$350,000,000 AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT Dated as of July 27, 2007 Amended and Restated as of December 22, 2010, by and among ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P., as Borrower, the Lenders referred to herein, as Lenders, and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank BNP PARIBAS CITIBANK, N.A. BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. as Co-Syndication Agents WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC, as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exhibit 10.1
EXECUTION COPY
Published CUSIP Number: 04939NAC1
Revolving Credit CUSIP Number: 04393NAD9
$350,000,000
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of July 27, 2007
Amended and Restated as of December 22, 2010,
by and among
ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P.,
as Borrower,
the Lenders referred to herein,
as Lenders,
and
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent
Swingline Lender and Issuing Bank
BNP PARIBAS
CITIBANK, N.A.
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
as Co-Syndication Agents
WELLS FARGO SECURITIES, LLC,
as Sole Lead Arranger and Sole Book Manager
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | ||||||
ARTICLE I | ||||||
DEFINITIONS | ||||||
SECTION 1.1 | Definitions | 2 | ||||
SECTION 1.2 | Other Definitions and Provisions | 26 | ||||
SECTION 1.3 | Accounting Terms | 26 | ||||
SECTION 1.4 | UCC Terms | 27 | ||||
SECTION 1.5 | Rounding | 27 | ||||
SECTION 1.6 | References to Agreement and Laws | 27 | ||||
SECTION 1.7 | Times of Day | 27 | ||||
SECTION 1.8 | Letter of Credit Amounts | 27 | ||||
SECTION 1.9 | Effect of this Agreement on the Existing Credit Agreement and the Other Existing Loan Documents | 27 | ||||
ARTICLE II | ||||||
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY | ||||||
SECTION 2.1 | Revolving Credit Loans | 28 | ||||
SECTION 2.2 | Swingline Loans | 28 | ||||
SECTION 2.3 | Procedure for Advances of Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans | 29 | ||||
SECTION 2.4 | Repayment and Prepayment of Revolving Credit and Swingline Loans | 30 | ||||
SECTION 2.5 | Permanent Reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment | 31 | ||||
SECTION 2.6 | Mandatory Prepayments | 31 | ||||
SECTION 2.7 | Termination of Revolver Facility | 32 | ||||
ARTICLE III | ||||||
LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY | ||||||
SECTION 3.1 | L/C Commitment | 32 | ||||
SECTION 3.2 | Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit | 33 | ||||
SECTION 3.3 | Commissions and Other Charges | 34 | ||||
SECTION 3.4 | L/C Participations | 34 | ||||
SECTION 3.5 | Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower | 35 | ||||
SECTION 3.6 | Obligations Absolute | 35 | ||||
SECTION 3.7 | Effect of Letter of Credit Agreement | 36 | ||||
ARTICLE IV | ||||||
GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS | ||||||
SECTION 4.1 | Interest | 36 | ||||
SECTION 4.2 | Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation of Loans | 37 | ||||
SECTION 4.3 | Fees | 38 |
-i-
Page | ||||||
SECTION 4.4 | Manner of Payment | 38 | ||||
SECTION 4.5 | Evidence of Indebtedness | 39 | ||||
SECTION 4.6 | Adjustments | 40 | ||||
SECTION 4.7 | Obligations of Lenders | 40 | ||||
SECTION 4.8 | Changed Circumstances | 41 | ||||
SECTION 4.9 | Indemnity | 41 | ||||
SECTION 4.10 | Increased Costs | 42 | ||||
SECTION 4.11 | Taxes | 43 | ||||
SECTION 4.12 | Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders | 45 | ||||
SECTION 4.13 | Security | 46 | ||||
SECTION 4.14 | Incremental Loans | 46 | ||||
ARTICLE V | ||||||
CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND BORROWING | ||||||
SECTION 5.1 | Conditions to Closing and Initial Extensions of Credit | 48 | ||||
SECTION 5.2 | Conditions to All Extensions of Credit | 52 | ||||
ARTICLE VI | ||||||
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CREDIT PARTIES | ||||||
SECTION 6.1 | Corporate Existence | 53 | ||||
SECTION 6.2 | Ownership | 53 | ||||
SECTION 6.3 | Authority | 53 | ||||
SECTION 6.4 | No Breach | 53 | ||||
SECTION 6.5 | Approvals | 53 | ||||
SECTION 6.6 | Compliance with Laws | 53 | ||||
SECTION 6.7 | Tax Returns and Payments | 54 | ||||
SECTION 6.8 | Intellectual Property Matters | 54 | ||||
SECTION 6.9 | Environmental Matters | 54 | ||||
SECTION 6.10 | Employee Benefit Matters | 55 | ||||
SECTION 6.11 | Margin Stock | 56 | ||||
SECTION 6.12 | Government Regulation | 56 | ||||
SECTION 6.13 | Material Agreements | 56 | ||||
SECTION 6.14 | Employee Relations | 57 | ||||
SECTION 6.15 | Burdensome Provisions | 57 | ||||
SECTION 6.16 | Financial Statements | 57 | ||||
SECTION 6.17 | No Material Adverse Change | 58 | ||||
SECTION 6.18 | Solvency | 58 | ||||
SECTION 6.19 | Titles to Properties | 58 | ||||
SECTION 6.20 | Insurance | 58 | ||||
SECTION 6.21 | Liens | 59 | ||||
SECTION 6.22 | Litigation | 59 | ||||
SECTION 6.23 | Senior Indebtedness Status | 59 | ||||
SECTION 6.24 | OFAC | 59 | ||||
SECTION 6.25 | Investment Bankers and Similar Fees | 59 | ||||
SECTION 6.26 | Operation of the Pipelines | 59 |
-ii-
Page | ||||||
SECTION 6.27 | Capitalization of General Partner and Subsidiaries | 59 | ||||
SECTION 6.28 | Location of Business and Offices | 59 | ||||
SECTION 6.29 | Hedging Agreements | 60 | ||||
SECTION 6.30 | Imbalances | 60 | ||||
SECTION 6.31 | Relationship of Credit Parties | 60 | ||||
SECTION 6.32 | Security Documents | 60 | ||||
SECTION 6.33 | Disclosure | 60 | ||||
SECTION 6.34 | No Casualty Event | 60 | ||||
ARTICLE VII | ||||||
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS | ||||||
SECTION 7.1 | Reporting Requirements | 61 | ||||
SECTION 7.2 | Litigation | 63 | ||||
SECTION 7.3 | Maintenance, Etc. | 64 | ||||
SECTION 7.4 | Environmental Matters | 65 | ||||
SECTION 7.5 | Further Assurances | 65 | ||||
SECTION 7.6 | Performance of Obligations | 66 | ||||
SECTION 7.7 | Title Curative | 66 | ||||
SECTION 7.8 | Additional Collateral | 66 | ||||
SECTION 7.9 | Corporate Identity | 69 | ||||
SECTION 7.10 | ERISA Information and Compliance | 70 | ||||
SECTION 7.11 | Material Agreements | 70 | ||||
SECTION 7.12 | Additional Guarantees and Security Documents | 70 | ||||
SECTION 7.13 | Payment and Performance of Obligations | 71 | ||||
SECTION 7.14 | Compliance with Laws and Approvals | 71 | ||||
SECTION 7.15 | Use of Proceeds | 71 | ||||
SECTION 7.16 | Designation of Unrestricted Entities | 71 | ||||
ARTICLE VIII | ||||||
FINANCIAL COVENANTS | ||||||
SECTION 8.1 | Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio | 72 | ||||
SECTION 8.2 | Consolidated Senior Secured Funded Debt Ratio | 72 | ||||
SECTION 8.3 | Interest Coverage Ratio | 72 | ||||
ARTICLE IX | ||||||
NEGATIVE COVENANTS | ||||||
SECTION 9.1 | Limitations on Indebtedness | 72 | ||||
SECTION 9.2 | Limitations on Liens | 74 | ||||
SECTION 9.3 | Limitations on Investments | 76 | ||||
SECTION 9.4 | Limitations on Fundamental Changes | 78 | ||||
SECTION 9.5 | Limitations on Asset Dispositions | 79 | ||||
SECTION 9.6 | Limitations on Restricted Payments | 80 | ||||
SECTION 9.7 | Transactions with Affiliates | 81 |
-iii-
Page | ||||||
SECTION 9.8 | Certain Accounting Changes; Organizational Documents | 82 | ||||
SECTION 9.9 | Limitation on Payments and Modifications of Certain Indebtedness | 82 | ||||
SECTION 9.10 | No Further Negative Pledges; Restrictive Agreements | 83 | ||||
SECTION 9.11 | Nature of Business | 83 | ||||
SECTION 9.12 | Sale Leasebacks | 83 | ||||
SECTION 9.13 | Disposal of Subsidiary Interests | 84 | ||||
SECTION 9.14 | Imbalances or Other Prepayments | 84 | ||||
SECTION 9.15 | Actions Relating to the Laurel Mountain JV | 84 | ||||
ARTICLE X | ||||||
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES | ||||||
SECTION 10.1 | Events of Default | 84 | ||||
SECTION 10.2 | Remedies | 86 | ||||
SECTION 10.3 | Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Non-Waiver; etc. | 87 | ||||
SECTION 10.4 | Crediting of Payments and Proceeds | 87 | ||||
SECTION 10.5 | Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim | 88 | ||||
ARTICLE XI | ||||||
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT | ||||||
SECTION 11.1 | Appointment and Authority | 88 | ||||
SECTION 11.2 | Rights as a Lender | 89 | ||||
SECTION 11.3 | Exculpatory Provisions | 89 | ||||
SECTION 11.4 | Reliance by the Administrative Agent | 90 | ||||
SECTION 11.5 | Delegation of Duties | 90 | ||||
SECTION 11.6 | Resignation of Administrative Agent | 90 | ||||
SECTION 11.7 | Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders | 91 | ||||
SECTION 11.8 | Collateral and Guaranty Matters | 91 | ||||
SECTION 11.9 | Release of Liens and Guarantees of Subsidiaries | 92 | ||||
SECTION 11.10 | Specified Hedging Agreements | 92 | ||||
ARTICLE XII | ||||||
MISCELLANEOUS | ||||||
SECTION 12.1 | Notices | 92 | ||||
SECTION 12.2 | Amendments, Waivers and Consents | 94 | ||||
SECTION 12.3 | Expenses; Indemnity | 96 | ||||
SECTION 12.4 | Right of Set Off | 98 | ||||
SECTION 12.5 | Governing Law; Jurisdiction, Etc. | 98 | ||||
SECTION 12.6 | Waiver of Jury Trial | 99 | ||||
SECTION 12.7 | Reversal of Payments | 99 | ||||
SECTION 12.8 | Injunctive Relief; Punitive Damages | 99 | ||||
SECTION 12.9 | Accounting Matters | 99 | ||||
SECTION 12.10 | Successors and Assigns; Participations | 100 | ||||
SECTION 12.11 | Confidentiality | 103 |
-iv-
Page | ||||||
SECTION 12.12 | Performance of Duties | 103 | ||||
SECTION 12.13 | All Powers Coupled with Interest | 103 | ||||
SECTION 12.14 | Survival | 104 | ||||
SECTION 12.15 | Titles and Captions | 104 | ||||
SECTION 12.16 | Severability of Provisions | 104 | ||||
SECTION 12.17 | Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution | 104 | ||||
SECTION 12.18 | Term of Agreement | 105 | ||||
SECTION 12.19 | USA Patriot Act | 105 | ||||
SECTION 12.20 | Delivery of Lender Authorization | 105 |
-v-
EXHIBITS | ||||
Exhibit A-1 | - | Form of Revolving Credit Note | ||
Exhibit A-2 | - | Form of Swingline Note | ||
Exhibit B | - | Form of Notice of Borrowing | ||
Exhibit C | - | Form of Notice of Account Designation | ||
Exhibit D | - | Form of Notice of Prepayment | ||
Exhibit E | - | Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation | ||
Exhibit F | - | Form of Officers Compliance Certificate | ||
Exhibit G | - | Form of Assignment and Assumption | ||
Exhibit H | - | Form of Guaranty Agreement | ||
Exhibit I | - | Form of Joinder Agreement | ||
SCHEDULES | ||||
Schedule 1.1 | - | Existing Letters of Credit | ||
Schedule 5.1(b)(iv) | - | Local Counsels | ||
Schedule 6.1 | - | Jurisdictions of Organization and Qualification | ||
Schedule 6.2 | - | Subsidiaries, Capitalization and Ownership | ||
Schedule 6.13 | - | Material Agreements | ||
Schedule 6.19 | - | Title Exceptions | ||
Schedule 6.20 | - | Insurance | ||
Schedule 6.22 | - | Litigation | ||
Schedule 6.28 | - | Ownership of General Partner | ||
Schedule 6.29 | - | Hedging Agreements | ||
Schedule 6.31 | - | Imbalances | ||
Schedule 7.8(f)(i)(B) | - | New Mortgaged Property | ||
Schedule 9.1 | - | Existing Indebtedness | ||
Schedule 9.2 | - | Existing Liens | ||
Schedule 9.3 | - | Existing Investments | ||
Schedule 9.7 | - | Transactions with Affiliates |
-vi-
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT, is entered into as of July 27, 2007 and amended and restated as of December 22, 2010, by and among ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (Borrower), the guarantors party hereto, the lenders who are party to this Agreement pursuant to a Lender Authorization and the lenders who may become a party to this Agreement pursuant to the terms hereof (collectively with the lenders party hereto, the Lenders) and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as Administrative Agent for the Lenders and as Collateral Agent for the Secured Parties.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The Borrower, various lenders and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor by merger to Wachovia Bank, National Association), as Administrative Agent for such Lenders, are parties to that certain Existing Credit Agreement pursuant to which the Lenders initially extended credit to the Borrower in the form of (i) term loans in an initial aggregate amount of up to $830,000,000 and (ii) revolving credit loans in an initial aggregate amount of up to $300,000,000.
The Borrower, the Required Lenders (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement), and other applicable Lenders, in each case, under the Existing Credit Agreement and the Administrative Agent have agreed that the Existing Credit Agreement be amended and restated in its entirety.
The Obligations (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) and the Security Instruments (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement, such Security Instruments are hereinafter referred to as the Existing Security Documents) are secured by certain Collateral (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement, such Collateral is hereinafter referred to as the Existing Collateral) and are guaranteed or supported or otherwise benefited by the Existing Security Documents.
The parties hereto intend that (a) the Obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under the Existing Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) (the Existing Obligations and such other Loan Documents are hereinafter referred to as the Existing Loan Documents) that remain unpaid and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement shall continue to exist under and be evidenced by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined below), (b) any Letters of Credit (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement as of the date of this Agreement (the Existing Letters of Credit) shall be Letters of Credit under and as defined herein and (c) the Existing Collateral and the Existing Loan Documents shall continue to secure, guarantee, support and otherwise benefit the Existing Obligations and the Obligations of the Borrower and the other Credit Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.
The Borrower has requested, and, subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have agreed, to extend the Credit Facilities to the Borrower on the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, such parties hereby agree to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement in its entirety as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.1 Definitions. The following terms when used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them below:
Act means the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), as amended.
Administrative Agent means Wells Fargo, in its capacity as Administrative Agent hereunder, and any successor thereto appointed pursuant to Section 11.6.
Administrative Agents Office means the office of the Administrative Agent specified in or determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.1(c).
Administrative Questionnaire means an administrative questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
Affected Loan has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.4(b).
Affiliate of any Person means (i) any Person directly or indirectly controlled by, controlling or under common control with such first Person, (ii) any director or officer of such first Person or of any Person referred to in clause (i) above and (iii) if any Person in clause (i) above is an individual, any member of the immediate family (including parents, spouse and children) of such individual and any trust whose principal beneficiary is such individual or one or more members of such immediate family and any Person who is controlled by any such member or trust. For purposes of this definition, any Person which owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body of a corporation or 10% or more of the partnership or other ownership interests of any other Person (other than as a limited partner of such other Person) will be deemed to control (including, with its correlative meanings, controlled by and under common control with) such corporation or other Person.
Agreement means this Credit Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
AHD means Atlas Pipeline Holdings, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
Anadarko JVs means Atlas Pipeline Midcontinent WestOk, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Atlas Pipeline Midcontinent WestTex, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
APL Operating means Atlas Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership.
Appalachian Business has the meaning given to such term in the Laurel Mountain Formation and Exchange Agreement.
Applicable Law means all applicable provisions of constitutions, laws, statutes, ordinances, rules, treaties, regulations, permits, licenses, approvals, interpretations and orders of courts or Governmental Authorities and all orders and decrees of all courts and arbitrators.
-2-
Applicable Margin means (x) prior to the end of the first fiscal quarter ending after the Closing Date, a percentage per annum equal to (i) 3.50%, in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans and (ii) 2.50%, in the case of Base Rate Loans (the Initial Pricing Level) and (y) thereafter the applicable per annum percentage set forth in the table below, based on the Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio as in effect from time to time:
Pricing | Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio | LIBOR + | Base Rate + | |||
I | Less than 3.00 to 1.00 | 2.50% | 1.50% | |||
II | Greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00, but less than 3.50 to 1.00 | 2.75% | 1.75% | |||
III | Greater than or equal to 3.50 to 1.00, but less than 4.00 to 1.00 | 3.00% | 2.00% | |||
IV | Greater than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00, but less than 4.50 to 1.00 | 3.25% | 2.25% | |||
V | Greater than or equal to 4.50 to 1.00 | 3.50% | 2.50% |
The Applicable Margin shall be determined and adjusted quarterly on the date (each a Calculation Date) by which the Borrower is required to provide an Officers Compliance Certificate pursuant to Section 7.1(i) for the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower; provided that (a) the Applicable Margin shall be based on the Initial Pricing Level until the first Calculation Date occurring after the Closing Date and, thereafter the Pricing Level shall be determined by reference to the Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower preceding the applicable Calculation Date, and (b) if the Borrower fails to provide the Officers Compliance Certificate as required by Section 7.1(i) for the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower preceding the applicable Calculation Date, the Applicable Margin from such Calculation Date shall be based on Pricing Level V until such time as an appropriate Officers Compliance Certificate is provided, at which time the Pricing Level shall be determined by reference to the Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower preceding such Calculation Date. The Applicable Margin shall be effective from one Calculation Date until the next Calculation Date. Any adjustment in the Applicable Margin shall be applicable to all Extensions of Credit then existing or subsequently made or issued.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any Financial Statement or Officers Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 7.1 is shown to be inaccurate, and such inaccuracy, if corrected, would have led to the application of a higher Applicable Margin for any period (an Applicable Period) than the Applicable Margin applied for such Applicable Period, then (x) the Borrower shall immediately deliver to the Agent a corrected Officers Compliance Certificate for such Applicable Period, (y) the Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period shall be determined as if the Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio in the corrected Officers Compliance Certificate were applicable for such Applicable Period, and (z) the Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Administrative Agent the accrued additional interest and fees owing as a result of such increased Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period, which payment shall be promptly applied by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 4.4. Nothing in this paragraph shall limit the rights of the Administrative Agent and Lenders with respect to Sections 4.1(c) and 10.2 nor any of their other rights under this Agreement.
Applicable Period has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of Applicable Margin.
-3-
Approved Fund means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.
Arranger means Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, in its capacity as sole lead arranger and sole lead book manager, and its successors.
Asset Disposition means the disposition of any or all of the assets (including, without limitation, any Capital Stock owned thereby) of any Credit Party or any Consolidated Subsidiary thereof whether by sale, lease, transfer or otherwise, other than the sale transfer, or other disposition (or series of related sales, transfers or related dispositions) of property of such Person having a fair market value of less than $1,000,000. The term Asset Disposition shall not include (i) any Equity Issuance or (ii) the disposition of assets to a Subsidiary of the Borrower the consideration for which consists of Capital Stock of such Subsidiary.
Assignment and Assumption means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 12.10), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form attached as Exhibit G or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
Available Cash shall mean, as at any date of determination, the total amount classified as cash and cash equivalents on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP less amounts classified as restricted cash.
Base Rate means, for any day, a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the higher of (a) the Prime Rate, (b) the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% and (c) three month LIBOR plus 1%; each change in the Base Rate shall take effect simultaneously with the corresponding change or changes in the Prime Rate, the Federal Funds Rate or LIBOR.
Base Rate Loan means any Loan bearing interest at a rate based upon the Base Rate as provided in Section 4.1(a).
Borrower has the meaning assigned thereto in the introductory paragraph hereto.
Borrower Materials has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7.1.
Building has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.1(d).
Business Day means (a) for all purposes other than as set forth in clause (b) below, any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday on which banks in Charlotte, North Carolina and New York, New York, are open for the conduct of their commercial banking business, and (b) with respect to all notices and determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and interest on, any LIBOR Rate Loan, any day that is a Business Day described in clause (a) and that is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market.
Calculation Date has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of Applicable Margin.
Capital Lease means any lease of any property by the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries, as lessee, that should, in accordance with GAAP, be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
-4-
Capital Stock means (a) in the case of a corporation, capital stock, (b) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of capital stock, (c) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests (whether general or limited), (d) in the case of a limited liability company, membership interests, (e) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person and (f) any and all warrants, rights or options to purchase any of the foregoing.
Cash Equivalents means, collectively, (a) direct obligations issued or unconditionally guaranteed by the United States or any agency thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof, (b) commercial paper maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof and currently having the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Moodys, (c) certificates of deposit maturing no more than one year from the date of creation thereof issued by any Lender or any other bank or trust company incorporated under the laws of the United States having combined capital, surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000 and having a rating of A or P2 or better by a nationally recognized rating agency, (d) deposits in money market funds investing exclusively in investments described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) or (e) time deposits maturing no more than thirty (30) days from the date of creation thereof with commercial banks or savings banks or savings and loan associations each having membership either in the FDIC or the deposits of which are insured by the FDIC and in amounts not exceeding the maximum amounts of insurance thereunder.
Change in Control means (i) except as permitted by clauses (iii)(c) and (iii)(d) hereof, any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Subsection 13(d) or 14(a) of the Exchange Act) shall have acquired subsequent to the date hereof beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the SEC under the Exchange Act) of 25% or more of the Capital Stock of such Person entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of such Person (and taking into account all such securities that such Person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right) (provided, however, that the acquisition by the General Partner or any Affiliate thereof of 25% or more of the partnership interests of the Borrower shall not constitute a Change in Control); (ii) within a period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months, individuals who were managing board members of the General Partner on the first day of such period or persons who were appointed or nominated by such persons shall cease to constitute a majority of the managing board members of the General Partner, or (iii) the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) the sale, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of a permitted merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower and its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any person (as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act);
(b) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Borrower or the General Partner unless, in the case of the General Partner, the General Partner is replaced by an Affiliate of AHD acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion, such acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld;
(c) the General Partner ceases to own, directly or indirectly, at least 51% of the general partner interests of the Borrower or of APL Operating, or the General Partner ceases to serve as the only general partner of the Borrower or APL Operating unless, in the case of the General Partner, the General Partner is replaced by an Affiliate of AHD acceptable to the Lenders in their reasonable discretion, such acceptance not to be unreasonably withheld; or
-5-
(d) AHD and/or one or more of its directly or indirectly Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries or an Affiliate of AHD acceptable to the Administrative Agent ceases to own at least 51% of the membership units of the General Partner.
Change in Law means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority. For the avoidance of doubt and notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and all requests, rules, guidelines and directives promulgated thereunder, are deemed to have been introduced or adopted after the date hereof, regardless of the date enacted or adopted.
Class means, when used in reference to any Loan, whether such Loan is a Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Loan.
Closing Date means the date of this Agreement or such later Business Day upon which each condition described in Section 5.1 shall be satisfied or waived in all respects in a manner acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the rules and regulations thereunder, each as amended or modified from time to time.
Collateral means the collateral security for the Obligations pledged or granted pursuant to the Security Documents.
Collateral Agent means Wells Fargo, in its capacity as Collateral Agent hereunder, and any successor thereto.
Commitments means the Revolving Credit Commitment, the L/C Commitment and the Swingline Commitment.
Commitment and Engagement Letter means the separate commitment and engagement letter dated November 29, 2010 among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Arranger.
Commitment Fee has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.3(a).
Commodity Hedge Agreement means Hedging Agreements entered into with the purpose and effect of fixing prices on oil, natural gas, natural gas liquids and related commodities; provided, that at all times: (i) no such contract shall be for speculative purposes; (ii) such contracts shall be on terms satisfactory to Administrative Agent and the Lenders; (iii) the agreements documenting such Hedging Agreements do not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party; (iv) no such Hedging Agreement, when aggregated with all Hedging Agreements as of the date such Hedging Agreement is executed, requires the Borrower or such Consolidated Subsidiary party thereto to deliver more than eighty percent (80%) of the total estimated throughput of Hydrocarbon volumes owned by the Borrower or such Consolidated Subsidiary for its own account on its Pipeline Properties and associated processing facilities; and (v) each such contract shall be with a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender, or with a counterparty or have a guarantor of the obligation of the counterparty who, at the time the contract is made, has long-term obligations rated A or A1 or better, respectively, by S&P or Moodys.
-6-
Consolidated EBITDA means, for any period, the sum of (i) Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus, without duplication the following expenses or charges to the extent deducted from Consolidated Net Income in such period, (a) interest, income taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization, non-cash compensation on long-term incentive plans, extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring charges relating to premiums or penalties paid to counterparties, in connection with the breakage, termination or unwinding of Hedging Agreements to the extent such charges are funded with the Net Cash Proceeds of an Equity Issuance by the Borrower and other non-cash charges (other than a non-cash charge resulting from an accrual of a reserve for any cash charge in any future period) to Consolidated Net Income including non-cash losses resulting from mark to market accounting of Hedging Agreements, plus without duplication (b) the amount of dividends or distributions (other than a LM Preferred Interest Distribution Setoff) received in cash by the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries from Laurel Mountain JV, plus without duplication (c) premiums associated with Specified Hedging Agreements permitted to be entered into under this Agreement not to exceed 20% of the Consolidated EBITDA of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period (in the case of this clause (c) to the extent accompanied by reasonable evidence thereof satisfactory to the Administrative Agent), minus without duplication (ii) non-cash credits to Consolidated Net Income including non cash gains resulting from mark to market accounting of Hedging Agreements. Consolidated EBITDA shall exclude any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees, expenses and charges) attributable to an Asset Disposition other than in the ordinary course of business. For purposes of this Agreement, Consolidated EBITDA shall be adjusted on a Pro Forma Basis, in a manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, to include, as of the first day of any applicable period, the historical financial results of any acquisition permitted by Section 9.3(f) closed during such period and exclude, as of the first day of any applicable period, without duplication, the Consolidated EBITDA attributable to (1) assets divested by the Borrower; (2) to the extent funded with the Net Cash Proceeds from an Equity Issuance, losses (in an amount not to exceed the Net Cash Proceeds from such Equity Issuance) resulting from the termination or unwinding of Commodity Hedge Agreements and (3) the after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment of and the interest payments made on Indebtedness extinguished, in each case, occurring during such period or subsequent thereto but on or prior to the date of determination of Consolidated EBITDA.
Consolidated Funded Debt means, for any Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, the sum of the following (without duplication): (i) all obligations of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments (including principal, interest, fees and charges); (ii) all obligations of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (whether contingent or otherwise) in respect of bankers acceptances, letters of credit, surety or other bonds and similar instruments; (iii) all obligations of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services (other than for borrowed money); (iv) all obligations under Capital Leases; (v) any Capital Stock of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in which such Person has a mandatory obligation to redeem such stock (other than upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale) and (vi) any Guaranty Obligation.
Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio means, as of the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Debt of the Borrower on such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such date.
Consolidated Interest Expense means, with respect to such Person and Consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period, the aggregate cash interest payments made and required to be made for such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period; provided, that Consolidated Interest Expense shall exclude historical cash interest payments made with respect to Loans that are prepaid in such period with the Net Cash Proceeds of an Asset Disposition permitted under Section 9.5(k).
-7-
Consolidated Net Income means with respect to such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, for any period, the aggregate of the net income (or loss) of such Person and its Consolidated Subsidiaries after allowances for taxes for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that in calculating Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Subsidiaries for any period there shall be excluded from such Consolidated Net Income (to the extent otherwise included therein) the following: (i) the net income of any other entity other than a Consolidated Subsidiary, except to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions actually paid in such period by such other entity to such Person or to a Consolidated Subsidiary, as the case may be; (ii) the net income (but not loss) of any Consolidated Subsidiary to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions or transfers or loans by that Consolidated Subsidiary is not at the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument or Applicable Law applicable to such Consolidated Subsidiary, or is otherwise restricted or prohibited, (iii) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles and any gains or losses attributable to writeups or write downs of assets, (iv) any after-tax effect of extraordinary, non-recurring or unusual items (including gains or losses and all fees and expenses relating thereto), (v) any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees, expenses and charges) attributable to Asset Dispositions, other than in the ordinary course of business and (vi) any net unrealized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from hedging obligations permitted under this Agreement and any gains or losses on mark-to-market accounting relating thereto.
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets means, with respect to any Person at any date of determination, the aggregate amount of total assets included in such Persons most recent quarterly or annual consolidated balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP less applicable reserves reflected in such balance sheet, after deducting the following amounts: (1) all current liabilities reflected in such balance sheet, and (2) all goodwill, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discounts and expenses and other like intangibles reflected in such balance sheet.
Consolidated Senior Secured Funded Debt means, as at any date of determination, Consolidated Funded Debt that is not Subordinated Indebtedness and that is secured by a Lien on any assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
Consolidated Senior Secured Funded Debt Ratio means, as of the end of any fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Senior Secured Funded Debt on such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such date.
Consolidated Subsidiary means each Subsidiary of a Person (whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired) the financial statements of which shall be (or should have been) consolidated with the financial statements of such Person in accordance with GAAP, provided, however, that the Consolidated Subsidiaries of Borrower shall not include the Unrestricted Entities.
Contracts and Records has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7.8(d).
Control Agreement shall mean an agreement in a form that is reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent establishing the Collateral Agents Control with respect to any Account (as defined in the Security Agreement).
Credit Facility means, collectively, the Revolver Facility, the Swingline Facility and the L/C Facility.
Credit Parties means, collectively, the Borrower and the Guarantors.
-8-
Debt Issuance shall mean the issuance of any Indebtedness for borrowed money by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries.
Default means any of the events specified in Section 10.1 which with the passage of time, the giving of notice or any other condition, would constitute an Event of Default.
Defaulting Lender means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any portion of the Revolving Credit Loans, participations in L/C Obligations or participations in Swingline Loans required to be funded by it hereunder within three Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder unless subject to a good faith dispute, (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder within three Business Days of the date when due, unless such amount is the subject of a good faith Dispute, (c) has notified the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with any of its funding obligations under this Agreement or has made a public statement to the effect that it does not intend to comply or has failed to comply with its funding obligations under this Agreement or under other agreements in which it commits or is obligated to extend credit, or (d) has become or is insolvent or has become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or has had a receiver, conservator, trustee or custodian appointed for it, or has taken any action in furtherance of, or indicating its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment; provided that no Lender shall become a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of a Governmental Authority owning an equity interest in such Lender.
Disputes means any dispute, claim or controversy arising out of, connected with or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, between or among parties hereto and to the other Loan Documents.
Dollars or $ means, unless otherwise qualified, dollars in lawful currency of the United States.
Domestic Subsidiary means any Subsidiary organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States.
Employee Benefit Plan means (a) any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA that is maintained for employees of any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate or (b) any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan that has at any time within the preceding six (6) years been maintained for the employees of any Credit Party or any current or former ERISA Affiliate.
Environmental Claims means any and all administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters, claims, liens, accusations, allegations, notices of noncompliance or violation, investigations (other than internal reports prepared by any Person in the ordinary course of business and not in response to any third party action or request of any kind) or proceedings relating in any way to any actual or alleged violation of or liability under any Environmental Law or relating to any permit issued, or any approval given, under any such Environmental Law, including, without limitation, any and all claims by Governmental Authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or other actions or damages, contribution, indemnification cost recovery, compensation or injunctive relief resulting from Hazardous Materials or arising from alleged injury or threat of injury to human health or the environment.
Environmental Laws means any and all federal, foreign, state, provincial and local laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, rules, standards and regulations, permits, licenses, approvals, interpretations and orders of courts or Governmental Authorities, relating to the protection of human health or the environment, including, but not limited to, requirements pertaining to the manufacture, processing, distribution,
-9-
use, treatment, storage, disposal, transportation, handling, reporting, licensing, permitting, investigation or remediation of Hazardous Materials.
Equity Issuance means (a) any issuance by any Credit Party or any Consolidated Subsidiary thereof to any Person that is not a Credit Party of (i) shares of its Capital Stock, (ii) any shares of its Capital Stock pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants or (iii) any shares of its Capital Stock pursuant to the conversion of any debt securities to equity and (b) any capital contribution from any Person that is not a Credit Party into any Credit Party or any Consolidated Subsidiary thereof. The term Equity Issuance shall not include (A) any Asset Disposition or (B) any Debt Issuance.
ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and the rules and regulations thereunder, each as amended or modified from time to time.
ERISA Affiliate means any Person who together with any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries is treated as a single employer within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or Section 4001(b) of ERISA.
Eurodollar Reserve Percentage means, for any day, the percentage (expressed as a decimal and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) which is in effect for such day as prescribed by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including, without limitation, any basic, supplemental or emergency reserves) in respect of eurocurrency liabilities or any similar category of liabilities for a member bank of the Federal Reserve System in New York City.
Event of Default means any of the events specified in Section 10.1; provided that any requirement for passage of time, giving of notice, or any other condition, has been satisfied.
Excepted Liens means the Liens permitted pursuant to Section 9.2.
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Excluded Taxes means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder, (a) taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income (however denominated), and franchise taxes imposed on it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable Lending Office is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant to a request by the Borrower under Section 4.12(b)), any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office) or is attributable to such Foreign Lenders failure or inability (other than as a result of a Change in Law) to comply with Section 4.11(e), except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of designation of a new Lending Office (or assignment), to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 4.11(a).
Existing Credit Agreement means the Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2007 (as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1 and Agreement dated as of June 12, 2008 and that certain Amendment No. 2 dated as of May 29, 2009 and that certain Amendment No. 3 dated as of September 1, 2010), between the Borrower, the guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto,
-10-
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor by merger to Wachovia Bank, National Association), as administrative agent, collateral agent, issuing bank and swingline lender, and the other parties thereto.
Existing Collateral has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
Existing Letters of Credit has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto and which are identified on Schedule 1.1.
Existing Loan Documents has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
Existing Obligations has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
Existing Security Documents has the meaning assigned to such term in the recitals hereto.
Extensions of Credit means, as to any Lender at any time, (a) an amount equal to the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by such Lender then outstanding, (ii) such Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the L/C Obligations then outstanding and (iii) such Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the Swingline Loans then outstanding, or (b) the making of any Loan or participation in any Letter of Credit by such Lender, as the context requires.
FDIC means the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or any successor thereto.
Federal Funds Rate means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day), as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day, provided that if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotation for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal Funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative Agent.
Financial Statements means each financial statement delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(f) or 7.1.
Fiscal Year means the fiscal year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries ending on December 31.
Flood Certificates has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.1(d).
Foreign Lender means any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes. For purposes of this definition, the United States, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.
Foreign Subsidiary means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.
Fund means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.
GAAP means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or
-11-
such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied; provided, however, that if the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change occurring after the Closing Date in GAAP or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have been withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith and the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such provision to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided, further, that if reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
General Partner means Atlas Pipeline Partners GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.
Governmental Approvals means all authorizations, consents, approvals, permits, licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and reports to, all Governmental Authorities.
Governmental Authority means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
Guarantors means, collectively, (i) each Obligor under the Existing Credit Agreement as in effect on the date hereof and each Consolidated Subsidiary of the Borrower other than the Anadarko JVs (to the extent such Anadarko JV does not directly or indirectly guarantee the payment of any other Indebtedness of a Credit Party) and (ii) each Person that becomes a Guarantor pursuant to Section 7.12.
Guaranty Agreement means the unconditional guaranty agreement dated as of July 27, 2007, executed by the Guarantors in favor of the Administrative Agent and as supplemented from time to time, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit H to the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Guaranty Obligation means, with respect to the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, without duplication, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any such Person pursuant to which such Person has directly or indirectly guaranteed any Indebtedness or other obligation of any other Person and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of any such Person (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, by agreement to keep well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay, or to maintain financial statement condition or otherwise) or (b) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part); provided, that the term Guaranty Obligation shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.
-12-
Hazardous Materials means any substances or materials (a) which are or become defined as hazardous wastes, hazardous substances, pollutants, contaminants, chemical substances or mixtures or toxic substances under any Environmental Law, (b) which are toxic, explosive, corrosive, flammable, infectious, radioactive, carcinogenic, mutagenic or otherwise harmful to human health or the environment and are or become regulated by any Governmental Authority, (c) the presence of which require investigation or remediation under any Environmental Law or common law, (d) the discharge or emission or release of which requires a permit or license under any Environmental Law or other Governmental Approval, (e) which are deemed to constitute a nuisance or a trespass which pose a health or safety hazard to Persons or neighboring properties, (f) which consist of underground or aboveground storage tanks, whether empty, filled or partially filled with any substance, or (g) which contain, without limitation, asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, petroleum hydrocarbons, petroleum derived substances or waste, crude oil, nuclear fuel, natural gas or synthetic gas.
Hedging Agreement means any agreement with respect to any Interest Rate Contract, forward rate agreement, commodity swap, forward foreign exchange agreement, currency swap agreement, cross-currency rate swap agreement, currency option agreement or other agreement or arrangement designed to alter the risks of any Person arising from fluctuations in interest rates, currency values or commodity prices, all as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Hydrocarbons means oil, gas, casinghead gas, drip gasoline, natural gasoline, condensate, distillate, liquid hydrocarbons, gaseous hydrocarbons and all products refined or separated therefrom.
Increase Amount Date has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.14.
Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.14.
Incremental Revolving Credit Loan has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.14.
Indebtedness means, with respect to any Person at any date and without duplication, the sum of the following: (i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments (including principal, interest, fees and charges); (ii) all obligations of such Person (whether contingent or otherwise) in respect of bankers acceptances, letters of credit, surety or other bonds and similar instruments; (iii) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of Property or services (other than for borrowed money); (iv) all obligations under Capital Leases; (v) all Indebtedness (as described in the other clauses of this definition) and other obligations of others secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; (vi) all Guaranty Obligations; (vii) obligations to gather or transport Hydrocarbons in consideration of advance payments; (viii) obligations to pay for goods or services whether or not such goods or services are actually received or utilized by such Person; (ix) any Capital Stock of such Person in which such Person has a mandatory obligation to redeem such stock, other than upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale; and (x) all obligations of such Person under Hedging Agreements.
Indemnified Taxes means Taxes and Other Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
Information has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 12.11.
Insurance and Condemnation Event means the receipt by any Credit Party or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries of any cash insurance proceeds or condemnation award payable by reason of theft, loss, physical destruction or damage, taking or similar event with respect to any of their respective Property.
-13-
Intercompany Debt means funded Indebtedness that is owed by the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to the Borrower or to any Credit Party.
Intercompany Notes means the promissory notes executed to evidence the Intercompany Debt.
Interest Period has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.1(b).
Interest Rate Contract means any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate floor agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate option or any other agreement regarding the hedging of interest rate risk exposure executed in connection with hedging the interest rate exposure of any Person and any confirming letter executed pursuant to such agreement, all as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Initial Pricing Level has the meaning assigned thereto in the definition of Applicable Margin.
Investments has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.3.
ISP98 means the International Standby Practices (1998 Revision, effective January 1, 1999), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590.
Issuing Bank means (a) with respect to Letters of Credit issued hereunder on or after the Closing Date, Wells Fargo, in its capacity as issuer thereof, or any successor thereto and (b) with respect to the Existing Letters of Credit, the Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit listed on Schedule 1.1 hereto, in its capacity as issuer thereof.
Joinder Agreement means an agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit I.
Laurel Mountain Formation and Exchange Agreement means that certain Formation and Exchange Agreement entered into as of March 31, 2009 by and between WFSG, Williams Laurel Mountain, LLC, the Borrower, APL Operating and APL Laurel Mountain, LLC, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of April 16, 2009.
Laurel Mountain JV means the joint venture formed by the Borrower and WFSG pursuant to the Laurel Mountain Formation and Exchange Agreement.
Laurel Mountain JV EBITDA means, for any period, the sum of Consolidated Net Income of the Laurel Mountain JV for such period, plus, without duplication, the following expenses or charges to the extent deducted from Consolidated Net Income in such period: interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of Consolidated EBITDA, to the extent applicable.
Laurel Mountain LLC Agreement means the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Laurel Mountain Midstream, LLC, dated as of June 1, 2009, between Williams Laurel Mountain, LLC and APL Laurel Mountain, LLC.
L/C Commitment means the lesser of (a) $50,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Credit Commitment.
L/C Facility means the letter of credit facility established pursuant to Article III.
-14-
L/C Obligations means at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn and unexpired amount of the then outstanding Letters of Credit and (b) the aggregate amount of drawings under Letters of Credit which have not then been reimbursed pursuant to Section 3.5.
L/C Participants means the collective reference to all the Revolving Credit Lenders other than the Issuing Bank.
Lender has the meaning assigned thereto in the introductory paragraph hereof.
Lender Authorization means with respect to any initial Lender, a Lender Authorization, substantially in the form attached as Annex A, to be executed and delivered by such Lender on the Closing Date as provided in Section 12.20.
Lending Office means, with respect to any Lender, the office of such Lender maintaining such Lenders Extensions of Credit.
Letter of Credit Agreement means an application, in the form specified by the Issuing Bank from time to time, requesting the Issuing Bank to issue a Letter of Credit.
Letters of Credit means the collective reference to letters of credit issued pursuant to Section 3.1 and the Existing Letters of Credit.
LIBOR means, for any interest rate calculation with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan, or a Base Rate Loan bearing interest as provided in clause (c) of the definition of Base Rate, the rate of interest per annum determined on the basis of the rate for deposits in Dollars for a period equal to the applicable Interest Period which appears on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period (rounded upward, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100th of 1%). If, for any reason, such rate does not appear on Reuters Screen LIBOR01 Page, then LIBOR shall be determined by the Administrative Agent to be the arithmetic average of the rate per annum at which deposits in Dollars in minimum amounts of at least $5,000,000 would be offered by first class banks in the London interbank market to the Administrative Agent at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of the applicable Interest Period for a period equal to such Interest Period.
Each calculation by the Administrative Agent of LIBOR shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.
LIBOR Rate means a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next higher 1/100th of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the following formula:
LIBOR Rate = | LIBOR | |||
1.00-Eurodollar Reserve Percentage |
LIBOR Rate Loan means any Loan bearing interest at a rate based upon the LIBOR Rate as provided in Section 4.1(a).
Lien means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, leasehold mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest, hypothecation or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset securing an obligation owed to, or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the asset. For the purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to own subject to a Lien any asset which it has acquired or holds subject
-15-
to the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease or other title retention agreement relating to such asset.
Limited Partnership Agreement means that certain Second Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Borrower dated as of March 9, 2004, as such agreement has been and may be amended, extended, revised or replaced from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.
LM Asset Sale shall have the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.7(h).
LM Preferred Interest means the preferred distribution rights with respect to payments made by WFSG or a subsidiary thereof on account of the WFSG Promissory Note issued to the Laurel Mountain JV as part of WFSGs capital contribution to the Laurel Mountain JV.
LM Preferred Interest Distribution Setoff means any dividend, distribution, cancellation, contribution of or setoff with respect to the LM Preferred Interest that is applied to the payment of capital contributions otherwise payable by the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to the Laurel Mountain JV.
Loan Documents means, collectively, this Agreement, each Note, all Letters of Credit, the Letter of Credit Agreements, the Security Documents, the Guaranty Agreement, the Commitment and Engagement Letter and each other document, instrument, certificate and agreement executed and delivered by the Credit Parties or any of their respective Subsidiaries in favor of or provided to the Administrative Agent or any Secured Party in connection with this Agreement or otherwise referred to herein or contemplated hereby (excluding any Specified Hedging Agreement), all as may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Loans means the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Loans and the Swingline Loans, and Loan means any of such Loans.
Material Adverse Effect means any material and adverse effect on (i) the assets, liabilities, financial condition, business, operations or affairs of the Borrower, the General Partner and the Guarantors taken as a whole, or (ii) the ability of the Borrower, the General Partner or any Guarantor to carry out its business as at the Closing Date (excluding the dissolution or liquidation of any Guarantor pursuant to a merger to the extent permitted under Section 9.4) or meet its obligations under the Loan Documents on a timely basis, or (iii) the Collateral Agents and the Lenders interests in the collateral securing the Obligations, or the Administrative Agents, the Collateral Agents or the Lenders ability to enforce their rights and remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, at law or in equity.
Material Agreement has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 6.13(a).
Maturity Date means the earliest to occur of (a) December 22, 2015; provided that the Maturity Date with respect to the Revolving Credit Commitments shall be June 15, 2015 (the Springing Maturity Date) if the Borrowers Senior Notes due 2015 have not been refinanced in full on or prior to the Springing Maturity Date, (b) the date of termination of the entire Revolving Credit Commitment by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.5, or (c) the date of termination of the Revolving Credit Commitment pursuant to Section 10.2(a).
-16-
Minimum Liquidity shall mean, as at any date of determination, the sum of Available Cash and, so long as at any such date of determination the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.2 are satisfied, the Revolver Availability Amount.
Moodys means Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.
Mortgages means the collective reference to each mortgage, deed of trust, leasehold mortgage or other real property security document, encumbering all real property now or hereafter owned by any Credit Party, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and executed by such Credit Party in favor of the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, as any such document may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Mortgage Amendment has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 7.8(f)(i)(A).
Multiemployer Plan means a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate is making, or is accruing an obligation to make, or has accrued an obligation to make contributions within the preceding six (6) years.
Net Cash Proceeds means, as applicable, (a) with respect to any Asset Disposition, the gross cash proceeds received by any Credit Party therefrom less the sum of (i) all income taxes and other taxes assessed by a Governmental Authority as a result of such disposition and any other fees and expenses incurred in connection with such disposition and (ii) the principal amount of, premium, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset (or a portion thereof) disposed of, which Indebtedness is required to be repaid in connection with such disposition, (b) with respect to any Equity Issuance or Debt Issuance, the gross cash proceeds received by any Credit Party therefrom less all legal, underwriting and other fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith and (c) with respect to any Insurance and Condemnation Event, the gross cash proceeds received by any Credit Party therefrom less the sum of (i) all fees and expenses in connection therewith and (ii) the principal amount of, premium, if any, and interest on any Indebtedness secured by a Lien on the asset (or a portion thereof) subject to such Insurance and Condemnation Event, which Indebtedness is required to be repaid in connection therewith.
New Lender has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.14.
Non-Consenting Lender means any Lender that has not consented to any proposed amendment, modification, waiver or termination of any Loan Document which, pursuant to Section 12.2, requires the consent of all Lenders or all affected Lenders and with respect to which the Required Lenders shall have granted their consent.
Non-Defaulting Lender has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.4(b).
Non-Guarantor Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Guarantor.
Non-Recourse Indebtedness means Indebtedness:
(1) as to which neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender; and
-17-
(2) no default with respect to which would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness (other than the notes) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity.
Notes means the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Notes and the Swingline Note.
Notice of Account Designation has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.3(b).
Notice of Borrowing has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.3(a).
Notice of Conversion/Continuation has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 4.2.
Notice of Prepayment has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 2.4(c).
Obligations means, in each case, whether now in existence or hereafter arising: (a) the principal of and interest on (including interest accruing after the filing of any bankruptcy or similar petition) the Loans, (b) the L/C Obligations, (c) all Specified Hedge Obligations and (d) all other fees and commissions (including attorneys fees), charges, indebtedness, loans, liabilities, financial accommodations, obligations, covenants and duties owing by the Credit Parties to the Secured Parties or the Administrative Agent, in each case under any Loan Document or otherwise, with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit of every kind, nature and description, direct or indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, contractual or tortious, liquidated or unliquidated, and whether or not evidenced by any note; provided that (i) the Specified Hedge Obligations shall be secured and guaranteed pursuant to the Security Documents only to the extent that, and for so long as, the other Obligations are so secured and guaranteed and (ii) any release of Collateral or Guarantors effected in the manner permitted by this Agreement shall not require the consent of holders of the Specified Hedge Obligations.
OFAC means the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Officers Compliance Certificate means a certificate of the chief financial officer or the treasurer of the Borrower substantially in the form attached as Exhibit F.
Oil and Gas Properties means all present and future Hydrocarbon reserves located in fields and regions accessed by the Pipelines for gathering and transportation to interstate and intrastate third party pipelines.
OPA has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 6.9(f).
Operating Lease means, as to any Person as determined in accordance with GAAP, any lease of Property (whether real, personal or mixed) by such Person as lessee which is not a Capital Lease. For purposes of calculations made pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, GAAP will be deemed to treat operating leases in a manner consistent with its current treatment under generally accepted accounting principles as of the date hereof, notwithstanding any modifications or interpretive changes thereto that may occur thereafter.
Other Taxes means all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
-18-
Participant has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 12.10(d).
PBGC means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor agency.
Pension Plan means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code and which (a) is maintained for the employees of any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate or (b) has at any time within the preceding six (6) years been maintained for the employees of any Credit Party or any current or former ERISA Affiliates.
Permitted Acquisition means any acquisition by the Borrower or any Guarantor in the form of acquisitions of all or substantially all of the business or a line of business (whether by the acquisition of Capital Stock, assets or any combination thereof) of any other Person if each such acquisition meets all of the following requirements:
(a) no less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the proposed closing date of such acquisition, the Borrower shall have delivered written notice of such acquisition to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, which notice shall include the proposed closing date of such acquisition;
(b) the Borrower shall have certified on or before the closing date of such acquisition, in writing and in a form reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, that such acquisition has been approved by the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of the Person to be acquired;
(c) the Person or business to be acquired shall be in a substantially similar line of business as the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section 9.11;
(d) if such transaction is a merger or consolidation, the Borrower or a Guarantor shall be the surviving Person and no Change in Control shall have been effected thereby;
(e) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent such documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (through the Administrative Agent) pursuant to Section 7.12 to be delivered at the time required pursuant to Section 7.12;
(f) no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed closing date of such acquisition, the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders an Officers Compliance Certificate for the most recent fiscal quarter end preceding such acquisition for which Financial Statements are available demonstrating, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory thereto, (A) compliance on a Pro Forma Basis (as of the date of the acquisition and after giving effect thereto and any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith) with each covenant contained in Article VIII and (B) the Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio calculated on a Pro Forma Basis (as of the proposed closing date of the acquisition and after giving effect thereto and any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith) at least 0.25 below the applicable ratio set forth in Section 8.1;
(g) no later than three (3) Business Days prior to the proposed closing date of such acquisition the Borrower, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, (A) shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent promptly upon the finalization thereof copies of substantially
-19-
final Permitted Acquisition Documents, and (B) shall have delivered to, or made available for inspection by, the Administrative Agent substantially complete Permitted Acquisition Diligence Information;
(h) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing both before and after giving effect to such acquisition and any Indebtedness incurred in connection therewith; and
(i) the Borrower shall provide such other documents and other information as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders (through the Administrative Agent) in connection with the acquisition.
Permitted Acquisition Diligence Information means with respect to any acquisition proposed by the Borrower or any Guarantor, to the extent applicable, all material financial information, all material contracts, all material customer lists, all material supply agreements, and all other material information, in each case, reasonably requested to be delivered to the Administrative Agent in connection with such acquisition (except to the extent that any such information is (a) subject to any confidentiality agreement, unless mutually agreeable arrangements can be made to preserve such information as confidential, (b) classified or (c) subject to any attorney-client privilege).
Permitted Acquisition Documents means with respect to any acquisition proposed by the Borrower or any Guarantor, final copies or substantially final drafts if not executed at the required time of delivery of the purchase agreement, sale agreement, merger agreement or other agreement evidencing such acquisition, including, without limitation, all legal opinions and each other document executed, delivered, contemplated by or prepared in connection therewith and any amendment, modification or supplement to any of the foregoing.
Permitted Laurel Mountain JV Indebtedness means Indebtedness incurred by the Laurel Mountain JV; provided that (a) immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Funded Debt of the Laurel Mountain JV on such date to (ii) the Laurel Mountain JV EBITDA for the four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such date shall be less than or equal to 2.5 to 1.0 and (b) such Indebtedness is Non-Recourse Indebtedness.
Person means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.
Pipeline Properties means all Property now or hereafter acquired related to the Pipelines and processing facilities including all buildings, structures, fuel separators, processing plants, treatment, dehydration, and fractionation facilities, storage and transportation equipment, liquid extraction plants, compressors, compressor stations, pipeline interconnections, fee lands, pumps, pumping units, field gathering systems, pipes and pipelines, tanks and tank batteries, fixtures, valves, fittings, machinery and parts, engines, boilers, meters, SCADA systems and software, apparatus, equipment, appliances, tools, implements, surface leases, rights-of-way, permits, licenses, crossing permits, easements and servitudes; all operating agreements, gathering agreements, processing agreements, contracts and other agreements which relate to any of the Pipelines or the gathering, transmission, exchange, processing, hedging and sale of Hydrocarbons through the Pipelines; all Hydrocarbons used as linefill or pad gas in the Pipelines, and all tariffs, rents, issues, profits, proceeds, revenues and other incomes from or attributable to the Pipelines and sale of Hydrocarbons; all Property, real or personal, now owned or hereinafter acquired and situated upon, used, held for use or useful in connection with the Pipelines (excluding automotive equipment or other personal property which may be on such premises for the purpose of constructing the Pipelines or
-20-
for other similar temporary uses), together with all additions, substitutions, replacements, accessions and attachments to any and all of the foregoing.
Pipelines means the natural gas transportation systems and gas gathering systems and related processing facilities now owned and operated as private use gathering systems by the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries located in the states of Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, and all additions thereto, and such other natural gas gathering systems and related processing facilities owned and/or operated by the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries hereafter.
Plan means, collectively, each Employee Benefit Plan and Pension Plan.
Platform has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7.1.
Prime Rate means, at any time, the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by Wells Fargo as its prime rate. Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective as of the opening of business on the day such change in such prime rate occurs. The parties hereto acknowledge that the rate announced publicly by Wells Fargo as its prime rate is an index or base rate and shall not necessarily be its lowest or best rate charged to its customers or other banks.
Pro Forma Basis means, for purposes of calculating certain definitions and compliance with any test or financial covenant under this Agreement for any period, that such Specified Transaction (and all other Specified Transactions that have been consummated during the applicable period) and the following transactions in connection therewith shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the applicable period of measurement in such test or covenant: (a) income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the Property or Person subject to such Specified Transaction, (i) in the case of a disposition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock of a Subsidiary or any division, business unit, product line or line of business, shall be excluded and (ii) in the case of a Permitted Acquisition, shall be included, (b) any retirement of Indebtedness and (c) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection therewith and if such Indebtedness has a floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by utilizing the rate that is or would be in effect with respect to such Indebtedness as at the relevant date of determination; provided, that the foregoing pro forma adjustments may be applied to any such definition, test or financial covenant solely to the extent that such adjustments (y) are reasonably expected to be realized within twelve (12) months of such Specified Transaction as set forth in reasonable detail on a certificate of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent and (z) are calculated on a basis consistent with GAAP and Regulation S-X of the Securities Act, or as approved by the Administrative Agent.
Property means any right or interest in or to property of any kind whatsoever, whether real, personal or mixed and whether tangible or intangible, including, without limitation, Capital Stock of another Person.
Public Lenders has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7.1.
Register has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 12.10(c).
Reimbursement Obligation means the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 3.5 for amounts drawn under Letters of Credit.
-21-
Related Parties means, with respect to any Person, such Persons Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person and of such Persons Affiliates.
Required Lenders means, at any date, any combination of Revolving Credit Lenders holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the sum of the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment or, if the Revolving Credit Commitment has been terminated, any combination of Revolving Credit Lenders holding more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate Extensions of Credit; provided that the Revolving Credit Commitment of, and the portion of the Extensions of Credit under the Revolver Facility, as applicable, held or deemed held by any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.
Responsible Officer means, as to any Person, the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, controller, treasurer or assistant treasurer of such Person or any other officer of such Person reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent. Any document delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Person shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Person and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Person.
Restricted Payments has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 9.6.
Revolver Availability Amount means, as at any date of determination, the excess of the aggregate of Revolving Credit Commitments of Revolving Credit Lenders over the aggregate Revolving Credit Outstandings of Revolving Credit Lenders.
Revolver Facility means the revolving credit facility established pursuant to Article II.
Revolving Credit Commitment means (a) as to any Revolving Credit Lender, the obligation of such Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans to the account of the Borrower hereunder in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Revolving Credit Lenders name on the Register, as such amount may be modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof and (b) as to all Revolving Credit Lenders, the aggregate commitment of all Revolving Credit Lenders to make Revolving Credit Loans, as such amount may be modified at any time or from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof. The Revolving Credit Commitment of all the Revolving Credit Lenders on the Closing Date shall be $350,000,000.
Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage means, as to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the ratio of (a) the amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Revolving Credit Lender to (b) the Revolving Credit Commitment of all the Revolving Credit Lenders.
Revolving Credit Lenders means Lenders with a Revolving Credit Commitment (including New Lenders with an Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment).
Revolving Credit Loan means any revolving loan made to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.1, and all such revolving loans collectively as the context requires.
Revolving Credit Note means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Revolving Credit Lender evidencing the Revolving Credit Loans made by such Revolving Credit Lender, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A-1, and any amendments, supplements and modifications thereto,
-22-
any substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extension thereof, in whole or in part.
Revolving Credit Outstandings means the sum of (a) with respect to Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date; plus (b) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the aggregate outstanding amount thereof on such date after giving effect to any Extensions of Credit occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements of outstanding unpaid drawings under any Letters of Credit or any reductions in the maximum amount available for drawing under Letters of Credit taking effect on such date.
S&P means Standard & Poors Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto.
Sanctioned Entity shall mean (a) an agency of the government of, (b) an organization directly or indirectly controlled by, or (c) a person resident in, a country that is subject to a sanctions program identified on the list maintained by OFAC and available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ ofac/programs, or as otherwise published from time to time as such program may be applicable to such agency, organization or person.
Sanctioned Person shall mean a person named on the list of Specially Designated Nationals or Blocked Persons maintained by OFAC available at http://www.treas.gov/offices/enforcement/ofac/sdn/ index.html, or as otherwise published from time to time.
SEC means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
Secured Parties mean collectively, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Swingline Lender, any Issuing Bank, any counterparty to a Specified Hedging Agreement, any other holder from time to time of any of the Obligations and, in each case, their respective successors and permitted assigns.
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Security Agreement means that certain Security Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2007, by and among the Borrower, the other grantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association (successor by merger to Wachovia Bank, National Association), as Collateral Agent, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Security Documents means the collective reference to the Security Agreement, the Mortgages, the Mortgage Amendments, the Guaranty Agreements, and each other agreement or writing pursuant to which any Credit Party purports to pledge or grant a security interest in any Property or assets securing the Obligations or any such Person purports to guaranty the payment and/or performance of the Obligations, in each case, as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
Significant Subsidiary means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that would be a significant subsidiary as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, as such regulation is in effect on the date hereof.
-23-
Specified Debt shall mean Subordinated Indebtedness and any senior or subordinated unsecured notes.
Specified Hedging Agreement means any Hedging Agreement entered into by (i) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (ii) any Lender or any Affiliate thereof at the time such Hedging Agreement was entered into, as counterparty. No Lender or Affiliate thereof that is a party to a Specified Hedging Agreement shall have any rights in connection with the management or release of any Collateral or of the Obligations of any Credit Party under any Loan Document. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) all Hedging Agreements provided by the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates and (ii) all Hedging Agreements in existence on the Closing Date between the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and any Lender, shall constitute Specified Hedging Agreements.
Specified Hedge Obligations means all existing or future payments and other obligations owing by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any Specified Hedging Agreement.
Specified Transactions means (a) any disposition of all or substantially all of the assets or Capital Stock of any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any division, business unit, product line or line of business, (b) any Permitted Acquisition, (c) any incurrence of Indebtedness, (d) the classification of any asset, business unit, division or line of business as a discontinued operation and (e) the Transactions.
Subordinated Indebtedness means the collective reference to any Indebtedness of any Credit Party subordinated in right and time of payment to the Obligations and containing such other terms and conditions, in each case as are satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
Subsidiary means as to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Capital Stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or other managers of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity is at the time owned by (directly or indirectly) or the management is otherwise controlled by (directly or indirectly) such Person (irrespective of whether, at the time, Capital Stock of any other class or classes of such corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency). Unless otherwise qualified, references to Subsidiary or Subsidiaries herein shall refer to those of the Borrower.
Subsidiary Redesignation has the meaning assigned thereto in Section 7.16.
Swingline Commitment means the lesser of (a) $15,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Credit Commitment.
Swingline Facility means the swingline facility established pursuant to Section 2.2.
Swingline Lender means Wells Fargo in its capacity as swingline lender hereunder or any successor thereto.
Swingline Loan means any swingline loan made by the Swingline Lender to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.2, and all such swingline loans collectively as the context requires.
Swingline Note means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of the Swingline Lender evidencing the Swingline Loans made by the Swingline Lender, substantially in the form attached
-24-
as Exhibit A-2, and any amendments, supplements and modifications thereto, any substitutes therefor, and any replacements, restatements, renewals or extension thereof, in whole or in part.
Taxes means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.
Termination Event means except for any such event or condition that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (a) a Reportable Event described in Section 4043 of ERISA for which the notice requirement has not been waived by the PBGC, or (b) the withdrawal of any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, or (c) the termination of a Pension Plan, the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan or the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination, under Section 4041 of ERISA, if the plan assets are not sufficient to pay all plan liabilities, or (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate, or the appointment of a trustee with respect to, any Pension Plan by the PBGC, or (e) any other event or condition which would constitute grounds under Section 4042(a) of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan, or (f) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA, or (g) the partial or complete withdrawal of any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan if withdrawal liability is asserted by such plan, or (h) any event or condition which results in the reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under Sections 4241 or 4245 of ERISA, or (i) any event or condition which results in the termination of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4041A of ERISA or the institution by PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4042 of ERISA.
Threshold Amount means $25,000,000.
Transaction Costs means all transaction fees, charges and other amounts related to this Credit Facility and any Permitted Acquisitions (including, without limitation, any financing fees, merger and acquisition fees, legal fees and expenses, due diligence fees or any other fees and expenses in connection therewith), such transaction fees approved by the Administrative Agent.
Transactions means, collectively, (a) the repayment in full of all Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement, (b) the initial Extensions of Credit and (c) the payment of the Transaction Costs in connection with items (a) and (b) above.
UCC means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York, as amended or modified from time to time.
Uniform Customs means the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), effective January, 1994 International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600.
United States means the United States of America.
Unrestricted Entity means Subsidiaries of the Borrower designated as Unrestricted Entities by the Borrower pursuant to Section 7.16 and each Subsidiary of such Subsidiaries.
Wells Fargo means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association, and its successors.
-25-
Wholly-Owned means, with respect to a Subsidiary, that all of the shares of Capital Stock of such Subsidiary are, directly or indirectly, owned or controlled by the Borrower and/or one or more of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries (except for directors qualifying shares or other shares required by Applicable Law to be owned by a Person other than the Borrower and/or one or more of its Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries).
WFSG means Williams Field Services Group, LLC.
WFSG Promissory Note means that certain $25.5 million promissory note issued by a subsidiary of WFSG to the Laurel Mountain JV and guaranteed by WFSG as part of the consideration in exchange for the contribution by the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries of the Appalachian Business to the Laurel Mountain JV.
SECTION 1.2 Other Definitions and Provisions. With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document: (a) the definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined, (b) whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms, (c) the words include, includes and including shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase without limitation, (d) the word will shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word shall, (e) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Persons successors and assigns, (f) the words herein, hereof and hereunder, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (g) all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (h) the words asset and property shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights, (i) the term documents includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form, (j) in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word from means from and including; the words to and until each mean to but excluding; and the word through means to and including and (k) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
SECTION 1.3 Accounting Terms.
(a) All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time and in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the audited Financial Statements required by Section 7.1(a), except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all Financial Statements delivered hereunder shall be prepared, and all financial covenants contained herein shall be calculated, without giving effect to any election under GAAP permitting a Person to value its financial liabilities or Indebtedness at the fair value thereof.
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, for purposes of determining compliance with any test or financial covenant contained in this Agreement (including for purposes of determining the Applicable Margin) with respect to any period during which any Specified Transaction occurs, such test or financial covenant shall be calculated with respect to such period and such Specified Transaction (and all other Specified Transactions that have been consummated during such period) on a Pro Forma Basis.
-26-
SECTION 1.4 UCC Terms. Terms defined in the UCC in effect on the Closing Date and not otherwise defined herein shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, have the meanings provided by those definitions. Subject to the foregoing, the term UCC refers, as of any date of determination, to the UCC then in effect.
SECTION 1.5 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio or percentage is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
SECTION 1.6 References to Agreement and Laws. Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to formation documents, governing documents, agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only to the extent that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications are not prohibited by any Loan Document; and (b) references to any Applicable Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Applicable Law.
SECTION 1.7 Times of Day. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
SECTION 1.8 Letter of Credit Amounts. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to mean the maximum face amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all increases thereof contemplated by such Letter of Credit or the Letter of Credit Agreement therefor (at the time specified therefor in such applicable Letter of Credit or Letter of Credit Agreement and as such amount may be reduced by (a) any permanent reduction of such Letter of Credit or (b) any amount which is drawn, reimbursed and no longer available under such Letter of Credit).
SECTION 1.9 Effect of this Agreement on the Existing Credit Agreement and the Other Existing Loan Documents. Upon satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement, this Agreement shall be binding on the Borrower, the Agents, the Lenders and the other parties hereto and the provisions of the Existing Credit Agreement shall be replaced by the provisions of this Agreement; provided, that (a) the Existing Obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under the Existing Credit Agreement and the Existing Loan Documents (in each case, as further amended from time to time) that remain unpaid and outstanding as of the date of this Agreement shall continue to exist under and be evidenced by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (b) all Existing Letters of Credit shall continue as Letters of Credit under this Agreement, (c) the Collateral and the Loan Documents shall continue to secure, guarantee, support and otherwise benefit the Existing Obligations and the Obligations of the Borrower and the other Loan Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (d) any Person entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.06, 5.01, 11.05 and 12.03 of the Existing Credit Agreement shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of the corresponding provisions of this Agreement. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement, each Loan Document that was in effect immediately prior to the date of this Agreement shall continue to be effective and, unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to the Existing Credit Agreement contained therein shall be deemed to refer to this Agreement.
-27-
ARTICLE II
REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY
SECTION 2.1 Revolving Credit Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth herein, each Revolving Credit Lender severally agrees to make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower from time to time from the Closing Date through, but not including, the Maturity Date as requested by the Borrower in accordance with the terms of Section 2.3; provided, that (a) the Revolving Credit Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Credit Commitment and (b) the principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans from any Revolving Credit Lender plus such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of outstanding L/C Obligations and outstanding Swingline Loans shall not at any time exceed such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment. Each Revolving Credit Loan by a Revolving Credit Lender shall be in a principal amount equal to such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans requested on such occasion. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Revolving Credit Loans hereunder until the Maturity Date.
SECTION 2.2 Swingline Loans.
(a) Availability. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Swingline Lender agrees to make Swingline Loans to the Borrower from time to time from the Closing Date through, but not including, the Maturity Date; provided, that the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Swingline Loans (after giving effect to any amount requested), shall not exceed the lesser of (i) the Revolving Credit Commitment less the sum of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and the L/C Obligations and (ii) the Swingline Commitment.
(b) Refunding.
(i) Swingline Loans shall be refunded by the Revolving Credit Lenders on demand by the Swingline Lender. Such refundings shall be made by the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages and shall thereafter be reflected as Revolving Credit Loans of the Revolving Credit Lenders on the books and records of the Administrative Agent. Each Revolving Credit Lender shall fund its respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of Revolving Credit Loans as required to repay Swingline Loans outstanding to the Swingline Lender upon demand by the Swingline Lender but in no event later than 1:00 p.m. on the next succeeding Business Day after such demand is made. No Revolving Credit Lenders obligation to fund its respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan shall be affected by any other Revolving Credit Lenders failure to fund its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan, nor shall any Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage be increased as a result of any such failure of any other Revolving Credit Lender to fund its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of a Swingline Loan.
(ii) The Borrower shall pay to the Swingline Lender on demand the amount of such Swingline Loans to the extent amounts received from the Revolving Credit Lenders are not sufficient to repay in full the outstanding Swingline Loans requested or required to be refunded. In addition, the Borrower hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to charge any account maintained by the Borrower with the Swingline Lender (up to the amount available therein) in order to immediately pay the Swingline Lender the amount of such Swingline Loans to the extent amounts received from the Revolving Credit Lenders are not sufficient to repay in full the outstanding Swingline Loans requested or required to be
-28-
refunded. If any portion of any such amount paid to the Swingline Lender shall be recovered by or on behalf of the Borrower from the Swingline Lender in bankruptcy or otherwise, the loss of the amount so recovered shall be ratably shared among all the Revolving Credit Lenders in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages (unless the amounts so recovered by or on behalf of the Borrower pertain to a Swingline Loan extended after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default of which the Administrative Agent has received notice in the manner required pursuant to Section 12.1 and which such Event of Default has not been waived by the Required Lenders or the Lenders, as applicable).
(iii) Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to refund Swingline Loans in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.2 is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, non-satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Article V. Further, each Revolving Credit Lender agrees and acknowledges that if prior to the refunding of any outstanding Swingline Loans pursuant to this Section 2.2, one of the events described in Section 10.1(h) or (i) shall have occurred, each Revolving Credit Lender will, on the date the applicable Revolving Credit Loan would have been made, purchase an undivided participating interest in the Swingline Loan to be refunded in an amount equal to its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the aggregate amount of such Swingline Loan. Each Revolving Credit Lender will immediately transfer to the Swingline Lender, in immediately available funds, the amount of its participation and upon receipt thereof the Swingline Lender will deliver to such Revolving Credit Lender a certificate evidencing such participation dated the date of receipt of such funds and for such amount. Whenever, at any time after the Swingline Lender has received from any Revolving Credit Lender such Revolving Credit Lenders participating interest in a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender receives any payment on account thereof, the Swingline Lender will distribute to such Revolving Credit Lender its participating interest in such amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Revolving Credit Lenders participating interest was outstanding and funded).
(c) Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.2, the Swingline Lender shall not be obligated to make any Swingline Loans at a time when any other Revolving Credit Lender is a Defaulting Lender, unless the Swingline Lender has entered into arrangements satisfactory to it to eliminate the Swingline Lenders risk with respect to any such Defaulting Lenders funding obligations hereunder, including by cash collateralizing such Defaulting Lenders pro rata portion of the applicable outstanding Swingline Loans. On demand by the Swingline Lender or the Administrative Agent from time to time, the Borrower shall cash collateralize each Defaulting Lenders pro rata portion of the outstanding Swingline Loans on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Swingline Lender. Any such cash collateral shall be deposited in a separate account with the Administrative Agent, subject to the exclusive dominion and control of the Administrative Agent, as collateral (solely for the benefit of the Swingline Lender) for the payment and performance of each Defaulting Lenders pro rata portion of outstanding Swingline Loans. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Swingline Lender immediately for each Defaulting Lenders pro rata portion of any Swingline Loans which have not otherwise been refunded by the Borrower or such Defaulting Lender pursuant to the terms of this Section 2.2.
SECTION 2.3 Procedure for Advances of Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans.
(a) Requests for Borrowing. The Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable prior written notice substantially in the form of Exhibit B (a Notice of Borrowing) not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) on the same Business Day as each Base Rate Loan and each Swingline Loan and (ii) at least three (3) Business Days before each LIBOR Rate Loan, of its intention to borrow, specifying (A) the date of such borrowing, which shall be a Business Day, (B) the amount of such borrowing, which shall be,
-29-
(x) with respect to Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans), in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof, (y) with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans, in an aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (z) with respect to Swingline Loans, in an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof, (C) whether such Loan is to be a Revolving Credit Loan or Swingline Loan, (D) in the case of a Revolving Credit Loan, whether the Loans are to be LIBOR Rate Loans or Base Rate Loans, and (E) in the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan, the duration of the Interest Period applicable thereto. A Notice of Borrowing received after 11:00 a.m. shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Revolving Credit Lenders of each Notice of Borrowing.
(b) Disbursement of Revolving Credit and Swingline Loans. Not later than 1:00 p.m. on the proposed borrowing date, (i) each Revolving Credit Lender will make available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Borrower, at the office of the Administrative Agent in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent, such Revolving Credit Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the Revolving Credit Loans to be made on such borrowing date and (ii) the Swingline Lender will make available to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Borrower, at the office of the Administrative Agent in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent, the Swingline Loans to be made on such borrowing date. The Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to disburse the proceeds of each borrowing requested pursuant to this Section 2.3 in immediately available funds by crediting or wiring such proceeds to the deposit account of the Borrower identified in the most recent notice substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C (a Notice of Account Designation) delivered by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent or as may be otherwise agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent from time to time. Subject to Section 4.7 hereof, the Administrative Agent shall not be obligated to disburse the portion of the proceeds of any Revolving Credit Loan requested pursuant to this Section 2.3 to the extent that any Revolving Credit Lender has not made available to the Administrative Agent its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Loan. Revolving Credit Loans to be made for the purpose of refunding Swingline Loans shall be made by the Revolving Credit Lenders as provided in Section 2.2(b).
SECTION 2.4 Repayment and Prepayment of Revolving Credit and Swingline Loans.
(a) Repayment on Termination Date. The Borrower hereby agrees to repay the outstanding principal amount of (i) all Revolving Credit Loans in full on the Maturity Date, and (ii) all Swingline Loans in accordance with Section 2.2(b)(ii) (but, in any event, no later than the Maturity Date), together, in each case, with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon.
(b) Mandatory Prepayments. If at any time the Revolving Credit Outstandings exceed the Revolving Credit Commitment, the Borrower agrees to repay immediately upon notice from the Administrative Agent, by payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders, Extensions of Credit in an amount equal to such excess with each such repayment applied first, to the principal amount of outstanding Swingline Loans, second to the principal amount of outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and third, with respect to any Letters of Credit then outstanding, a payment of cash collateral into a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Revolving Credit Lenders, in an amount equal to the aggregate L/C Obligations then outstanding (such cash collateral to be applied in accordance with Section 10.2(b)).
(c) Optional Prepayments. The Borrower may at any time and from time to time prepay Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans, in whole or in part, with irrevocable prior written notice to the Administrative Agent substantially in the form attached as Exhibit D (a Notice of Prepayment)
-30-
given not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) on the same Business Day as each Base Rate Loan and each Swingline Loan and (ii) at least three (3) Business Days before each LIBOR Rate Loan, specifying the date and amount of prepayment and whether the prepayment is of LIBOR Rate Loans, Base Rate Loans, Swingline Loans or a combination thereof, and, if of a combination thereof, the amount allocable to each. Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender. If any such notice is given, the amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date set forth in such notice. Partial prepayments shall be (A) with respect to Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans), in an aggregate amount of $3,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, (B) with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans, $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (C) with respect to Swingline Loans, $100,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof. A Notice of Prepayment received after 11:00 a.m. shall be deemed received on the next Business Day. Each such repayment shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof.
(d) Limitation on Prepayment of LIBOR Rate Loans. The Borrower may not prepay any LIBOR Rate Loan on any day other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto unless such prepayment is accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof.
(e) Hedging Agreements. No repayment or prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall affect any of the Borrowers obligations under any Hedging Agreement.
SECTION 2.5 Permanent Reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment.
(a) Voluntary Reduction. The Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time, upon at least five (5) Business Days prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, to permanently reduce, without premium or penalty, (i) the entire Revolving Credit Commitment at any time or (ii) portions of the Revolving Credit Commitment, from time to time, in an aggregate principal amount not less than $3,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Any reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment shall be applied to the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender according to its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage. All commitment fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Revolving Credit Commitment shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.
(b) Corresponding Payment. Each permanent reduction pursuant to Section 2.5(a) shall be accompanied by a payment of principal sufficient to reduce the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Loans, Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations, as applicable, after such reduction to the Revolving Credit Commitment as so reduced and if the Revolving Credit Commitment as so reduced is less than the aggregate amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit, the Borrower shall be required to deposit cash collateral in a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent in an amount equal to the aggregate L/C Obligations then outstanding. Such cash collateral shall be applied in accordance with Section 10.2(b). Any reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment to zero shall be accompanied by payment of all outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline Loans (and furnishing of cash collateral satisfactory to the Administrative Agent for all L/C Obligations) and shall result in the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitment and the Swingline Commitment and the Revolver Facility. If the reduction of the Revolving Credit Commitment requires the repayment of any LIBOR Rate Loan, such repayment shall be accompanied by any amount required to be paid pursuant to Section 4.9 hereof.
SECTION 2.6 Mandatory Prepayments. The Loans shall be prepaid as follows:
(a) Debt Issuances. The Borrower shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of Loans in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds from any Debt Issuance
-31-
by the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries not permitted pursuant to this Agreement. Such prepayment shall be made within five (5) Business Days after the date of receipt of the Net Cash Proceeds of any such Debt Issuance.
(b) Asset Dispositions. The Borrower shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of Loans in amounts equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds from any Asset Disposition by the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries. Such prepayments shall be made within five (5) Business Days after the date of receipt of the Net Cash Proceeds of any such Asset Disposition by the Borrower or such Subsidiary; provided that, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no prepayments shall be required hereunder (A) in connection with up to $50,000,000 of aggregate Net Cash Proceeds in any Fiscal Year from Asset Dispositions by the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries which are reinvested in replacement assets useful in the ordinary course of the business of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries within three hundred sixty (360) days after receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds by the Borrower or such Subsidiary; provided, however, that any portion of the Net Cash Proceeds not actually reinvested within such three hundred sixty (360) day period shall be prepaid in accordance with this Section 2.6 or (B) in connection with Asset Dispositions permitted pursuant to Section 9.5 (other than Asset Dispositions pursuant to Section 9.5(k)).
(c) Insurance and Condemnation Events. The Borrower shall prepay the outstanding principal amount of Loans in an amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds from any Insurance and Condemnation Event by the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries. Such prepayments shall be made within three (3) Business Days after the date of receipt of Net Cash Proceeds of any such Insurance and Condemnation Event by the Borrower or such Subsidiary; provided that, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no prepayments shall be required hereunder in connection with up to $50,000,000 of aggregate Net Cash Proceeds in any Fiscal Year from Insurance and Condemnation Events by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which are reinvested within three hundred sixty (360) days after receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in replacements assets useful in the ordinary course of the business of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries; provided, however, that any portion of the Net Cash Proceeds not actually reinvested within such three hundred sixty (360) day period shall be prepaid in accordance with this Section 2.6.
(d) Notice; Manner of Payment. Upon the occurrence of any event triggering a prepayment requirement under this Section 2.6, the Borrower shall promptly deliver a Notice of Prepayment to the Administrative Agent and upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall promptly so notify the Lenders.
SECTION 2.7 Termination of Revolver Facility. The Revolver Facility and the Revolving Credit Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity Date.
ARTICLE III
LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY
SECTION 3.1 L/C Commitment.
(a) Availability. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Bank, in reliance on the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a), agrees to issue standby letters of credit (the Letters of Credit) for the account of the Borrower on any Business Day from the Closing Date through but not including the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the Maturity Date in such form as may be
-32-
approved from time to time by the Issuing Bank; provided, that the Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance, (a) the L/C Obligations would exceed the L/C Commitment or (b) the Revolving Credit Outstandings would exceed the Revolving Credit Commitment. Each Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in Dollars, (ii) be a standby letter of credit issued to support obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, contingent or otherwise, incurred in the ordinary course of business, (iii) expire on a date no more than twelve (12) months after the date of issuance or last renewal of such Letter of Credit (subject to automatic renewal for additional one (1) year periods pursuant to the terms of the Letter of Credit Agreement or other documentation acceptable to the Issuing Bank), which date shall be no later than the fifth (5th) Business Day prior to the Maturity Date and (iv) be subject to the Uniform Customs and/or ISP98, as set forth in the Letter of Credit Agreement or as determined by the Issuing Bank and, to the extent not inconsistent therewith, the laws of the State of New York. The Issuing Bank shall not at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder if such issuance would conflict with, or cause the Issuing Bank or any L/C Participant to exceed any limits imposed by, any Applicable Law. References herein to issue and derivations thereof with respect to Letters of Credit shall also include extensions or modifications of any outstanding Letters of Credit, unless the context otherwise requires. As of the Closing Date, each of the Existing Letters of Credit shall constitute, for all purposes of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, a Letter of Credit issued and outstanding hereunder.
(b) Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 3.1, the Issuing Bank shall not be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit at a time when any other Lender is a Defaulting Lender, unless the Issuing Bank has entered into arrangements satisfactory to it to eliminate the Issuing Banks risk with respect to any such Defaulting Lenders reimbursement obligations hereunder, including by cash collateralizing such Defaulting Lenders Commitment Percentage of the liability with respect to such Letter of Credit. On demand by the Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent from time to time, the Borrowers shall cash collateralize each Defaulting Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank. Any such cash collateral shall be deposited in a separate account with the Administrative Agent, subject to the exclusive dominion and control of the Administrative Agent, as collateral (solely for the benefit of the Issuing Bank) for the payment and performance of each Defaulting Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of outstanding Swingline Loans. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank immediately for each Defaulting Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of any drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not otherwise been reimbursed by the Borrowers or such Defaulting Lender pursuant to the terms of this Section 3.1.
SECTION 3.2 Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit. The Borrower may from time to time request that the Issuing Bank issue a Letter of Credit by delivering to the Issuing Bank at the Administrative Agents Office a Letter of Credit Agreement therefor, completed to the satisfaction of the Issuing Bank, and such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as the Issuing Bank may request. Upon receipt of any Letter of Credit Agreement, the Issuing Bank shall process such Letter of Credit Agreement and the certificates, documents and other papers and information delivered to it in connection therewith in accordance with its customary procedures and shall, subject to Section 3.1 and Article V, promptly issue the Letter of Credit requested thereby (but in no event shall the Issuing Bank be required to issue any Letter of Credit earlier than three (3) Business Days after its receipt of the Letter of Credit Agreement therefor and all such other certificates, documents and other papers and information relating thereto) by issuing the original of such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary thereof or as otherwise may be agreed by the Issuing Bank and the Borrower. The Issuing Bank shall promptly furnish to the Borrower a copy of such Letter of Credit and promptly notify each Revolving Credit Lender of the issuance
-33-
and upon request by any Revolving Credit Lender, furnish to such Lender a copy of such Letter of Credit and the amount of such Revolving Credit Lenders participation therein.
SECTION 3.3 Commissions and Other Charges.
(a) Letter of Credit Commissions. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank and the L/C Participants, a letter of credit commission with respect to each Letter of Credit in the amount equal to the face amount of such Letter of Credit multiplied by the Applicable Margin with respect to Revolving Credit Loans that are LIBOR Rate Loans (determined on a per annum basis), provided that each Letter of Credit bear a minimum commission of $500. Such commission shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter, on the Maturity Date and thereafter on demand of the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, distribute to the Issuing Bank and the L/C Participants all commissions received pursuant to this Section 3.3 in accordance with their respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages.
(b) Fronting Fee. In addition to the foregoing commission, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuing Bank, a fronting fee with respect to each Letter of Credit as set forth in the Commitment and Engagement Letter. Such issuance fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Maturity Date and thereafter on demand of the Administrative Agent.
(c) Other Costs. In addition to the foregoing fees and commissions, the Borrower shall pay or reimburse the Issuing Bank for such normal and customary costs and expenses as are incurred or charged by the Issuing Bank in issuing, effecting payment under, amending or otherwise administering any Letter of Credit.
SECTION 3.4 L/C Participations.
(a) The Issuing Bank irrevocably agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant, and, to induce the Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder, each L/C Participant irrevocably agrees to accept and purchase and hereby accepts and purchases from the Issuing Bank, on the terms and conditions hereinafter stated, for such L/C Participants own account and risk an undivided interest equal to such L/C Participants Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage in the Issuing Banks obligations and rights under and in respect of each Letter of Credit issued hereunder and the amount of each draft paid by the Issuing Bank thereunder. Each L/C Participant unconditionally and irrevocably agrees with the Issuing Bank that, if a draft is paid under any Letter of Credit for which the Issuing Bank is not reimbursed in full by the Borrower through a Revolving Credit Loan or otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Bank upon demand at the Issuing Banks address for notices specified herein an amount equal to such L/C Participants Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the amount of such draft, or any part thereof, which is not so reimbursed.
(b) Upon becoming aware of any amount required to be paid by any L/C Participant to the Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 3.4(a) in respect of any unreimbursed portion of any payment made by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank shall notify each L/C Participant of the amount and due date of such required payment and such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Bank the amount specified on the applicable due date. If any such amount is paid to the Issuing Bank after the date such payment is due, such L/C Participant shall pay to the Issuing Bank on demand, in addition to such amount, the product of (i) such amount, times (ii) the daily average Federal Funds Rate as determined by
-34-
the Administrative Agent during the period from and including the date such payment is due to the date on which such payment is immediately available to the Issuing Bank, times (iii) a fraction the numerator of which is the number of days that elapse during such period and the denominator of which is 360. A certificate of the Issuing Bank with respect to any amounts owing under this Section 3.4 shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error. With respect to payment to the Issuing Bank of the unreimbursed amounts described in this Section 3.4, if the L/C Participants receive notice that any such payment is due (A) prior to 1:00 p.m. on any Business Day, such payment shall be due that Business Day, and (B) after 1:00 p.m. on any Business Day, such payment shall be due on the following Business Day.
(c) Whenever, at any time after the Issuing Bank has made payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any L/C Participant its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such payment in accordance with this Section 3.4, the Issuing Bank receives any payment related to such Letter of Credit (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise), or any payment of interest on account thereof, the Issuing Bank will distribute to such L/C Participant its pro rata share thereof; provided, that in the event that any such payment received by the Issuing Bank shall be required to be returned by the Issuing Bank, such L/C Participant shall return to the Issuing Bank the portion thereof previously distributed by the Issuing Bank to it.
SECTION 3.5 Reimbursement Obligation of the Borrower. In the event of any drawing under any Letter of Credit, the Borrower agrees to reimburse (either with the proceeds of a Revolving Credit Loan as provided for in this Section 3.5 or with funds from other sources), in same day funds, the Issuing Bank within 5 Business Days of when the Issuing Bank notifies the Borrower of the date and amount of a draft paid under any Letter of Credit for the amount of (a) such draft so paid and (b) any amounts referred to in Section 3.3(c) incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with such payment. Unless the Borrower shall notify the Issuing Bank within one Business Day that the Borrower intends to reimburse the Issuing Bank for such drawing from other sources or funds, the Borrower shall be deemed to have timely given a Notice of Borrowing to the Administrative Agent requesting that the Revolving Credit Lenders make a Revolving Credit Loan bearing interest at the Base Rate on such date in the amount of (a) such draft so paid and (b) any amounts referred to in Section 3.3(c) incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with such payment, and the Revolving Credit Lenders shall make a Revolving Credit Loan bearing interest at the Base Rate in such amount, the proceeds of which shall be applied to reimburse the Issuing Bank for the amount of the related drawing and costs and expenses. Each Revolving Credit Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to fund a Revolving Credit Loan in accordance with this Section 3.5 to reimburse the Issuing Bank for any draft paid under a Letter of Credit is absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including, without limitation, non-satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.3(a) or Article V. If the Borrower has elected to pay the amount of such drawing with funds from other sources and shall fail to reimburse the Issuing Bank as provided above, the unreimbursed amount of such drawing shall bear interest at the rate which would be payable on any outstanding Base Rate Loans which were then overdue from the date such amounts become payable (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) until payment in full.
SECTION 3.6 Obligations Absolute. The Borrowers obligations under this Article III (including, without limitation, the Reimbursement Obligation) shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all circumstances and irrespective of any set off, counterclaim or defense to payment which the Borrower may have or have had against the Issuing Bank or any beneficiary of a Letter of Credit or any other Person. The Borrower also agrees that the Issuing Bank and the L/C Participants shall not be responsible for, and the Borrowers Reimbursement Obligation under Section 3.5 shall not be affected by, among other things, the validity or genuineness of documents or of any endorsements thereon, even though such documents shall in fact prove to be invalid, fraudulent or forged, or any dispute between or among the Borrower and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or any other party to which such Letter of Credit
-35-
may be transferred or any claims whatsoever of the Borrower against any beneficiary of such Letter of Credit or any such transferee. The Issuing Bank shall not be liable for any error, omission, interruption or delay in transmission, dispatch or delivery of any message or advice, however transmitted, in connection with any Letter of Credit, except for errors or omissions caused by the Issuing Banks gross negligence or willful misconduct, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final nonappealable judgment. The Borrower agrees that any action taken or omitted by the Issuing Bank under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the related drafts or documents, if done in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct shall be binding on the Borrower and shall not result in any liability of the Issuing Bank or any L/C Participant to the Borrower. The responsibility of the Issuing Bank to the Borrower in connection with any draft presented for payment under any Letter of Credit shall, in addition to any payment obligation expressly provided for in such Letter of Credit, be limited to determining that the documents (including each draft) delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with such presentment are in conformity with such Letter of Credit.
SECTION 3.7 Effect of Letter of Credit Agreement. To the extent that any provision of any Letter of Credit Agreement related to any Letter of Credit is inconsistent with the provisions of this Article III, the provisions of this Article III shall apply.
ARTICLE IV
GENERAL LOAN PROVISIONS
SECTION 4.1 Interest.
(a) Interest Rate Options. Subject to the provisions of this Section 4.1, at the election of the Borrower, (i) Revolving Credit Loans shall bear interest at (A) the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin or (B) the LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Margin and (ii) any Swingline Loan shall bear interest at the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin. The Borrower shall select the rate of interest and Interest Period, if any, applicable to any Loan at the time a Notice of Borrowing is given or at the time a Notice of Conversion/Continuation is given pursuant to Section 4.2. Any Loan or any portion thereof as to which the Borrower has not duly specified an interest rate as provided herein shall be deemed a Base Rate Loan.
(b) Interest Periods. In connection with each LIBOR Rate Loan, the Borrower, by giving notice at the times described in Section 2.3 or 4.2, as applicable, shall elect an interest period (each, an Interest Period) to be applicable to such Loan, which Interest Period shall be a period of one (1), two (2), three (3), or six (6) months or, if agreed by all of the relevant Lenders, nine (9) or twelve (12) months; provided that:
(i) the Interest Period shall commence on the date of advance of or conversion to any LIBOR Rate Loan and, in the case of immediately successive Interest Periods, each successive Interest Period shall commence on the date on which the immediately preceding Interest Period expires;
(ii) if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding Business Day; provided, that if any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan would otherwise expire on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding Business Day;
-36-
(iii) any Interest Period with respect to a LIBOR Rate Loan that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the relevant calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and
(iv) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date and Interest Periods shall be selected by the Borrower so as to permit the Borrower to make without payment of any amounts pursuant to Section 4.9.
(c) Post-Default Rate. Subject to Section 10.3, (i) immediately upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default under Section 10.1(h) or (i), or (ii) at the election of the Required Lenders, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any other Event of Default, (A) the Borrower shall no longer have the option to request LIBOR Rate Loans, Swingline Loans or Letters of Credit, (B) all outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans shall bear interest at a rate per annum of two percent (2%) in excess of the rate (including the Applicable Margin) then applicable to LIBOR Rate Loans until the end of the applicable Interest Period and thereafter at a rate equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate (including the Applicable Margin) then applicable to Base Rate Loans, and (C) all outstanding Base Rate Loans and other Obligations arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to two percent (2%) in excess of the rate (including the Applicable Margin) then applicable to Base Rate Loans or such other Obligations arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document. Interest shall continue to accrue on the Obligations after the filing by or against the Borrower of any petition seeking any relief in bankruptcy or under any act or law pertaining to insolvency or debtor relief, whether state, federal or foreign.
(d) Interest Payment and Computation. Interest on each Base Rate Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each fiscal quarter commencing December 31, 2010; and interest on each LIBOR Rate Loan shall be due and payable on the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto, and if such Interest Period extends over three (3) months, at the end of each three (3) month interval during such Interest Period. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is determined by the Prime Rate shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest provided hereunder shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365/366-day year).
(e) Maximum Rate. In no contingency or event whatsoever shall the aggregate of all amounts deemed interest under this Agreement charged or collected pursuant to the terms of this Agreement exceed the highest rate permissible under any Applicable Law which a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable hereto. In the event that such a court determines that the Lenders have charged or received interest hereunder in excess of the highest applicable rate, the rate in effect hereunder shall automatically be reduced to the maximum rate permitted by Applicable Law and the Lenders shall at the Administrative Agents option (i) promptly refund to the Borrower any interest received by the Lenders in excess of the maximum lawful rate or (ii) apply such excess to the principal balance of the Obligations on a pro rata basis. It is the intent hereof that the Borrower not pay or contract to pay, and that neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender receive or contract to receive, directly or indirectly in any manner whatsoever, interest in excess of that which may be paid by the Borrower under Applicable Law.
SECTION 4.2 Notice and Manner of Conversion or Continuation of Loans. Provided that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is then continuing, the Borrower shall have the option to (a) convert at any time following the third Business Day after the Closing Date all or any portion of any
-37-
outstanding Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans) in a principal amount equal to $5,000,000 or any whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof into one or more LIBOR Rate Loans and (b) upon the expiration of any Interest Period, (i) convert all or any part of its outstanding LIBOR Rate Loans in a principal amount equal to $3,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof into Base Rate Loans (other than Swingline Loans) or (ii) continue such LIBOR Rate Loans as LIBOR Rate Loans. Whenever the Borrower desires to convert or continue Loans as provided above, the Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent irrevocable prior written notice in the form attached as Exhibit E (a Notice of Conversion/Continuation) not later than 11:00 a.m. three (3) Business Days before the day on which a proposed conversion or continuation of such Loan is to be effective specifying (A) the Loans to be converted or continued, and, in the case of any LIBOR Rate Loan to be converted or continued, the last day of the Interest Period therefor, (B) the effective date of such conversion or continuation (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the principal amount of such Loans to be converted or continued, and (D) the Interest Period to be applicable to such converted or continued LIBOR Rate Loan. The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the affected Lenders of such Notice of Conversion/Continuation.
SECTION 4.3 Fees.
(a) Commitment Fee. Commencing on the Closing Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Revolving Credit Lenders (other than any Defaulting Lender), a non-refundable commitment fee (the Commitment Fee) at a rate per annum equal to 0.50% on the average daily unused portion of the Revolving Credit Commitment of the Revolving Credit Lenders (other than the Defaulting Lenders, if any); provided, that the amount of outstanding Swingline Loans shall not be considered usage of the Revolving Credit Commitment for the purpose of calculating the Commitment Fee. The Commitment Fee shall be payable in arrears on the last Business Day of each fiscal quarter during the term of this Agreement commencing December 31, 2010 and ending on the Maturity Date. Such Commitment Fee shall be distributed by the Administrative Agent to the Revolving Credit Lenders (other than any Defaulting Lender) pro rata in accordance with such Revolving Credit Lenders respective Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages.
(b) Other Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Arranger, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral for their own respective accounts fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Commitment and Engagement Letter. The Borrower shall pay to the Lenders such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing in the amounts and at the times so specified.
SECTION 4.4 Manner of Payment.
(a) Sharing of Payments. Each payment by the Borrower on account of the principal of or interest on the Loans or of any fee, commission or other amounts (including the Reimbursement Obligation) payable to the Lenders under this Agreement (or any of them) shall be made not later than 1:00 p.m. on the date specified for payment under this Agreement to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agents Office for the account of the Lenders entitled to such payment in Dollars, in immediately available funds and shall be made without any set off, counterclaim or deduction whatsoever. Any payment received after such time but before 2:00 p.m. Charlotte, North Carolina time on such day shall be deemed a payment on such date for the purposes of Section 10.1, but for all other purposes shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day. Any payment received after 2:00 p.m. Charlotte, North Carolina time shall be deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Business Day for all purposes. Upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of each such payment, the Administrative Agent shall distribute to each such Lender at its address for notices set forth herein its pro rata share of such payment in accordance with the amounts then due and payable to such Lenders, (except as specified below) and shall wire advice of the amount of such credit to each Lender. Each payment to the Administrative Agent
-38-
on account of the principal of or interest on the Swingline Loans or of any fee, commission or other amounts payable to the Swingline Lender shall be made in like manner, but for the account of the Swingline Lender. Each payment to the Administrative Agent of the Issuing Banks fees or L/C Participants commissions shall be made in like manner, but for the account of the Issuing Bank or the L/C Participants, as the case may be. Each payment to the Administrative Agent of Administrative Agents fees or expenses shall be made for the account of the Administrative Agent and any amount payable to any Lender under Sections 4.9, 4.10, 4.11 or 12.3 shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lender. Subject to Section 4.1(b)(ii), if any payment under this Agreement shall be specified to be made upon a day which is not a Business Day, it shall be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day and such extension of time shall in such case be included in computing any interest if payable along with such payment.
(b) Defaulting Lenders. Notwithstanding Section 4.4(a), if any Defaulting Lender shall have failed to fund all or any portion of any Revolving Credit Loan (each such Revolving Credit Loan, an Affected Loan), each payment by the Borrower hereunder shall be applied first to such Affected Loan and the principal amount and interest with respect to such payment shall be distributed (i) to each Revolving Credit Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender (each, a Non-Defaulting Lender) pro rata based on the outstanding principal amount of Affected Loans owing to all Non-Defaulting Lenders, until the principal amount of all Affected Loans has been repaid in full and (ii) to the extent of any remaining amount of such payment, to each Revolving Credit Lender as set forth in Section 4.4(a). Each payment made by the Borrower on account of the interest on any Affected Loans shall be distributed to each Non-Defaulting Lender pro rata based on the outstanding principal amount of Affected Loans owing to all Non-Defaulting Lenders.
SECTION 4.5 Evidence of Indebtedness.
(a) Extensions of Credit. The Extensions of Credit made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error of the amount of the Extensions of Credit made by the Lenders to the Borrower and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Revolving Credit Note and/or Swingline Note, as applicable, which shall evidence such Lenders Revolving Credit Loans and/or Swingline Loans, as applicable, in addition to such accounts or records. Each Lender may attach schedules to its Notes and endorse thereon the date, amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect thereto.
(b) Participations. In addition to the accounts and records referred to in Section 4.5(a), each Revolving Credit Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases and sales by such Revolving Credit Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any Revolving Credit Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
-39-
SECTION 4.6 Adjustments. If any Lender shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any of its Loans or other obligations hereunder resulting in such Lenders receiving payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of its Loans and accrued interest thereon or other such obligations (other than pursuant to Sections 4.9, 4.10, 4.11 or 12.3) greater than its pro rata share thereof as provided herein, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall (a) notify the Administrative Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Loans and such other obligations of the other Lenders, or make such other adjustments as shall be equitable, so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by the Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and accrued interest on their respective Loans and other amounts owing them; provided that
(i) if any such participations are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and
(ii) the provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to (A) any payment made by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this Agreement or (B) any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations in Swingline Loans and Letters of Credit to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (as to which the provisions of this paragraph shall apply).
Each Credit Party consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under Applicable Law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against each Credit Party rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of each Credit Party in the amount of such participation.
SECTION 4.7 Obligations of Lenders.
(a) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the proposed date of any borrowing, or with respect to same day borrowings prior to 11:00 a.m. on the date of such borrowing, that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lenders share of such borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share available on such date in accordance with Section 2.3(b) and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in fact made its share of the applicable borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount with interest thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of a payment to be made by such Lender, the greater of the daily average Federal Funds Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation and (ii) in the case of a payment to be made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans. If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays its share of the applicable borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then the amount so paid shall constitute such Lenders Loan included in such borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
-40-
(b) Nature of Obligations of Lenders Regarding Extensions of Credit. The obligations of the Lenders under this Agreement to make the Loans and issue or participate in Letters of Credit are several and are not joint or joint and several. The failure of any Lender to make available its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of any Revolving Credit Loan requested by the Borrower shall not relieve it or any other Lender of its obligation, if any, hereunder to make its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Loan available on the borrowing date, but no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to make its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of such Loan available on the borrowing date.
SECTION 4.8 Changed Circumstances.
(a) Circumstances Affecting LIBOR Rate Availability. In connection with any request for a LIBOR Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, if for any reason (i) the Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that Dollar deposits are not being offered to banks in the London interbank Eurodollar market for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Loan, (ii) the Administrative Agent shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that reasonable and adequate means do not exist for the ascertaining the LIBOR Rate for such Interest Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR Rate Loan or (iii) the Required Lenders shall determine (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the LIBOR Rate does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or maintaining such Loans during such Interest Period, then the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to the Borrower. Thereafter, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that such circumstances no longer exist, the obligation of the Lenders to make LIBOR Rate Loans and the right of the Borrower to convert any Loan to or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be suspended, and in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, the Borrower shall either (A) repay in full (or cause to be repaid in full) the then outstanding principal amount of each such LIBOR Rate Loan together with accrued interest thereon (subject to Section 4.1(d)), on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable to such LIBOR Rate Loan; or (B) convert the then outstanding principal amount of each such LIBOR Rate Loan to a Base Rate Loan as of the last day of such Interest Period.
(b) Laws Affecting LIBOR Rate Availability. If, after the date hereof, the introduction of, or any change in, any Applicable Law or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Lending Offices) with any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency, shall make it unlawful or impossible for any of the Lenders (or any of their respective Lending Offices) to honor its obligations hereunder to make or maintain any LIBOR Rate Loan, such Lender shall promptly give notice thereof to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall promptly give notice to the Borrower and the other Lenders. Thereafter, until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that such circumstances no longer exist the obligations of the Lenders to make LIBOR Rate Loans, and the right of the Borrower to convert any Loan or continue any Loan as a LIBOR Rate Loan shall be suspended and thereafter the Borrower may select only Base Rate Loans.
SECTION 4.9 Indemnity. The Borrower hereby indemnifies each of the Lenders against any loss or expense which may arise or be attributable to each Lenders obtaining, liquidating or employing deposits or other funds acquired to effect, fund or maintain any Loan (a) as a consequence of any failure by the Borrower to make any payment when due of any amount due hereunder in connection with a LIBOR Rate Loan, (b) due to any failure of the Borrower to borrow, continue or convert on a date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation or (c) due to any payment, prepayment or conversion of any LIBOR Rate Loan on a date other than the last day of the Interest Period
-41-
therefor including without limitation due to any assignment required by the Borrower pursuant to Section 4.12(b) hereof. The amount of such loss or expense shall be determined, in the applicable Lenders sole discretion, based upon the assumption that such Lender funded its Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage of the LIBOR Rate Loans in the London interbank market and using any reasonable attribution or averaging methods which such Lender deems appropriate and practical. A certificate of such Lender setting forth the basis for determining such amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender shall be forwarded to the Borrower through the Administrative Agent and shall be conclusively presumed to be correct save for manifest error.
SECTION 4.10 Increased Costs.
(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:
(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or advances, loans or other credit extended or participated in by, any Lender (except any reserve requirement reflected in the LIBOR Rate) or the Issuing Bank;
(ii) subject any Lender or the Issuing Bank to any tax of any kind whatsoever with respect to this Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any participation in a Letter of Credit or any LIBOR Rate Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to such Lender or the Issuing Bank in respect thereof (except for Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes covered by Section 4.11 and the imposition of, or any change in the rate of any Excluded Tax payable by such Lender or the Issuing Bank); or
(iii) impose on any Lender or the Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense affecting this Agreement or LIBOR Rate Loans made by such Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making, converting into or maintaining any LIBOR Rate Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or the Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or the Issuing Bank hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon written request of such Lender or the Issuing Bank, the Borrower shall promptly pay to any such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
(b) Capital Requirements. If any Lender or the Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or the Issuing Bank or any lending office of such Lender or such Lenders or the Issuing Banks holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lenders or the Issuing Banks capital or on the capital of such Lenders or the Issuing Banks holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender or the Loans made by, or participations in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued by the Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lenders or the Issuing Banks holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lenders or the Issuing Banks policies and the policies of such Lenders or the Issuing Banks holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time upon written request of such Lender or such Issuing Bank the Borrower shall
-42-
promptly pay to such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or such Lenders or the Issuing Banks holding company for any such reduction suffered.
(c) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of a Lender or the Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Bank or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 4.10 and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error; provided that such amount shall have been determined on a reasonable basis. The Borrower shall pay such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 30 days after receipt thereof.
(d) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 4.10 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lenders or the Issuing Banks right to demand such compensation; provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than six (6) months prior to the date that such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lenders or the Issuing Banks intention to claim compensation therefor (except that if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the six-month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
SECTION 4.11 Taxes.
(a) Payments Free of Taxes. Any and all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of and without reduction or withholding for any Indemnified Taxes; provided that if the Borrower shall be required by Applicable Law to deduct any Indemnified Taxes from such payments, then (i) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 4.11) the Administrative Agent, the applicable Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall timely pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law.
(b) Payment of Other Taxes by the Borrower. Without limiting the provisions of paragraph (a) above, the Borrower shall timely pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with Applicable Law.
(c) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Bank, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes (including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to amounts payable under this Section) paid by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, and any penalties, interest and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority; provided that the Borrower shall not be obligated to indemnify the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank for any amount in respect of any such penalties, interest or reasonable expenses if written demand therefor was not made by the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank within 180 days from the date on which such party makes payment for such penalties, interest or expenses; provided further that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to any such penalties, interest or reasonable expenses arising out of the retroactive application of any such Indemnified Tax. Any payment pursuant to such indemnification shall be made within 30 days after demand therefor. A certificate as to the amount
-43-
of such payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or the Issuing Bank (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or the Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) Evidence of Payments. As soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes by the Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) Status of Lenders. Any Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is resident for tax purposes, or any treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by Applicable Law as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, any Lender, if requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, shall deliver such other documentation prescribed by Applicable Law or reasonably requested by the Borrower or the Administrative Agent as will enable the Borrower or the Administrative Agent to determine whether or not such Lender is subject to backup withholding or information reporting requirements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower is a resident for tax purposes in the United States, any Foreign Lender shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (in such number of copies as shall be requested by the recipient) on or prior to the date on which such Foreign Lender becomes a Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, but only if such Foreign Lender is legally entitled to do so), whichever of the following is applicable:
(i) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN claiming eligibility for benefits of an income tax treaty to which the United States is a party,
(ii) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI,
(iii) in the case of a Foreign Lender claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under section 881(c) of the Code, (x) a certificate to the effect that such Foreign Lender is not (A) a bank within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (B) a 10 percent shareholder of the Borrower within the meaning of section 881(c)(3)(B) of the Code, or (C) a controlled foreign corporation described in section 881(c)(3)(C) of the Code and (y) duly completed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or
(iv) any other form prescribed by Applicable Law as a basis for claiming exemption from or a reduction in United States Federal withholding tax duly completed together with such supplementary documentation as may be prescribed by Applicable Law to permit the Borrower to determine the withholding or deduction required to be made.
(f) Treatment of Certain Refunds. If the Administrative Agent, a Lender or the Issuing Bank determines, in its sole discretion, that it has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid additional amounts pursuant to this Section, it shall pay to the Borrower an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under this Section with
-44-
respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, agrees to repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank in the event the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. This paragraph shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other Person.
(g) Survival. Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the Borrower hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Borrower contained in this Section shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitment.
SECTION 4.12 Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a) Designation of a Different Lending Office. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 4.10, or requires the Borrower to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 4.11, then such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts payable pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.11, as the case may be, in the future and (ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and would not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.
(b) Replacement of Lenders. If any Lender requests compensation under Section 4.10, or if the Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 4.11, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender hereunder or becomes a Non-consenting Lender, then the Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the Administrative Agent (x) require such Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 12.10), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided that:
(i) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 12.10;
(ii) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its Loans and participations in Letters of Credit, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts under Section 4.9) from the assignee (to the extent of such outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower (in the case of all other amounts);
(iii) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 4.10 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 4.11, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter; and
-45-
(iv) such assignment does not conflict with Applicable Law.
A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment and delegation cease to apply; or
(y) so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, terminate the Commitment of such Lender or Issuing Bank, as the case may be, and (1) in the case of a Lender (other than an Issuing Bank), repay all Obligations of the Borrower owing to such Lender relating to the Loans and participations held by such Lender as of such termination date and (2) in the case of an Issuing Bank, repay all Obligations of the Borrower owing to such Issuing Bank relating to the Loans and participations held by the Issuing Bank as of such termination date other than any Obligations pertaining to any Subject Letters of Credit (as defined below).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above in this Section 4.12, unless the Issuing Bank is removed and replaced with a successor Issuing Bank at the time the Borrower exercises its rights under this Section 4.12, any Issuing Bank having undrawn Letters of Credit issued by it (the Subject Letters of Credit) whose Commitments and Obligations are to be repaid or terminated pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.12 shall (x) remain a party hereto until the expiration or termination of the Subject Letters of Credit, (y) not issue (or be required to issue) any further Letters of Credit hereunder and (z) continue to have all rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents solely with respect to the Subject Letters of Credit until all of the Subject Letters of Credit have expired, been terminated or become subject to a backstop letter of credit reasonably satisfactory to such Issuing Bank, but excluding any consent rights as an Issuing Bank under Section 4.12).
SECTION 4.13 Security. The Obligations of the Borrower shall be secured as provided in the Security Documents.
SECTION 4.14 Incremental Loans.
(a) At any time prior to the Maturity Date, as applicable, the Borrower may by written notice to the Administrative Agent elect to request the establishment of one or more incremental revolving credit commitments (any such incremental revolving credit commitment, an Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment) to make incremental revolving credit loans (any such incremental revolving credit loans, an Incremental Revolving Credit Loan);
provided that the total aggregate amount for all such Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments shall not (as of any date of incurrence thereof) exceed $100 million. Each such notice shall specify the date (each, an Increased Amount Date) on which the Borrower proposes that any Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment shall be effective, which shall be a date not less than ten (10) Business Days after the date on which such notice is delivered to Administrative Agent. The Borrower may invite any Lender, any Affiliate of any Lender and/or any Approved Fund, and/or any other Person reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to provide an Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment (any such Person, a New Lender). Any Lender or any New Lender offered or approached to provide all or a portion of any Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment may elect or decline, in its sole discretion, to provide such Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment. Any Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment shall become effective as of such Increased Amount Date; provided that:
(A) no Default or Event of Default shall exist on such Increased Amount Date before or after giving effect to (1) any Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment and (2) to the extent
-46-
occurring substantially simultaneously with the increase in Revolving Credit Commitments, (i) the making of any tranche of Incremental Revolving Credit Loans pursuant thereto and (ii) any Permitted Acquisition consummated in connection therewith;
(B) the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall have received from the Borrower an Officers Compliance Certificate demonstrating that the Borrower will be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the financial covenants set forth in Article VIII both before and after giving effect to (1) any Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment (and assuming for these purposes that all Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments are fully drawn as Incremental Revolving Credit Loans) and (2) to the extent occurring substantially simultaneously with the increase in Revolving Credit Commitments, (i) the making of any tranche of Incremental Revolving Credit Loans pursuant thereto and (ii) any Permitted Acquisition consummated in connection therewith;
(C) all representations and warranties contained herein and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such Increase Amount Date (both before and after giving effect thereto), unless stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date;
(D) the proceeds of any Incremental Revolving Credit Loans shall be used for general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including Permitted Acquisitions);
(E) each Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment (and the Incremental Revolving Credit Loans made thereunder) shall constitute Obligations of the Borrower and shall be secured and guaranteed with the other Extensions of Credit on a pari passu basis;
(1) in the case of each Incremental Revolving Credit Loan (the terms of which shall be set forth the relevant Joinder Agreement):
(x) such Incremental Revolving Credit Loans shall mature on the Maturity Date, shall bear interest at the rate applicable to the Revolving Credit Loans and shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as the Revolving Credit Loans; and
(y) the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages of Swingline Loans and L/C Obligations will be reallocated by the Administrative Agent on the applicable Increased Amount Date among the Revolving Credit Lenders (including the New Lenders providing such Incremental Revolving Credit Loans) in accordance with their revised Revolving Credit Commitment Percentages (and the Revolving Credit Lenders (including the New Lenders providing such Incremental Revolving Credit Loans) agree to make all payments and adjustments necessary to effect such reallocation and the Borrower shall pay any and all costs required pursuant to Section 4.9 in connection with such reallocation as if such reallocation were a repayment);
(2) any Incremental Revolving Credit Lender with an Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment shall be entitled to the same voting rights as the existing Revolving Credit Lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility, shall be included in any determination of Required Lenders and will not constitute a separate class and any Extensions of Credit made in connection with each Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment shall receive proceeds of prepayments on the same basis as the other Revolving Credit Loans made hereunder;
-47-
(F) such Incremental Revolving Credit Commitments shall be effected pursuant to one or more Joinder Agreements executed and delivered by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the applicable Incremental Revolving Credit Lenders (which Joinder Agreement may, without the consent of any other Lenders, effect such amendments to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, to effect the provisions of this Section 4.14) and upon the execution of such Joinder the applicable Incremental Revolving Credit Lender shall become a Revolving Credit Lender hereunder; and
(G) the Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered any customary legal opinions or other documents (including, without limitation, a resolution duly adopted by the board of directors (or equivalent governing body) of each Credit Party authorizing the Incremental Revolving Credit Commitment) reasonably requested by Administrative Agent in connection with any such transaction.
ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS OF CLOSING AND BORROWING
SECTION 5.1 Conditions to Closing and Initial Extensions of Credit. The obligation of the Lenders to close this Agreement and to make the initial Loan or issue or participate in the initial Letter of Credit, if any, is subject to the satisfaction of each of the following conditions:
(a) Executed Loan Documents. This Agreement, a Revolving Credit Note in favor of each Lender requesting a Revolving Credit Note, a Swingline Note in favor of the Swingline Lender (if requested thereby) and the Security Documents, together with any other applicable Loan Documents, shall have been duly authorized, executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent by the parties thereto, shall be in full force and effect and no Default or Event of Default shall exist hereunder or thereunder.
(b) Closing Certificates; Etc. The Administrative Agent shall have received each of the following in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
(i) Officers Certificate. A certificate from a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to the effect that all representations and warranties of such Person contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true, correct and complete; that none of the Credit Parties is in violation of any of the covenants contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; that, after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing; and that each of the Credit Parties, as applicable, has satisfied each of the conditions set forth in Section 5.1 and Section 5.2.
(ii) Certificate of Secretary of each Credit Party. A certificate of the secretary or assistant secretary of each Credit Party certifying as to the incumbency and genuineness of the signature of each officer of such Credit Party executing Loan Documents to which it is a party and certifying that attached thereto is a true, correct and complete copy of (A) the articles or certificate of incorporation or formation of such Credit Party and all amendments thereto, certified as of a recent date by the appropriate Governmental Authority in its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, (B) the bylaws or other governing document of such Credit Party as in effect on the Closing Date, (C) resolutions duly adopted by the board of directors (or other governing body) of such Credit Party authorizing
-48-
the transactions contemplated hereunder and the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (D) each certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(b)(iii).
(iii) Certificates of Good Standing. Certificates as of a recent date of the good standing of each Credit Party under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization and, to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, each other jurisdiction where such Credit Party is qualified to do business.
(iv) Opinions of Counsel. The Administrative Agent shall have received, on behalf of itself, the Collateral Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders, a favorable written opinion of (i) Ledgewood, special counsel for the Credit Parties and (ii) each local counsel listed on Schedule 5.1(b)(iv), in each case, (A) dated the Closing Date, (B) addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders and (C) in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(v) Tax Forms. Copies of the United States Internal Revenue Service forms required by Section 4.11(e).
(c) Personal Property Collateral.
(i) Filings and Recordings. The Collateral Agent shall have received all filings and recordations, including, without limitation, (A) all UCC financing statements in appropriate form for filing in the applicable government UCC filing offices or evidence, reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, that such filings have been completed, (B) filings with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and United States Copyright Office or evidence, reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, that such filings have been completed and (C) and such other documents that are necessary or, in the opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect the security interests of the Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, in the Collateral and the Collateral Agent shall have received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that upon such filings and recordations the security interests created or purported to be created by the Security Documents will constitute valid and perfected first priority Liens thereon.
(ii) Pledged Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall have received, to the extent not previously delivered (A) original stock certificates or other certificates evidencing the Capital Stock pledged pursuant to the Security Documents, together with an undated stock power for each such certificate duly executed in blank by the registered owner thereof, (B) each original promissory note pledged pursuant to the Security Documents together with an undated endorsement for each such promissory note duly executed in blank by the holder thereof and (C) all other certificates, agreements (including Control Agreements), opinions, or instruments necessary or requested to perfect the Collateral Agents security interest in the Collateral.
(iii) Lien Search. The Collateral Agent shall have received the results of UCC, judgment, pending litigation, bankruptcy, tax and intellectual property searches, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory thereto that name any Credit Party as Debtor under the UCC (or applicable judicial docket) as in effect in each jurisdiction in which any Credit Party is organized or maintains its principal place of business and such other searches that the Collateral Agent deems necessary or appropriate, indicating among other things that the assets of each such Credit Party are free and clear of any Lien (except for Excepted Liens).
-49-
(iv) Hazard and Liability Insurance. The Collateral Agent shall have received certificates of property hazard, business interruption and liability insurance, evidence of payment of all insurance premiums for the current policy year of each, and all such insurance shall (i) name the Collateral Agent as loss payee (and mortgagee, as applicable) on all certificates for property hazard insurance and as additional insured on all certificates for liability insurance), (ii) provide that no cancellation, material reduction in amount or material change in coverage thereof shall be effective until at least 30 days after receipt by the Collateral Agent of written notice thereof, (iii) if requested by the Collateral Agent, copies (certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower) of insurance policies in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.
(d) Matters Relating to Flood Hazard Properties. The Collateral Agent shall have received a life of loan flood hazard determination with respect to all Pipeline Properties on which there exists a Building as defined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in connection with the National Flood Insurance Program (a Building) together with a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by the Borrower and the applicable Credit Parties and if such real property is located in a special flood hazard area, evidence of flood insurance in such amounts as are acceptable to the Collateral Agent (the Flood Certificates), together with such certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent, each in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent.
(e) Consents; Defaults.
(i) Governmental and Third Party Approvals. The Credit Parties shall have received all material governmental, shareholder and third party consents and approvals necessary (or any other material consents as determined in the reasonable discretion of the Administrative Agent) in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the other transactions contemplated hereby and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken by any Person that could reasonably be expected to restrain, prevent or impose any material adverse conditions on any of the Credit Parties or such other transactions or that could seek or threaten any of the foregoing, and no law or regulation shall be applicable which in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent could reasonably be expected to have such effect.
(ii) No Injunction, Etc. No action, proceeding, investigation, regulation or legislation shall have been instituted, threatened or proposed before any Governmental Authority to enjoin, restrain, or prohibit, or to obtain substantial damages in respect of, or which is related to or arises out of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or which, in the Administrative Agents sole discretion, would make it inadvisable to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(f) Financial Matters.
(i) Financial Statements. The Administrative Agent shall have received the audited Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009 and the related audited statements of income and retained earnings and cash flows for the Fiscal Year then ended and (B) unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2010 and related unaudited interim statements of income and retained earnings.
-50-
(ii) Financial Projections. The Administrative Agent shall have received projections prepared by management of the Borrower, of balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements on a quarterly basis for the first year following the Closing Date and on an annual basis for each year thereafter until the Maturity Date.
(iii) Financial Condition. The Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and certified as accurate by the chief financial officer of the Borrower, that (A) attached thereto are calculations evidencing compliance on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the Transactions with the covenants contained in Article VIII and (B) the financial projections previously delivered to the Administrative Agent represent the good faith estimates (utilizing reasonable assumptions) of the financial condition and operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
(iv) Payment at Closing. The Borrower shall have paid (A) to the Administrative Agent, the Arranger and the Lenders the fees set forth or referenced in Section 4.3 and any other accrued and unpaid fees or commissions due hereunder, (B) all fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent (directly to such counsel if requested by the Administrative Agent) to the extent accrued and unpaid prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such additional amounts of such fees, charges and disbursements as shall constitute its reasonable estimate of such fees, charges and disbursements incurred or to be incurred by it through the closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrower and the Administrative Agent) and (C) to any other Person such amount as may be due thereto in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, including all taxes, fees and other charges in connection with the execution, delivery, recording, filing and registration of any of the Loan Documents.
(g) Revolver Facility Availability. After giving effect to the Transactions, the Revolver Availability Amount under the Revolver Facility shall be no less than $150,000,000.
(h) Miscellaneous.
(i) Notice of Borrowing. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing from the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.3(a), and a Notice of Account Designation specifying the account or accounts to which the proceeds of any Loans made on or after the Closing Date are to be disbursed, in each case, to the extent Revolving Credit Loans are being requested to be funded on the Closing Date.
(ii) Due Diligence. The Administrative Agent shall have completed, to its satisfaction, all legal, tax, business and other due diligence with respect to the business, assets, liabilities, operations and condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in scope and determination satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.
(iii) No Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2009, there shall not have occurred any material adverse condition or material adverse change in or affecting, or the occurrence of any circumstance or condition that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in, or have a Material Adverse Effect on, the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise), assets, liabilities (whether actual or contingent) or prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.
-51-
(iv) Receipt of Hedging Agreements. The Arranger and the Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to them that prior to the Closing Date, the Borrower has executed Hedging Agreements for the twelve-month period after the Closing Date consistent with the financial model provided by the Borrower to the Arranger on November 14, 2010.
(v) Patriot Act. The Borrower and each of the Guarantors shall have provided to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the documentation and other information requested by the Administrative Agent in order to comply with requirements of the Act.
(vi) Other Documents. All opinions, certificates and other instruments and all proceedings in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall have received copies of all other documents, certificates and instruments reasonably requested thereby, with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
SECTION 5.2 Conditions to All Extensions of Credit. The obligations of the Lenders to make or participate in any Extensions of Credit (including the initial Extension of Credit), convert or continue any Loan and/or the Issuing Bank to issue or extend any Letter of Credit are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent on the relevant borrowing, continuation, conversion, issuance or extension date:
(a) Continuation of Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties contained in Article VI shall be true and correct on and as of such borrowing, continuation, conversion, issuance or extension date with the same effect as if made on and as of such date, except for any representation and warranty made as of an earlier date, which representation and warranty shall remain true and correct as of such earlier date.
(b) No Existing Default. No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) on the borrowing, continuation or conversion date with respect to such Loan or after giving effect to the Loans to be made, continued or converted on such date or (ii) on the issuance or extension date with respect to such Letter of Credit or after giving effect to the issuance or extension of such Letter of Credit on such date.
(c) Notices. The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation, as applicable, from the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.3(a) or Section 4.2, as applicable.
(d) Additional Documents. The Administrative Agent shall have received each additional document, instrument, legal opinion or other item reasonably requested by it.
ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE CREDIT PARTIES
To induce the Administrative Agent and Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to induce the Lenders to make Extensions of Credit, the Credit Parties hereby represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders both before and after giving effect to the transactions contemplated hereunder, which representations and warranties shall be deemed made on the Closing Date and as otherwise set forth in Section 5.2, that:
-52-
SECTION 6.1 Corporate Existence. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries: (i) is a corporation, limited liability company or limited partnership duly organized, formed, legally existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation, as applicable; (ii) has all requisite organizational power, and has all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals necessary to own its assets and carry on its business as now being or as proposed to be conducted; and (iii) is qualified to do business in all jurisdictions in which the nature of the business conducted by it makes such qualification necessary and where failure so to qualify would have a Material Adverse Effect. The jurisdictions in which each the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are organized and qualified to do business as of the Closing Date are described on Schedule 6.1.
SECTION 6.2 Ownership. Each Subsidiary of each Credit Party as of the Closing Date is listed on Schedule 6.2. As of the Closing Date, the capitalization of each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries consists of the number of shares, authorized, issued and outstanding, of such classes and series, with or without par value, described on Schedule 6.2. All outstanding shares have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, with no personal liability attaching to the ownership thereof, and not subject to any preemptive or similar rights, except as described in Schedule 6.2. The shareholders or other owners, as applicable, of each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries and the number of shares owned by each as of the Closing Date are described on Schedule 6.2. The Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower has good and marketable title to all securities of the Subsidiaries issued to it, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances other than Excepted Liens, and all such securities have been duly and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. As of the Closing Date, there are no outstanding stock purchase warrants, subscriptions, options, securities, instruments or other rights of any type or nature whatsoever, which are convertible into, exchangeable for or otherwise provide for or permit the issuance of Capital Stock of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof, except as described on Schedule 6.2.
SECTION 6.3 Authority. The Borrower and each Credit Party has all necessary organizational power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party; and the execution, delivery and performance by each Credit Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary organizational action on its part; and the Loan Documents constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of each Credit Party, enforceable in accordance with their terms.
SECTION 6.4 No Breach. Neither the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, nor compliance with the terms and provisions hereof, will conflict with or result in a breach of, or require any consent which has not been obtained as of the Closing Date under, the respective charter, limited partnership agreement, articles of organization or by-laws of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Applicable Law, or any agreement or instrument to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it is bound or to which it or its Properties are subject, or constitute a default under any such agreement or instrument, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the revenues or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any such agreement or instrument, other than the Liens created by the Loan Documents.
SECTION 6.5 Approvals. No authorizations, approvals or consents of, and no filings or registrations with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person are necessary for the execution, delivery or performance by any Credit Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party or for the validity or enforceability thereof, except for the recording and filing of the applicable Security Documents as required by this Agreement.
SECTION 6.6 Compliance with Laws. None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has violated any Applicable Law or failed to obtain any license, permit, franchise or other governmental authorization
-53-
necessary for the ownership of any of its Properties or the conduct of its business, which violation or failure would have (in the event such violation or failure were asserted by any Person through appropriate action) a Material Adverse Effect. Except for such acts or failures to act as would not have a Material Adverse Effect, the Pipeline Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (and Properties unitized therewith) have been maintained, operated and developed in a good and workmanlike manner and in conformity with all Applicable Laws and all rules, regulations and orders of all duly constituted authorities having jurisdiction and in conformity with the provisions of all leases, subleases or other contracts comprising a part of and forming a part of the Pipeline Properties.
SECTION 6.7 Tax Returns and Payments. Each Credit Party and each Subsidiary thereof have filed all Tax returns which are required to be filed by them, or otherwise obtained appropriate extensions to file, and have paid all Taxes due and payable pursuant to such returns or pursuant to any assessment received by such Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, except (i) such Taxes that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP and (ii) any amount or return the failure of which to pay or file could not reasonably be expected to, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals and reserves on the books of each Credit Party and its Subsidiaries in respect of Taxes are adequate, and the Borrower does not anticipate any additional taxes or assessment for any of such years. No tax lien has been filed and, to the knowledge of any Credit Party and its Subsidiaries, no claim is being asserted with respect to any such Tax.
SECTION 6.8 Intellectual Property Matters. Each Credit Party and each Subsidiary thereof owns or possesses rights to use all material franchises, licenses, copyrights, copyright applications, patents, patent rights or licenses, patent applications, trademarks, trademark rights, service mark, service mark rights, trade names, trade name rights, copyrights and other rights with respect to the foregoing which are reasonably necessary to conduct its business. No event has occurred which permits, or after notice or lapse of time or both would permit, the revocation or termination of any such rights, and no Credit Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is liable to any Person for infringement under Applicable Law with respect to any such rights as a result of its business operations except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 6.9 Environmental Matters. Except as would not have a Material Adverse Effect (or with respect to clauses (c), (d) and (e) below, where the failure to take such actions would not have a Material Adverse Effect):
(a) Neither any Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries nor the operations conducted thereon violate any order or requirement of any court or Governmental Authority or any Environmental Laws;
(b) Without limitation of clause (a) above, no Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries nor the operations currently conducted thereon or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, by any prior owner or operator of such Property or operation, are in violation of or subject to any existing, pending or threatened action, suit, investigation, inquiry or proceeding by or before any court or Governmental Authority or to any remedial obligations under Environmental Laws;
(c) All notices, permits, licenses or similar authorizations, if any, required to be obtained or filed in connection with the operation or use of any and all Property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including without limitation past or present treatment, storage, disposal or release of a hazardous substance or solid waste into the environment, have been duly obtained or filed, and the Borrower and its
-54-
Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all such notices, permits, licenses and similar authorizations;
(d) To the best knowledge of the Borrower, all hazardous substances, solid waste, and oil and gas exploration and production wastes, if any, generated at any and all Property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries have in the past been transported, treated and disposed of in accordance with Environmental Laws and so as not to pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment, and all such transport carriers and treatment and disposal facilities have been and are operating in compliance with Environmental Laws and so as not to pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment, and are not the subject of any existing, pending or threatened action, investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority in connection with any Environmental Laws;
(e) The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have taken all steps reasonably necessary to determine and have determined that no hazardous substances, solid waste, or oil and gas exploration and production wastes, have been disposed of or otherwise released and there has been no threatened release of any hazardous substances on or to any Property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries except in compliance with Environmental Laws and so as not to pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment;
(f) To the extent applicable, all Property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries currently satisfies all design, operation, and equipment requirements imposed by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA) or scheduled as of the Closing Date to be imposed by OPA during the term of this Agreement, and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries do not have any reason to believe that such Property, to the extent subject to OPA, will not be able to maintain compliance with the OPA requirements during the term of this Agreement; and
(g) None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has any known contingent liability in connection with any release or threatened release of any oil, hazardous substance or solid waste into the environment.
SECTION 6.10 Employee Benefit Matters.
(a) Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and each ERISA Affiliate have complied in all material respects with ERISA and, where applicable, the Code regarding each Plan.
(b) Except as set forth in Schedule 6.10, each Plan is, and has been, maintained in substantial compliance with ERISA and, where applicable, the Code.
(c) No act, omission or transaction has occurred which could result in imposition on any of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate (whether directly or indirectly) of (i) either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to section 502(c), (i) or (l) of ERISA or a tax imposed pursuant to Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code or (ii) breach of fiduciary duty liability damages under section 409 of ERISA.
(d) No contingent obligations remain due to the termination of any Plan (other than a defined contribution plan) or any trust created under any such Plan. No liability to the PBGC (other than for the payment of current premiums which are not past due) by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate has been or is expected by any Credit Party, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate to be incurred with respect to any Plan. No ERISA Event with respect to any Plan has occurred.
-55-
(e) Full payment when due has been made of all amounts which the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate is required under the terms of each Plan or applicable law to have paid as contributions to such Plan, and no failure to satisfy the funding standard under section 302 of ERISA and section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, exists with respect to any Plan.
(f) The actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under each Plan which is subject to Title IV of ERISA does not, as of the end of each of the Borrowers and its Subsidiaries most recently ended Fiscal Year, exceed the current value of the assets (computed on a plan termination basis in accordance with Title IV of ERISA) of such Plan allocable to such benefit liabilities. The term actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities shall have the meaning specified in section 4041 of ERISA.
(g) None of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains, or contributes to an employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in section 3(l) of ERISA, including, without limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities, that may not be terminated by the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate in its sole discretion at any time without any material liability.
(h) None of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has at any time in the preceding six calendar years, sponsored, maintained or contributed to, any Multiemployer Plan.
(i) None of the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate is required to provide security under section 401(a)(29) of the Code due to a Plan amendment that results in an increase in current liability for the Plan.
SECTION 6.11 Margin Stock. The proceeds of the Loan shall be used for general corporate purposes. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) and no part of the proceeds of any Loan hereunder will be used to buy or carry any margin stock.
SECTION 6.12 Government Regulation. No Credit Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is an investment company or a company controlled by an investment company (as each such term is defined or used in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended).
SECTION 6.13 Material Agreements.
(a) Set forth on Schedule 6.13 is a complete list of all (a) agreements, indentures, purchase agreements, obligations in respect of letters of credit, guarantees, partnership agreements, limited liability company agreements, other organizational documents, joint venture agreements, and other instruments that are material to the Borrowers and its Subsidiaries business, activities, and operation or ownership of the Borrowers or such Subsidiaries Property in effect or to be in effect as of the Closing Date (other than the Hedging Agreements set forth on Schedule 6.30), and (b) agreements and instruments (excluding any such agreements and other instruments that are cancelable upon 60 or less days notice) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries relating to the purchase, gathering, transportation by pipeline, gas processing, marketing, sale and supply of natural gas and other Hydrocarbons accounting for at least 75% of the volumes transported by Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in the aggregate, during the Borrowers current Fiscal Year (the agreements referenced in clause (a) hereto, collectively, the Material Agreements). Upon request by Administrative Agent and subject to any applicable confidentiality restrictions, the Borrower shall deliver,
-56-
or caused to be delivered, to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a complete and correct copy of all such Material Agreements.
(b) None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is in default nor has any event or circumstance occurred which, but for the expiration of any applicable grace period or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default under any Material Agreement to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is bound. No Default has occurred and is continuing.
SECTION 6.14 Employee Relations. None of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has any employees.
SECTION 6.15 Burdensome Provisions. No Credit Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is a party to any indenture, agreement, lease or other instrument, or subject to any corporate or partnership restriction, Governmental Approval or Applicable Law which is so unusual or burdensome as in the foreseeable future could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Credit Parties and their respective Subsidiaries do not presently anticipate that future expenditures needed to meet the provisions of any statutes, orders, rules or regulations of a Governmental Authority will be so burdensome as to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Subsidiary is party to any agreement or instrument or otherwise subject to any restriction or encumbrance that restricts or limits its ability to make dividend payments or other distributions in respect of its Capital Stock to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or to transfer any of its assets or properties to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary in each case other than existing under or by reason of the Loan Documents or Applicable Law.
SECTION 6.16 Financial Statements.
(a) The audited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, the related consolidated statement of income, partners equity and cash flow of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year ended on said date, heretofore furnished to each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.1(f)(i), are complete and correct and fairly present the consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at said date and the results of its operations for the Fiscal Year on said date, all in accordance with GAAP, as applied on a consistent basis. Except as reflected or referred to in such Financial Statements, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has on the Closing Date any material Indebtedness, contingent liabilities, liabilities for taxes, unusual forward or long-term commitments or unrealized or anticipated losses from any unfavorable commitments. Since the date of the Financial Statements, neither the business nor the Properties of the Borrower or any Subsidiary have been materially and adversely affected.
(b) The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of September 30, 2010, the related consolidated statement of income, partners equity and cash flow of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for the three month period ended on said date, heretofore furnished to each of the Lenders, are complete and correct and fairly present the assets, liabilities and financial position of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at such dates, and the results of the operations and changes of financial position for the periods then ended (other than customary year-end adjustments for unaudited Financial Statements) all in accordance with GAAP, as applied on a consistent basis.
(c) The projections delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(f)(ii) have been prepared in good faith, based on assumptions believed by the Borrower to be reasonable as of the date of delivery thereof.
-57-
SECTION 6.17 No Material Adverse Change. Since December 31, 2009, there has been no material adverse change in the properties, business, operations, prospects, or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and no event has occurred or condition arisen, either individually or in the aggregate, that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 6.18 Solvency. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries individually and on a consolidated basis are not insolvent as such term is used and defined in the United States Bankruptcy Code.
SECTION 6.19 Titles to Properties. Except as otherwise set forth on Schedule 6.19:
(a) Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has good, sufficient and clear title to its Pipeline Properties, free and clear of all adverse possession or abandonment claims and Liens, except Excepted Liens;
(b) The Mortgaged Property descriptions under the Mortgages describe substantially all of the Pipeline Properties presently owned by Credit Parties;
(c) All leases, rights of way, permits, licenses and agreements necessary for the conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are valid and subsisting, in full force and effect and there exists no default or event or circumstance which with the giving of notice or the passage of time or both would give rise to a default under any such lease rights of way, permits, licenses, which would affect in any material respect the conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;
(d) The rights, Properties and other assets presently owned, leased or licensed by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, all easements and rights of way, include all rights, Properties and other assets necessary to permit the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to conduct its business in all material respects in the same manner as its business has been conducted prior to the Closing Date; and
(e) All of the assets and Properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which are reasonably necessary for the operation of its business are in good working condition and are maintained in accordance with prudent business standards.
SECTION 6.20 Insurance. Schedule 6.20 attached hereto contains an accurate and complete description of all material policies of fire, liability, workers compensation and other forms of insurance owned or held by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries. All such policies are in full force and effect, all premiums with respect thereto covering all periods up to and including the date of the closing have been paid, and no notice of cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such policy. Such policies are sufficient for compliance with all requirements of law and of all agreements to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries is a party; are valid, outstanding and enforceable policies; provide adequate insurance coverage in at least such amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public liability) as are usually insured against in the same general area by companies engaged in the same or a similar business for the assets and operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; will remain in full force and effect through the respective dates set forth in Schedule 6.20 without the payment of additional premiums; and will not in any way be affected by, or terminate or lapse by reason of, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Schedule 6.20 identifies all material risks, if any, which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and their respective general partner or sole member have designated as being self-insured. None of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has been refused any insurance with respect to its assets or operations, nor has its coverage been limited below usual and customary policy limits, by
-58-
an insurance carrier to which it has applied for any such insurance or with which it has carried insurance during the last three years.
SECTION 6.21 Liens. No Credit Party has signed any financing statement or any security agreement authorizing any secured party thereunder to file any financing statement, except to perfect those Excepted Liens. No Credit Party is a party to any agreement or arrangement (other than this Agreement and the Security Documents), or subject to any order, judgment, writ or decree, which either restricts or purports to restrict its ability to grant Liens to other Persons on or in respect of their respective assets or Properties.
SECTION 6.22 Litigation. Except as disclosed to the Lenders in Schedule 6.22 hereto, there is no litigation, legal, administrative or arbitral proceeding, investigation or other action of any nature pending or, to the knowledge of the Credit Parties, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which involves the possibility of any judgment or liability against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries not fully covered by insurance (except for normal deductibles), and which would have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 6.23 Senior Indebtedness Status. The Obligations of the Credit Parties under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents ranks and shall continue to rank at least senior in priority of payment to all Subordinated Indebtedness and all senior unsecured Indebtedness of each such Person and is designated as Senior Indebtedness under all instruments and documents, now or in the future, relating to all Subordinated Indebtedness and all senior unsecured Indebtedness of such Person.
SECTION 6.24 OFAC. None of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Affiliate of the Borrower or any Guarantor: (i) is a Sanctioned Person, (ii) has more than ten percent (10%) of its assets in Sanctioned Entities, or (iii) derives more than ten percent (10%) of its operating income from investments in, or transactions with Sanctioned Persons or Sanctioned Entities. The proceeds of any Loan will not be used and have not been used to fund any operations in, finance any investments or activities in, or make any payments to, a Sanctioned Person or a Sanctioned Entity.
SECTION 6.25 Investment Bankers and Similar Fees. No Credit Party has any obligation to any Person in respect of any finders, brokers, investment banking or other similar fee in connection with any of the Transactions other than pursuant to the Commitment and Engagement Letter.
SECTION 6.26 Operation of the Pipelines. Since December 31, 2009, there has been no material damage, destruction or loss to the Pipelines; the Pipelines are currently in operation and the monthly transportation of Hydrocarbons through the Pipelines has not materially diminished.
SECTION 6.27 Capitalization of General Partner and Subsidiaries.
(a) As of December 8, 2010, the issued and outstanding securities of the Borrower consist of 53,337,260 common units of limited partnership interest, all of which have been validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable.
(b) To the Borrowers knowledge, all issued and outstanding membership units of the General Partner have been validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by and issued to AHD.
SECTION 6.28 Location of Business and Offices. Each Credit Partys principal place of business and chief executive offices are located at the addresses set forth in Schedule 6.28.
-59-
SECTION 6.29 Hedging Agreements. Schedule 6.29 sets forth, as of the Closing Date, a true and complete list of all Hedging Agreements (including commodity price swap agreements, forward agreements or contracts of sale which provide for prepayment for deferred shipment or delivery of oil, gas or other commodities) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark to market value thereof, all credit support agreements relating thereto (including any margin required or supplied), and the counter party to each such agreement.
SECTION 6.30 Imbalances. Except as set forth on Schedule 6.30 and except as is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect, as of the Closing Date, there are no gas imbalances, take or pay or other prepayments with respect to any of the Borrowers or any of its Subsidiaries Pipeline Properties which would require any of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to transport or purchase any volumes of Hydrocarbons without receiving delivery thereof or for gathering and transportation through their Pipeline Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment of the Borrowers or any of its Subsidiaries tariffs therefor.
SECTION 6.31 Relationship of Credit Parties. The Credit Parties are engaged in related businesses and each Credit Party is directly and indirectly dependent upon each other Credit Party for and in connection with their business activities and their financial resources; and each Credit Party has determined, reasonably and in good faith, that such Credit Party will receive substantial direct and indirect economic and financial benefits from the Extensions of Credit made under this Agreement, and such extensions of credit are in the best interests of such Credit Party, having regard to all relevant facts and circumstances.
SECTION 6.32 Security Documents. The provisions of the Security Documents are effective to create in favor of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien (subject to Excepted Liens) on all right, title and interest of the Borrower and the Guarantors in the Collateral described therein. Except for filings completed prior to the Closing Date and as contemplated hereby and by the Security Documents, no filing or other action will be necessary to perfect or protect such Liens.
SECTION 6.33 Disclosures. To the Borrowers knowledge, no written information, statement, exhibit, certificate, document or report furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (or any of them) by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement contains any material misstatement of fact or omitted to state a material fact or any fact necessary to make the statement contained therein not materially misleading in the light of the circumstances in which made. There is no fact peculiar to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which has a Material Adverse Effect or in the future is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect and which has not been set forth in this Agreement or the other documents, certificates and statements furnished to the Administrative Agent by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries prior to, or on, the Closing Date in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby; provided that, with respect to projected financial information, the Borrower represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time such projections were prepared.
SECTION 6.34 No Casualty Event. Neither the Borrower nor any Credit Party has received any notice of, nor has any knowledge of, the occurrence or pendency or contemplation of any casualty event affecting all or any portion of its property. No Mortgage encumbers any Building owned by a Credit Party that is located in an area that has been identified by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as an area having special flood hazards within the meaning of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 unless flood insurance is available under such Act has been obtained in accordance with Section 7.3(d),
-60-
or if flood insurance is not available under the Act, private flood insurance in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent has been obtained.
ARTICLE VII
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Until all of the Obligations (other than (a) contingent indemnification obligations not then due and (b) the Specified Hedge Obligations) have been paid and satisfied in full in cash and the Commitments terminated, each Credit Party will:
SECTION 7.1 Reporting Requirements. The Credit Parties shall deliver, or shall cause to be delivered, to the Administrative Agent with sufficient copies of each for the Lenders:
(a) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event within the earlier of (i) the date the Borrower is required to file the same with the SEC (or would be required to file if it were subject to SEC reporting requirements to the same extent it is subject as of the Closing Date) and (ii) 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, the audited consolidated statements of income, partners equity, changes in financial position and cash flow for each of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, and the related consolidated balance sheets of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal Year, and setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the preceding Fiscal Year, and accompanied by the related opinion of independent public accountants of recognized national standing acceptable to the Administrative Agent which opinion shall state that said Financial Statements fairly present the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at the end of, and for, such Fiscal Year and that such Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with GAAP, except for such changes in such principles with which the independent public accountants shall have concurred and such opinion shall not contain a going concern or like qualification or exception, but shall contain a certification stating that, in making the examination necessary for their opinion, they obtained no knowledge, except as specifically stated, of any Default under Sections 8.1, 8.2 or 8.3.
(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available and in any event within the earlier of (i) the date the Borrower is required to file the same with the SEC (or would be required to file if it were subject to SEC reporting requirements to the same extent it is subject as of the Closing Date) and (ii) 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each of its Fiscal Year for the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, unaudited consolidated statements of income, partners equity, changes in financial position and cash flow of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period and for the period from the beginning of the respective Fiscal Year to the end of such period, and the related consolidated balance sheets as at the end of such period, and setting forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the corresponding period in the preceding Fiscal Year, accompanied by the certificate of a Responsible Officer, which certificate shall state that said Financial Statements fairly present the consolidated and consolidating financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, as at the end of, and for, such period (subject to normal year-end audit adjustments).
(c) Notice of Default, Etc. Promptly after any Credit Party knows that any Default or Event of Default has occurred, a notice of such Default or Event of Default, describing the same in reasonable detail and the action the Borrower or such Consolidated Subsidiary proposes to take with respect thereto.
-61-
(d) Other Accounting Reports. Promptly upon receipt thereof, a copy of each other report or letter submitted to the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries by independent accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit made by them of the books of the Borrower or such Consolidated Subsidiary, and a copy of any response by the Borrower or such Consolidated Subsidiary, or the general partner or sole member of the Borrower or such Consolidated Subsidiary, to such letter or report.
(e) Regulatory Filings, Etc. Promptly upon its becoming available, (i) each financial statement, report, notice or proxy statement sent by the Borrower to its unitholders generally and each regular or periodic report and any registration statement, prospectus or written communication (other than transmittal letters) in respect thereof filed by the Borrower with or received by the Borrower in connection therewith from any securities exchange or the SEC or any successor agency; and (ii) each report, notice, request, application, or other filing or material communication that is filed by the Borrower with or received by the Borrower from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or any successor agency.
(f) Hedging Agreements. As soon as available and in any event within fifteen Business Days after the last day of each fiscal quarter, a report, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, setting forth as of the last Business Day of such fiscal quarter a true and complete list of all Hedging Agreements (including commodity price swap agreements, forward agreements or contracts of sale which provide for prepayment for deferred shipment or delivery of oil, gas or other commodities) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the material terms thereof (including the type, term, effective date, termination date and notional amounts or volumes), the net mark to market value therefor, any new credit support agreements relating thereto not listed on Schedule 6.29, any margin required or supplied under any credit support document, and the counter party to each such agreement.
(g) Annual Budget. As soon as practicable and in any event within sixty (60) days following the beginning of each Fiscal Year, an annual operating and capital budget.
(h) Other Matters. From time to time such other information regarding the business, affairs or financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, any Plan or Multiemployer Plan and any reports or other information required to be filed under ERISA) as any Lender or the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
(i) Compliance Certificate. The Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after the date it furnishes each set of financial statements pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b) above, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F executed by a Responsible Officer (i) certifying as to the matters set forth therein and stating that no Default has occurred and is continuing (or, if any Default has occurred and is continuing, describing the same in reasonable detail), and (ii) setting forth in reasonable detail the computations necessary to determine whether the Borrower is in compliance with Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3, as of the end of the respective fiscal quarter or Fiscal Year.
(j) Laurel Mountain JV Financial Statements. (A) As soon as available and in any event within 10 days after the same has been delivered to APL Laurel Mountain, LLC, the audited consolidated financial statements of Laurel Mountain JV for such fiscal year in the form required to be delivered under the Laurel Mountain LLC Agreement (as in effect on the date hereof) and (B) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Laurel Mountain JV, unaudited monthly consolidated financial statements of the Laurel Mountain JV for each month in such quarterly period, in the form delivered to APL Laurel Mountain LLC under the Laurel Mountain LLC Agreement (as in effect on the date hereof).
-62-
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to this Section 7.1 (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrowers website on the Internet at the website address listed in Section 12.1; or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrowers behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender that requests the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and (ii) the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender (by facsimile or electronic mail) of the posting of any such documents and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions, i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in every instance the Borrower shall be required to provide paper copies of the compliance certificates required by Section 7.1(i) to the Administrative Agent. Except for such compliance certificates, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.
The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arranger will make available to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, Borrower Materials) by posting the Borrower Materials on SyndTrak or another similar electronic system (the Platform) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a Public Lender) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons securities. The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked PUBLIC which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word PUBLIC shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials PUBLIC, the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arranger, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 12.11); (y) all Borrower Materials marked PUBLIC are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated Public Investor; and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arranger shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked PUBLIC as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated Public Investor; provided that the information provided by Borrower pursuant to Section 7.1(g) shall not be distributed to Public Investors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be under no Obligation to mark any Borrower Materials PUBLIC.
SECTION 7.2 Litigation. The Credit Parties shall promptly give to the Administrative Agent notice of any litigation or proceeding against or adversely affecting the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries in which the amount claimed exceeds $25,000,000 or an aggregate of claims in excess of $50,000,000 and is not otherwise covered in full by insurance (subject to normal and customary deductibles and for which the insurer has not assumed the defense), or in which injunctive or similar relief is sought. The Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries will promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders of any claim, judgment, Lien or other encumbrance affecting any Property of the
-63-
Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries if the value of the claim, judgment, Lien, or other encumbrance affecting such Property shall exceed $1,000,000 or an aggregate of such claims in excess of $5,000,000.
SECTION 7.3 Maintenance, Etc.
(a) Generally. Except as permitted under Section 9.4, each of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to preserve and maintain its organization existence and all of its material rights, privileges and franchises; keep books of record and account in which full, true and correct entries will be made of all dealings or transactions in relation to its business and activities; comply with all Applicable Laws if failure to comply with such requirements will have a Material Adverse Effect; pay and discharge all taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed on it or on its income or profits or on any of its Property prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto, except for any such tax, assessment, charge or levy the payment of which is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and against which adequate reserves are being maintained; upon reasonable notice, permit representatives of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, during normal business hours, to examine, copy and make extracts from its books and records, to inspect its Properties, and to discuss its business and affairs with its officers, all to the extent reasonably requested by such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be); and keep, or cause to be kept, insured by financially sound and reputable insurers all Property of a character usually insured by Persons engaged in the same or similar business similarly situated against loss or damage of the kinds and in the amounts customarily insured against by such Persons and carry such other insurance as is usually carried by such Persons including, without limitation, environmental risk insurance to the extent reasonably available.
(b) Proof of Insurance. Contemporaneously with the delivery of the Financial Statements required by Section 7.1(a) to be delivered for each year, the Borrower will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders a certificate of insurance coverage from the insurer in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent listing Administrative Agent as loss payee and additional insured and, if requested, will furnish the Administrative Agent and the Lenders copies of the applicable policies.
(c) Pipeline Properties. Each Credit Party shall and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to cause to be done all things reasonably necessary to preserve and keep in good repair, working order and efficiency all of its Pipeline Properties and other material Properties including, without limitation, all equipment, machinery and facilities, and from time to time will make all the reasonably necessary repairs, renewals and replacements so that at all times the state and condition of its Pipeline Properties and other material Properties will be fully preserved and maintained, (x) except to the extent that the wells and field to which such portions of the Pipelines are connected are no longer producing Hydrocarbons in economically reasonable amounts, and (y) except that the foregoing shall not apply to Pipeline Properties that are not gathering Hydrocarbons on a regular basis as of the Closing Date. The Borrower shall and shall cause each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to promptly: (i) pay and discharge, or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be paid and discharged, all rentals, royalties, expenses and indebtedness accruing under the rights of way, licenses, leases or other agreements affecting or pertaining to its Pipeline Properties, (ii) perform or make reasonable and customary efforts to cause to be performed, in accordance with industry standards, the obligations required by each and all of the rights of way, deeds, leases, sub-leases, contracts and agreements affecting its interests in its Pipeline Properties and other material Properties, (iii) will do all other things necessary to keep unimpaired, except for Liens described in Section 9.2, its rights with respect to its Pipeline Properties and other material Properties and prevent any forfeiture thereof or a default thereunder, except to the extent that the wells and field to which such portions of the Pipelines are connected are no longer producing Hydrocarbons in economically reasonable amounts and
-64-
except for transfers permitted by Section 9.5. The Borrower shall and shall cause each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to operate its Pipeline Properties and other material Properties to be operated in a careful and efficient manner in accordance with the practices of the industry and in compliance with all applicable contracts and agreements and in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws.
(d) Flood Insurance. Obtain flood insurance in such total amount as the Collateral Agent or the Required Lenders may from time to time require, if at any time the area in which a Building located on any real property encumbered by a Mortgage is designated a flood hazard area in any Flood Insurance Rate Map published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency), and otherwise comply with the National Flood Insurance Program as set forth in the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended from time to time.
SECTION 7.4 Environmental Matters.
(a) Establishment of Procedures. The Borrower shall and shall cause each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to establish and implement such procedures as may be reasonably necessary to continuously determine and assure that any failure of the following does not have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) all Property of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries and the operations conducted thereon and other activities of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries are in compliance with and do not violate the requirements of any Environmental Laws, (ii) no Hydrocarbons, hazardous substances or solid wastes are disposed of or otherwise released on or to any Property owned by any such party except in compliance with Environmental Laws, (iii) no hazardous substance will be released on or to any such Property in a quantity equal to or exceeding that quantity which requires reporting pursuant to Section 103 of the Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), and (iv) no oil, oil and gas exploration and production wastes or hazardous substance is released on or to any such Property so as to pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health or welfare or the environment.
(b) Notice of Action. The Borrower shall and shall cause each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in writing of any threatened action, investigation or inquiry by any Governmental Authority of which the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries has knowledge in connection with any Environmental Laws, excluding routine testing and corrective action which might result in the Borrower or any Subsidiary being liable for the payment or performance of obligations in excess of $25,000,000) with respect to any such event or in excess of $50,000,000 in the aggregate with respect to all such events.
(c) Future Acquisitions. In the event environmental remediation costs in excess of $25,000,000 are identified in respect of any acquisition of Pipeline Properties or other material Properties, the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries will provide environmental audits and tests in form and scope as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (or as otherwise required to be obtained by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders by any Governmental Authority) in connection with such future acquisitions of Pipeline Properties or other material Properties.
SECTION 7.5 Further Assurances. The Borrower shall and shall cause each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to cure promptly any defects in the creation and issuance of the Notes and the execution and delivery of the Security Documents and this Agreement. The Borrower at its expense shall and shall cause each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to promptly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent upon request all such other documents, agreements and instruments to comply with or accomplish the covenants and agreements of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in any Loan Document, or to further evidence and more fully describe the collateral intended as security for the Notes, or to correct
-65-
any omissions in any Loan Document, or to state more fully the security obligations set out herein or in any Loan Document, or to perfect, protect or preserve any Liens created pursuant to any of the Security Documents, or to make any recordings, to file any notices or obtain any consents, all as may be necessary or appropriate in connection therewith.
SECTION 7.6 Performance of Obligations. The Borrower will pay the Notes according to the reading, tenor and effect thereof; the Guarantors will pay under the Guaranty Agreements according to the terms thereof, and the Credit Parties will perform every act and discharge all of the obligations to be performed and discharged by them under this Agreement and any other Loan Document, at the time or times and in the manner specified.
SECTION 7.7 Title Curative. The Borrower shall and shall cause each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to cure, or cause to be cured, any title defects or exceptions which are not Excepted Liens.
SECTION 7.8 Additional Collateral.
(a) Lien on Pipeline and Real Property. At all times hereunder that the Obligations remain unpaid, including whenever any Credit Party acquires any additional Pipeline Properties, the Credit Parties shall grant to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties as security for the Obligations a first-priority Lien interest (subject only to Excepted Liens) covering such Pipeline Properties under the Security Documents. On or before the date it delivers the compliance certificate required by Section 7.1(i), the Borrower shall provide the Administrative Agent a list of Pipeline Properties acquired during the preceding fiscal quarter and, within sixty (60) days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) following the delivery thereof, provide such Lien, which will be created and perfected by and in accordance with the provisions of the Mortgages, deeds of trust, security agreements and financing statements, or other Security Documents, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion and in sufficient executed (and acknowledged where necessary or appropriate) counterparts for recording purposes.
(b) Title Information. Concurrently with the granting of the Lien or other action referred to in Section 7.8(a) above, the Borrower or such Credit Party will provide to the Administrative Agent title information, surveys, Flood Certificates and such other affidavits, documents, certificates and instruments as shall be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion with respect to such Credit Partys interests in such Pipeline Properties.
(c) Legal Opinions. Promptly after the filing of any new Security Document in any state, upon the request of the Administrative Agent, the Credit Parties will provide, or cause to be provided, to the Administrative Agent an opinion addressed to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion from counsel acceptable to Administrative Agent, stating that the Security Document is valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms and in legally sufficient form for such jurisdiction.
(d) Subordination of Credit Partys Liens.
(i) Each Credit Party hereby subordinates and assigns in favor of Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders any and all liens, statutory or otherwise, and any rights of offset contractual or otherwise it has or may have in the future against such Credit Partys interests in the Mortgaged Properties or in the Pipeline Properties and revenues attributable to its interest therein, including the Contracts and Records (defined below).
-66-
(ii) Any officer or employee of Administrative Agent is expressly granted the right at its option upon not less than one (1) Business Days notice, to visit and inspect (a) each of the Borrowers and its Subsidiaries offices, including all books and records, area of mutual interest agreements, gathering agreements, pipeline operating agreements, contracts and other agreements that relate to the Pipeline Properties, geological and geophysical, production data and records, accounting records, and land files referring to the gathering, transportation, sale, purchase, exchange or processing of Hydrocarbons whether such data, information or agreements are in written form or electronic format (the Contracts and Records), and to examine, take copies and extracts therefrom, and (b) any of the Pipeline Properties.
(iii) Following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, each Credit Party acknowledges that the Administrative Agent is expressly granted the right to exercise any and all liens, statutory or otherwise, rights of offset or recoupment it has and to receive the monies, income, proceeds, or benefits attributable to the gathering, transportation of Hydrocarbons through the Pipeline Properties (except for such Pipeline Properties that are not Mortgaged Properties), to hold the same as security for the Obligations and to apply it on the principal and interest or other amounts owing on any of the Obligations, whether or not then due, in such order or manner as Administrative Agent may elect.
(iv) In the event of a foreclosure, deed in lieu, or other transfer of record or beneficial ownership or operations of the Mortgaged Properties, each Credit Party, as bailee, agrees to cooperate and assist Administrative Agent and its officers, agents and counsel in the peaceful transfer and delivery of such Contracts and Records to such party or parties as Administrative Agent may in writing direct.
(v) Following the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default and within thirty (30) days after receipt of notice from Administrative Agent, the Credit Parties will relinquish their respective rights to operate the Pipelines to the Collateral Agent or its designee.
(e) Subordination of Intercompany Debt. Any Intercompany Notes or advances of any Credit Party howsoever evidenced by journal entries or otherwise now or hereafter owed to or held by any other Credit Party are hereby subordinated to the Obligations of such other Credit Party to the Lenders, and any document or instrument evidencing such loans or advances shall contain a legend giving notice of such subordination. Any such Intercompany Notes or advances of any other Credit Party due to such Credit Party, if the Administrative Agent so requests, shall be collected, enforced and received by such Obligor as trustee for the Lenders and be paid over to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders on account of the Obligations but without affecting in any manner the liability of such Credit Party under the other provisions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Any Lien, claim, right or other encumbrance on any property of any Credit Party in favor of any other Credit Party is hereby subordinated in all respects to the Liens granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders.
(f) Matters Relating to Real Property.
(i) Post-Closing Requirements. Within 30 days following the Closing Date (to be extended or waived by the Collateral Agent in its sole discretion), the Collateral Agent shall have received the following:
(A) With respect to each parcel of real property subject to an existing Mortgage (the Existing Mortgaged Property):
(1) an amendment to each existing Mortgage (each a Mortgage Amendment) (or to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent, a new Mortgage) duly executed and acknowledged
-67-
by the applicable Credit Party, and in form for recording in the recording office where each such existing Mortgage was recorded, together with such certificates, affidavits, questionnaires or returns as shall be required in connection with the recording or filing thereof under applicable law, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;
(2) to the extent any Credit Party has obtained an owners title policy with respect to any Existing Mortgaged Property, a copy of a title search with respect thereto issued with respect to such Existing Mortgaged Property, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, confirming that such Existing Mortgaged Property is free and clear of all defects and encumbrances other than Excepted Liens;
(3) such affidavits, documents, certificates, information (including financial data) and instruments of indemnification as shall be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to confirm the matters described in clause (f)(i)(A)(2) of this Section 7.8 and evidence of payment by the Borrower of all costs, expenses and charges with respect thereto;
(4) with respect to each Mortgage Amendment, opinions of local counsel to the Credit Parties, which opinions (a) shall be addressed to the Collateral Agent and each of the Secured Parties, (b) shall cover the due authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability of the respective Mortgage as amended by the Mortgage Amendment and such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated herein as Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (c) shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;
(5) evidence acceptable to the Collateral Agent of payment by the Credit Parties of all applicable search and examination charges and related charges, mortgage recording taxes, fees, charges, costs and expenses required for the recording of the Mortgage Amendments referred to in clause (f)(i)(A)(1) of this Section 7.8; and
(6) copies of all recorded documents creating exceptions to the title searches referred to in clause (f)(i)(A)(2) of this Section 7.8;
(B) With respect to each parcel of real property set forth on Schedule 7.8(f)(i)(B) (the New Mortgaged Property):
(1) a Mortgage duly executed and acknowledged by the applicable Credit Party, and in form for recording in the recording office of each applicable political subdivision where each such New Mortgaged Property is situated, together with such certificates, affidavits, questionnaires or returns as shall be required in connection with the recording or filing thereof under applicable law, in each case in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;
(2) to the extent any Credit Party has obtained an owners title policy with respect to any New Mortgaged Property, a copy of a title search with respect thereto issued with respect to such New Mortgaged Property, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, confirming that such New Mortgaged Property is free and clear of all defects and encumbrances other than Excepted Liens;
(3) such affidavits, documents, certificates, information (including financial data) and instruments of indemnification as shall be reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent to confirm the matters described in clause (f)(i)(B)(2) of this Section 7.8 and evidence of payment by the Borrower of all costs, expenses and charges with respect thereto;
-68-
(4) with respect to each Mortgage, opinions of local counsel to the Credit Parties, which opinions (a) shall be addressed to the Collateral Agent and each of the Secured Parties, (b) shall cover the due authorization, execution, delivery and enforceability of the respective Mortgage and such other matters incident to the transactions contemplated herein as Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (c) shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;
(5) evidence acceptable to the Collateral Agent of payment by the Credit Parties of all applicable search and examination charges and related charges, mortgage recording taxes, fees, charges, costs and expenses required for the recording of the Mortgages referred to in clause (f)(i)(B)(1) of this Section 7.8; and
(6) copies of all recorded documents creating exceptions to the title searches referred to in clause (f)(i)(B)(2) of this Section 7.8;
(C) a Phase I environmental assessment and such other environmental report reasonably requested by the Collateral Agent regarding each parcel of real property subject to an existing Mortgage or new Mortgage by an environmental engineering firm acceptable to the Collateral Agent showing no environmental conditions in violation of Environmental Laws or liabilities under Environmental Laws, either of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and
(D) such other certificates, documents and information as are reasonably requested by the Lenders.
(ii) Other Real Property Collateral. The Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent, within ten (10) days after the acquisition of any real property other than that described in Section 7.8(a) with a fair market value in excess of $10,000,000 by any Credit Party that is not subject to the existing Security Documents, and within sixty (60) days (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion) following any such acquisition, deliver Mortgages, title information, surveys, opinions, Flood Certificates and other documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent in connection with granting and perfecting a first priority Lien, other than Excepted Liens, on such real property in favor of the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, all in form and substance acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 7.9 Corporate Identity. The Borrower shall do or cause to be done (or refrain from doing or causing to be done, as the case may be) all things necessary to ensure that the separate legal identity of the Borrower will at all times be respected and that neither the Borrower nor any of Borrowers Consolidated Subsidiaries will be liable for any obligations, contractual or otherwise, of Atlas Energy, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries or other entity in which Atlas Energy, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries owns any equity interest (other than the Borrower, General Partner and Borrowers Subsidiaries). Without limiting the foregoing, the Borrower will (i) observe all requirements, procedures and formalities necessary or advisable in order that the Borrower will for all purposes be considered a validly existing entity separate and distinct from the General Partner, (ii) not permit any commingling of the assets of the General Partner, Atlas Energy, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries with assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which would prevent such assets of such persons from being readily distinguished from the assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (iii) take reasonable and customary actions to ensure that creditors of the General Partner, Atlas Energy, Inc. or any of its Subsidiaries are aware that each such Person is an entity separate and distinct from the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
-69-
SECTION 7.10 ERISA Information and Compliance. The Credit Parties will promptly furnish and will cause the Subsidiaries and any ERISA Affiliate to promptly furnish to the Administrative Agent with sufficient copies to the Lenders (i) promptly after the filing thereof with the United States Secretary of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service or the PBGC, copies of each annual and other report with respect to each Plan or any trust created thereunder, (ii) immediately upon becoming aware of the occurrence of any ERISA Event or of any prohibited transaction, as described in section 406 of ERISA or in section 4975 of the Code, in connection with any Plan or any trust created thereunder, a written notice signed by a Responsible Officer specifying the nature thereof, what action the Obligors, the Subsidiary or the ERISA Affiliate is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto, and, when known, any action taken or proposed by the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto, and (iii) immediately upon receipt thereof, copies of any notice of the PBGCs intention to terminate or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Plan. With respect to each Plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan), the Credit Parties will, and will cause each Subsidiary and ERISA Affiliate to, (i) satisfy in full and in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty and without giving rise to any lien, all of the contribution and funding requirements of section 412 of the Code (determined without regard to subsections (d), (e), (f) and (k) thereof) and of section 302 of ERISA (determined without regard to sections 303, 304 and 306 of ERISA), and (ii) pay, or cause to be paid, to the PBGC in a timely manner, without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or penalty, all premiums required pursuant to sections 4006 and 4007 of ERISA.
SECTION 7.11 Material Agreements. The Borrower shall and shall cause each of its Consolidated Subsidiaries to enforce the obligations of Affiliates that are parties to the Material Agreements to the same extent as they would enforce similar obligations of unrelated third parties.
SECTION 7.12 Additional Guarantees and Security Documents.
(a) As an inducement to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders to enter into this Agreement, each Credit Party (other than the Borrower) shall execute and deliver to Administrative Agent a Guaranty Agreement substantially in the form and upon the terms of Exhibit H, providing for the guaranty of payment and performance of the Obligations. In addition, within fifteen (15) days of the formation or acquisition of any Consolidated Subsidiary, the Borrower shall cause such Consolidated Subsidiary to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (i) a Guaranty Agreement substantially in the form and upon the terms of Exhibit H, providing for the guaranty of payment and performance of the Obligations, (ii) Security Documents in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent creating liens and security interests in all assets and properties of such Subsidiary and in the equity interest in such Subsidiary except for any equity interests in Unrestricted Entities, and (iii) such other documents and instruments as may be required with respect to such Subsidiary pursuant to Section 7.5.
(b) The Borrower will not permit any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries that is not a Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, guarantee the payment of any Indebtedness of the Borrower or another Credit Party unless such Consolidated Subsidiary executes and delivers to the Administrative Agent a Guaranty Agreement.
(c) Within fifteen (15) days of the formation or acquisition of any Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Entity, Borrower shall cause such Subsidiary or Unrestricted Entity to execute and deliver to Administrative Agent certified copies of such Subsidiarys, or Unrestricted Entitys, as the case may be, organizational documents.
-70-
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Foreign Subsidiary will be required to execute and deliver a Guaranty Agreement if such actions have material adverse tax consequences to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.
SECTION 7.13 Payment and Performance of Obligations. The Borrower shall and shall cause its Consolidated Subsidiaries to pay and perform all Obligations under the other Loan Documents, and pay or perform (a) Taxes that may be levied or assessed upon it or any of its property, and (b) all other obligations and liabilities in accordance with customary trade practices; provided, that the Borrower or such Subsidiary may contest any item described in clause (a) or (b) of this Section 7.13 in good faith so long as adequate reserves are maintained with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP, except where the failure to pay or perform such items described in clause (a) or (b) of this Section 7.13 could reasonably be expected to individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 7.14 Compliance with Laws and Approvals. The Borrower shall and shall cause its Consolidated Subsidiaries to observe and remain in compliance in all material respects with all Applicable Laws and maintain in full force and effect all Governmental Approvals, in each case applicable to the conduct of its business except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION 7.15 Use of Proceeds. The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Extensions of Credit for working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the payment of certain fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions and this Agreement.
SECTION 7.16 Designation of Unrestricted Entities. The Borrowers board of directors may, at any time, designate any Consolidated Subsidiary that is acquired or created after the Closing Date as an Unrestricted Entity by prior written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided that the Borrower shall only be permitted to so designate a new Unrestricted Entity after the Closing Date and so long as (a) no Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, (b) such Subsidiary does not own any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or own or hold a Lien on any property of, the Borrower or any other Subsidiary that is not a subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated and (c) the Borrower shall have been able to make a dividend in accordance with Section 9.6(g) in an amount equal to the greater of (i) the aggregate of all investments made in such Subsidiary and (ii) the fair market value of such Subsidiary. The Borrower may designate any Unrestricted Entity to be a Subsidiary for purposes of this Agreement (each, a Subsidiary Redesignation); provided further that (i) such Unrestricted Entity, both before and after giving effect to such designation, shall be a wholly owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, (ii) no Default or Event of Default then exists or would occur as a consequence of any such Subsidiary Redesignation, (iii) based on good faith projections prepared by the Borrower for the period from the date of the respective Subsidiary Redesignation to the date that is one year thereafter, the Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio shall be better than or equal to such level as would be required to provide that no Default or Event of Default would exist under Article VIII through the date that is one year from the date of the respective Subsidiary Redesignation, (iv) all representations and warranties contained herein and in the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of the date of such Subsidiary Redesignation (both before and after giving effect thereto), unless stated to relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, (v) the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent an officers certificate executed by a Responsible Officer, certifying to the best of such officers knowledge compliance with the requirements of preceding clauses (i) through (iv), inclusive, and containing the calculations required by the preceding clause
-71-
(iii), and (vi) any Unrestricted Entity subject to a Subsidiary Redesignation may not thereafter be designated as an Unrestricted Entity.
ARTICLE VIII
FINANCIAL COVENANTS
Until all of the Obligations (other than (a) contingent indemnification obligations not then due and (b) the Specified Hedge Obligations) have been paid and satisfied in full in cash and the Commitments terminated, the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries will not:
SECTION 8.1 Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio. As of the end of any fiscal quarter, permit the Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio to be greater than 5.00 to 1.00.
SECTION 8.2 Consolidated Senior Secured Funded Debt Ratio. As of the end of any fiscal quarter, permit the Consolidated Senior Secured Funded Debt Ratio to be greater than 3.00 to 1.00.
SECTION 8.3 Interest Coverage Ratio. As of the end of any fiscal quarter, permit the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such date to (b) Consolidated Interest Expense for the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters ending on or immediately prior to such date to be less 2.50 to 1.00.
ARTICLE IX
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Until all of the Obligations (other than (a) contingent, indemnification obligations not then due and (b) the Specified Hedge Obligations) have been paid and satisfied in full in cash and the Commitments terminated, the Credit Parties will not, and will not permit any of their respective Consolidated Subsidiaries to:
SECTION 9.1 Limitations on Indebtedness. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness except:
(a) the Notes and the Obligations (excluding Specified Hedge Obligations permitted pursuant to Section 9.1(b)) or any guaranty of or suretyship arrangement for the Notes or other Obligations;
(b) Indebtedness and obligations owing under Hedging Agreements entered into in order to manage existing or anticipated interest rate, exchange rate or commodity price risks and not for speculative purposes;
(c) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and not otherwise permitted under this Section 9.1 and listed on Schedule 9.1, and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that (i) the principal amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, (ii) the final maturity date and weighted average life of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension shall not be prior to or shorter than that applicable to the Indebtedness prior to such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension and (iii) any refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of any Subordinated Indebtedness shall be (A) on subordination
-72-
terms at least as favorable to the Lenders, (B) no more restrictive on the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries than the Subordinated Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and (C) in an amount not less than the amount outstanding at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension;
(d) Indebtedness incurred in connection with Capital Leases and purchase money Indebtedness in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15,000,000 at any time outstanding;
(e) Indebtedness of a Person existing at the time such Person became a Subsidiary or assets were acquired from such Person in connection with an Investment permitted pursuant to Section 9.3, to the extent that (i) such Indebtedness was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Subsidiary or the acquisition of such assets and (ii) neither the Borrower nor any Consolidated Subsidiary thereof (other than such Person or any other Person that such Person merges with or that acquires the assets of such Person) shall have any liability or other obligation with respect to such Indebtedness;
(f) Guaranty Obligations with respect to Indebtedness permitted pursuant to subsections (a) through (e) of this Section 9.1;
(g) accounts payable (for the deferred purchase price of Property or services) from time to time incurred in the ordinary course of business which, if greater than 90 days past the invoice or billing date, are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings if reserves adequate under GAAP shall have been established therefor;
(h) Intercompany Debt, provided, that any such Intercompany Debt is (i) if in excess of $5,000,000, evidenced by an Intercompany Note which has been pledged to secure the Obligations and is in the possession of the Collateral Agent, and (ii) in the case of any Intercompany Debt owing to a Credit Party from a Consolidated Subsidiary (other than a Credit Party), subordinated to the Obligations upon terms and conditions satisfactory to the Collateral Agent;
(i) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or other similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business;
(j) Indebtedness under performance bonds, surety bonds, release, appeal and similar bonds (including Indebtedness associated with bonds or surety obligations pursuant to any Applicable Law in connection with the operation of any Pipeline Properties), statutory obligations or with respect to workers compensation claims, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business, and reimbursement obligations in respect of any of the foregoing;
(k) Indebtedness of the Borrower to the General Partner to enable the General Partner to pay general and administrative costs and expenses of the Borrower in accordance with past practices;
(l) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation and other similar arrangements to employees of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(m) Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or its Consolidated Subsidiaries in an acquisition or Asset Disposition under agreements providing for indemnification, the adjustment of the purchase price or other similar adjustments;
-73-
(n) Indebtedness in respect of netting services, overdraft protections and similar arrangements in each case in connection with cash management or deposit accounts;
(o) Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees or similar instruments issued in respect of workers compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance or other Indebtedness with respect to similar reimbursement type obligations; provided that upon the drawing of such letters of credit or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such obligations are reimbursed within 30 days following such drawing or incurrence;
(p) unsecured guarantees of Subsidiary obligations (other than obligations for borrowed money);
(q) Indebtedness of the Borrower incurred in connection with a senior or subordinated unsecured note offering, provided that (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect to such incurrence, (ii) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness on a Pro Forma Basis, the Borrower shall be in compliance with all covenants set forth in Article VIII as of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower, (iii) has a final maturity date no earlier than the date that is six months after the final maturity date of the Revolver Facility and (iv) the documentation for which contains covenants no more restrictive than those set forth in this Agreement; and
(r) additional Indebtedness not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 9.1 in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding.
SECTION 9.2 Limitations on Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any Lien on or with respect to any of its Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:
(a) Liens created pursuant to the Loan Documents;
(b) Liens in existence on the Closing Date and described on Schedule 9.2, including Liens incurred in connection with any refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 9.1(c) (solely to the extent that such Liens were in existence on the Closing Date and described on Schedule 9.2); provided that the scope of any such Lien shall not be increased, or otherwise expanded, to cover any additional property or type of asset, as applicable, beyond that in existence on the Closing Date and the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased;
(c) Liens for taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies (excluding any Lien imposed pursuant to any of the provisions of ERISA or Environmental Laws) (i) not yet due or as to which the period of grace, if any, related thereto has not expired or (ii) which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves are maintained to the extent required by GAAP;
(d) (i) the claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, processors or landlords for labor, materials, supplies or rentals incurred in the ordinary course of business, (A) which are not overdue for a period of more than ninety (90) days or (B) which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings if adequate reserves are maintained to the extent required by GAAP and (ii) do not, individually or in the aggregate, materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(e) Liens consisting of deposits or pledges made in the ordinary course of business in connection with, or to secure payment of, obligations under workers compensation, unemployment insurance
-74-
and other types of social security or similar legislation and Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business securing insurance premiums or reimbursement obligations under insurance policies or to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety bonds (other than bonds related to judgments or litigation), performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business, in each case, so long as no foreclosure sale or similar proceeding has been commenced with respect to any portion of the Collateral on account thereof;
(f) encumbrances of third party surface owners and owners of other estates in lands (other than lands to which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries has fee simple title) covered by Pipeline right-of-ways, permits and easements;
(g) encumbrances (other than to secure the payment of borrowed money or the deferred purchase price of Property or services), easements, restrictions, servitudes, permits, conditions, covenants, exceptions or reservations in any rights of way or other Property of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for the purpose of roads, pipelines, transmission lines, transportation lines, distribution lines for the removal of gas, oil, or timber, and other like purposes, or for the joint or common use of real estate, rights of way, facilities and equipment, and defects, irregularities, zoning restrictions and deficiencies in title of any rights of way or other Property which in the aggregate do not materially impair the use of such rights of way or other Property for the purposes of which such rights of way and other Property are held by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or materially impair the value of such Property subject thereto;
(h) Liens which do not materially interfere with the occupation, use, and enjoyment by Borrower of the Pipeline Properties in the ordinary course of business as presently conducted or materially impair the value thereof for the purposes thereof;
(i) purported Liens evidenced by the filing of precautionary UCC financing statements relating solely to personal property leased pursuant to Operating Leases entered into in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or oil and gas leases or rights of way acquired in the ordinary course of business solely with respect to the right to maintain flow lines or gathering lines or sales lines across the lands subject thereto, in each case, not (i) securing Indebtedness, (ii) individually or in the aggregate materially impairing the value or marketability of the facility of which such real property or Pipeline Property are a part or (iii) individually or in the aggregate materially interfering with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries at the facility of which such real property or Pipeline Property are a part;
(j) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 9.1(d) or 9.1(r); provided that (i) such Liens shall be created substantially simultaneously with the acquisition or lease of the related asset, (ii) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, (iii) the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is not increased and (iv) the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by any such Lien shall at no time exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the original purchase price or lease payment amount of such property at the time it was acquired;
(k) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under Section 10.1(l) or securing appeal or other surety bonds relating to such judgments;
(l) (i) Liens on tangible property or tangible assets (i) of any Subsidiary which are in existence at the time that such Subsidiary is acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition and (ii) of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries existing at the time such tangible property or tangible assets are purchased
-75-
or otherwise acquired by the Borrower or such Subsidiary thereof pursuant to a transaction permitted pursuant to this Agreement; provided that, with respect to each of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), (A) such Liens (1) are not incurred in connection with, or in anticipation of, such Permitted Acquisition, purchase or other acquisition, (2) are applicable only to specific tangible property or tangible assets, (3) are not blanket or all asset Liens and (4) do not attach to any other property or assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries and (B) the Indebtedness secured by such Liens is permitted under Section 9.1(e) of this Agreement);
(m) (i) Liens of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the relevant jurisdiction and (ii) Liens of any depositary bank in connection with statutory, common law and contractual rights of set-off and recoupment with respect to any deposit account of any Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof;
(n) (i) contractual or statutory Liens of landlords to the extent relating to the property and assets relating to any lease agreements with such landlord, and (ii) contractual Liens of suppliers (including sellers of goods) or customers to the extent limited to the property or assets relating to such contract;
(o) any interest or title of a licensor, sublicensor, lessor or sublessor with respect to any assets under any license or lease agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business; provided that the same do not interfere in any material respect with the business of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or materially detract from the value of the relevant assets of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries;
(p) Liens on equity interests in any Unrestricted Entities securing Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Entities;
(q) that certain Surface Lease Agreement dated as of February 1, 2000, by and between Texaco Exploration and Production, Inc., predecesssor in interest to APL Mid-Continent, as lessor, and Velma Federal Credit Union, as lessee;
(r) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, protrusions and other similar encumbrances and minor title defects affecting real property which, in the aggregate, do not in any case materially and adversely interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person; and
(s) Liens not otherwise permitted hereunder on assets securing Indebtedness in the aggregate amount not to exceed $25,000,000 at any time outstanding.
SECTION 9.3 Limitations on Investments. Purchase, own, invest in or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any Capital Stock, interests in any partnership or joint venture (including, without limitation, the creation or capitalization of any Subsidiary), evidence of Indebtedness or other obligation or security, substantially all or a portion of the business or assets of any other Person or any other investment or interest whatsoever in any other Person, or make or permit to exist, directly or indirectly, any loans, advances or extensions of credit to, or any investment in cash or by delivery of Property in, any Person (all the foregoing, Investments) except:
(a) (i) Investments existing on the Closing Date in Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date, (ii) Investments existing on the Closing Date (other than Investments in Subsidiaries existing on the Closing Date) and described on Schedule 9.3 and (iii) Investments made after the Closing Date in the Borrower or any of the Guarantors or the Anadarko JVs;
-76-
(b) Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents, including securities deemed cash pursuant to Section 9.5(k);
(c) deposits made in the ordinary course of business to secure the performance of leases or other obligations as permitted by Section 9.2;
(d) Hedging Agreements permitted pursuant to Section 9.1;
(e) purchases of assets in the ordinary course of business;
(f) Non-hostile acquisitions of equity securities, or assets constituting a business unit, of any Person, provided that (i) immediately prior to and after giving effect to such acquisition, no Default or Event of Default exists or would result therefrom, (ii) if such acquisition is of equity securities of a Person (other than an Unrestricted Entity), such person becomes a Guarantor, (iii) such Person is principally engaged in the same business as the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (iv) the Borrower shall be in compliance on a Pro Forma Basis with the covenants set forth in Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 based on the most recently ended four fiscal quarter period and as adjusted for such acquisition, (v) such acquired Person (other than an Unrestricted Entity) or assets shall not be subject to any material liabilities except as permitted by this Agreement, (vi) a first priority perfected lien and security interest shall be granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Lenders in such acquired assets; provided, however, that (I) nothing herein shall require any Unrestricted Entity to grant a first priority lien in its assets; and (II) such acquisition shall be limited to Persons primarily involved in the business of, and/or assets primarily involving, natural gas gathering and processing operations;
(g) Investments in the form of loans and advances to officers, directors and employees of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding, for travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes;
(h) Investments in the form of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 9.1(h);
(i) Guaranty Obligations of the Credit Parties and their Subsidiaries permitted pursuant to Section 9.1;
(j) Investments in the Laurel Mountain JV; provided, however, that Investments pursuant to this clause (j) shall not exceed $60,000,000 in any Fiscal Year if the Minimum Liquidity, on a Pro Forma Basis, is less than or equal to $50,000,000 (which amount, for avoidance of doubt, shall not include capital contributions made with the LM Preferred Interest Distribution Setoff); provided that if the aggregate amount of Investments made in any fiscal year pursuant to this proviso shall be less than $60 million, then the amount of such shortfall may be added to the amount of Investments permitted pursuant to this proviso for the immediately succeeding (but not any other) fiscal year (it being understood that Investments made in any fiscal year pursuant to this proviso shall be counted first against the $60 million available to be spent in such fiscal year and second against the unused amount, if any, carried over from the immediately prior fiscal year).
(k) accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business;
(l) loans and advances by Borrower to General Partner to pay general and administrative expenses of the Borrower pursuant to the Limited Partnership Agreement;
-77-
(m) extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors and other credits to suppliers in the ordinary course of business;
(n) investments (including Indebtedness and Capital Stock) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of any Person and in settlement of obligations of, or other disputes with, any Person arising in the ordinary course of business and upon foreclosure with respect to any secured investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment;
(o) advances of payroll payments to employees in the ordinary course of business;
(p) investments in the ordinary course consisting of endorsements for collection or deposit;
(q) Investments made as a result of receipt of consideration other than cash from an Asset Disposition made in compliance with Section 9.5(k); and
(r) Investments in joint ventures other than as permitted by Section 9.3(j) made after the Closing Date in an aggregate amount not to exceed (x) $25,000,000 prior to the consummation of the LM Asset Sale and (y) 5.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets after the consummation of the LM Asset Sale; and
(s) other Investments not otherwise permitted pursuant to this Section 9.3 not exceeding $10,000,000 in the aggregate in any Fiscal Year.
For purposes of determining the amount of any Investment outstanding for purposes of this Section 9.3, such amount shall be deemed to be the amount of such Investment when made, purchased or acquired less any amount realized in respect of such Investment upon the sale, collection or return of capital (not to exceed the original amount invested).
SECTION 9.4 Limitations on Fundamental Changes. Merge, consolidate or enter into any similar combination with any other Person or liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution) except:
(a) (i) any Consolidated Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into the Borrower (provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving entity) or (ii) any Consolidated Subsidiary of the Borrower may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into any Consolidated Subsidiary of the Borrower (provided that if a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary is merging with a Consolidated Subsidiary, a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving entity or simultaneously with such transaction, the continuing or surviving entity shall become a Guarantor and the Borrower shall comply with Section 7.12 in connection therewith);
(b) (i) any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into, or be liquidated into, any other Non-Guarantor Subsidiary and (ii) any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary may be merged, amalgamated or consolidated with or into, or be liquidated into, any other Non-Guarantor Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary;
(c) any Consolidated Subsidiary may dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation, dissolution, winding up or otherwise) (provided that if such disposition is by an Anadarko JV, such disposition may include a pro rata distribution of assets to the Class A member of
-78-
such Anadarko JV) to the Borrower or any Guarantor; provided that, with respect to any such disposition by any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary, the consideration for such disposition shall not exceed the fair value of such assets;
(d) (i) any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary may dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation, dissolution, winding up or otherwise) to any other Non-Guarantor Subsidiary and (ii) any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary may dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation, dissolution, winding up or otherwise) to any other Non-Guarantor Subsidiary that is a Domestic Subsidiary;
(e) dispositions permitted by Section 9.5;
(f) any Consolidated Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge with or into the Person such Consolidated Subsidiary was formed to acquire in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, provided that (i) a Guarantor shall be the continuing or surviving entity or (ii) simultaneously with such transaction, the continuing or surviving entity shall become a Guarantor and the Borrower shall comply with Section 7.12 in connection therewith);
(g) any Person may merge into the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries in connection with a Permitted Acquisition; provided that (i) in the case of a merger involving the Borrower or a Guarantor, the continuing or surviving Person shall be the Borrower or a Guarantor and (ii) the continuing or surviving Person shall be the Borrower or a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower;
(h) the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary may merge into or consolidate with any other Person or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it in order to effect an investment permitted under Section 9.3; provided, however, that in each case, immediately after giving effect thereto in the case of any such merger to which any Credit Party is a party, such Credit Party is the surviving corporation or the surviving or continuing Person shall have expressly assumed all of such Credit Partys obligations under the Loan Documents pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 9.5 Limitations on Asset Dispositions. Make any Asset Disposition except:
(a) the disposition of inventory in the ordinary course of business;
(b) the disposition of obsolete, worn-out or surplus assets no longer used or usable in the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries whether now owned or hereafter acquired in the ordinary course of business;
(c) the transfer of assets to the Borrower or any Guarantor pursuant to Section 9.4(b) and any other transaction permitted pursuant to Section 9.4;
(d) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may write-off, discount, sell or otherwise dispose of defaulted or past due receivables and similar obligations in the ordinary course of business and not as part of an accounts receivable financing transaction;
(e) the disposition of any Hedging Agreement;
(f) dispositions of Investments in cash and Cash Equivalents;
-79-
(g) (i) any Consolidated Subsidiary may transfer assets to the Borrower or any other Guarantor, (ii) the Borrower may transfer assets to any Guarantor, (iii) any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary may transfer assets to the Borrower or any Guarantor (provided that, in connection with any such transfer, the Borrower or such Guarantor shall not pay more than an amount equal to the fair market value of such assets as determined at the time of such transfer) and (iv) any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary may transfer assets to any other Non-Guarantor Subsidiary;
(h) non-exclusive licenses and sublicenses of intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business not interfering, individually or in the aggregate, in any material respect with the conduct of the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;
(i) easement, rights of way, leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses of real or personal property granted by any Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to others in the ordinary course of business not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;
(j) dispositions of property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such disposition are reasonably promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;
(k) dispositions by the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries not otherwise permitted under this Section 9.5; provided that (i) at the time of such disposition, no Event of Default shall exist or would result from such disposition, (ii) the purchase price for such asset sale shall be at fair market value and (iii) not less than 75% of the purchase price for such asset shall be paid to the Borrower or such Subsidiary in cash; provided that the following shall be deemed to be cash for purposes of this provision and Section 9.3(q) and for no other provision:
(i) any liabilities (as shown on the Borrowers or such Subsidiarys most recent balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto) of the Borrower or a Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Obligations or that are owed to the Borrower or a Subsidiary, that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets and for which the Borrower and all of its Subsidiaries have been validly released by all creditors in writing, and
(ii) any securities received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Borrower or such Subsidiary into cash (to the extent of the cash received) within 180 days following the closing of such disposition;
(l) dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof in the ordinary course of business;
(m) transfers of property subject to casualty events upon receipt of the Net Cash Proceeds of such casualty event; and
(n) dispositions of real property and related assets in the ordinary course of business in connection with relocation activities for directors, officers, members of management, employees or consultants of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.
SECTION 9.6 Limitations on Restricted Payments. Declare or pay any dividend on, or make any payment or other distribution on account of, or purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire (directly or indirectly), or set apart assets for a sinking or other analogous fund for the purchase, redemption,
-80-
retirement or other acquisition of, any class of Capital Stock of any Credit Party, or make any distribution of cash, property or assets to the holders of shares of any Capital Stock of any Credit Party (all of the foregoing, the Restricted Payments), provided that:
(a) the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof may make Restricted Payments to the extent required by the Limited Partnership Agreement as in effect on the date hereof unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;
(b) the Borrower may pay dividends on its own convertible preferred units in the form of additional units;
(c) the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof may make Restricted Payments to any Credit Party;
(d) the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof may make Restricted Payments to other holders of such Persons Capital Stock in connection with a pro rata distribution to all holders of such Persons Capital Stock (including in the case of the Borrower, distributions to the General Partner in respect of its incentive distribution rights);
(e) the Anadarko JVs may make Restricted Payments as are required by the joint venture agreements of the Anadarko JVs as in effect on the date hereof;
(f) (i) Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries that are Domestic Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments to other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries that are Domestic Subsidiaries and (ii) Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries that are Foreign Subsidiaries may make Restricted Payments to other Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries that are Foreign Subsidiaries; and
(g) the Borrower or any Consolidated Subsidiary may make other dividends on and purchases, redemptions or acquisitions for value of its Capital Stock and return capital to its equity holders in an amount not to exceed $100,000,000 if the Minimum Liquidity, on a Pro Forma Basis, is greater than or equal to $50,000,000.
SECTION 9.7 Transactions with Affiliates. Directly or indirectly enter into any transaction, including, without limitation, any purchase, sale, lease or exchange of Property, the rendering of any service or the payment of any management, advisory or similar fees, with Affiliate, other than:
(a) transactions permitted by Sections 9.1, 9.2(g), 9.3, 9.4, 9.6 and 9.13;
(b) transactions between or among the Consolidated Subsidiary or any Person that will become a Consolidated Subsidiary as a result of such transaction to the extent otherwise permitted hereunder;
(c) transactions pursuant to agreements in existence on the Closing Date and set forth on Schedule 9.7 or any amendment thereto to the extent such an amendment is not adverse to the Lenders in any material respect;
(d) other transactions on terms as favorable as would be obtained by it on a comparable arms-length transaction with an independent, unrelated third party;
-81-
(e) employment and severance arrangements (including stock option plans and employee benefit plans and arrangements) with their respective officers and employees in the ordinary course of business;
(f) Equity Issuances by the Borrower;
(g) payment of customary fees and reasonable out of pocket costs to, and indemnities for the benefit of, directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business to the extent attributable to the ownership or operation of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as determined in good faith by the board of directors of the Borrower or senior management thereof; and
(h) the transactions contemplated by that certain Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated as of November 8, 2010, among the Borrower, APL Laurel Mountain, LLC, Atlas Energy, Inc. and Atlas Energy Resources, LLC (the LM Asset Sale) and the letter agreement of even date therewith between the Borrower and Atlas Pipeline Holdings, L.P., as the same may be amended such that the Lenders are not adversely affected.
SECTION 9.8 Certain Accounting Changes; Organizational Documents. (a) Change its Fiscal Year end, or make (without the consent of the Administrative Agent) any material change in its accounting treatment and reporting practices except as required by GAAP or (b) amend, modify or change its articles of incorporation (or corporate charter or other similar organizational documents) or amend, modify or change its bylaws (or other similar documents) in any manner which would materially and adversely affect the rights or interests of the Lenders.
SECTION 9.9 Limitation on Payments and Modifications of Certain Indebtedness.
(a) Amend, modify, waive or supplement (or permit the modification, amendment, waiver or supplement of) any of the terms or provisions of any Subordinated Indebtedness in any respect which would materially and adversely affect the rights or interests of the Administrative Agent and Lenders hereunder.
(b) Cancel, forgive, make any payment or prepayment on, or redeem or acquire for value (including, without limitation, (i) by way of depositing with any trustee with respect thereto money or securities before due for the purpose of paying when due and (ii) at the maturity thereof) any Specified Debt, except:
(i) refinancings, refundings, renewals, extensions or exchange of any Specified Debt permitted by Section 9.1(q) and (r), and by any subordination agreement applicable thereto;
(ii) the payment of interest, expenses and indemnities in respect of Specified Debt incurred under Section 9.1(q) and (r) (other than any such payments prohibited by the subordination provisions thereof); and
(iii) prepayment of Specified Debt using the Net Cash Proceeds of any Equity Issuance.
-82-
SECTION 9.10 No Further Negative Pledges; Restrictive Agreements.
(a) Enter into, assume or be subject to any agreement prohibiting or otherwise restricting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or requiring the grant of any security for such obligation if security is given for some other obligation, except (i) pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (ii) pursuant to any document or instrument governing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 9.1(d); provided, that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets acquired in connection therewith, (iii) restrictions contained in the organizational documents of any Credit Party as of the Closing Date and (iv) restrictions in connection with any Excepted Lien or any document or instrument governing any Excepted Lien (provided, that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets subject to such Excepted Lien).
(b) Create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof to (i) pay dividends or make any other distributions to any Credit Party or any Subsidiary on its Capital Stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits (provided that the priority that any series of preferred Capital Stock in receiving dividends or distributions or on liquidation shall not constitute such an encumbrance or restriction), (ii) pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to the Borrower or any Guarantor, (iii) make loans or advances to the Borrower or any Guarantor, (iv) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Borrower or any Guarantor or (v) act as a Guarantor pursuant to the Loan Documents or any renewals, refinancings, exchanges, refundings or extension thereof, except (in respect of any of the matters referred to in clauses (i) through (v) above) for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of (A) this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, (B) Applicable Law, (C) any document or instrument governing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 9.1(d) (provided, that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets acquired in connection therewith), (D) any Excepted Lien or any document or instrument governing any Excepted Lien (provided, that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets subject to such Excepted Lien), (E) obligations that are binding on a Subsidiary at the time such Subsidiary first becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower, so long as such obligations are not entered into in contemplation of such Person becoming a Subsidiary, (F) customary restrictions contained in an agreement related to the sale of Property (to the extent such sale is permitted pursuant to Section 9.5) that limit the transfer of such Property pending the consummation of such sale, (G) customary restrictions in leases, subleases, licenses and sublicenses or asset sale agreements otherwise permitted by this Agreement so long as such restrictions relate only to the assets subject thereto and (H) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business.
SECTION 9.11 Nature of Business. Allow any material change to be made in the character of its business as an owner or operator of a private natural gas gathering systems company and as an owner of Unrestricted Entities. None of the Borrower or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries shall materially amend, waive or modify any of their Material Agreements in any manner that could reasonably be expected to cause any material and adverse effect on the Administrative Agents and the Lenders interests in the Collateral securing the Obligations, or the Administrative Agents or the Lenders ability to enforce their rights and remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, at law or in equity.
SECTION 9.12 Sale Leasebacks. Directly or indirectly become or remain liable as lessee or as guarantor or other surety with respect to any Capital Lease of any Property (whether real, personal or mixed), whether now owned or hereafter acquired, (a) which any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof has sold or transferred or is to sell or transfer to a Person which is not another Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party or (b) which any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of a Credit Party intends to use for
-83-
substantially the same purpose as any other Property that has been sold or is to be sold or transferred by such Credit Party or such Subsidiary to another Person which is not another Credit Party or Subsidiary of a Credit Party in connection with such lease.
SECTION 9.13 Disposal of Subsidiary Interests. Permit any Domestic Subsidiary to be a non-Wholly-Owned Subsidiary except (a) as a result of or in connection with a dissolution, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or disposition permitted by Section 9.4 or 9.5 or (b) so long as such Domestic Subsidiary continues to be a Guarantor.
SECTION 9.14 Imbalances or Other Prepayments. Allow gas imbalances, take-or-pay or other prepayments with respect to the Pipeline Properties of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries which would require the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries to gather in the aggregate five percent (5%) or more of the Hydrocarbons throughput on a monthly basis from the Oil and Gas Properties at some future time without then or thereafter receiving full payment therefor.
SECTION 9.15 Actions Relating to the Laurel Mountain JV. Vote its equity interests in the Laurel Mountain JV to enable the Laurel Mountain JV to, or otherwise permit the Laurel Mountain JV to, incur, assume or otherwise be liable in respect of any Indebtedness (other than Permitted Laurel Mountain JV Indebtedness) at any time outstanding.
ARTICLE X
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
SECTION 10.1 Events of Default. Each of the following shall constitute an Event of Default, whatever the reason for such event and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any Governmental Authority or otherwise:
(a) Default in Payment of Principal of Loans and Reimbursement Obligations. The Borrower shall default in any payment of principal of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation when and as due (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or otherwise).
(b) Other Payment Default. The Borrower or any other Credit Party shall default in the payment when and as due (whether at maturity, by reason of acceleration or otherwise) of interest on any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation or the payment of any other Obligation, and such default shall continue for a period of five (5) Business Days.
(c) Misrepresentation. Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document that is subject to materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications, shall be incorrect or misleading in any respect when made, furnished or deemed made or any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof in this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith that is not subject to materiality or Material Adverse Effect qualifications, shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made, furnished or deemed made.
(d) Default in Performance of Certain Covenants. Any Credit Party shall default in the performance or observance of any covenant or agreement contained in Article IX.
-84-
(e) Default in Performance of Other Covenants and Conditions. Any Credit Party or any Consolidated Subsidiary thereof shall default in the performance or observance of any term, covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than as specifically provided for in this Section) or any other Loan Document and such default shall continue for a period of thirty (30) days after the earlier of (i) the Administrative Agents delivery of written notice thereof to the Borrower and (ii) a Responsible Officer of the Borrower having obtained knowledge thereof.
(f) Indebtedness Cross-Default. Any Credit Party shall (i) default in the payment of any Indebtedness (other than the Loans or any Reimbursement Obligation) the aggregate outstanding amount of which Indebtedness is in excess of the Threshold Amount beyond the period of grace if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under which such Indebtedness was created, or (ii) default in the observance or performance of any other agreement or condition relating to any Indebtedness (other than the Loans, any Reimbursement Obligation) the aggregate outstanding amount of which Indebtedness is in excess of the Threshold Amount or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto or any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, with the giving of notice and/or lapse of time, if required, any such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity (any applicable grace period having expired).
(g) Change in Control. Any Change in Control shall occur with respect to the Borrower or the General Partner.
(h) Voluntary Bankruptcy Proceeding. Any Credit Party or any Significant Subsidiary thereof shall (i) commence a voluntary case under the federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect), (ii) file a petition seeking to take advantage of any other laws, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding up or composition for adjustment of debts, (iii) consent to or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner any petition filed against it in an involuntary case under such bankruptcy laws or other laws, (iv) apply for or consent to, or fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner, the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver, custodian, trustee, or liquidator of itself or of a substantial part of its property, domestic or foreign, (v) admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, (vi) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, or (vii) take any corporate action for the purpose of authorizing any of the foregoing.
(i) Involuntary Bankruptcy Proceeding. A case or other proceeding shall be commenced against any Credit Party or any Significant Subsidiary thereof in any court of competent jurisdiction seeking (i) relief under the federal bankruptcy laws (as now or hereafter in effect) or under any other laws, domestic or foreign, relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, winding up or adjustment of debts, or (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver, custodian, liquidator or the like for any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof or for all or any substantial part of their respective assets, domestic or foreign, and such case or proceeding shall continue without dismissal or stay for a period of sixty (60) consecutive days, or an order granting the relief requested in such case or proceeding (including, but not limited to, an order for relief under such federal bankruptcy laws) shall be entered.
(j) Failure of Agreements. Any provision of this Agreement or any provision of any other Loan Document shall for any reason (except to the extent permitted by the terms thereof) cease to be valid and binding on any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof party thereto or any such Person shall so state in writing, or any Loan Document shall for any reason cease to create a valid and perfected first priority Lien (subject to Excepted Liens) on, or security interest in, any of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, in each case other than in accordance with the express terms hereof or thereof.
-85-
(k) Termination Event. The occurrence of any of the following events: (i) any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate fails to make full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of any Pension Plan or Section 412 of the Code, any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay as contributions thereto, (ii) the failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard under section 412 of the Code and section 302 of ERISA in excess of the Threshold Amount occurs or has occurred, whether or not waived, with respect to any Pension Plan, (iii) a Termination Event or (iv) any Credit Party or any ERISA Affiliate as employers under one or more Multiemployer Plans makes a complete or partial withdrawal from any such Multiemployer Plan and the plan sponsor of such Multiemployer Plans notifies such withdrawing employer that such employer has incurred a withdrawal liability requiring payments in an amount exceeding the Threshold Amount.
(l) Judgment. A judgment or order for the payment of money which causes the aggregate amount of all such judgments or orders (net of any amounts paid or fully covered by independent third party insurance as to which the relevant insurance company does not dispute coverage) to exceed the Threshold Amount shall be entered against any Credit Party by any court and such judgment or order shall continue without having been discharged, vacated or stayed within the period of time prescribed by applicable rules of civil procedure in which to perfect an appeal thereof.
SECTION 10.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, with the consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent may, or upon the request of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, by notice to the Borrower:
(a) Acceleration; Termination of Facilities.
(i) Terminate the Revolving Credit Commitment and declare the principal of and interest on the Loans and the Reimbursement Obligations at the time outstanding, and all other amounts owed to the Lenders and to the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, all L/C Obligations, whether or not the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented or shall be entitled to present the documents required thereunder) and all other Obligations (other than Specified Hedge Obligations), to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the same shall immediately become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by each Credit Party, anything in this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, and terminate the Credit Facility and any right of the Borrower to request borrowings or Letters of Credit thereunder; provided, that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default specified in Section 10.1(h) or (i), the Credit Facility shall be automatically terminated and all Obligations (other than Specified Hedge Obligations) shall automatically become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by each Credit Party, anything in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document to the contrary notwithstanding; and
(ii) exercise on behalf of the Secured Parties all of its other rights and remedies under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and Applicable Law, in order to satisfy all of the Obligations.
(b) Letters of Credit. With respect to all Letters of Credit with respect to which presentment for honor shall not have occurred at the time of an acceleration pursuant to the preceding paragraph, the Borrower shall at such time deposit in a cash collateral account opened by the Administrative Agent an amount equal to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such Letters of Credit. Amounts held in such cash collateral account shall be applied by the Administrative Agent to the payment of drafts
-86-
drawn under such Letters of Credit, and the unused portion thereof after all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any, shall be applied to repay the other Obligations on a pro rata basis. After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, the Reimbursement Obligation shall have been satisfied and all other Obligations shall have been paid in full, the balance, if any, in such cash collateral account shall be returned to the Borrower.
(c) Rights of Collection. Exercise on behalf of the Lenders all of its other rights and remedies under this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and Applicable Law, in order to satisfy all of the Borrowers Obligations.
SECTION 10.3 Rights and Remedies Cumulative; Non-Waiver; etc. The enumeration of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders set forth in this Agreement is not intended to be exhaustive and the exercise by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders of any right or remedy shall not preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies, all of which shall be cumulative, and shall be in addition to any other right or remedy given hereunder or under the other Loan Documents or that may now or hereafter exist at law or in equity or by suit or otherwise. No delay or failure to take action on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender in exercising any right, power or privilege shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege or shall be construed to be a waiver of any Event of Default. No course of dealing between the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or their respective agents or employees shall be effective to change, modify or discharge any provision of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or to constitute a waiver of any Event of Default.
SECTION 10.4 Crediting of Payments and Proceeds. In the event that the Obligations have been accelerated pursuant to Section 10.2 or the Administrative Agent or any Lender has exercised any remedy set forth in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, all payments received by the Lenders upon the Obligations and all net proceeds from the enforcement of the Obligations shall be applied:
First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts, including attorney fees, payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such, the Issuing Bank in its capacity as such and the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such (ratably among the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause First payable to them);
Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest) payable to the Lenders under the Loan Documents, including attorney fees (ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them);
Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations (ratably among the Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them);
Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, Reimbursement Obligations and Specified Hedge Obligations (including any termination payments and any accrued and unpaid interest thereon) (ratably among the Lenders and the counterparties to the Specified Hedge Obligations in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them);
-87-
Fifth, to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank, to cash collateralize any L/C Obligations then outstanding; and
Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Applicable Law.
SECTION 10.5 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim. In case of the pendency of any receivership, insolvency, liquidation, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other judicial proceeding relative to any Credit Party, the Administrative Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C Obligations and all other Obligations arising under the Loan Document that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under Sections 3.3, 4.3 and 12.3) allowed in such judicial proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, in the event that the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 3.3, 4.3 and 12.3.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender in any such proceeding.
ARTICLE XI
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
SECTION 11.1 Appointment and Authority. Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Wells Fargo to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. The provisions of this Article XI are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, and neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary thereof shall have rights as a third party beneficiary of any of such provisions.
-88-
The Administrative Agent shall also act as the Collateral Agent under the Loan Documents, and each of the Lenders (including in its capacity as counterparty to a Specified Hedging Agreement) and the Issuing Bank hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as the agent of such Lender and the Issuing Bank for purposes of acquiring, holding and enforcing any and all Liens on Collateral granted by any of the Credit Party to secure any of the Obligations, together with such powers and discretion as are reasonably incidental thereto. In this connection, the Collateral Agent and any co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact appointed by the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Article XI for purposes of holding or enforcing any Lien on the Collateral (or any portion thereof) granted under the Security Documents, or for exercising any rights and remedies thereunder at the direction of the Administrative Agent), shall be entitled to the benefits of all provisions of this Article XI and Article XII (including Section 12.3, as though such co-agents, sub-agents and attorneys-in-fact were the Collateral Agent under the Loan Documents) as if set forth in full herein with respect thereto.
SECTION 11.2 Rights as a Lender. The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term Lender or Lenders shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.
SECTION 11.3 Exculpatory Provisions. The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;
(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or Applicable Law; and
(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.
The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Section 10.2 and Section 12.2) or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and
-89-
until notice describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower, a Lender or the Issuing Bank.
The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document or (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article V or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 11.4 Reliance by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or the Issuing Bank, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or the Issuing Bank unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or the Issuing Bank prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Borrower), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.
SECTION 11.5 Delegation of Duties. The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article XI shall apply to any such sub agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the syndication of the Facilities as well as activities as Administrative Agent.
SECTION 11.6 Resignation of Administrative Agent.
(a) The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with the Borrower, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Bank, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the qualifications set forth above provided that if the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice and (1) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other
-90-
Loan Documents and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the Issuing Bank directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above in this paragraph. Upon the acceptance of a successors appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom as provided above in this paragraph). The fees payable by the Borrower to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor. After the retiring Administrative Agents resignation hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article XI and Section 12.3 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent.
(b) Any resignation by Wells Fargo as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 11.6 shall also constitute its resignation as Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender. Upon the acceptance of a successors appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, (a) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender, (b) the retiring Issuing Bank and Swingline Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (c) the successor Issuing Bank shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangement satisfactory to the retiring Issuing Bank to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring Issuing Bank with respect to such Letters of Credit.
SECTION 11.7 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender and the Issuing Bank also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
SECTION 11.8 Collateral and Guaranty Matters. The Lenders irrevocably authorize and direct the Administrative Agent (without notice to, or vote or consent of, any counterparty to any Specified Hedging Agreement),
(a) to release any Lien on any Collateral granted to or held by the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties (whether or not on the date of such release there may be outstanding Specified Hedge Obligations or contingent indemnification obligations not then due), under any Loan Document (i) upon repayment of the outstanding principal of and all accrued interest on the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations, payment of all outstanding fees and expenses hereunder, the termination of the Revolving Credit Commitment and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, (ii) that is disposed or to be disposed of as part of or in connection with any disposition permitted hereunder or under any other Loan Document, or (iii) subject to Section 12.2, if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders;
-91-
(b) to subordinate or release any Lien on any Collateral (whether or not on the date of such subordination or release there may be outstanding Specified Hedge Obligations or contingent indemnification obligations not then due) granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Excepted Lien; and
(c) to release any Guarantor (whether or not on the date of such release there may be outstanding Specified Hedge Obligations or contingent indemnification obligations not then due) from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement, the Security Agreement and any other Loan Documents if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted hereunder.
Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agents authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the Guaranty Agreement pursuant to this Section.
SECTION 11.9 Release of Liens and Guarantees of Subsidiaries. If any of the Collateral shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by the Borrower or any other Credit Party in a transaction permitted by this Agreement (including by way of merger, consolidation or in connection with the sale of a Subsidiary permitted hereunder), then the Administrative Agent, at the request and sole expense of the Borrower or such other Credit Party, shall execute and deliver without recourse, representation or warranty all releases or other documents necessary or desirable for the release of the Liens created by any of the Security Documents on such Collateral. In the case of any such sale, transfer or disposal of any property constituting Collateral in a transaction constituting an Asset Disposition permitted pursuant to Section 9.5, the Liens created by any of the Security Documents on such property shall be automatically released (without need for further action by any person). At the request and sole expense of the Borrower, a Subsidiary that is a Credit Party shall be released from all its obligations under this Agreement and under all other Loan Documents in the event that it shall cease to be a Subsidiary in a transaction permitted by this Agreement (including by way of merger or consolidation), and the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, at the request and sole expense of the Borrower, shall execute and deliver without recourse, representation or warranty all releases or other documents necessary or desirable to evidence or confirm the foregoing.
SECTION 11.10 Specified Hedging Agreements. No Lender or Affiliate thereof party to a Specified Hedging Agreement that obtains the benefits of Section 10.4 or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any Security Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) other than in its capacity as a Lender and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents.
ARTICLE XII
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 12.1 Notices.
(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in paragraph (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by facsimile as follows:
-92-
If to the Borrower:
Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P.
100 W. 7th St. Suite 2300
Tulsa, OK 74119
Attention of: Eric Kalamaras
Telephone No.: (918)  ###-###-####
Telecopy No.: (918)-925-3851
E-mail: ***@***
Webpage: www.atlaspipeline.com
With copies to:
Ledgewood
1900 Market Street, Suite 750
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Attention of: Lisa A. Ernst, Esq.
Mark Rosenstein, Esq.
Telephone No.: (215)  ###-###-####
Telecopy No.: 215 ###-###-####
E-mail:   ***@***
  ***@***
If to Wells Fargo as Administrative Agent:
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
NC0680
1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28262
Attention of: Syndication Agency Services
Telephone No.: (704)  ###-###-####
Telecopy No.: (704)  ###-###-####
With copies to:
Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP
80 Pine Street
New York, NY 10005
Attention of: James J. Clark, Esq.
Noah B. Newitz, Esq.
Telephone No.: (212)  ###-###-####
Telecopy No.: (212)  ###-###-####
E-mail: ***@***
  ***@***
If to any Lender:
To the address set forth on the Register
-93-
Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices sent by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in paragraph (b) below, shall be effective as provided in said paragraph (b).
(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lenders and the Issuing Bank hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices to any Lender or the Issuing Bank pursuant to Article II if such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as applicable, has notified the Administrative Agent that is incapable of receiving notices under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.
Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the senders receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the return receipt requested function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.
(c) Administrative Agents Office. The Administrative Agent hereby designates its office located at the address set forth above, or any subsequent office which shall have been specified for such purpose by written notice to the Borrower and Lenders, as the Administrative Agents Office referred to herein, to which payments due are to be made and at which Loans will be disbursed and Letters of Credit requested.
(d) Change of Address, Etc. Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.
SECTION 12.2 Amendments, Waivers and Consents. Except as set forth below or as specifically provided in any Loan Document, any term, covenant, agreement or condition of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents may be amended or waived by the Lenders, and any consent given by the Lenders, if, but only if, such amendment, waiver or consent is in writing signed by the Required Lenders (or by the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required Lenders) and delivered to the Administrative Agent and, in the case of an amendment, signed by the Borrower; provided, that no amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(a) increase the Revolving Credit Commitment of any Revolving Credit Lender (or reinstate any Revolving Credit Commitment terminated pursuant to Section 10.2) or the amount of Loans of any Lender, in any case, without the written consent of such Revolving Credit Lender;
(b) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment or mandatory prepayment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to the Lenders (or any of them)
-94-
hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;
(c) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or Reimbursement Obligation, or (subject to clause (iv) of the second proviso to this Section 12.2) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby; provided that only the consent of the Required Lenders shall be necessary (i) to waive any obligation of the Borrower to pay interest at the rate set forth in Section 4.1(c) during the continuance of an Event of Default or (ii) to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan or L/C Obligation or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;
(d) change Section 4.6 or Section 10.4 in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required thereby without the written consent of each Lender directly and adversely affected thereby;
(e) change any provision of this Section 12.2 or reduce the percentages specified in the definition of Required Lenders or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to amend, waive or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender directly affected thereby;
(f) consent to the assignment or transfer by any Credit Party of such Credit Partys rights and obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party (except as permitted pursuant to Section 9.4), in each case, without the written consent of each Lender;
(g) release (i) all of the Guarantors or (iii) Guarantors comprising substantially all of the credit support for the Obligations, in any case, from any Guaranty Agreement (other than as authorized in Sections 11.8 and 11.9), without the written consent of each Lender; or
(h) release all or substantially all of the Collateral or release any Security Document (other than as authorized in Section 11. 8 and 11.9 or as otherwise specifically permitted or contemplated in this Agreement or the applicable Security Document) without the written consent of each Lender;
provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Issuing Bank in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Issuing Bank under this Agreement or any Letter of Credit Agreement relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swingline Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swingline Lender under this Agreement; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (iv) the Commitment and Engagement Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto and (v) any waiver, amendment or modification of this Agreement that by its terms affects the rights or duties under this Agreement of Lenders holding Loans of a particular Class (but not the Lenders holding Loans or of any other Class) may be effected by an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the requisite percentage in interest of the affected Class of Lenders that would be required to consent thereto under this Section 12.2 if such Class of Lenders were the only Class of Lenders hereunder at the time. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder, except that
-95-
the Revolving Credit Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended without the consent of such Lender.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 12.2, if the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall have jointly identified an obvious error (including, but not limited to, an incorrect cross-reference) or any error or omission of a technical nature, in each case, in any provision of any Loan Document, then the Administrative Agent and/or the Collateral Agent (acting in their sole discretion) and the Borrower or any other relevant Credit Party shall be permitted to amend such provision or cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to any Loan Document.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, without the consent of any other Person, the applicable Credit Party or Parties and the Administrative Agent may (in its or their respective sole discretion, or shall, to the extent required by any Loan Document) enter into any amendment or waiver of any Loan Document, or enter into any new agreement or instrument, to effect the granting, perfection, protection, expansion or enhancement of any security interest in Collateral or additional property to become Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties, or as required by local law to give effect to, or protect any security interest for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in any property or so that the security interests therein comply with Applicable Law.
SECTION 12.3 Expenses; Indemnity.
(a) Costs and Expenses. The Borrower and each Credit Party, jointly and severally, shall pay (i) all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the Arranger and the Administrative Agent and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent), in connection with the syndication of the Credit Facilities provided for herein, the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred by the Issuing Bank in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out of pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank), any Lender or the Issuing Bank, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section 12.3, or (B) in connection with the Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out of pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
(b) Indemnification by the Borrower. The Borrower shall indemnify the Arranger, the Administrative Agent (and any sub-agent thereof), each Lender and the Issuing Bank, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called an Indemnitee) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, and shall pay or reimburse any such Indemnitee for, any and all losses, claims (including, without limitation, any Environmental Claims or civil penalties or fines assessed by OFAC), damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall indemnify and hold harmless, each Indemnitee from, and shall pay or reimburse any such Indemnitee for, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any third party or by the Borrower or any other Credit Party arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, (ii) any
-96-
Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Issuing Bank to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or Release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof, or any Environmental Claim related in any way to any Credit Party or any Subsidiary, (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto, or (v) any claim (including, without limitation, any Environmental Claims or civil penalties or fines assessed by the U.S. Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control), investigation, litigation or other proceeding (whether or not the Administrative Agent or any Lender is a party thereto) and the prosecution and defense thereof, arising out of or in any way connected with the Loans, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, or any documents contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, including without limitation, reasonable attorneys and consultants fees, provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitees obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if such Credit Party or such Subsidiary has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(c) Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Borrower for any reason fails to indefeasibly pay any amount required under clause (a) or (b) of this Section 12.3 to be paid by it to the Administrative Agent (or any sub-agent thereof), the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, but without limiting the obligation of the Borrower to do so, each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment Percentage (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender in its capacity as such, or against any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent), Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender in connection with such capacity.
(d) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Borrower and each other Credit Party shall not assert, and hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in clause (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed by it through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.
(e) Payments. All amounts due under this Section 12.3 shall be payable promptly after demand therefor.
-97-
SECTION 12.4 Right of Set Off. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and each of their respective Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by such Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Credit Party against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such Credit Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to such Lender, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, irrespective of whether or not such Lender, the Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document. The rights of each Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender and their respective Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender, the Issuing Bank, the Swingline Lender or their respective Affiliates may have. Each Lender, the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender agrees to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly after any such setoff and application; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.
SECTION 12.5 Governing Law; Jurisdiction, Etc.
(a) Governing Law. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents, unless expressly set forth therein, shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with, the law of the State of New York, without reference to the conflicts or choice of law principles thereof.
(b) Submission to Jurisdiction. The Borrower and each other Credit Party irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County and of the United States District Court of the Southern District of New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims in respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York state court or, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, in such Federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document against the Borrower or any other Credit Party or its properties in the courts of any jurisdiction.
(c) Waiver of Venue. The Borrower and each other Credit Party irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section 12.5. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.
(d) Service of Process. Each party hereto irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 12.1. Nothing in this Agreement will affect the right of any party hereto to serve process in any other manner permitted by Applicable Law.
-98-
SECTION 12.6 Waiver of Jury Trial.
(a) EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 12.6.
SECTION 12.7 Reversal of Payments. To the extent any Credit Party makes a payment or payments to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent receives any payment or proceeds of the Collateral which payments or proceeds or any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy law, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause, then, to the extent of such payment or proceeds repaid, the Obligations or part thereof intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment or proceeds had not been received by the Administrative Agent.
SECTION 12.8 Injunctive Relief; Punitive Damages.
(a) The Borrower recognizes that, in the event the Borrower fails to perform, observe or discharge any of its obligations or liabilities under this Agreement, any remedy of law may prove to be inadequate relief to the Lenders. Therefore, the Borrower agrees that the Lenders, at the Lenders option, shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages.
(b) The Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower (on behalf of itself and the other Credit Parties) hereby agree that no such Person shall have a remedy of punitive or exemplary damages against any other party to a Loan Document and each such Person hereby waives any right or claim to punitive or exemplary damages that they may now have or may arise in the future in connection with any Dispute, whether such Dispute is resolved through arbitration or judicially.
SECTION 12.9 Accounting Matters. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders Financial Statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
-99-
SECTION 12.10 Successors and Assigns; Participations.
(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, except that neither the Borrower nor any other Credit Party may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder except (i) to an assignee in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section 12.10, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (d) of this Section 12.10 or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a security interest subject to the restrictions of paragraph (f) of this Section 12.10 (and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent provided in paragraph (d) of this Section 12.10 and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Credit Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following conditions:
(i) Minimum Amounts.
(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lenders Revolving Credit Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
(B) in any case not described in paragraph (b)(i)(A) of this Section 12.10, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Commitment (which for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if the applicable Revolving Credit Commitment is not then in effect, the principal outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if Trade Date is specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade Date) shall not be less than $5,000,000, unless each of the Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents (each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that the Borrower shall be deemed to have given its consent five (5) Business Days after the date written notice thereof has been delivered by the assigning Lender (through the Administrative Agent) unless such consent is expressly refused by the Borrower prior to such fifth (5th) Business Day;
(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement with respect to the Loan or the Revolving Credit Commitment assigned;
-100-
(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any assignment except to the extent required by paragraph (b)(i)(B) of this Section 12.10 and, in addition:
(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld) shall be required unless (x) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or (y) such assignment is to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; provided, that the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Administrative Agent within 5 Business Days after having received notice thereof;
(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for assignments in respect of the Revolver Facility if such assignment is to a Person that is not a Lender with a Revolving Credit Commitment, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved Fund with respect to such Lender; and
(C) the consents of the Issuing Bank and the Swingline Lender (such consents not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for any assignment that increases the obligation of the assignee to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit (whether or not then outstanding) or for any assignment in respect of the Revolver Facility.
(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500 for each assignment (provided, that only one such fee will be payable in connection with simultaneous assignments to two or more Approved Funds by a Lender), and the assignee, if it is not a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire.
(v) No Assignment to Certain Persons. No such assignment shall be made to the Borrower or any of the Borrowers Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment shall be made to a natural person.
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 12.10, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and Assumption covering all of the assigning Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto) but shall continue to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.8, 4.9, 4.10, 4.11 and 12.3 with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of such assignment. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with paragraph (d) of this Section 12.10.
(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at one of its offices in Charlotte, North Carolina, a copy of each Assignment and
-101-
Assumption delivered to it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Revolving Credit Commitment of, and principal amounts of the Loans owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the Register). Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Assumption in compliance with the requirements of this Section together with any other documents or certificates required to be delivered hereunder or reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent, and including any fees payable with respect to such assignment, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption and record it in the Register. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender (but only to the extent of entries in the Register that are applicable to such Lender), at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of, or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to any Person (other than a natural person or the Borrower or any of the Borrowers Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a Participant) in all or a portion of such Lenders rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Revolving Credit Commitment and/or the Loans owing to it); provided that (i) such Lenders obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, Issuing Bank, Swingline Lender and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lenders rights and obligations under this Agreement.
Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver or modification described in Section 12.2 that directly affects such Participant and could not be affected by a vote of the Required Lenders. Subject to paragraph (e) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 4.8, 4.9, 4.10 and 4.11 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section 12.10 . To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 12.4 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 4.6 as though it were a Lender.
(e) Limitations upon Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 4.10 and 4.11 than the applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is made with the Borrowers prior written consent. No Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 4.11 unless the Borrower is notified of the participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 4.11(e) as though it were a Lender.
(f) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
-102-
SECTION 12.11 Confidentiality. Each of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Bank agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its and its Affiliates respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors and other representatives (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by, or required to be disclosed to, any rating agency, credit insurance provider or regulatory or similar authority purporting to have jurisdiction over it (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (c) to the extent required by Applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (d) to any other party hereto, (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies under this Agreement or under any other Loan Document (or any Specified Hedging Agreement) or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document (or any Hedging Agreement with a Lender or the Administrative Agent) or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (i) any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement, Participant or proposed Participant or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and its obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower, (h) to Gold Sheets and other similar bank trade publications, such information to consist of deal terms and other information customarily found in such publications, or (i) to the extent such Information (x) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 12.11 or (y) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any of their respective Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower or (j) to governmental regulatory authorities in connection with any regulatory examination of the Administrative Agent or any Lender or in accordance with the Administrative Agents or any Lenders regulatory compliance policy if the Administrative Agent or such Lender deems necessary for the mitigation of claims by those authorities against the Administrative Agent or such Lender or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates. For purposes of this Section 12.11, Information means all information received from any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof relating to any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Bank on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof; provided that, in the case of information received from a Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 12.11 shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information.
SECTION 12.12 Performance of Duties. Each of the Credit Partys obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents shall be performed by such Credit Party at its sole cost and expense.
SECTION 12.13 All Powers Coupled with Interest. All powers of attorney and other authorizations granted to the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and any Persons designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender pursuant to any provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents shall be deemed coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable so long as any of the Obligations remain unpaid or unsatisfied, any of the Commitments remain in effect or the Credit Facility has not been terminated.
-103-
SECTION 12.14 Survival.
(a) All representations and warranties set forth in Article VI and all representations and warranties contained in any certificate, or any of the Loan Documents (including, but not limited to, any such representation or warranty made in or in connection with any amendment thereto) shall constitute representations and warranties made under this Agreement. All representations and warranties made under this Agreement shall be made or deemed to be made at and as of the Closing Date (except those that are expressly made as of a specific date), shall survive the Closing Date and shall not be waived by the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any investigation made by or on behalf of the Lenders or any borrowing hereunder.
(b) Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, the indemnities to which the Administrative Agent and the Lenders are entitled under the provisions of this Article XII and any other provision of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall continue in full force and effect and shall protect the Administrative Agent and the Lenders against events arising after such termination as well as before.
SECTION 12.15 Titles and Captions. Titles and captions of Articles, Sections and subsections in, and the table of contents of, this Agreement are for convenience only, and neither limit nor amplify the provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 12.16 Severability of Provisions. Any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective only to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions hereof or thereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION 12.17 Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness; Electronic Execution.
(a) Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement or Lender Authorization by facsimile transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterparty hereof. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Administrative Agent, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and those of any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall control; provided that the inclusion of supplemental rights or remedies in favor of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in any other Loan Document shall not be deemed a conflict with this Agreement. Each Loan Document was drafted with the joint participation of the respective parties thereto and shall be construed neither against nor in favor of any party, but rather in accordance with the fair meaning thereof. Except as provided in Section 5.1, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative Agent shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto.
(b) The Borrower expressly acknowledges and agrees that each covenant contained in Articles VII, VIII, IX or X hereof shall be given independent effect. Accordingly, the Borrower shall not engage in any transaction or other act otherwise permitted under any covenant contained in Articles VII,
-104-
VIII, IX or X, before or after giving effect to such transaction or act, the Borrower shall or would be in breach of any other covenant contained in Articles VII, VIII, IX or X.
(c) Electronic Execution of Assignments. The words execution, signed, signature, and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act.
SECTION 12.18 Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall remain in effect from the Closing Date through and including the date upon which all Obligations (other than (a) contingent indemnification obligations not then due and (b) the Specified Hedge Obligations) arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall have been indefeasibly and irrevocably paid and satisfied in full and the Revolving Credit Commitment has been terminated. No termination of this Agreement shall affect the rights and obligations of the parties hereto arising prior to such termination or in respect of any provision of this Agreement which survives such termination.
SECTION 12.19 USA Patriot Act. The Administrative Agent and each Lender hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the Act, it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower and Guarantors, which information includes the name and address of each Borrower and Guarantor and other information that will allow such Lender to identify such Borrower or Guarantor in accordance with the Act.
SECTION 12.20 Delivery of Lender Authorization. Each initial Lender (other than any Lender whose name appears on the signature pages to this Agreement) shall become a party to this Agreement by delivering to the Administrative Agent a Lender Authorization duly executed by such Lender.
[Signature pages to follow]
-105-
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed under seal by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first written above.
ATLAS PIPELINE PARTNERS, L.P., | ||
a Delaware limited partnership | ||
By: | Atlas Pipeline Partners GP, LLC, | |
a Delaware limited liability company, | ||
its general partner | ||
By: | /s/ Eric T. Kalamaras | |
Name: Eric T. Kalamaras | ||
Title: Chief Financial Officer | ||
GUARANTORS: | ||
ATLAS PIPELINE OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | ||
By: | Atlas Pipeline Partners GP, LLC, its general partner | |
By: | /s/ Eric T. Kalamaras | |
Eric T. Kalamaras | ||
Chief Financial Officer | ||
ATLAS PIPELINE MID-CONTINENT, LLC | ||
ATLAS PIPELINE TENNESSEE, LLC | ||
APL LAUREL MOUNTAIN, LLC | ||
By: | Atlas Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P., its sole member | |
By: | Atlas Pipeline Partners GP, LLC, its general partner | |
By: | /s/ Eric T. Kalamaras | |
Eric T. Kalamaras | ||
Chief Financial Officer | ||
ATLAS MIDKIFF, LLC | ||
ATLAS CHANEY DELL, LLC |
Credit Agreement Signature Page
SLIDER WESTOK GATHERING, LLC | ||
SADDLEBACK PIPELINE, LLC | ||
NOARK ENERGY SERVICES, L.L.C. | ||
By: | Atlas Pipeline Mid-Continent, LLC, its sole member | |
By: | Atlas Pipeline Operating Partnership, L.P., its sole member | |
By: | Atlas Pipeline Partners GP, LLC, its general partner | |
By: | /s/ Eric T. Kalamaras | |
Eric T. Kalamaras | ||
Chief Financial Officer |
Credit Agreement Signature Page
-2-
AGENTS AND LENDERS: | ||
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Administrative Agent, Collateral Agent, Swingline Lender, Issuing Bank and Lender | ||
By: | /s/ Tom K. Martin | |
Name: Tom K. Martin | ||
Title: Director |
Credit Agreement Signature Page
-3-
Annex A
LENDER AUTHORIZATION
[ ]
Credit Agreement
[ ], 2010
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
NC0680
1525 West W.T. Harris Blvd.
Charlotte, North Carolina 28262
Attention: Syndication Agency Services
Re: | Credit Agreement dated as of December 22, 2010 (as amended, the Credit Agreement) by and among Atlas Pipeline Partners, L.P. (the Borrower), the banks and financial institutions party thereto, as lenders (the Lenders), and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (the Administrative Agent). |
This Authorization acknowledges our receipt and review of the execution copy of the Credit Agreement in the form posted on SyndTrak Online. By executing this Authorization, we hereby approve the Credit Agreement and authorize the Administrative Agent to execute and deliver the Credit Agreement on our behalf.
Each financial institution executing this Authorization agrees or reaffirms that it shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to which Lenders are parties and shall have the rights and obligations of a Lender (as defined in the Credit Agreement), and agrees to be bound by the terms and provisions applicable to a Lender, under each such agreement. In furtherance of the foregoing, each financial institution executing this Authorization agrees to execute any additional documents reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent to evidence such financial institutions rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement.
[Insert name of applicable financial institution] | ||
By: |
| |
Name: | ||
Title: |