REGISTRATIONRIGHTS AGREEMENT

 

THIS REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of June 17, 2008, by and between Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP, a Delaware limited partnership (the “Partnership”), and Boardwalk Pipelines Holding Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Purchaser”).

 

WHEREAS, this Agreement is made in connection with the Closing of the issuance and sale of the Class B Units pursuant to the Class B Unit Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2008, by and between the Partnership and the Purchaser (the “Purchase Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Partnership has agreed to provide the registration and other rights set forth in this Agreement for the benefit of the Purchaser pursuant to the Purchase Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, it is a condition to the obligations of the Purchaser and the Partnership under the Purchase Agreement that this Agreement be executed and delivered.

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements set forth herein and for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged by each party hereto, the parties hereby agree as follows:

 

 

 

Section 1.01                                Definitions.  Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings given to them in the Purchase Agreement.  The terms set forth below are used herein as so defined:

 

“Agreement” has the meaning given to such term in the introductory paragraph.

 

“Effectiveness Period” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.01 of this Agreement.

 

“Holder” means the record holder of (i) any Registrable Securities and (ii) Class B Units prior to their conversion into Common Units.

 

“Losses” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.07(a) of this Agreement.

 

“Managing Underwriter” means, with respect to any Underwritten Offering, the book-running lead manager of such Underwritten Offering.

 

“Purchase Agreement” has the meaning given to such term in the Recitals of this Agreement.

 

“Purchaser” has the meaning given to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

 

“Registrable Securities” means the Common Units issuable upon conversion of the Class B Units, which Registrable Securities are subject to the rights provided herein until such rights terminate pursuant to the provisions hereof.

 

“Registration Expenses” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.06(b) of this Agreement.

 

“Selling Expenses” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.06(b) of this Agreement.

 

“Selling Holder” means a Holder who is selling Registrable Securities pursuant to a registration statement.

 

“Registration Statement” has the meaning given to such term in Section 2.01 of this Agreement.

 

“Underwritten Offering” means an offering (including an offering pursuant to a Registration Statement) in which Common Units are sold to an underwriter on a firm commitment basis for reoffering to the public or an offering that is a “bought deal” with one or more investment banks.

 

Section 1.02                                Registrable Securities.  Any Registrable Security will cease to be a Registrable Security (a) at the time a registration statement covering such Registrable Security has been declared effective by the Commission and such Registrable Security has been sold or disposed of pursuant to such effective registration statement; (b) at the time such Registrable Security has been disposed of pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provision then in effect under the Securities Act); (c) 10 years after the Purchaser ceases to be an Affiliate of the general partner of the Partnership (including where the General Partner ceases to be the general partner of the Partnership); (d) if such Registrable Security is held by the Partnership or one of its subsidiaries; (e) at the time such Registrable Security has been sold in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under this Agreement are not assigned to the transferee of such securities; or (f) if such Registrable Security has been sold in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under this Agreement are assigned to the transferee and such transferee is not an Affiliate of the general partner of the Partnership, at the time that is the later of two years following (i) the conversion of the Class B Units into Common Units and (ii) the transfer of such Registrable Security to such transferee.

 

 

 

Section 2.01                                Demand Registration. Upon the written request (a “Notice”) of the Holders of at least 2 million of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 3.04, the Partnership shall file with the Commission, as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt of the Notice, a registration statement (each, a “Registration Statement”) under the Securities Act providing for the resale of the Registrable Securities (which may, at the option of the Holders giving such Notice, be a registration statement under the Securities Act that provides for the resale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Rule 415 from time to time by the Holders).  The Partnership shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to be declared effective by the Commission as soon as reasonably practicable after the initial filing of the Registration Statement.  Any Registration Statement shall provide for the resale pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, the Holders of any and all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement.  The Partnership shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause each Registration Statement filed pursuant to this Section 2.01 to be continuously effective, supplemented and amended to the extent necessary to ensure that it is available for the resale of all Registrable Securities by the Holders until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement have ceased to be Registrable Securities (the “Effectiveness Period”).  Each Registration Statement when effective (and the documents incorporated therein by reference) shall comply as to form with all applicable requirements of the Securities Act and shall not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.  There shall be no limit on the number of Registration Statements that may be required by the Holders hereunder.

 

Section 2.02                                Underwritten Offerings.

 

(a)           Request for Underwritten Offering.  In the event that one or more Holders collectively holding more than 2 million Registrable Securities, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 3.04, elects to dispose of Registrable Securities under a Registration Statement pursuant to an Underwritten Offering, the Partnership shall, upon request by such Holders, retain underwriters in order to permit such Holders to effect such sale though an Underwritten Offering.  The obligation of the Partnership to retain underwriters shall include entering into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Managing Underwriter or Underwriters, which shall include, among other provisions, indemnities to the effect and to the extent provided in Section 2.07 and taking all reasonable actions as are requested by the Managing Underwriter or Underwriters to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.  The Partnership shall, upon request of the Holders, cause its management to participate in a roadshow or similar marketing effort on behalf of the Purchaser requested by the Purchaser.

 

(b)           Limitation on Underwritten Offerings.  In no event shall the Partnership be required hereunder to participate in more than two Underwritten Offerings in any 12-month period.

 

 

(c)           General Procedures.  In connection with any Underwritten Offering under this Agreement, the Partnership shall be entitled to select the Managing Underwriter or Underwriters.  In connection with an Underwritten Offering contemplated by this Agreement, each Selling Holder and the Partnership shall be obligated to enter into an underwriting agreement that contains such representations, covenants, indemnities and other rights and obligations as are customary in underwriting agreements for firm commitment offerings of securities.  No Selling Holder may participate in such Underwritten Offering unless such Selling Holder agrees to sell its Registrable Securities on the basis provided in such underwriting agreement and completes and executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities and other documents reasonably required under the terms of such  underwriting agreement.  Each Selling Holder may, at its option, require that any or all of the representations and warranties by, and the other agreements on the part of, the Partnership to and for the benefit of such underwriters also be made to and for such Selling Holder’s benefit and that any or all of the conditions precedent to the obligations of such underwriters under such underwriting agreement also be conditions precedent to such Selling Holder’s obligations.  No Selling Holder shall be required to make any representations or warranties to or agreements with the Partnership or the underwriters other than representations, warranties or agreements regarding such Selling Holder and its ownership of the securities being registered on its behalf, its intended method of distribution and any other representation required by Law.  If any Selling Holder disapproves of the terms of an underwriting, such Selling Holder may elect to withdraw from the Underwritten Offering by notice to the Partnership and the Managing Underwriter; provided, however, that such withdrawal must be made at a time prior to the time of pricing of such Underwritten Offering.  No such withdrawal shall affect the Partnership’s obligation to pay Registration Expenses.

Section 2.03                                Delay Rights.  If the General Partner determines that the Partnership’s compliance with its obligations under this Article II would be materially detrimental to the Partnership and its Partners (as defined in the Partnership Agreement) because such registration would (a) materially interfere with a significant acquisition, reorganization or other similar transaction involving the Partnership, (b) require premature disclosure of material information that the Partnership has a bona fide business purpose for preserving as confidential or (c) render the Partnership unable to comply with applicable securities laws, then the Partnership shall have the right to postpone compliance with its obligations under Section 2.01 and Section 2.02 for a period of not more than six months, provided, that such right pursuant to this Section 2.03 may not be utilized more than once in any 12-month period.

 

Section 2.04                                Sale Procedures.  In connection with its obligations under this Article II, the Partnership will, as expeditiously as possible:

 

(a)           prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and supplements to each Registration Statement and the prospectus used in connection therewith as may be necessary to keep each Registration Statement effective for the Effectiveness Period and as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement;

 

(b)           if a prospectus supplement will be used in connection with the marketing of an Underwritten Offering from a Registration Statement and the Managing Underwriter at any time shall notify the Partnership in writing that, in the sole judgment of such Managing Underwriter, inclusion of detailed information to be used in such prospectus supplement is of material importance to the success of the Underwritten Offering of such Registrable Securities, the Partnership shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to include such information in such prospectus supplement;

 

(c)           furnish to each Selling Holder (i) as far in advance as reasonably practicable before filing a Registration Statement or any supplement or amendment thereto, upon request, copies of reasonably complete drafts of all such documents proposed to be filed (including exhibits and each document incorporated by reference therein to the extent then required by the rules and regulations of the Commission), and provide each such Selling Holder the opportunity to object to any information pertaining to such Selling Holder and its plan of distribution that is contained therein and make the corrections reasonably requested by such Selling Holder with respect to such information prior to filing a Registration Statement or supplement or amendment thereto, and (ii) such number of copies of such Registration Statement and the prospectus included therein and any supplements and amendments thereto as such Persons may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement;

 

(d)           if applicable, use its commercially reasonable efforts to register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by a Registration Statement under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Selling Holders or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering, the Managing Underwriter, shall reasonably request; provided, however, that the Partnership will not be required to qualify generally to transact business in any jurisdiction where it is not then required to so qualify or to take any action that would subject it to general service of process in any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject;

 

(e)           promptly notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (i) the filing of a Registration Statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement to be used in connection therewith, or any amendment or supplement thereto, and, with respect to such Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto, when the same has become effective; and (ii) any written comments from the Commission with respect to any filing referred to in clause (i) and any written request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or any prospectus or prospectus supplement thereto;

 

(f)           immediately notify each Selling Holder and each underwriter, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of (i) the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus or prospectus supplement contained in a Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (in the case of the prospectus contained therein, in the light of the circumstances under which a statement is made); (ii) the issuance or threat of issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement, or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose; or (iii) the receipt by the Partnership of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of any Registrable Securities for sale under the applicable securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction.  Following the provision of such notice, the Partnership agrees to, as promptly as practicable, amend or supplement the prospectus or prospectus supplement or take other appropriate action so that the prospectus or prospectus supplement does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing and to take such other reasonable action as is necessary to remove a stop order, suspension, threat thereof or proceedings related thereto;

 

(g)           upon request and subject to appropriate confidentiality obligations, furnish to each Selling Holder copies of any and all transmittal letters or other correspondence with the Commission or any other governmental agency or self-regulatory body or other body having jurisdiction (including any domestic or foreign securities exchange) relating to such offering of Registrable Securities;

 

(h)           in the case of an Underwritten Offering, furnish upon request, (i) an opinion of counsel for the Partnership dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement, and (ii) a “cold comfort” letter, dated the pricing date of such Underwritten Offering (to the extent available) and a letter of like kind dated the date of the closing under the underwriting agreement, in each case, signed by the independent public accountants who have certified the Partnership’s financial statements included or incorporated by reference into the applicable registration statement, and each of the opinion and the “cold comfort” letter shall be in customary form and covering substantially the same matters with respect to such registration statement (and the prospectus and any prospectus supplement included therein) as have been customarily covered in opinions of issuer’s counsel and in accountants’ letters delivered to the underwriters in Underwritten Offerings of securities by the Partnership and such other matters as such underwriters and Selling Holders may reasonably request;

 

(i)           otherwise use its commercially reasonable efforts to comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the Commission, and make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 promulgated thereunder;

 

(j)           make available to the appropriate representatives of the Managing Underwriter and Selling Holders access to such information and Partnership personnel as is reasonable and customary to enable such parties to establish a due diligence defense under the Securities Act;

 

(k)           cause all such Registrable Securities registered pursuant to this Agreement to be listed on each securities exchange or nationally recognized quotation system on which similar securities issued by the Partnership are then listed;

 

(l)           use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Registrable Securities to be registered with or approved by such other governmental agencies or authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Partnership to enable the Selling Holders to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities;

 

(m)           provide a transfer agent and registrar for all Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement not later than the effective date of such registration statement; and

 

(n)           enter into customary agreements and take such other actions as are reasonably requested by the Selling Holders or the underwriters, if any, in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable Securities.

 

Each Selling Holder, upon receipt of notice from the Partnership of the happening of any event of the kind described in subsection (f) of this Section 2.04, shall forthwith discontinue disposition of the Registrable Securities until such Selling Holder’s receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by subsection (f) of this Section 2.04 or until it is advised in writing by the Partnership that the use of the prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or supplemental filings incorporated by reference in the prospectus, and, if so directed by the Partnership, such Selling Holder will, or will request the managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, to deliver to the Partnership (at the Partnership’s expense) all copies in their possession or control, other than permanent file copies then in such Selling Holder’s possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.

 

Section 2.05                                Cooperation by Holders.  The Partnership shall have no obligation to include in a Registration Statement, or in an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2.02(a), Registrable Securities of a Selling Holder who has failed to timely furnish such information that, in the opinion of counsel to the Partnership, is reasonably required in order for the registration statement or prospectus supplement, as applicable, to comply with the Securities Act.

 

Section 2.06                                Expenses.

 

(a)            Expenses.  The Partnership will pay all reasonable Registration Expenses including in the case of an Underwritten Offering, regardless of whether any sale is made pursuant to such Underwritten Offering. Each Selling Holder shall pay all Selling Expenses in connection with any sale of its Registrable Securities hereunder. In addition, except as otherwise provided in Section 2.07, the Partnership shall not be responsible for legal fees incurred by Holders in connection with the exercise of such Holders’ rights hereunder.

 

(b)           Certain Definitions.  “Registration Expenses” means all expenses incident to the Partnership’s performance under or compliance with this Agreement to effect the registration of Registrable Securities on a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.01 and/or in connection with an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2.02(a), and the disposition of such Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, all registration, filing, securities exchange listing and New York Stock Exchange fees, all registration, filing, qualification and other fees and expenses of complying with securities or blue sky laws, fees of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, fees of transfer agents and registrars, all word processing, duplicating and printing expenses, any transfer taxes and the fees and disbursements of counsel and independent public accountants for the Partnership, including the expenses of any special audits or “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance.  “Selling Expenses” means all underwriting fees, discounts and selling commissions allocable to the sale of the Registrable Securities.

 

Section 2.07                                Indemnification.

 

(a)           By the Partnership.  In the event of a registration of any Registrable Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, the Partnership will indemnify and hold harmless each Selling Holder thereunder, its directors, officers, employees and agents, and each underwriter, pursuant to the applicable underwriting agreement with such underwriter, of Registrable Securities thereunder and each Person, if any, who controls such Selling Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, and its directors, officers, employees or agents, against any losses, claims, damages, expenses or liabilities (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) (collectively, “Losses”), joint or several, to which such Selling Holder, director, officer, employee, agent or underwriter or controlling Person may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such Losses (or actions or proceedings, whether commenced or threatened, in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact (in the case of any prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which such statement is made) contained in a Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or prospectus supplement, free writing prospectus or final prospectus or prospectus supplement contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of a prospectus, in light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, and will reimburse each such Selling Holder, its directors, officers, employee and agents, each such underwriter and each such controlling Person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such Loss or actions or proceedings as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Partnership will not be liable in any such case if and to the extent that any such Loss arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission so made in conformity with information furnished by such Selling Holder, its directors, officers, employees and agents or any underwriter or such controlling Person in writing specifically for use in a Registration Statement, or prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto, as applicable. Such indemnity shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of such Selling Holder or any such directors, officers, employees agents or any underwriter or controlling Person, and shall survive the transfer of such securities by such Selling Holder.

 

(b)           By Each Selling Holder.  Each Selling Holder agrees severally and not jointly to indemnify and hold harmless the Partnership, its directors, officers, employees and agents and each Person, if any, who controls the Partnership within the meaning of the Securities Act or of the Exchange Act, and its directors, officers, employees and agents, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Partnership to the Selling Holders, but only with respect to information regarding such Selling Holder furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Selling Holder expressly for inclusion in a Registration Statement or prospectus supplement relating to the Registrable Securities, or any amendment or supplement thereto; provided, however, that the liability of each Selling Holder shall not be greater in amount than the dollar amount of the proceeds (net of any Selling Expenses) received by such Selling Holder from the sale of the Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification.

 

(c)           Notice.  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party hereunder of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing thereof, but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to any indemnified party other than under this Section 2.07.  In any action brought against any indemnified party, it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof.  The indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate in and, to the extent it shall wish, to assume and undertake the defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume and undertake the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under this Section 2.07 for any legal expenses subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation and of liaison with counsel so selected; provided, however, that, (i) if the indemnifying party has failed to assume the defense or employ counsel reasonably acceptable to the indemnified party or (ii) if the defendants in any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party and counsel to the indemnified party shall have concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to the indemnified party that are different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, or if the interests of the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the interests of the indemnifying party, then the indemnified party shall have the right to select a separate counsel and to assume such legal defense and otherwise to participate in the defense of such action, with the reasonable expenses and fees of such separate counsel and other reasonable expenses related to such participation to be reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, no indemnified party shall settle any action brought against it with respect to which it is entitled to indemnification hereunder without the consent of the indemnifying party, unless the settlement thereof imposes no liability or obligation on, and includes a complete and unconditional release from all liability of, the indemnifying party.

 

(d)           Contribution.  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.07 is held by a court or government agency of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to any indemnified party or is insufficient to hold them harmless in respect of any Losses, then each such indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such Loss in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of such indemnified party on the other in connection with the statements or omissions that resulted in such Losses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations; provided, however, that in no event shall such Selling Holder be required to contribute an aggregate amount in excess of the dollar amount of proceeds (net of Selling Expenses) received by such Selling Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities giving rise to such indemnification.  The relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact has been made by, or relates to, information supplied by such party, and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this paragraph were to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to herein.  The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the Losses referred to in the first sentence of this paragraph shall be deemed to include any legal and other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any Loss that is the subject of this paragraph. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

(e)           Other Indemnification.  The provisions of this Section 2.07 shall be in addition to any other rights to indemnification or contribution that an indemnified party may have pursuant to law, equity, contract or otherwise.

 

Section 2.08                                Rule 144 Reporting.  With a view to making available the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Commission that may permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, the Partnership agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to:

 

(a)           Make and keep public information regarding the Partnership available, as those terms are understood and defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, at all times from and after the date hereof;

 

(b)           File with the Commission in a timely manner all reports and other documents required of the Partnership under the Exchange Act at all times from and after the date hereof; and

 

(c)           So long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, furnish to such Holder forthwith upon request a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Partnership, and such other reports and documents so filed as such Holder may reasonably request in availing itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission allowing such Holder to sell any such securities without registration.

 

Section 2.09                                Transfer or Assignment of Registration Rights.  The rights to cause the Partnership to register Registrable Securities granted to the Purchaser by the Partnership under this Article II may be transferred or assigned by the Purchaser to one or more transferee(s) or assignee(s) of such Registrable Securities (or Class B Units prior to conversion); provided, however, that (a) unless such transferee or assignee is an Affiliate of the Purchaser, each such transferee or assignee holds Registrable Securities (or Class B Units prior to conversion) representing at least 2 million of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities or Class B Units, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 3.04, (b) the Partnership is given written notice prior to any said transfer or assignment, stating the name and address of each such transferee and identifying the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being transferred or assigned, and (c) each such transferee assumes in writing responsibility for its portion of the obligations of the Purchaser under this Agreement.

 

Section 2.10                                Restrictions on Public Sale by Holders of Registrable Securities.  Each Holder who, along with its Affiliates, holds at least 2 million of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 3.04, agrees not to effect any public sale or distribution of the Registrable Securities during the 30 calendar day period beginning on the date of a prospectus or prospectus supplement filed with the Commission with respect to the pricing of an Underwritten Offering, provided that (i) the duration of the foregoing restrictions shall be no longer than the duration of the shortest restriction generally imposed by the underwriters on the Partnership or the officers, directors or any other unitholder of the Partnership on whom a restriction is imposed and (ii) the restrictions set forth in this Section 2.10 shall not apply to any Registrable Securities that are included in such Underwritten Offering by such Holder.

 

 

 

Section 3.01                                Communications.  All notices and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by facsimile, electronic mail, courier service or personal delivery:

 

(a)           if to the Purchaser:

 

Boardwalk Pipelines Holding Corp.

9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 2800

Houston, TX 77046

Attention:  Corporate Secretary

Facsimile: (866) 459-7336

with a copy to:

Loews Corporation

667 Madison Avenue

New York, NY 10021

Attention:  Corporate Secretary

Facsimile: (212) 521-2997

(b)           if to a transferee of the Purchaser, to such Holder at the address provided pursuant to Section 2.09; and

 

(c)           if to the Partnership:

 

Boardwalk Pipeline Partners, LP

9 Greenway Plaza, Suite 2800

Houston, TX 77046

Attention:  Corporate Secretary

 

Facsimile: (866) 459-7336

 

All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been received at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; when receipt acknowledged, if sent via facsimile or sent via Internet electronic mail; and when actually received, if sent by courier service or any other means.

 

Section 3.02                                Successor and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties, including subsequent Holders of Registrable Securities to the extent permitted herein.

 

Section 3.03                                Assignment of Rights.  All or any portion of the rights and obligations of any Purchaser under this Agreement may be transferred or assigned by such Purchaser in accordance with Section 2.09 hereof.

 

Section 3.04                                Recapitalization, Exchanges, Etc. Affecting the Registrable Securities.  The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the full extent set forth herein with respect to any and all units of the Partnership or any successor or assign of the Partnership (whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) that may be issued in respect of, in exchange for or in substitution of, the Registrable Securities, and shall be appropriately adjusted for combinations, unit splits, recapitalizations, pro rata distributions of units and the like occurring after the date of this Agreement.

 

Section 3.06                                Specific Performance.  Damages in the event of breach of this Agreement by a party hereto may be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain, and it is therefore agreed that each such Person, in addition to and without limiting any other remedy or right it may have, will have the right to an injunction or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction, enjoining any such breach, and enforcing specifically the terms and provisions hereof, and each of the parties hereto hereby waives any and all defenses it may have on the ground of lack of jurisdiction or competence of the court to grant such an injunction or other equitable relief.  The existence of this right will not preclude any such Person from pursuing any other rights and remedies at law or in equity that such Person may have.

 

Section 3.07                                Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which counterparts, when so executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.

 

Section 3.08                                Headings.  The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

 

Section 3.09                                Governing Law.  The Laws of the State of New York shall govern this Agreement.

 

Section 3.10                                Severability of Provisions.  Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions hereof or affecting or impairing the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

Section 3.11                                Scope of Agreement.  The rights granted pursuant to this Agreement are intended to supplement and not to reduce or replace any rights any Holders may have under the Partnership Agreement with respect to the Registrable Securities.  This Agreement is intended by the parties as a final expression of their agreement and intended to be a complete and exclusive statement of the agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. Except as provided in the Partnership Agreement, there are no restrictions, promises, warranties or undertakings, other than those set forth or referred to herein with respect to the rights granted by the Partnership set forth herein.  Except as provided in the Partnership Agreement, this Agreement and the Purchase Agreement supersede all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to such subject matter.

 

Section 3.12                                Amendment.  This Agreement may be amended only by means of a written amendment signed by the Partnership and the Holders of a majority of the then outstanding Registrable Securities; provided, however, that no such amendment shall materially and adversely affect the rights of any Holder hereunder without the consent of such Holder.

 

Section 3.13                                No Presumption.  If any claim is made by a party relating to any conflict, omission, or ambiguity in this Agreement, no presumption or burden of proof or persuasion shall be implied by virtue of the fact that this Agreement was prepared by or at the request of a particular party or its counsel.

 

Section 3.14                                Aggregation of Registrable Securities.  All Registrable Securities held or acquired by Persons who are Affiliates of one another shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any rights under this Agreement.

 

Section 3.15                                Obligations Limited to Parties to Agreement.  Each of the Parties hereto covenants, agrees and acknowledges that no Person other than the Partnership and the Purchaser shall have any obligation hereunder and that, notwithstanding that one or more of the Purchaser may be a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, no recourse under this Agreement or under any documents or instruments delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be had against any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate of any of the Purchaser or any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate of any of the foregoing, whether by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable proceeding, or by virtue of any applicable Law, it being expressly agreed and acknowledged that no personal liability whatsoever shall attach to, be imposed on or otherwise by incurred by any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate of any of the Purchaser or any former, current or future director, officer, employee, agent, general or limited partner, manager, member, stockholder or Affiliate of any of the foregoing, as such, for any obligations of the Purchaser under this Agreement or any documents or instruments delivered in connection herewith or therewith or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligation or its creation, except in each case for any assignee of a Purchaser hereunder.

 

Section 3.16                                Interpretation.  Article and Section references to this Agreement, unless otherwise specified.  All references to instruments, documents, contracts and agreements are references to such instruments, documents, contracts and agreements as the same may be amended, supplemented and otherwise modified from time to time, unless otherwise specified. The word “including” shall mean “including but not limited to.” Whenever any determination, consent or approval is to be made or given by a Purchaser under this Agreement, such action shall be in such Purchaser’s sole discretion unless otherwise specified.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto execute this Agreement, effective as of the date first above written.

 

By:  BOARDWALK GP, LP

(its General Partner)

By:  BOARDWALK GP, LLC

  (its General Partner)

By:                                                                                                       /s/

Name:  Jamie L. Buskill

Title:    Chief Financial Officer

By:                                                                                                       /s/

Name:  Jamie L. Buskill

Title:    Chief Financial Officer