas reserves, production and other data as of the dates indicated.

Estimates of Denbury’s net proved oil and natural gas reserves presented below were prepared by DeGolyer and MacNaughton, an independent petroleum engineering firm located in Dallas, Texas. Estimates of reserves were prepared using an average price equal to the unweighted arithmetic average of hydrocarbon prices on the first day of each month within the applicable fiscal 12-month period in accordance with rules and regulations of the SEC. Our oil and natural gas reserve estimates do not include any value for probable or possible reserves that may exist. The reserve estimates represent our net revenue interest in our properties. Estimates of proved CO2 and helium reserves presented below were also prepared by DeGolyer and MacNaughton.

The following information should be read in conjunction with the information contained in Denbury’s 2011 consolidated financial statements and notes related thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

     December 31,  
     2011     2010     2009  

Summary oil and natural gas reserves data:

      

Estimated proved reserves

      

Oil (MBbls)

     357,733        338,276        192,879  

Natural gas (MMcf)

     625,208        357,893        87,975  

Oil equivalent (MBOE) (a)

     461,934        397,925        207,542  

Percentage of total MBOE

      

Proved developed producing

     45     51     51

Proved developed non-producing

     11     9     11

Proved undeveloped

     44     40     38

Representative oil and natural gas prices (b)

      

Oil – NYMEX

   $ 96.19      $ 79.43      $ 61.18  

Natural gas – Henry Hub

   $ 4.16      $ 4.40      $ 3.87  

Present values (thousands) (c)

      

Discounted estimated future net cash flow before income taxes (“PV-10 Value”)

   $ 10,559,139      $ 7,292,344      $ 3,075,459  

Standardized measure of discounted estimated future net cash flow after income taxes (“Standardized Measure”)

   $ 7,007,605      $ 4,917,927      $ 2,457,385  

Summary non-hydrocarbon reserves data:

      

Estimated proved carbon dioxide reserves

      

Gulf Coast region (MMcf)(d)

     6,685,412        7,085,131        6,302,836  

Rocky Mountain region (MMcf) (e)

     2,195,534        2,189,756        —     

Proved helium reserves associated with Denbury’s production rights (f)

      

Rocky Mountain region (MMcf)

     12,004        7,159        —     

 

(a)

During the first nine months of 2012, the Company added tertiary oil reserves of 42.6 MMBbls at Hastings Field and 14.1 MMBbls at Oyster Bayou Field based on these fields’ responses to CO2 injections. During the fourth quarter of 2012, Denbury disposed of proved reserves of approximately 95.8 MMBOEs (estimated as of December 31, 2011), primarily consisting of the Company’s Bakken area assets and acquired proved reserves in Webster and Hartzog Draw fields which we currently estimate to total approximately 9 MMBOE. Proved conventional (non-tertiary) reserves associated with the CCA fields to be acquired from ConocoPhillips totaled approximately 42 MMBOE, net to our acquired interests, as of December 31, 2012.

 

 

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(b) The reference prices were based on the average first-day-of-the-month prices for each month during the respective year, adjusted for differentials by field to arrive at the appropriate net price Denbury receives.
(c) PV-10 Value is a non-GAAP measure and is different from the Standardized Measure in that PV-10 Value is a pre-tax number and the Standardized Measure is an after-tax number. The information used to calculate PV-10 Value is derived directly from data determined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Codification (“FASC”) Topic 932, Extractive Industries – Oil and Gas. The difference between these two amounts, the discounted estimated future income tax, was $3.55 billion at December 31, 2011, $2.37 billion at December 31, 2010, and $618.1 million at December 31, 2009. We believe PV-10 Value is a useful supplemental disclosure to the Standardized Measure because the Standardized Measure can be impacted by a company’s unique tax situation, and it is not practical to calculate the Standardized Measure on a property-by-property basis. Because of this, PV-10 Value is a widely used measure within the industry and is commonly used by securities analysts, banks and credit rating agencies to evaluate the estimated future net cash flows from proved reserves on a comparative basis across companies or specific properties. We and others in our industry commonly use PV-10 Value to evaluate properties that are bought and sold and to assess the potential return on investment in our oil and gas properties. PV-10 Value is not a measure of financial or operating performance under GAAP, nor should it be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the Standardized Measure. Our PV-10 Value and the Standardized Measure do not purport to represent the fair value of our oil and natural gas reserves. See the Glossary section for a definition of “PV-10 Value” and “Standardized Measure”.
(d)

Proved CO2 reserves in the Gulf Coast region consist of reserves from our reservoirs at Jackson Dome and are presented on a gross or 8/8ths working interest basis, of which Denbury’s net revenue interest was approximately 5.3 Tcf, 5.6 Tcf and 5.0 Tcf at December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, and include reserves dedicated to volumetric production payments of 84.7 Bcf at December 31, 2011, 100.2 Bcf at December 31, 2010 and 127.1 Bcf at December 31, 2009.

(e)

Proved CO2 reserves in the Rocky Mountain region at year end 2010 and 2011 consist of our reserves at Riley Ridge and are presented on a gross or 8/8ths working interest basis, of which Denbury’s net revenue interest was 1.6 Tcf and 0.9 Tcf at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

(f) Reserves associated with helium production rights include helium reserves located in the acreage in the Rocky Mountain region for which we have the right to extract the helium. The U.S. government retains title to the helium reserves and we retain the right to extract and sell the helium on behalf of the government in exchange for a fee. The helium reserves are presented net of the fee we will remit to the U.S. government.

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     Year Ended December 31,  
     2012      2011      2011      2010      2009  

Summary operating data:

              

Average daily production volumes:

              

Oil (Bbls)

     67,331        60,007        60,736        59,918        36,951  

Natural gas (Mcf)

     29,318        30,736        29,542        78,057        68,086  

BOE (6:1)

     72,217        65,129        65,660        72,927        48,299  

Unit sales price — excluding impact of derivative settlements:

              

Oil (per Bbl)

   $ 97.04      $ 98.95      $ 100.03      $ 75.97      $ 57.75  

Natural gas (per Mcf)

     2.92        4.98        4.79        4.63        3.54  

Unit sales price — including impact of derivative settlements:

              

Oil (per Bbl)

   $ 96.52      $ 97.50      $ 98.90      $ 71.69      $ 68.63  

Natural gas (per Mcf)

     5.65        7.25        7.34        6.45        3.54  

Costs per BOE:

              

Lease operating expenses

   $ 19.86      $ 21.55      $ 21.17      $ 17.67      $ 17.85  

Taxes other than income

     6.19        6.09        6.16        4.53        2.45  

General and administrative

     5.54        5.49        5.24        5.04        5.77  

Depletion, depreciation and amortization

     19.72        16.82        17.07        16.32        13.52  

 

 

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RISK FACTORS

Investing in the notes involves risks. Before purchasing any notes we offer, you should carefully consider the risk factors that are incorporated by reference herein from Item 1.A., captioned “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. There are additional risk factors related to our indebtedness and notes, as described below.

Our level of indebtedness may adversely affect operations and limit our growth.

As of September 30, 2012, after giving effect to this offering and the use of the proceeds therefrom, assuming that all of the 9 3/4% Notes and 9 1/2% Notes are tendered and accepted for purchase, we would have had approximately $3.1 billion of long-term debt. This level of indebtedness could result in our having difficulty accessing capital markets or raising capital on favorable terms and our financial results could be negatively affected by our inability to raise capital or the cost of such capital.

Our substantial debt could have important consequences for us. For example, it could:

 

   

increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

   

limit our ability to fund future working capital and capital expenditures, to engage in future acquisitions or development activities, or to otherwise realize the value of our assets and opportunities fully because of the need to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our debt or to comply with any restrictive terms of our debt;

 

   

limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in the industry in which we operate; or

 

   

place us at a competitive disadvantage as compared to our competitors that have less debt.

Realization of any of these factors could adversely affect our financial condition. In addition, although we have hedges in place through 2014, these hedges have varying floors and ceilings and will only partially protect our cash flow. A decline in commodity prices may require that we reduce our planned capital expenditures, which may have a correspondingly negative effect on our anticipated production growth.

If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow or otherwise obtain funds necessary to make required payments on our indebtedness or if we otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants in such indebtedness, including covenants in our senior secured bank credit facility, we would be in default. This default would permit the holders of such indebtedness to accelerate the maturity of such indebtedness and could cause defaults under other indebtedness, including the notes, or result in our bankruptcy. Such defaults, or any bankruptcy resulting therefrom, could result in a default on the notes and could delay or preclude payment of principal of, or interest on, the notes. Our ability to meet our obligations will depend upon our future performance, which will be subject to prevailing economic conditions, commodity prices, and to financial, business and other factors, including factors beyond our control.

We and all of our restricted subsidiaries must comply with various restrictive covenants contained in our senior secured bank credit facility, the indentures related to our senior subordinated notes and any of our future debt arrangements. These covenants will, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of all of our restricted subsidiaries to:

 

   

incur additional debt or liens;

 

   

pay dividends;

 

   

make payments in respect of or redeem or acquire any debt or equity issued by us;

 

   

sell assets;

 

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make loans or investments; and

 

   

acquire or be acquired by other companies.

Your right to receive payments on the notes is junior to our existing senior indebtedness and the existing senior indebtedness of our subsidiary guarantors.

The indebtedness evidenced by the notes and the guarantees are our and our subsidiary guarantors’ senior subordinated obligations. The payment of the principal of, premium on, if any, and interest on the notes and the payment of the subsidiary guarantees are each subordinate in right of payment, as set forth in the indenture, to the prior payment in full of all senior indebtedness of Denbury or the senior indebtedness of our subsidiary guarantors, as the case may be, including the obligations of Denbury under, and the obligations of our subsidiary guarantors with respect to, our senior secured bank credit facility. Any future subsidiary guarantee will be similarly subordinated to senior indebtedness of such subsidiary guarantor.

As of September 30, 2012, our senior debt included $625.0 million borrowed under our credit facility, $230.1 million of pipeline capital lease obligations and approximately $137.3 million of other capital lease obligations, excluding the current portion of capital lease obligations and pipeline financings totaling $36.6 million. See “Capitalization.” As of September 30, 2012, we had approximately $1.0 billion additional borrowing capacity under our credit facility. As of December 31, 2012, outstanding borrowings under our credit facility totaled approximately $700 million. Any additional bank borrowings would also be senior indebtedness when incurred. Although the indenture contains limitations on the amount of additional indebtedness that we may incur, under certain circumstances the amount of such indebtedness could be substantial and, in any case, such indebtedness may be senior indebtedness. See “Description of the Notes—Certain Covenants—Limitations on Indebtedness.”

Because the notes are unsecured and because of the subordination provisions of the notes, in the event of the bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution of any subsidiary guarantor, our assets and the assets of the subsidiary guarantors would be available to pay obligations under the notes only after all payments had been made on our and the subsidiary guarantors’ senior indebtedness, including under our senior secured bank credit facility. We cannot assure you that sufficient assets would remain after we make all these payments to make any payments on the notes, including payments of interest when due. Also, because of these subordination provisions, you may recover less ratably than our other creditors in a bankruptcy, liquidation or dissolution. In addition, all payments on the notes and the guarantees will be prohibited in the event of a payment default on senior indebtedness, including borrowings under our senior secured bank credit facility, and may be prohibited for up to 180 days in the event of non-payment defaults on certain of our senior indebtedness, including our senior secured bank credit facility. See “Description of the Notes—Ranking.”

The notes will be structurally subordinated to all obligations of our existing and future subsidiaries that are not and do not become guarantors of the notes.

The notes will be guaranteed by each of our current and future domestic restricted subsidiaries that represents at least 10% of the book assets of, or 10% of the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of, the Company and its restricted subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that has an aggregate of $15 million or more of indebtedness or preferred stock outstanding at any time. See “Description of the Notes—Future Subsidiary Guarantors.”

Our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes, including all of our non-domestic subsidiaries, will have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay amounts due under the notes or to make any funds available to pay those amounts, whether by dividend, distribution, loan or other payment. The notes will be structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other obligations of any non-guarantor subsidiary such that in the event of insolvency, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution or other winding up of any subsidiary that is not a guarantor, all of that subsidiary’s creditors (including trade creditors) would be entitled to payment in full out of that subsidiary’s assets before we would be entitled to any payment. Currently, our non-guarantor subsidiaries have no material operations or income and no material assets.

 

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In addition, the indenture governing the notes will, subject to some limitations, permit these subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness and will not contain any limitation on the amount of other liabilities, such as trade payables, that may be incurred by these subsidiaries.

In addition, our subsidiaries that provide, or will provide, guarantees of the notes will be automatically released from those guarantees upon the occurrence of certain events, including the following:

 

   

the designation of that subsidiary guarantor as an unrestricted subsidiary;

 

   

the sale or other disposition, including the sale of substantially all the assets, of that subsidiary guarantor.

If any subsidiary guarantee is released, no holder of the notes will have a claim as a creditor against that subsidiary, and the indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables and preferred stock, if any, whether secured or unsecured, of that subsidiary will be effectively senior to the claim of any holders of the notes. See “Description of the Notes—Guarantees.”

The notes are not secured by our assets or those of our subsidiary guarantors.

The notes are our general unsecured obligations and are effectively subordinated in right of payment to all of our secured indebtedness. If we become insolvent or are liquidated, our assets which serve as collateral under our secured indebtedness would be made available to satisfy our obligations under any secured debt before any payments are made on the notes. Our obligations under our senior secured bank credit facility are secured by substantially all of our producing oil and gas properties.

If we undergo a change of control, we may not have the ability to raise the funds necessary to finance the change of control offer required by the indenture governing the notes, which would violate the terms of the notes.

Upon the occurrence of a change of control, holders of the notes will have the right to require us to purchase all or any part of such holders’ notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. The events that constitute a change of control under the indenture would constitute a default under our senior secured bank credit facility, which prohibits the purchase of the notes by us in the event of certain change of control events, unless, and until, such time as our indebtedness under our senior secured bank credit facility is repaid in full. There can be no assurance that either we or our subsidiary guarantors would have sufficient financial resources available to satisfy all of our or their obligations under our senior secured bank credit facility and these notes in the event of a change in control. Our failure to purchase the notes as required under the indenture would result in a default under the indenture, the indentures governing our Existing Notes (as defined under “Description of the Notes—Other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness Versus Notes”) and under our senior secured bank credit facility, each of which could have material adverse consequences for us and the holders of the notes. See “Description of the Notes—Change of Control.”

In addition, recent case law suggests that, in the event that incumbent directors are replaced as a result of a contested election, issuers may nevertheless avoid triggering a change of control under a clause similar to clause (2) of the definition of “Change of Control” under the caption “Description of the Notes—Change of Control,” if the outgoing directors were to approve the new directors for the purpose of such change of control clause.

A subsidiary guarantee could be voided if it constitutes a fraudulent transfer under U.S. bankruptcy or similar state law, which would prevent the holders of the notes from relying on that subsidiary to satisfy claims.

Under U.S. bankruptcy law and comparable provisions of state fraudulent transfer laws, a guarantee can be voided, or claims under the guarantee may be subordinated to all other debts of that guarantor if, among other things, the guarantor, at the time it incurred the indebtedness evidenced by its guarantee or, in some states, when

 

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payments become due under the guarantee, received less than reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for the incurrence of the guarantee and:

 

   

was insolvent or rendered insolvent by reason of such incurrence;

 

   

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

 

   

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

A guarantee may also be voided, without regard to the above factors, if a court found that the guarantor entered into the guarantee with the actual intent to hinder, delay or defraud its creditors.

A court would likely find that a guarantor did not receive reasonably equivalent value or fair consideration for its guarantee if the guarantor did not substantially benefit directly or indirectly from the issuance of the notes. If a court were to void a guarantee, you would no longer have a claim against the guarantor. Sufficient funds to repay the notes may not be available from other sources, including the remaining guarantors, if any. In addition, the court might direct you to repay any amounts that you had already received from the subsidiary guarantor.

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

 

   

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

 

   

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

 

   

it could not pay its debts as they became due.

Each subsidiary guarantee contains a provision intended to limit the guarantor’s liability to the maximum amount that it could incur without causing the incurrence of obligations under its subsidiary guarantee to be a fraudulent transfer. This provision may not be effective to protect the subsidiary guarantees from being voided under fraudulent transfer law.

You cannot be sure that there will be an active trading market for the notes.

We do not intend to list the notes on any national securities exchange. The underwriters intend to make a market for the notes, but they are not obligated to do so and may cease their market-making activities at any time. In addition, the liquidity of the trading market in the notes, and the market price quoted for the notes, may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for high yield securities and by changes in our financial performance or prospects or in the financial performance or prospects of companies in our industry generally. As a result, we cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop or be maintained for the notes offered hereby. If an active market does not develop or is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected.

 

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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges:

 

     Nine Months Ended      Year Ended December 31,  
     September 30, 2012      2011      2010      2009     2008      2007  

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges(1)

     4.4x         4.7x         2.7x         (2)      9.9x         7.7x   

 

(1) For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings are defined as:

 

   

income from continuing operations before income taxes and equity method earnings of affiliates; plus

   

fixed charges, distributed income of equity investees and amortization of capitalized interest; less capitalized interest.

Fixed charges are defined as the sum of the following:

   

interest expense (including amounts capitalized);

   

amortization of debt discount and issuance cost (expensed and capitalized); and

   

that portion of rental expense which we believe to be representative of an interest factor.

(2) Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges for the year ended December 31, 2009 by $183.4 million.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

The net proceeds from the sale of the notes offered hereby, after deducting underwriters’ discounts and commissions and offering fees and expenses payable by us, are estimated to be approximately $984.3 million.

Simultaneously with this offering, we are making tender offers for any and all of the outstanding $426.4 million aggregate principal amount of our 9 3/4% Notes and $224.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 9 1/2% Notes. The tender offers are conditioned on the completion of this offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering to fund the repurchase of all of the notes tendered in the tender offers or otherwise redeemed. The remaining proceeds from this offering will be used for repayment of current borrowings under our senior secured bank credit facility, and then for general corporate purposes.

If this notes offering is completed, to the extent less than 100% of either our outstanding 9 3/4% Notes or our outstanding 9 1/2% Notes is tendered, we intend to redeem the 9 3/4% Notes and the 9 1/2% Notes. Beginning March 1, 2013, the 9 3/4% Notes will be redeemable by us at our option at 104.875% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date. Beginning May 1, 2013, the 9 1/2% Notes will be redeemable by us at our option at 104.75% of their principal amount plus accrued interest to the redemption date.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization as of September 30, 2012 on (1) an actual basis and (2) an as-adjusted basis giving effect to this offering and the application of the net proceeds of this offering. The as-adjusted presentation included below assumes that, pursuant to tender offers, the $651.3 million outstanding aggregate principal amount of 9 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 and 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 will be repurchased in full by Denbury, which cannot be assured, and remaining net proceeds will be used to repay current borrowings under our bank credit facility. This table should be read in conjunction with the Denbury Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and the Denbury Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

      As of September 30, 2012  

In thousands

   Unaudited
Actual
     As-Adjusted  

Cash and cash equivalents (a)

   $ 24,034      $ 24,034  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Long-term debt (b):

     

Bank credit facility (c)

     625,000        330,549   

9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 (d)

     224,920        —     

9 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 (e)

     426,350        —     

8 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020

     996,273        996,273  

6 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2021

     400,000        400,000  

      % Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 offered hereby

     —           1,000,000  

Other subordinated notes

     3,807        3,807  

NEJD pipeline financing

     156,322        156,322  

Free State Pipeline financing

     73,683        73,683  

Capital lease obligations

     137,321        137,321  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total long-term debt

     3,043,676        3,097,955   

Equity

     5,219,220        5,219,220  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 8,262,896      $ 8,317,175   
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) As of December 31, 2012, our cash and cash equivalents totaled approximately $100 million. At December 31, 2012, approximately $1.05 billion in restricted cash remained deposited with a qualified intermediary (see Summary – Recent Acquisition and Divestiture Developments – Pending CCA Acquisition).
(b) Excludes current portion of capital lease obligations and pipeline financings totaling $36.6 million.
(c) As of December 31, 2012, we had approximately $700 million of borrowings outstanding under our $1.6 billion bank credit facility.
(d) Excludes unamortized premium of $9.8 million.
(e) Excludes unamortized discount of $14.6 million.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

Certain terms used in this description are defined under the subheading “—Certain Definitions.” As used in this section, the terms “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer only to Denbury Resources Inc., the issuer of the senior subordinated notes, and not to any of its subsidiaries.

General

The Company will issue $1.0 billion of         % Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”) under an indenture dated on or about             , 2013 (the “Indenture”), among the Company, its subsidiary guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee.

The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (the “Trust Indenture Act”). The following description is only a summary of the material provisions of the Indenture. We urge you to read the Indenture because it, not this description, defines your rights as holders of the Notes. You may request copies of the Indenture at our address set forth under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Principal of and interest on the Notes will be payable, and the Notes may be exchanged or transferred, at our office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York (which initially shall be the corporate trust office of the Trustee), except that, at our option, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Holders as such address appears in the note register.

The Notes will be issued only in fully registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or other similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

The Company will issue Notes with an initial aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion. Subject to the covenants described below under “Certain Covenants” and applicable law, the Company may issue additional         % Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 under the Indenture in an unlimited principal amount (the “Additional Notes”); provided such Additional Notes are fungible with the Notes for federal income tax purposes or are issued under a separate CUSIP number. The Notes of a series and any Additional Notes subsequently issued under the Indenture would be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture, in each case including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase. Unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of the Indenture and this “Description of the Notes,” references to the Notes include any Additional Notes actually issued.

Terms of the Notes

The $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Notes offered hereby will be unsecured senior subordinated obligations of the Company. The Notes will mature on              2023 and bear interest at the rate per annum shown on the cover page hereof from the date of original issuance, or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or provided for, payable semiannually to Holders (as defined in the Indenture) of record at the close of business (whether or not a Business Day) on the              or              immediately preceding the interest payment date on          and              of each year, beginning             , 2013. Interest on overdue principal and (to the extent permitted by law) on overdue installments of interest will accrue at 1% per annum in excess of such rate. Interest on the Notes will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

 

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Optional Redemption

Except as set forth in the following two paragraphs, the Notes will not be redeemable at the option of the Company prior to                     , 2018. Thereafter, the Notes will be redeemable, at our option, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address, at the following redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the rights of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on                     , of the years set forth below:

 

Period

   Redemption Price  

2018

     %   

2019

     %   

2020

     %   

2021 and thereafter

     100.00

Prior to                     , 2016, we may at our option on one or more occasions redeem the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) originally issued at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of         %, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds from one or more Stock Offerings; provided that at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (excluding Notes held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its Affiliates) and each such redemption occurs within 60 days after the date of consummation of the related Stock Offering.

In addition, at any time prior to                     , 2018, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

Selection

In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to be fair and appropriate, although no Note of $2,000 in original principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon cancellation of the original Note.

Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of them called for redemption.

Guarantees

The Subsidiary Guarantors, jointly and severally, as primary obligors and not merely as sureties, will irrevocably, fully and unconditionally guarantee (each, a “Subsidiary Guarantee”) on a senior subordinated basis the performance and the punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes (all such obligations guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors being herein called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). The Company derives a substantial portion of its operating income and cash flow from its subsidiaries, including the Subsidiary Guarantors, the common stock of which may be pledged to secure the Company’s indebtedness outstanding under the Credit

 

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Facility. Each Subsidiary Guarantor will agree to pay, in addition to the amount stated above, any and all expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee and the Holders in enforcing any rights under the Subsidiary Guarantee with respect to the Subsidiary Guarantor. Each Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor without rendering the Subsidiary Guarantee, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally. If a Subsidiary Guarantee were to be rendered voidable, it could be subordinated by a court to all other indebtedness (including guarantees and other contingent liabilities) of the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor, and depending on the amount of such indebtedness, a Subsidiary Guarantor’s liability on its Subsidiary Guarantee could be reduced to zero. See “Risk Factors—A Subsidiary Guarantee Could Be Voided If It Constitutes a Fraudulent Transfer Under U.S. Bankruptcy or Similar State Law, Which Would Prevent the Holders of the Notes From Relying on That Subsidiary to Satisfy Claims.”

Each Subsidiary Guarantor that makes a payment under its Subsidiary Guarantee will be entitled to a contribution from each other Subsidiary Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Subsidiary Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Subsidiary Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with GAAP.

Each Subsidiary Guarantee is a continuing guarantee and shall:

 

  (1) subject to certain limited exceptions, remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations;

 

  (2) be binding upon the Subsidiary Guarantor; and

 

  (3) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Trustee, the Holders and their successors, transferees and assigns.

Pursuant to the Indenture, a Subsidiary Guarantor may consolidate with, merge with or into, or transfer all or substantially all its assets to any other Person to the extent described below under “—Certain Covenants—Merger and Consolidation”; provided, however, that if such Person is not the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantor’s obligations under the Indenture and its Subsidiary Guarantee must be expressly assumed by such other Person. However, upon the sale or other disposition (including by way of consolidation or merger) of a Subsidiary Guarantor or the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor (in each case other than to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company), such Subsidiary Guarantor will be released and relieved from all its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee. See “—Certain Covenants—Merger and Consolidation.”

Ranking

Senior Indebtedness Versus Notes

The indebtedness evidenced by the Notes and the Subsidiary Guarantees will be unsecured, general obligations of the Company and the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, subordinated in right of payment, as set forth in the Indenture, to the prior payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company or the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter incurred, including the obligations of the Company under, and such Subsidiary Guarantor’s guarantee, if any, of the Company’s obligations with respect to, the Credit Facility.

On an as-adjusted basis, as of September 30, 2012, the Senior Indebtedness of the Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor would have been approximately $697.9 million, including $330.5 million representing either a primary obligation for, or guarantee of, secured debt under the Credit Agreement, approximately $230.1 million of pipeline capital lease obligations and $137.3 million of other capital lease obligations, but excluding the current portions of capital lease obligations and pipeline financings totaling $36.6 million. The Indenture limits the amount of Senior Indebtedness we may incur. Availability under the Credit Facility is

 

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subject to a borrowing base, which is redetermined semi-annually on or prior to May 1 and November 1, and upon requested special redeterminations. The Credit Facility currently provides for a borrowing base of $1.6 billion, which was reaffirmed in September 2012. Any subsequent borrowings under the Credit Facility will increase the Senior Indebtedness of the Company.

Although the Indenture contains limitations on the amount of additional Indebtedness that the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors may incur, under certain circumstances the amount of such Indebtedness could be substantial and, in any case, such Indebtedness may be Senior Indebtedness. See “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Indebtedness.”

Other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness Versus Notes

Only Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor that is Senior Indebtedness will rank senior to the Notes and the relevant Subsidiary Guarantee in accordance with the Indenture. The Notes and each Subsidiary Guarantee will in all respects rank pari passu with all other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company and the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor, respectively, including the obligations of the Company and such Subsidiary Guarantor with respect to the Company’s 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016, 9 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016, 8 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020, 6 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2021 and the remaining $3.8 million of notes issued by Encore, including our 6 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014, our 6% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 and our 7 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2017 (collectively, the “Existing Notes”). The Company is making a tender offer to repurchase the 9 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 and 9 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016, and intends to redeem any of such Notes not tendered in the tender offer. See “Use of Proceeds.”

The Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor will agree in the Indenture that they will not Incur, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in ranking in right of payment to its Senior Indebtedness unless such Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated Indebtedness or is expressly subordinated in right of payment to Senior Subordinated Indebtedness. The Indenture does not treat (i) unsecured Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured or (ii) Senior Indebtedness as subordinated or junior to any other Senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.

Liabilities of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries Versus Notes

Substantial portions of the operations of the Company are currently conducted through its Subsidiaries. Our Unrestricted Subsidiaries and certain of our Restricted Subsidiaries are not, and certain future Subsidiaries of the Company may not be, required to guarantee the Notes. Specifically, only our current and future domestic Restricted Subsidiaries that represent at least 10% of the book assets of, or 10% of the ACNTA of, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that have an aggregate of $15.0 million or more of Indebtedness or Preferred Stock outstanding at any time, will be required to guarantee the notes. See “—Certain Covenants—Future Subsidiary Guarantors.” Currently, our non-guarantor subsidiaries have no material operations or income and no material assets. Claims of creditors of any non-guarantor Subsidiaries, including trade creditors, secured creditors and creditors holding guarantees issued by such non-guarantor Subsidiaries, and claims of preferred stockholders (if any) of such non-guarantor Subsidiaries generally would have priority with respect to the assets and earnings of such non-guarantor Subsidiaries over the claims of creditors of the Company, including holders of the Notes, even though such obligations would not constitute Senior Indebtedness of the Company. The Notes, therefore, would be effectively subordinated to creditors (including trade creditors) and preferred stockholders (if any) of such non-guarantor Subsidiaries of the Company. Although the Indenture limits the incurrence of Indebtedness and the issuance of preferred stock of certain of the Company’s Subsidiaries, such limitation is subject to a number of significant qualifications. Moreover, the Indenture does not impose any limitation on the incurrence by such Subsidiaries of liabilities that are not considered Indebtedness under the Indenture. See “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Indebtedness.”

 

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Payment of Notes

The Company may not pay principal of, premium (if any) or interest on, the Notes or make any deposit pursuant to the provisions described under “Defeasance” below and may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire any Notes (collectively, “pay the Notes”) if:

 

  (1) any Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company is not paid when due; or

 

  (2) any other default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company occurs and the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms;

unless, in either case, the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full. However, the Company may pay the Notes without regard to the foregoing if the Company and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representative of the applicable Designated Senior Indebtedness with respect to which either of the events set forth in clause (1) or (2) of the immediately preceding sentence has occurred and is continuing. During the continuance of any default (other than a default described in clause (1) or (2) of the second immediately preceding sentence) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Company may not pay the Notes for a period (a “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee (with a copy to the Company) of written notice (a “Blockage Notice”) of such default from the Representative of the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated:

 

  (1) by written notice to the Trustee and the Company from the Person or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice;

 

  (2) because the default giving rise to such Blockage Notice is no longer continuing; or

 

  (3) because such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been repaid in full in cash).

Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence, unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness or the Representative of such holders have accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, the Company must resume payments on the Notes after the end of such Payment Blockage Period. The Notes shall not be subject to more than one Payment Blockage Period in any period of 360 consecutive days irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company during such period.

Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of the Company upon a total or partial liquidation or dissolution or reorganization or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property:

 

  (1) the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company will be entitled to receive payment in full in cash of such Senior Indebtedness before the Noteholders are entitled to receive any payment in respect of the Notes;

 

  (2) until such Senior Indebtedness is paid in full in cash, any payment or distribution to which Noteholders would be entitled from the Company but for the subordination provisions of the Indenture will be made to holders of such Senior Indebtedness of the Company as their interests may appear; and

 

  (3) if a distribution is made to Noteholders that, due to the subordination provisions, should not have been made to them, such Noteholders are required to hold it in trust for the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

If payment of the Notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company or the Trustee shall promptly notify the holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company or the Representative of such holders of the acceleration.

 

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The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee are unsecured senior subordinated obligations. As such, the rights of Noteholders to receive payment by a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to its Subsidiary Guarantee will be subordinated in right of payment to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor. The terms of the subordination provisions described above with respect to the Company’s obligations under the Notes apply equally to each Subsidiary Guarantor and the obligations of each such Subsidiary Guarantor under its respective Subsidiary Guarantee.

By reason of the subordination provisions contained in the Indenture, in the event of insolvency, creditors of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor who are holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, may recover more, ratably, than the Noteholders, and creditors of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor who are not holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor may recover less, ratably, than holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, and may recover more, ratably, than the Noteholders.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, payment from the money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations held in any defeasance trust described under “—Defeasance” below will not be contractually subordinated in right of payment to any Senior Indebtedness of the Company or subject to the restrictions described herein.

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

The Notes will be represented by one or more global notes in registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “Global Notes”). The Global Notes initially will be deposited upon issuance with the Trustee as custodian for DTC in New York, New York, and registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, in each case for credit to an account of a direct or indirect participant as described below.

Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a successor of DTC or its nominee. Beneficial interests in the Global Notes may not be exchanged for Notes in certificated form except in the limited circumstances described below. See “—Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes.” In addition, transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC and its direct or indirect participants, which may change from time to time.

The Notes may be presented for registration of transfer and exchange at the offices of the registrar.

Depository Procedures

The following description of the operations and procedures of DTC is provided solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of the respective settlement systems and are subject to changes by them. We take no responsibility for these operations and procedures and urge investors to contact the system or their participants directly to discuss these matters.

DTC has advised us that DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the “participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions in those securities between participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its participants. The participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access to DTC’s system is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly (collectively, the “indirect participants”). Persons who are not participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of DTC only through the participants or the indirect

 

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participants. The ownership interests in, and transfers of ownership interests in, each security held by or on behalf of DTC are recorded on the records of the participants and indirect participants.

DTC has also advised us that, pursuant to procedures established by it:

 

  (1) upon deposit of the Global Notes, DTC will credit the accounts of participants designated by the underwriters with portions of the principal amount of the Global Notes; and

 

  (2) ownership of these interests in the Global Notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership of these interests will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to the participants) or by the participants and the indirect participants (with respect to other owners of beneficial interests in the Global Notes).

Investors in the Global Notes who are participants in DTC’s system may hold their interests therein directly through DTC. Investors in the Global Notes who are not participants may hold their interests therein indirectly through organizations which are participants in such system. All interests in a Global Note may be subject to the procedures and requirements of DTC. The laws of some states require that certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that they own. Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in a Global Note to such persons will be limited to that extent. Because DTC can act only on behalf of participants, which in turn act on behalf of indirect participants, the ability of a person having beneficial interests in a Global Note to pledge such interests to persons that do not participate in the DTC system, or otherwise take actions in respect of such interests, may be affected by the lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interests.

Except as described below, owners of an interest in the Global Notes will not have notes registered in their names, will not receive physical delivery of Notes in certificated form and will not be considered the registered owners or “holders” thereof under the Indenture for any purpose.

Payments in respect of the principal of, and interest and premium, if any, on a Global Note registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be payable to DTC in its capacity as the registered holder under the Indenture. Under the terms of the Indenture, we and the Trustee will treat the Persons in whose names the Notes, including the Global Notes, are registered as the owners of the Notes for the purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes. Consequently, neither we, the Trustee nor any agent of us or the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability for:

 

  (1) any aspect of DTC’s records or any participant’s or indirect participant’s records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any of DTC’s records or any participant’s or indirect participant’s records relating to the beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes; or

 

  (2) any other matter relating to the actions and practices of DTC or any of its participants or indirect participants.

DTC has advised us that its current practice, upon receipt of any payment in respect of securities such as the Notes (including principal and interest), is to credit the accounts of the relevant participants with the payment on the payment date unless DTC has reason to believe it will not receive payment on such payment date. Each relevant participant is credited with an amount proportionate to its beneficial ownership of an interest in the principal amount of the relevant security as shown on the records of DTC. Payments by the participants and the indirect participants to the beneficial owners of Notes will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices and will be the responsibility of the participants or the indirect participants and will not be the responsibility of DTC, the Trustee or us. Neither we nor the Trustee will be liable for any delay by DTC or any of its participants in identifying the beneficial owners of the Notes, and we and the Trustee may conclusively rely on and will be protected in relying on instructions from DTC or its nominee for all purposes.

Transfers between participants in DTC will be effected in accordance with DTC’s procedures, and will be settled in same-day funds.

 

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DTC has advised us that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of Notes only at the direction of one or more participants to whose account DTC has credited the interests in the Global Notes and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes as to which such participant or participants has or have given such direction. However, if there is an event of default under the Notes, DTC reserves the right to exchange the Global Notes for Certificated Notes in certificated form, and to distribute such Notes to its participants.

Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures in order to facilitate transfers of interests in the Global Notes among participants, it is under no obligation to perform such procedures, and such procedures may be discontinued or changed at any time. Neither we, the Trustee nor any agent of us or the Trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its participants or indirect participants of their respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their operations.

Exchange of Global Notes for Certificated Notes

A Global Note is exchangeable for definitive Notes in registered certificated form (“Certificated Notes”) if:

 

  (1) DTC (A) notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for the Global Notes or (B) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in each case, a successor depositary is not appointed;

 

  (2) we, at our option, notify the Trustee in writing that we elect to cause the issuance of the Certificated Notes; or

 

  (3) there has occurred and is continuing a default with respect to the Notes.

In addition, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be exchanged for Certificated Notes upon prior written notice given to the Trustee by or on behalf of DTC in accordance with the Indenture. In all cases, Certificated Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in Global Notes will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary (in accordance with its customary procedures).

Exchange of Certificated Notes for Global Notes

Certificated Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in any Global Note unless the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written certificate (in the form provided in the Indenture) to the effect that such transfer will comply with the appropriate transfer restrictions applicable to such Notes.

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

We will make payments in respect of the Notes represented by the Global Notes (including principal, premium, if any, and interest, if any) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Global Note holder. We will make all payments of principal, interest and premium, if any, with respect to Certificated Notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the holders of the Certificated Notes or, if no such account is specified, by mailing a check to each such holder’s registered address. The Notes represented by the Global Notes are expected to be eligible to trade in DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and any permitted secondary market trading activity in such Notes will, therefore, be required by DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. We expect that secondary trading in any Certificated Notes will also be settled in immediately available funds.

Change of Control

 

  (a)

Upon the occurrence of any of the following events (each a “Change of Control”), each Holder shall have the right to require that the Company repurchase such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of

 

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  purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), in accordance with the terms contemplated in paragraph (b) below:

 

  (1) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than a Permitted Holder, is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this clause (1) such person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 40% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company (for the purposes of this clause (1), such person shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of a specified corporation held by a parent corporation, if such person is the beneficial owner (as defined in this clause (1)), directly or indirectly, of more than 40% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent corporation);

 

  (2) during any period of two consecutive years from and after the Issue Date, 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 a majority 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 then in office;

 

  (3) the shareholders of the Company shall have approved any plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

 

  (4) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the sale, lease, conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another Person (other than a Person that is controlled (as defined in the definition of “Affiliate”) by the Permitted Holders), and, in the case of any such merger or consolidation, the securities of the Company that are outstanding immediately prior to such transaction and which represent 100% of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company are changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or property, unless pursuant to such transaction such securities are changed into or exchanged for, in addition to any other consideration, securities of the surviving corporation that represent immediately after such transaction, at least a majority of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving corporation.

In the event that at the time of such Change of Control the terms of the Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement restrict or prohibit the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this covenant, then prior to the mailing of the notice to Holders provided for in paragraph (b) below, but in any event within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall:

 

  (1) repay in full the Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement; or

 

  (2) obtain the requisite consent under the agreements governing the Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement to permit the repurchase of the Notes as provided for in paragraph (b) below.

 

  (b) Within 30 days following a Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee stating: (1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase such Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date); (2) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change of Control (including information with respect to pro forma historical income, cash flow and capitalization, in each case after giving effect to such Change of Control); (3) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and (4) the instructions determined by the Company, consistent with this covenant, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.

 

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  (c) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this covenant. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this covenant, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this covenant by virtue thereof.

The Change of Control purchase feature of the Notes may in certain circumstances make more difficult or discourage a sale or takeover of the Company and, thus, the removal of incumbent management. The Change of Control purchase feature is a result of negotiations between the Company and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated. Management has no present intention to engage in a transaction involving a Change of Control, although it is possible that the Company would decide to do so in the future. Subject to the limitations discussed below, the Company could, in the future, enter into certain transactions, including acquisitions, refinancing or other recapitalizations, that would not constitute a Change of Control under the Indenture, but that could increase the amount of Indebtedness outstanding at such time or otherwise affect the Company’s capital structure or credit ratings. Restrictions on the ability of the Company to Incur additional Indebtedness are contained in the covenants described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Indebtedness” and “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Liens.” Such restrictions can only be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. Except for the limitations contained in such covenants, however, the Indenture will not contain any covenants or provisions that may afford holders of the Notes protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction.

The Credit Agreement prohibits the Company from purchasing any Notes and also provides that the occurrence of certain change of control events with respect to the Company would constitute a default thereunder. In the event a Change of Control occurs at a time when the Company is prohibited from purchasing Notes, the Company could seek the consent of its lenders to the purchase of Notes or could attempt to refinance the borrowings that contain such prohibition. If the Company does not obtain such a consent or repay such borrowings, the Company will remain prohibited from purchasing Notes. In such case, the Company’s failure to purchase tendered Notes would constitute an Event of Default under the Indenture which would, in turn, constitute a default under the Credit Agreement. In such circumstances, the subordination provisions in the Indenture would likely restrict payment to the Holders of Notes.

Future indebtedness of the Company may contain prohibitions on the occurrence of certain events that would constitute a Change of Control or require such indebtedness to be repurchased upon a Change of Control. Moreover, the exercise by the Holders of their right to require the Company to repurchase the Notes could cause a default under such indebtedness, even if the Change of Control itself does not, due to the financial effect of such repurchase on the Company. Finally, the Company’s ability to pay cash to the holders of Notes following the occurrence of a Change of Control may be limited by the Company’s then existing financial resources. There can be no assurance that sufficient funds will be available when necessary to make any required repurchases.

The provisions under the Indenture relating to the Company’s obligation to make an offer to repurchase the Notes as a result of a Change of Control may be waived or modified with the written consent of the holders of a majority in outstanding principal amount of the Notes.

The Company will not be required to make an offer to purchase the Notes as a result of a Change of Control if a third party:

 

  (1) makes such offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Indenture relating to the Company’s obligations to make such an offer; and

 

  (2) purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such an offer.

 

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Certain Covenants

The Indenture contains covenants including, among others, the following:

Limitation on Indebtedness

 

  (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness; provided, however, that the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary may Incur Indebtedness if, on the date of such Incurrence and after giving effect thereto, the Consolidated Coverage Ratio equals or exceeds 2.25 to 1.0.

 

  (b) Notwithstanding the limitation described in the foregoing paragraph (a), the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary may Incur the following Indebtedness:

 

  (1) Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to any Credit Facility, so long as the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness outstanding under all Credit Facilities does not, at any one time, exceed the aggregate amount of borrowing availability as of such date under all Credit Facilities that determine availability on the basis of a borrowing base or other asset-based calculation; provided, however, that in no event shall such amount exceed the greater of (x) $500.0 million and (y) 75% of ACNTA as of the date of such Incurrence;

 

  (2) Indebtedness owed to and held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness (other than to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute the Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the issuer thereof;

 

  (3) The Notes (other than any Additional Notes);

 

  (4) Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clause (1), (2) or (3) of this covenant);

 

  (5) Indebtedness of (A) a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred and outstanding on or prior to the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company (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 Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company) and (B) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the cost of acquiring oil and gas properties, another Person (other than a Person that was, immediately prior to such acquisition, a Subsidiary of the Company) engaged in the Oil and Gas Business or all or substantially all the assets of such a Person; provided, however, that, in the case of each of clause (A) and clause (B) above, on the date of such Incurrence and after giving effect thereto, the Consolidated Coverage Ratio equals or exceeds 2.0 to 1.0;

 

  (6) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to paragraph (a) or pursuant to clause (3), (4), or (5) above, this clause (6) or clause (7) below; provided, however, that to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness directly or indirectly Refinances Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary described in clause (5), such Refinancing Indebtedness shall be Incurred only by such Restricted Subsidiary or the Company;

 

  (7) Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness;

 

  (8) Indebtedness consisting of the Subsidiary Guarantees and any Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness Incurred by the Company pursuant to clauses (1) and (3);

 

  (9) Indebtedness consisting of Interest Rate Agreements directly related to Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the Indenture;

 

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  (10) Indebtedness under Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts and Currency Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of limiting risks that arise in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (11) Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance or surety obligations issued by or for the account of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, including Guarantees and letters of credit functioning as or supporting such bid, performance or surety obligations (in each case other than for an obligation for money borrowed);

 

  (12) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred to finance capital expenditures and Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect thereof in an aggregate amount which, when taken together with the amount of all other Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (12) since the Issue Date and then outstanding, does not exceed $20.0 million;

 

  (13) Permitted Marketing Obligations;

 

  (14) In-kind obligations relating to oil and gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business; and

 

  (15) Indebtedness in an aggregate amount which, together with the amount of all other Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on the date of such Incurrence (other than Indebtedness permitted by clauses (1) through (14) above or paragraph (a)) does not exceed $100.0 million.

 

  (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to the foregoing paragraph (b) if the proceeds thereof are used, directly or indirectly, to Refinance any Subordinated Obligations unless such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Notes or the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, to at least the same extent as such Subordinated Obligations.

 

  (d) For purposes of determining compliance with the foregoing covenant:

 

  (1) in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described above, the Company, in its sole discretion, will classify such item of Indebtedness at the time of Incurrence and only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of the above clauses; provided that any Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement on the Issue Date will be treated as Incurred on the Issue Date under clause (1) of paragraph (b) above; and

 

  (2) an item of Indebtedness may be divided and classified in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described above.

Incurrence of Layered Indebtedness

Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b) of the covenant described above under “—Limitation on Indebtedness,” the Company shall not, and the Company shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, Incur any Indebtedness if such Indebtedness is subordinate or junior in ranking in any respect to any Senior Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, unless such Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated Indebtedness or is expressly subordinated in right of payment to Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of such Person.

 

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Limitation on Restricted Payments

 

  (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to make a Restricted Payment if at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment:

 

  (1) a Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom);

 

  (2) the Company is not able to Incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (a) of the covenant described under “—Limitation on Indebtedness”; or

 

  (3) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments since the Issue Date would exceed the sum of (without duplication):

 

  (A) 50% of the aggregate Consolidated Net Income of the Company accrued on a cumulative basis commencing on December 31, 2002 and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter ending on or immediately preceding the date of such proposed Restricted Payment (or, if such aggregate Consolidated Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit);

 

  (B) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the issuance or sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) subsequent to December 31, 2005 (other than an issuance or sale to a Subsidiary of the Company and other than an issuance or sale to an employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees);

 

  (C) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the issue or sale subsequent to December 31, 2005 of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) to an employee stock ownership plan; provided, however, that if such employee stock ownership plan incurs any Indebtedness with respect thereto, such aggregate amount shall be limited to an amount equal to any increase in the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company resulting from principal repayments made by such employee stock ownership plan with respect to such Indebtedness;

 

  (D) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company is reduced on the Company’s balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company) subsequent to December 31, 2005, of any Indebtedness of the Company convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the amount of any cash, or the fair value of any other property, distributed by the Company upon such conversion or exchange); and

 

  (E) an amount equal to the sum of (i) the net reduction in Investments made subsequent to December 31, 2005 by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Person resulting from dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets, in each case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from such Person, and (ii) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the foregoing sum shall not exceed, in the case of any such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments previously made (and treated as a Restricted Payment) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary.

At November 30, 2012, the Company would have been able to make approximately $1.0 billion of Restricted Payments under the foregoing calculation specified in this paragraph (a)(3).

 

  (b) The provisions of the foregoing paragraph (a) shall not prohibit:

 

  (1)

dividends paid within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at such date of declaration such dividend would have complied with this covenant; provided, however, that at the time of payment of such dividend, no other Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result

 

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  therefrom); provided further, however, that such dividend shall be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

  (2) any purchase or redemption of Capital Stock or Subordinated Obligations of the Company made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees); provided, however, that (A) such purchase or redemption shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments and (B) the Net Cash Proceeds from such sale shall be excluded from the calculation of amounts under clause (3)(B) of paragraph (a) above (but only to the extent that such Net Cash Proceeds were used to purchase or redeem such Capital Stock as provided in this clause (2));

 

  (3) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Obligations of the Company made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Subordinated Obligations of the Company; provided, however, that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

  (4) the repurchase of shares of, or options to purchase shares of, common stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from employees, former employees, directors or former directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or permitted transferees of such employees, former employees, directors or former directors), pursuant to the terms of the agreements (including employment agreements) or plans (or amendments thereto) approved by the Board of Directors under which such individuals purchase or sell or are granted the option to purchase or sell, shares of such common stock; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such repurchases shall not exceed $25.0 million in any calendar year (with any unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years); provided further, however, that such repurchases shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

  (5) loans made to officers, directors or employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary approved by the Board of Directors (or a duly authorized officer), the net cash proceeds of which are used solely (A) to purchase common stock of the Company in connection with a restricted stock or employee stock purchase plan, or to exercise stock options received pursuant to an employee or director stock option plan or other incentive plan, in a principal amount not to exceed the exercise price of such stock options or (B) to refinance loans, together with accrued interest thereon, made pursuant to item (A) of this clause (5); provided, however, that such loans shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;

 

  (6) any Restricted Payment so long as on the date of such Restricted Payment, after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any related transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, the Company’s Leverage Ratio would not have exceeded 2.5 to 1; provided, however, that such Restricted Payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; or

 

  (7) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $40.0 million; provided, however, that such Restricted Payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments.

Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions From Restricted Subsidiaries

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary (A) to pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock or pay any Indebtedness

 

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owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (B) to make any loans or advances to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or (C) to transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, except:

 

  (1) any encumbrance or restriction in the Credit Agreement on the Issue Date or pursuant to any other agreement in effect on the Issue Date;

 

  (2) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary on or prior to the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company (other than Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, 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 Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company) and outstanding on such date;

 

  (3) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement effecting a Refinancing of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (1) or (2) of this covenant or this clause (3) or contained in any amendment to an agreement referred to in clause (1) or (2) of this covenant or this clause (3); provided, however, that the encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in any such refinancing agreement or amendment are no less favorable to the Noteholders than encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in such agreements;

 

  (4) any such encumbrance or restriction consisting of customary nonassignment provisions in leases governing leasehold interests to the extent such provisions restrict the transfer of the lease or the property leased thereunder;

 

  (5) in the case of clause (C) above, restrictions contained in security agreements or mortgages securing Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such security agreements or mortgages; and

 

  (6) any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition.

Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock

 

  (a) The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Disposition unless:

 

  (1) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration at least equal to the fair market value (such fair market value to be determined in advance in good faith by an Officer or an officer of such Restricted Subsidiary with responsibility for such transaction, or if the Asset Disposition exceeds $50.0 million, by the Board of Directors, which determination shall be conclusive evidence of compliance with this provision), of the equity and assets subject to such Asset Disposition;

 

  (2) (A) at least 75% of the consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or cash equivalents, Additional Assets or any combination thereof (collectively, the “Cash Consideration”) or (B) the fair market value of all forms of such consideration other than Cash Consideration since the date of the Indenture does not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the ACNTA at the time of the applicable Asset Disposition; and

 

  (3) an amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition is applied by the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be):

 

  (A)

first, to the extent the Company elects (or is required by the terms of any Indebtedness), to prepay, repay, redeem or purchase Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or Indebtedness (other than any Disqualified Stock) of a Wholly-Owned

 

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  Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor (in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) within 540 days from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash, provided such prepayment, repayment, redemption or purchase permanently retires, or reduces the related loan commitment (if any) for, such Indebtedness in an amount equal to the principal amount so prepaid, repaid, redeemed or purchased;

 

  (B) second, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash after application in accordance with clause (A), to the extent the Company elects, to acquire Additional Assets or to make capital expenditures in the Oil and Gas Business within 540 days from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash; and

 

  (C) third, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash after application in accordance with clauses (A) and (B), to make an offer to the holders of the Notes (and to holders of other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company designated by the Company) to purchase Notes (and such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company) pursuant to and subject to the conditions contained in the Indenture, which purchase permanently reduces the outstanding amount of such Notes (and such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness) in an amount equal to the principal amount purchased.

Pending application of Net Available Cash pursuant to this covenant, such Net Available Cash shall be invested in Temporary Cash Investments or applied to temporarily reduce revolving credit Indebtedness.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this covenant, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries will not be required to apply any Net Available Cash in accordance with this covenant except to the extent that the aggregate Net Available Cash from all Asset Dispositions, which is not applied in accordance with this covenant, exceeds $40.0 million during any calendar year.

For the purposes of this covenant, the following are deemed to be cash or cash equivalents:

 

  (1) any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Subsidiary Guaranty) that are assumed by the transferee of any such Asset Disposition pursuant to (1) a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability or (2) an assignment agreement that includes, in lieu of such a release, the agreement of the transferee or its parent company to indemnify and hold harmless the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from and against any loss, liability or cost in respect of such assumed liability;

 

  (2) any non-Cash Consideration received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the transferee that is converted, monetized, sold or exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or cash equivalents within 120 days of receipt.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 75% limitation referred to in paragraph (a) (2) above shall be deemed satisfied with respect to any Asset Disposition in which the cash or cash equivalents portion of the consideration received therefrom, determined in accordance with the foregoing provision on an after-tax basis, is equal to or greater than what the after-tax proceeds would have been had such Asset Disposition complied with the aforementioned 75% limitation.

The requirement of clause (a) (3) (B) above shall be deemed to be satisfied if an agreement (including a lease, whether a capital lease or an operating lease) committing to make the acquisitions or expenditures referred to therein is entered into by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiary within the time period specified in such

 

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clause and such Net Available Cash is subsequently applied in accordance with such agreement within six months following such agreement.

 

  (b) In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the purchase of Notes (and other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company) pursuant to clause (a) (3) (C) of this covenant, the Company shall make such offer to purchase Notes (an “Offer”) on or before the 541st day after the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash, and shall purchase Notes tendered pursuant to an offer by the Company for the Notes (and such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company) at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount (or, in the event such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company was issued with original issue discount greater than 2.5%, 100% of the accreted value thereof) without premium, plus accrued but unpaid interest (or, in respect of such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company) in accordance with the procedures (including prorating in the event of oversubscription) set forth in the Indenture. If the aggregate purchase price of the securities tendered exceeds the Net Available Cash allotted to their purchase, the Company will select the securities to be purchased on a pro rata basis but in round denominations, which in the case of the Notes will be denominations of $2,000 principal amount or $1,000 integral multiples thereof. The Company shall not be required to make such an offer to purchase Notes (and other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company) pursuant to this covenant if the Net Available Cash not applied or invested as provided in clause (a) (3) (A) or (B) of this covenant is less than $20.0 million (which lesser amount shall be carried forward for purposes of determining whether such an offer is required with respect to the Net Available Cash from any subsequent Asset Disposition). Upon completion of such an offer to purchase, Net Available Cash will be deemed to be reduced by the aggregate amount of such offer.

 

  (c) The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this covenant. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this covenant, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this covenant by virtue of its compliance with such securities laws or regulations.

Limitation on Affiliate Transactions

 

  (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property, employee compensation arrangements or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of the Company (an “Affiliate Transaction”) unless the terms thereof:

 

  (1) are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained at the time of such transaction in arm’s-length dealings with a Person who is not such an Affiliate;

 

  (2) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess of $15.0 million, are set forth in writing and have been approved by the Board of Directors, including a majority of the members of the Board of Directors having no personal stake in such Affiliate Transaction; and

 

  (3) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess of $25.0 million, have been determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm or other qualified independent appraiser to be fair, from a financial standpoint, to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

 

  (b) The provisions of the foregoing paragraph (a) shall not prohibit:

 

  (1)

any sale of hydrocarbons or other mineral products to an Affiliate of the Company or the entering into or performance of Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts, gas gathering, transportation or processing contracts or oil or natural gas marketing or exchange contracts with an Affiliate of the Company,

 

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  in each case, in the ordinary course of business, so long as the terms of any such transaction are approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are disinterested with respect to such transaction;

 

  (2) the sale to an Affiliate of the Company of Capital Stock of the Company that does not constitute Disqualified Stock, and the sale to an Affiliate of the Company of Indebtedness (including Disqualified Stock) of the Company in connection with an offering of such Indebtedness in a market transaction and on terms substantially identical to those of other purchasers in such market transaction;

 

  (3) transactions contemplated by any employment agreement or other compensation plan or arrangement existing on the Issue Date or thereafter entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (4) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries who are not employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

  (5) transactions between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (6) transactions between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and Persons that are controlled (as defined in the definition of “Affiliate”) by the Company (an “Unrestricted Affiliate”); provided that no other Person that controls (as so defined) or is under common control with the Company holds any Investments in such Unrestricted Affiliate;

 

  (7) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of the Indenture described above under the caption “—Limitation on Restricted Payments”; and

 

  (8) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2.5 million outstanding at any one time.

Limitation on Liens

The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on or with respect to any property of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned on the Issue Date or acquired after the Issue Date, or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom, unless the Notes or any Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, are secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) any and all other Indebtedness secured by such Lien, except that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Permitted Liens and Liens securing Senior Indebtedness.

Merger and Consolidation

The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to, any Person, unless:

 

  (1) (A) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and (B) the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental thereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and the Indenture;

 

  (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by such Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

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  (3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the Successor Company would be able to Incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to paragraph (a) of the covenant described under “—Limitation on Indebtedness;”

 

  (4) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the Successor Company shall have Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets that are not less than the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets prior to such transaction;

 

  (5) in the case of a conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, such assets shall have been so conveyed, transferred or leased as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to one Person; and

 

  (6) the Company shall have complied with certain additional conditions set forth in the Indenture;

provided, however, that clauses (3) and (4) shall not be applicable to any such transaction solely between the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary.

The Successor Company shall be the successor to the Company and shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Indenture, and the predecessor Company, except in the case of a lease, shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes.

The Company will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to any Person unless:

 

  (1) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if not such Subsidiary) shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction under which such Subsidiary was organized or under the laws of the United States of America, or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and, if such Person is not the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Person shall expressly assume, by executing a Guarantee Agreement, all the obligations of such Subsidiary, if any, under its Subsidiary Guarantee;

 

  (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the resulting, surviving or transferee Person as a result of such transaction as having been issued by such Person at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

 

  (3) in the case of a conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all the assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor, such assets shall have been so conveyed, transferred or leased as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to one Person; and

 

  (4) the Company shall have complied with certain additional conditions contained in the Indenture.

The provisions of clauses (1) and (2) above shall not apply to any one or more transactions which constitute an Asset Disposition if the Company has complied with the applicable provisions of the covenant described under “—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock” above.

Covenant suspension

If at any time after the Issue Date: (i) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies and (ii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture at such time (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Event”), then until the end of the Suspension Period (as defined below) the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to the following provisions of the Indenture:

 

  (1) “—Limitation on Indebtedness”;

 

  (2) “—Limitation on Layered Indebtedness”;

 

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  (3) “—Limitation on Restricted Payments” (provided that no Restricted Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary during the Suspension Period);

 

  (4) “—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock”;

 

  (5) “—Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions From Restricted Subsidiaries”;

 

  (6) clause (3) of the first paragraph of “—Merger and Consolidation”; and

 

  (7) “—Limitation on Affiliate Transactions” (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”).

In the event that the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraws its Investment Grade Rating or downgrades the rating assigned to the Notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants with respect to future events. The period of time between the Covenant Suspension Event and the Reversion Date is referred to in this Description of the Notes as the “Suspension Period.” Notwithstanding that the Suspended Covenants may be reinstated, no Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred as a result of a failure to comply with the Suspended Covenants during the Suspension Period (or upon termination of the Suspension Period or after that time based on any actions taken by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries during the Suspension Period).

On the Reversion Date, all Indebtedness incurred or Preferred Stock issued during the Suspension Period will be classified as having been incurred or issued pursuant to paragraph (a) of “—Limitation on Indebtedness” or one of the clauses set forth in the paragraph (b) of “—Limitation on Indebtedness” (to the extent such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock would be permitted to be incurred or issued thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness incurred or issued prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock would not be so permitted to be incurred or issued pursuant to paragraphs (a) or (b) of “—Limitation on Indebtedness,” such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under clause (4) of paragraph (b) of “—Limitation on Indebtedness.” Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under “—Limitation on Restricted Payments” will be made as though the covenant described under “—Limitation on Restricted Payments” had been in effect since the Issue Date and throughout the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under clause (3) of the first paragraph of “—Limitation on Restricted Payments” except to the extent that such Restricted Payments were permitted to have been made and are treated as having been made pursuant to paragraph (b) under “—Limitation on Restricted Payments.”

SEC Reports

Notwithstanding that the Company may not at any time be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the SEC and provide the Trustee and Noteholders with such annual reports and such information, documents and other reports as are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and applicable to a U.S. corporation subject to such Sections, such information, documents and other reports to be so filed and provided at the times specified for the filing of such information, documents and reports under such Sections.

Future Subsidiary Guarantors

The Company shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary that represents at least 10% of the book assets of, or 10% of the ACNTA of, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that has an aggregate of $15.0 million or more of Indebtedness and Preferred Stock outstanding at any time to promptly Guarantee the Notes pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture.

 

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Defaults

An Event of Default is defined in the Indenture as:

 

  (1) a default in the payment of interest on the Notes when due, continued for 30 days;

 

  (2) (i) a default in the payment of principal of any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required purchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, whether or not such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Indenture, or (ii) the failure by the Company to redeem or purchase Notes when required pursuant to the Indenture or the Notes, whether or not such redemption or purchase is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Indenture;

 

  (3) the failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under “—Certain Covenants—Merger and Consolidation” above;

 

  (4) the failure by the Company to comply for 30 days after notice with any of its obligations in the covenants described above under “Change of Control” (other than a failure to purchase Notes), “—Certain Covenants,” “—Limitation on Indebtedness,” “—Limitation on Restricted Payments,” “—Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions From Restricted Subsidiaries,” “—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock” (other than a failure to purchase Notes), “—Limitation on Affiliate Transactions,” “Limitation on Liens,” “Future Subsidiary Guarantors” or “SEC Reports;”

 

  (5) the failure by the Company to comply for 60 days after notice with its other agreements contained in such Indenture;

 

  (6) Indebtedness of the Company (other than Nonrecourse Purchase Money Indebtedness) is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the maturity of such Indebtedness is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default (and such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled) and the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $20.0 million (the “cross acceleration provision”);

 

  (7) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company or a Significant Subsidiary (the “bankruptcy provisions”);

 

  (8) any judgment or decree for the payment of money in an uninsured or unindemnified amount in excess of $20.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time is rendered against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary and is not discharged and either (A) an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree or (B) there is a period of 60 days following the entry of such judgment or decree during which such judgment or decree is not discharged, waived, bonded or the execution thereof stayed, in either case 10 days after the notice specified below (the “judgment default provision”); or

 

  (9) any Subsidiary Guarantee ceases or otherwise fails to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms thereof) or a Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee if such default continues for a period of ten days after notice thereof to the Company (the “guarantee default provision”).

However, a default under clauses (4), (5), (8) and (9) will not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the Company of the default and the Company does not cure such default within the time specified after receipt of such notice.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company occurs and is continuing, the principal of and interest on all the Notes will ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders of the Notes. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.

 

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Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties of the Trustee, in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the Notes unless such holders have furnished to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any loss, liability or expense. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder of a Note may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless:

 

  (1) such holder has previously given the Trustee notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

 

  (2) holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

 

  (3) such holders have furnished the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;

 

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

 

  (5) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

Subject to certain restrictions, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes are given the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder of a Note or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

The Indenture provides that if a Default occurs and is continuing and is known to the Trustee, the Trustee must mail to each holder of the Notes notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its trust officers determines that withholding notice is not opposed to the interest of the holders of the Notes. In addition, the Company is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. The Company also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.

Amendments and Waivers

Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture and the Notes may be amended with the consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange for the Notes) and any past default or compliance with any provisions may also be waived with the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding. However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding Note affected thereby, an amendment or waiver may not, among other things:

 

  (1) reduce the amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment;

 

  (2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;

 

  (3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Note;

 

  (4) reduce the premium payable upon a required purchase (to the extent the Company has at the time become obligated by the terms of the Indenture to affect a required purchase) or the redemption of any Note or change the date on which any Note may be redeemed as described under “—Optional Redemption” (except, in any case, for the redemption notice period);

 

  (5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the Note;

 

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  (6) impair the right of any holder of the Notes to receive payment of principal of and interest on such holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Notes;

 

  (7) make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions;

 

  (8) make any change to the subordination provisions of the Indenture that would adversely affect the Noteholders; or

 

  (9) make any change in any Subsidiary Guarantee that could adversely affect such holder.

Without the consent of any holder of the Notes, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Notes to:

 

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

 

  (2) provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of the obligations of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors under the Indenture;

 

  (3) provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes (provided that the uncertificated Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code);

 

  (4) make any change in the subordination provisions of the Indenture that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor thereunder;

 

  (5) add guarantees with respect to the Notes (including any Subsidiary Guarantee);

 

  (6) secure the Notes;

 

  (7) add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the holders of the Notes or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

 

  (8) make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder of the Notes in any material respect; provided, however, that any change to the Indenture to conform it to the “Description of the Notes” section of this prospectus shall not be deemed to adversely affect such rights; or

 

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

However, no amendment may be made to the subordination provisions of the Indenture that adversely affects the rights of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or their Representative) consent to such change.

The consent of the holders of the Notes is not necessary under the Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment.

After an amendment under the Indenture becomes effective, the Company is required to mail to holders of the Notes a notice briefly describing such amendment. However, the failure to give such notice to all holders of the Notes, or any defect therein, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

Transfer

The Notes will be issued in registered form and will be transferable only upon the surrender of the Notes being transferred for registration of transfer. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax, assessment or other governmental charge payable in connection with certain transfers and exchanges.

 

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Defeasance

The Company at any time may terminate all its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture (“legal defeasance”), except for certain obligations, including those respecting the defeasance trust and obligations to register the transfer or exchange of the Notes, to replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and to maintain a registrar and paying agent in respect of the Notes. The Company at any time may terminate its obligations under “Change of Control” and under the covenants described under “—Certain Covenants” (other than the covenant described under “—Merger and Consolidation”), the operation of the cross acceleration provision, the bankruptcy provisions with respect to Significant Subsidiaries, the judgment default provision and the guarantee default provision described under “—Defaults” above and the limitations contained in clauses (3) and (4) under the first and third paragraphs of “—Certain Covenants—Merger and Consolidation” above (“covenant defeasance”).

The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in clause (4), (6), (7) (with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries) or (8) under “—Defaults” above or because of the failure of the Company to comply with clause (3) or (4) under the first or third paragraph of “—Certain Covenants—Merger and Consolidation” above. If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, each Subsidiary Guarantor will be released from all its obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

In order to exercise either defeasance option, the Company must irrevocably deposit in trust (the “defeasance trust”) with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Notes to redemption or maturity, as the case may be, and must comply with certain other conditions, including delivery to the Trustee of an opinion of counsel to the effect that holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred (and, in the case of legal defeasance only, such opinion of counsel must be based on a ruling of the Internal Revenue Service or other change in applicable Federal income tax law).

Concerning the Trustee

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, is the Trustee under the Indenture and has been appointed by the Company as Registrar and Paying Agent with regard to the Notes.

The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee, should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; provided, however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it must either eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue or resign.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain exceptions. The Indenture provides that if an Event of Default occurs (and is not cured), the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of any Holder of Notes, unless such Holder shall have furnished to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense and then only to the extent required by the terms of the Indenture.

 

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Governing Law

The Indenture will provide that it and the Notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Certain Definitions

“Additional Assets” means:

 

  (1) any property or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) in the Oil and Gas Business;

 

  (2) the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

  (3) Capital Stock constituting a non-controlling interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary;

provided, however, that any such Restricted Subsidiary described in clauses (2) or (3) above is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.

“Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” or “ACNTA” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination:

 

  (a) the sum of:

 

  (1)

discounted future net revenue from proved crude oil, natural gas and helium reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal income taxes, as estimated in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year, which reserve report is prepared or reviewed by independent petroleum engineers, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue of (A) estimated proved crude oil, natural gas and helium reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to acquisitions consummated since the date of such year-end reserve report, and (B) estimated crude oil, natural gas and helium reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward determinations of estimates of proved crude oil, natural gas and helium reserves (including previously estimated development costs incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since the prior year end) due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities which reserves were not reflected in such year-end reserve report which would, in the case of determinations made pursuant to clauses (A) and (B), in accordance with standard industry practice, result in such determinations, in each case 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 attributable to (C) estimated proved crude oil, natural gas and helium reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such year-end reserve report produced or disposed of since the date of such year-end reserve report and (D) reductions in the estimated crude oil, natural gas and helium reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such year-end reserve report since the date of such year-end reserve report attributable to downward determinations of estimates of proved crude oil, natural gas and helium 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 would, in the case of determinations made pursuant to clauses (C) and (D), in accordance with standard industry practice, result in such determinations, in each case calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report); provided, however, 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, except that if as a result of such acquisitions, dispositions, discoveries, extensions or revisions,

 

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  there is a Material Change which is an increase, then such increases and decreases in the discounted future net revenue shall be confirmed in writing by an independent petroleum engineer;

 

  (2)

the capitalized costs that are attributable to crude oil, natural gas and helium properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no proved crude oil, natural gas and helium reserves are attributed, 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;

 

  (3) the Net Working Capital on a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest annual or quarterly financial statements; and

 

  (4) 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 of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest audited financial statements (provided that the Company shall not be required to obtain such an appraisal of such assets if no such appraisal has been performed); minus

 

  (b) to the extent not otherwise taken into account in the immediately preceding clause (a), the sum of:

 

  (1) non-controlling interests;

 

  (2) any natural gas balancing liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in the Company’s latest audited financial statements;

 

  (3) 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;

 

  (4) 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 that 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; and

 

  (5) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments that, based on the estimates of production included in determining the discounted future net revenue specified in the immediately preceding clause (a)(1) (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), would be necessary to satisfy fully the obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto.

“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 Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. For purposes of the provisions described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments,” “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Affiliate Transactions” and “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock” only, “Affiliate” shall also mean any beneficial owner of Capital Stock representing 10% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of the Company or of rights or warrants to purchase such Capital Stock (whether or not currently exercisable) and any Person who would be an Affiliate of any such beneficial owner pursuant to the first sentence hereof.

 

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“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to a Note on any date of redemption, the greater of:

 

  (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note and

 

  (2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value as of such date of redemption of (i) the redemption price of such Note on             , 2018 (each such redemption price being described under “Optional Redemption”) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Note through                     , 2018 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the date of redemption), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such date of redemption plus 50 basis points, over (b) the then-outstanding principal of such Note.

“Asset Disposition” means any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers or dispositions) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction (each referred to for the purposes of this definition as a “disposition”), of:

 

  (1) any shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary);

 

  (2) all or substantially all the assets of any division or line of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

  (3) any other assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the following shall be deemed to be an Asset Disposition:

 

  (1) a disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary;

 

  (2) for purposes of the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock” only, a disposition that constitutes a Restricted Payment permitted by the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments,” a disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company in compliance with “—Certain Covenants—Merger and Consolidation” or a disposition that constitutes a Change of Control pursuant to clause (3) of the definition thereof;

 

  (3) the sale or transfer (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) of crude oil and natural gas properties or direct or indirect interests in real property; provided, however, that at the time of such sale or transfer such properties do not have associated with them any proved reserves;

 

  (4) the abandonment, farm-out, lease or sublease of developed or undeveloped crude oil and natural gas properties;

 

  (5) the trade or exchange by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any crude oil and natural gas property owned or held by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary for any crude oil and natural gas property owned or held by another Person;

 

  (6) the sale or transfer of hydrocarbons or other mineral products or surplus or obsolete equipment; or

 

  (7) a single transaction or series of related transactions that involve the disposition of assets with a fair market value of less than $20.0 million;

in each case in the ordinary course of business.

“Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the interest rate implicit in the Sale/Leaseback Transaction, compounded annually) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended).

 

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“Average Life” means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing

 

  (1) the sum of the products of the numbers of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by

 

  (2) the sum of all such payments.

“Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board.

“Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday (as defined in the applicable Indenture).

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

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

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

“Consolidated Coverage Ratio” as of any date of determination means the ratio of

 

  (x) the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending at least 45 days prior to the date of such determination to

 

  (y) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters; provided, however, that:

 

  (1) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period that remains outstanding or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness, or both, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been Incurred on the first day of such period and the discharge of any other Indebtedness repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period;

 

  (2) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period or if any Indebtedness is to be repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged on the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period and as if the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary has not earned the interest income actually earned during such period in respect of cash or Temporary Cash Investments used to repay, repurchase, defease or otherwise discharge such Indebtedness;

 

  (3)

if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Disposition (other than an Asset Disposition involving assets having a fair market value of less than the greater of two and one-half percent (2.5%) of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the end of the Company’s then most recently completed fiscal year and $3.0 million),

 

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  then EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Asset Disposition for such period, or increased by an amount equal to EBITDA (if negative), directly attributable thereto for such period and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense directly attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with respect to the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Disposition for such period (or, if the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period directly attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such sale);

 

  (4) if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have made an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition (including by way of lease) of assets, including any acquisition of assets occurring in connection with a transaction requiring a calculation to be made hereunder, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such period; and

 

  (5) if since the beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) shall have made any Asset Disposition, any Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (3) or (4) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Asset Disposition, Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such period.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an acquisition of assets, the amount of income or earnings relating thereto and the amount of Consolidated Interest Expense associated with any Indebtedness Incurred in connection therewith, the pro forma calculations shall be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting Officer of the Company. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if such Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months).

“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, the total interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus, to the extent not included in such total interest expense, and to the extent incurred by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, without duplication:

 

  (1) interest expense attributable to Capital Lease Obligations and imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt;

 

  (2) capitalized interest;

 

  (3) non-cash interest expense;

 

  (4) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing;

 

  (5) net costs (including amortization of fees and up-front payments) associated with interest rate caps and other interest rate and currency options that, at the time entered into, resulted in the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries being net payees as to future payouts under such caps or options, and interest rate and currency swaps and forwards for which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has paid a premium;

 

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  (6) dividends (excluding dividends paid in shares of Capital Stock which is not Disqualified Stock) in respect of all Disqualified Stock held by Persons other than the Company or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary; and

 

  (7) interest accruing on any Indebtedness of any other Person to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or secured by a Lien on assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such Indebtedness constitutes Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon); provided, however, “Consolidated Interest Expense” shall not include any (x) amortization of costs relating to original debt issuances other than the amortization of debt discount related to the issuance of zero coupon securities or other securities with an original issue price of not more than 90% of the principal thereof, (y) Consolidated Interest Expense with respect to any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to clause (b) (8) of the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Indebtedness” and (z) non-cash interest expense Incurred in connection with interest rate caps and other interest rate and currency options that, at the time entered into, resulted in the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries being either neutral or net payors as to future payouts under such caps or options.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the net income of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:

 

  (1) any net income of any Person (other than the Company) if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that:

 

  (A) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (4) 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 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 paid to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (3) below); and

 

  (B) the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Person for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;

 

  (2) 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;

 

  (3) any net income of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) if such Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that:

 

  (A) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (4) below, the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution paid to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause); and

 

  (B) the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income;

 

  (4) any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any sale-and-leaseback arrangement) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person;

 

  (5) extraordinary gains or losses;

 

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  (6) any non-cash compensation expense realized for grants of performance shares, stock options or stock awards to officers, directors and employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (7) any write-downs of noncurrent assets; provided, however, that any ceiling limitation write-downs under SEC guidelines shall be treated as capitalized costs, as if such write-downs had not occurred; and

 

  (8) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of the covenant described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments” only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under such covenant pursuant to clause (a)(3)(E) thereof.

“Consolidated Net Worth” means the total of the amounts shown on the balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company ending at least 45 days prior to the taking of any action for the purpose of which the determination is being made, as the sum of:

 

  (1) the par or stated value of all outstanding Capital Stock of the Company, plus

 

  (2) paid-in capital or capital surplus relating to such Capital Stock, plus

 

  (3) any retained earnings or earned surplus

less (A) any accumulated deficit and (B) any amounts attributable to Disqualified Stock.

“Credit Agreement” means the Credit Agreement among the Company as Borrower and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as Administrative Agent and certain other financial institutions, dated March 9, 2010, as amended (or any successor thereto or replacement thereof), including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced, refinanced or increased in whole or in part from time to time.

“Credit Facilities” means, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more debt facilities (including the Credit Agreement) or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.

“Currency Agreement” means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

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

“Designated Senior Indebtedness” in respect of a Person means:

 

  (1) all the obligations of such Person under any Credit Facilities (including the Credit Agreement); and

 

  (2) any other Senior Indebtedness of such Person which, at the date of determination, has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or under which, at the date of determination, the holders thereof are committed to lend up to, at least $20.0 million and is specifically designated by such Person in the instrument evidencing or governing such Senior Indebtedness as “Designated Senior Indebtedness” for purposes of the Indenture.

 

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“Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock that 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,

 

  (1) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise;

 

  (2) is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock; or

 

  (3) is redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder thereof;

in each case described in the immediately preceding clauses (1), (2) or (3), on or prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided, however, that any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to purchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an “asset sale” or “change of control” occurring prior to the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if:

 

  (x) the “asset sale” or “change of control” provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are not more favorable to the holders of such Capital Stock than the provisions described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock” and “—Certain Covenants—Change of Control;” and

 

  (y) any such requirement only becomes operative after compliance with such corresponding terms applicable to the Notes, including the purchase of any Notes tendered pursuant thereto.

The amount of any Disqualified Stock that does not have a fixed redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were redeemed, repaid or repurchased on any date on which the amount of such Disqualified Stock is to be determined pursuant to the Indenture; provided, however, that if such Disqualified Stock could not be required to be redeemed, repaid or repurchased at the time of such determination, the redemption, repayment or repurchase price will be the book value of such Disqualified Stock as reflected in the most recent financial statements of such Person.

“Dollar-Denominated Production Payments” means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

“EBITDA” for any period means the sum of Consolidated Net Income, plus Consolidated Interest Expense plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income:

 

  (1) provision for taxes based on income or profits;

 

  (2) depletion and depreciation expense;

 

  (3) amortization expense;

 

  (4) exploration expense (if applicable to the Company after the Issue Date);

 

  (5) unrealized foreign exchange losses; and

 

  (6) all other non-cash charges, including non-cash charges taken pursuant to the “Derivatives and Hedging” topic of the FASC (excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period except such amounts as the Company determines in good faith are nonrecurring);

and less, to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income and in excess of any costs or expenses attributable thereto and deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of:

 

  (1) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments;

 

  (2) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments;

 

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  (3) unrealized foreign exchange gains; and

 

  (4) all other non-cash unrealized gains, including non-cash unrealized gains taken pursuant to the “Derivatives and Hedging” topic of the FASC.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, and the depletion, depreciation, amortization and exploration and other non-cash charges of, a Restricted Subsidiary shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.

“Encore” means Encore Acquisition Company, a Delaware corporation.

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

“FASC” means Financial Accounting Standards Codification issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Ltd. and its successors.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect on the Issue Date, including those set forth in:

 

  (1) the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants;

 

  (2) statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board;

 

  (3) such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession; and

 

  (4) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC.

“Guarantee” means, without duplication, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

 

  (1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or

 

  (2) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part);

provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. The term “Guarantor” shall mean any Person Guaranteeing any obligation.

“Guarantee Agreement” means a supplemental indenture, in a form satisfactory to the Trustee, pursuant to which a Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person becomes subject to the applicable terms and conditions of the Indenture.

 

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“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Oil and Gas Hedging Contract, Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.

“Holder” or “Noteholder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

“Incur” means issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. The term “Incurrence” when used as a noun shall have a correlative meaning. The accretion of principal of a non-interest bearing or other discount security shall not be deemed the Incurrence of Indebtedness.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):

 

  (1) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable;

 

  (2) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale/Leaseback Transactions entered into by such Person;

 

  (3) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property (which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of taking delivery of title to such property), including all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business);

 

  (4) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in clauses (1) through (3) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit);

 

  (5) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock (but excluding any accrued dividends);

 

  (6) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (5) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any Guarantee; and

 

  (7) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (6) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such first-mentioned Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such first-mentioned Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured.

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, assuming the contingency giving rise to the obligation were to have occurred on such date, of any Guarantees outstanding at such date.

None of the following shall constitute Indebtedness:

 

  (1) indebtedness arising from agreements providing for indemnification or adjustment of purchase price or from guarantees securing any obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Subsidiary of the Company, other than guarantees or similar credit support by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;

 

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  (2) any trade payables or other similar liabilities to trade creditors and other accrued current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business as the deferred purchase price of property;

 

  (3) any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person;

 

  (4) amounts due in the ordinary course of business to other royalty and working interest owners;

 

  (5) obligations arising from guarantees to suppliers, lessors, licensees, contractors, franchisees or customers incurred in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (6) obligations (other than express Guarantees of indebtedness for borrowed money) in respect of Indebtedness of other Persons arising in connection with (A) the sale or discount of accounts receivable, (B) trade acceptances and (C) endorsements of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (7) obligations in respect of performance bonds provided by the Company or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and refinancing thereof;

 

  (8) obligations arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however that such obligation is extinguished within two Business Days of its Incurrence;

 

  (9) obligations in respect of any obligations under workers’ compensation laws and similar legislation;

 

  (10) any obligation in respect of any Oil and Gas Hedging Contract; 

 

  (11) any unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of the “Derivatives and Hedging” topic of the FASC); and

 

  (12) any obligations relating to any Production Payments.

“Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement designed to protect the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary against fluctuations in interest rates.

“Investment” in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan (other than advances to customers or joint interest partners or drilling partnerships sponsored by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the lender) or other extensions of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar arrangement) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by such Person. Except as otherwise provided for herein, the amount of an Investment shall be its fair value at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary,” the definition of “Restricted Payment” and the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments”:

 

  (1) “Investment” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary equal to an amount (if positive) equal to (x) the Company’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (y) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and

 

  (2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

 

 

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“Investment Grade Rating” means for Moody’s, a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or equivalent), for S&P, a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or equivalent) and for any other Rating Agency the equivalent to the foregoing.

“Issue Date” means the date on which the Notes are originally issued.

“Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) the total consolidated Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available, which would be reflected as a liability on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, to (y) the EBITDA of such Person for the then most recent four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to the amount of consolidated Indebtedness and EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Consolidated Coverage Ratio.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).

“Material Change” means an increase or decrease (excluding changes that result solely from changes in prices and changes resulting from the Incurrence of previously estimated future development costs) of more than 25% during a fiscal quarter in the discounted future net revenues from proved crude oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, calculated in accordance with clause (a)(1) of the definition of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; provided, however, that the following will be excluded from the calculation of Material Change:

 

  (1) any acquisitions during the fiscal quarter of oil and gas reserves that have been estimated by independent petroleum engineers and with respect to which a report or reports of such engineers exist; and

 

  (2) any disposition of properties existing at the beginning of such fiscal quarter that have been disposed of in compliance with the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock.”

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. and its successors.

“Net Available Cash” from an Asset Disposition means cash payments received therefrom (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to such properties or assets or received in any other non-cash form), in each case net of:

 

  (1) all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees (including financial and other advisory fees) and expenses incurred, and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a consequence of such Asset Disposition;

 

  (2) all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or other security agreement of any kind with respect to such assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposition, or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition;

 

  (3) all distributions and other payments required to be made to non-controlling interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition; and

 

  (4) the deduction of appropriate amounts provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the property or other assets disposed in such Asset Disposition and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition.

 

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“Net Cash Proceeds” means with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.

“Net Present Value” means, with respect to any proved hydrocarbon reserves, the discounted future net cash flows associated with such reserves, determined in accordance with the rules and regulations (including interpretations thereof) of the SEC in effect on the Issue Date.

“Net Working Capital” means:

 

  (1) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; minus

 

  (2) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in Indebtedness;

determined in accordance with GAAP.

“Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than Capital Lease Obligations) of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor incurred in connection with the acquisition by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor in the ordinary course of business of fixed assets used in the Oil and Gas Business (including office buildings and other real property used by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor in conducting its operations) with respect to which:

 

  (1) the holders of such Indebtedness agree that they will look solely to the fixed assets so acquired which secure such Indebtedness, and neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) is directly or indirectly liable for such Indebtedness or (b) provides credit support, including any undertaking, Guarantee, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness (other than the grant of a Lien on such acquired fixed assets); and

 

  (2) no default or event of default with respect to such Indebtedness would cause, or permit (after notice or passage of time or otherwise), any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor to declare a default or event of default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to any scheduled principal payment, scheduled sinking fund payment or maturity.

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

“Oil and Gas Business” means the business of the exploration for, and exploitation, development, acquisition, 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 Contract” means any oil and gas purchase or hedging agreement, and other agreement or arrangement, in each case, that is designed to provide protection against oil and gas price fluctuations.

 

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“Oil and Gas Liens” means:

 

  (1) Liens on any specific property or any interest therein, construction thereon or improvement thereto to secure all or any part of the costs incurred for surveying, exploration, drilling, extraction, development, operation, production, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of, in, under or on such property and the plugging and abandonment of wells located thereon (it being understood that, in the case of oil and gas producing properties, or any interest therein, costs incurred for “development” shall include costs incurred for all facilities relating to such properties or to projects, ventures or other arrangements of which such properties form a part or which relate to such properties or interests);

 

  (2) Liens on an oil or gas producing property to secure obligations Incurred or guarantees of obligations Incurred in connection with or necessarily incidental to commitments for the purchase or sale of, or the transportation or distribution of, the products derived from such property;

 

  (3) Liens arising under partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, overriding royalty agreements, net profits agreements, production payment agreements, royalty trust agreements, incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, master limited partnership agreements, farm-out agreements, farm-in agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of oil, gas or other hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, operating agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided, however, that in all instances such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement, program, order or contract;

 

  (4) Liens arising in connection with Production Payments; and

 

  (5) Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law.

“Permitted Business Investment” means any investment made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business including investments or expenditures for actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting oil and gas through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including:

 

  (1) ownership interests in oil and gas properties, processing facilities, gathering systems, pipelines or ancillary real property interests; and

 

  (2) Investments in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, processing agreements, farm-in agreements, farm-out agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling agreements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements and other similar agreements (including for limited liability companies), excluding, however, Investments in corporations other than Restricted Subsidiaries.

“Permitted Investment” means an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in:

 

  (1) a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the primary business of such Restricted Subsidiary is an Oil and Gas Business;

 

  (2) another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Person’s primary business is an Oil and Gas Business;

 

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  (3) Temporary Cash Investments;

 

  (4) receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

 

  (5) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (6) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (7) stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments;

 

  (8) any Person to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash portion of the consideration received for an Asset Disposition as permitted pursuant to the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock”;

 

  (9) Permitted Business Investments;

 

  (10) Investments intended to promote the Company’s strategic objectives in the Oil and Gas Business in an aggregate amount not to exceed 5.0% of ACNTA (determined as of the date of the making of any such Investment) at any one time outstanding (which Investments shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding only upon and to the extent of the return of capital thereof); and

 

  (11) Investments made pursuant to Hedging Obligations of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:

 

  (1) Liens existing as of the Issue Date;

 

  (2) Liens securing the Notes, any Subsidiary Guarantee and other obligations arising under the Indenture;

 

  (3) any Lien existing on any property of a Person at the time such Person is merged or consolidated with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (and not incurred in anticipation of or in connection with such transaction); provided that such Liens are not extended to other property of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (4) any Lien existing on any property at the time of the acquisition thereof (and not incurred in anticipation of or in connection with such transaction); provided that such Liens are not extended to other property of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (5) any Lien incurred in the ordinary course of business incidental to the conduct of the business of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries or the ownership of their property (including (i) easements, rights of way and similar encumbrances, (ii) rights or title of lessors under leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations), (iii) rights of collecting banks having rights of setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money or instruments of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries on deposit with or in the possession of such banks, (iv) Liens imposed by law, including Liens under workers’ compensation or similar legislation and mechanics’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, suppliers’ and vendors’ Liens, (v) Liens incurred to secure performance of obligations with respect to statutory or regulatory requirements, performance or return-of-money bonds, surety bonds or other obligations of a like nature and incurred in a manner consistent with industry practice and (vi) Oil and Gas Liens, in each case which are not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money, the obtaining of advances or credit or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property (other than trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business));

 

 

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  (6) Liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges not yet due or the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, promptly instituted and diligently conducted, and for which adequate reserves have been established to the extent required by GAAP as in effect at such time;

 

  (7) Liens incurred to secure appeal bonds and judgment and attachment Liens, in each case in connection with litigation or legal proceedings that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, so long as reserves have been established to the extent required by GAAP as in effect at such time and so long as such Liens do not encumber assets by an aggregate amount (together with the amount of any unstayed judgments against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary but excluding any such Liens to the extent securing insured or indemnified judgments or orders) in excess of $10.0 million;

 

  (8) Liens securing Hedging Obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

 

  (9) Liens securing purchase money Indebtedness or Capital Lease Obligations; provided that such Liens attach only to the property acquired with the proceeds of such purchase money Indebtedness or the property which is the subject of such Capital Lease Obligations;

 

  (10) Liens securing Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness granted in connection with the acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business of fixed assets used in the Oil and Gas Business (including the office buildings and other real property used by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in conducting its operations); provided that (i) such Liens attach only to the fixed assets acquired with the proceeds of such Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness; and (ii) such Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness is not in excess of the purchase price of such fixed assets;

 

  (11) Liens resulting from the deposit of funds or evidences of Indebtedness in trust for the purpose of decreasing or legally defeasing Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as such deposit of funds is permitted by the provisions of the Indenture described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments”;

 

  (12) Liens resulting from a pledge of Capital Stock of a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary to secure obligations of such Person and any refinancing thereof;

 

  (13) Liens to secure any permitted extension, renewal, refinancing, refunding or exchange (or successive extensions, renewals, refinancing, refunding or exchanges), in whole or in part, of or for any Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (9) and (10) above; provided, however, that (i) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property (including future improvements thereon and accessions thereto) subject to the original Lien and (ii) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, the committed amount of the Indebtedness secured by such original Lien immediately prior to such extension, renewal, refinancing, refunding or exchange and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement; and

 

  (14) Liens in favor of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

Notwithstanding anything in this definition to the contrary, the term “Permitted Liens” shall not include Liens resulting from the creation, incurrence, issuance, assumption or Guarantee of any Production Payments other than:

 

  (1) any such Liens existing as of the Issue Date;

 

  (2) Production Payments in connection with the acquisition of any property after the Issue Date; provided that any such Lien created in connection therewith is created, incurred, issued, assumed or Guaranteed in connection with the financing of, and within 60 days after the acquisition of, such property;

 

 

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  (3) Production Payments other than those described in clauses (1) and (2), to the extent such Production Payments constitute Asset Dispositions made pursuant to and in compliance with the provisions of the Indenture described under “Certain Covenants—Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock”; and

 

  (4) incentive compensation programs for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary;

provided, however, that, in the case of the immediately foregoing clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4), any Lien created in connection with any such Production Payments shall be limited to the property that is the subject of such Production Payments.

“Permitted Marketing Obligations” means Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary under letter of credit or borrowed money obligations, or in lieu of or in addition to such letters of credit or borrowed money, guarantees of such Indebtedness or other obligation, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary by any other Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, related to the purchase by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of hydrocarbons for which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary has contracts to sell; provided, however, that in the event that such Indebtedness or obligations are guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, then either:

 

  (1) the Person with which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary has contracts to sell has an investment grade credit rating from S&P or Moody’s, or in lieu thereof, a Person guaranteeing the payment of such obligated Person has an investment grade credit rating from S&P or Moody’s; or

 

  (2) such Person posts, or has posted for it, a letter of credit in favor of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to all such Person’s obligations to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary under such contracts.

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

“Preferred Stock,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

The term “principal” of a Note means the principal of the Note plus the premium, if any, payable on the Note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.

“Production Payments” means, collectively, Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production Payments.

“Rating Agency” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P and (2) if Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Company’s control, Fitch, unless at such time Fitch ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Company’s control, in which case another “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by the Company as a replacement agency for Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, as the case may be.

“Refinance” means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

 

 

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“Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness that Refinances any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the Issue Date or Incurred in compliance with the Indenture, including Indebtedness that Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, however, that:

 

  (1) such Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

 

  (2) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being Refinanced;

 

  (3) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding or committed (plus fees and expenses, including any premium and defeasance costs) under the Indebtedness being Refinanced; and

 

  (4) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness, such Refinancing Indebtedness satisfies clauses (1) and (2) of the definition of “Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness;” provided further, however, that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include

 

  (x) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of the Company or

 

  (y) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“Representative” means any trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an issue of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or of a Subsidiary Guarantor.

“Restricted Payment” with respect to any Person means:

 

  (1) the declaration or payment of any dividends or any other distributions of any sort in respect of its Capital Stock (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving such Person) or similar payment to the direct or indirect holders of its Capital Stock (other than

 

  (x) dividends or distributions payable solely in its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock),

 

  (y) dividends or distributions payable solely to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, and

 

  (z) pro rata dividends or other distributions made by a Subsidiary that is not a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary to minority stockholders (or owners of an equivalent interest in the case of a Subsidiary that is an entity other than a corporation));

 

  (2) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of the Company held by any Person or of any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary held by any Affiliate of the Company (other than a Restricted Subsidiary), including the exercise of any option to exchange any Capital Stock (other than into Capital Stock of the Company that is not Disqualified Stock);

 

  (3) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment of any Subordinated Obligations of such Person (other than the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Obligations of such Person purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of acquisition); or

 

  (4) the making of any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any Person.

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Company, Inc., and its successors.

 

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“Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person; provided that the fair market value of such property (as reasonably determined by the Board of Directors acting in good faith) is $10.0 million or more.

“Secured Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company secured by a Lien.

“Senior Indebtedness” means with respect to any Person:

 

  (1) Indebtedness of such Person, and all obligations of such Person under any Credit Facility, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred; and

 

  (2) accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating such Person to the extent post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding) in respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable;

unless, with respect to obligations described in the immediately preceding clause (1) or (2), in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are not superior in right of payment to the Notes or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee; provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include:

 

  (1) any obligation of such Person to any Subsidiary of such Person;

 

  (2) any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person;

 

  (3) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business (including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities);

 

  (4) any Indebtedness of such Person (and any accrued and unpaid interest in respect thereof) which is subordinate or junior in any respect to any other Indebtedness or other obligation of such Person; or

 

  (5) that portion of any Indebtedness which at the time of Incurrence is Incurred in violation of the Indenture (other than, in the case of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor that Guarantees any Credit Facility, Indebtedness under any Credit Facility that is Incurred on the basis of a representation by the Company or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor to the applicable lenders that such Person is permitted to Incur such Indebtedness under such Indenture).

“Senior Subordinated Indebtedness” means:

 

  (1) with respect to the Company, the Notes, the Existing Notes and any other Indebtedness of the Company that specifically provides that such Indebtedness is to rank pari passu with the Notes in right of payment and is not subordinated by its terms in right of payment to any Indebtedness or other obligation of the Company which is not Senior Indebtedness of the Company; and

 

  (2) with respect to each Subsidiary Guarantor, its Subsidiary Guarantee of the Notes, the Existing Notes and any other Indebtedness of such Person that specifically provides that such Indebtedness rank pari passu with its applicable Subsidiary Guarantee in right of payment and is not subordinated by its terms in right of payment to any Indebtedness or other obligation of such Person which is not Senior Indebtedness of such Person.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency has occurred).

 

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“Stock Offering” means a primary offering, whether public or private, of shares of common stock of the Company.

“Subordinated Obligation” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to, in the case of the Company, the Notes or, in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor, its Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.

“Subsidiary” means, in respect of any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by:

 

  (1) such Person;

 

  (2) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person; or

 

  (3) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

“Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Subsidiary of the Company that executes the applicable Indenture as a guarantor and each other Subsidiary of the Company that thereafter Guarantees the Notes pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.

“Temporary Cash Investments” means any of the following:

 

  (1) any investment in direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency thereof;

 

  (2) investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United States, and which bank or trust company has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $200.0 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt which is rated “A” (or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized credit rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act) or any money-market fund sponsored by a registered broker dealer or mutual fund distributor whose assets consist of obligations of the types described in clauses (1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) hereof;

 

  (3) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (1) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (2) above;

 

  (4) investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than 180 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a Person (other than an Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein is made of “P-2” (or higher) according to Moody’s or “A-2” (or higher) according to S&P or “R-1” (or higher) by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited or Canadian Bond Rating Service, Inc. (in the case of a Canadian issuer);

 

  (5) investments in securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least “A” by S&P or “A” by Moody’s; and

 

  (6) investments in asset-backed securities maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof with a long-term rating at the time as of which any investment therein is made of “A3” (or higher) by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited or Canadian Bond Rating Service, Inc. (in the case of a Canadian issuer).

 

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“Treasury Rate” means as of any date of redemption of Notes the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source or similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to                     , 2018; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to                     , 2018 is not equal to the constant maturity of a 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 which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to                     , 2018 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

 

  (1) any Subsidiary of the Company that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors in the manner provided below; and

 

  (2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided, however, that either (A) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (B) if such Subsidiary has assets greater than $1,000, such designation would be permitted under the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Restricted Payments.” The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to such designation (x) the Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under paragraph (a) of the covenant described under “—Certain Covenants—Limitation on Indebtedness” and (y) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced by the Company to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the board resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

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

“Volumetric Production Payments” means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

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

“Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary all the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares held by other Persons to the extent such shares are required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) is owned by the Company or one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The following is a general discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes offered hereby by investors who are U.S. Holders (as defined below) or Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below). This discussion is based on currently existing provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), existing, temporary and proposed Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial interpretations thereof, all as in effect or proposed on the date hereof and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, or different interpretations. This discussion does not address the U.S. federal income tax consequences to subsequent purchasers of notes and is limited to investors who (i) purchase the notes pursuant to this offering at the public offering price of notes set forth on the cover page of this prospectus and (ii) hold the notes as capital assets within the meaning of section 1221 of the Code. Moreover, this discussion is for general information only and does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to particular investors in light of their personal circumstances or to certain types of investors subject to special tax rules (such as U.S. Holders having a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar, persons subject to special rules applicable to former citizens and residents of the United States, certain financial institutions, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, grantor trusts, real estate investment trusts, insurance companies, tax-exempt entities, dealers in securities or currencies, traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of accounting for their securities holdings, persons holding the notes in connection with a hedging transaction, straddle, conversion transaction or other integrated transaction, corporations treated as personal holding companies, controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies or Non-U.S. Holders that are owned or controlled by U.S. Holders).

Baker & Hostetler LLP has reviewed the discussion below and is of the opinion that the discussion, to the extent it addresses matters of U.S. federal income tax law or legal conclusions, accurately summarizes the U.S. federal income tax considerations of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes that are likely to be material to investors. The opinion is based on various assumptions, including assumptions regarding the accuracy of factual representations made by us, and is subject to limitations. Their opinion is not binding on the Internal Revenue Service or any court. The Internal Revenue Service may challenge part or all of their opinion and such a challenge could be successful.

Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors as to the particular tax consequences to them of their participation in the offering and their ownership and disposition of the notes, including the applicability of any U.S. federal tax laws or any state, local or foreign tax laws or any treaty, and any changes (or proposed changes) in applicable tax laws or interpretations thereof.

Considerations Relating to U.S. Holders

As used herein, the term “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a note that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or any other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate whose income is includible in gross income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and which has one or more U.S. persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or that has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

If a partnership holds notes, the tax treatment of a partner will generally depend upon the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. We suggest that partners of a partnership holding notes consult their tax advisors.

 

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Payments of Stated Interest

A U.S. Holder will be required to include interest on each note in his, her or its income as ordinary income in accordance with such U.S. Holder’s method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Possible Contingent Payments

The holders of the notes have the right to require us to repurchase all or any part of such holders’ notes upon a Change of Control. See “Description of the Notes—Change of Control.” Under the contingent payment debt rules of the original issue discount regulations, certain possible payments are not treated as contingencies or are excepted from consideration for purposes of calculating original issue discount (for example, in cases which the possible payments are remote, incidental, or fit certain other exceptions). We intend to take the position that a repurchase at the option of a holder if a Change of Control occurs is remote. Therefore, we do not intend, on the issuance date, to treat the repurchase option as affecting the computation of the yield-to-maturity of the notes.

In addition, we have the right to redeem the notes prior to their stated maturity. See “Description of the Notes—Optional Redemption.” Under applicable Treasury regulations, an unconditional option to redeem a debt instrument will be assumed to be exercised if such exercise will lower the yield-to-maturity of the debt instrument. We do not intend, on the issuance date, to treat any of our redemption rights as affecting the computation of the yield-to-maturity of the notes. The Internal Revenue Service may take a different position regarding the payment or potential payment of amounts in excess of stated interest or principal, in which case the timing, amount and character of income with respect to the notes may be different, and a U.S. Holder could be required to treat as ordinary interest income any gain recognized on the disposition of a note. Prospective holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential effect, if any, of these matters on their particular situation.

Sale, Retirement or Disposition

Upon the sale, retirement at maturity or other disposition of a note, a U.S. Holder generally will recognize taxable gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the sum of cash plus the fair market value of all other property received on such disposition (except to the extent such cash or property is attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will be taxable as ordinary income to the extent not previously included in income) and (ii) such U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in the note. A U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in a note generally will equal the cost of the note to such U.S. Holder. Gain or loss recognized on the disposition of a note generally will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of such disposition, the U.S. Holder’s holding period for the note is more than one year. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate U.S. Holders are currently eligible for reduced rates of taxation. The deductibility of capital losses by a U.S. Holder is subject to limitations.

Medicare Contributions Tax

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, a 3.8% tax is imposed on the net investment income (which includes interest and gross proceeds of a disposition of notes) of certain individuals, trusts and estates.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Information reporting requirements generally will apply to payments of principal and interest made by us on, or the proceeds of the sale or other disposition prior to maturity of, the notes. Backup withholding tax, currently at a rate of 28%, may apply to such payments if the U.S. Holder fails to:

 

   

furnish his, her or its taxpayer identification number (social security or employer identification number);

 

   

certify that his, her or its number is correct;

 

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certify that he, she, or it is not subject to backup withholding; or

 

   

otherwise comply with the applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules.

Certain U.S. Holders are not subject to backup withholding and information reporting requirements. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against such U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

Considerations Relating to Non-U.S. Holders

As used herein, the term “Non-U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of a note that is an individual, corporation, trust or estate and is not a U.S. Holder.

Payment of Interest

In general, payments of interest received by a Non-U.S. Holder will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, provided that:

 

  (i) the Non-U.S. Holder, as beneficial owner,

 

  (a) does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined voting power of all of our classes of our stock entitled to vote;

 

  (b) is not a controlled foreign corporation that is related to us actually or constructively through stock ownership; and

 

  (c) is not a bank receiving the interest pursuant to a loan agreement entered into in its ordinary course of business;

 

  (ii) the interest payments are not effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a U.S. trade or business, and

 

  (iii) the Non-U.S. Holder, as beneficial owner, satisfies the certification requirement.

The certification requirement is generally satisfied if the beneficial owner of a note certifies on IRS Form W-8BEN (or a suitable substitute or successor form), under penalties of perjury, that he, she or it is not a U.S. person and provides his, her or its name and address, and

 

   

such beneficial owner timely files the IRS Form W-8BEN (or a suitable substitute or successor form) with the withholding agent; or

 

   

in the case of notes held on behalf of a beneficial owner by a securities clearing organization, bank or other financial institution that holds customers’ securities in the ordinary course of its trade or business, the financial institution files with the withholding agent a statement that it has received the Form W-8BEN (or a suitable substitute or successor form) from the Non-U.S. Holder or from another financial institution acting on behalf of that Non-U.S. Holder, timely furnishes the withholding agent with a copy thereof and otherwise complies with the applicable certification requirements. A withholding agent, as used herein, is generally the last U.S. payor (or a non-U.S. payor who is a qualified intermediary, U.S. branch of a foreign person, or a withholding foreign partnership) in the chain of payment prior to payment to a Non-U.S. Holder (which itself is not a withholding agent).

Other alternative procedures exist in order to satisfy the certification requirement, depending upon the circumstances applicable to the Non-U.S. Holder, including but not limited to situations where the notes are held by certain intermediaries or partnerships. The certification requirement is not met if either we or the withholding agent have actual knowledge or reason to know that the beneficial owner is a U.S. Holder or that the conditions

 

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of any exemption are not, in fact, satisfied. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their own tax advisors regarding the certification requirements for Non-U.S. Holders and the effect, if any, of the certification requirements on their particular situation.

Payments of interest not exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax as described above will be subject to such withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless (i) subject to reduction under an applicable income tax treaty or (ii) the interest is effectively connected to a U.S. trade or business and the holder provides IRS Form W-8ECI (or a suitable substitute or successor form) to the withholding agent and meets any other applicable certification requirements. In order to claim a reduced or zero withholding rate under an applicable income tax treaty, the beneficial owner of the note must, under penalties of perjury, provide the withholding agent with a properly completed and executed IRS Form W-8BEN (or a suitable substitute or successor form) claiming an exemption from, or reduction in the rate of, withholding under the benefit of such applicable income tax treaty and meet any other applicable certification requirements.

Sale, Retirement or Disposition

A Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax (and generally no tax will be withheld) with respect to gain (excluding gain representing accrued interest, in which case the rules for interest apply) realized on the sale, retirement at maturity or other disposition of a note unless:

 

   

the Non-U.S. Holder is an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 or more days in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met; or

 

   

such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the Non-U.S. Holder of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the note is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Holder).

U.S. Trade or Business

If a Non-U.S. Holder holds a note in connection with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, the note is attributable to a U.S. permanent establishment of the Non-U.S. Holder):

 

  (i) any interest on the note, and any gain from disposing of the note, generally will be subject to income tax at U.S. federal income tax rates as if the holder were a U.S. Holder, and

 

  (ii) Non-U.S. Holders that are corporations may be subject to the “branch profits tax” on earnings that are connected with a U.S. trade or business, including earnings from the note.

The branch profits tax is 30% of the “dividend equivalent amount,” subject to adjustment, but may be reduced or eliminated by an applicable income tax treaty or otherwise adjusted.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

The withholding agent must report annually to the Internal Revenue Service and to each Non-U.S. Holder on IRS Form 1042-S (or a suitable substitute or successor form) the amount of interest paid on a note, regardless of whether withholding was required, and any tax withheld with respect to interest. Under the provisions of certain U.S. income tax treaties and other applicable agreements, copies of these information returns may be available to the tax authorities of the country in which the Non-U.S. Holder resides. Backup withholding generally will not apply to payments of interest to a Non-U.S. Holder if the certification requirements described above under “Considerations Relating to Non-U.S. Holders—Payment of Interest” are met, provided the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a U.S. Holder or that the conditions of any other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied. Moreover, payment of the principal or the proceeds of a sale,

 

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exchange, retirement or other disposition of a note are generally not subject to information reporting and backup withholding if the certification requirements described above under “Considerations Relating to Non-U.S. Holders—Payment of Interest” are met, provided the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the holder is a U.S. Holder or that the conditions of any other exemption are not, in fact, satisfied.

Non-U.S. Holders of notes should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding in their particular situations, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedure for obtaining such an exemption, if available. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules from a payment to a Non-U.S. Holder will be allowed as a credit against such Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

 

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UNDERWRITING

We intend to offer the notes through the underwriters. Subject to the terms and conditions in the underwriting agreement between us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to each underwriter, and each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of notes that appears opposite its name in the table below:

 

Underwriter

   Principal
Amount
 

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

   $                 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

  

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

  

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

  

Credit Agricole Securities (USA) Inc.

  

Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.

  

Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc.

  

UBS Securities LLC

  

Capital One Southcoast, Inc.

  

CIBC World Markets Corp.

  

Comerica Securities, Inc.

  

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

  

ING Financial Markets LLC

  

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc.

  

KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc.

  

SMBC Nikko Capital Markets Limited

  

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

  
  
  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 1,000,000,000  
  

 

 

 

The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters will purchase all the notes if any of them are purchased.

In the underwriting agreement, we have agreed that we will indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments the underwriters may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.

The notes do not have an established trading market. We do not intend to apply for the notes to be listed on any securities exchange or to arrange for the notes to be quoted on any quotation system. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes. However, they are not obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time in their sole discretion. Therefore, we cannot assure you that a liquid trading market will develop for the notes, that you will be able to sell your notes at a particular time or that the prices that you receive when you sell will be favorable.

The underwriters initially propose to offer part of the notes directly to the public at the offering prices described on the cover page of this prospectus and part to certain dealers at prices that represent a concession not in excess of         % of the principal amount of the notes. The underwriters may allow, and any such dealer may re-allow, a concession not in excess of         % of the principal amount of the notes to certain other dealers. After the initial offering of the notes, the underwriters may from time to time vary the offering prices and other selling terms.

 

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The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discount, are estimated at $0.7 million and are payable by us.

In connection with this offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in overallotments, stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions in accordance with Regulation M under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which creates a short position for the underwriters. Stabilizing transactions involve bids to purchase the notes in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing or maintaining the price of the notes, as applicable. Syndicate covering transactions involve purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions and syndicate covering transactions may cause the price of the notes to be higher than it would otherwise be in the absence of those transactions. If the underwriters engage in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

Each of the underwriters and/or their respective affiliates performs investment banking, commercial banking and financial advisory services for us in the normal course of business. In addition, each of the underwriters is a lender or agent under our credit facility. In addition, in the ordinary course of their business activities, the initial purchasers and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers. Such investments and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of ours or our affiliates. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates that have a lending relationship with us routinely hedge, and certain other of the underwriters or their affiliates that have a lending relationship with us may hedge, their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the notes offered hereby. Any such short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the notes offered hereby. The initial purchasers and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Simultaneously with this offering, we are offering to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding $426.4 million aggregate principal amount of our 9 3/4% Notes and $224.9 million aggregate principal amount of our 9 1/2% Notes. We will use the net proceeds from this offering to repurchase all of the notes tendered in the tender offers. Furthermore, we intend to redeem the 9 3/4% Notes and the 9 1/2% Notes to the extent they are not tendered using proceeds of this offering, and we may use any remaining proceeds for repayment of current borrowings under our bank credit facility, and then for general corporate purposes. As a result, the underwriters or their affiliates that hold our 9 3/4% Notes and 9 1/2% Notes or who are lenders under our bank credit facility would receive their pro rata share of the net proceeds from this offering that we use to repurchase or redeem such notes or repay such credit facility.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

Certain legal matters with respect to the notes offered hereby and related guarantees will be passed upon for us by Baker & Hostetler LLP, Houston, Texas. The validity of the notes offered hereby and related guarantees will be passed upon for the underwriters by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

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

Certain information with respect to the oil and gas reserves associated with Denbury’s oil and gas properties is derived from the reports of DeGolyer and MacNaughton, an independent petroleum engineering firm, and has been included in this document upon the authority of said firm as experts with respect to the matters covered by such reports and in giving such reports.

 

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GLOSSARY

The following are abbreviations and definitions of certain terms commonly used in the oil and gas industry and this document:

Bbl.  One stock tank barrel of 42 U.S. gallons liquid volume, used herein in reference to crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.

Bbls/d.  Barrels of oil produced per day.

Bcf.  One billion cubic feet of natural gas, CO2, or helium.

BOE.  One barrel of oil equivalent, using the ratio of one barrel of crude oil, condensate or natural gas liquids to 6 Mcf of natural gas.

BOE/d.  BOEs produced per day.

CO2.  Carbon dioxide.

Development costs.* Costs incurred to obtain access to proved reserves and to provide facilities for extracting, treating, gathering and storing the oil and gas.

Differential.  The difference between the net realized commodity prices received on a per unit basis, as compared to the actual NYMEX prices posted on a per unit basis.

EOR.  Enhanced oil recovery.

Field.* An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped on or related to the same individual geological structural feature and/or stratigraphic condition.

MBbls.  One thousand barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.

Mcf.  One thousand cubic feet of natural gas, CO2 or helium at a temperature base of 60 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) and at the legal pressure base (14.65 to 15.025 pounds per square inch absolute) of the state or area in which the reserves are located or sales are made.

MBOE.  One thousand BOEs.

MMBbls.  One million barrels of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons.

MMBOE.  One million BOEs.

MMBtu.  One million British thermal units.

MMcf.  One million cubic feet of natural gas, CO2 or helium.

NYMEX.  New York Mercantile Exchange.

Production costs.* Costs incurred to operate and maintain wells and related equipment and facilities, including depreciation and applicable operating costs of support equipment and facilities and other costs of operating and maintaining those wells and related equipment and facilities.

 

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Proved developed reserves.* Reserves that can be expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods.

Proved properties.  Properties with proved reserves.

Proved oil and gas reserves.* The estimated quantities of reserves that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be recoverable in future years from known reservoirs under existing economic and operating conditions.

PV-10 Value.  When used with respect to oil and natural gas reserves, PV-10 Value means the estimated future gross revenue to be generated from the production of proved reserves, net of estimated future production, development and abandonment costs, and before income taxes, discounted to a present value using an annual discount rate of 10%. PV-10 Values were prepared using average hydrocarbon prices equal to the unweighted arithmetic average of hydrocarbon prices on the first day of each month within the 12-month period preceding the reporting date. PV-10 Value is a non-GAAP measure.

Reservoir.  A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible oil and/or gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers and is individual and separate from other reservoirs.

Standardized measure.  The present value, discounted at 10% per year, of estimated future net revenues from the production of proved reserves, computed by applying sales prices and deducting the estimated future costs to be incurred in developing, producing and abandoning the proved reserves (computed based on current costs and assuming continuation of existing economic conditions). Future income taxes are calculated by applying the statutory federal and state income tax rate to pre-tax future net cash flows, net of the tax basis of the properties involved and utilization of available tax carryforwards related to oil and natural gas operations. Sales prices were prepared using average hydrocarbon prices equal to the unweighted arithmetic average of hydrocarbon prices on the first day of each month within the 12-month period preceding the reporting date (except for consideration of price changes to the extent provided by contractual arrangements).

Tcf.  One trillion cubic feet of natural gas, CO2 or helium.

Tertiary recovery operations.  An enhanced recovery operation that normally occurs after waterflooding, in which chemicals or natural gases (CO2) are used as the injectant.

* This definition is an abbreviated version of the complete definition as defined by the SEC in Rule 4-10(a) of Regulation S-X. For the complete definition see: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=17:2.0.1.1.8&idno=17.

 

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LOGO

 

 

 

 

 

 


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PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth the costs and expenses payable by us in connection with the sale of securities being registered hereby. All amounts are estimates, except the registration fee.

 

SEC registration fee

   $ 136,400  

Accounting fees

     125,000  

Legal fees and expenses

     300,000  

Printing and engraving fees and expenses

     100,000  

Miscellaneous

     38,600  
  

 

 

 

Total

   $ 700,000  
  

 

 

 

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), empowers us under specified circumstances to indemnify our directors, officers, employees and agents in connection with actions, suits or proceedings brought against them or threatened by reason of the fact that they were our directors, officers, employees or agents, so long as they acted in good faith and in a manner that they reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of our Company, and with respect to any criminal action, that they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. With respect to suits by or in the right of our Company, however, indemnification is generally limited to attorneys’ fees and other expenses and is not available if such person is adjudged to be liable to us, unless a court determines that indemnification is appropriate.

Article IX of our Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation requires indemnification of directors, officers and other employees to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL. Furthermore, Article IX explicitly provides that:

 

   

we may advance expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, to individuals entitled to indemnification;

 

   

we may not take any action to diminish or reduce the rights of individuals entitled to indemnification after the occurrence of the events to which the indemnification relates; and

 

   

any person entitled to indemnification by us may bring suit against us if we do not pay them within 30 days after receiving a written demand for indemnification and, if successful, such person may recover their expenses for such suit, including attorneys’ fees, from us. In the suit, we will have the burden of proving any defense that the person is not eligible for indemnification under the DGCL.

Additionally, we maintain directors and officers insurance which includes coverage for liability under the federal securities laws.

Article X of our Certificate of Incorporation limits the personal liability of a director to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director provided that a director’s liability may not be limited (i) for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 (relating to liability for unauthorized acquisitions or redemptions of, or dividends on, capital stock) of the DGCL or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

 

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Item 16. Exhibits

 

Exhibit

No.

 

Document Description

  1**   Underwriting Agreement between Denbury Resources Inc. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated.
  3.1   Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Denbury Resources Inc. (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 3(a) of our Form 10-Q filed November 8, 2012).
  3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of Denbury Resources Inc., a Delaware corporation, adopted May 15, 2012 (incorporated by reference as Exhibit 3.2 of our Form 8-K filed May 21, 2012).
  4.1*   Form of Indenture among Denbury Resources Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, covering the debt securities offered hereunder, including Form of Note attached thereto.
  5.1*   Opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP as to the validity of the Debt Securities being registered.
  8.1*   Opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP, relating to tax matters.
12*   Denbury Resources Inc. Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23.1*   Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2*   Consent of DeGolyer and MacNaughton.
23.3*   Consent of Baker & Hostetler LLP (included in Exhibits 5.1 and 8.1).
24*   Power of Attorney (included on signature page).
25*   Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for the Debt Securities.

 

* Filed herewith
** To be filed by amendment on Form 8-K

 

Item 17. Undertakings

 

  (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

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

 

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

 

  (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

 

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

provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is

 

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contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

  (A) Each prospectus filed by a registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

 

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

 

  (5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of a registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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  (b) The undersigned registrant hereby understands that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

  (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

  (d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

  (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

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

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Plano, State of Texas, on January 22, 2013.

 

DENBURY RESOURCES INC.
By:   /s/ Mark C. Allen
 

Mark C. Allen

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Phil Rykhoek, Mark C. Allen and Alan Rhoades, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Phil Rykhoek

Phil Rykhoek

   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Mark C. Allen

Mark C. Allen

   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Alan Rhoades

Alan Rhoades

   Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Wieland Wettstein

Wieland Wettstein

   Chairman of the Board of Directors   January 22, 2013

/s/ Michael L. Beatty

Michael L. Beatty

   Director   January 22, 2013

/s/ Michael B. Decker

Michael B. Decker

   Director   January 22, 2013

/s/ Ronald G. Greene

Ronald G. Greene

   Director   January 22, 2013

 

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Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Gregory L. McMichael

Gregory L. McMichael

   Director   January 22, 2013

/s/ Kevin O. Meyers

Kevin O. Meyers

   Director   January 22, 2013

/s/ Randy Stein

Randy Stein

   Director   January 22, 2013

/s/ Laura A. Sugg

Laura A. Sugg

   Director   January 22, 2013

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Plano, State of Texas, on January 22, 2013.

 

DENBURY AIR, LLC
By:   /s/ Mark C. Allen
 

Mark C. Allen

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Phil Rykhoek, Mark C. Allen and Alan Rhoades, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Phil Rykhoek

Phil Rykhoek

   Manager, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Mark C. Allen

Mark C. Allen

   Manager, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Robert L. Cornelius

Robert L. Cornelius

   Manager, Senior Vice President – CO2 Operations and Assistant Secretary   January 22, 2013

/s/ Craig McPherson

Craig McPherson

   Manager, Senior Vice President – Production Operations   January 22, 2013

/s/ Alan Rhoades

Alan Rhoades

   Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   January 22, 2013

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Plano, State of Texas, on January 22, 2013.

 

DENBURY GATHERING & MARKETING, INC.
By:   /s/ Mark C. Allen
 

Mark C. Allen

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Phil Rykhoek, Mark C. Allen and Alan Rhoades, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Phil Rykhoek

Phil Rykhoek

   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Mark C. Allen

Mark C. Allen

   Director, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Robert L. Cornelius

Robert L. Cornelius

   Director, Senior Vice President – CO2 Operations and Assistant Secretary   January 22, 2013

/s/ Craig McPherson

Craig McPherson

   Director, Senior Vice President – Production Operations   January 22, 2013

/s/ Alan Rhoades

Alan Rhoades

   Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   January 22, 2013

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Plano, State of Texas, on January 22, 2013.

 

DENBURY GREEN PIPELINE—TEXAS, LLC
By:   /s/ Mark C. Allen
 

Mark C. Allen

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Phil Rykhoek, Mark C. Allen and Alan Rhoades, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Phil Rykhoek

Phil Rykhoek

   Manager, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Mark C. Allen

Mark C. Allen

   Manager, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Robert L. Cornelius

Robert L. Cornelius

   Manager, Senior Vice President – CO2 Operations and Assistant Secretary   January 22, 2013

/s/ Craig McPherson

Craig McPherson

   Manager, Senior Vice President – Production Operations   January 22, 2013

/s/ Alan Rhoades

Alan Rhoades

   Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   January 22, 2013

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Plano, State of Texas, on January 22, 2013.

 

DENBURY GULF COAST PIPELINES, LLC
By:   /s/ Mark C. Allen
 

Mark C. Allen

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Phil Rykhoek, Mark C. Allen and Alan Rhoades, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Phil Rykhoek

Phil Rykhoek

   Manager, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Mark C. Allen

Mark C. Allen

   Manager, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Robert L. Cornelius

Robert L. Cornelius

   Manager, Senior Vice President – CO2 Operations and Assistant Secretary   January 22, 2013

/s/ Craig McPherson

Craig McPherson

   Manager, Senior Vice President – Production Operations   January 22, 2013

/s/ Alan Rhoades

Alan Rhoades

   Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   January 22, 2013

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Plano, State of Texas, on January 22, 2013.

 

DENBURY HOLDINGS, INC.
By:   /s/ Mark C. Allen
 

Mark C. Allen

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Phil Rykhoek, Mark C. Allen and Alan Rhoades, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Phil Rykhoek

Phil Rykhoek

   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Mark C. Allen

Mark C. Allen

   Director, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Robert L. Cornelius

Robert L. Cornelius

   Director, Senior Vice President – CO2 Operations and Assistant Secretary   January 22, 2013

/s/ Craig McPherson

Craig McPherson

   Director, Senior Vice President – Production Operations   January 22, 2013

/s/ Alan Rhoades

Alan Rhoades

   Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   January 22, 2013

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Plano, State of Texas, on January 22, 2013.

 

DENBURY ONSHORE, LLC
By:   /s/ Mark C. Allen
 

Mark C. Allen

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Phil Rykhoek, Mark C. Allen and Alan Rhoades, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Phil Rykhoek

Phil Rykhoek

   Manager, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Mark C. Allen

Mark C. Allen

   Manager, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Robert L. Cornelius

Robert L. Cornelius

   Manager, Senior Vice President – CO2 Operations and Assistant Secretary   January 22, 2013

/s/ Craig McPherson

Craig McPherson

   Manager, Senior Vice President – Production Operations   January 22, 2013

/s/ Alan Rhoades

Alan Rhoades

   Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   January 22, 2013

 

II-12


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Plano, State of Texas, on January 22, 2013.

 

DENBURY OPERATING COMPANY
By:   /s/ Mark C. Allen
 

Mark C. Allen

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Phil Rykhoek, Mark C. Allen and Alan Rhoades, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Phil Rykhoek

Phil Rykhoek

   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Mark C. Allen

Mark C. Allen

   Director, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Robert L. Cornelius

Robert L. Cornelius

   Director, Senior Vice President – CO2 Operations and Assistant Secretary   January 22, 2013

/s/ Craig McPherson

Craig McPherson

   Director, Senior Vice President – Production Operations   January 22, 2013

/s/ Alan Rhoades

Alan Rhoades

   Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   January 22, 2013

 

II-13


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Plano, State of Texas, on January 22, 2013.

 

DENBURY PIPELINE HOLDINGS, LLC
By:   /s/ Mark C. Allen
 

Mark C. Allen

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Phil Rykhoek, Mark C. Allen and Alan Rhoades, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Phil Rykhoek

Phil Rykhoek

   Manager, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Mark C. Allen

Mark C. Allen

   Manager, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Robert L. Cornelius

Robert L. Cornelius

   Manager, Senior Vice President – CO2 Operations and Assistant Secretary   January 22, 2013

/s/ Craig McPherson

Craig McPherson

   Manager, Senior Vice President – Production Operations   January 22, 2013

/s/ Alan Rhoades

Alan Rhoades

   Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   January 22, 2013

 

II-14


Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Plano, State of Texas, on January 22, 2013.

 

GREENCORE PIPELINE COMPANY LLC
By:   /s/ Mark C. Allen
 

Mark C. Allen

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Phil Rykhoek, Mark C. Allen and Alan Rhoades, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ Phil Rykhoek

Phil Rykhoek

   Manager, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Mark C. Allen

Mark C. Allen

   Manager, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)   January 22, 2013

/s/ Robert L. Cornelius

Robert L. Cornelius

   Manager, Senior Vice President – CO2 Operations and Assistant Secretary   January 22, 2013

/s/ Craig McPherson

Craig McPherson

   Manager, Senior Vice President – Production Operations   January 22, 2013

/s/ Alan Rhoades

Alan Rhoades

   Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)   January 22, 2013

 

II-15


Table of Contents

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Document Description

  4.1    Form of Indenture among Denbury Resources Inc., certain of its subsidiaries, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, covering the debt securities offered hereunder, including Form of Note attached thereto.
  5.1    Opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP as to the validity of the securities being registered.
  8.1    Opinion of Baker & Hostetler LLP relating to tax matters.
12    Denbury Resources Inc. Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
23.1    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
23.2    Consent of DeGolyer and MacNaughton.
25    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for the Debt Securities.

 

II-16

EX-4.1 2 d470925dex41.htm FORM OF INDENTURE Form of Indenture

Exhibit 4.1

 

 

 

DENBURY RESOURCES INC.,

Issuer

[•]% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2023

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of [•], 2013

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Trustee

 

 

 


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)

     7.10   

 (b)

     7.08; 7.10   

 (c)

     N.A.   

311(a)

     7.11   

 (b)

     7.11   

 (c)

     N.A.   

312(a)

     2.05   

 (b)

     13.03   

 (c)

     13.03   

313(a)

     7.06   

 (b)(1)

     7.06   

 (b)(2)

     7.06   

 (c)

     13.02   

 (d)

     7.06   

314(a)

     4.02; 4.11; 13.02   

 (b)

     N.A.   

 (c)(1)

     2.02; 13.04   

 (c)(2)

     2.02; 13.04   

 (c)(3)

     N.A.   

 (d)

     N.A.   

 (e)

     13.05   

 (f)

     N.A.   

315(a)

     7.01   

 (b)

     7.05; 13.02   

 (c)

     7.01   

 (d)

     7.01   

 (e)

     6.11   

316(a)(last sentence)

     13.06   

 (a)(1)(A)

     6.05   

 (a)(1)(B)

     6.04   

 (a)(2)

     N.A.   

 (b)

     6.07   

 (c)

     N.A.   

317(a)(1)

     6.08   

 (a)(2)

     6.09   

 (b)

     2.04   

 318(a)

     13.01   

 (b)

     N.A.   

 (c)

     N.A.   

N.A. means Not Applicable.

 

Note: This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE 1

  

Definitions and Incorporation by Reference

  

Section 1.01.

  Definitions      1   

Section 1.02.

  Other Definitions      24   

Section 1.03.

  Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act      24   

Section 1.04.

  Rules of Construction      25   

ARTICLE 2

 

The Securities

  

Section 2.01.

  Form and Dating      25   

Section 2.02.

  Execution and Authentication      25   

Section 2.03.

  Registrar and Paying Agent      26   

Section 2.04.

  Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust      27   

Section 2.05.

  Securityholder Lists      27   

Section 2.06.

  Transfer and Exchange      27   

Section 2.07.

  Replacement Securities      27   

Section 2.08.

  Outstanding Securities      27   

Section 2.09.

  Temporary Securities      28   

Section 2.10.

  Cancellation      28   

Section 2.11.

  Defaulted Interest      28   

Section 2.12.

  CUSIP Numbers      28   

Section 2.13.

  Issuance of Additional Securities      29   

ARTICLE 3

  

Redemption

  

Section 3.01.

  Notices to Trustee      29   

Section 3.02.

  Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed      29   

Section 3.03.

  Notice of Redemption      30   

Section 3.04.

  Effect of Notice of Redemption      30   

Section 3.05.

  Deposit of Redemption Price      30   

Section 3.06.

  Securities Redeemed in Part      30   

 

i


         Page  

ARTICLE 4

  

Covenants

  

Section 4.01.

  Payment of Securities      31   

Section 4.02.

  SEC Reports      31   

Section 4.03.

  Limitation on Indebtedness      31   

Section 4.04.

  Incurrence of Layered Indebtedness      33   

Section 4.05.

  Limitation on Restricted Payments      33   

Section 4.06.

  Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries      35   

Section 4.07.

  Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock      36   

Section 4.08.

  Limitation on Affiliate Transactions      38   

Section 4.09.

  Change of Control      39   

Section 4.10.

  Limitation on Liens      40   

Section 4.11.

  Compliance Certificate      40   

Section 4.12.

  Further Instruments and Acts      40   

Section 4.13.

  Future Subsidiary Guarantors      40   

Section 4.14.

  Suspension of Certain Covenants      40   

ARTICLE 5

  

Successor Company

  

Section 5.01.

  When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets      41   

Section 5.02.

  When Subsidiary Guarantors May Merge or Transfer Assets      42   

ARTICLE 6

  

Defaults and Remedies

  

Section 6.01.

  Events of Default      43   

Section 6.02.

  Acceleration      45   

Section 6.03.

  Other Remedies      45   

Section 6.04.

  Waiver of Past Defaults      45   

Section 6.05.

  Control by Majority      46   

Section 6.06.

  Limitation on Suits      46   

Section 6.07.

  Rights of Holders To Receive Payment      46   

Section 6.08.

  Collection Suit by Trustee      46   

Section 6.09.

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      46   

Section 6.10.

  Priorities      47   

Section 6.11.

  Undertaking for Costs      47   

Section 6.12.

  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws      47   

 

ii


         Page  

ARTICLE 7

  

Trustee

  

Section 7.01.

  Duties of Trustee      48   

Section 7.02.

  Rights of Trustee      49   

Section 7.03.

  Individual Rights of Trustee      49   

Section 7.04.

  Trustee’s Disclaimer      49   

Section 7.05.

  Notice of Defaults      50   

Section 7.06.

  Reports by Trustee to Holders      50   

Section 7.07.

  Compensation and Indemnity      50   

Section 7.08.

  Replacement of Trustee      51   

Section 7.09.

  Successor Trustee by Merger      51   

Section 7.10.

  Eligibility; Disqualification      52   

Section 7.11.

  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company      52   

ARTICLE 8

  

Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance

  

Section 8.01.

  Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance      52   

Section 8.02.

  Conditions to Defeasance      53   

Section 8.03.

  Application of Trust Money      54   

Section 8.04.

  Repayment to Company      54   

Section 8.05.

  Indemnity for Government Obligations      54   

Section 8.06.

  Reinstatement      54   

ARTICLE 9

  

Amendments

  

Section 9.01.

  Without Consent of Holders      55   

Section 9.02.

  With Consent of Holders      56   

Section 9.03.

  Compliance with Trust Indenture Act      57   

Section 9.04.

  Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers      57   

Section 9.05.

  Notation on or Exchange of Securities      57   

Section 9.06.

  Trustee To Sign Amendments      57   

Section 9.07.

  Payment for Consent      57   

 

iii


         Page  

ARTICLE 10

  

Subordination of the Securities

  

Section 10.01.

  Agreement To Subordinate      58   

Section 10.02.

  Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy      58   

Section 10.03.

  Default on Designated Senior Indebtedness      58   

Section 10.04.

  Acceleration of Payment of Securities      59   

Section 10.05.

  When Distribution Must Be Paid Over      59   

Section 10.06.

  Subrogation      59   

Section 10.07.

  Relative Rights      59   

Section 10.08.

  Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company      60   

Section 10.09.

  Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent      60   

Section 10.10.

  Distribution or Notice to Representative      60   

Section 10.11.

  Article 10 Not To Prevent Events of Default or Limit Right To Accelerate      60   

Section 10.12.

  Trust Moneys Not Subordinated      60   

Section 10.13.

  Trustee Entitled To Rely      60   

Section 10.14.

  Trustee To Effectuate Subordination      61   

Section 10.15.

  Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company      61   

Section 10.16.

  Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company on Subordination Provisions      61   

ARTICLE 11

  

Subsidiary Guarantees

  

Section 11.01.

  Subsidiary Guarantees      61   

Section 11.02.

  Limitation on Liability      63   

Section 11.03.

  Successors and Assigns      64   

Section 11.04.

  No Waiver      64   

Section 11.05.

  Modification      64   

Section 11.06.

  Release of Subsidiary Guarantor      64   

ARTICLE 12

  

Subordination of Subsidiary Guarantees

  

Section 12.01.

  Agreement To Subordinate      64   

Section 12.02.

  Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy      65   

Section 12.03.

  Default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of Subsidiary Guarantor      65   

 

iv


         Page  

Section 12.04.

  Demand for Payment      66   

Section 12.05.

  When Distribution Must Be Paid Over      66   

Section 12.06.

  Subrogation      66   

Section 12.07.

  Relative Rights      66   

Section 12.08.

  Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Subsidiary Guarantor      67   

Section 12.09.

  Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent      67   

Section 12.10.

  Distribution or Notice to Representative      67   

Section 12.11.

  Article 12 Not To Prevent Defaults Under a Subsidiary Guarantee or Limit Right To Demand Payment      67   

Section 12.12.

  Trustee Entitled To Rely      67   

Section 12.13.

  Trustee To Effectuate Subordination      68   

Section 12.14.

  Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness of Subsidiary Guarantor      68   

Section 12.15.

  Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions      68   

ARTICLE 13

  

Miscellaneous

  

Section 13.01.

  Trust Indenture Act Controls      68   

Section 13.02.

  Notices      68   

Section 13.03.

  Communication by Holders with Other Holders      69   

Section 13.04.

  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      69   

Section 13.05.

  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      69   

Section 13.06.

  When Securities Disregarded      70   

Section 13.07.

  Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar      70   

Section 13.08.

  Legal Holidays      70   

Section 13.09.

  Governing Law      70   

Section 13.10.

  No Recourse Against Others      70   

Section 13.11.

  Successors      71   

Section 13.12.

  Multiple Originals      71   

Section 13.13.

  Table of Contents; Headings      71   

Section 13.14.

  Severability      71   

 

Exhibit 1

   Form of Supplemental Indenture

Exhibit A

   Form of Security

 

v


INDENTURE dated as of [•], 2013, among DENBURY RESOURCES INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), certain of the Company’s subsidiaries signatory hereto (each, a “Subsidiary Guarantor” and, collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”) and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (the “Trustee”).

Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company’s $[•]aggregate principal amount of [•]% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 issued on the Issue Date (the “Securities”):

ARTICLE 1

Definitions and Incorporation by Reference

Section 1.01. Definitions.

Additional Assets” means (i) any property or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) in the Oil and Gas Business; (ii) the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; or (iii) Capital Stock constituting a non-controlling interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that any such Restricted Subsidiary described in clauses (ii) or (iii) above is primarily engaged in the Oil and Gas Business.

Additional Securities” means, subject to the Company’s compliance with Section 4.03, [•]% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 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, 3.06 or 9.05 of this Indenture).

Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” or “ACNTA” means (without duplication), as of the date of determination, (a) the sum of (i) the discounted future net revenue from proved crude oil, natural gas and helium reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines before any state or federal income taxes, as estimated in a reserve report prepared as of the end of the Company’s most recently completed fiscal year, which reserve report is prepared or reviewed by independent petroleum engineers, as increased by, as of the date of determination, the discounted future net revenue of (A) estimated proved crude oil, natural gas and helium reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to acquisitions consummated since the date of such year-end reserve report, and (B) estimated crude oil, natural gas and helium reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries attributable to extensions, discoveries and other additions and upward determinations of estimates of proved crude oil, natural gas and helium reserves (including previously estimated development costs incurred during the period and the accretion of discount since the prior year end) due to exploration, development or exploitation, production or other activities which reserves were not reflected in such year-end reserve report which would, in the case of determinations made pursuant to clauses (A) and (B), in accordance with standard industry practice, result in such determinations, in each case 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 attributable to (C) estimated proved crude oil, natural gas and helium reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such year-end reserve report produced or disposed of since the date of such year-end reserve report and (D) reductions in the estimated crude oil, natural gas and helium reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in such year-end reserve report since the date of such year-end reserve report attributable to downward determinations of estimates of proved crude oil, natural gas and helium 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 would, in the case of determinations made pursuant to clauses (C) and (D), in accordance with standard industry practice, result in such determinations, in each case calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines (utilizing the prices utilized in such year-end reserve report); provided, however, 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, except that if as a result of such acquisitions, dispositions, discoveries, extensions or revisions, there is a Material Change which is an increase, then such increases and decreases in the discounted future net revenue shall be confirmed in writing by an independent petroleum engineer, (ii) the capitalized costs that are attributable to crude oil, natural gas and helium properties of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries to which no proved crude oil, natural gas and helium reserves are attributed, 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 of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of a date no earlier than the date of the Company’s latest audited financial statements (provided that the Company shall not be required to obtain such an appraisal of such assets if no such appraisal has been performed), minus (b) to the extent not otherwise taken into account in the immediately preceding clause (a), the sum of (i) noncontrolling interests, (ii) any natural gas balancing liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries reflected in the Company’s latest audited financial statements, (iii) 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, (iv) 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 that 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 and (v) the discounted future net revenue, calculated in accordance with SEC guidelines, attributable to reserves subject to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments that, based on the estimates of production included in determining the discounted future net revenue specified in the immediately preceding clause (a)(i) (utilizing the same prices utilized in the Company’s year-end reserve report), would be necessary to satisfy fully the obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments on the schedules specified with respect thereto.

 

2


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 Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. For purposes of Sections 4.05, 4.07 and 4.08 only, “Affiliate” shall also mean any beneficial owner of Capital Stock representing 10% or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of the Company or of rights or warrants to purchase such Capital Stock (whether or not currently exercisable) and any Person who would be an Affiliate of any such beneficial owner pursuant to the first sentence hereof.

Asset Disposition” means any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition (or series of related sales, leases, transfers or dispositions) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any disposition by means of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction (each referred to for the purposes of this definition as a “disposition”), of (i) any shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary), (ii) all or substantially all the assets of any division or line of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or (iii) any other assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the ordinary course of business of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, none of the following shall be deemed to be an Asset Disposition: (1) a disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Wholly Owned Subsidiary, (2) for purposes of Section 4.07 only, a disposition that constitutes a Restricted Payment permitted by Section 4.05, a disposition of all or substantially all the assets of the Company in compliance with Section 5.01 or a disposition that constitutes a Change of Control pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition thereof, (3) the sale or transfer (whether or not in the ordinary course of business) of crude oil and natural gas properties or direct or indirect interests in real property; provided, however, that at the time of such sale or transfer such properties do not have associated with them any proved reserves, (4) the abandonment, farm-out, lease or sublease of developed or undeveloped crude oil and natural gas properties in the ordinary course of business, (5) the trade or exchange by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any crude oil and natural gas property owned or held by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary for any crude oil and natural gas property owned or held by another Person, (6) the sale or transfer of hydrocarbons or other mineral products or surplus or obsolete equipment or (7) a single transaction or series of related transactions that involve the disposition of assets with a fair market value of less than $20.0 million, in each case in the ordinary course of business.

Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale/Leaseback Transaction means, as at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the interest rate implicit in the Sale/Leaseback Transaction, compounded annually) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been extended).

 

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Average Life” means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the sum of the products of the numbers of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment by (ii) the sum of all such payments.

Board of Directors” means the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such Board.

Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.

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

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

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

(i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that for purposes of this clause (i) such person shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all shares that such person has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of more than 40% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company (for the purposes of this clause (i), such person shall be deemed to beneficially own any Voting Stock of a specified corporation held by a parent corporation, if such person is the beneficial owner (as defined in this clause (i)), directly or indirectly, of more than 40% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such parent corporation);

(ii) during any period of two consecutive years from and after the Issue Date, 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 a majority 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 then in office;

(iii) the shareholders of the Company shall have approved any plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

 

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(iv) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company, or the sale, lease, conveyance or transfer of all or substantially all the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to another Person, and, in the case of any such merger or consolidation, the securities of the Company that are outstanding immediately prior to such transaction and which represent 100% of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company are changed into or exchanged for cash, securities or property, unless pursuant to such transaction such securities are changed into or exchanged for, in addition to any other consideration, securities of the surviving corporation that represent immediately after such transaction, at least a majority of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving corporation.

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

Company” means the party named as such in the preamble to this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor and, for purposes of any provision contained herein and required by the TIA, each other obligor on the indenture securities.

Consolidated Coverage Ratio” as of any date of determination means the ratio of (i) the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending at least 45 days prior to the date of such determination to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters; provided, however, that (1) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period that remains outstanding or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio is an Incurrence of Indebtedness, or both, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Indebtedness as if such Indebtedness had been Incurred on the first day of such period and the discharge of any other Indebtedness repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such new Indebtedness as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period, (2) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged any Indebtedness since the beginning of such period or if any Indebtedness is to be repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged on the date of the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Coverage Ratio, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such period and as if the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary had not earned the interest income actually earned during such period in respect of cash or Temporary Cash Investments used to repay, repurchase, defease or otherwise discharge such Indebtedness, (3) if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall have made any Asset Disposition (other than an Asset Disposition involving assets having a fair market value of less than the greater of two and one-half percent (2.5%) of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets as of the end of the Company’s then most recently completed fiscal year and $3.0 million), then EBITDA for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to EBITDA (if positive) directly attributable to the assets which are the subject of such Asset Disposition for such period, or increased by an amount equal to EBITDA (if negative) directly attributable thereto for such period and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be reduced by an amount equal to the Consolidated Interest Expense directly attributable to any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary repaid, repurchased, defeased or

 

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otherwise discharged with respect to the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such Asset Disposition for such period (or, if the Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary is sold, the Consolidated Interest Expense for such period directly attributable to the Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary to the extent the Company and its continuing Restricted Subsidiaries are no longer liable for such Indebtedness after such sale), (4) if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (by merger or otherwise) shall have made an Investment in any Restricted Subsidiary (or any Person which becomes a Restricted Subsidiary) or an acquisition (including by way of lease) of assets, including any acquisition of assets occurring in connection with a transaction requiring a calculation to be made hereunder, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto (including the Incurrence of any Indebtedness) as if such Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such period and (5) if since the beginning of such period any Person (that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period) shall have made any Asset Disposition, any Investment or acquisition of assets that would have required an adjustment pursuant to clause (3) or (4) above if made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary during such period, EBITDA and Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall be calculated after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Asset Disposition, Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such period. For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to an acquisition of assets, the amount of income or earnings relating thereto and the amount of Consolidated Interest Expense associated with any Indebtedness Incurred in connection therewith, the pro forma calculations shall be determined in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting Officer of the Company. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness if such Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining term in excess of 12 months).

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, the total interest expense of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, plus, to the extent not included in such total interest expense, and to the extent incurred by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, without duplication, (i) interest expense attributable to Capital Lease Obligations and imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, (ii) capitalized interest, (iii) non-cash interest expense, (iv) commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing, (v) net costs (including amortization of fees and up-front payments) associated with interest rate caps and other interest rate and currency options that, at the time entered into, resulted in the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries being net payees as to future payouts under such caps or options, and interest rate and currency swaps and forwards for which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has paid a premium, (vi) dividends (excluding dividends paid in shares of Capital Stock which is not Disqualified Stock) in respect of all Disqualified Stock held by Persons other than the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary and (vii) interest accruing on any Indebtedness of any other Person to the extent such Indebtedness is Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or secured by a Lien on assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such Indebtedness constitutes Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (whether or not such

 

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Guarantee or Lien is called upon); provided, however, “Consolidated Interest Expense” shall not include any (x) amortization of costs relating to original debt issuances other than the amortization of debt discount related to the issuance of zero coupon securities or other securities with an original issue price of not more than 90% of the principal thereof, (y) Consolidated Interest Expense with respect to any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(8) and (z) noncash interest expense Incurred in connection with interest rate caps and other interest rate and currency options that, at the time entered into, resulted in the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries being either neutral or net payors as to future payouts under such caps or options.

Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the net income of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net Income: (i) any net income of any Person (other than the Company) if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that (A) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (iv) 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 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 paid to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (iii) below) and (B) the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Person for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income; (ii) 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; (iii) any net income of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Subsidiary Guarantor) if such Restricted Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company, except that (A) subject to the exclusion contained in clause (iv) below, the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution paid to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause) and (B) the Company’s equity in a net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall be included in determining such Consolidated Net Income; (iv) any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any assets of the Company or its Subsidiaries (including pursuant to any sale-and-leaseback arrangement) which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business and any gain or loss realized upon the sale or other disposition of any Capital Stock of any Person; (v) extraordinary gains or losses; (vi) any non-cash compensation expense realized for grants of performance shares, stock options or stock awards to officers, directors and employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; (vii) any write-downs of non-current assets; provided, however, that any ceiling limitation write-downs under SEC guidelines shall be treated as capitalized costs, as if such write-downs had not occurred; and (viii) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purposes of Section 4.05 only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.05(a)(3)(E).

 

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Consolidated Net Worth” means the total of the amounts shown on the balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter of the Company ending at least 45 days prior to the taking of any action for the purpose of which the determination is being made, as (i) the par or stated value of all outstanding Capital Stock of the Company plus (ii) paid-in capital or capital surplus relating to such Capital Stock plus (iii) any retained earnings or earned surplus less (A) any accumulated deficit and (B) any amounts attributable to Disqualified Stock.

Credit Agreement” means the Credit Agreement among the Company, as Borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and certain other financial institutions, dated March 9, 2010, as amended (or any successor thereto or replacement thereof), including any related notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced, refinanced or increased in whole or in part, from time to time.

Credit Facilities” means, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, one or more debt facilities (including the Credit Agreement) or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time.

Currency Agreement” means in respect of a Person any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or other similar agreement to which such Person is a party or a beneficiary.

Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.

Designated Senior Indebtedness” in respect of a Person means (i) all the obligations of such Person under any Credit Facilities (including the Credit Agreement) and (ii) any other Senior Indebtedness of such Person which, at the date of determination, has an aggregate principal amount outstanding of, or under which, at the date of determination, the holders thereof are committed to lend up to, at least $20.0 million and is specifically designated by such Person in the instrument evidencing or governing such Senior Indebtedness as “Designated Senior Indebtedness” for purposes of this Indenture.

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock that 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, (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, (ii) is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or (iii) is redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the holder thereof, in each case described in the immediately preceding clauses (i), (ii) or (iii), on or prior to the Stated Maturity of the Securities; provided, however, that any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to purchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an

 

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“asset sale” or “change of control” occurring prior to the Stated Maturity of the Securities shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if (x) the “asset sale” or “change of control” provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are not more favorable to the holders of such Capital Stock than the provisions of Sections 4.07 and 4.09 and (y) any such requirement only becomes operative after compliance with such corresponding terms applicable to the Securities, including the purchase of any Securities tendered pursuant thereto. The amount of any Disqualified Stock that does not have a fixed redemption, repayment or repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were redeemed, repaid or repurchased on any date on which the amount of such Disqualified Stock is to be determined pursuant to this Indenture; provided, however, that if such Disqualified Stock could not be required to be redeemed, repaid or repurchased at the time of such determination, the redemption, repayment or repurchase price shall be the book value of such Disqualified Stock as reflected in the most recent financial statements of such Person.

Dollar-Denominated Production Payments” means production payment obligations recorded as liabilities in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

DTC” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors and assigns, or such other depository institution hereinafter appointed by the Company.

EBITDA” for any period means the sum of Consolidated Net Income, plus Consolidated Interest Expense plus the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income: (a) provision for taxes based on income or profits, (b) depletion and depreciation expense, (c) amortization expense, (d) exploration expense (if applicable to the Company after the Issue Date), (e) unrealized foreign exchange losses and (f) all other non-cash charges, including non-cash charges taken pursuant to the “Derivatives and Hedging” topic of the FASC (excluding any such non-cash charge to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash charges in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period except such amounts as the Company determines in good faith are nonrecurring), and less, to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income and in excess of any costs or expenses attributable thereto and deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, the sum of (w) the amount of deferred revenues that are amortized during such period and are attributable to reserves that are subject to Volumetric Production Payments, (x) amounts recorded in accordance with GAAP as repayments of principal and interest pursuant to Dollar-Denominated Production Payments, (y) unrealized foreign exchange gains and (z) all other non-cash unrealized gains, including non-cash unrealized gains taken pursuant to the “Derivatives and Hedging” topic of the FASC. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for taxes based on the income or profits of, and the depletion, depreciation, amortization and exploration and other non-cash charges of, a Restricted Subsidiary shall be added to Consolidated Net Income to compute EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating Consolidated Net Income and only if a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date of determination to be dividended to the Company by such Restricted Subsidiary without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders, statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders.

 

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

Existing Senior Subordinated Notes” means the Company’s 7 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 issued under an indenture dated as of December 7, 2005, the subsequent issue of the Company’s 7 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2015 under the indenture dated as of December 7, 2005, as supplemented by the first supplemental indenture dated as of April 3, 2007, and the Company’s 7 1/2% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2013 issued under an indenture dated as of March 25, 2003, the Company’s 6.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 issued under an indenture dated as of April 2, 2004, the Company’s 6.0% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015 issued under an indenture dated as of July 13, 2005, the Company’s 9.75% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 issued under an indenture dated as of February 13, 2009, the Company’s 9.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2016 issued under an indenture dated as of November 23, 2005, the Company’s 7.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2017 issued under an indenture dated as of November 23, 2005, and the Company’s 81/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 issued under an indenture dated as of February 10, 2010.

FASC” means Financial Accounting Standards Codification issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Ltd. and any successor to its rating business.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect on the Issue Date, including those set forth in (i) the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, (ii) statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (iii) such other statements by such other entity as approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, and (iv) the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial statements (including pro forma financial statements) in periodic reports required to be filed pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, including opinions and pronouncements in staff accounting bulletins and similar written statements from the accounting staff of the SEC.

Guarantee” means, without duplication, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any Person and any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

 

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Guarantee Agreement” means a supplemental indenture, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1, pursuant to which a Subsidiary Guarantor or any other Person becomes subject to the applicable terms and conditions of this Indenture.

Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Oil and Gas Hedging Contract, Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.

Holder” or “Securityholder” means the Person in whose name a Security is registered on the Registrar’s books.

Incur” means issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. The term “Incurrence” when used as a noun shall have a correlative meaning. The accretion of principal of a non-interest bearing or other discount security shall not be deemed the Incurrence of Indebtedness.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication), (i) the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable; (ii) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person and all Attributable Debt in respect of Sale/Leaseback Transactions entered into by such Person; (iii) all obligations of such Person issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price of property (which purchase price is due more than six months after the date of taking delivery of title to such property), including all obligations of such Person for the deferred purchase price of property under any title retention agreement (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business); (iv) all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any letter of credit, banker’s acceptance or similar credit transaction (other than obligations with respect to letters of credit securing obligations (other than obligations described in (i) through (iii) above) entered into in the ordinary course of business of such Person to the extent such letters of credit are not drawn upon or, if and to the extent drawn upon, such drawing is reimbursed no later than the tenth Business Day following receipt by such Person of a demand for reimbursement following payment on the letter of credit); (v) the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Disqualified Stock (but excluding any accrued dividends); (vi) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (v) of other Persons and all dividends of other Persons for the payment of which, in either case, such Person is responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, including by means of any Guarantee; and (vii) all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (i) through (vi) of other Persons secured by any Lien on any property or asset of such first-mentioned Person (whether or not such obligation is assumed by such first-mentioned Person), the amount of such obligation being deemed to be the lesser of the value of such property or assets or the amount of the obligation so secured. The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above and the maximum liability, assuming the contingency giving rise to the obligation was to have occurred on such date, of any Guarantees outstanding at such date.

 

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None of the following shall constitute Indebtedness: (i) indebtedness arising from agreements providing for indemnification or adjustment of purchase price or from guarantees securing any obligations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to such agreements, incurred or assumed in connection with the disposition of any business, assets or Subsidiary of the Company, other than guarantees or similar credit support by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition; (ii) any trade payables or other similar liabilities to trade creditors and other accrued current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business as the deferred purchase price of property; (iii) any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person; (iv) amounts due in the ordinary course of business to other royalty and working interest owners; (v) obligations arising from guarantees to suppliers, lessors, licensees, contractors, franchisees or customers incurred in the ordinary course of business; (vi) obligations (other than express Guarantees of indebtedness for borrowed money) in respect of Indebtedness of other Persons arising in connection with (A) the sale or discount of accounts receivable, (B) trade acceptances and (C) endorsements of instruments for deposit in the ordinary course of business; (vii) obligations in respect of performance bonds provided by the Company or its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and refinancing thereof; (viii) obligations arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that such obligation is extinguished within two Business Days of its Incurrence; (ix) obligations in respect of any obligations under workers’ compensation laws and similar legislation; (x) any obligation in respect of any Oil and Gas Hedging Contract; (xi) any unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations (including those resulting from the application of the “Derivatives and Hedging” topic of the FASC); and (xii) any obligations relating to any Production Payments.

Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time, including the provisions of the TIA that are deemed to be a part of and govern this Indenture and any supplemental indenture, respectively.

Interest Rate Agreement” means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement or other financial agreement or arrangement designed to protect the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary against fluctuations in interest rates.

Investment” in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan (other than advances to customers or joint interest partners or drilling partnerships sponsored by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business that are recorded as accounts receivable on the balance sheet of the lender) or other extensions of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar arrangement) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by such Person. Except as otherwise provided for herein, the amount of an Investment shall be its fair value at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to

 

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subsequent changes in value. For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”, the definition of “Restricted Payment” and Section 4.05, (i) “Investment” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of any Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary equal to an amount (if positive) equal to (x) the Company’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (y) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and (ii) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

Investment Grade Rating” means for Moody’s, a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or equivalent), for S&P, a rating equal to or higher than BBB- (or equivalent) and for any other Rating Agency the equivalent to the foregoing.

Issue Date” means [•], 2013.

Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) the total consolidated Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available, which would be reflected as a liability on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, to (y) the EBITDA of such Person for the then most recent four fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, in each case with such pro forma adjustments to the amount of consolidated Indebtedness and EBITDA as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Consolidated Coverage Ratio.

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).

Material Change” means an increase or decrease (excluding changes that result solely from changes in prices and changes resulting from the Incurrence of previously estimated future development costs) of more than 25% during a fiscal quarter in the discounted future net revenues from proved crude oil and natural gas reserves of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, calculated in accordance with clause (a)(i) of the definition of Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets; provided, however, that the following shall be excluded from the calculation of Material Change: (i) any acquisitions during the fiscal quarter of oil and gas reserves that have been estimated by independent petroleum engineers and with respect to which a report or reports of such engineers exist and (ii) any disposition of properties existing at the beginning of such fiscal quarter that have been disposed of in compliance with Section 4.07.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and its successors.

 

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Net Available Cash” from an Asset Disposition means cash payments received therefrom (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to such properties or assets or received in any other noncash form) in each case net of (i) all legal, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees (including financial and other advisory fees) and expenses incurred, and all Federal, state, provincial, foreign and local taxes required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP, as a consequence of such Asset Disposition, (ii) all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or other security agreement of any kind with respect to such assets, or which must by its terms, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such Asset Disposition, or by applicable law, be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition, (iii) all distributions and other payments required to be made to noncontrolling interest holders in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition and (iv) the deduction of appropriate amounts provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance with GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the property or other assets disposed in such Asset Disposition and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition.

Net Cash Proceeds” means, with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.

Net Present Value” means, with respect to any proved hydrocarbon reserves, the discounted future net cash flows associated with such reserves, determined in accordance with the rules and regulations (including interpretations thereof) of the SEC in effect on the Issue Date.

Net Working Capital” means (a) all current assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries minus (b) all current liabilities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, except current liabilities included in Indebtedness, determined in accordance with GAAP.

Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than Capital Lease Obligations) of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor incurred in connection with the acquisition by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor in the ordinary course of business of fixed assets used in the Oil and Gas Business (including office buildings and other real property used by the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor in conducting its operations) with respect to which (i) the holders of such Indebtedness agree that they shall look solely to the fixed assets so acquired which secure such Indebtedness, and neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (a) is directly or indirectly liable for such Indebtedness or (b) provides credit support, including any undertaking, Guarantee, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness (other than the grant of a Lien on such acquired fixed assets), and (ii) no default or event of default with respect to such Indebtedness would cause, or permit (after notice or passage of time or otherwise), any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or a

 

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Subsidiary Guarantor to declare a default or event of default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to any scheduled principal payment, scheduled sinking fund payment or maturity.

Obligations” means with respect to any Indebtedness all obligations for principal, premium, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, and other amounts payable pursuant to the documentation governing such Indebtedness.

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

Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by two Officers.

Oil and Gas Business” means the business of the exploration for, and exploitation, development, acquisition, 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 Contract” means any oil and gas purchase or hedging agreement, and other agreement or arrangement, in each case, that is designed to provide protection against oil and gas price fluctuations.

Oil and Gas Liens” means (i) Liens on any specific property or any interest therein, construction thereon or improvement thereto to secure all or any part of the costs incurred for surveying, exploration, drilling, extraction, development, operation, production, construction, alteration, repair or improvement of, in, under or on such property and the plugging and abandonment of wells located thereon (it being understood that, in the case of oil and gas producing properties, or any interest therein, costs incurred for “development” shall include costs incurred for all facilities relating to such properties or to projects, ventures or other arrangements of which such properties form a part or which relate to such properties or interests); (ii) Liens on an oil or gas producing property to secure obligations Incurred or guarantees of obligations Incurred in connection with or necessarily incidental to commitments for the purchase or sale of, or the transportation or distribution of, the products derived from such property; (iii) Liens arising under partnership agreements, oil and gas leases, overriding royalty agreements, net profits agreements, production payment agreements, royalty trust agreements, incentive compensation programs on terms that are reasonably customary in the Oil and Gas Business for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, master limited partnership agreements, farm-out agreements, farm-in agreements, division orders, contracts for the sale, purchase, exchange, transportation, gathering or processing of oil, gas or other hydrocarbons, unitizations and pooling designations, declarations, orders and agreements, development agreements, operating agreements, production sales contracts, area of mutual interest agreements, gas balancing or deferred production agreements, injection, repressuring and recycling agreements, salt water or other disposal agreements, seismic or geophysical permits or agreements, and other agreements which are

 

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customary in the Oil and Gas Business; provided, however, that in all instances such Liens are limited to the assets that are the subject of the relevant agreement, program, order or contract; (iv) Liens arising in connection with Production Payments; and (v) Liens on pipelines or pipeline facilities that arise by operation of law.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or the Trustee.

Permitted Business Investment” means any investment made in the ordinary course of, and of a nature that is or shall have become customary in, the Oil and Gas Business, including investments or expenditures for actively exploiting, exploring for, acquiring, developing, producing, processing, gathering, marketing or transporting oil and gas through agreements, transactions, interests or arrangements which permit one to share risks or costs, comply with regulatory requirements regarding local ownership or satisfy other objectives customarily achieved through the conduct of Oil and Gas Business jointly with third parties, including (i) ownership interests in oil and gas properties, processing facilities, gathering systems, pipelines or ancillary real property interests and (ii) Investments in the form of or pursuant to operating agreements, processing agreements, farm-in agreements, farm-out agreements, development agreements, area of mutual interest agreements, unitization agreements, pooling agreements, joint bidding agreements, service contracts, joint venture agreements, partnership agreements (whether general or limited), subscription agreements, stock purchase agreements and other similar agreements (including for limited liability companies), excluding, however, Investments in corporations other than Restricted Subsidiaries.

Permitted Investment” means an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in (i) a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that shall, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the primary business of such Restricted Subsidiary is an Oil and Gas Business; (ii) another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Person’s primary business is an Oil and Gas Business; (iii) Temporary Cash Investments; (iv) receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary if created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances; (v) payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business; (vi) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business; (vii) stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of debts created in the ordinary course of business and owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in satisfaction of judgments; (viii) any Person to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash portion of the consideration received for an Asset Disposition as permitted pursuant to Section 4.07; (ix) Permitted Business Investments; (x) Investments intended to promote the Company’s strategic objectives in the Oil and Gas Business in an aggregate amount not to exceed 5.0% of ACNTA (determined as of the date of the making of any such Investment) at any one time

 

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outstanding (which Investments shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding only upon and to the extent of the return of capital thereof); and (xi) Investments made pursuant to Hedging Obligations of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries.

Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person, (a) Liens existing as of the Issue Date; (b) Liens securing the Securities, any Subsidiary Guarantee and other obligations arising under this Indenture; (c) any Lien existing on any property of a Person at the time such Person is merged or consolidated with or into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (and not incurred in anticipation of or in connection with such transaction), provided that such Liens are not extended to other property of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries; (d) any Lien existing on any property at the time of the acquisition thereof (and not incurred in anticipation of or in connection with such transaction), provided that such Liens are not extended to other property of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries; (e) any Lien incurred in the ordinary course of business incidental to the conduct of the business of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries or the ownership of their property (including (i) easements, rights of way and similar encumbrances, (ii) rights or title of lessors under leases (other than Capital Lease Obligations), (iii) rights of collecting banks having rights of setoff, revocation, refund or chargeback with respect to money or instruments of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries on deposit with or in the possession of such banks, (iv) Liens imposed by law, including Liens under workers’ compensation or similar legislation and mechanics’, carriers’, warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, suppliers’ and vendors’ Liens, (v) Liens incurred to secure performance of obligations with respect to statutory or regulatory requirements, performance or return-of-money bonds, surety bonds or other obligations of a like nature and incurred in a manner consistent with industry practice and (vi) Oil and Gas Liens, in each case which are not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money, the obtaining of advances or credit or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property (other than trade accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of business)); (f) Liens for taxes, assessments and governmental charges not yet due or the validity of which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, promptly instituted and diligently conducted, and for which adequate reserves have been established to the extent required by GAAP as in effect at such time; (g) Liens incurred to secure appeal bonds and judgment and attachment Liens, in each case in connection with litigation or legal proceedings that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, so long as reserves have been established to the extent required by GAAP as in effect at such time and so long as such Liens do not encumber assets by an aggregate amount (together with the amount of any unstayed judgments against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary but excluding any such Liens to the extent securing insured or indemnified judgments or orders) in excess of $10.0 million; (h) Liens securing Hedging Obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; (i) Liens securing purchase money Indebtedness or Capital Lease Obligations, provided that such Liens attach only to the property acquired with the proceeds of such purchase money Indebtedness or the property which is the subject of such Capital Lease Obligations; (j) Liens securing Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness granted in connection with the acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business of fixed assets used in the Oil and Gas Business (including the office buildings and other real property used by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in conducting its operations), provided that (i) such Liens attach only to the fixed assets acquired with the proceeds of such Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness and (ii) such Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness is not in excess of the purchase price of such

 

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fixed assets; (k) Liens resulting from the deposit of funds or evidences of Indebtedness in trust for the purpose of decreasing or legally defeasing Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as such deposit of funds is permitted under Section 4.05; (l) Liens resulting from a pledge of Capital Stock of a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary to secure obligations of such Person and any refinancing thereof; (m) Liens to secure any permitted extension, renewal, refinancing, refunding or exchange (or successive extensions, renewals, refinancing, refunding or exchanges), in whole or in part, of or for any Indebtedness secured by Liens referred to in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (i) and (j) above; provided, however, that (i) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property (including future improvements thereon and accessions thereto) subject to the original Lien and (ii) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, the committed amount of the Indebtedness secured by such original Lien immediately prior to such extension, renewal, refinancing, refunding or exchange and (B) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement; and (n) Liens in favor of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary. Notwithstanding anything in this definition to the contrary, the term “Permitted Liens” shall not include Liens resulting from the creation, Incurrence, issuance, assumption or Guarantee of any Production Payments other than (i) any such Liens existing as of the Issue Date, (ii) Production Payments in connection with the acquisition of any property after the Issue Date; provided that any such Lien created in connection therewith is created, incurred, issued, assumed or Guaranteed in connection with the financing of, and within 60 days after the acquisition of, such property and (iii) Production Payments other than those described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this sentence, to the extent such Production Payments constitute Asset Dispositions made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.07 and (iv) incentive compensation programs for geologists, geophysicists and other providers of technical services to the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that, in the case of the immediately foregoing clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv), any Lien created in connection with any such Production Payments shall be limited to the property that is the subject of such Production Payments.

Permitted Marketing Obligations” means Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary under letter of credit or borrowed money obligations, or in lieu of or in addition to such letters of credit or borrowed money, guarantees of such Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary by any other Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, related to the purchase by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of hydrocarbons for which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary has contracts to sell; provided, however, that in the event that such Indebtedness or obligations are guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, then either (i) the Person with which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary has contracts to sell has an investment grade credit rating from S&P or Moody’s, or in lieu thereof, a Person guaranteeing the payment of such obligated Person has an investment grade credit rating from S&P or Moody’s, or (ii) such Person posts, or has posted for it, a letter of credit in favor of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with respect to all such Person’s obligations to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary under such contracts.

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

 

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Preferred Stock”, as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or distributions, or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

The term “principal” of a Security means the principal of the Security plus the premium, if any, payable on the Security which is due or overdue or is to become due at the relevant time.

Production Payments” means, collectively, Dollar-Denominated Production Payments and Volumetric Production Payments.

Rating Agency” means (1) each of Moody’s and S&P and (2) if Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Company’s control, Fitch, unless at such time Fitch ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Company’s control, in which case another “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by the Company as a replacement agency for Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, as the case may be.

Refinance” means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.

Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness that Refinances any Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the Issue Date or Incurred in compliance with the Indenture including Indebtedness that Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness; provided, however, that (i) such Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (ii) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Indebtedness being Refinanced, (iii) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding or committed (plus fees and expenses, including any premium and defeasance costs) under the Indebtedness being Refinanced and (iv) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness, such Refinancing Indebtedness satisfies clauses (i) and (ii) of the definition of “Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness;” provided, further, however, that Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include (x) Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of the Company or (y) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Representative” means any trustee, agent or representative (if any) for an issue of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or of a Subsidiary Guarantor.

 

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Restricted Payment” with respect to any Person means (i) the declaration or payment of any dividends or any other distributions of any sort in respect of its Capital Stock (including any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving such Person) or similar payment to the direct or indirect holders of its Capital Stock (other than (x) dividends or distributions payable solely in its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock), (y) dividends or distributions payable solely to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, and (z) pro rata dividends or other distributions made by a Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Subsidiary to minority stockholders (or owners of an equivalent interest in the case of a Subsidiary that is an entity other than a corporation)), (ii) the purchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Capital Stock of the Company held by any Person or of any Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary held by any Affiliate of the Company (other than a Restricted Subsidiary), including the exercise of any option to exchange any Capital Stock (other than into Capital Stock of the Company that is not Disqualified Stock), (iii) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment of any Subordinated Obligations of such Person (other than the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of Subordinated Obligations of such Person purchased in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of acquisition) or (iv) the making of any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any Person.

Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Company, Inc., and its successors.

Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property owned on the Issue Date or thereafter acquired whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person; provided that the fair market value of such property (as reasonably determined by the Board of Directors acting in good faith) is $10.0 million or more.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Secured Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company secured by a Lien.

Senior Indebtedness” means with respect to any Person (i) Indebtedness of such Person, and all obligations of such Person under any Credit Facility, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred and (ii) accrued and unpaid interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating such Person to the extent post-filing interest is allowed in such proceeding) in respect of (A) indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed and (B) indebtedness evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or other similar instruments for the payment of which such Person is responsible or liable unless, with respect to obligations described in the immediately preceding clause (i) or (ii), in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which the same is outstanding, it is provided that such obligations are not superior in right of payment to the Securities or the

 

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applicable Subsidiary Guarantee; provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include (1) any obligation of such Person to any Subsidiary of such Person, (2) any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person, (3) any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business (including guarantees thereof or instruments evidencing such liabilities), (4) any Indebtedness of such Person (and any accrued and unpaid interest in respect thereof) which is subordinate or junior in any respect to any other Indebtedness or other obligation of such Person or (5) that portion of any Indebtedness which at the time of Incurrence is Incurred in violation of this Indenture (other than, in the case of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor that Guarantees any Credit Facility, Indebtedness under any Credit Facility that is Incurred on the basis of a representation by the Company or the applicable Subsidiary Guarantor to the applicable lenders that such Person is permitted to Incur such Indebtedness under this Indenture).

Senior Subordinated Indebtedness” means (i) with respect to the Company, the Securities, the Existing Senior Subordinated Notes and any other Indebtedness of the Company that specifically provides that such Indebtedness is to rank pari passu with the Securities in right of payment and is not subordinated by its terms in right of payment to any Indebtedness or other obligation of the Company which is not Senior Indebtedness of the Company, and (ii) with respect to each Subsidiary Guarantor, its Subsidiary Guarantee of the Securities and the Existing Senior Subordinated Notes and any other Indebtedness of such Person that specifically provides that such Indebtedness rank pari passu with its applicable Subsidiary Guarantee in right of payment and is not subordinated by its terms in right of payment to any Indebtedness or other obligation of such Person which is not Senior Indebtedness of such Person.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency unless such contingency has occurred).

Stock Offering” means a primary offering, whether public or private, of shares of common stock of the Company.

Subordinated Obligation” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to, in the case of the Company, the Securities or, in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor, its Subsidiary Guarantee pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.

Subsidiary” means, in respect of any Person, any corporation, association, partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by (i) such Person, (ii) such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or (iii) one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

 

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Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Subsidiary designated as such on the signature pages hereto and any other Subsidiary that has issued a Subsidiary Guarantee.

Subsidiary Guarantee” means a Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor of the Company’s obligations with respect to the Securities.

Temporary Cash Investments” means any of the following: (i) any investment in direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency thereof or obligations guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency thereof, (ii) investments in time deposit accounts, certificates of deposit and money market deposits maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof issued by a bank or trust company which is organized under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America, and which bank or trust company has capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating in excess of $200.0 million (or the foreign currency equivalent thereof) and has outstanding debt which is rated “A” (or such similar equivalent rating) or higher by at least one nationally recognized credit rating organization (as defined in Rule 436 under the Securities Act) or any money-market fund sponsored by a registered broker dealer or mutual fund distributor whose assets consist of obligations of the types described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) hereof, (iii) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clause (i) above entered into with a bank meeting the qualifications described in clause (ii) above, (iv) investments in commercial paper, maturing not more than 180 days after the date of acquisition, issued by a Person (other than an Affiliate of the Company) organized and in existence under the laws of the United States of America or any foreign country recognized by the United States of America with a rating at the time as of which any investment therein is made of “P-2” (or higher) according to Moody’s or “A-2” (or higher) according to S&P or “R-1” (or higher) by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited or Canadian Bond Rating Service, Inc. (in the case of a Canadian issuer), (v) investments in securities with maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition issued or fully guaranteed by any state, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America, or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof, and rated at least “A” by S&P or “A” by Moody’s and (vi) investments in asset-backed securities maturing within one year of the date of acquisition thereof with a long-term rating at the time as of which any investment therein is made of “A3” (or higher) by Dominion Bond Rating Service Limited or Canadian Bond Rating Service, Inc. (in the case of a Canadian issuer).

TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the date of this Indenture except as provided in Section 9.03; provided, however, that, in the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, “TIA” means, to the extent required by any such amendments, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

Trustee” means the party named as such in the preamble to this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

 

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Trust Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to administer this Indenture.

Uniform Commercial Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors in the manner provided below, and (ii) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or holds any Lien on any property of, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided, however, that either (A) the Subsidiary to be so designated has total assets of $1,000 or less or (B) if such Subsidiary has assets greater than $1,000, such designation would be permitted under Section 4.05. The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to such designation (x) the Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a) and (y) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced by the Company to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the board resolution giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

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

Volumetric Production Payments” means production payment obligations recorded as deferred revenue in accordance with GAAP, together with all undertakings and obligations in connection therewith.

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

Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary all the Capital Stock of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares held by other Persons to the extent such shares are required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) is owned by the Company or one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.

 

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Section 1.02. Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section
 

“Affiliate Transaction”

     4.08 (a) 

“Bankruptcy Law”

     6.01   

“Blockage Notice”

     10.03   

“Company Order”

     2.02   

“covenant defeasance option”

     8.01 (b) 

“Covenant Suspension Event”

     4.14 (a) 

“Custodian”

     6.01   

“Event of Default”

     6.01   

“Excess Proceeds”

     4.07 (a) 

“Excess Proceeds Offer”

     4.07 (b)(i) 

“Excess Proceeds Payment”

     4.07 (b)(i) 

“Excess Proceeds Payment Date”

     4.07 (b)(ii) 

“Guaranteed Obligations”

     11.01   

“legal defeasance option”

     8.01 (b) 

“Legal Holiday”

     13.08   

“pay the Securities”

     10.03   

“Paying Agent”

     2.03   

“Payment Blockage Period”

     10.03   

“Registrar”

     2.03   

“Reversion Date”

     4.14 (b) 

“Subsidiary Guarantor Blockage Notice”

     12.03   

“Subsidiary Guarantor Payment Blockage Period”

     12.03   

“Successor Company”

     5.01   

“Suspended Covenants”

     4.14 (a) 

“Suspension Period”

     4.14 (c) 

“Unrestricted Affiliate”

     4.08 (b) 

Section 1.03. Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act. This Indenture is subject to the mandatory provisions of the TIA which are incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture. The following TIA terms have the following meanings:

Commission” means the SEC.

indenture securities” means the Securities.

indenture security holder” means a Securityholder.

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 and any other obligor on the indenture securities.

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 by such definitions.

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) “including” means including without limitation;

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

(6) unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to Secured Indebtedness merely by virtue of its nature as unsecured Indebtedness;

(7) the principal amount of any noninterest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the Company dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP; and

(8) the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such Preferred Stock or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such Preferred Stock, whichever is greater.

ARTICLE 2

The Securities

Section 2.01. Form and Dating. The 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 depository procedure or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Securities set forth in 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 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, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by two Officers of the Company (a “Company Order”), the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver $[•] of [•]% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 and, at any time and from time to time thereafter, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a Company Order, authenticate and deliver Securities for original issue in an aggregate principal amount specified in such Company Order; provided that, in each case, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel of the Company that it may reasonably request in connection with such authentication of Securities. Such Company Order shall specify the amount of 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 4.03.

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 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, which office shall maintain the names and addresses of Securityholders (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. 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.

 

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Section 2.04. Paying Agent To Hold Money in Trust. Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on 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 Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Securityholders 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 Wholly Owned 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. Securityholder 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 Securityholders. 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 Securityholders.

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 and deliver 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 cancellation 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.

 

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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 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, and the Paying Agent is not prohibited from paying such money to the Securityholders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, 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 and deliver 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. Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and the Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel and destroy (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act) all Securities surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and deliver a certificate of such destruction 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 cancellation.

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 Securityholders on a subsequent special record date as provided in the Securities and in Section 4.01 hereof. 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 Securityholder 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 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.

 

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Section 2.13. Issuance of Additional Securities. The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.03, to issue Additional Securities under this Indenture which shall have identical terms as the Securities issued on the Issue Date, other than with respect to the date of issuance and issue price; provided that such Additional Securities are fungible with the Securities for federal income tax purposes or are issued under a separate CUSIP number. The Securities issued on the Issue Date and any Additional Securities shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture.

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; and

(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.

ARTICLE 3

Redemption

Section 3.01. Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem Securities pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Securities, it shall notify the Trustee in writing of the redemption date, the principal amount of Securities to be redeemed and the paragraph of the Securities pursuant to which the redemption shall occur.

The Company shall give each notice to the Trustee provided for in this Section at least 45 days before the redemption date unless the Trustee consents to a shorter period. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel from the Company to the effect that such redemption shall comply with the conditions herein.

Section 3.02. Selection of Securities To Be Redeemed. If fewer than all the Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed pro rata or by lot or by a method that complies with applicable legal and securities exchange requirements, if any, and that the Trustee in its sole discretion considers fair and appropriate. The Trustee shall make the selection from outstanding Securities not previously called for redemption. The Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal of Securities that have denominations larger than $2,000. Securities and portions of them the Trustee selects shall be in amounts of $2,000 or a whole multiple of $2,000 in excess thereof. 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, the Registrar and each Paying Agent promptly of the Securities or portions of Securities to be redeemed.

 

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Section 3.03. Notice of Redemption. At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a date for redemption of Securities, the Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first-class mail to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed.

The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

(1) the redemption date;

(2) the redemption price;

(3) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(4) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(5) if fewer than all the outstanding Securities are to be redeemed, the identification and principal amounts of the particular Securities to be redeemed;

(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Securities (or portions thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date; and

(7) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Securities.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense. In such event, the Company shall provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section.

Section 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice, subject to any condition or contingency stated therein. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Securities shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption 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.

Section 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to 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) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Securities to be redeemed on that date other than Securities or portions of Securities called for redemption which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 3.06. Securities Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder (at the Company’s expense) a new Security equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

 

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ARTICLE 4

Covenants

Section 4.01. Payment of Securities. The Company shall promptly pay the principal of and interest on the Securities on the dates and in the manner provided in the Securities and in this Indenture. Principal and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal and interest then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the Securityholders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.

The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Securities, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02. SEC Reports. Notwithstanding that the Company may not at any time be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company shall file with the SEC and provide the Trustee and Securityholders with such annual reports and such information, documents and other reports as are specified in Sections 13 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act and applicable to a U.S. corporation subject to such Sections, such information, documents and other reports to be so filed and provided at the times specified for the filing of such information, documents and reports under such Sections. The Company also shall comply with the other provisions of TIA § 314(a).

Section 4.03. Limitation on Indebtedness. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur, directly or indirectly, any Indebtedness; provided, however, that the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary may Incur Indebtedness if, on the date of such Incurrence and after giving effect thereto, the Consolidated Coverage Ratio equals or exceeds 2.25 to 1.0.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 4.03(a), the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary may Incur the following Indebtedness:

(1) Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to any Credit Facility, so long as the aggregate amount of all Indebtedness outstanding under all Credit Facilities does not, at any one time, exceed the aggregate amount of borrowing availability as of such date under all Credit Facilities that determine availability on the basis of a borrowing base or other asset-based calculation; provided, however, that in no event shall such amount exceed the greater of (x) $500.0 million and (y) 75% of ACNTA as of the date of such Incurrence;

(2) Indebtedness owed to and held by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness (other than to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute the Incurrence of such Indebtedness by the issuer thereof;

 

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(3) Indebtedness of the Company represented by the Securities (other than any Additional Securities);

(4) Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in paragraph (b) (1), (2) or (3) of this Section 4.03);

(5) Indebtedness of (A) a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred and outstanding on or prior to the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company (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 Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company) and (B) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the cost of acquiring oil and gas properties, another Person (other than a Person that was, immediately prior to such acquisition, a Subsidiary of the Company) engaged in the Oil and Gas Business or all or substantially all the assets of such a Person; provided, however, that in the case of each of clause (A) and clause (B) above, on the date of such Incurrence and after giving effect thereto, the Consolidated Coverage Ratio equals or exceeds 2.0 to 1.0;

(6) Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or Section 4.03(b)(3), (4) or (5), this clause (6) or clause (7) below; provided, however, that to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness directly or indirectly Refinances Indebtedness or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary described in Section 4.03(b)(5), such Refinancing Indebtedness shall be Incurred only by such Restricted Subsidiary or the Company;

(7) Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness;

(8) Indebtedness consisting of the Subsidiary Guarantees and any Guarantee by a Subsidiary Guarantor of Indebtedness Incurred by the Company pursuant to paragraphs (b)(1) and (3) of this Section 4.03;

(9) Indebtedness consisting of Interest Rate Agreements directly related to Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to this Indenture;

(10) Indebtedness under Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts and Currency Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of limiting risks that arise in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(11) Indebtedness in respect of bid, performance or surety obligations issued by or for the account of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business, including Guarantees and letters of credit functioning as or supporting such bid, performance or surety obligations (in each case other than for an obligation for money borrowed);

 

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(12) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred to finance capital expenditures and Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in respect thereof in an aggregate amount which, when taken together with the amount of all other Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (12) since the Issue Date and then outstanding, does not exceed $20.0 million;

(13) Permitted Marketing Obligations;

(14) In-kind obligations relating to oil and gas balancing positions arising in the ordinary course of business; and

(15) Indebtedness in an aggregate amount which, together with the amount of all other Indebtedness of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on the date of such Incurrence (other than Indebtedness permitted by Section 4.03(a) or Section 4.03(b)(1)-(14)) does not exceed $100.0 million.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, Incur any Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(b) if the proceeds thereof are used, directly or indirectly, to Refinance any Subordinated Obligations unless such Indebtedness shall be subordinated to the Securities or the relevant Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, to at least the same extent as such Subordinated Obligations.

(d) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.03, (i) in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in this Section 4.03, the Company, in its sole discretion, shall classify such item of Indebtedness at the time of Incurrence and only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in one of the above clauses of this Section 4.03; provided that items of Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreement on the Issue Date shall be treated as Incurred on the Issue Date under Section 4.03(b)(1); and (ii) an item of Indebtedness may be divided and classified in more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in this Section 4.03.

Section 4.04. Incurrence of Layered Indebtedness. Notwithstanding paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 4.03 above, the Company shall not, and the Company shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, Incur any Indebtedness if such Indebtedness is subordinate or junior in ranking in any respect to any Senior Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, unless such Indebtedness is Senior Subordinated Indebtedness or is expressly subordinated in right of payment to Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of such Person.

Section 4.05. Limitation on Restricted Payments. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to make a Restricted Payment if at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment: (1) a Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom); (2) the Company is not able to Incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(a); or (3) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments since

 

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the Issue Date would exceed the sum of (without duplication): (A) 50% of the aggregate Consolidated Net Income of the Company accrued on a cumulative basis commencing on December 31, 2002, and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter ending on or immediately preceding the date of such proposed Restricted Payment (or, if such aggregate Consolidated Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit); (B) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the issuance or sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) subsequent to December 31, 2005 (other than an issuance or sale to a Subsidiary of the Company and other than an issuance or sale to an employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees); (C) the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the issue or sale subsequent to December 31, 2005 of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) to an employee stock ownership plan; provided, however, that if such employee stock ownership plan incurs any Indebtedness with respect thereto, such aggregate amount shall be limited to an amount equal to any increase in the Consolidated Net Worth of the Company resulting from principal repayments made by such employee stock ownership plan with respect to such Indebtedness; (D) the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company is reduced on the Company’s balance sheet upon the conversion or exchange (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company) subsequent to December 31, 2005, of any Indebtedness of the Company convertible or exchangeable for Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company (less the amount of any cash, or the fair value of any other property, distributed by the Company upon such conversion or exchange); and (E) an amount equal to the sum of (i) the net reduction in Investments made subsequent to December 31, 2005 by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Person resulting from dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets, in each case to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from such Person, and (ii) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary at the time such Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that the foregoing sum shall not exceed, in the case of any such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary, the amount of Investments previously made (and treated as a Restricted Payment) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person or Unrestricted Subsidiary.

(b) The provisions of Section 4.05(a) shall not prohibit: (i) dividends paid within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at such date of declaration such dividend would have complied with this Section 4.05; provided, however, that at the time of payment of such dividend, no other Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or result therefrom); provided, further, however, that such dividend shall be included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; (ii) any purchase or redemption of Capital Stock or Subordinated Obligations of the Company made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or sold to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees); provided, however, that (A) such purchase or redemption shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments and (B) the Net Cash Proceeds from such sale shall be excluded from the calculation of amounts under Section 4.05(a)(3)(B) (but only to the extent that such Net Cash Proceeds were used to purchase or redeem such Capital Stock as provided in this clause (ii)); (iii) any purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Obligations of the Company made by

 

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exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Subordinated Obligations of the Company; provided, however, that such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; (iv) the repurchase of shares of, or options to purchase shares of, common stock of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from employees, former employees, directors or former directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or permitted transferees of such employees, former employees, directors or former directors), pursuant to the terms of the agreements (including employment agreements) or plans (or amendments thereto) approved by the Board of Directors under which such individuals purchase or sell or are granted the option to purchase or sell, shares of such common stock; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of such repurchases shall not exceed $25.0 million in any calendar year (with any unused amounts in any calendar year being carried over to succeeding calendar years); provided, further, however, that such repurchases shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; (v) loans made to officers, directors or employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary approved by the Board of Directors (or a duly authorized officer), the net cash proceeds of which are used solely (A) to purchase common stock of the Company in connection with a restricted stock or employee stock purchase plan, or to exercise stock options received pursuant to an employee or director stock option plan or other incentive plan, in a principal amount not to exceed the exercise price of such stock options or (B) to refinance loans, together with accrued interest thereon, made pursuant to item (A) of this clause (v); provided, however, that such loans shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; (vi) any Restricted Payment so long as on the date of such Restricted Payment, after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any related transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, the Company’s Leverage Ratio would not have exceeded 2.5 to 1; provided, however, that such Restricted Payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; or (vii) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount not to exceed $40.0 million; provided, however, that such Restricted Payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments.

Section 4.06. Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary (a) to pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock or pay any Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) to make any loans or advances to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or (c) to transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, except: (i) any encumbrance or restriction in the Credit Agreement on the Issue Date or pursuant to any other agreement in effect on the Issue Date; (ii) any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement relating to any Indebtedness Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary on or prior to the date on which such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired by the Company (other than Indebtedness Incurred as consideration in, 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 Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by the Company) and outstanding on such date; (iii) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement effecting a Refinancing of Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to an agreement referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this covenant or this clause (iii) or contained in any

 

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amendment to an agreement referred to in clause (i) or (ii) of this covenant or this clause (iii); provided, however, that the encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in any such refinancing agreement or amendment are no less favorable to the Securityholders than encumbrances and restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary contained in such agreements; (iv) any such encumbrance or restriction consisting of customary nonassignment provisions in leases governing leasehold interests to the extent such provisions restrict the transfer of the lease or the property leased thereunder; (v) in the case of clause (c) above, restrictions contained in security agreements or mortgages securing Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such restrictions restrict the transfer of the property subject to such security agreements or mortgages; and (vi) any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary pending the closing of such sale or disposition.

Section 4.07. Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, consummate any Asset Disposition unless (1) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration at least equal to the fair market value (such fair market value to be determined in advance in good faith by an Officer or an officer of such Restricted Subsidiary with responsibility for such transaction, or the Board of Directors if the Asset Disposition exceeds $50.0 million, which determination shall be conclusive evidence of compliance with this provision), of the equity and assets subject to such Asset Disposition; (2) (A) at least 75% of the consideration received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or cash equivalents, Additional Assets or any combination thereof (collectively, the “Cash Consideration”) or (B) the fair market value of all forms of such consideration other than Cash Consideration since the date of this Indenture does not exceed in the aggregate 10% of the ACNTA at the time of the applicable Asset Disposition; and (3) an amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition is applied by the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) (A) first, to the extent the Company elects (or is required by the terms of any Indebtedness), to prepay, repay, redeem or purchase Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor or Indebtedness (other than any Disqualified Stock) of a Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor (in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company) within 540 days from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash, provided such prepayment, repayment, redemption or purchase permanently retires, or reduces the related loan commitment (if any) for, such Indebtedness in an amount equal to the principal amount so prepaid, repaid, redeemed or purchased; (B) second, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash after application in accordance with clause (A), to the extent the Company elects, to acquire Additional Assets or to make capital expenditures in the Oil and Gas Business within 540 days from the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash; and (C) third, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash after application in accordance with clauses (A) and (B), to make an offer to the holders of the Securities (and to holders of other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company designated by the Company) to purchase Securities (and such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company) pursuant to and subject to the conditions contained in this Indenture, which purchase permanently reduces the outstanding amount of such Securities (and such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness) in an amount equal to the principal amount purchased.

 

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Pending application of Net Available Cash pursuant to this covenant, such Net Available Cash shall be invested in Temporary Cash Investments or applied to temporarily reduce revolving credit Indebtedness.

Notwithstanding Section 4.07(a), the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be required to apply any Net Available Cash in accordance with Section 4.07(a) except to the extent that the aggregate Net Available Cash from all Asset Dispositions, which is not applied in accordance with Section 4.07(a), exceeds $40.0 million during any calendar year.

For the purposes of Section 4.07(a), the following are deemed to be cash or cash equivalents (i) any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Securities or any Subsidiary Guaranty) that are assumed by the transferee of any such Asset Disposition pursuant to (A) a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability or (B) an assignment agreement that includes, in lieu of such a release, the agreement of the transferee or its parent company to indemnify and hold harmless the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from and against any loss, liability or cost in respect of such assumed liability or (ii) any non-Cash Consideration received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the transferee that is converted, monetized, sold or exchanged by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or cash equivalents within 120 days of receipt. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the 75% limitation referred to in Section 4.07(a)(2) above shall be deemed satisfied with respect to any Asset Disposition in which the cash or cash equivalents portion of the consideration received therefrom, determined in accordance with the foregoing provision on an after-tax basis, is equal to or greater than what the after-tax proceeds would have been had such Asset Disposition complied with the aforementioned 75% limitation. The requirement of Section 4.07(a)(3)(B) above shall be deemed to be satisfied if an agreement (including a lease, whether a capital lease or an operating lease) committing to make the acquisitions or expenditures referred to therein is entered into by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiary within the time period specified in such clause and such Net Available Cash is subsequently applied in accordance with such agreement within six months following such agreement.

(b) In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the purchase of Securities (and other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company) pursuant to Section 4.07(a)(3)(C), the Company shall make such offer to purchase Securities (an “Offer”) on or before the 541st day after the later of the date of such Asset Disposition or the receipt of such Net Available Cash, and shall purchase Securities tendered pursuant to an offer by the Company for the Securities (and such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company) at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount (or, in the event such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company was issued with original issue discount greater than 2.5%, 100% of the accreted value thereof) without premium, plus accrued but unpaid interest (or, in respect of such other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company) in accordance with the procedures (including prorating in the event of oversubscription) set forth in Section 3.02. If the aggregate purchase price of the securities tendered exceeds the Net Available Cash allotted to their purchase, the Company shall select the

 

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securities to be purchased on a pro rata basis but in round denominations, which in the case of the Securities shall be denominations of $2,000 principal amount and whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company shall not be required to make such an offer to purchase Securities (and other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company) pursuant to this covenant if the Net Available Cash not applied or invested as provided in Section 4.07(a)(3)(A) or (B) is less than $20.0 million (which lesser amount shall be carried forward for purposes of determining whether such an offer is required with respect to the Net Available Cash from any subsequent Asset Disposition). Upon completion of such an offer to purchase, Net Available Cash shall be deemed to be reduced by the aggregate amount of such offer.

(c) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Securities pursuant to Section 4.07(b). To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of Section 4.07(b), the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 4.07(b) by virtue of its compliance with such securities laws or regulations.

Section 4.08. Limitation on Affiliate Transactions. (a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property, employee compensation arrangements or the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of the Company (an “Affiliate Transaction”) unless the terms thereof (1) are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that could be obtained at the time of such transaction in arm’s-length dealings with a Person who is not such an Affiliate, (2) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess of $15.0 million, are set forth in writing and have been approved by the Board of Directors, including a majority of the members of the Board of Directors having no personal stake in such Affiliate Transaction, and (3) if such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in excess of $25.0 million, have been determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm or other qualified independent appraiser to be fair, from a financial standpoint, to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b) The provisions of Section 4.08(a) shall not prohibit (i) any sale of hydrocarbons or other mineral products to an Affiliate of the Company or the entering into or performance of Oil and Gas Hedging Contracts, gas gathering, transportation or processing contracts or oil or natural gas marketing or exchange contracts with an Affiliate of the Company, in each case, in the ordinary course of business, so long as the terms of any such transaction are approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are disinterested with respect to such transaction, (ii) the sale to an Affiliate of the Company of Capital Stock of the Company that does not constitute Disqualified Stock, and the sale to an Affiliate of the Company of Indebtedness (including Disqualified Stock) of the Company in connection with an offering of such Indebtedness in a market transaction and on terms substantially identical to those of other purchasers in such market transaction, (iii) transactions contemplated by any employment agreement or other compensation plan or arrangement existing on the Issue Date or thereafter entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (iv) the payment of reasonable fees to directors of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries who are not employees of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (v)

 

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transactions between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, (vi) transactions between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and Persons that are controlled (as defined in the definition of “Affiliate”) by the Company (an “Unrestricted Affiliate”); provided that no other Person that controls (as so defined) or is under common control with the Company holds any Investments in such Unrestricted Affiliate; (vii) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of Section 4.05; and (viii) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2.5 million outstanding at any one time.

Section 4.09. Change of Control. (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder shall have the right to require that the Company purchase such Holder’s Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date), in accordance with the terms contemplated in Section 4.09(b). In the event that at the time of such Change of Control the terms of the Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement restrict or prohibit the repurchase of Securities pursuant to this Section, then prior to the mailing of the notice to Holders provided for in Section 4.09(b) below, but in any event within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall (i) repay in full the Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement or (ii) obtain the requisite consent under the agreements governing the Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement to permit the purchase of the Securities as provided for in Section 4.09(b).

(b) Within 30 days following a Change of Control, the Company shall mail a notice to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee stating: (1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the right to require the Company to purchase such Holder’s Securities at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest on the relevant interest payment date); (2) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change of Control (including information with respect to pro forma historical income, cash flow and capitalization, in each case after giving effect to such Change of Control); (3) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed); and (4) the instructions determined by the Company, consistent with this Section 4.09, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Securities purchased.

(c) Holders electing to have a Security purchased shall be required to surrender the Security, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Company at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Company receives not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Security which was delivered for purchase by the Holder and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Security purchased.

(d) On the purchase date, all Securities purchased by the Company under this Section shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancelation, and the Company shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the Holders entitled thereto.

 

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(e) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the purchase of Securities pursuant to this Section 4.09. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.09, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.09 by virtue thereof.

(f) The Company shall not be required to make an offer to purchase Securities as a result of a Change of Control pursuant to this Section 4.09 if a third party (i) makes such offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in Section 4.09(b) and (ii) purchases all Securities validly tendered and not withdrawn under such an offer.

Section 4.10. Limitation on Liens. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on or with respect to any property of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned on the Issue Date or acquired after the Issue Date, or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom, unless the Securities or any Subsidiary Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, are secured equally and ratably with (or prior to) any and all other Indebtedness secured by such Lien, except that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Permitted Liens and Liens securing Senior Indebtedness.

Section 4.11. Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company an Officers’ Certificate stating that in the course of the performance by the signers of their duties as Officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during such fiscal year. If they do, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Company also shall comply with TIA § 314(a)(4).

Section 4.12. Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.

Section 4.13. Future Subsidiary Guarantors. The Company shall cause each Restricted Subsidiary that represents at least 10% of the book assets of, or 10% of the ACNTA of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and that has an aggregate of $15.0 million or more of Indebtedness and Preferred Stock outstanding at any time to promptly Guarantee the Securities pursuant to a Supplemental Indenture substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.

Section 4.14. Suspension of Certain Covenants. (a) If at any time after the Issue Date: (i) the Securities have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies and (ii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture at such time (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Event”), then until the end of the Suspension Period (as defined in

 

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Section 4.14(c)) the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to the provisions under Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05 (provided that no Restricted Subsidiary may be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary during the Suspension Period), 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, and paragraph (iii) of Section 5.01 (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”).

(b) In the event that the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) one or both of the Rating Agencies withdraws its Investment Grade Rating or downgrades the rating assigned to the Securities below an Investment Grade Rating, then the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants with respect to future events. Notwithstanding that the Suspended Covenants may be reinstated, no Default or Event of Default shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of a failure to comply with the Suspended Covenants during the period of time between the Covenant Suspension Event and the Reversion Date (the “Suspension Period”), or upon termination of the Suspension Period or after that time based on any actions taken by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries during the Suspension Period. On the Reversion Date, all Indebtedness incurred or Preferred Stock issued during the Suspension Period shall be classified as having been incurred or issued pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or Section 4.03(b) (to the extent such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock would be permitted to be incurred or issued thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness incurred or issued prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock would not be so permitted to be incurred or issued pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or Section 4.03(b), such Indebtedness or Preferred Stock shall be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under Section 4.03(b)(4). Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.05 shall be made as though the covenant described under Section 4.05 had been in effect since the Issue Date and throughout the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period shall reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.05(a)(3) except to the extent that such Restricted Payments were permitted to have been made and are treated as having been made pursuant to Section 4.05(b).

ARTICLE 5

Successor Company

Section 5.01. When Company May Merge or Transfer Assets. The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, all or substantially all the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to, any Person, unless:

(i) (A) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and (B) the Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Securities and this Indenture;

 

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(ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by such Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the Successor Company would be able to Incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 4.03(a);

(iv) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, the Successor Company shall have Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets that are not less than the Adjusted Consolidated Net Tangible Assets prior to such transaction;

(v) in the case of a conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, such assets shall have been so conveyed, transferred or leased as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to one Person; and

(vi) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture;

provided, however, that clauses (iii) and (iv) shall not be applicable to any such transaction solely between the Company and any Restricted Subsidiary.

The Successor Company shall be the successor to the Company and shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture, and the predecessor Company, except in the case of a lease, shall be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Securities.

Section 5.02. When Subsidiary Guarantors May Merge or Transfer Assets. The Company shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or substantially all of its assets to any Person unless: (i) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (if not such Subsidiary) shall be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the jurisdiction under which such Subsidiary was organized or under the laws of the United States of America, or any State thereof or the District of Columbia, and, if such Person is not the Company or a Subsidiary Guarantor, such Person shall expressly assume, by executing a Guarantee Agreement, all the obligations of such Subsidiary, if any, under its Subsidiary Guarantee; (ii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or transactions on a pro forma basis (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the resulting, surviving or transferee Person as a result of such transaction as having been issued by such Person at the time of such transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; (iii) in the case of a conveyance, transfer or lease of all or substantially all the assets of a Subsidiary Guarantor, such assets shall have been so conveyed, transferred or leased as an entirety or virtually as an entirety to one Person; and (iv) the

 

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Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such Guarantee Agreement, if any, complies with this Indenture. The provisions of clauses (i) and (ii) above shall not apply to any one or more transactions which constitute an Asset Disposition if the Company has complied with the applicable provisions of Section 4.07.

ARTICLE 6

Defaults and Remedies

Section 6.01. Events of Default. An “Event of Default” occurs if:

(1) the Company defaults in any payment of interest on any Security when the same becomes due and payable, whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article 10, and such default continues for a period of 30 consecutive days;

(2) the Company (i) defaults in the payment of the principal of any Security when the same becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required purchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise, whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by Article 10 or (ii) fails to redeem or purchase Securities when required pursuant to this Indenture or the Securities, whether or not such redemption or purchase shall be prohibited by Article 10;

(3) the Company fails to comply with Section 5.01;

(4) the Company fails to comply with Section 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07 (other than a failure to purchase Securities when required under Section 4.07), 4.08, 4.09 (other than a failure to purchase Securities when required under Section 4.09), 4.10, 4.11 or 4.13 and such failure continues for 30 consecutive days after the notice specified below;

(5) the Company fails to comply with any of its agreements contained in the Securities or in this Indenture (other than those referred to in (1), (2), (3) or (4) above) and such failure continues for 60 consecutive days after the notice specified below;

(6) Indebtedness of the Company (other than Non-recourse Purchase Money Indebtedness) is not paid within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the maturity of such Indebtedness is accelerated by the holders thereof because of a default (and such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled) and the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $20.0 million;

(7) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case;

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

 

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(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or

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

or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;

(8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or

(C) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;

or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;

(9) any judgment or decree for the payment of money in an uninsured or unindemnified amount in excess of $20.0 million or its foreign currency equivalent at the time is rendered against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary and is not discharged and either (A) an enforcement proceeding has been commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or decree or (B) there is a period of 60 days following the entry of such judgment or decree during which such judgment or decree is not discharged, waived, bonded or the execution thereof stayed, in either case 10 days after the notice specified below; or

(10) any Subsidiary Guarantee ceases or otherwise fails to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Subsidiary Guarantee) or any Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee if such default continues for a period of 10 days after the notice specified below.

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

The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

A Default under clause (4), (5), (9) or (10) is not an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities notify the Company of the Default and the Company does not cure such Default within the time specified after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default”.

 

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The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice, in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, of any Event of Default under clause (3) or (6) and any event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time would become an Event of Default under clause (4), (5), (9) or (10), describing its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless one of its Trust Officers receives written notice thereof from the Company or any of the Holders.

Section 6.02. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by written notice to the Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Securities to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, the principal of and interest on all the Securities shall ipso facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Securityholders. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities by written notice to the Trustee may rescind any such acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest that has become due solely because of acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or impair any right consequent thereto.

Section 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder 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. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities by written notice to the Trustee may waive an existing or past Default and its consequences except (i) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Security or (ii) a Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended without the consent of each Securityholder affected. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.

 

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Section 6.05. Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Securities may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or, subject to Section 7.01, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Securityholders or would involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any action hereunder, the Trustee shall be entitled to be furnished with indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.

Section 6.06. Limitation on Suits. A Securityholder may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Securities unless:

(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating that an Event of Default is continuing;

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

(3) such Holder or Holders furnish, if required by the Trustee, to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the furnishing of the required security or indemnity; and

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

A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Securityholder.

Section 6.07. Rights of Holders To Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on the Securities held by such Holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Securities, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.

Section 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. 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 Securityholders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to

 

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the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor their respective creditors or their respective property and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.

Section 6.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

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

SECOND: to holders of Senior Indebtedness to the extent required by Article 10 or 12;

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

FOURTH: to the Company.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Securityholders pursuant to this Section. At least 15 days before such record date, the Company shall mail to each Securityholder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

Section 6.11. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 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 an aggregate of 10% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities.

Section 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Company (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

 

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ARTICLE 7

Trustee

Section 7.01. Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.

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

(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether 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 wilful misconduct, except that:

(1) this paragraph 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 a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.

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

(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to advance, 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. The Trustee, however, may so advance or expend its own funds if, in its own reasonable judgment, the Trustee believes that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability has been reasonably assured to it.

 

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(h) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section and to the provisions of the TIA.

(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Trustee shall have no duty to review the reports and information documents required to be provided by Section 4.02 for the purposes of determining compliance with any provisions of this Indenture.

Section 7.02. Rights of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may rely on any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require 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 the Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

(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; provided, however, that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute wilful misconduct or negligence.

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

(f) The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless either (1) a Trust Officer shall have actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been given to the Trustee by the Company or any other obligor on such Securities or by any Holder of the Securities.

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 Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying 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 shall not be responsible for and 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, and it shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in the Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Securities or in the Securities other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication.

 

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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 Securityholder notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in payment of principal of or interest on any Security (including payments pursuant to the mandatory redemption provisions of such Security, if any), the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as the Trust Officer responsible for administering this Indenture and the Securities in good faith determines that withholding notice is not opposed to the interests of Securityholders.

Section 7.06. Reports by Trustee to Holders. Within sixty (60) days after [•] of each year, beginning with [•], 2013, the Trustee shall mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as of [•] of such year, that complies with TIA § 313(a). The Trustee also shall comply with TIA § 313(b).

A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Securities are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Securities become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof.

Section 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its services, including extraordinary services such as default administration. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts. The Company shall indemnify the Trustee against any and all loss, liability or expense (including attorneys’ fees) arising out of its acceptance of this trust or incurred by it in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company (including under Section 7.07). The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim (whether asserted by any Securityholder or the Company) for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own wilful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Securities.

The Company’s payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive the resignation or removal of the Trustee and the discharge of this Indenture. When the Trustee incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.

 

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Section 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee. A Holder may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to remove the Trustee in the manner and under the circumstances contemplated by TIA § 310(b)(iii). The Company shall remove the Trustee if:

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

(2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Company or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.

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

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 10% in principal amount outstanding of the Securities may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

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

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

Section 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

 

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

Section 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of TIA § 310(a). The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50.0 million as set forth in its most recent annual report of condition. The Trustee shall comply with TIA § 310(b); provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of TIA § 310(b)(1) any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in TIA § 310(b)(1) are met.

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

ARTICLE 8

Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance

Section 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Securities; Defeasance. (a) When (i) the Company delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Securities (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.07) for cancelation or (ii) all outstanding Securities have become due and payable, whether at maturity or as a result of the mailing of a notice of redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof and the Company irrevocably deposits with the Trustee funds sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all outstanding Securities, including interest thereon to maturity or such redemption date (other than Securities replaced pursuant to Section 2.07), and if in either case the Company pays all other sums payable hereunder by the Company, then this Indenture shall, subject to Section 8.01(c), cease to be of further effect. The Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture on demand of the Company accompanied by an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel and at the cost and expense of the Company.

(b) Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Company at any time may terminate (i) all its obligations under the Securities and this Indenture (“legal defeasance option”) or (ii) its obligations under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11 and 4.13 and the operation of Sections 6.01(4), 6.01(6), 6.01(7) (but only with respect to Significant Subsidiaries), 6.01(8) (but only with respect to Significant Subsidiaries), 6.01(9) and 6.01(10) and its obligations under Sections 5.01(iii), (iv) and (v) and under Section 5.02 (“covenant defeasance option”). The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.

 

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If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Securities may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(4), 6.01(6), 6.01(7) (but only with respect to Significant Subsidiaries), 6.01(8) (but only with respect to Significant Subsidiaries), 6.01(9) or 6.01(10) or because of the failure of the Company to comply with Section 5.01(iii), (iv) or (v) or with Section 5.02. If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall be released from all its obligations with respect to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company terminates.

(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.07, 7.07, 7.08 and this Article 8 shall survive until the Securities have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall survive.

Section 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance. The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:

(1) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee a certificate from a nationally recognized firm of independent accountants expressing its opinion that the payments of principal of and interest when due and without reinvestment on the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment shall provide cash at such times and in such amounts as shall be sufficient to pay principal and interest when due on all the Securities to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;

(3) 123 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 123-day period no Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Company occurs which is continuing at the end of the period;

(4) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other agreement binding on the Company and is not prohibited by Article 10;

(5) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;

(6) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (ii) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in the applicable Federal income tax

 

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law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Securityholders shall not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such defeasance and shall 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;

(7) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the Securityholders shall not recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and shall 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; and

(8) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Securities as contemplated by this Article 8 have been complied with.

Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of Securities at a future date in accordance with Article 3.

Section 8.03. Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to this Article 8. It shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through the Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities. Money and securities so held in trust are not subject to Article 10.

Section 8.04. Repayment to Company. The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any money or securities held by them at any time which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required for the Company to exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option pursuant to this Article 8.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, Securityholders entitled to the money must look solely to the Company for payment as general creditors.

Section 8.05. Indemnity for Government Obligations. The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.

Section 8.06. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had

 

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occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8; provided, however, that, if the Company has made any payment of interest on or principal of any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

Amendments

Section 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to or consent of any Securityholder:

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

(2) to provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of the obligations of the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in Article 5;

(3) to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities; provided, however, that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code;

(4) to make any change in Article 10 or 12 that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor (or Representatives therefor) under Article 10 or 12;

(5) to add guarantees with respect to the Securities (including any Subsidiary Guarantee) or to secure the Securities;

(6) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or the Subsidiary Guarantors;

(7) to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with qualifying this Indenture under the TIA; or

(8) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder.

An amendment under this Section may not make any change that adversely affects the rights under Article 10 or 12 of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or of a Subsidiary Guarantor then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or their Representative) consent to such change.

After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

 

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Section 9.02. With Consent of Holders. The Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Securities without notice to any Securityholder but with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount outstanding of the Securities. Without the consent of each Securityholder affected, however, an amendment may not:

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

(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Security;

(3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Security;

(4) reduce the premium payable upon a required purchase (to the extent the Company has at the time become obligated by the terms of this Indenture to effect a required purchase) or the redemption of any Security or change the date on which any Security may be redeemed in accordance with Article 3 and paragraph 5 of the Securities (except, in any case, for the redemption notice period);

(5) make any Security payable in money other than that stated in the Security;

(6) impair the right of any Securityholder to receive payment of principal of and interest on such Securityholder’s Security on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such Securityholder’s Security;

(7) make any change in Article 10 or 12 or that adversely affects the rights of any Securityholder under Article 10 or 12;

(8) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 or the second sentence of this Section; or

(9) make any change in any Subsidiary Guarantee that could adversely affect the Securityholders.

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

An amendment under this Section may not make any change that adversely affects the rights under Article 10 or 12 of any holder of Senior Indebtedness then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or any group or representative thereof authorized to give a consent) consent to such change.

After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Securityholders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all Securityholders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.

 

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Section 9.03. Compliance with Trust Indenture Act. Every amendment to this Indenture or the Securities shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.04. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers. A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Security shall bind the Holder and every subsequent Holder of that Security or portion of the Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Security, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Security. However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holder’s Security or portion of the Security if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Securityholder.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Securityholders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Securityholders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

Section 9.05. Notation on or Exchange of Securities. If an amendment 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 regarding 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. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Security shall not affect the validity of such amendment.

Section 9.06. Trustee To Sign Amendments. The Trustee shall sign any amendment authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

Section 9.07. Payment for Consent. Neither the Company nor any Affiliate of the Company shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Securities unless such consideration is offered to be paid or agreed to be paid to all Holders that so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

 

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ARTICLE 10

Subordination of the Securities

Section 10.01. Agreement To Subordinate. The Company agrees, and each Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, that the Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities are senior unsecured, general obligations of the Company, subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article 10, to the prior payment of all Senior Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter incurred, including the Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement, and that the subordination is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness. The Securities shall in all respects rank pari passu with all other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company, and only Indebtedness of the Company which is Senior Indebtedness shall rank senior to the Securities in accordance with the provisions set forth herein. All provisions of this Article 10 shall be subject to Section 10.12.

Section 10.02. Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of the Company upon a total or partial liquidation or a total or partial dissolution of the Company or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to the Company or its property:

(1) subject to the provisions of Section 10.12, holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company shall be entitled to receive payment in full of such Senior Indebtedness before Securityholders shall be entitled to receive any payment of principal of or interest on the Securities; and

(2) until the Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in full, any payment or distribution to which Securityholders would be entitled but for this Article 10 shall be made to holders of such Senior Indebtedness as their interests may appear, except that Securityholders may receive shares of stock and any debt securities that are subordinated to such Senior Indebtedness to at least the same extent as the Securities.

Section 10.03. Default on Designated Senior Indebtedness. The Company may not pay the principal of, premium (if any) or interest on the Securities or make any deposit pursuant to Section 8.01 and may not repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire any Securities (collectively, “pay the Securities”) if (i) any Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company is not paid when due or (ii) any other default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company occurs and the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms unless, in either case, (x) the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or (y) such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full; provided, however, that the Company may pay the Securities without regard to the foregoing if the Company and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representative of the Designated Senior Indebtedness with respect to which either of the events set forth in clause (i) or (ii) of this sentence has occurred and is continuing. During the continuance of any default (other than a default described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice

 

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as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, the Company may not pay the Securities for a period (a “Payment Blockage Period”) commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee (with a copy to the Company) of written notice (a “Blockage Notice”) of such default from the Representative of the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Payment Blockage Period is terminated (i) by written notice to the Trustee and the Company from the Person or Persons who gave such Blockage Notice, (ii) because the default giving rise to such Blockage Notice is no longer continuing or (iii) because such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been repaid in full). Notwithstanding the provisions described in the immediately preceding sentence, unless the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness giving such Blockage Notice or the Representative of such holders shall have accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, the Company shall resume payments on the Securities after the end of such Payment Blockage Period. The Securities shall not be subject to more than one Payment Blockage Period in any period of 360 consecutive days, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness of the Company during such period. For purposes of this Section, no default or event of default which existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness initiating such Payment Blockage Period shall be, or be made, the basis of the commencement of a subsequent Payment Blockage Period by the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

Section 10.04. Acceleration of Payment of Securities. If payment of the Securities is accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company or the Trustee (upon receipt of the requisite information from the Company) shall promptly notify the holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness (or their Representatives) of the Company of the acceleration.

Section 10.05. When Distribution Must Be Paid Over. If a distribution is made to Securityholders that because of this Article 10 should not have been made to them, the Securityholders who receive the distribution shall hold it in trust for holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company and pay it over to them as their interests may appear.

Section 10.06. Subrogation. After all Senior Indebtedness of the Company is paid in full and until the Securities are paid in full, Securityholders shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to such Senior Indebtedness. A distribution made under this Article 10 to holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company which otherwise would have been made to Securityholders is not, as between the Company and Securityholders, a payment by the Company on such Senior Indebtedness.

Section 10.07. Relative Rights. This Article 10 defines the relative rights of Securityholders and holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company. Nothing in this Indenture shall:

(1) impair, as between the Company and Securityholders, the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay principal of and interest on the Securities in accordance with their terms; or

 

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(2) prevent the Trustee or any Securityholder from exercising its available remedies upon a Default, subject to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to receive distributions otherwise payable to Securityholders.

Section 10.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Company. No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to enforce the subordination of the Indebtedness evidenced by the Securities shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by the Company or by its failure to comply with this Indenture.

Section 10.09. Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent. Notwithstanding Section 10.03, the Trustee or Paying Agent may continue to make payments on the Securities and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of facts that would prohibit the making of any such payments unless, not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a Trust Officer of the Trustee receives notice satisfactory to it that payments may not be made under this Article 10. The Company, the Registrar or co-registrar, the Paying Agent, a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness may give the notice; provided, however, that, if an issue of Senior Indebtedness of the Company has a Representative, only the Representative may give the notice.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior Indebtedness of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Registrar and co-registrar and the Paying Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 10 with respect to any such Senior Indebtedness which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of such Senior Indebtedness; and nothing in Article 7 shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article 10 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07.

Section 10.10. Distribution or Notice to Representative. Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative (if any).

Section 10.11. Article 10 Not To Prevent Events of Default or Limit Right To Accelerate. The failure to make a payment pursuant to the Securities by reason of any provision in this Article 10 shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a Default. Nothing in this Article 10 shall have any effect on the right of the Securityholders or the Trustee to accelerate the maturity of the Securities.

Section 10.12. Trust Moneys Not Subordinated. Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, payment from the money or the proceeds of U.S. Government Obligations deposited in trust with the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 for the payment of principal of and interest on the Securities shall not be subordinated to the prior payment of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company or subject to the restrictions set forth in this Article 10, and none of the Securityholders shall be obligated to pay over any such amount to the Company or any holder of such Senior Indebtedness of the Company or any other creditor of the Company.

Section 10.13. Trustee Entitled To Rely. Upon any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 10, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall be entitled to rely (i) upon

 

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any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 10.02 are pending, (ii) upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to the Securityholders or (iii) upon the Representatives for the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and other Indebtedness of the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 10. In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 10, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 10, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. The provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02 shall be applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 10.

Section 10.14. Trustee To Effectuate Subordination. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination between the Securityholders and the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company as provided in this Article 10 and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 10.15. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company. The Trustee undertakes to perform or to observe only such of the covenants and obligations as are specifically set forth in this Article 10, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to such holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be implied in this Indenture against the Trustee.

Section 10.16. Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness of the Company on Subordination Provisions. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior Indebtedness of the Company, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Securities, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of such Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.

ARTICLE 11

Subsidiary Guarantees

Section 11.01. Subsidiary Guarantees. Each Subsidiary Guarantor, jointly and severally, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, hereby irrevocably, fully and unconditionally Guarantees on a senior subordinated basis to each Holder and to the Trustee and

 

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its successors and assigns (a) the full and punctual payment of principal of and interest on the Securities when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, and all other monetary obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities and (b) the full and punctual performance within applicable grace periods of all other obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Securities (all the foregoing obligations hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from such Subsidiary Guarantor, and that such Subsidiary Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article 11 notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any such Guaranteed Obligation.

Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of, payment from and protest to the Company of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Subsidiary Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Securities or the Guaranteed Obligations. The obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (a) the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other Person under this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement; (d) the release of any security held by any Holder or the Trustee for the Guaranteed Obligations or any of them; (e) the failure of any Holder or Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (f) except as provided in Section 11.06, any change in the ownership of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee herein constitutes a Guarantee of payment, performance and compliance when due (and not a Guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.

Each Subsidiary Guarantee is, to the extent and manner set forth in Article 12, subordinated and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of all Senior Indebtedness of the Subsidiary Guarantor giving such Subsidiary Guarantee and each Subsidiary Guarantee is hereby made subject to such provisions of this Indenture.

Except as expressly set forth in Sections 8.01(b), 11.02 and 11.06, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any Holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Securities or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, wilful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, or by any other act or thing or omission or delay

 

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to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of such Subsidiary Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of such Subsidiary Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that its Subsidiary Guarantee shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.

In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Subsidiary Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Guaranteed Obligation, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid principal amount of such Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) and (iii) all other monetary Guaranteed Obligations of the Company to the Holders and the Trustee.

Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations and all obligations to which the Guaranteed Obligations are subordinated as provided in Article 12. Each Subsidiary Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations Guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Subsidiary Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations Guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article 6, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Subsidiary Guarantor for the purposes of this Section.

Each Subsidiary Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section.

Section 11.02. Limitation on Liability. Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum, aggregate amount of the obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed without rendering this Indenture, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

 

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Section 11.03. Successors and Assigns. This Article 11 shall be binding upon each Subsidiary Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall ensure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Securities shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.

Section 11.04. No Waiver. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article 11 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the Holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article 11 at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.

Section 11.05. Modification. No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article 11, nor the consent to any departure by any Subsidiary Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Subsidiary Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Subsidiary Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.

Section 11.06. Release of Subsidiary Guarantor. This Subsidiary Guarantee as to any Subsidiary Guarantor shall terminate and be of no further force or effect (i) upon the sale (including any sale pursuant to any exercise of remedies by a holder of Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor) or other disposition (including by way of consolidation or merger) of such Subsidiary Guarantor or (ii) upon the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Subsidiary Guarantor, in each case other than to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company; provided, however, that such sale or transfer shall be deemed to constitute an Asset Disposition and the Company shall comply with all applicable provisions of Section 4.06 with respect to such Asset Disposition.

ARTICLE 12

Subordination of Subsidiary Guarantees

Section 12.01. Agreement To Subordinate. Each Subsidiary Guarantor agrees, and each Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, that the Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee are subordinated in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner provided in this Article 12, to the prior payment in full in cash or cash equivalents of all Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor and that the subordination is for the benefit of and enforceable by the holders of such Senior Indebtedness. The Obligations of each Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee shall in all respects rank pari passu with all other Senior Subordinated Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor and only Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor (including such Subsidiary Guarantor’s Guarantees of Senior Indebtedness of the Company) shall rank senior to the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with the provisions set forth herein.

 

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Section 12.02. Liquidation, Dissolution, Bankruptcy. Upon any payment or distribution of the assets of any Subsidiary Guarantor to creditors upon a total or partial liquidation or a total or partial dissolution of such Subsidiary Guarantor or in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding relating to such Subsidiary Guarantor or its property:

(1) holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be entitled to receive payment in full of such Senior Indebtedness in cash or cash equivalents before Securityholders shall be entitled to receive any payment pursuant to the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor; and

(2) until the Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor is paid in full in cash or cash equivalents, any distribution to which Securityholders would be entitled but for this Article 12 shall be made to holders of such Senior Indebtedness as their interests may appear, except that Securityholders may receive shares of stock and any debt securities of such Subsidiary Guarantor that are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness, and to any debt securities received by holders of Senior Indebtedness, of such Subsidiary Guarantor to at least the same extent as the Subsidiary Guarantee of such Subsidiary Guarantor are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor.

Section 12.03. Default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of Subsidiary Guarantor. No Subsidiary Guarantor may make any payment pursuant to its Subsidiary Guarantee or repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire or defease any Securities or other Obligations (collectively, “pay its Subsidiary Guarantee”) if (i) any Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor is not paid when due or (ii) any other default on Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor occurs and the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms unless, in either case, (x) the default has been cured or waived and any such acceleration has been rescinded or (y) such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full; provided, however, that such Subsidiary Guarantor may pay its Subsidiary Guarantee without regard to the foregoing if such Subsidiary Guarantor and the Trustee receive written notice approving such payment from the Representative of the Designated Senior Indebtedness with respect to which either of the events set forth in clause (i) or (ii) of this sentence has occurred and is continuing. During the continuance of any default (other than a default described in clause (i) or (ii) of the preceding sentence) with respect to any Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to which the maturity thereof may be accelerated immediately without further notice (except such notice as may be required to effect such acceleration) or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, such Subsidiary Guarantor may not pay its Guarantee for a period (a “Subsidiary Guarantor Payment Blockage Period”) commencing upon the receipt by the Trustee (with a copy to such Subsidiary Guarantor) of written notice (a “Subsidiary Guarantor Blockage Notice”) of such default from the Representative of the holders of such Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Subsidiary Guarantor Payment Blockage Period and ending 179 days thereafter (or earlier if such Subsidiary Guarantor Payment Blockage Period is terminated (i) by written notice to the Trustee and such Subsidiary Guarantor from the Person or Persons who gave such Subsidiary Guarantor Blockage Notice, (ii) because the default giving rise to such Subsidiary Guarantor Blockage Notice is no longer continuing or (iii) because such Designated Senior Indebtedness has been repaid in full). Notwithstanding the provisions

 

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described in the immediately preceding sentence (but subject to the provisions contained in the first sentence of this Section), unless the holders of Designated Senior Indebtedness giving such Subsidiary Guarantor Blockage Notice or the Representative of such holders shall have accelerated the maturity of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall resume payments pursuant to its Subsidiary Guarantee after the end of such Subsidiary Guarantor Payment Blockage Period. A Subsidiary Guarantee shall not be subject to more than one Subsidiary Guarantor Payment Blockage Period in any period of 360 consecutive days, irrespective of the number of defaults with respect to Designated Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor during such period. For purposes of this Section, no default or event of default which existed or was continuing on the date of the commencement of any Subsidiary Guarantor Payment Blockage Period with respect to the Designated Senior Indebtedness initiating such Subsidiary Guarantor Payment Blockage Period shall be, or be made, the basis of the commencement of a subsequent Subsidiary Guarantor Payment Blockage Period by the Representative of such Designated Senior Indebtedness, whether or not within a period of 360 consecutive days, unless such default or event of default shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 consecutive days.

Section 12.04. Demand for Payment. If a demand for payment is made on a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Article 11, the Trustee shall promptly notify the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness (or their Representatives) of such Subsidiary Guarantor of such demand.

Section 12.05. When Distribution Must Be Paid Over. If a distribution is made to Securityholders that because of this Article 12 should not have been made to them, the Securityholders who receive the distribution shall hold it in trust for holders of the relevant Senior Indebtedness and pay it over to them or their Representative as their interests may appear.

Section 12.06. Subrogation. After all Senior Indebtedness of a Subsidiary Guarantor is paid in full and until the Securities are paid in full, Securityholders shall be subrogated to the rights of holders of such Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness. A distribution made under this Article 12 to holders of such Senior Indebtedness which otherwise would have been made to Securityholders is not, as between the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor and Securityholders, a payment by such Subsidiary Guarantor on such Senior Indebtedness.

Section 12.07. Relative Rights. This Article 12 defines the relative rights of Securityholders and holders of Senior Indebtedness of a Subsidiary Guarantor. Nothing in this Indenture shall:

(1) impair, as between such Subsidiary Guarantor and Securityholders, the obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the Obligations to the extent set forth in Article 11; or

(2) prevent the Trustee or any Securityholder from exercising its available remedies upon a default by such Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee, subject to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor to receive distributions otherwise payable to Securityholders.

 

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Section 12.08. Subordination May Not Be Impaired by Subsidiary Guarantor. No right of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor to enforce the subordination of the Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor shall be impaired by any act or failure to act by such Subsidiary Guarantor or by its failure to comply with this Indenture.

Section 12.09. Rights of Trustee and Paying Agent. Notwithstanding Section 12.03, the Trustee or Paying Agent may continue to make payments pursuant to any Subsidiary Guarantee and shall not be charged with knowledge of the existence of facts that would prohibit the making of any such payments unless, not less than two Business Days prior to the date of such payment, a Trust Officer of the Trustee receives written notice satisfactory to it that payments may not be made under this Article 12. The Company, such Subsidiary Guarantor, the Registrar or co-registrar, the Paying Agent, a Representative or a holder of Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor may give the notice; provided, however, that, if an issue of Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor has a Representative, only the Representative may give the notice.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may hold Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. The Registrar and co-registrar and the Paying Agent may do the same with like rights. The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article 12 with respect to any Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor which may at any time be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of such Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor; and nothing in Article 7 shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such holder. Nothing in this Article 12 shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 7.07.

Section 12.10. Distribution or Notice to Representative. Whenever a distribution is to be made or a notice given to holders of Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor, the distribution may be made and the notice given to their Representative (if any).

Section 12.11. Article 12 Not To Prevent Defaults Under a Subsidiary Guarantee or Limit Right To Demand Payment. The failure to make a payment pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee by reason of any provision in this Article 12 shall not be construed as preventing the occurrence of a default under such Subsidiary Guarantee. Nothing in this Article 12 shall have any effect on the right of the Securityholders or the Trustee to make a demand for payment on any Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to its Subsidiary Guarantee.

Section 12.12. Trustee Entitled To Rely. Upon any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 12, the Trustee and the Securityholders shall be entitled to rely (i) upon any order or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction in which any proceedings of the nature referred to in Section 12.02 are pending, (ii) upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee or agent or other Person making such payment or distribution to the Trustee or to the Securityholders or (iii) upon the Representative for the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor for the purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or distribution, the holders of such Senior Indebtedness and other Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article 12. In the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that evidence is required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior

 

67


Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this Article 12, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness of such Subsidiary Guarantor held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled to participate in such payment or distribution and other facts pertinent to the rights of such Person under this Article 12, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment. The provisions of Sections 7.01 and 7.02 shall be applicable to all actions or omissions of actions by the Trustee pursuant to this Article 12.

Section 12.13. Trustee To Effectuate Subordination. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate to acknowledge or effectuate the subordination between the Securityholders and the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor as provided in this Article 12 and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 12.14. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Indebtedness of Subsidiary Guarantor. The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor and shall not be liable to any such holders if it shall mistakenly pay over or distribute to Securityholders or the Company or any other Person, money or assets to which any holders of such Senior Indebtedness shall be entitled by virtue of this Article 12 or otherwise.

Section 12.15. Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination Provisions. Each Securityholder by accepting a Security acknowledges and agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement and a consideration to each holder of any Senior Indebtedness of any Subsidiary Guarantor, whether such Senior Indebtedness was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Securities, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Indebtedness and such holder of Senior Indebtedness shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Indebtedness.

ARTICLE 13

Miscellaneous

Section 13.01. Trust Indenture Act Controls. If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is required to be included in this Indenture by the TIA, the required provision shall control.

Section 13.02. Notices. Any notice or communication shall be in writing and delivered in person or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:

if to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor:

 

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Denbury Resources Inc.

5320 Legacy Drive

Plano, Texas 75024

Attention of Corporate Secretary

if to the Trustee:

Wells Fargo Bank, National Association

750 N. Saint Paul Place, Suite 1750

Dallas, TX 75201

Attention: Corporate Trust Services

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

Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be mailed to the Securityholder at the Securityholder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed.

Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders. If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

Section 13.03. Communication by Holders with Other Holders. Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Securities. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

Section 13.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.

Section 13.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:

 

69


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

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

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

Any Officers’ Certificate may be based, insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon an Opinion of Counsel, unless any such Officer knows or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known that such Opinion of Counsel is erroneous. Any Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as it relates to factual matters or information with respect to which is in possession of the Company, upon an Officers’ Certificate, unless such counsel knows or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known that such Officers’ Certificate is erroneous.

Section 13.06. When Securities Disregarded. In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Securities have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Securities owned by the Company or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Securities which the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Also, subject to the foregoing, only Securities outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

Section 13.07. Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Securityholders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

Section 13.08. Legal Holidays. A “Legal Holiday” is a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions are not required to be open in the State of New York or in the State of Texas. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue with respect to such payment for the intervening period. If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.

Section 13.09. Governing Law. This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

Section 13.10. No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company under the Securities or this Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Securityholder shall waive and release all such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

 

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Section 13.11. Successors. All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.

Section 13.12. Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture.

Section 13.13. Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 13.14. Severability. If any one or more of the provisions contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstance, is held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.

 

DENBURY RESOURCES INC.,
    by  

 

  Name: Mark C. Allen
 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief

          Financial Officer

SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS:
DENBURY AIR, LLC
    by  

 

  Name: Mark C. Allen
 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief

          Financial Officer

DENBURY GATHERING & MARKETING, INC.,
    by  

 

  Name: Mark C. Allen
 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief

          Financial Officer

DENBURY GREEN PIPELINE – TEXAS, LLC,
    by  

 

  Name: Mark C. Allen
 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief

          Financial Officer

DENBURY GULF COAST PIPELINES, LLC,
    by  

 

  Name: Mark C. Allen
 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief

          Financial Officer

[Signature Page to Indenture]


DENBURY HOLDINGS, INC.,
By:   Denbury Operating Company,
  its sole member
    by  

 

  Name: Mark C. Allen
 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief

          Financial Officer

DENBURY ONSHORE, LLC,
    by  

 

  Name: Mark C. Allen
 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief

          Financial Officer

DENBURY OPERATING COMPANY
    by  

 

  Name: Mark C. Allen
 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief

          Financial Officer

DENBURY PIPELINE HOLDINGS, LLC,
    by  

 

  Name: Mark C. Allen
 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief

          Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]


GREENCORE PIPELINE COMPANY, LLC,
by  

 

  Name: Mark C. Allen
 

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief

          Financial Officer

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]


TRUSTEE:
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
by  

 

  Name: Patrick Giordano
 

Title: Vice President – Senior Relationship

          Manager

 

[Signature Page to Indenture]


EXHIBIT 1

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of , among [SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR] (the “New Subsidiary Guarantor”), a subsidiary of Denbury Resources Inc. (or its successor) (the “Company”), DENBURY RESOURCES INC., a Delaware corporation, on behalf of itself and the Subsidiary Guarantors (the “Existing Subsidiary Guarantors”) under the Indenture referred to below, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture (the “Indenture”) dated as of [•], 2013, providing for the issuance of [•]% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 (the “Securities”);

WHEREAS Section 4.13 of the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Company is required to cause the New Subsidiary Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Subsidiary Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s obligations under the Securities pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee, the Company and Existing Subsidiary Guarantors are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Subsidiary Guarantor, the Company, the Existing Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Securities as follows:

1. Definitions. (a) Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

(b) For all purposes of this Supplement, except as otherwise herein expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires: (i) the terms and expressions used herein shall have the same meanings as corresponding terms and expressions used in the Indenture; and (ii) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplement refer to this Supplement as a whole and not to any particular section hereof.

2. Agreement to Guarantee. The New Subsidiary Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all other Subsidiary Guarantors, to guarantee the Company’s obligations under the Securities on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article 11 of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture.


3. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every holder of Securities heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.

4. Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

5. Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.

6. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

7. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not effect the construction thereof.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

[NEW SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR],
by  

 

 

Name:

Title:

DENBURY RESOURCES INC., on behalf of itself and the Existing Subsidiary Guarantors,
by  

 

 

Name:

Title:

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee,
by  

 

 

Name:

Title:


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF FACE OF 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.

CUSIP No. [•]

ISIN No. [•]

No. [•] $ [•]

[•]% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2023

Denbury Resources Inc., a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum of $                 Dollars on [•], 2023.

Interest Payment Dates: [•] and [•].

Record Dates: [•] and [•].


Additional provisions of this Security are set forth on the other side of this Security.

Dated:

 

DENBURY RESOURCES INC.
by  

 

 

Name: Phil Rykhoek

Title: Chief Executive Officer

 
 

 

 

Name: Mark C. Allen

Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial

          Officer

TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Securities referred to in the Indenture.

 

by  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

2


FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY

[•]% Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2023

1. Interest

Denbury Resources Inc., a Delaware 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. The Company shall pay interest semiannually on [•] and [•] of each year, commencing [•], 2013. Interest on the Securities shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from [•], 2013. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Securities plus 1% per annum, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

2. Method of Payment

The Company shall pay interest on the Securities (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders of Securities at the close of business on the [•] and [•] 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 shall 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, if any, and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company. The Company shall make all payments in respect of a certificated Security (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) by mailing a check to the registered address of each Holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on a certificated Security shall 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, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “Trustee”), shall 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 Wholly Owned Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or co-registrar.

4. Indenture

The Company issued the Securities under an Indenture dated as of [•], 2013 (“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 Securityholders are referred to the Indenture and the Act for a statement of those terms.

The Securities are general unsecured obligations of the Company. The Company shall be entitled, subject to its compliance with Section 4.03 of the Indenture, to issue Additional Securities pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Indenture. The Securities issued on the Issue Date and any Additional Securities shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under the Indenture. The Indenture contains covenants that limit the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness; pay dividends or distributions on, or redeem or repurchase capital stock; make investments; engage in transactions with affiliates; transfer or sell assets; guarantee indebtedness; restrict dividends or other payments of subsidiaries; and consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of its assets and the assets of its subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications.

5. Optional Redemption

(a) Optional Redemption. Except as set forth below, the Company shall not be entitled to redeem the Securities prior to [•], 2018. On and after [•], 2018, the Company shall be entitled at its option to redeem all or a portion of the Securities upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ notice, at the redemption prices (expressed in percentages of principal amount on the redemption date), 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 relevant interest payment date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on [•] of the years set forth below:

 

Period

   Redemption Price  

2018

     [ •]% 

2019

     [ •]% 

2020

     [ •]% 

2021 and thereafter

     [ •]% 

(b) Option Redemption Upon Equity Offerings. Prior to [•], 2016, the Company may at its option on one or more occasions redeem Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) originally issued at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) of [•]%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds from one or more Stock Offerings; provided, however, that

(1) at least 65% of such aggregate principal amount of Securities (which includes Additional Securities, if any) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of each such redemption (excluding Securities held, directly or indirectly, by the Company or its Affiliates); and

 

2


(2) each such redemption occurs within 60 days after the date of the related Stock Offering.

(c) Make-Whole Redemption. At any time prior to [•], 2018, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address, the Company may redeem Securities, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus the Applicable Premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date).

Applicable Premium” means, with respect to a Security on any date of redemption, the greater of (1) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Security and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) the present value as of such date of redemption of (i) the redemption price of such Security on [•], 2018 plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Security through [•], 2018 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the date of redemption), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such date of redemption plus 50 basis points, over (b) the then-outstanding principal of such Security.

Treasury Rate” means as of any date of redemption of Securities the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source or similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to [•], 2018; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to [•], 2018 is not equal to the constant maturity of a 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 which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to [•], 2018 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.

6. Notice of Redemption

Notice of redemption shall be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed at its registered address. Securities in denominations larger than $2,000 principal amount may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest on all Securities (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on the redemption date is deposited with the Paying Agent on or before the redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such date interest ceases to accrue on such Securities (or such portions thereof) called for redemption.

 

3


7. Put Provisions

Upon a Change of Control, any Holder of Securities shall have the right to cause the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Securities of such Holder at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Securities to be repurchased on the date of purchase plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date) as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.

8. Subordination

The Securities are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness of the Company, as defined in the Indenture. To the extent provided in the Indenture, Senior Indebtedness of the Company must be paid in full in cash before the Securities may be paid. The Company agrees, and each Securityholder by accepting a Security agrees, to the subordination provisions contained in the Indenture and authorizes the Trustee to give it effect and appoints the Trustee as attorney-in-fact for such purpose.

9. Guaranties

The payment by the Company of the principal of, and premium (if any) and interest on, the Securities is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior subordinated basis by each of the Subsidiary Guarantors on the terms set forth in the Indenture.

10. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange

The Securities are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 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 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 days before a selection of Securities to be redeemed or 15 days before an interest payment date.

11. Persons Deemed Owners

The registered Holder of this Security may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.

12. Unclaimed Money

If money for the payment of principal, premium (if any) 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.

 

4


13. 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, including the Subsidiary Guarantees, if the Company deposits with the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations for the payment of principal and interest on the Securities to redemption or maturity, as the case may be.

14. Amendment, Waiver

Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Securities may be amended with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding and (ii) any default or noncompliance with any provisions may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding. Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without notice to or the consent of any Securityholder, the Company, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture or the Securities to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency, or to comply with Article 5 of the Indenture, or to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of certificated Securities (provided that the uncertificated Securities are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code), or to make any change to the subordination provisions of the Indenture that would limit or terminate the benefits available to any holder of Senior Indebtedness (or its Representative) of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or to add guarantees (including Subsidiary Guarantees) with respect to the Securities, or to secure the Securities, or to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders, or to surrender any right or power conferred on the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor, or to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder, or to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying the Indenture under the Act. No amendment may be made to the subordination provisions of the Indenture that adversely affects the rights of any holder of Senior Indebtedness of the Company or of any Subsidiary Guarantor then outstanding unless the holders of such Senior Indebtedness (or their Representative) consent to such change.

15. Defaults and Remedies

Under the Indenture, Events of Default include (i) default for 30 days in payment of interest on the Securities when due; (ii) default in payment of principal on the Securities at maturity, upon redemption pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Securities, upon declaration or acceleration or otherwise, or failure by the Company to redeem or purchase Securities when required; (iii) failure by the Company to comply with its obligations under certain covenants; (iv) failure by the Company to comply with other agreements in the Indenture or the Securities, in certain cases subject to notice and lapse of time; (v) certain accelerations (including failure to pay within any grace period after final maturity) of other Indebtedness of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (other than Nonrecourse Purchase Money Indebtedness) if the amount accelerated (or so unpaid) exceeds $20.0 million; (vi) certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization with respect to the Company or a Significant Subsidiary; (vii) any judgment or decree for the payment of money in excess of $20.0 million is rendered against the Company or a Significant Subsidiary, remains outstanding for a period of 60 days following such judgment or

 

5


decree and is not discharged, waived or stayed within 10 days after notice; or (viii) any Subsidiary Guarantee ceases or otherwise fails to be in full force and effect (other than in accordance with the terms of such Subsidiary Guarantee) or any Subsidiary Guarantor denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Subsidiary Guarantee if such default continues for a period of 10 days after notice thereof to the Company. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Securities to be due and payable immediately. Certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization are Events of Default which shall result in the Securities being due and payable immediately upon the occurrence of such Events of Default. A default under clauses (iv), (v), (vii) or (viii) shall not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Securities notifies the Company of the default and the Company does not cure such default within the time specified after receipt of such notice.

Securityholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Securities except as provided in the Indenture. The Trustee may refuse to enforce the Indenture or the Securities unless it receives reasonable indemnity or security. 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 Trustee may withhold from Securityholders notice of any continuing Default (except a Default in payment of principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in the interest of the Holders.

16. Trustee Dealings with the Company

Subject to certain limitations imposed by the Act, 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 and collect obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.

17. No Recourse Against Others

A director, officer, employee, stockholder, incorporator, or member, as such, of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor under the Securities, any Subsidiary Guarantee, or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Security, each Securityholder waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issue of the Securities.

18. Authentication

This Security shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Security.

 

6


19. Abbreviations

Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Securityholder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).

20. CUSIP Numbers

The Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Securities and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Securityholders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

22. Governing Law

THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

The Company shall furnish to any Securityholder upon written request and without charge to the Securityholder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Security in larger type. Requests may be made to:

Denbury Resources Inc.

5320 Legacy Drive

Plano, Texas 75024

Attention of Chief Financial Officer

 

7


 

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 soc. sec. 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.

 

Date:                         Your Signature:                     

 

 

Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Security.

 

8


[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL SECURITIES]

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


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Security purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.07 or 4.09 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 4.07 or 4.09 of the Indenture, state the amount in principal amount ($2,000 and any whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof): $            .

 

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 United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

EX-5.1 3 d470925dex51.htm OPINION OF BAKER & HOSTERLER LLP <![CDATA[Opinion of Baker & Hosterler LLP]]>

Exhibit 5.1

January 22, 2013

Denbury Resources Inc.

5320 Legacy Drive

Plano, Texas 75024

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as securities counsel to Denbury Resources Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Denbury”), and its subsidiaries Denbury Onshore, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Denbury Gathering & Marketing, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Denbury Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Denbury Operating Company, a Delaware corporation, Denbury Green Pipeline – Texas, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Denbury Pipeline Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Denbury Air, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Denbury Gulf Coast Pipelines, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Greencore Pipeline Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors”), in connection with the registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) being filed by Denbury with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), which relates to Denbury’s Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”) being offered pursuant to Rules 415 and 462(e) under the Act. The Notes are being issued pursuant to an Indenture (the “Indenture”) among Denbury, the Subsidiary Guarantors and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (the “Trustee”), the form of which is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registration Statement. Denbury’s payment obligations on the Notes will be jointly and severally guaranteed by the Subsidiary Guarantors as provided for in the Indenture (such obligation to guarantee Denbury’s payment obligation under the Notes as contained in the Indenture being herein referred to as the “Guarantees”). Except as otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement.

In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the accuracy of original, certified or photographic copies of such records, agreements, certificates and other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinions set out below, including (i) the Registration Statement and the preliminary prospectus included therein, (ii) the form of the Notes, (iii) copies of resolutions of Denbury’s board of directors authorizing the issuance of the Notes and the filing of the Registration Statement, (iv) copies of resolutions of the Subsidiary Guarantors authorizing the Guarantees and the Registration Statement, (v) the Indenture and (vi) the Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1. In addition, we have reviewed such questions of law as we have considered appropriate.

In all such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies and the authenticity of the originals of such latter documents. In addition, we have assumed, and without independent investigation have relied upon, the factual accuracy of the representations, warranties and other information contained in the items we examined.

We have also assumed that (i) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments) will be automatically effective upon filing under the Act and comply with all applicable laws, (ii) the Notes, when issued, will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and solely in the manner stated in the Registration Statement, (iii) the Indenture will be duly authorized by the Trustee and executed and delivered by the parties thereto in substantially the form reviewed by us or with changes that do not affect the opinions given hereunder, (iv) the Trustee is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (v) the Trustee has the requisite power and authority to enter into and perform its obligations under the Indenture, (vi) the Indenture constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trustee, enforceable against the Trustee in accordance with its terms, (vii) there shall be no change in law affecting the validity of the Notes between the date hereof and the date of issuance and sale of the Notes, (viii) the Underwriting Agreement is validly executed and delivered by the parties thereto and (ix) all parties to agreements involving the issuance or sale of the Notes will perform their obligations thereunder in compliance with the terms of such documents.

Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, qualifications and limitations stated herein, we are of the opinion that when (i) the Registration Statement has been filed with the Commission, (ii) the Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, and has been validly executed and delivered by the Trustee, the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors, (iii) the Trustee has been duly qualified, (iv) the global note evidencing the Notes has been validly executed, authenticated, countersigned, registered, issued and delivered in accordance with the Indenture and


the Underwriting Agreement and (v) Denbury has received payment of the consideration provided in the Underwriting Agreement to be paid for the Notes:

 

  1. the Notes will constitute binding obligations of Denbury; and

 

  2. the Guarantees will constitute binding obligations of the Subsidiary Guarantors in accordance with the terms of the Guarantees.

The opinions set forth above are subject to the applicable effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws now or hereafter in effect relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally, general equitable principles (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), public policy considerations which may limit the rights of the parties to obtain remedies, and the exercise of the discretionary power of any court or other authority before which may be brought any proceeding seeking equitable or other remedies. We express no opinion as to the sufficiency of the waivers of defenses by the Subsidiary Guarantors contained in the Indenture governing the Notes.

The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York, the laws of the United States of America and the Delaware General Corporation Law, including in the latter case the applicable provisions of the Delaware Constitution, and reported judicial decisions interpreting these laws.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In giving this consent, this firm does not admit that it is within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

The opinions expressed herein are given as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligations to supplement this letter if any applicable law changes after such date or if we become aware of any facts that might change the opinions expressed herein after such date or for any other reason.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ Baker & Hostetler LLP

Baker & Hostetler LLP

EX-8.1 4 d470925dex81.htm OPINION OF BAKER & HOSTERLER LLP <![CDATA[Opinion of Baker & Hosterler LLP]]>

Exhibit 8.1

January 22, 2013

Denbury Resources Inc.

5320 Legacy Drive

Plano, Texas 75024

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as tax counsel to Denbury Resources Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) in connection with its prospectus (“Prospectus”) relating to the Company’s issuance of Senior Subordinated Notes due 2023 (the “Notes”) to be offered pursuant to the Prospectus, which Prospectus will be filed as part of a registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as otherwise indicated, capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Prospectus.

Set forth below is our opinion, together with the representations, assumptions and documents upon which we have relied in rendering our opinion and any limitations on our opinion.

 

  A. Documents Reviewed

In connection with the opinion rendered below, we have reviewed and relied upon the following documents:

 

  1. the Prospectus;

 

  2. the Registration Statement;

 

  3. form of Indenture to be entered into between the Company, the Guarantors thereof, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, pertaining to the Notes;

 

  4. the Officer’s Certificate, dated January 22, 2013, containing representations to this firm to certain factual matters and executed by a senior officer of the Company (the “Officer’s Certificate”); and

 

  5. such other documents as we deemed necessary for purposes of rendering the opinion.

We have not independently verified the accuracy of such representations or the matters set forth in such documents.

 

  B. Assumptions

In connection with the opinion rendered below, we have assumed:

1. that all signatures on all documents submitted to us are genuine, that all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic, that all documents submitted to us as copies are accurate, that all information submitted to us is accurate and complete, and that all persons executing and delivering originals or copies of documents examined by us are competent to execute and deliver such documents;

2. that the issuance, description of and transactions regarding the Notes described in the Prospectus will be timely consummated as contemplated in the Prospectus and without waiver of any material provision thereof; and

3. that the terms of the Notes when established in conformity with the Indenture will not violate any applicable law.

 

  C. Opinion

Based solely upon the documents and assumptions set forth above and conditioned upon the initial and continuing accuracy of the factual representations set forth in the Officer’s Certificate as of the date hereof, it is our opinion that the descriptions of the law and the legal conclusions contained in the Prospectus under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” are correct in all material respects and that the discussion thereunder represents an accurate summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes


by an investor who is a U.S. Holder or Non-U.S. Holder and who purchases the Notes pursuant to the offering at the public offering price to investors as set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus and who hold the Notes as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code.

D. Limitations

1. Except as otherwise indicated, the opinion contained in this letter is based upon the Code and its legislative history, the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Regulations”), judicial decisions, and current administrative rulings and practices of the Internal Revenue Service, all as in effect on the date of this letter. These authorities may be amended or revoked at any time. Any such changes may or may not be retroactive with respect to transactions entered into or contemplated prior to the effective date thereof and could significantly alter the conclusions reached in this letter. There is no assurance that legislative, judicial, or administrative changes will not occur in the future. We assume no obligation to update or modify this letter to reflect any developments that may occur after the date of this letter.

2. The opinion expressed herein represents our best legal judgment and is not binding upon the Internal Revenue Service or the courts and is dependent upon the accuracy and completeness of the documents we have reviewed under the circumstances, the assumptions made and the factual representations provided to us in the Officer’s Certificate. To the extent that any of the factual representations provided to us in the Officer’s Certificate are with respect to matters set forth in the Code or the Regulations, we have reviewed with the individuals making such factual representations the relevant portions of the Code and the applicable Regulations and are reasonably satisfied that such individuals understand such provisions and are capable of making such factual representations. We have not made an independent investigation of the assumptions set forth above, the facts contained in the documents or the facts set forth Prospectus, Registration Statement or Officer’s Certificate. No facts have come to our attention, however, that would cause us to question the accuracy and completeness of such assumptions, facts or documents in a material way. Any material inaccuracy or incompleteness in these documents, assumptions or factual representations could adversely affect the opinion stated herein.

3. We are expressing an opinion only as to those matters expressly set forth in Section C above. No opinion should be inferred as to any other matters and this opinion may not be relied upon except with respect to the considerations specifically discussed herein. This opinion does not address the various state, local or foreign tax consequences related to the purchase, ownership and disposition of the Notes by an investor who is a U.S. Holder or Non-U.S. Holder and who purchases the Notes pursuant to the offering at the public offering price to investors as set forth on the cover page of the Prospectus and who hold the Notes as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. In addition, no opinion is expressed as to any U.S. federal income tax consequences of any other transactions related to the Notes except as specifically set forth herein, and this opinion may not be relied upon except with respect to the considerations specifically discussed herein.

4. The opinion expressed herein is issued solely for the benefit of the Company in connection with the Prospectus and no other person or entity may rely hereon without our express written consent. We are furnishing this opinion solely in our capacity as tax counsel to the Company. This opinion letter may be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by virtue of the filing of a Form S-3 by the Company. Furthermore, we consent to the reference to Baker & Hostetler LLP, under the caption “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” in the Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

 

Sincerely,

/s/ Baker & Hostetler LLP

Baker & Hostetler LLP

EX-12 5 d470925dex12.htm COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Exhibit 12

 

DENBURY RESOURCES INC.  
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES  
      Year Ended December 31,     Nine
Months Ended
September 30, 2012
 
In thousands    2007     2008     2009     2010     2011    

Earnings:

            

Pretax income from continuing operations

     393,414       624,228       (122,189     479,070       924,045       661,492  

Plus: Equity in (earnings) loss of affiliates

     1,110       (5,354     (6,657     (587     —          —     

Plus: Distributed income of equity investees

     1,427       7,139       11,642       —          —          —     

Plus: Amortization of capitalized interest

     169       1,420       2,427       4,865       5,271       4,780  

Plus: Fixed charges (below)

     55,917       67,576       122,795       250,964       236,552       177,748  

Less: Interest capitalized

     (20,385     (29,161     (68,596     (66,815     (61,586     (57,357
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings

     431,652       665,848       (60,578     667,497       1,104,282       786,663  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed Charges:

            

Interest expense

     30,830       32,596       47,430       176,113       164,360       115,745  

Capitalized interest

     20,385       29,161       68,596       66,815       61,586       57,357  

Interest component of rent expense (1)

     4,702       5,819       6,769       8,036       10,606       4,646  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Fixed charges

     55,917       67,576       122,795       250,964       236,552       177,748  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     7.7       9.9       (0.5 )(2)      2.7       4.7       4.4  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Represents that portion of rental expense that we believe to be representative of interest expense.
(2) Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by $183.4 million.
EX-23.1 6 d470925dex231.htm CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 28, 2012 relating to the financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in Denbury Resources Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Dallas, Texas

January 22, 2013

EX-23.2 7 d470925dex232.htm CONSENT OF DEGOLYER AND MACNAUGHTON Consent of DeGolyer and MacNaughton

Exhibit 23.2

DEGOLYER AND MACNAUGHTON

5001 SPRING VALLEY ROAD

SUITE 800 EAST

DALLAS, TEXAS 75244

January 22, 2013

Denbury Resources, Inc.

5320 Legacy Drive

Plano, Texas 75024

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We hereby consent to the use of the name DeGolyer and MacNaughton, to references to DeGolyer and MacNaughton, and to the inclusion of information taken from our “Appraisal Report as of December 31, 2011 on Certain Properties owned by Denbury Resources Inc. SEC Case”, “Appraisal Report as of December 31, 2010 on Certain Properties owned by Denbury Resources Inc. SEC Case” and “Appraisal Report as of December 31, 2009 on Proved Reserves of Certain Properties owned by Denbury Resources Inc. SEC Case”, under the headings “Summary of Oil and Gas Reserve Data”, “Experts”, and “Exhibits” in the Registration Statement on Form S-3, registering for sale of Senior Subordinated debt securities of Denbury Resources, Inc., to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on or about January 22, 2013, and to the inclusion by reference of the Denbury Resources Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 in the Registration Statement on Form S-3.

 

Very truly yours,

/s/ DeGOLYER and MacNAUGHTON

DeGOLYER and MacNAUGHTON

Texas Registered Engineering Firm F-716

EX-25 8 d470925dex25.htm FORM T-1 STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY OF TRUSTEE FOR THE DEBT SECURITIES Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee for the Debt Securities

Exhibit 25

 

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM T-1

 

 

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

 

¨ CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)

 

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

A National Banking Association   94-1347393

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or

organization if not a U.S. national bank)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

101 North Phillips Avenue

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

 

57104

(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

Wells Fargo & Company

Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

 

 

Denbury Resources Inc.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   20-0467835

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

Denbury Resources Inc.

5320 Legacy Drive

Plano, Texas 75024

(972) 673-2000

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

 

 

SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2023

TABLE OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANT GUARANTORS

 

EXACT NAME OF ADDITIONAL REGISTRANT AS

SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER

  

STATE OR OTHER

JURISDICTION OF
INCORPORATION
OR ORGANIZATION

   IRS EMPLOYEE
IDENTIFICATION
NO.

DENBURY AIR, LLC

   Delaware    75-2807621

DENBURY GATHERING & MARKETING, INC.

   Delaware    75-3056150

DENBURY GREEN PIPELINE-TEXAS, LLC

   Delaware    26-2072301

DENBURY GULF COAST PIPELINES, LLC

   Delaware    27-4160892

DENBURY HOLDINGS, INC.

   Delaware    27-2051216

DENBURY ONSHORE, LLC

   Delaware    20-0467798

DENBURY OPERATING COMPANY

   Delaware    75-2807620

DENBURY PIPELINE HOLDINGS, LLC

   Delaware    27-4160190

GREENCORE PIPELINE COMPANY LLC

   Delaware    27-0619605

Denbury Resources Inc.

5320 Legacy Drive

Plano, Texas 75024

(972) 673-2000

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Subsidiary Guarantors Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

 


Item 1. General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

 

  (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency

Treasury Department

Washington, D.C.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Washington, D.C.

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

San Francisco, California 94120

 

  (b) Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Item 2. Affiliations with Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None with respect to the trustee.

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

Item 15. Foreign Trustee. Not applicable.

Item 16. List of Exhibits. List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

 

Exhibit 1.    A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*
Exhibit 2.    A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence and Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated February 4, 2004.**
Exhibit 3.    See Exhibit 2
Exhibit 4.    Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.***
Exhibit 5.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 6.    The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.
Exhibit 7.    A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.
Exhibit 8.    Not applicable.
Exhibit 9.    Not applicable.

 

* Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated December 30, 2005 of Hornbeck Offshore Services LLC file number 333-130784-06.
** Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form T-3 dated March 3, 2004 of Trans-Lux Corporation file number 022-28721.
*** Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25 to the Form S-4 dated May 26, 2005 of Penn National Gaming Inc. file number 333-125274.


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Dallas and State of Texas on the 17th day of January, 2013.

 

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

/s/ Patrick T. Giordano

Patrick T. Giordano
Vice President


EXHIBIT 6

January, 17, 2013

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

Gentlemen:

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request thereof.

 

Very truly yours,
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

/s/ Patrick T. Giordano

Patrick T. Giordano
Vice President


Consolidated Report of Condition of

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business September 30, 2012, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.

 

            Dollar Amounts
In Millions
 

ASSETS

     

Cash and balances due from depository institutions:

     

Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin

      $ 16,931   

Interest-bearing balances

        74,188   

Securities:

     

Held-to-maturity securities

        0   

Available-for-sale securities

        204,296   

Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:

     

Federal funds sold in domestic offices

        30   

Securities purchased under agreements to resell

        24,666   

Loans and lease financing receivables:

     

Loans and leases held for sale

        31,929   

Loans and leases, net of unearned income

     728,980      

LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses

     14,500      

Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance

        714,480   

Trading Assets

        40,930   

Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)

        7,618   

Other real estate owned

        4,074   

Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies

        581   

Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures

        86   

Intangible assets

     

Goodwill

        21,545   

Other intangible assets

        19,703   

Other assets

        57,739   
     

 

 

 

Total assets

      $ 1,218,796   
     

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

     

Deposits:

     

In domestic offices

      $ 876,434   

Noninterest-bearing

     234,742      

Interest-bearing

     641,692      

In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs

        76,676   

Noninterest-bearing

     2,323      

Interest-bearing

     74,353      

Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:

     

Federal funds purchased in domestic offices

        8,985   

Securities sold under agreements to repurchase

        11,823   


     Dollar Amounts
In Millions
 

Trading liabilities

     23,232   

Other borrowed money (includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)

     39,783   

Subordinated notes and debentures

     16,786   

Other liabilities

     35,449   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities

   $ 1,089,168   

EQUITY CAPITAL

  

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus

     0   

Common stock

     519   

Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)

     99,518   

Retained earnings

     20,950   

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     7,541   

Other equity capital components

     0   
  

 

 

 

Total bank equity capital

     128,528   

Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries

     1,100   
  

 

 

 

Total equity capital

     129,628   
  

 

 

 

Total liabilities, and equity capital

   $ 1,218,796   
  

 

 

 

I, Timothy J. Sloan, EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge and belief.

 

Timothy J. Sloan
EVP & CFO     

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

 

John Stumpf    Directors
David Hoyt   
Carrie Tolstedt   
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