Credit Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2009, among Boots & Coots Services, LLC, as Borrower, Boots & Coots International Well Control, Inc., as Parent, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender and Swing Line Lender, and the Lenders named therein

Contract Categories: Business Finance - Credit Agreements
EX-10.1 2 ex10_1.htm EXHIBIT 10.1 Unassociated Document

EXECUTION VERSION
 
 
 



CREDIT AGREEMENT

dated as of February 10, 2009

Among

BOOTS & COOTS SERVICES, LLC
as Borrower,

BOOTS & COOTS INTERNATIONAL WELL CONTROL, INC.
as Parent,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Administrative Agent, Issuing Lender and Swing Line Lender,

and

THE LENDERS NAMED HEREIN
as Lenders

$54,400,000
 
 
 



WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
As Sole Lead Arranger

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS


       
Page
         
         
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1
 
Section 1.1
 
Certain Defined Terms
1
 
Section 1.2
 
Computation of Time Periods
27
 
Section 1.3
 
Accounting Terms; Changes in GAAP
27
 
Section 1.4
 
Classes and Types of Advances
27
 
Section 1.5
 
Miscellaneous
27
ARTICLE 2
CREDIT FACILITIES
28
 
Section 2.1
 
Revolving and Term Commitments.
28
 
Section 2.2
 
Letters of Credit
29
 
Section 2.3
 
Swing Line Advances
35
 
Section 2.4
 
Advances
38
 
Section 2.5
 
Prepayments
41
 
Section 2.6
 
Repayment
43
 
Section 2.7
 
Fees
43
 
Section 2.8
 
Interest
44
 
Section 2.9
 
Illegality
45
 
Section 2.10
 
Breakage Costs
46
 
Section 2.11
 
Increased Costs
46
 
Section 2.12
 
Payments and Computations
48
 
Section 2.13
 
Taxes
49
 
Section 2.14
 
Replacement of Lenders
51
 
Section 2.15
 
Increase in Commitments
52
ARTICLE 3
CONDITIONS OF LENDING
54
 
Section 3.1
 
Conditions Precedent to Initial Borrowings and the Initial Letter of Credit
54
 
Section 3.2
 
Conditions Precedent to Each Borrowing and to Each Issuance, Extension or Renewal of a Letter of Credit
58
 
Section 3.3
 
Determinations Under Sections 3.1 and 3.2
59
ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
59
 
Section 4.1
 
Organization
59
 
Section 4.2
 
Authorization
59

 
-i-

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)


       
Page
         
         
 
Section 4.3
 
Enforceability
60
 
Section 4.4
 
Financial Condition
60
 
Section 4.5
 
Ownership and Liens; Real Property
60
 
Section 4.6
 
True and Complete Disclosure
60
 
Section 4.7
 
Litigation
61
 
Section 4.8
 
Compliance with Agreements
61
 
Section 4.9
 
Pension Plans
61
 
Section 4.10
 
Environmental Condition
62
 
Section 4.11
 
Subsidiaries
63
 
Section 4.12
 
Investment Company Act
63
 
Section 4.13
 
Taxes
63
 
Section 4.14
 
Permits, Licenses, etc
63
 
Section 4.15
 
Use of Proceeds
63
 
Section 4.16
 
Condition of Property; Casualties
64
 
Section 4.17
 
Insurance
64
 
Section 4.18
 
Security Interest
64
ARTICLE 5
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
64
 
Section 5.1
 
Organization
64
 
Section 5.2
 
Reporting.
65
 
Section 5.3
 
Insurance
69
 
Section 5.4
 
Compliance with Laws
70
 
Section 5.5
 
Taxes
70
 
Section 5.6
 
New Subsidiaries
70
 
Section 5.7
 
Security
71
 
Section 5.8
 
Accounts
71
 
Section 5.9
 
Records; Inspection
71
 
Section 5.10
 
Maintenance of Property
71
 
Section 5.11
 
Borrowing Base Audits; Appraisal Reports
71
 
Section 5.12
 
Landlord Agreements
72
ARTICLE 6
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
72

 
-ii-

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)


       
Page
         
         
 
Section 6.1
 
Debt
72
 
Section 6.2
 
Liens
73
 
Section 6.3
 
Investments
74
 
Section 6.4
 
Acquisitions
75
 
Section 6.5
 
Agreements Restricting Liens
75
 
Section 6.6
 
Use of Proceeds; Use of Letters of Credit
75
 
Section 6.7
 
Corporate Actions
76
 
Section 6.8
 
Sale of Assets
76
 
Section 6.9
 
Restricted Payments
76
 
Section 6.10
 
Affiliate Transactions
77
 
Section 6.11
 
Line of Business
77
 
Section 6.12
 
Hazardous Materials
77
 
Section 6.13
 
Compliance with ERISA
77
 
Section 6.14
 
Sale and Leaseback Transactions
78
 
Section 6.15
 
Operating Leases
78
 
Section 6.16
 
Limitation on Hedging
78
 
Section 6.17
 
Minimum Tangible Net Worth
79
 
Section 6.18
 
Leverage Ratio
79
 
Section 6.19
 
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
79
 
Section 6.20
 
Capital Expenditures
79
 
Section 6.21
 
Landlord Agreements
79
 
Section 6.22
 
Borrowing Base Deficiency
79
 
Section 6.23
 
 Non-Obligor Entities
79
 
Section 6.24
 
Amendment of the Subordinated Debt Terms
80
ARTICLE 7
DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
80
 
Section 7.1
 
Events of Default
80
 
Section 7.2
 
Optional Acceleration of Maturity
82
 
Section 7.3
 
Automatic Acceleration of Maturity
82
 
Section 7.4
 
Set-off
83
 
Section 7.5
 
Remedies Cumulative, No Waiver
83

 
-iii-

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)


       
Page
         
         
 
Section 7.6
 
Application of Payments
84
ARTICLE 8
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
85
 
Section 8.1
 
Appointment, Powers, and Immunities
85
 
Section 8.2
 
Reliance by Administrative Agent
85
 
Section 8.3
 
Defaults
86
 
Section 8.4
 
Rights as Lender
86
 
Section 8.5
 
Indemnification
86
 
Section 8.6
 
Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders
88
 
Section 8.7
 
Resignation of Administrative Agent and Issuing Lender
88
 
Section 8.8
 
Collateral Matters
89
ARTICLE 9
MISCELLANEOUS
90
 
Section 9.1
 
Costs and Expenses
90
 
Section 9.2
 
Indemnification; Waiver of Damages
90
 
Section 9.3
 
Waivers and Amendments
91
 
Section 9.4
 
Severability
93
 
Section 9.5
 
Survival of Representations and Obligations
93
 
Section 9.6
 
Binding Effect
93
 
Section 9.7
 
Lender Assignments and Participations
93
 
Section 9.8
 
Confidentiality
95
 
Section 9.9
 
Notices, Etc
95
 
Section 9.10
 
Business Loans
96
 
Section 9.11
 
Usury Not Intended
96
 
Section 9.12
 
Usury Recapture
97
 
Section 9.13
 
Governing Law
97
 
Section 9.14
 
Submission to Jurisdiction
97
 
Section 9.15
 
Execution in Counterparts
98
 
Section 9.16
 
Waiver of Jury
98
 
Section 9.17
 
USA Patriot Act
98

 
-iv-

 

EXHIBITS:

Exhibit A
– Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit B
– Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit C
– Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit D
– Form of Guaranty
Exhibit E
– Form of Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit F
– Form of Notice of Continuation or Conversion
Exhibit G
– Form of Pledge and Security Agreement
Exhibit H-1
– Form of Revolving Note
Exhibit H-2
– Form of Swing Line Note
Exhibit H-3
– Form of Term Note

SCHEDULES:

Schedule I
– Pricing Schedule
Schedule II
– Commitments, Contact Information
Schedule 1.1
- Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 3.1
– Owned and Leased Real Properties
Schedule 4.1
– Organizational Information
Schedule 4.11
– Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.3
– Permitted Investments

 

 

CREDIT AGREEMENT

This CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of February 10, 2009 (the “Agreement”) is among (a) Boots & Coots Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (the "Borrower"), (b) Boots & Coots International Well Control, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Parent"), (c) the Lenders (as defined below), and (c) Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as Swing Line Lender (as defined below), Issuing Lender (as defined below), and as Administrative Agent (as defined below) for the Lenders.

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

Section 1.1              Certain Defined Terms.  The following terms shall have the following meanings (unless otherwise indicated, such meanings to be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

"Acceptable Security Interest" means a security interest which (a) exists in favor of the Administrative Agent for its benefit and the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, (b) is superior to all other security interests (other than the Permitted Liens), (c) secures the Obligations, and (d) is perfected and enforceable against the Credit Party which created such security interest.

"Account Control Agreement" shall mean, as to any deposit account of any Credit Party held with a bank, an agreement or agreements in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, among the Credit Party owning such deposit account, the Administrative Agent and such other bank governing such deposit account.

"Account Debtor Limit" means, for any particular Foreign Account Debtor, the amount equal to (a) the credit limit applied to such Foreign Account Debtor by the insurer providing the Foreign Credit Insurance minus (b) all claims (whether paid or outstanding) submitted to such insurer which may be applied against such credit limit.

"Acquisition" means the purchase by any Credit Party of any business, including the purchase of associated assets or operations or the Equity Interests of a Person.

"Adjusted Base Rate" means, for any day, the fluctuating rate per annum of interest equal to the greatest of (a) the Prime Rate in effect on such day, (b) the Federal Funds Rate in effect on such day plus 1.50%, and (c) a rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the Daily One-Month LIBOR plus 1.50%.  Any change in the Adjusted Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, Daily One-Month LIBOR or the Federal Funds Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, Daily One-Month LIBOR or the Federal Funds Rate.

 

 

"Adjusted EBITDA" means, for any Person and for any period, (a) EBITDA for such Person for such period minus (b) cash taxes paid by such Person during such period minus (c) Maintenance Capital Expenditures.

"Administrative Agent" means Wells Fargo in its capacity as agent for the Lenders pursuant to Article 8 and any successor agent pursuant to Section 8.7.

Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

"Advance" means any advance by a Lender or the Swing Line Lender to the Borrower as a part of a Borrowing.

"Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person that, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person.  The term "control" (including the terms "controlled by" or "under common control with") means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through ownership, by contract, or otherwise.

"Agreement" means this Credit Agreement among the Parent, the Borrower, the Lenders, the Swing Line Lender, the Issuing Lender and the Administrative Agent.

"Applicable Margin" means, at any time with respect to each Type of Advance, the Letters of Credit and the Commitment Fee, the percentage rate per annum which is applicable at such time with respect to such Advance, Letter of Credit or Commitment Fee as set forth in Schedule I and subject to further adjustments as set forth in Section 2.8(c).

"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.

"Asset Sale" means (a) any sale, transfer, or other disposition of any Property, by any Credit Party and (b) any issuance or sale of any Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of the Parent, in each case, to any Person other than a Credit Party; provided that, any sale, transfer or other disposition of Property from one Credit Party to another Credit Party as permitted under Section 6.8(a) and the sale of inventory in the ordinary course as permitted under Section 6.8(b) shall not constitute an "Asset Sale" for purposes of this Agreement.

"Assignment and Acceptance" means an assignment and acceptance executed by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the same form as Exhibit A.

"AutoBorrow Agreement" means any agreement providing for automatic borrowing services between the Borrower and the Swing Line Lender.

"Availability" means, as of a date of determination, an amount equal to (a) the lesser of (i) the aggregate Revolving Commitments in effect at such time and (ii) the Borrowing Base in effect at such time, minus (b) the sum of (i) the outstanding amount of all Revolving Advances plus (ii) the outstanding amount of all Swing Line Advances plus (iii) the Letter of Credit Exposure.

 
-2-

 

Banking Services” means each and any of the following bank services provided to any Credit Party by any Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender) or any Affiliate of a Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender): (a) commercial credit cards, (b) stored value cards and (c) treasury management services (including, without limitation, controlled disbursement, automated clearinghouse transactions, return items, overdrafts and interstate depository network services).

Banking Services Obligations" means any and all obligations of the Borrower or any other Credit Party, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Banking Services.

"Base Rate Advance" means an Advance which bears interest based upon the Adjusted Base Rate.

"Bilateral Agreement" means that certain Credit and Security Agreement dated as of March 3, 2006 by and among the Parent and Wells Fargo acting through its Wells Fargo Business Credit operating division as the sole lender, as heretofore amended.

"Borrower" means Boots & Coots Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company.

"Borrowing" means a Revolving Borrowing, Term Borrowing or a Swing Line Borrowing.

"Borrowing Base" means, without duplication, the sum (a) 80% of the Domestic Eligible Receivables plus (b) 80% of the Foreign Eligible Receivables, in each case, determined as of the date of the Borrowing Base Certificate then most recently delivered pursuant to this Agreement.  Any change in the Borrowing Base shall be effective as of the date of the Borrowing Base Certificate then most recently delivered pursuant to this Agreement; provided that, should the Borrower fail to deliver the Administrative Agent and the Lenders the Borrowing Base Certificate as required under Section 5.2(d), the Administrative Agent may nonetheless redetermine the Borrowing Base from time-to-time thereafter in its sole discretion until the Administrative Agent and the Lenders receive the required Borrowing Base Certificate, whereupon the Administrative Agent shall redetermine the Borrowing Base based on such Borrowing Base Certificate and the other terms hereof.

"Borrowing Base Certificate" means certificate executed by Responsible Officer of the Parent in the form of the attached Exhibit B and including the following: (a) accounts receivable and accounts payable aging reports for each Credit Party with grand totals, (b) an activity and dilution report showing the beginning of month balance, cash collections, credit memos issued and ending balance for accounts receivable, and (c) all other information as reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent.

"Borrowing Base Deficiency" means the excess, if any, of (a) the sum of the outstanding principal amount of all Swing Line Advances and all Revolving Advances plus the Letter of Credit Exposure over (b) the lesser of (i) aggregate amount of Revolving Commitments, and (ii) the Borrowing Base then in effect.

 
-3-

 

"Business Day" means a day (a) other than a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which the Administrative Agent is authorized to close under the laws of, or is in fact closed in, Texas, and (b) if the applicable Business Day relates to any Eurodollar Advances, on which dealings are carried on by commercial banks in the London interbank market.

"Capital Expenditures" for any Person and period of its determination means, without duplication, the aggregate of all expenditures and costs (whether paid in cash or accrued as liabilities during that period and including that portion of payments under Capital Leases that are capitalized on the balance sheet of such Person) of such Person during such period that, in conformity with GAAP, are required to be included in or reflected by the property, plant, or equipment or similar fixed asset accounts reflected in the balance sheet of such Person.

"Capital Leases" means, for any Person, any lease of any Property by such Person as lessee which would, in accordance with GAAP, be required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of such Person.

"Cash Collateral Account" means a special cash collateral account pledged to the Administrative Agent containing cash deposited pursuant to the terms hereof to be maintained with the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 2.2(h).

"CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, state and local analogs, and all rules and regulations and requirements thereunder in each case as now or hereafter in effect.

"Change in Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a)            the Borrower ceases to own, either directly or indirectly, 100% of the Equity Interest in any of its Subsidiaries other than as a result of transaction permitted under Section 6.7 or Section 6.8;

(b)            the Parent ceases to directly own 100% of the Equity Interests in the Borrower or to directly or indirectly own 100% of the Equity Interests in any other Subsidiary thereof other than as a result of transaction permitted under Section 6.7 or Section 6.8;

(c)            any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan), becomes a “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire (such right, an “option right”), whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time), directly or indirectly, of 15% or more of the Equity Interests of the Parent entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Parent on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such person or group has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right);

 
-4-

 

(d)            during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Parent cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body;

(e)            Dewitt H. Edwards ceases to be the Chief Operating Officer of the Parent or to be actively engaged in the executive management of the Parent and is not replaced with an individual of comparable qualifications within six months after he ceases to be the Chief Operating Officer of the Parent or to be actively engaged in the executive management of the Parent; or

(f)             Jerry Winchester ceases to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Parent or to be actively engaged in the executive management of the Parent and is not replaced with an individual of comparable qualifications within six months after he ceases to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Parent or to be actively engaged in the executive management of the Parent.

"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.

"Class" has the meaning set forth in Section 1.4.

"Closing Date" means February 10, 2009.

"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations and published interpretations thereof.

"Collateral" means (a) all property of the Credit Parties which is "Collateral" and "Mortgaged Property" (as defined in each of the Mortgages and the Security Agreements, as applicable) or similar terms used in the Security Documents, including but not limited to, all Snubbing Units and Snubbing Unit Agreements, and (b) all amounts contained in any Credit Party's bank accounts.

"Commitment Fee" means the fees required under Section 2.7(a).

"Commitments" means, as to any Lender, its Revolving Commitment and its Term Commitment, if applicable.

 
-5-

 

"Compliance Certificate" means a compliance certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Parent and a Responsible Officer of the Borrower or such other Person as required by this Agreement in substantially the same form as Exhibit C.

"Controlled Group" means all members of a controlled group of corporations and all businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with the Parent, the Borrower or any Subsidiary, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

"Convert," "Conversion," and "Converted" each refers to a conversion of Advances of one Type into Advances of another Type pursuant to Section 2.4(b).

"Credit Documents" means this Agreement, the Notes, the Letters of Credit, the Letter of Credit Applications, the Guaranties, the Notices of Borrowing, the Notices of Conversion, the Security Documents, any Autoborrow Agreement, the Fee Letter, and each other agreement, instrument, or document executed at any time in connection with this Agreement.

"Credit Parties" means the Borrower, the Parent and the other Guarantors.

"Daily One-Month LIBOR" means, for any day, the rate of interest equal to the Eurodollar Rate then in effect for delivery for a one (1) month period.

"Debt" means, for any Person, without duplication:  (a) indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, including the face amount of any letters of credit supporting the repayment of indebtedness for borrowed money issued for the account of such Person; (b) to the extent not covered under clause (a) above, obligations under letters of credit and agreements relating to the issuance of letters of credit or acceptance financing, including Letters of Credit; (c) obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, or upon which interest payments are customarily made; (d) obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to any Properties purchased by such Person (other than customary reservations or retentions of title under agreements with suppliers entered into in the ordinary course of business); (e) obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property, services, or Acquisitions (including, without limitation, any earn-out obligations, contingent obligations, or other similar obligations associated with such purchase, and including obligations that are non-recourse to the credit of such Person but are secured by the assets of such Person); (f) obligations of such Person as lessee under Capital Leases and obligations of such Person in respect of synthetic leases; (g) obligations of such Person under any Hedging Arrangement (except that such obligations shall not constitute Debt for purposes of the calculations for compliance under Sections 6.17 through 6.19); (h) obligations of such Person owing in respect of redeemable preferred stock or other preferred Equity Interest of such Person; (i) the Debt of any partnership or unincorporated joint venture in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, but only to the extent to which there is recourse to such Person for the payment of such Debt; (j) obligations of such Person under direct or indirect guaranties in respect of, and obligations (contingent or otherwise) of such Person to purchase or otherwise acquire, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss in respect of, indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (i) above; (k) indebtedness or obligations of others of the kinds referred to in clauses (a) through (j) secured by any Lien on or in respect of any Property of such Person, and (l) all liabilities of such Person in respect of unfunded vested benefits under any Plan.

 
-6-

 

Debt Incurrence” means any issuance or sale by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of any Funded Debt after the Effective Date other than Permitted Debt.

Debt Incurrence Proceeds” means, with respect to any Debt Incurrence, all cash and cash equivalent investments received by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries from such Debt Incurrence after payment of, or provision for, all underwriter fees and expenses, original issued discount, SEC and blue sky fees, printing costs, fees and expenses of accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors, brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket fees and expenses actually incurred in connection with such Debt Incurrence; provided that, an original issued discount shall not reduce the amount of such Debt Incurrence Proceeds unless such discount is due and payable at or immediately following the closing of such Debt Incurrence and such discount has not already been taken into account to reduce the amount of proceeds received by the Parent or such Subsidiary from such Debt Incurrence.

"Default" means (a) an Event of Default or (b) any event or condition which with notice or lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

"Defaulting Lender" means any Lender that (a) has failed to fund any portion of the Advances or participations in Letter of Credit Obligations or Swing Line Advances required to be funded by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date required to be funded by it hereunder unless, with the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), such failure has been cured, (b) has indicated to the Administrative Agent that such Lender will not fund any portion of the Advances or participations in Letter of Credit Obligations or Swing Line Advances required to be funded by it hereunder, unless, with the consent of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower), such Lender actually funds such Advances or participations, (c) 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 one Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute, or unless, with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent), such failure has been cured, (d) has, or has an Affiliate that has, been deemed insolvent or become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, or (e) the Administrative Agent believes, in good faith, has become a "defaulting lender" under any other credit facility to which such Lender is a party and has received notice of such belief from the Administrative Agent unless, with the consent of the Administrative Agent (which consent may be withheld at the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent), the consequences resulting in such "defaulting lender" status is no longer in effect.

"Dollars" and "$" means lawful money of the United States of America.

"Domestic Account Debtor" means, with respect to any Receivable of any Credit Party, any account debtor of such Receivable which is not a Foreign Account Debtor.

 
-7-

 

"Domestic Eligible Receivable" means an Eligible Receivable of any Credit Party which is owed by a Domestic Account Debtor so long as the Administrative Agent has an Acceptable Security Interest in such Eligible Receivable and such Eligible Receivable is not subject to any third party's rights (including Permitted Liens) which would be superior to the Lien and rights of the Administrative Agent created under the Security Documents.

"Domestic Equipments" means all equipments, vehicles and spare parts, including all Snubbing Units, owned by the Parent or any Subsidiary and appraised under the third party appraisal report delivered to Administrative Agent under Section 3.1(l).

"EBITDA" means, without duplication, for the Parent and for any period, the sum of (a) the Parent's consolidated Net Income for such period plus (b) to the extent deducted in determining Parent's consolidated Net Income, Interest Expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and such other add-backs allowed pursuant to Article 11, Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933; provided that such EBITDA shall be subject to pro forma adjustments for Acquisitions and Nonordinary Course Asset Sales assuming that such transactions had occurred on the first day of the determination period, which adjustments shall be made in accordance with the guidelines for pro forma presentations set forth by the SEC or in a manner otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

"Effective Date" means the date of this Agreement.

"Eligible Assignee" means (a) a Lender, (b) any Affiliate of a Lender approved by the Administrative Agent, (c) any Approved Fund approved by the Administrative Agent, or (d) any other Person (other than a natural Person) approved by the Administrative Agent and, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time any assignment is effected in accordance with Section 9.7, the Borrower, such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed by the Borrower and such approval to be deemed given by the Borrower if no objection is received by the Administrative Agent from the Borrower within five Business Days after notice of such proposed assignment has been provided to the Borrower; provided, however, that (i) neither the Parent nor any Affiliate of the Parent shall qualify as an Eligible Assignee, and (ii) approval by the Administrative Agent of an Eligible Assignee shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided however, any disapproval by the Administrative Agent of a Person that fails to meet any of the following criteria shall not be considered unreasonable:  (A) any commercial bank, savings and loan association or savings bank organized under the laws of the United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other Person, that has a combined capital and surplus of less than $100,000,000, (B) any commercial bank or Person organized under the laws of any other country, or a political subdivision of any such country, which is not a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or (C) any commercial bank or Person organized under the laws of any other country, or a political subdivision of any such country, which is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and has a combined capital and surplus of less than $100,000,000.

"Eligible Receivables" means, as to the Parent and its consolidated Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis and without duplication, all Receivables of such Person, in each case reflected on its books in accordance with GAAP which conform to the representations and warranties in Article 4 hereof and in the Security Documents to the extent such provisions are applicable to the Receivables, and each of which meets all of the following criteria on the date of any determination:

 
-8-

 

(a)            such Credit Party has good and marketable title to such Receivable,

(b)            such Receivable has been billed substantially in accordance with billing practices of such Credit Party in effect on the Closing Date and such Receivable is not unpaid for more than 90 days from the date of the invoice;

(c)            such Receivable was created in the ordinary course of business of any Credit Party from the performance by such Credit Party of services which have been fully and satisfactorily performed (and not a progress billing or contingent upon any further performance), or from the absolute sale on open account (and not on consignment, on approval or on a "sale or return" basis) by such Credit Party of goods (i) in which such Credit Party had sole and complete ownership and (ii) which have been shipped or delivered to the account debtor, evidencing which such Credit Party has possession of shipping or delivery receipts;

(d)            such Receivable represents a legal, valid and binding payment obligation of the account debtor thereof enforceable in accordance with its terms and arises from an enforceable contract;

(e)            such Receivable is owed by an account debtor that the Credit Parties deem to be creditworthy and is not owed by an account debtor which has (i) applied for, suffered, or consented to the appointment of any receiver, custodian, trustee, or liquidator of its assets, (ii) has had possession of all or a material part of its property taken by any receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator, (iii) filed, or had filed against it, any request or petition for liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, adjudication as bankrupt, winding-up, or voluntary or involuntary case under any state, federal or foreign bankruptcy laws, (iv) has admitted in writing its inability to, or is generally unable to, pay its debts as they become due, (v) become insolvent, or (vi) ceased operation of its business;

(f)             the account debtor on such Receivable is not a Credit Party, an Affiliate of a Credit Party, nor a director, officer or employee of a Credit Party or of an Affiliate of Credit Party;

(g)            such Receivable is evidenced by an invoice and not by any chattel paper, promissory note or other instrument;

(h)            such Receivable is not due from a Domestic Account Debtor that has at any time more than 25% of its aggregate Receivables owed to any Credit Party more than 90 days past due;

(i)             such Receivable is not due from a Foreign Account Debtor that has at any time more than 35% of its aggregate Receivables owed to any Credit Party more than 90 days past due;

(j)             such Receivable, together with all other Receivables due from the same Domestic Account Debtor, does not comprise more than 15% of the aggregate Eligible Receivables (provided, however, that the amount of any such Receivable excluded pursuant to this clause (i) shall only be the excess of such amount);

 
-9-

 

(k)            such Receivable is not subject to any set-off, counterclaim, defense, allowance or adjustment and there has been no dispute, objection or complaint by the account debtor concerning its liability for such Receivable or a claim for any such set-off, counterclaim, defense, allowance or adjustment by the account debtor thereof;

(l)             such Receivable is owed in Dollars;

(m)           such Receivable is not due from the United States government, or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof, unless the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. § 3727 et seq. and 41 U.S.C. § 15 et seq.), and any other steps necessary to perfect the Lien of the Administrative Agent in such Receivable has been complied with to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction;

(n)            such Receivable is not owed by an account debtor located in any jurisdiction which requires filing of a “Notice of Business Activities Report” or other similar report or requires any Credit Party to qualify to do business in order to permit such Credit Party to seek judicial enforcement in such jurisdiction of payment of such Receivable, unless such Credit Party has filed such report or qualified to do business in such jurisdiction;

(o)            such Receivable is not the result of (i) a credit balance relating to a Receivable more than 90 days past the invoice date, (ii) work-in-progress, (iii) finance or service charges, or (iv) payments of interest;

(p)            such Receivable has not been written off the books of any Credit Party or otherwise designated as uncollectible by any Credit Party;

(q)            such Receivable is not subject to any reduction thereof, other than discounts and adjustments given in the ordinary course of business and deducted from such Receivable;

(r)             such Receivable is not a newly created Receivable resulting from the unpaid portion of a partially paid Receivable; and

(s)            such Receivable is not otherwise deemed ineligible by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable credit judgment, including such Receivable from any account debtor that does not have a satisfactory credit standing (as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent).

In the event that a Receivable which was previously an Eligible Receivable ceases to be an Eligible Receivable hereunder, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof on and at the time of submission to the Administrative Agent of the next Borrowing Base Certificate.  In determining the amount of an Eligible Receivable, the face amount of such Receivable shall be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) the amount of all accrued and actual discounts, claims, credits or credits pending, promotional program allowances, price adjustments, finance charges or other allowances, payables or obligations to the account debtor (including any amount that any Credit Party may be obligated to rebate to an account debtor pursuant to the terms of any agreement or understanding (written or oral)), (ii) all taxes, duties or other governmental charges included in such Receivable, and (iii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect of such Receivable but not yet applied by any Credit Party to reduce the amount of such Receivable.

 
-10-

 

"Environment" or "Environmental" shall have the meanings set forth in 42 U.S.C.  9601(8) (1988).

"Environmental Claim" means any third party (including governmental agencies and employees) action, lawsuit, claim, demand, regulatory action or proceeding, order, decree, consent agreement or notice of potential or actual responsibility or violation (including claims or proceedings under the Occupational Safety and Health Acts or similar laws or requirements relating to health or safety of employees) which seeks to impose liability under any Environmental Law.

"Environmental Law" means all federal, state, and local laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, orders, decisions, agreements, and other requirements, including common law theories, now or hereafter in effect and relating to, or in connection with the Environment, health, or safety, including without limitation CERCLA, relating to (a) pollution, contamination, injury, destruction, loss, protection, cleanup, reclamation or restoration of the air, surface water, groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata, or other natural resources; (b) solid, gaseous or liquid waste generation, treatment, processing, recycling, reclamation, cleanup, storage, disposal or transportation; (c) exposure to pollutants, contaminants, hazardous, medical infections, or toxic substances, materials or wastes; (d) the safety or health of employees; or (e) the manufacture, processing, handling, transportation, distribution in commerce, use, storage or disposal of hazardous, medical infections, or toxic substances, materials or wastes.

"Environmental Permit" means any permit, license, order, approval, registration or other authorization under Environmental Law.

"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

"Equity Interest" means with respect to any Person, any shares, interests, participation, or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock, membership interests or partnership interests (or any other ownership interests) of such Person.

Equity Issuance” means any issuance of equity securities or any other Equity Interests (including any preferred equity securities) by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries other than equity securities issued (i) to the Parent or one of its Subsidiaries, (ii) pursuant to employee or director and officer stock option plans in the ordinary course of business, or (iii) to the seller(s) as consideration in connection with any Acquisition.

Equity Issuance Proceeds” means, with respect to any Equity Issuance, all cash and cash equivalent investments received by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries from such Equity Issuance (other than from any other Credit Party) after payment of, or provision for, all underwriter fees and expenses, SEC and blue sky fees, printing costs, fees and expenses of accountants, lawyers and other professional advisors, brokerage commissions and other out-of-pocket fees and expenses actually incurred in connection with such Equity Issuance.

 
-11-

 

"Eurocurrency Liabilities" has the meaning assigned to that term in Regulation D of the Federal Reserve Board as in effect from time to time.

"Eurodollar Advance" means an Advance that bears interest based upon the Eurodollar Rate (other than Advances that bear interest based upon the Daily One Month LIBOR).

"Eurodollar Base Rate" means (a) in determining Eurodollar Rate for purposes of the "Daily One Month LIBOR", the rate per annum for Dollar deposits quoted by the Administrative Agent for the purpose of calculating effective rates of interest for loans making reference to the "Daily One-Month LIBOR", as the inter-bank offered rate in effect from time to time for delivery of funds for one (1) month in amounts approximately equal to the principal amount of the applicable Advances; provided that, the Administrative Agent may base its quotation of the inter-bank offered rate upon such offers or other market indicators of the inter-bank market as the Administrative Agent in its discretion deems appropriate including, but not limited to, the rate determined under the following clause (b), and (b) in determining Eurodollar Rate for all other purposes, the rate per annum (rounded upward to the nearest whole multiple of 1/8th of 1%) equal to the interest rate per annum set forth on the Reuters Reference LIBOR1 page as the London Interbank Offered Rate, for deposits in Dollars at 11:00 a.m.  (London, England time) two Business Days before the first day of the applicable Interest Period and for a period equal to such Interest Period; provided that, if such quotation is not available for any reason, then for purposes of this clause (b), Eurodollar Base Rate shall then be the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in immediately available funds in the approximate amount of the Advances being made, continued or converted by the Lenders and with a term equivalent to such Interest Period would be offered by the Administrative Agent's London Branch (or other branch or Affiliate of the Administrative Agent) to major banks in the London or other offshore inter-bank market for Dollars at their request at approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period).

"Eurodollar Rate" means a rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent pursuant to the following formula:


 
Eurodollar Rate  =
Eurodollar Base Rate
 
   
1.00 – Eurodollar Reserve Percentage
 

Where,

Eurodollar Reserve Percentage” means, as of any day, the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal, carried out to five decimal places) in effect on such day, whether or not applicable to any Lender, under regulations issued from time to time by the Federal Reserve Board for determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including Eurocurrency Liabilities.  The Eurodollar Rate for each outstanding Advance shall be adjusted automatically as of the effective date of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

 
-12-

 

"Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 7.1.

"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

"Existing Letters of Credit" means the letters of credit issued by the Issuing Lender under the Bilateral Agreement and listed on the attached Schedule 1.1.

"Existing Long L/Cs" means the Existing Letters of Credit which have an expiry date later than 5 Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date.

"Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any asset (including any Equity Interests of any Person), the price at which a willing buyer, not an Affiliate of the seller, and a willing seller who does not have to sell, would agree to purchase and sell such asset, as determined in good faith by the board of directors or, pursuant to a specific delegation of authority by such board of directors or a designated senior executive officer, of the Parent, or the Subsidiary of the Parent selling such asset.

"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, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate charged to the Administrative Agent (in its individual capacity) on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

"Federal Reserve Board" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any of its successors.

"Fee Letter" means that certain fee letter dated as of December 2, 2008 among the Parent, the Borrower and Wells Fargo.

"Financial Statements" means, for any period, the consolidated and consolidating financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, including statements of income, retained earnings, changes in equity and cash flow for such period as well as a balance sheet as of the end of such period, all prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, as of each fiscal quarter end, the ratio of (a) the Parent's consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the four-fiscal quarter period then ended to (ii) Fixed Charges for the four-fiscal quarter period then ended.

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any period and with respect to any Person and without duplication, the sum of (a) Interest Expense for such period plus (b) as of the end of such period, the current portion of long term Debt, including the current portion of Capital Leases and the current portion of the Term Loan but excluding the scheduled principal payment of the Term Loan due on the Term Maturity Date and the principal payment of the Revolving Loan due on the Revolving Maturity Date.

 
-13-

 

"Foreign Account Debtor" means, with respect to any Receivable of any Credit Party, any account debtor of such Receivable (including any foreign government or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof) which (a) does not maintain its chief executive office in the U.S. or Canada, (b) is not organized under applicable law of the U.S. or any state of the U.S., or (c) is not deemed ineligible by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

"Foreign Credit Insurance" means a credit insurance carried by any Credit Party which insures Receivables owing by Foreign Account Debtors.

"Foreign Eligible Receivable" means an Eligible Receivable of any Credit Party which is owed by a Foreign Account Debtor; provided that:

(a)            such Eligible Receivable must be backed by either (i) a Foreign Credit Insurance policy which (A) is issued by an insurer and covering such risks, in each case, acceptable to the Administrative Agent, (B) is in an amount which covers all such Eligible Receivables, both individually and in the aggregate, (C) has been assigned to the Administrative Agent pursuant to documentation acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and (D) the insurer has accepted the assignment to the Administrative Agent pursuant to documentation acceptable to the Administrative Agent, or (ii) a letter of credit which is in such amount, issued by an issuer and in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and in which the Administrative Agent has a perfected, first priority Lien; and

(b)            if such Eligible Receivable is backed by a Foreign Credit Insurance policy as provided in clause (a)(i) above, then such Eligible Receivable shall constitute "Foreign Eligible Receivable" only to the extent that (i) the amount of such Eligible Receivable owing by a Foreign Account Debtor does not exceed its applicable Account Debtor Limit, and (ii) the aggregate amount of such Eligible Receivables does not exceed the Maximum Policy Limit.

Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of Parent that is a “controlled foreign corporation” as defined in Section 957 of the Code.

"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 activities.

"Funded Debt" of any Person means, at any time, without duplication, Debt of such Person (a) of the type described in clauses (a), (b), (c), (f), and (h) of the definition of "Debt"; provided that Debt with respect to letters of credit referred to in clause (b) of such definition shall be considered "Funded Debt" only to the extent such letters of credit are drawn or funded, (b) of the type described in clause (i) of the definition of "Debt"; provided that such Debt would otherwise qualify as "Funded Debt" under this definition, or (c) of the type described in clauses (j) or (k) of the definition of "Debt" to the extent that such guaranty covers, or such Lien secures, Debt of the type described in clause (a) or clause (b) of this definition of "Funded Debt".  For the avoidance of doubt, all Debt outstanding under this Agreement and all Debt under the Wright Seller Note shall constitute "Funded Debt".

 
-14-

 

"GAAP" means United States of America generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time, applied on a basis consistent with the requirements of Section 1.3.

"Governmental Authority" means, with respect to any Person, any foreign governmental authority, the United States of America, any state of the United States of America, the District of Columbia, and any subdivision of any of the foregoing, and any agency, department, commission, board, authority or instrumentality, bureau or court having jurisdiction over such Person.

Guarantors” means any Person that now or hereafter executes a Guaranty, including (a) the Parent, (b) the Subsidiaries and Affiliates of the Parent listed on Schedule 4.11; and (b) each Subsidiary and each Affiliate of the Parent that becomes a guarantor of all or a portion of the Obligations and which has entered into either a joinder agreement substantially in the form attached to the Guaranty or a new Guaranty; provided that no Foreign Subsidiary of the Parent shall be required to become a Guarantor hereunder if the provision of such guaranty by such Subsidiary would be materially disadvantageous to the Parent from a tax perspective.

"Guaranty" means the Guaranty Agreement executed in substantially the same form as Exhibit D.

"Hazardous Substance" means any substance or material identified as such pursuant to CERCLA and those regulated under any other Environmental Law, including without limitation pollutants, contaminants, petroleum, petroleum products, radionuclides, and radioactive materials.

"Hazardous Waste" means any substance or material regulated or designated as such pursuant to any Environmental Law, including without limitation, pollutants, contaminants, flammable substances and materials, explosives, radioactive materials, oil, petroleum and petroleum products, chemical liquids and solids, polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos, toxic substances, and similar substances and materials.

"Hedging Arrangement" means a hedge, call, swap, collar, floor, cap, option, forward sale or purchase or other contract or similar arrangement (including any obligations to purchase or sell any commodity or security at a future date for a specific price) which is entered into to reduce or eliminate or otherwise protect against the risk of fluctuations in prices or rates, including interest rates, foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and securities prices.

"Impacted Lender" means (a) any Lender that is at such time a Defaulting Lender or (b) any Lender (other than the Lender serving as the Issuing Lender) with a credit rating of less than A3 (as rated by Moody's) or a credit rating of less than A- (as rated by S&P).

"Inactive Subsidiary" means each of Boots & Coots Special Services, Inc., a Texas corporation, Elmagco, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Hell Fighters, Inc., a Texas corporation, and IWC Engineering, Inc., a Texas corporation so long as (a) such Subsidiary does not have any business operations and (b) the book value or fair market value (whichever is greater) of such Subsidiary's assets, as reflected in the most recent Financial Statement of the Parent, does not exceed $100,000 individually, or in the aggregate for all such Subsidiaries; provided that, any such Subsidiary shall immediately cease be an "Inactive Subsidiary" if either of the conditions in clause (a) or (b) above are not met.

 
-15-

 

"Interest Expense" means, for any period and with respect to any Person, total cash interest expense, letter of credit fees and other fees and expenses incurred by such Person in connection with any Debt (including but not limited to Debt under this Agreement and Debt under the Wright Seller Note) for such period (excluding the arrangement fees and the upfront fees due pursuant to the Fee Letter to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders on or prior to the Closing Date), whether paid or accrued (including that attributable to obligations which have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as Capital Leases), including, without limitation, all commissions, discounts, and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance financing, fees owed with respect to the Secured Obligations, and net costs under Hedging Arrangements entered into addressing interest rates, all as determined in conformity with GAAP.

"Interest Period" means for each Eurodollar Advance comprising part of the same Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Eurodollar Advance is made or deemed made and ending on the last day of the period selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions below and Section 2.4, and thereafter, each subsequent period commencing on the day following the last day of the immediately preceding Interest Period and ending on the last day of the period selected by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions below and Section 2.4.  The duration of each such Interest Period shall be one, three, or six months, in each case as the Borrower may select, provided that:

(a)            the Borrower shall select Interest Periods so that it is not necessary to repay any portion of any Term Advance prior to the last day of the applicable Interest Period in order to make a mandatory scheduled repayment required pursuant to Section 2.6(b);

(b)            Interest Periods commencing on the same date for Advances comprising part of the same Borrowing shall be of the same duration;

(c)            whenever the last day of any Interest Period would otherwise occur on a day other than a Business Day, the last day of such Interest Period shall be extended to occur on the next succeeding Business Day, provided that if such extension would cause the last day of such Interest Period to occur in the next following calendar month, the last day of such Interest Period shall occur on the next preceding Business Day;

(d)            any Interest Period which 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 calendar month in which it would have ended if there were a numerically corresponding day in such calendar month; and

(e)            the Borrower may not select any Interest Period for any Advance which ends after the Term Maturity Date or the Revolving Maturity Date.

 
-16-

 

"Inventory" of any Person means all inventory, including raw materials, work in process or supplies or materials consumed in the business of such Person, now owned or hereafter acquired by such Person, wherever located which is held for sale.

"Issuing Lender" means Wells Fargo, in its capacity as the Lender that issues Letters of Credit for the account of any Credit Party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

"Legal Requirement" means any law, statute, ordinance, decree, requirement, order, judgment, rule, regulation (or official interpretation of any of the foregoing) of, and the terms of any license or permit issued by, any Governmental Authority, including, but not limited to, Regulations T, U and X.

Lenders” means the Persons listed on the signature pages hereto as Lenders, any other Person that shall have become a Lender hereto pursuant to Section 2.14, and any other Person that shall have become a Lender hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption, but in any event, excluding any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption.  Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Swing Line Lender and references the Revolving Lenders and the Term Lenders.

Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

"Letter of Credit" means any standby or commercial letter of credit issued by the Issuing Lender for the account of a Credit Party pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, in such form as may be agreed by the Borrower and the Issuing Lender.

"Letter of Credit Application" means the Issuing Lender standard form letter of credit application for standby or commercial letters of credit which has been executed by the Borrower and accepted by the Issuing Lender in connection with the issuance of a Letter of Credit.

"Letter of Credit Documents" means all Letters of Credit, Letter of Credit Applications and amendments thereof, and agreements, documents, and instruments entered into in connection therewith or relating thereto.

"Letter of Credit Exposure" means, at the date of its determination by the Administrative Agent, the aggregate outstanding undrawn amount of Letters of Credit plus the aggregate unpaid amount of all of the Borrower's payment obligations under drawn Letters of Credit.

"Letter of Credit Maximum Amount" means $5,000,000; provided that, on and after the Revolving Maturity Date, the Letter of Credit Maximum Amount shall be zero.

"Letter of Credit Obligations" means any obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement in connection with the Letters of Credit.

"Leverage Ratio" means, as of the end of each fiscal quarter, the ratio of (a) all consolidated Funded Debt of the Parent as of the last day of such fiscal quarter to (b) the Parent's consolidated EBITDA for the four-fiscal quarter period then ended.

 
-17-

 

"Lien" means any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, deed of trust, security interest, or encumbrance to secure or provide for the payment of any obligation of any Person, whether arising by contract, operation of law, or otherwise (including the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale agreement, Capital Lease, or other title retention agreement).

"Liquid Investments" means (a) readily marketable direct full faith and credit obligations of the United States of America or obligations unconditionally guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America; (b) commercial paper issued by (i) any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender or (ii) any commercial banking institutions or corporations rated at least P-1 by Moody's or A-1 by S&P; (c) certificates of deposit, time deposits, and bankers' acceptances issued by (i) any of the Lenders or (ii) any other commercial banking institution which is a member of the Federal Reserve System and has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $250,000,000.00 and rated Aa by Moody's or AA by S&P; (d) repurchase agreements which are entered into with any of the Lenders or any major money center banks included in the commercial banking institutions described in clause (c) and which are secured by readily marketable direct full faith and credit obligations of the government of the United States of America or any agency thereof; (e) investments in any money market fund which holds investments substantially of the type described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (d); and (f) other investments made through the Administrative Agent or its Affiliates and approved by the Administrative Agent.  All the Liquid Investments described in clauses (a) through (d) above shall have maturities of not more than 365 days from the date of issue.

"Maintenance Capital Expenditure" means Capital Expenditures made by any Credit Party to maintain the operations of any Credit Party at current levels; provided however, the parties acknowledge that Capital Expenditures made to replace existing equipment or to extend the life of existing fixed assets shall constitute Maintenance Capital Expenditures.

"Majority Lenders" means (a) other than as provided in clause (b) below, two or more Lenders holding at least 51% of the aggregate Maximum Exposure Amount and (b) at any time when there is only one Lender, such Lender; provided that,

(i) with respect to amendments, waivers or consents relating to Section 2.1(a) and Section 2.1(c)(i), "Majority Lenders" means the Majority Revolving Lenders;

(ii) with respect to amendments, waivers or consents relating to Section 2.1(b) and Section 2.1(c)(ii), "Majority Lenders" means the Majority Term Lenders;

(iii) with respect to Section 2.4(c)(v), "Majority Lenders" means Lenders that would be required to fund more than 50% of the Eurodollar Advances comprising such requested Borrowing;

(iv) with respect to Section 7.2(a)(i), 7.2(b) and 7.3(b), "Majority Lenders" means the Majority Revolving Lenders; and

(v) if there are two or more Lenders, the Revolving Commitment of, and the portion of the Revolving Advances held or deemed held by, any Lender that is at such time a Defaulting Lender, shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of "Majority Lenders".

 
-18-

 

"Majority Revolving Lenders" means (a) other than as provided in clause (b) below, two or more Revolving Lenders (other than Lenders that are at such time Defaulting Lenders) holding at least 51% of the sum of (i) the aggregate unfunded Revolving Commitments (excluding the Revolving Commitments of Lenders that are at such time Defaulting Lenders) at such time plus (ii) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Notes (with the aggregate amount of each Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in the Letter of Credit Exposure and Swing Line Advances being deemed as unpaid principal under such Lender's Revolving Note but excluding the pro rata shares thereof for any Lender that is at such time a Defaulting Lender) and (b) at any time when there is only one Revolving Lender or there is only one Revolving Lender that is not then a Defaulting Lender, such Revolving Lender.

"Majority Term Lenders" means (a) other than as provided in clause (b) below, two or more Term Lenders holding at least 51% of the then aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Notes and (b) at any time when there is only one Term Lender, such Term Lender.

"Material Adverse Change" means a material adverse change (a) in the business, condition (financial or otherwise), or results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) in the business, condition (financial or otherwise), or results of operations of the Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (c) on the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents; or (d) on any Credit Party's (excluding Inactive Subsidiary's) ability to perform its obligations under this Agreement, any Note, the Guaranties or any other Credit Document.

"Maximum Exposure Amount" means, at any time for each Lender, the sum of (a) the unfunded Revolving Commitment held by such Lender at such time; plus (b) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Note held by such Lender at such time, (with the aggregate amount of such Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in the Letter of Credit Exposure and Swing Line Advances being deemed as unpaid principal under such Lender's Revolving Note); plus (c) the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Term Note held by such Lender at such time.

"Maximum Policy Limit" means, for any particular Foreign Credit Insurance, (a) the per annum maximum liability amount imposed by the insurer providing such Foreign Credit Insurance minus (B) all claims (whether paid or outstanding) submitted to such insurer which may be applied against such per annum maximum liability amount.

"Maximum Rate" means the maximum nonusurious interest rate under applicable law.

"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto which is a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.

"Mortgage" means each mortgage or deed of trust in form acceptable to the Administrative Agent executed by any Credit Party to secure all or a portion of the Obligations.

"Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan" as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Parent or any member of the Controlled Group is making or accruing an obligation to make contributions.

 
-19-

 

"Net Cash Proceeds" means with respect to any sale, transfer, or other disposition of any Property belonging to any Credit Party (including the sale or transfer of stock or other Equity Interest and property insurance proceeds) all cash and Liquid Investments received by any Credit Party from such sale, transfer or other disposition after (a) payment of, or provision for, all brokerage commissions and other reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses actually incurred; (b) payment of any outstanding obligations relating to such Property paid in connection with any such sale, transfer, or other disposition; and (c) the amount of reserves recorded in accordance with GAAP for indemnity or similar obligations of the Credit Parties directly related to such sale, transfer or other disposition.

"Net Income" means, for any period and with respect to any Person, the net income for such period for such Person after taxes as determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding, however, (a) extraordinary items, including (i) any net non-cash gain or loss during such period arising from the sale, exchange, retirement or other disposition of capital assets (such term to include all fixed assets and all securities) other than in the ordinary course of business, and (ii) any write-up or write-down of assets and (b) the cumulative effect of any change in GAAP.

"Net Worth" means, with respect to any Person and as of the date of its determination, the excess of the assets of such Person over the sum of the liabilities of such Person and the minority interests of such Person, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

NOLV” means with respect to any fixed assets of any Credit Party permanently located in the United States of America, the net orderly liquidation value thereof as established by the third party appraisal report delivered to Administrative Agent under Section 3.1(l), taking into account any loss, destruction, damage, condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, confiscation, or the requisition, of such Property, and any sale, transfer, lease, assignment, or other disposition of all or any portion of such Property that has occurred since the most recent appraisal report was delivered with respect to such Property.

"Non-Obligor Entity" means any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Parent other than the Borrower or any Guarantor.

"Nonordinary Course Asset Sales" means, any sales, conveyances, or other transfers of Property made by any Credit Party (a) of any division of any Credit Party, (b) of the Equity Interest in (i) the Parent by the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent or (ii) a Subsidiary of the Parent by the Parent or any Subsidiary of the Parent or (c) outside the ordinary course of business of any assets of any Credit Party, whether in a transaction or related series of transactions.

"Notes" means the Revolving Notes, the Term Notes and the Swing Line Note.

"Notice of Borrowing" means a notice of borrowing signed by the Borrower in substantially the same form as Exhibit E.

"Notice of Continuation or Conversion" means a notice of continuation or conversion signed by the Borrower in substantially the same form as Exhibit F.

 
-20-

 

"Obligations" means (a) all principal, interest (including post-petition interest), fees, reimbursements, indemnifications, and other amounts now or hereafter owed by any of the Credit Parties to the Lenders, the Swing Line Lender, the Issuing Lender, or the Administrative Agent under this Agreement and the Credit Documents, including, the Letter of Credit Obligations, and any increases, extensions, and rearrangements of those obligations under any amendments, supplements, and other modifications of the documents and agreements creating those obligations and (b) all obligations of the Borrower or any other Credit Party owing to Swap Counterparty under any Hedge Arrangements which are permitted by the terms hereof.

Other Taxes” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(b).

"Parent" has the meaning set forth in the introductory paragraph herein.

"Patriot Act" means the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)).

"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

"Permitted Debt" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

"Permitted Investments" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.3.

"Permitted Liens" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

"Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), joint stock company, trust, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, unincorporated association, joint venture, or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof, or any trustee, receiver, custodian, or similar official.

"Plan" means an employee benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) maintained for employees of the Parent or any member of the Controlled Group and covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.

"Prime Rate" means the per annum rate of interest established from time to time by the Administrative Agent at its principal office in San Francisco as its prime rate, which rate may not be the lowest rate of interest charged by such Lender to its customers.

"Property" of any Person means any property or assets (whether real, personal, or mixed, tangible or intangible) of such Person.

"Receivables" of any Person means, at any date of determination thereof, the unpaid portion of the obligation, as stated on the respective invoice or other writing of a customer of such Person in respect of goods sold or services rendered by such Person.

"Register" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.7(b).

 
-21-

 

"Regulations T, U, and X" means Regulations T, U, and X of the Federal Reserve Board, as each is from time to time in effect, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof.

"Release" shall have the meaning set forth in CERCLA or under any other Environmental Law.

"Response" shall have the meaning set forth in CERCLA or under any other Environmental Law.

"Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA (other than any such event not subject to the provision for 30-day notice to the PBGC under the regulations issued under such section).

"Responsible Officer" means (a) with respect to any Person that is a corporation, such Person's Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, or Vice President, (b) with respect to any Person that is a limited liability company, if such Person has officers, then such Person's Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial Officer, or Vice President, and if such Person is managed by members, then a Responsible Officer of such Person's managing member, and if such Person is managed by managers, then a manager (if such manager is an individual) or a Responsible Officer of such manager (if such manager is an entity), and (c) with respect to any Person that is a general partnership, limited partnership or a limited liability partnership, the Responsible Officer of such Person's general partner or partners.

"Restricted Payment" means, with respect to any Person, (a) any direct or indirect dividend or distribution (whether in cash, securities or other Property) or any direct or indirect payment of any kind or character (whether in cash, securities or other Property) in consideration for or otherwise in connection with any retirement, purchase, redemption or other acquisition of any Equity Interest of such Person, or any options, warrants or rights to purchase or acquire any such Equity Interest of such Person or (b) principal or interest payments (in cash, Property or otherwise) on, or redemptions of, subordinated debt of such Person; provided that the term "Restricted Payment" shall not include any dividend or distribution payable solely in Equity Interests of such Person or warrants, options or other rights to purchase such Equity Interests.

"Revolving Advance" means any advance by a Lender to the Borrower as part of a Revolving Borrowing.

"Revolving Borrowing" means a Borrowing consisting of simultaneous Revolving Advances of the same Type made by the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.1(a) or Converted by each Lender to Revolving Advances of a different Type pursuant to Section 2.4(b).

"Revolving Commitment" means, for each Lender, the obligation of each Lender to advance to Borrower the amount set opposite such Lender's name on Schedule II as its Revolving Commitment, or if such Lender has entered into any Assignment and Acceptance, set forth for such Lender as its Revolving Commitment in the Register, as such amount may be reduced pursuant to Section 2.1(c)(i); provided that, after the Revolving Maturity Date, the Revolving Commitment for each Lender shall be zero; and provided further that, the aggregate Revolving Commitment shall not exceed $25,000,000.  The initial aggregate Revolving Commitment on the date hereof is $20,000,000.

 
-22-

 

"Revolving Lenders" means Lenders having a Revolving Commitment or if such Revolving Commitments have been terminated, Lenders that are owed Revolving Advances.

"Revolving Loan" means the aggregate principal from a Lender which represents such Lender's ratable share of a Revolving Borrowing.

"Revolving Maturity Date" means the earlier of (a) February 10, 2012 and (b) the earlier termination in whole of the Revolving Commitments pursuant to Section 2.1(c)(i) or Article 7.

"Revolving Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of a Lender in the amount of such Lender's Revolving Commitment, in substantially the same form as Exhibit H -1, evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from Revolving Advances owing to such Lender.

"Revolving Pro Rata Share" means, at any time with respect to any Revolving Lender, (i) the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lender's Revolving Commitment at such time to the aggregate Revolving Commitments at such time, or (ii) if all of the Revolving Commitments have been terminated, the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of such Lender's aggregate outstanding Revolving Advances at such time to the total aggregate outstanding Revolving Advances at such time.

"SEC" means, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Rating Agency Group, a division of McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., or any successor thereof which is a national credit rating organization.

"Secured Obligations" means (a) the Obligations, (b) the Banking Services Obligations, and (b) all obligations of any of the Credit Parties owing to Swap Counterparties under any Hedging Arrangements which are permitted by the terms hereof.

"Secured Parties" means the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Lenders, the Swap Counterparties and Wells Fargo and any of its Affiliates providing Banking Services to any Credit Party.

"Security Agreement" means the Pledge and Security Agreement among the Credit Parties and the Administrative Agent in substantially the same form as Exhibit G.

"Security Documents" means, collectively, the Mortgages, Security Agreements, and any and all other instruments, documents or agreements, including Account Control Agreements, now or hereafter executed by any Credit Party or any other Person to secure the Secured Obligations.

"Snubbing Unit Accessories" means all pumps, fuel tanks, drilling equipment, piperacks, porta lathe cutters, machinery, other equipment and parts necessary or useful for the operation of any hydraulic well control unit.

 
-23-

 

"Snubbing Unit Agreement" means a written agreement between any Credit Party and its customer pursuant to which such Credit Party agrees to provide well-control services requested from time to time by the customer, including the use by the customer of one or more Snubbing Units.

"Snubbing Units" means the hydraulic well control units and hydraulic workover units owned by a Credit Party, together with all Snubbing Unit Accessories that are installed on or affixed to such equipment.

"Solvent" means, as to any Person, on the date of any determination (a) the fair value of the Property of such Person is greater than the total amount of debts and other liabilities (including without limitation, contingent liabilities) of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts and other liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities) as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities) as they mature in the normal course of business, (d) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities) beyond such Person's ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, (e) such Person is not engaged in, and is not about to engage in, business or a transaction for which such Person's Property would constitute unreasonably small capital, and (f) such Person has not transferred, concealed or removed any Property with intent to hinder, delay or defraud any creditor of such Person.

"Subject Lender" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.14.

"Subordinated Notes" means (a) the $13,728,493.00 senior subordinated promissory note dated March 3, 2006 executed by the Borrower payable to the order of Oil States Energy Services, Inc., and (b) the $7,437,341.00 senior subordinated promissory note dated March 3, 2006 from the Borrower payable to the order of Oil States Energy Services, Inc., which notes were issued as consideration for the purchase of certain assets by the Parent from such noteholder on March 3, 2006.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person (the “holder”) at any date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the holder in the holder's consolidated financial statements if such financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as any other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other entity, a majority of whose outstanding Voting Securities shall at any time be owned by the holder or one more Subsidiaries of the holder.  Unless expressly provided otherwise, all references herein and in any other Credit Document to any "Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries" means a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Parent, including the Borrower.

"Swap Counterparty" means a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender that has entered into a Hedging Arrangement with a Credit Party as permitted by the terms of this Agreement.

 
-24-

 

"Swing Line Advance" means an advance by the Swing Line Lender to the Borrower as part of a Swing Line Borrowing.

"Swing Line Borrowing" means the Borrowing consisting of a Swing Line Advance made by the Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.3 or, if an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, any transfer of funds pursuant to such AutoBorrow Agreement.

"Swing Line Sublimit Amount" means $5,000,000; provided that, on and after the Revolving Maturity Date, the Swing Line Sublimit Amount shall be zero.

"Swing Line Lender" means Wells Fargo.

"Swing Line Note" means the promissory note made by the Borrower payable to the order of the Swing Line Lender evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to the Swing Line Lender resulting from Swing Line Advances in substantially the same form as Exhibit H-2.

"Swing Line Payment Date" means (a) if an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, the earliest to occur of (i) the date required by such AutoBorrow Agreement, (ii) demand is made by the Swing Line Lender and (iii) the Revolving Maturity Date, or (b) if an AutoBorrow Agreement is not in effect, the earlier to occur of (i) three (3) Business Days after demand is made by the Swing Line Lender if no Default exists, and otherwise upon demand by the Swing Line Lender and (ii) the Revolving Maturity Date.

"Tangible Net Worth" means, as to the Parent, (i) the consolidated shareholder’s (or other type of equity holder's) equity of the Parent and its Subsidiaries (determined in accordance with GAAP), less (ii) the amount of consolidated intangible assets (as defined under GAAP) of the Parent and its Subsidiaries.

"Taxes" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.13(a).

"Term Advance" means a one-time advance by a Lender to the Borrower as part of a Term Borrowing.

"Term Borrowing" means the Borrowing consisting of simultaneous Term Advances of the same Type made by each Lender pursuant to Section 2.1(b) or Converted by each Lender to Term Advances of a different Type pursuant to Section 2.4(b).

"Term Commitment" means, for each Lender, the obligation of each Lender to advance to the Borrower the amount set opposite such Lender's name on Schedule II as its Term Commitment, or if such Lender has entered into any Assignment and Acceptance, set forth for such Lender as its Term Commitment in the Register; provided that, after the Closing Date, the Term Commitment for each Lender shall be zero.  The aggregate Term Commitments on the date hereof is equal to $34,400,000.00.

"Term Lenders" means Lenders having a Term Commitment or if such Term Commitments have been terminated, Lenders that are owed Term Advances.

 
-25-

 

"Term Loan" means the loans evidenced by Term Notes to be made by the Term Lenders to the Borrower hereunder.

"Term Maturity Date" means the earlier of (a) February 10, 2012, and (b) the earlier termination in whole of the Term Commitments and acceleration of the Term Advances pursuant to Article 7.

"Term Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the order of a Term Lender in the amount of such Lender's Term Commitment, in substantially the same form as Exhibit H-3, evidencing indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from any Term Advances under the Term Loan owing to such Lender.

"Termination Event" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Plan, (b) the withdrawal of the Parent or any member of the Controlled Group from a Plan during a plan year in which it was a "substantial employer" as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, (c) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan or the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041(c) of ERISA, (d) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan by the PBGC, or (e) any other event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan.

"Type" has the meaning set forth in Section 1.4.

"Voting Securities" means (a) with respect to any corporation, capital stock of the corporation having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have special voting power or rights by reason of the happening of any contingency), (b) with respect to any partnership, any partnership interest or other ownership interest having general voting power to elect the general partner or other management of the partnership or other Person, and (c) with respect to any limited liability company, membership certificates or interests having general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect managers of such limited liability company.

"Wells Fargo" means Wells Fargo Bank, National Association.

"Wright PSA" means that certain Share Purchase Agreement dated as of February 10, 2009 between the Borrower and John W. Wright, an individual, without giving effect to any amendment, supplement or other modification thereof other than as consented to by the Administrative Agent.

"Wright Acquisition" means the acquisition by the Borrower of all Equity Interests of the Wright Company from John W. Wright pursuant to the Wright PSA.

"Wright Company" means J.W. Wright, Inc., a Texas corporation.

"Wright Seller Note" means the seller subordinated note made by the Borrower payable to John W. Wright in connection with the Wright Acquisition and which is made on terms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 
-26-

 

Section 1.2              Computation of Time Periods.  In this Agreement in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word "from" means "from and including" and the words "to" and "until" each means "to but excluding".

Section 1.3              Accounting Terms; Changes in GAAP.  

(a)            All accounting terms not specifically defined in this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with GAAP applied on a consistent basis with those applied in the preparation of the financial statements delivered to the Administrative Agent for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007 as required under Section 5.2.

(b)            Unless otherwise indicated, all financial statements of the Parent, all calculations for compliance with covenants in this Agreement, all determinations of the Applicable Margin, and all calculations of any amounts to be calculated under the definitions in Section 1.1 shall be based upon the consolidated accounts of the Parent and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP and consistent with the principles of consolidation applied in preparing the Parent's Financial Statements referred to in Section 4.4.

(c)            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 Majority 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 Majority 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.

Section 1.4             Classes and Types of Advances.  Advances are distinguished by "Class" and "Type".  The "Class" of an Advance refers to the determination of whether such Advance is a Revolving Advance, a Term Advance or a Swing Line Advance.  The "Type" of an Advance refers to the determination of whether such Advance is a Base Rate Advance or a Eurodollar Advance.

Section 1.5             Miscellaneous.  Article, Section, Schedule, and Exhibit references are to this Agreement, unless otherwise specified.  All references to instruments, documents, contracts, and agreements (including this Agreement) 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 and shall include all schedules and exhibits thereto unless otherwise specified.  Any reference herein to any law shall be construed as referring to such law as amended, modified, codified or reenacted, in whole or in part, and in effect from time to time.  Any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns (subject to the restrictions contained herein).  The words "hereof", "herein", and "hereunder" and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement.  The term "including" means "including, without limitation,".  Paragraph headings have been inserted in this Agreement as a matter of convenience for reference only and it is agreed that such paragraph headings are not a part of this Agreement and shall not be used in the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement.

 
-27-

 

ARTICLE 2

CREDIT FACILITIES

Section 2.1              Revolving and Term Commitments.

(a)            Revolving Commitment.  Each Lender severally agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, to make Revolving Advances to the Borrower from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Revolving Maturity Date; provided that after giving effect to such Revolving Advances, the sum of the aggregate outstanding amount of all Revolving Advances plus the Letter of Credit Exposure plus the aggregate outstanding amount of all Swing Line Advances, shall not exceed the lesser of (i) the Borrowing Base in effect at such time and (ii) the aggregate Revolving Commitments in effect at such time.  Each Revolving Borrowing shall (A) if comprised of Base Rate Advances be in an aggregate amount not less than $500,000.00 and in integral multiples of $100,000.00 in excess thereof, (B) if comprised of Eurodollar Advances be in an aggregate amount not less than $1,000,000.00 and in integral multiples of $500,000.00 in excess thereof, and (C) consist of Revolving Advances of the same Type made on the same day by the Revolving Lenders ratably according to their respective Revolving Commitments.  Within the limits of each Lender's Revolving Commitment, the Borrower may from time to time borrow, prepay pursuant to Section 2.5, and reborrow under this Section 2.1(a).

(b)            Term Commitments.  Each Lender severally agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, to make to the Borrower on the Closing Date, a Term Advance in an amount not to exceed such Lender’s Term Commitment.  The Borrower may not reborrow any Term Advances that have been repaid.

(c)            Reduction of the Commitments.

(i)             Revolving Commitments.  The Borrower shall have the right, upon at least three Business Days' irrevocable notice to the Administrative Agent, to terminate in whole or reduce in part the unused portion of the Revolving Commitments; provided that each partial reduction shall be in a minimum amount of $1,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof.  Other than as provided in Section 2.1(c)(iii) below, any reduction or termination of the Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.1(c)(i) shall be applied ratably to each Lender's Revolving Commitment and shall be permanent, with no obligation of the Lenders to reinstate such Revolving Commitments, and the Commitment Fees shall thereafter be computed on the basis of the Revolving Commitments, as so reduced.

(ii)            Term Commitments.  On the making of the Term Advances on the Closing Date, each Lender's Term Commitment shall be reduced to zero.  Any reduction or termination of the Term Commitments pursuant to this Section 2.1(c)(ii) shall be permanent, with no obligation of the Lenders to reinstate such Commitments.

 
-28-

 

(iii)           Defaulting Lender.  At any time when a Lender is then a Defaulting Lender, the Borrower, at the Borrower's election may elect to terminate such Defaulting Lender's Revolving Commitment hereunder; provided that (A) such termination must be of the Defaulting Lender's entire Revolving Commitment, (B) the Borrower shall pay all amounts owed by the Borrower to such Defaulting Lender in such Lender's capacity as a Revolving Lender under this Agreement and under the other Loan Documents (including principal of and interest on the Revolving Advances owed to such Defaulting Lender, accrued commitment fees (subject to Section 2.7(a)), and letter of credit fees but specifically excluding any amounts owing under Section 2.10 as result of such payment of Revolving Advances) and shall deposit with the Administrative Agent into the Cash Collateral Account cash collateral in the amount equal to such Defaulting Lender's ratable share of the Letter of Credit Exposure, (C) a Defaulting Lender’s Revolving Commitment may be terminated by the Borrower under this Section 2.1(c)(iii) if and only if at such time, the Borrower has elected, or is then electing, to terminate the Revolving Commitments of all then existing Defaulting Lenders.  Upon written notice to the Defaulting Lender and Administrative Agent of the Borrower's election to terminate a Defaulting Lender's Revolving Commitment pursuant to this clause (iii) and the payment and deposit of amounts required to be made by the Borrower under clause (B) above, (1) such Defaulting Lender shall cease to be a “Revolving Lender” hereunder for all purposes except that such Revolving Lender's rights as a Revolving Lender under Sections 2.11, 2.13, 8.5 and 9.2 shall continue with respect to events and occurrences occurring before or concurrently with its ceasing to be a “Revolving Lender” hereunder, (B) such Defaulting Lender's Revolving Commitment shall be deemed terminated, and (C) such Defaulting Lender shall be relieved of its obligations hereunder as a "Revolving Lender".  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the termination of commitments, rights and obligations provided for in this clause (iii) shall not affect rights and obligations that a Lender may have in its capacity as a Term Lender.

(d)            Notes.  The indebtedness of the Borrower to each Lender resulting (i) from Revolving Advances owing to such Lender shall be evidenced by a Revolving Note (ii) from Term Advances owing to such Lender made pursuant to Section 2.1(b) shall be evidenced by a Term Note, and (iii) from Swing Line Advances owing to the Swing Line Lender, as set forth in Section 2.3 below, shall be evidenced by a Swing Line Note.

Section 2.2              Letters of Credit

(a)            Commitment for Letters of Credit.  The Issuing Lender, the Lenders, the Parent and the Borrower agree that effective as of the Closing Date, the Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been issued and maintained under, and to be governed by the terms and conditions of, this Agreement.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Issuing Lender agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.2, from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Revolving Maturity Date, to issue, increase or extend the expiration date of, Letters of Credit for the account of any Credit Party, provided that no Letter of Credit will be issued, increased, or extended:

 
-29-

 

(i)             if such issuance, increase, or extension would cause the Letter of Credit Exposure to exceed the lesser of (A) the Letter of Credit Maximum Amount and (B) an amount equal to (1) the lesser of the Borrowing Base and the aggregate Revolving Commitments, in either case, in effect at such time minus (2) the sum of the aggregate outstanding amount of all Revolving Advances plus the Letter of Credit Exposure plus the aggregate outstanding amount of all Swing Line Advances;

(ii)            unless such Letter of Credit (other than the Existing Long L/Cs) has an expiration date not later than 5 Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date; provided that, if Revolving Commitments are terminated in whole pursuant to Section 2.1(c)(i), the Borrower shall either (A) deposit into the Cash Collateral Account cash in an amount equal to 105% of the Letter of Credit Exposure for the Letters of Credit which have an expiry date beyond the Revolving Maturity Date or (B) provide a replacement letter of credit (or other security) reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lender in an amount equal to 105% of the Letter of Credit Exposure;

(iii)           unless such Letter of Credit is (A) a standby letter of credit not supporting the repayment of indebtedness for borrowed money of any Person, or (B) with the consent of the Issuing Lender and so long as the Borrower as agreed to such additional fees which may apply, a commercial letter of credit;

(iv)           unless such Letter of Credit is in form and substance acceptable to the Issuing Lender in its sole discretion;

(v)            unless the Borrower has delivered to the Issuing Lender a completed and executed Letter of Credit Application; provided that, if the terms of any Letter of Credit Application conflicts with the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall control;

(vi)           unless such Letter of Credit is governed by (A) the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600, or (B) the International Standby Practices (ISP98), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590, in either case, including any subsequent revisions thereof approved by a Congress of the International Chamber of Commerce and adhered to by the Issuing Lender;

(vii)          if any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Issuing Lender from issuing, increasing or extending such Letter of Credit, or any Legal Requirement applicable to the Issuing Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Issuing Lender shall prohibit, or request that the Issuing Lender refrain from, the issuance, increase or extension of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Issuing Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Issuing Lender is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the Issuing Lender any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the Issuing Lender in good faith deems material to it;

 
-30-

 

(viii)         if the issuance, increase or extension of such Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Issuing Lender applicable to letters of credit generally;

(ix)            if Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars; or

(x)            any Lender is at such time a Defaulting Lender hereunder, unless the Issuing Lender has entered into satisfactory arrangements with the Borrower or such Lender to eliminate the Issuing Lender's risk with respect to such Lender.

(b)            Requesting Letters of Credit.  Each Letter of Credit (other than the Existing Letters of Credit which are deemed issued hereunder) shall be issued pursuant to a Letter of Credit Application given by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Issuing Lender by facsimile or other writing not later than 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas, time) on the third Business Day before the proposed date of issuance for the Letter of Credit.  Each Letter of Credit Application shall be fully completed and shall specify the information required therein.  Each Letter of Credit Application shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower.  Subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Issuing Lender shall before 2:00 p.m. (Houston, Texas, time) on the date of such Letter of Credit issue such Letter of Credit to the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit.

(c)            Reimbursements for Letters of Credit; Funding of Participations.

(i)             With respect to any Letter of Credit, in accordance with the related Letter of Credit Application, the Borrower agrees to pay on demand to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Issuing Lender an amount equal to any amount paid by the Issuing Lender under such Letter of Credit.  Upon the Issuing Lender's demand for payment under the terms of a Letter of Credit Application, the Borrower may, with a written notice, request that the Borrower's obligations to the Issuing Lender thereunder be satisfied with the proceeds of a Revolving Advance in the same amount (notwithstanding any minimum size or increment limitations on individual Revolving Advances).  If the Borrower does not make such request and does not otherwise make the payments demanded by the Issuing Lender as required under this Agreement or the Letter of Credit Application, then the Borrower shall be deemed for all purposes of this Agreement to have requested such a Revolving Advance in the same amount and the transfer of the proceeds thereof to satisfy the Borrower's obligations to the Issuing Lender, and the Borrower hereby unconditionally and irrevocably authorizes, empowers, and directs the Lenders to make such Revolving Advance, to transfer the proceeds thereof to the Issuing Lender in satisfaction of such obligations, and to record and otherwise treat such payments as a Revolving Advance to the Borrower.  The Administrative Agent and each Lender may record and otherwise treat the making of such Revolving Borrowings as the making of a Revolving Borrowing to the Borrower under this Agreement as if requested by the Borrower.  Nothing herein is intended to release any of the Borrower's obligations under any Letter of Credit Application, but only to provide an additional method of payment therefor.  The making of any Borrowing under this Section 2.2(c) shall not constitute a cure or waiver of any Default, other than the payment Default which is satisfied by the application of the amounts deemed advanced hereunder, caused by the Borrower's failure to comply with the provisions of this Agreement or the Letter of Credit Application.

 
-31-

 

(ii)            Each Lender (including the Lender acting as Issuing Lender) shall, upon notice from the Administrative Agent that the Borrower has requested or is deemed to have requested a Revolving Advance pursuant to Section 2.4 and regardless of whether (A) the conditions in Section 3.2 have been met, (B) such notice complies with Section 2.4, or (C) a Default exists, make funds available to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Lender in an amount equal to such Lender's Revolving Pro Rata Share of the amount of such Revolving Advance not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon each Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a Revolving Advance to the Borrower in such amount.  The Administrative Agent shall remit the funds so received to the Issuing Lender.

(iii)           If any such Lender shall not have so made its Revolving Advance available to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.2, such Lender agrees to pay interest thereon for each day from such date until the date such amount is paid at the lesser of (A) the Federal Funds Rate for such day for the first three days and thereafter the interest rate applicable to the Revolving Advance and (B) the Maximum Rate.  Whenever, at any time after the Administrative Agent has received from any Lender such Lender’s Revolving Advance, the Administrative Agent receives any payment on account thereof, the Administrative Agent will pay to such Lender its participating interest in such amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s Revolving Advance was outstanding and funded), which payment shall be subject to repayment by such Lender if such payment received by the Administrative Agent is required to be returned.  Each Lender’s obligation to make the Revolving Advance pursuant to this Section 2.2 shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (1) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender or any other Person may have against the Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (2) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or the termination of the Commitments; (3) any breach of this Agreement by any Credit Party or any other Lender; or (4) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

(d)            Participations.  Upon the date of the issuance or increase of a Letter of Credit or the deemed issuance of the Existing Letters of Credit under Section 2.2(a), the Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have sold to each other Lender and each other Lender shall have been deemed to have purchased from the Issuing Lender a participation in the related Letter of Credit Obligations equal to such Lender’s Revolving Pro Rata Share at such date and such sale and purchase shall otherwise be in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  The Issuing Lender shall promptly notify each such participant Lender by telex, telephone, or telecopy of each Letter of Credit issued or increased and the actual dollar amount of such Lender’s participation in such Letter of Credit.

 
-32-

 

(e)            Obligations Unconditional.  The obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement in respect of each Letter of Credit shall be unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, notwithstanding the following circumstances:

(i)             any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit Documents;

(ii)            any amendment or waiver of or any consent to departure from any Letter of Credit Documents;

(iii)           the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which any Credit Party may have at any time against any beneficiary or transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Issuing Lender, any Lender or any other person or entity, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated in this Agreement or in any Letter of Credit Documents or any unrelated transaction;

(iv)           any statement or any other document presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect to the extent the Issuing Lender would not be liable therefor pursuant to the following paragraph (g);

(v)            payment by the Issuing Lender under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate which does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or

(vi)           any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing;

provided, however, that nothing contained in this paragraph (e) shall be deemed to constitute a waiver of any remedies of the Borrower in connection with the Letters of Credit.

(f)             Prepayments of Letters of Credit; Terminations of Existing Long L/Cs.

(i)             In the event that any Letter of Credit shall be outstanding or shall be drawn and not reimbursed on or prior to the 5th Business Day prior to the Revolving Maturity Date, the Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent an amount equal to 105% of the Letter of Credit Exposure allocable to such Letter of Credit, such amount to be due and payable on the 5th Business Day prior to the Revolving Maturity Date, and to be held in the Cash Collateral Account and applied in accordance with paragraph (h) below.

(ii)            On the Closing Date the Borrower shall deposit with the Administrative Agent an amount equal to 105% of the Letter of Credit Exposure allocable to the Existing Long L/Cs to be held in the Cash Collateral Account.  On or prior to May 15, 2009 (or such later date if approved by the Issuing Lender so long as such later date is on or prior to August 15, 2009), the Borrower shall cause such Existing Long L/Cs to be either (A) terminated or (B) amended so that the expiry date thereof is a date no later than 5 Business Days prior to the Revolving Maturity Date.  Borrower's failure to comply with the terms of this Section 2.2(f)(ii) shall constitute an immediate Event of Default.

 
-33-

 

(g)            Liability of Issuing Lender.  The Borrower assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee of any Letter of Credit with respect to its use of such Letter of Credit.  Neither the Issuing Lender nor any of its officers or directors shall be liable or responsible for:

(i)             the use which may be made of any Letter of Credit or any acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee in connection therewith;

(ii)            the validity, sufficiency or genuineness of documents, or of any endorsement thereon, even if such documents should prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, fraudulent or forged;

(iii)           payment by the Issuing Lender against presentation of documents which do not comply with the terms of a Letter of Credit, including failure of any documents to bear any reference or adequate reference to the relevant Letter of Credit; or

(iv)           any other circumstances whatsoever in making or failing to make payment under any Letter of Credit (INCLUDING THE ISSUING LENDER’S OWN NEGLIGENCE),

except that the Borrower shall have a claim against the Issuing Lender, and the Issuing Lender shall be liable to, and shall promptly pay to, the Borrower, to the extent of any direct, as opposed to consequential, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower proves were caused by (A) the Issuing Lender’s willful misconduct or gross negligence in determining whether documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or (B) the Issuing Lender’s willful failure to make lawful payment under any Letter of Credit after the presentation to it of a draft and certificate strictly complying with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit.   In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Issuing Lender may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary.

(h)            Cash Collateral Account.

(i)             If the Borrower is required to deposit funds in the Cash Collateral Account pursuant to Sections 2.2(f), 2.2(i), 2.5(c), 7.2(b) or 7.3(b), then the Borrower and the Administrative Agent shall establish the Cash Collateral Account and the Borrower shall execute any documents and agreements, including the Administrative Agent's standard form assignment of deposit accounts, that the Administrative Agent requests in connection therewith to establish the Cash Collateral Account and grant the Administrative Agent an Acceptable Security Interest in such account and the funds therein.  The Borrower hereby pledges to the Administrative Agent and grants the Administrative Agent a security interest in the Cash Collateral Account, whenever established, all funds held in the Cash Collateral Account from time to time, and all proceeds thereof as security for the payment of the Secured Obligations.

 
-34-

 

(ii)            Funds held in the Cash Collateral Account shall be held as cash collateral for obligations with respect to Letters of Credit and promptly applied by the Administrative Agent at the request of the Issuing Lender to any reimbursement or other obligations under Letters of Credit that exist or occur.  To the extent that any surplus funds are held in the Cash Collateral Account above the Letter of Credit Exposure during the existence of an Event of Default the Administrative Agent may (A) hold such surplus funds in the Cash Collateral Account as cash collateral for the Secured Obligations or (B) apply such surplus funds to any Secured Obligations in any manner directed by the Majority Lenders.  If no Default exists, the Administrative Agent shall release any surplus funds held in the Cash Collateral Account above the Letter of Credit Exposure to the Borrower at the Borrower’s written request.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Borrower has complied with the terms of Section 2.2(f)(ii) and no Default exists, or would result therefrom, the Administrative Agent shall release the funds deposited by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.2(f)(ii) to the Borrower at the Borrower's written request.

(iii)           Funds held in the Cash Collateral Account may be invested in Liquid Investments maintained with, and under the sole dominion and control of, the Administrative Agent or in another investment if mutually agreed upon by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, but the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to make any investment of the funds therein.  The Administrative Agent shall exercise reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any funds held in the Cash Collateral Account and shall be deemed to have exercised such care if such funds are accorded treatment substantially equivalent to that which the Administrative Agent accords its own property, it being understood that the Administrative Agent shall not have any responsibility for taking any necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties with respect to any such funds.

(i)             Defaulting Lender.  If, at any time, a Defaulting Lender exists hereunder, then, at the request of the Issuing Lender, the Borrower shall deposit funds with Administrative Agent into the Cash Collateral Account an amount equal to such Defaulting Lender's pro rata share of the Letter of Credit Exposure.

(j)             Letters of Credit Issued for Guarantors or any Subsidiary.  Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Guarantor or any Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the Issuing Lender hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit issued hereunder by the Issuing Lender.  The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of any Guarantor, the Borrower or any Subsidiary inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower's business (indirectly or directly) derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such other Persons.

 
-35-

 

Section 2.3              Swing Line Advances.  

(a)            Facility.  On the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, and if an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, subject to the terms and conditions of such AutoBorrow Agreement, the Swing Line Lender may, in its sole discretion, from time-to-time on any Business Day during the period from the date of this Agreement until the last Business Day occurring before the Revolving Maturity Date, make Swing Line Advances under the Swing Line Note to the Borrower which shall be due and payable on the Swing Line Payment Date (except that no Swing Line Advance may mature after the Revolving Maturity Date), bearing interest at the Adjusted Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Advances, and in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not to exceed the Swing Line Sublimit Amount at any time; provided that (i) after giving effect to such Swing Line Advance, the sum of the aggregate outstanding amount of all Revolving Advances plus the Letter of Credit Exposure plus the aggregate outstanding amount of all Swing Line Advances, shall not exceed the aggregate Revolving Commitments in effect at such time; (ii) no Swing Line Advance shall be made by the Swing Line Lender if the conditions set forth in Section 3.2 have not been met as of the date of such Swing Line Advance, it being agreed by the Borrower that the giving of the applicable Notice of Borrowing and the acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of such Swing Line Advance shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower that on the date of such Swing Line Advance such conditions have been met; (iii) each Swing Line Advance shall be in an aggregate amount not less than $100,000.00 and in integral multiples of $50,000.00 in excess thereof; and (iv) if an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, such additional terms and conditions of such AutoBorrow Agreement shall have been satisfied, and in the event that any of the terms of this Section 2.3(a) conflict with such AutoBorrow Agreement, the terms of the AutoBorrow Agreement shall govern and control.  The indebtedness of the Borrower to the Swing Line Lender resulting from Swing Line Advances shall be evidenced by the Swing Line Note.  No Lender shall have any rights or obligations under any AutoBorrow Agreement, but each Lender shall have the obligation to purchase and fund risk participations in the Swing Line Advances and to refinance Swing Line Advances as provided below.

(b)            Prepayment.  Within the limits expressed in this Agreement, amounts advanced pursuant to Section 2.3(a) may from time to time be borrowed, prepaid without penalty, and reborrowed.  If the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Swing Line Advances ever exceeds the Swing Line Sublimit Amount, the Borrower shall, upon receipt of written notice of such condition from the Swing Line Lender and to the extent of such excess, prepay to the Swing Line Lender outstanding principal of the Swing Line Advances such that such excess is eliminated.  If an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, each prepayment of a Swing Line Borrowing shall be made as provided in such AutoBorrow Agreement.

(c)            Reimbursements for Swing Line Obligations.

(i)             With respect to the Swing Line Advances and the interest, premium, fees, and other amounts owed by the Borrower to the Swing Line Lender in connection with the Swing Line Advances, the Borrower agrees to pay to the Swing Line Lender such amounts when due and payable to the Swing Line Lender under the terms of this Agreement and, if an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, in accordance with the terms of such AutoBorrow Agreement.  If the Borrower does not pay to the Swing Line Lender any such amounts when due and payable to the Swing Line Lender, the Swing Line Lender may upon notice to the Administrative Agent request the satisfaction of such obligation by the making of a Revolving Borrowing in the amount of any such amounts not paid when due and payable.  Upon such request, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested the making of a Revolving Borrowing in the amount of such obligation and the transfer of the proceeds thereof to the Swing Line Lender.  Such Revolving Borrowing shall bear interest based upon the Adjusted Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Advances.  The Administrative Agent shall promptly forward notice of such Revolving Borrowing to the Borrower and the Lenders, and each Lender shall, regardless of whether (A) the conditions in Section 3.2 have been met, (B) such notice complies with Section 2.4, or (C) a Default exists, make available such Lender's ratable share of such Revolving Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly deliver the proceeds thereof to the Swing Line Lender for application to such amounts owed to the Swing Line Lender.  The Borrower hereby unconditionally and irrevocably authorizes, empowers, and directs the Swing Line Lender to make such requests for Revolving Borrowings on behalf of the Borrower, and the Lenders to make Revolving Advances to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Swing Line Lender in satisfaction of such obligations.  The Administrative Agent and each Lender may record and otherwise treat the making of such Revolving Borrowings as the making of a Revolving Borrowing to the Borrower under this Agreement as if requested by the Borrower.  Nothing herein is intended to release the Borrower's obligations under the Swing Line Note, but only to provide an additional method of payment therefor.  The making of any Borrowing under this Section 2.3(c) shall not constitute a cure or waiver of any Default or Event of Default, other than the payment Default or Event of Default which is satisfied by the application of the amounts deemed advanced hereunder, caused by the Borrower's failure to comply with the provisions of this Agreement or the Swing Line Note.

 
-36-

 

(ii)            If at any time, the Revolving Commitments shall have expired or be terminated while any Swing Line Advance is outstanding, each Lender, at the sole option of the Swing Line Lender, shall either (A) notwithstanding the expiration or termination of the Revolving Commitments, make a Revolving Advance as a Base Rate Advance, or (B) be deemed, without further action by any Person, to have purchased from the Swing Line Lender a participation in such Swing Line Advance, in either case in an amount equal to the product of such Lender’s Revolving Pro Rata Share times the outstanding aggregate principal balance of the Swing Line Advances.  The Administrative Agent shall notify each such Lender of the amount of such Revolving Advance or participation, and such Lender will transfer to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender on the next Business Day following such notice, in immediately available funds, the amount of such Revolving Advance or participation.

(iii)           If any such Lender shall not have so made its Revolving Advance or its percentage participation available to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 2.3, such Lender agrees to pay interest thereon for each day from such date until the date such amount is paid at the lesser of (A) the Federal Funds Rate for such day for the first three days and thereafter the interest rate applicable to the Revolving Advance and (B) the Maximum Rate.  Whenever, at any time after the Administrative Agent has received from any Lender such Lender’s Revolving Advance or participating interest in a Swing Line Advance, the Administrative Agent receives any payment on account thereof, the Administrative Agent will pay to such Lender its participating interest in such amount (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s Revolving Advance or participating interest was outstanding and funded), which payment shall be subject to repayment by such Lender if such payment received by the Administrative Agent is required to be returned.  Each Lender’s obligation to make the Revolving Advance or purchase such participating interests pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (1) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which such Lender or any other Person may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Administrative Agent or any other Person for any reason whatsoever; (2) the occurrence or continuance of a Default or the termination of the Commitments; (3) any breach of this Agreement by the Borrower or any other Lender; or (4) any other circumstance, happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.  Each Swing Line Advance, once so participated by any Lender, shall cease to be a Swing Line Advance with respect to that amount for purposes of this Agreement, but shall continue to be a Revolving Loan.

 
-37-

 

(d)            Method of Borrowing.  If an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, each Swing Line Borrowing shall be made as provided in such AutoBorrow Agreement.  Otherwise, and except as provided in the clause (c) above, each request for a Swing Line Advance shall be made pursuant to telephone notice to the Swing Line Lender given no later than 1:00 p.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the date of the proposed Swing Line Advance, promptly confirmed by a completed and executed Notice of Borrowing telecopied or facsimiled to the Administrative Agent and the Swing Line Lender.  The Swing Line Lender will promptly make the Swing Line Advance available to the Borrower at the Borrower's account with the Administrative Agent.

(e)            Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender.  Swing Line Lender shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing Line Advances (provided that any failure of the Swing Line Lender to provide such invoice shall not release the Borrower from its obligation to pay such interest).  Until each Lender funds its Revolving Advance or risk participation pursuant to clause (c) above, interest in respect of Lender's Pro Rata Share of the Swing Line Advances shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.

(f)             Payments Directly to Swing Line Lenders.  The Borrower shall make all payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Advances directly to the Swing Line Lender.

(g)            Discretionary Nature of the Swing Line Facility.  Notwithstanding any terms to the contrary contained herein or in any AutoBorrow Agreement, the Swing Line facility provided herein or in any AutoBorrow Agreement (i) is an uncommitted facility and the Swing Line Lender may, but shall not be obligated to, make Swing Line Advances, and (ii) may be terminated at any time by the Swing Line Lender upon written notice to the Borrower.

 
-38-

 

Section 2.4              Advances.

(a)            Notice.  Each Revolving Borrowing, shall be made pursuant to a Notice of Borrowing given not later than (i) 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the third Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing, in the case of a Eurodollar Advance or (ii) 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the Business Day before the date of the proposed Borrowing, in the case of a Base Rate Advance, by the Borrower to the Administrative Agent, which shall give to each Lender prompt notice of such proposed Borrowing by facsimile or telex.  Each Notice of Borrowing shall be by facsimile or telex, confirmed promptly by the Borrower with a hard copy (other than with respect to notice sent by facsimile), specifying the requested (i) date of such Borrowing, (ii) Type and Class of Advances comprising such Borrowing, (iii) aggregate amount of such Borrowing, and (iv) if such Borrowing is to be comprised of Eurodollar Advances, Interest Period for each such Advance.  In the case of a proposed Borrowing comprised of Eurodollar Advances, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the applicable interest rate under Section 2.8(b).  Each Lender shall, before 12:00 noon (Houston, Texas time) on the date of such Borrowing, make available for the account of its applicable Lending Office to the Administrative Agent at its address referred to in Section 9.9, or such other location as the Administrative Agent may specify by notice to the Lenders, in same day funds, such Lender's Revolving Pro Rata Share of such Borrowing.  After the Administrative Agent's receipt of such funds and upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions set forth in Article 3, the Administrative Agent will make such funds available to the Borrower at its account with the Administrative Agent or as otherwise directed by the Borrower with written notice to the Administrative Agent.

(b)            Conversions and Continuations.  In order to elect to Convert or continue a Term Advance or a Revolving Advance under this paragraph, the Borrower shall deliver an irrevocable Notice of Continuation or Conversion to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent's office no later than 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) (i) on the Business Day before the date of the proposed conversion date in the case of a Conversion to a Base Rate Advance and (ii) at least three Business Days in advance of the proposed Conversion or continuation date in the case of a Conversion to, or a continuation of, a Eurodollar Advance.  Each such Notice of Conversion or Continuation shall be in writing or by telex or facsimile confirmed promptly by the Borrower with a hard copy (other than with respect to notice sent by facsimile), specifying (i) the requested Conversion or continuation date (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the amount, Type, and Class of the Advance to be Converted or continued, (iii) whether a Conversion or continuation is requested and, if a Conversion, into what Type of Advance, and (iv) in the case of a Conversion to, or a continuation of, a Eurodollar Advance, the requested Interest Period.  Promptly after receipt of a Notice of Conversion or Continuation under this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall provide each Lender with a copy thereof and, in the case of a Conversion to or a Continuation of a Eurodollar Advance, notify each Lender of the applicable interest rate under Section 2.8(b).  The portion of Advances comprising part of the same Borrowing that are converted to Advances of another Type shall constitute a new Borrowing.

(c)            Certain Limitations.  Notwithstanding anything in paragraphs (a) and (b) above:

(i)             at no time shall there be more than five Interest Periods applicable to outstanding Eurodollar Advances;

 
-39-

 

(ii)            the Borrower may not select Eurodollar Advances for any Borrowing at any time when a Default has occurred and is continuing;

(iii)           if any Lender shall, at least one Business Day before the date of any requested Borrowing, notify the Administrative Agent that the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation makes it unlawful, or that any central bank or other governmental authority asserts that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to perform its obligations under this Agreement to make Eurodollar Advances or to fund or maintain Eurodollar Advances,  (A) the obligation of such Lender to make such Eurodollar Advance as part of the requested Borrowing or for any subsequent Borrowing shall be suspended until such Lender shall notify the Borrower that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist and such Lender's portion of such requested Borrowing or any subsequent Borrowing of Eurodollar Advances shall be made in the form of a Base Rate Advance, and (B) such Lender agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policies and legal and regulatory restrictions) to designate a different Lending Office if the making of such designation would avoid the effect of this paragraph and would not, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender;

(iv)           if the Administrative Agent is unable to determine the Eurodollar Rate for Eurodollar Advances comprising any requested Borrowing, the right of the Borrower to select Eurodollar Advances for such Borrowing or for any subsequent Borrowing shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and each Advance comprising such Borrowing shall be a Base Rate Advance;

(v)            if the Majority Lenders shall, at least one Business Day before the date of any requested Borrowing, notify the Administrative Agent that the Eurodollar Rate for Eurodollar Advances comprising such Borrowing will not adequately reflect the cost to such Lenders of making or funding their respective Eurodollar Advances, as the case may be, for such Borrowing, the right of the Borrower to select Eurodollar Advances for such Borrowing or for any subsequent Borrowing shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist, and each Advance comprising such Borrowing shall be a Base Rate Advance; and

(vi)           if the Borrower shall fail to select the duration or continuation of any Interest Period for any Eurodollar Advances in accordance with the provisions contained in the definition of Interest Period in Section 1.1 and paragraph (b) above, the Administrative Agent will forthwith so notify the Borrower and the Lenders and such Advances will be made available to the Borrower on the date of such Borrowing as Base Rate Advances or, if an existing Advance, Convert into Base Rate Advances.

(d)            Notices Irrevocable.  Each Notice of Borrowing and Notice of Continuation or Conversion delivered by the Borrower hereunder, including its deemed request for borrowing made under Section 2.2(c), shall be irrevocable and binding on the Borrower.

 
-40-

 

(e)            Administrative Agent Reliance.  Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender before the date of any Term Borrowing or Revolving Borrowing that such Lender will not make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender's applicable pro rata share of any Borrowing, the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made its applicable pro rata share of such Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent on the date of such Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.4(a), and the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount.  If and to the extent that such Lender shall not have so made its applicable pro rata share of such Borrowing available to the Administrative Agent, such Lender and the Borrower severally agree to immediately repay to the Administrative Agent on demand such corresponding amount, together with interest on such amount, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent, at (i) in the case of the Borrower, the interest rate applicable on such day to Advances comprising such Borrowing and (ii) in the case of such Lender, the lesser of (A) the Federal Funds Rate for such day and (B) the Maximum Rate.  If such Lender shall repay to the Administrative Agent such corresponding amount and interest as provided above, such corresponding amount so repaid shall constitute such Lender's Advance as part of such Borrowing for purposes of this Agreement even though not made on the same day as the other Advances comprising such Borrowing.

Section 2.5              Prepayments.

(a)            Right to Prepay.  The Borrower shall have no right to prepay any principal amount of any Advance except as provided in this Section 2.5.

(b)            Optional.  The Borrower may elect to prepay any of the Advances without penalty or premium except as set forth in Section 2.10 and after giving by 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) (i) in the case of Eurodollar Advances, at least three Business Days' or (ii) in case of Base Rate Advances, one Business Day's prior written notice to the Administrative Agent stating the proposed date and aggregate principal amount of such prepayment.  If any such notice is given, the Borrower shall prepay Advances comprising part of the same Borrowing in whole or ratably in part in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount specified in such notice, together with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the principal amount prepaid and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.10 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date; provided that (A) each optional prepayment of Eurodollar Advances shall be in a minimum amount not less than $1,000,000 and in multiple integrals of $500,000 in excess thereof, (B) each optional prepayment of Base Rate Advances shall be in a minimum amount not less than $500,000 and in multiple integrals of $100,000 in excess thereof and (C) each optional prepayment of Swing Line Advances shall be in a minimum amount not less than $250,000 and in multiple integrals of $50,000 in excess thereof.  If an AutoBorrow Agreement is in effect, each prepayment of Swing Line Advances shall be made as provided in such AutoBorrow Agreement.

(c)            Mandatory.

(i)             On any date that a Borrowing Base Deficiency exists as stated in the Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 5.2(e) or as notified to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent (with such calculation set forth in reasonable detail which shall be conclusive absent manifest error), the Borrower shall, within one Business Day, to the extent of such deficiency, first prepay to the Swing Line Lender the outstanding principal amount of the Swing Line Advances, second prepay to the Lenders on a pro rata basis the outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Advances; and third make deposits into the Cash Collateral Account to provide cash collateral in the amount of such excess for the Letter of Credit Exposure.

 
-41-

 

(ii)            If the Parent or any Subsidiary receives Debt Incurrence Proceeds, then not later than one Business Day following the receipt of such proceeds, the Borrower shall repay the Term Advances in an amount equal to 100% of such proceeds.

(iii)           If the Parent or any Subsidiary receives Equity Issuance Proceeds, then not later than one Business Day following the receipt of such proceeds, the Borrower shall prepay the Term Advances in an amount equal to 100% of such proceeds.

(iv)           If the Parent or any Subsidiary completes an Asset Sale of any Property which is intended to constitute Collateral under the Security Documents, then the Borrower shall, no later than one Business Day following the completion such Asset Sale, prepay the Term Advances in an amount equal to 75% of the Net Cash Proceeds generated from such Asset Sale; provided that, (A) if such Asset Sale was permitted under Section 6.8(c) and no Default exists or would arise therefrom, then such proceeds shall not be required to be so applied on such date to the extent that Borrower shall have delivered a certificate by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent on or prior to such date stating that such Net Cash Proceeds are reasonably expected to be reinvested in fixed or capital assets of any Credit Party within 90 days following the date of such Asset Sale (which Officers’ Certificate shall set forth the estimates of the proceeds to be so expended); provided further that, all property purchased or otherwise acquired with the Net Cash Proceeds thereof pursuant to this subsection shall be made subject to the first priority perfected Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) of the applicable Security Documents in favor of the Administrative Agent, for its benefit and for the benefit of the other Secured Parties and (B) if all or any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds are not reinvested within such 90-day period as provided in clause (A) above, then 75% of such unused portion shall be applied on the last day of such period as a mandatory prepayment of the Term Advances.

(v)            If the Parent or any Subsidiary completes an Asset Sale of any Property which is not intended to constitute Collateral under the Security Documents, then the Borrower shall, no later than one Business Day following the completion such Asset Sale, prepay the Term Advances in an amount equal to 75% of the Net Cash Proceeds generated from such Asset Sale; provided that, (A) if such Asset Sale was permitted under Section 6.8(c) and no Default exists or would arise therefrom, then such proceeds shall not be required to be so applied on such date to the extent that Borrower shall have delivered a certificate by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to the Administrative Agent on or prior to such date stating that such Net Cash Proceeds are reasonably expected to be reinvested in fixed or capital assets of the Parent or any Subsidiary thereof within 90 days following the date of such Asset Sale (which Officers’ Certificate shall set forth the estimates of the proceeds to be so expended); provided further that, if the Property that is the subject of such Asset Sale was owned by a Credit Party, the Net Cash Proceeds generated therefrom shall have been reinvested in fixed or capital assets of a Credit Party; and (B) if all or any portion of such Net Cash Proceeds are not reinvested within such 90-day period as provided in clause (A) above, then 75% of such unused portion shall be applied on the last day of such period as a mandatory prepayment of the Term Advances.

 
-42-

 

(vi)           If an increase in the aggregate Revolving Commitments is effected as permitted under Section 2.15 the Borrower shall prepay any Revolving Advances outstanding on the date such increase is effected to the extent necessary to keep the outstanding Revolving Advances ratable to reflect the revised pro rata shares of the Revolving Lenders arising from such increase.  Any prepayment made by Borrower in accordance with this clause (vii) may be made with the proceeds of Revolving Advances made by all the Lenders in connection such increase occurring simultaneously with the prepayment.

(d)            Interest; Costs.  Each prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.5 shall be accompanied by accrued interest on the amount prepaid to the date of such prepayment and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.10 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date.

(e)            Application of Prepayments.  Each mandatory prepayment of an Advance required by Section 2.5(c)(ii) – (iv) shall be applied to the scheduled principal installments of the Term Advances to be applied in the inverse order of maturity until such time as the Term Advances are repaid in full.

Section 2.6              Repayment.

(a)             Revolving Advances.  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of each Revolving Lender the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Advances on the Revolving Maturity Date.

(b)            Term Advances.  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable benefit of each Term Lender the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Term Advances in quarterly installments each equal to $1,720,000.00.  Such quarterly installments shall be due and payable on each March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31, commencing with June 30, 2009, and a final installment of the remaining, unpaid principal balance of the Term Advances payable on the Term Maturity Date.

(c)            Swing Line Advances.  Each Swing Line Advance shall be paid in full on the Swing Line Payment Date.

Section 2.7              Fees.

(a)            Commitment Fees.  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender a Commitment Fee on the average daily amount by which (i) such Lender's Revolving Commitment exceeds (ii) the sum of such Lender's outstanding Revolving Advances plus such Lender's Revolving Pro Rata Share of the Letter of Credit Exposure, at the rate equal to the Applicable Margin for Commitment Fees for such period; provided that, no Commitment Fee shall accrue on the Revolving Commitment of a Defaulting Lender during the period such Lender remains a Defaulting Lender.  The Commitment Fee is due quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year commencing on March 31, 2009, and on the Revolving Maturity Date.  For purposes of this Section 2.7(a) only, amounts advanced under the Swing Line Note shall not reduce the amount of the unused Revolving Commitment.

 
-43-

 

(b)            Fees for Letters of Credit.  The Borrower agrees to pay the following:

(i)             To the Administrative Agent for the pro rata benefit of the Revolving Lenders a per annum letter of credit fee for each Letter of Credit issued hereunder, for the period such Letter of Credit is to be outstanding, in an amount equal to the greater of (A) the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Advances per annum on the face amount of such Letter of Credit, and (B) $600.00 per Letter of Credit.  Such fee shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year, and on the Revolving Maturity Date.

(ii)            To the Issuing Lender, a fronting fee for each Letter of Credit equal to the greater of (A) 0.250% per annum on the face amount of such Letter of Credit and (B) $600.00.  Such fee shall be due and payable in advance on the date of the issuance of the Letter of Credit, and, in the case of an increase or extension only, on the date of such increase or such extension.

(iii)           To the Administrative Agent for the pro rata benefit of the Revolving Lenders such additional per annum letter of credit fee for each commercial Letter of Credit issued hereunder, for the period such Letter of Credit is to be outstanding, in an amount agreed to between the Borrower and the Issuing Lender in writing.  Such fee shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year, and on the Revolving Maturity Date.

(iv)           To the Issuing Lender, an additional fronting fee for each commercial Letter of Credit equal an amount agreed to between the Borrower and the Issuing Lender.  Such fee shall be due and payable in advance on the date of the issuance of the Letter of Credit in writing, and, in the case of an increase or extension only, on the date of such increase or such extension.

(v)            To the Issuing Lender such other usual and customary fees associated with any transfers, amendments, drawings, negotiations or reissuances of any Letters of Credit.  Such fees shall be due and payable as requested by the Issuing Lender in accordance with the Issuing Lender's then current fee policy.

The Borrower shall have no right to any refund of letter of credit fees previously paid by the Borrower, including any refund claimed because any Letter of Credit is canceled prior to its expiration date.

 
-44-

 

(c)            Administrative Agent Fee.  The Borrower agrees to pay the fees to the Administrative Agent as set forth in the Fee Letter.

Section 2.8              Interest.

(a)            Base Rate Advances.  Each Base Rate Advance shall bear interest at the Adjusted Base Rate in effect from time to time plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Advances for such period, provided that while an Event of Default is continuing the Base Rate Advances shall bear interest at the Adjusted Base Rate in effect from time to time plus the Applicable Margin plus 2%.  The Borrower shall pay to Administrative Agent for the ratable account of each Lender all accrued but unpaid interest on such Lender's Base Rate Advances on each March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 commencing on March 31, 2009, and on the Revolving Maturity Date or the Term Maturity Date, as applicable.  The Swing Line Advances shall bear interest only at the Adjusted Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Advances or such other per annum rate to be agreed to between the Borrower and the Swing Line Lender; provided that while an Event of Default is continuing the Swing Line Advances shall bear interest at the Adjusted Base Rate in effect from time to time plus the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Advances plus 2%.

(b)            Eurodollar Advances.  Each Eurodollar Advance shall bear interest during its Interest Period equal to at all times the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Margin for Eurodollar Advances for such period; provided that while an Event of Default is continuing, each Eurodollar Advance shall bear interest at the Eurodollar Rate in effect from time to time plus the Applicable Margin plus 2%.  The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the ratable account of each Lender all accrued but unpaid interest on each of such Lender's Eurodollar Advances on the last day of the Interest Period therefor (provided that for Eurodollar Advances with six month Interest Periods, accrued but unpaid interest shall also be due on the day three months from the first day of such Interest Period), on the date any Eurodollar Advance is repaid, and on the Revolving Maturity Date or the Term Maturity Date, as applicable.

(c)            Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Margin.  In the event that any financial statement or Compliance Certificate delivered pursuant to Section 5.2 is shown to be inaccurate (regardless of whether this Agreement or the Commitments are in effect when such inaccuracy is discovered), 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 (i) the Borrower shall immediately deliver to the Administrative Agent a corrected Compliance Certificate for such Applicable Period, (ii) the Applicable Margin shall be determined as if the higher Applicable Margin that would have applied were applicable for such Applicable Period (and in any event at Level 3 if the inaccuracy was the result of dishonesty, fraud or willful misconduct), and (iii) the Borrower shall immediately, without further action by the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender, pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders, the accrued additional interest owing as a result of such increased Applicable Margin for such Applicable Period.  This Section 2.8(c) shall not limit the rights of the Administrative Agent and Lenders with respect to the default rate of interest as set forth in Section 2.8(a) and Section 2.8(b) and Article 7.  The Borrower’s obligations under this Section 2.8(c) shall survive the termination of the Commitments and the repayment of all other Secured Obligations hereunder.

 
-45-

 

Section 2.9              Illegality.  If any Lender shall notify the Borrower that the introduction of or any change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation makes it unlawful, or that any central bank or other governmental authority asserts that it is unlawful, for such Lender or its applicable Lending Office to perform its obligations under this Agreement to make, maintain, or fund any Eurodollar Advances of such Lender then outstanding hereunder, (a) the Borrower shall, no later than 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas, time) (i) if not prohibited by law, on the last day of the Interest Period for each outstanding Eurodollar Advance or (ii) if required by such notice, on the second Business Day following its receipt of such notice, prepay all of the Eurodollar Advances of such Lender then outstanding, together with accrued interest on the principal amount prepaid to the date of such prepayment and amounts, if any, required to be paid pursuant to Section 2.10 as a result of such prepayment being made on such date, (b) such Lender shall simultaneously make a Base Rate Advance to the Borrower on such date in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of the Eurodollar Advances prepaid to such Lender, and (c) the right of the Borrower to select Eurodollar Advances from such Lender for any subsequent Borrowing shall be suspended until such Lender shall notify the Borrower that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist.  Each Lender agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policies and legal and regulatory restrictions) to designate a different Lending Office if the making of such designation would avoid the effect of this paragraph and would not, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to such Lender.

Section 2.10            Breakage Costs.  Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

(a)            any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment (including any deemed payment or repayment and any reallocated repayment to non-defaulting Lenders provided for in Section 2.12(a)) of any Advance other than a Base Rate Advance on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Advance (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

(b)            any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of such Lender to make an Advance) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Advance other than a Base Rate Advance on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or

(c)            any assignment of an Eurodollar Rate Advance on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.14;

including any loss of anticipated profits, any foreign exchange losses and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Advance, from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained or from the performance of any foreign exchange contract.  The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.  For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 2.10, the requesting Lender shall be deemed to have funded the Eurodollar Rate Advances made by it at the Eurodollar Base Rate used in determining the Eurodollar Rate for such Advance by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the offshore interbank market for Dollars for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Advance was in fact so funded.

 
-46-

 

Section 2.11            Increased Costs.

(a)            Eurodollar Advances.  If any Change in Law shall:

(i)             impose, modify, or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, assessment, or similar requirement (other than by way of imposition or increase of reserve requirements included in the Eurodollar Rate Reserve Percentage) relating to any extensions of credit or other assets of, or any deposits with or other liabilities or commitments of, financial institutions generally, including such Lender (or its applicable Lending Office), including the Commitments of such Lender hereunder; or

(ii)            impose on financial institutions generally, including such Lender (or its applicable Lending Office), or on the London interbank market any other condition affecting this Agreement or its Notes or any of such extensions of credit or liabilities or commitments;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender (or its applicable Lending Office) of making, Converting into, continuing, or maintaining any Eurodollar Advances or to reduce any sum received or receivable by such Lender (or its applicable Lending Office) under this Agreement or its Notes with respect to any Eurodollar Advances, then the Borrower shall pay to such Lender within three Business Days after written demand made by such Lender such amount or amounts as such Lender determines in good faith to be necessary to  compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduction.

(b)            Capital Adequacy.  If, after the Effective Date, any Lender or the Issuing Lender shall have determined that any Change in Law affecting such Lender or Issuing Lender or any lending office of such Lender or such Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of financial institutions generally, including such Lender or the Issuing Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as a consequence of such Lender's or the Issuing Lender's obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender or the Issuing Lender or such corporation could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time within three Business Days after written demand by such Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, the Borrower shall pay to such Lender or the Issuing Lender such additional amount or amounts as such Lender determines in good faith to be necessary to compensate such Lender or the Issuing Lender for such reduction.

(c)            Mitigation.  Each Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of any event of which it has knowledge, occurring after the Effective Date, which will entitle such Lender to compensation pursuant to this Section 2.11 and will designate a different Lending Office if such designation will avoid the need for, or reduce the amount of, such compensation and will not, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to it.  Any Lender claiming compensation under this Section 2.11 shall furnish to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent a statement setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder which shall be determined by such Lender in good faith and which shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.  In determining such amount, such Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

 
-47-

 

(d)            Delay in Requests.  Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or Issuing Lender to demand compensation pursuant to this Section 2.11 shall not constitute a waiver of such Lender’s or such Issuing Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 2.11 for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than one year prior to the date that such Lender or Issuing Lender, as the case may be, notifies the Borrower and the Administrative Agent of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the one-year period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

Section 2.12            Payments and Computations.

(a)            Payments.  All payments of principal, interest, and other amounts to be made by the Borrower under this Agreement and other Credit Documents shall be made to the Administrative Agent in Dollars and in immediately available funds, without setoff, deduction, or counterclaim; provided that, the Borrower may setoff amounts owing to any Lender that is at such time a Defaulting Lender against Advances that such Defaulting Lender failed to the fund to the Borrower under this Agreement (the "Unfunded Advances") so long as (i) the Borrower shall have delivered prior written notice of such setoff to the Administrative Agent and such Defaulting Lender, (ii) the Advances made by the non-defaulting Lenders as part of the original Borrowing to which the Unfunded Advances applied shall still be outstanding, (iii) if such Defaulting Lender failed to fund Advances under more than one Borrowing, such setoff shall be applied in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and (iv) upon the application of such setoff, the Unfunded Advances shall be deemed to have been made by such Defaulting Lender on the effective date of such setoff.

(b)            Payment Procedures. The Borrower shall make each payment under this Agreement and under the Notes not later than 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the day when due in Dollars to the Administrative Agent at the location referred to in the Notes (or such other location as the Administrative Agent shall designate in writing to the Borrower) in same day funds.  The Administrative Agent will promptly thereafter, and in any event prior to the close of business on the day any timely payment is made, cause to be distributed like funds relating to the payment of principal, interest or fees ratably (other than amounts payable solely to the Administrative Agent or a specific Lender pursuant to Sections 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 2.13, 2.14, and 9.2 but after taking into account payments effected pursuant to Section 9.1) in accordance with each Lender's applicable pro rata share to the Lenders for the account of their respective applicable Lending Offices, and like funds relating to the payment of any other amount payable to any Lender to such Lender for the account of its applicable Lending Office, in each case to be applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.  Upon receipt of other amounts due solely to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, the Swing Line Lender, or a specific Lender, the Administrative Agent shall distribute such amounts to the appropriate party to be applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

 
-48-

 

(c)            Non-Business Day Payments.  Whenever any payment shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the computation of payment of interest or fees, as the case may be; provided that if such extension would cause payment of interest on or principal of Eurodollar Advances to be made in the next following calendar month, such payment shall be made on the next preceding Business Day.

(d)            Computations.  All computations of interest for Base Rate Advances shall be made by the Administrative Agent on the basis of a year of 365/366 days and all computations of all other interest and fees shall be made by the Administrative agent on the basis of a year of 360 days, in each case for the actual number of days (including the first day, but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such interest or fees are payable.  Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an amount of interest or fees shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

(e)            Sharing of Payments, Etc.  If any Lender shall obtain any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set-off, or otherwise) on account of the Advances made by it in excess of its ratable share of payments on account of the Advances or Letter of Credit Obligations obtained by the Lenders (other than as a result of a termination of a Defaulting Lender's Revolving Commitment under Section 2.1(c)(iii), the setoff right of the Borrower under clause (a) above, or the non-pro rata application of payments provided in the last sentence of this clause (e)), such Lender shall notify the other Lenders and forthwith purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Advances made by it or the Letter of Credit Obligations held by it as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment ratably with the other Lenders; provided that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, such purchase from the other Lenders shall be rescinded and each such Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to the extent of such Lender's ratable share, but without interest.  The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to this Section 2.12(e) may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.  If a Lender fails to fund a Revolving Advance with respect to a Borrowing as and when required hereunder and the Borrower subsequently makes a repayment of any Revolving Advances, then, after taking into account any setoffs made pursuant to Section 2.12(a) above, such payment shall be applied among the non-defaulting Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Revolving Commitment percentages until each Revolving Lender (including any Lender that is at such time a Defaulting Lender) has its percentage of all of the outstanding Revolving Advances and the balance of such repayment shall be applied among the Lenders in accordance with their Revolving Pro Rata Share.

 
-49-

 

Section 2.13            Taxes.

(a)            No Deduction for Certain Taxes.  Any and all payments by any Credit Party under any of the Credit Documents to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, or a Lender shall be made, in accordance with Section 2.12, free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding, in the case of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, or a Lender, (i) taxes imposed on its income and franchise (or margin) taxes imposed on it by the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) under (A) the laws of which (or under the laws of a political subdivision of which) the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, or such Lender is organized or in which its principal executive office is located, (B) in the case of each Lender, the laws of which (or under the laws of a political subdivision of which) such Lender's applicable Lending Office is located, and (C) the laws of the State of Texas; and (ii) any taxes imposed by the United States of America by means of withholding at the source, if and to the extent such United States withholding taxes are in effect on the date a Lender becomes a Lender hereunder (all such nonexcluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings, and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes").  Except as provided in Section 2.13(f), if the Borrower shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lender, or any Lender, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as may be necessary so that, after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 2.13), such Lender 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 pay the full amount deducted to the relevant Governmental Authority or other authority in accordance with applicable law.

(b)            Other Taxes.  In addition, except as provided in Section 2.13(f), the Borrower agrees to pay any present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges, or similar levies which arise from any payment made under any Credit Document or from the execution, delivery, or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement, the Notes, or the other Credit Documents (hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").

(c)            Indemnification.  EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 2.13(F), THE BORROWER INDEMNIFIES EACH LENDER, THE ISSUING LENDER, AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF TAXES OR OTHER TAXES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY TAXES OR OTHER TAXES IMPOSED ON AMOUNTS PAYABLE UNDER THIS SECTION 2.13) PAID BY SUCH LENDER, THE ISSUING LENDER, OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT (AS THE CASE MAY BE) AND ANY LIABILITY (INCLUDING INTEREST AND EXPENSES) ARISING THEREFROM OR WITH RESPECT THERETO, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH TAXES OR OTHER TAXES WERE CORRECTLY OR LEGALLY ASSERTED.

(d)            Evidence of Tax Payments.  As soon as practicable after any payment of Taxes or Other Taxes by any Credit Party to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of any receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment.

 
-50-

 

(e)            Foreign Lender Withholding Exemption.  Each Lender that is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof and that is entitled to an exemption from United States withholding tax with respect to payments under this Agreement under applicable law or any treaty to which the United States is a party shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed documentation (including Internal Revenue Service Forms W-8BEN or W-8ECI) prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without withholding.

(f)             Failure to Provide Forms.  For any period with respect to which a Lender has failed to provide the Borrower or the Administrative Agent with the appropriate forms referred to in this Section 2.13 (unless such failure is due to a change in treaty, law or regulation occurring after the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender hereunder), such Lender shall not be entitled to indemnification or payment under Section 2.13(a), (b), or (c) with respect to Taxes imposed by the United States; provided that if a Lender, that is otherwise exempt from or subject to a reduced rate of withholding tax, becomes subject to Taxes because of its failure to deliver a form required hereunder, the Borrower shall take such steps as such Lender shall reasonably request, and at the expenses of such Lender, to assist such Lender to recover such Taxes.

(g)            Mitigation.  Each Lender shall use reasonable efforts (consistent with its internal policies and legal and regulatory restrictions) to select a jurisdiction for its applicable Lending Office or change the jurisdiction of its applicable Lending Office, as the case may be, so as to avoid the imposition of any Taxes or Other Taxes or to eliminate or reduce the payment of any additional sums under this Section 2.13; provided, that no such selection or change of jurisdiction for its applicable Lending Office shall be made if, in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, such selection or change would be disadvantageous to such Lender.

(h)            Tax Credits and Refunds.  If the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender 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 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 Lender, 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 Lender, 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 Lender in the event the Administrative Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.  This subsection shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent, any Lender or the Issuing Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems confidential) to any Borrower or any other Person.

(i)             Payment.  If the Administrative Agent or any Lender becomes entitled to receive payment of Taxes, Other Taxes or additional sums pursuant to this Section 2.13, it shall give notice and demand thereof to the Borrower, and the Borrower (unless the Administrative Agent or Lender shall withdraw such notice and demand or the Borrower is not obligated to pay such amounts) shall pay such Taxes, Other Taxes or additional sums within 30 days after the Borrower's receipt of such notice and demand.

 
-51-

 

Section 2.14           Replacement of Lenders.  If (a) the Borrower is required pursuant to Section 2.11 or 2.13 to make any additional payment to any Lender, (b) any Lender’s obligation to make or continue, or to convert Base Rate Advances into, Eurodollar Advances shall be suspended pursuant to 2.4(c)(iii) or 2.9, or (c) any Revolving Lender is an Impacted Lender (any such Lender described in any of the preceding clauses (a) – (c), being a “Subject Lender”), then (i) in the case of an Impacted Lender, the Administrative Agent may, upon notice to the Subject Lender and the Borrower, require such Subject Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 9.7), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Credit Documents as a Revolving Lender to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment) and (ii) in the case of any Subject Lender, including an Impacted Lender, the Borrower may, upon notice to the Subject Lender and the Administrative Agent and at the Borrower's sole cost and expense, require such Subject Lender to assign and delegate, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and consents required by, Section 9.7), all of its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement and the related Credit Documents to an Eligible Assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment), provided that, in any event

(A)                   as to assignments requested by the Borrower, the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent the assignment fee specified in Section 9.7;

(B)                   such Subject Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its applicable Advances and participations in outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations, accrued interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder and under the other Credit Documents (including any amounts under Section 2.10) 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);

(C)                    in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation under Section 2.13, such assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments thereafter;

(D)                   such assignment does not conflict with applicable Legal Requirements; and

(E)                    if such Subject Lender is being replaced solely as a result of it being an Impacted Lender, then such Lender may only be replaced in its capacity as a Revolving Lender and not in its capacity as a Term Lender, if applicable.

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.  Solely for purposes of effecting any assignment involving a Defaulting Lender under this Section 2.14 and to the extent permitted under applicable Legal Requirements, each Lender hereby designates and appoints the Administrative Agent as true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority, for and on behalf of and in the name of such Lender to execute, acknowledge and deliver the Assignment and Acceptance required hereunder if such Lender is a Defaulting Lender and such Lender shall be bound thereby as fully and effectively as if such Lender had personally executed, acknowledged and delivered the same.  In lieu of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent replacing a Defaulting Lender as provided in this Section 2.14, the Borrower may terminate such Defaulting Lender's Revolving Commitment as provided in Section 2.1(c)(iii).

 
-52-

 

Section 2.15            Increase in Commitments.  

(a)            At any time prior to the Revolving Maturity Date, the Borrower may effectuate one increase in the aggregate Revolving Commitments (such increase being a "Commitment Increase"), by designating either one or more of the existing Lenders (each of which, in its sole discretion, may determine whether and to what degree to participate in such Commitment Increase) or one or more other Eligible Assignees that at the time agree, in the case of any such Eligible Assignee that is an existing Lender to increase its Revolving Commitment as such Lender shall so select (an "Increasing Lender") and, in the case of any other Eligible Assignee that is not an existing Lender (an "Additional Lender"), to become a party to this Agreement as a Revolving Lender; provided, however, that (i) such Commitment Increase shall be equal to $5,000,000, and (ii) all Revolving Commitments and Revolving Advances provided pursuant to a Commitment Increase shall be available on the same terms as those applicable to the existing Revolving Commitments and Revolving Advances.  The Borrower shall provide prompt notice of such proposed Commitment Increase pursuant to this Section 2.15 to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders.  This Section 2.15 shall not be construed to create any obligation on the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders to advance or to commit to advance any credit to the Borrower or to arrange for any other Person to advance or to commit to advance any credit to the Borrower.

(b)            The Commitment Increase shall become effective on the date (the "Increase Date") on or prior to which the following conditions shall have been satisfied: (i) the receipt by the Administrative Agent of (A) an agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent signed by the Borrower, each Increasing Lender and each Additional Lender, setting forth the Revolving Commitments, if any, of each such Lender and setting forth the agreement of each Additional Lender to become a party to this Agreement and to be bound by all the terms and provisions hereof binding upon each Lender, and (B) such evidence of appropriate authorization on the part of the Borrower with respect to such Commitment Increase as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, (ii) the funding by each Increasing Lender and Additional Lender of the Advances to be made by each such Lender to effect the prepayment requirement set forth in Section 2.5(c)(v), and (iii) receipt by the Administrative Agent of a certificate of an authorized officer of the Borrower stating that, both before and after giving effect to such Commitment Increase, no Default has occurred and is continuing, and that all representations and warranties made by the Borrower in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects, unless such representation or warranty relates to an earlier date which remains true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date.

 
-53-

 

(c)            Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, from and after the date of such Commitment Increase, all calculations and payments of interest on the Revolving Advances shall take into account the actual Revolving Commitment of each Lender and the principal amount outstanding of each Revolving Advance made by such Lender during the relevant period of time.

(d)            On such Increase Date, each Lender’s share of the Letter of Credit Exposure on such date shall automatically be deemed to equal such Lender’s applicable pro rata share of such Letter of Credit Obligations (such pro rata share for such Lender to be determined as of the Increase Date in accordance with its Revolving Commitment on such date as a percentage of the aggregate Revolving Commitment on such date) without further action by any party.

ARTICLE 3

CONDITIONS OF LENDING

Section 3.1              Conditions Precedent to Initial Borrowings and the Initial Letter of Credit.  The obligations of each Lender to make the initial Advance and an initial Letter of Credit, including the deemed issuance of the Existing Letters of Credit, shall be subject to the conditions precedent that:

(a)            Documentation.  The Administrative Agent shall have received the following, duly executed by all the parties thereto, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders:

(i)             this Agreement and all attached Exhibits and Schedules and the Notes payable to the order of each applicable Lender;

(ii)            the Guaranty executed by the Parent and all Subsidiaries of the Parent existing on the Closing Date (other than the Borrower);

(iii)           the Security Agreement executed by each Credit Party, together with appropriate UCC-1 financing statements, if any, necessary or desirable for filing with the appropriate authorities and any other documents, agreements, or instruments necessary to create, perfect or maintain an Acceptable Security Interest in the Collateral described in the Security Agreement;

(iv)           Mortgages executed by the applicable Credit Party granting an Acceptable Security Interest in real properties that are owned by the Credit Parties and listed on Schedule 3.1;

(v)           assignment of insurance for each Foreign Credit Insurance policy held by any Credit Party with such insurance carriers and for such amounts acceptable to the Administrative Agent, the accompanying notice of such assignment to the applicable insurance provider, and the acceptance of such assignment by such insurance provider, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

 
-54-

 

(vi)           certificates of insurance naming the Administrative Agent as loss payee with respect to property insurance, or additional insured with respect to liability insurance, and covering the Borrower's or its Subsidiaries Properties with such insurance carriers, for such amounts and covering such risks that are acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(vii)          a certificate from an authorized officer of the Borrower dated as of the Effective Date stating that as of such date (A) all representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects and (B) no Default has occurred and is continuing;

(viii)         a secretary's certificate from each Credit Party certifying such Person's (A) officers' incumbency, (B) authorizing resolutions, (C) organizational documents, and (D) governmental approvals, if any, with respect to the Credit Documents to which such Person is a party;

(ix)            certificates of good standing for each Credit Party in each state in which each such Person is organized or qualified to do business, which certificate shall be dated a date not earlier than 30 days prior to Effective Date;

(x)             a legal opinion of Thompson & Knight LLP as outside counsel to the Credit Parties, in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent;

(xi)            copies, certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower of the Wright PSA and all other documents entered into among the parties thereto in connection with the Wright Acquisition; and

(xii)          such other documents, governmental certificates, agreements, and lien searches as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.

(b)            Consents; Authorization; Conflicts.  The Borrower shall have received any consents, licenses and approvals required in accordance with applicable law, or in accordance with any document, agreement, instrument or arrangement to which the Parent, the Borrower, or any Subsidiary or any of the other parties to the Wright PSA is a party, in connection with the execution, delivery, performance, validity and enforceability of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and the Wright PSA.  In addition, the Parent, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall have all such material consents, licenses and approvals required in connection with the continued operation of the Parent, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries, and such approvals shall be in full force and effect, and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority which would restrain, prevent or otherwise impose adverse conditions on this Agreement and the actions contemplated hereby.  The Administrative Agent shall be satisfied that the consummation of the Wright Acquisition did not contravene any law or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Parent, the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other party to the Wright PSA.

(c)            Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties contained in Article 4 and in each other Credit Document shall be true and correct on and as of the Closing Date before and after giving effect to the initial Borrowings or issuance (or deemed issuance) of Letters of Credit and to the application of the proceeds from such Borrowing, as though made on and as of such date.

 
-55-

 

(d)            Payment of Fees.  The Borrower shall have paid the fees and expenses required to be paid as of the Closing Date by Sections 2.7(c) and 9.1 or any other provision of a Credit Document.

(e)            Other Proceedings.  No action, suit, investigation or other proceeding (including, without limitation, the enactment or promulgation of a statute or rule) by or before any arbitrator or any Governmental Authority shall be threatened or pending and no preliminary or permanent injunction or order by a state or federal court shall have been entered (i) in connection with this Agreement, any other Credit Agreement, the Wright PSA or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby or (ii) which, in any case, in the judgment of the Administrative Agent, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(f)             Other Reports.  The Administrative Agent shall have received, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to it, all environmental reports, and such other reports, audits or certifications as it may reasonably request, which reports the Administrative Agent acknowledges it has received as of the date of this Agreement.

(g)            Material Adverse Change.  No event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse change in the business, condition (financial or otherwise), prospects, or results of operations of either (i) the Parent and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (ii) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall have occurred since September 30, 2008.

(h)            No Default.  No Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

(i)             Solvency.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent from a senior financial officer of the Parent, the Borrower and each Guarantor certifying that, before and after giving effect to the Wright Acquisition and the initial Borrowings made hereunder on the Closing Date, the Parent, the Borrower and each such other Guarantor is Solvent (assuming with respect to each Guarantor, that the fraudulent conveyance savings language contained in the Guaranty applicable to such Guarantor will be given full effect).

(j)             Wright Acquisition.  All conditions to the consummation and effectiveness of the Wright Acquisition shall have been met (other than the payment of the purchase price) and the Administrative Agent shall have received evidence to confirm that, concurrent with the making of the initial Advances funded hereunder on the Closing Date, the Wright Acquisition shall have been consummated on terms set forth in the Wright PSA for a purchase price not greater than $10,000,000 (subject to a working capital adjustment per the terms of the Wright PSA) and the Administrative Agent shall have completed and be satisfied with the results of its legal and business due diligence review of the Wright Acquisition, including (i) the tax aspects thereof, (ii) the environmental due diligence, (iii) accounting due diligence and (iv) the valuation and condition of the inventory and fixed assets thereof.  Furthermore, the Administrative Agent shall have received evidences of lien releases for liens which encumber any of the Properties of the Wright Company in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 
-56-

 

(k)            Delivery of Financial Statements.  The Administrative Agent shall have received true and correct copies of (i) the audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, (ii) the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries and the Wright Company and its Subsidiaries for the three fiscal quarter period ended September 30, 2008; (iii) the unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Wright Company and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2006, December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008; and (iv) pro forma consolidated financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries after giving effect to the Wright Acquisition and the initial Borrowings made (or deemed made) hereunder on the Closing Date.

(l)             Appraisal Report.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a written appraisal conducted by an industry recognized third party appraiser acceptable to the Administrative Agent stating, among other things, a detailed NOLV and auction value for machinery, fixed assets, parts and equipment of the Credit Parties, together with a specified procedures letter from such appraiser satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

(m)           Collateral Audits.  The Administrative Agent shall have completed and shall be satisfied with the results of its field audit and exams, including an audit of the accounts receivable and inventory of the Credit Parties for the three fiscal quarter period ended September 30, 2008 and an exam of the financial and accounting reports of the Credit Parties for the three fiscal quarter period ended September 30, 2008.

(n)            Borrowing Base Certificate.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a completed Borrowing Base Certificate duly executed by a financial officer of the Borrower, dated as of the Closing Date and setting forth the calculation of the initial Borrowing Base.

(o)            Notice of Borrowing.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing from the Borrower, with appropriate insertions and executed by a duly authorized officer of the Borrower.

(p)            Real Estate Collateral; Certificates of Title.  For each real property of the Credit Parties to be included as Collateral, the Administrative Agent shall have received a flood determination certificate issued by the appropriate Governmental Authority or third party indicating whether such property is designated as a "flood hazard area."  If such property is designated to be in a "flood hazard area", the Administrative Agent shall have also received evidence of flood insurance on such property obtained by the applicable Credit Party in such total amount as required by Regulation H of the Federal Reserve Board, and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof, and otherwise in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program as set forth in the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973.  For each equipment of any Credit Party, including Domestic Equipments, the title of which is evidenced by a certificate of title, the Administrative Agent shall have received the original certificate of title to such equipment and such other documents, agreements or instruments required in order to evidence the Administrative Agent's first priority lien on such certificate of title.

 
-57-

 

(q)            Collateral Lists; Aging Reports; Miscellaneous Due Diligence.  The Administrative Agent shall have received or completed, and be satisfied with the result of, (i) an aging report of the Credit Parties' Receivables and accounts payable which are included in the initial Borrowing Base calculated under the Borrowing Base Certificate delivered pursuant to clause (n) above, (ii) a listing of the Credit Parties' fixed assets, (iii) a completed Schedule 3.1 which shall list all real property owned or leased by the Credit Parties and including a notation as to all locations where any Domestic Equipment is kept, (iv) a list of the top ten customers of the Credit Parties, (v) a schedule of all pending litigation or proceeding with an amount in controversy in excess of $500,000 individually, and (vi) a review of all Foreign Credit Insurance policies of the Credit Parties by a third party insurance consultant acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

(r)             Payment in Full of Existing Debt.  Prior to, or concurrently with, the making of the initial Advances hereunder, all outstanding obligations owing under the Bilateral Agreement and the Subordinated Notes shall have been paid in full and the Administrative Agent shall have received a “pay-off” letter (or such other evidence) in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent with respect to all such Debt being refinanced with the initial Advances to be made hereunder; and the Administrative Agent shall have received from any Person holding any Lien securing any such Debt, such UCC (or equivalent) termination statements, mortgage releases, releases of assignments of leases and rents, and other instruments, in each case in proper form for recording or filing, as the Administrative Agent shall have requested to release and terminate of record the Liens securing such Debt.

(s)            Minimum Availability.  After giving effect to the initial Letters of Credit issued (or deemed issued) hereunder and all Advances made hereunder on the Closing Date, including such Advances to pay in full the outstandings under the Bilateral Agreement and the Subordinated Notes and such Advances to pay, in part, the purchase price for the Wright Acquisition, Availability shall be equal to or greater than $7,500,000.

(t)             USA Patriot Act.  The Borrower has delivered to each Lender that is subject to the Patriot Act such information requested by such Lender in order to comply with the Patriot Act.

(u)            Landlord Agreements.  The Administrative Agent shall have received lien waivers or subordination agreements in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and executed by the landlords or lessors identified in, and covering each of the leased real properties listed on, Schedule 3.1.

(v)            Pro Forma Compliance Certificate.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a Compliance Certificate executed by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Parent, reflecting the Borrower's pro forma compliance with the financial covenants in Sections 6.17, 6.18 and 6.19 as of the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2008, assuming that such financial covenants applied as of such fiscal quarter end and after giving pro forma effect to the Wright Acquisition, the Wright Seller Note, the payment in full of the outstandings under the Bilateral Agreement and the Subordinated Notes and all Advances made hereunder on the Closing Date.

 
-58-

 

(w)            Sources and Uses Certificate.  The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate from the Parent, executed by a duly authorized officer of the Parent and the Borrower, describing the sources and uses of the initial Advances to be made hereunder on the Closing Date.

Section 3.2             Conditions Precedent to Each Borrowing and to Each Issuance, Extension or Renewal of a Letter of Credit.  The obligation of each Lender to make an Advance on the occasion of each Borrowing (including the initial Borrowing) and the obligation of the Issuing Lender to issue, increase, renew or extend a Letter of Credit (including the deemed issuance of Letters of Credit) shall be subject to the further conditions precedent that on the date of such Borrowing or such issuance, increase, renewal or extension:

(a)            Representations and Warranties.  As of the date of the making of any Advance or issuance, increase, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit, the representations and warranties made by any Credit Party or any officer of any Credit Party contained in the Credit Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on such date, except that any representation and warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified date shall be required to be true and correct only as of such specified date and each request for the making of any Advance or issuance, increase, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit and the making of such Advance or the issuance, increase, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a reaffirmation of such representations and warranties.

(b)            Event of Default.  As of the date of the making of any Advance or issuance, increase, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit, no Default or Event of Default shall exist, and the making of such Advance or issuance, increase, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit would not cause a Default or Event of Default.

Section 3.3             Determinations Under Sections 3.1 and 3.2.  For purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in Sections 3.1 and 3.2, each Lender shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to the Lenders unless an officer of the Administrative Agent responsible for the transactions contemplated by the Credit Documents shall have received written notice from such Lender prior to the Borrowings hereunder specifying its objection thereto and such Lender shall not have made available to the Administrative Agent such Lender's ratable portion of such Borrowings.

ARTICLE 4

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each Credit Party hereto represents and warrants as follows:

Section 4.1             Organization.  Each Credit Party is duly and validly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or formation and is authorized to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions in which such qualifications or authorizations are necessary except where the failure to be so qualified or authorized could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.  As of the Effective Date, each Credit Party's type of organization and jurisdiction of incorporation or formation are set forth on Schedule 4.1.

 
-59-

 

Section 4.2             Authorization.  The execution, delivery, and performance by each Credit Party of each Credit Document to which such Credit Party is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby (a) are within such Credit Party's powers, (b) have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate, limited liability company or partnership action, (c) do not contravene any articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws, partnership or limited liability company agreement binding on or affecting such Credit Party, (d) do not contravene any law or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting such Credit Party, (e) do not result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien prohibited by this Agreement, and (f) do not require any authorization or approval or other action by, or any notice or filing with, any Governmental Authority.  At the time of each Advance or the issuance, renewal, extension or increase of each Letter of Credit, such Advance and the use of the proceeds of such Advance or the issuance, renewal, extension or increase of such Letter of Credit are within the Borrower's limited liability powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary action, do not contravene (i) the Borrower's certificate of formation, operating agreement or limited liability company agreement, or (ii) any Legal Requirement or any contractual restriction binding on or affecting the Borrower, will not result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien prohibited by this Agreement, and do not require any authorization or approval or other action by, or any notice or filing with, any Governmental Authority.  

Section 4.3             Enforceability.  The Credit Documents have each been duly executed and delivered by each Credit Party that is a party thereto and each Credit Document constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of each Credit Party that is a party thereto enforceable against such Credit Party in accordance with its terms, except as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws at the time in effect affecting the rights of creditors generally and by general principles of equity whether applied by a court of law or equity.

Section 4.4              Financial Condition.  

(a)            The Borrower has delivered to the Administrative Agent the unaudited financial statements for the Parent and its Subsidiaries dated as of September 30, 2008 for the fiscal quarter ending thereon.  The financial statements referred to in the preceding sentence have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and present fairly the consolidated financial condition of the aforementioned Persons as of the respective dates thereof.  As of the date of the aforementioned financial statements, there were no material contingent obligations, liabilities for taxes, unusual forward or long-term commitments, or unrealized or anticipated losses of the applicable Persons, except as disclosed therein and adequate reserves for such items have been made in accordance with GAAP.

(b)            Since the Closing Date, after giving pro forma effect to the Wright Acquisition, the payment in full of the outstandings under the Bilateral Agreement and the Subordinated Notes and all Advances made hereunder on the Closing Date, no event or condition has occurred that could reasonably be expected to result in Material Adverse Change.

 
-60-

 

Section 4.5             Ownership and Liens; Real Property.  Each Credit Party (a) has good and marketable title to, or a valid and subsisting leasehold interest in, all real property, and good title to all personal Property, used in its business, and (b) none of the Property owned or leased by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower is subject to any Lien except Permitted Liens.  As of the Effective Date, the Borrower and its Subsidiaries own no real property other than that listed on Schedule 3.1.

Section 4.6             True and Complete Disclosure.  All written factual information (whether delivered before or after the date of this Agreement) prepared by or on behalf of the Parent and its Subsidiaries and furnished to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders for purposes of or in connection with this Agreement, any other Credit Document or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby does not contain any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein not misleading.  There is no fact known to any officer of any Credit Party on the date of this Agreement that has not been disclosed to the Administrative Agent that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.  All projections, estimates, budgets, and pro forma financial information furnished by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries (or on behalf of the Parent or any such Subsidiary), were prepared on the basis of assumptions, data, information, tests, or conditions (including current and reasonably foreseeable business conditions) believed to be reasonable at the time such projections, estimates, and pro forma financial information were furnished.

Section 4.7             Litigation.  There are no actions, suits, or proceedings pending or, to any Credit Party's knowledge, threatened against the Parent or any Subsidiary, at law, in equity, or in admiralty, or by or before any Governmental Authority, which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.  Additionally, except as disclosed in writing to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, there is no pending or, to the knowledge of any Credit Party, threatened action or proceeding instituted against the Parent or any Subsidiary which seeks to adjudicate the Parent or any Subsidiary as bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking liquidation, winding up, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, protection, relief, or composition of it or its debts under any law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors, or seeking the entry of an order for relief or the appointment of a receiver, trustee or other similar official for it or for any substantial part of its Property.

Section 4.8              Compliance with Agreements.  

(a)            Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any indenture, loan or credit agreement or any lease or any other types of agreement or instrument or subject to any charter or corporate restriction or provision of applicable law or governmental regulation the performance of or compliance with which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.  Neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under or with respect to any contract, agreement, lease or any other types of agreement or instrument to which the Parent or such Subsidiary is a party and which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.  To the best knowledge of the Credit Parties, neither the Parent nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default under, or has received a notice of default under, any contract, agreement, lease or any other document or instrument to which the Parent or its Subsidiaries is a party which is continuing and which, if not cured, could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

 
-61-

 

(b)            No Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 4.9             Pension Plans.  (a) Except for matters that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, all Plans are in compliance with all applicable provisions of ERISA, (b) no Termination Event has occurred with respect to any Plan that would result in an Event of Default under Section 7.1(i), and, except for matters that could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, each Plan has complied with and been administered in accordance with applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code, (c) no "accumulated funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA) has occurred, and for plan years after December 31, 2007, no unpaid minimum required contribution exists, and there has been no excise tax imposed under Section 4971 of the Code, (d) to the knowledge of Credit Parties, no Reportable Event has occurred with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, and each Multiemployer Plan has complied with and been administered in accordance with applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code, (e) the present value of all benefits vested under each Plan (based on the assumptions used to fund such Plan) did not, as of the last annual valuation date applicable thereto, exceed the value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such vested benefits in an amount that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change, (f) neither the Parent nor any member of the Controlled Group has had a complete or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan for which there is any unsatisfied withdrawal liability that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change or an Event of Default under Section 7.1(j), and (g) except for matters that could not reasonably result in a Material Adverse Change, as of the most recent valuation date applicable thereto, neither the Parent nor any member of the Controlled Group would become subject to any liability under ERISA if the Parent or any Subsidiary has received notice that any Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or in reorganization.  Based upon GAAP existing as of the date of this Agreement and current factual circumstances, no Credit Party has any reason to believe that the annual cost during the term of this Agreement to the Parent or any Subsidiary for post-retirement benefits to be provided to the current and former employees of the Parent or any Subsidiary under Plans that are welfare benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) could, in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

Section 4.10            Environmental Condition.  

(a)            Permits, Etc.  Each Credit Party (i) has obtained all material Environmental Permits necessary for the ownership and operation of its Properties and the conduct of its businesses; (ii)  has at all times been and is in material compliance with all terms and conditions of such Permits and with all other material requirements of applicable Environmental Laws; (iii) has not received written notice of any material violation or alleged material violation of any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit; and (iv) is not subject to any actual or contingent Environmental Claim which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

(b)            Certain Liabilities.  To the Credit Parties' best knowledge, none of the present or previously owned or operated Property of any Credit Party or of any Subsidiary thereof, wherever located, (i) has been placed on or proposed to be placed on the National Priorities List, the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Information System list, or their state or local analogs, or have been otherwise investigated, designated, listed, or identified as a potential site for removal, remediation, cleanup, closure, restoration, reclamation, or other response activity under any Environmental Laws; (ii) is subject to a Lien, arising under or in connection with any Environmental Laws, that attaches to any revenues or to any Property owned or operated by any Credit Party, wherever located, which could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change; or (iii) has been the site of any Release of Hazardous Substances or Hazardous Wastes from present or past operations which has caused at the site or at any third-party site any condition that has resulted in or could reasonably be expected to result in the need for Response that could cause a Material Adverse Change.

 
-62-

 

(c)            Certain Actions.  Without limiting the foregoing, (i) all necessary material notices have been properly filed, and no further action is required under current applicable Environmental Law as to each Response or other restoration or remedial project undertaken by the Parent, any of its Subsidiaries or any of the Parent's or such Subsidiary's former Subsidiaries on any of their presently or formerly owned or operated Property and (ii) the present and, to the Credit Parties' best knowledge, future liability, if any, of the Parent or of any Subsidiary which could reasonably be expected to arise in connection with requirements under Environmental Laws will not result in a Material Adverse Change.

Section 4.11           Subsidiaries.  As of the Effective Date, the Parent has no Subsidiaries other than those listed on Schedule 4.11.  Each Subsidiary of the Parent (including any such Subsidiary formed or acquired subsequent to the Effective Date but excluding the Borrower) has complied with the requirements of Section 5.6.

Section 4.12           Investment Company Act.  Neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary is an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.  Neither the Parent nor any Subsidiary is subject to regulation under any Federal or state statute, regulation or other Legal Requirement which limits its ability to incur Debt.

Section 4.13           Taxes.  Proper and accurate (in all material respects), federal, state, local and foreign tax returns, reports and statements required to be filed (after giving effect to any extension granted in the time for filing) by the Parent and each Subsidiary or any member of the Affiliated Group as determined under Section 1504 of the Code (hereafter collectively called the "Tax Group") have been filed with the appropriate Governmental Authorities, and all taxes (which are material in amount) and other impositions due and payable have been timely paid prior to the date on which any fine, penalty, interest, late charge or loss may be added thereto for non-payment thereof except where contested in good faith and by appropriate proceeding.  Neither the Parent nor any member of the Tax Group has given, or been requested to give, a waiver of the statute of limitations relating to the payment of any federal, state, local or foreign taxes or other impositions.  None of the Property owned by the Parent or any other member of the Tax Group is Property which the Parent or any member of the Tax Group is required to treat as being owned by any other Person pursuant to the provisions of Section 168(f)(8) of the Code.  Proper and accurate amounts have been withheld by the Parent and all other members of the Tax Group from their employees for all periods to comply in all material respects with the tax, social security and unemployment withholding provisions of applicable federal, state, local and foreign law.  

 
-63-

 

Section 4.14           Permits, Licenses, etc.  Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries possesses all permits, licenses, patents, patent rights or licenses, trademarks, trademark rights, trade names rights, and copyrights which are material to the conduct of its business.  Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries manages and operates its business in accordance with all applicable Legal Requirements except where the failure to so manage or operate could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change; provided that this Section 4.14 does not apply with respect to Environmental Permits.

Section 4.15           Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds of the Advances will be used by the Borrower for the purposes described in Section 6.6.  No Credit Party is engaged in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U).  No proceeds of any Advance will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock in violation of Regulation  T, U or X.

Section 4.16           Condition of Property; Casualties.  The material Properties used or to be used in the continuing operations of the Parent and each Subsidiary, are in good working order and condition, normal wear and tear excepted.  Neither the business nor the material Properties of the Parent or any Subsidiary has been affected as a result of any fire, explosion, earthquake, flood, drought, windstorm, accident, strike or other labor disturbance, embargo, requisition or taking of Property or cancellation of contracts, permits or concessions by a Governmental Authority, riot, activities of armed forces or acts of God or of any public enemy, which effect could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.  

Section 4.17           Insurance.  Each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries carry insurance (which may be carried by the Parent on a consolidated basis) with reputable insurers in respect of such of their respective Properties, in such amounts and against such risks as is customarily maintained by other Persons of similar size engaged in similar businesses or, self-insure to the extent that is customary for Persons of similar size engaged in similar businesses.

Section 4.18           Security Interest.  Each Credit Party has authorized the filing of financing statements sufficient when filed to perfect the Lien created by the Security Documents. When such financing statements are filed in the offices noted therein, the Administrative Agent will have a valid and perfected security interest in all Collateral that is capable of being perfected by filing financing statements.  No filing is or will be necessary with the United States Department of Interior Mineral Management Service to perfect such Liens (including, without limitation, any Lien with respect to a Snubbing Unit located on or over lands that constitute the Outer Continental Shelf of the U.S.).  None of the Collateral is or will become a fixture on real estate, or is or will constitute immovable property, as applicable, unless a sufficient fixture filing has been previously filed in favor of the Administrative Agent and remains in effect with respect thereto.  Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Texas governs exclusively with respect to the grant, perfection and enforcement of a security interest and Lien upon any Snubbing Unit, including, without limitation, those Snubbing Units that may be located on or over lands that constitute the Outer Continental Shelf of the U.S. from time to time.

 
-64-

 

ARTICLE 5

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Obligation shall remain unpaid, any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, or there shall exist any Letter of Credit Exposure, each Credit Party agrees to comply with the following covenants.

Section 5.1             Organization.  Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its respective Subsidiaries to, preserve and maintain its partnership, limited liability company or corporate existence, rights, franchises and privileges in the jurisdiction of its organization, and qualify and remain qualified as a foreign business entity in each jurisdiction in which qualification is necessary or desirable in view of its business and operations or the ownership of its Properties and where failure to qualify could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change; provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall prevent any transaction permitted by Section 6.7 or Section 6.8.

Section 5.2              Reporting.

(a)            Annual Financial Reports.  The Borrower shall provide, or shall cause to be provided, to the Administrative Agent, as soon as available, but in any event within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Parent (commencing with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008), a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries (excluding, in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries, consolidating balance sheets) as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year (excluding, in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries, consolidating statements of income or operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows), setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit, and such consolidating statements to be certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Parent to the effect that such statements are fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries;

(b)            Quarterly Financials.  The Borrower shall provide, or shall cause to be provided, to the Administrative Agent, as soon as available, but in any event within 45 days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Parent (commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2009), a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Parent and its Subsidiaries (excluding, in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries, consolidating balance sheets)  as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the portion of the Parent's fiscal year then ended (excluding, in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries, consolidating statements of income or operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows), setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail, such consolidated statements to be certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Parent as fairly presenting the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Parent and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes and such consolidating statements to be certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Parent to the effect that such statements are fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation to the consolidated financial statements of the Parent and its Subsidiaries;

 
-65-

 

(c)            Monthly Financials.  The Borrower shall provide, or shall cause to be provided, to the Administrative Agent, as soon as available, but in any event within 30 days after the end of each calendar month (commencing with February, 2009), a summary of the Parent and its Subsidiaries' operational results as at the end of such month, certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Parent;

(d)            Compliance Certificate.  Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Section 5.2(a) and (b) above, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Parent;

(e)            Borrowing Base Certificate.  As soon as available and in any event within 30 days after the end of each calendar month, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent, a certificate of chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Parent calculating the Borrowing Base in the form of the Borrowing Base Certificate then in effect as of the end of such calendar month, including therein, among other things, a monthly accounts receivable aging and accounts payables aging report of the Credit Parties;

(f)             Account Debtors.  As soon as available and in any event within twenty days after the end of each fiscal year of the Parent, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent a listing of all account debtors including physical addresses, contact names and phone numbers.

(g)            Annual Budget.  As soon as available and in any event within 30 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Parent, the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative Agent an annual operating, capital and cash flow budget for the immediately following fiscal year and detailed on a quarterly basis.

(h)            Defaults.  The Credit Parties shall provide to the Administrative Agent promptly, but in any event within three Business Days after the occurrence thereof, a notice of each Default or Event of Default known to the Parent or to any of its Subsidiaries, together with a statement of an officer of the Parent setting forth the details of such Default or Event of Default and the actions which the Credit Parties have taken and proposes to take with respect thereto.

(i)             Other Creditors.  The Credit Parties shall provide to the Administrative Agent promptly after the giving or receipt thereof, copies of any default notices given or received by the Parent or by any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan agreement, credit agreement, or similar agreement.

 
-66-

 

(j)             Litigation.  The Credit Parties shall provide to the Administrative Agent promptly after the commencement thereof, notice of all actions, suits, and proceedings before any Governmental Authority, affecting the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(k)            Environmental Notices.  Promptly upon, and in any event no later than 15 days after, the receipt thereof, or the acquisition of knowledge thereof, by any Credit Party, the Credit Parties shall provide the Administrative Agent with a copy of any form of request, claim, complaint, order, notice, summons or citation received from any Governmental Authority or any other Person, (i) concerning violations or alleged violations of Environmental Laws, which seeks to impose liability therefore in excess of $250,000, (ii) concerning any action or omission on the part of any of the Credit Parties or any of their former Subsidiaries in connection with Hazardous Waste or Hazardous Substances which could reasonably result in the imposition of liability in excess of $250,000 or requiring that action be taken to respond to or clean up a Release of Hazardous Substances or Hazardous Waste into the environment and such action or clean-up could reasonably be expected to exceed $250,000, including without limitation any information request related to, or notice of, potential responsibility under CERCLA, or (iii) concerning the filing of a Lien upon, against or in connection with the Parent, any Subsidiary, or any of their respective former Subsidiaries, or any of their leased or owned Property, wherever located.

(l)             Material Changes.  The Credit Parties shall provide to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of any condition or event of which the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has knowledge, which condition or event has resulted or may reasonably be expected to result in (i) a Material Adverse Change or (ii) a breach of or noncompliance with any material term, condition, or covenant of any material contract to which the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which their Properties may be bound which breach or noncompliance could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

(m)           Termination Events.  As soon as possible and in any event (i) within 30 days after the Parent or any member of the Controlled Group knows or has reason to know that any Termination Event described in clause (a) of the definition of Termination Event with respect to any Plan has occurred, and (ii) within 10 days after the Parent or any member of the Controlled Group knows or has reason to know that any other Termination Event with respect to any Plan has occurred, the Credit Parties shall provide to the Administrative Agent a statement of an authorized officer of the Parent describing such Termination Event and the action, if any, which the Parent or any Affiliate of the Parent proposes to take with respect thereto;

(n)            Termination of Plans.  Promptly and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by the Parent or any member of the Controlled Group from the PBGC, the Credit Parties shall provide to the Administrative Agent copies of each notice received by the Parent or any such member of the Controlled Group of the PBGC's intention to terminate any Plan or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Plan;

 
-67-

 

(o)            Other ERISA Notices.  Promptly and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by the Parent or any member of the Controlled Group from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor, the Credit Parties shall provide to the Administrative Agent a copy of each notice received by the Parent or any member of the Controlled Group concerning the imposition or amount of withdrawal liability imposed on the Parent or any member of the Controlled Group pursuant to Section 4202 of ERISA;

(p)            Other Governmental Notices.  Promptly and in any event within five Business Days after receipt thereof by the Parent or any Subsidiary, the Credit Parties shall provide to the Administrative Agent a copy of any notice, summons, citation, or proceeding seeking to modify in any material respect, revoke, or suspend any material contract, license, permit, or agreement with any Governmental Authority;

(q)            Disputes; etc.  The Credit Parties shall provide to the Administrative Agent prompt written notice of (i) any claims, legal or arbitration proceedings, proceedings before any Governmental Authority, or disputes, or to the knowledge of any Credit Party, any such actions threatened, or affecting the Parent or any Subsidiary, which, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change, or any material labor controversy of which the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries has knowledge resulting in or reasonably considered to be likely to result in a strike against the Parent or any Subsidiary, and (ii) any claim, judgment, Lien or other encumbrance (other than a Permitted Lien) affecting any Property of the Parent or any Subsidiary, if the value of the claim, judgment, Lien, or other encumbrance affecting such Property shall exceed $250,000;

(r)             Securities Law Filings and other Public Information.  Promptly after the same are available, the Credit Parties shall provide to the Administrative Agent (i) copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent to the stockholders of the Parent, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which the Parent may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or any other securities Governmental Authority, and not otherwise required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto; and (ii) copies of each notice or other correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary thereof.

(s)            Management Letters.  Promptly after any request by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, the Credit Parties shall provide to the Administrative Agent copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of the Parent by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of the Parent or any Subsidiary, or any audit of any of them;

(t)             Insurance Reports; Information to Insurer.  Promptly and in any event no later than the earlier of (i) fifteen (15) Business Days after each fiscal quarter end and (ii) delivery thereof to the insurance companies, the Credit Parties shall provide to the Administrative Agent all sales declarations, notifications of adverse information, notifications of overdue accounts, notices of claims and such other information requested or required by the insurer or the Administrative Agent.

 
-68-

 

(u)            Other Information.  Subject to the confidentiality provisions of Section 9.8, the Credit Parties shall provide to the Administrative Agent such other information respecting the business, operations, or Property of the Parent or any Subsidiary, financial or otherwise, as any Lender through the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

(v)            Accounting Changes.  No Credit Party shall make a change in the method of accounting employed in the preparation of the financial statements referred to in Section 4.4 or change the fiscal year end of the Parent unless required to conform to GAAP or approved in writing by the Administrative Agent.

Section 5.3              Insurance.

(a)            Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, carry and maintain (i) all Foreign Credit Insurance policies that have been assigned to the Administrative Agent unless, with the prior consent of the Administrative Agent, such policies have been replaced with policies acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion, and (ii) all such other insurance in such amounts and against such risks as is customarily maintained by other Persons of similar size engaged in similar businesses and acceptable to the Administrative Agent and with reputable insurers acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

(b)            Copies of all policies of insurance or certificates thereof covering the property or business of the Credit Parties, and endorsements and renewals thereof, certified as true and correct copies of such documents by a Responsible Officer of the Parent shall be delivered by Parent to and retained by the Administrative Agent.  All policies of property insurance with respect to the Collateral either shall have attached thereto a lender's loss payable endorsement in favor of the Administrative Agent for its benefit and the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties or name the Administrative Agent as loss payee for its benefit and the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, in either case, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, and all policies of liability insurance shall name the Administrative Agent for its benefit and the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties as an additional insured.  All policies or certificates of insurance shall set forth the coverage, the limits of liability, the name of the carrier, the policy number, and the period of coverage.  All such policies shall contain a provision that notwithstanding any contrary agreements between the Parent, its Subsidiaries, and the applicable insurance company, such policies will not be canceled or allowed to lapse without renewal without at least 30 days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent.

(c)            If at any time the area in which any real property constituting Collateral is located is designated a “flood hazard area” in any Flood Insurance Rate Map published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (or any successor agency), the Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, obtain flood insurance in such total amount as required by Regulation H of the Federal Reserve Board, as from time to time in effect and all official rulings and interpretations thereunder or thereof, and otherwise comply with the National Flood Insurance Program as set forth in the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as it may be amended from time to time.

 
-69-

 

(d)            Prior to the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default, (i) all proceeds of property insurance received by a Credit Party for the loss of Property which occurred prior to the Effective Date and of which such Credit Party has notified the Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date and up to $5,000,000, in the aggregate, of all other proceeds of any property insurance policy shall be paid directly to the applicable Credit Party to repair or replace the damaged or destroyed Property covered by such policy; provided that such Credit Party shall make such repair or replace such Property within 90 days from the receipt of such proceeds and (ii) the remaining amount of such proceeds and any amount of proceeds that were paid to such Credit Party as permitted under clause (i) above and not used toward the repair or replacement of such Property within the 90 days required under such clause (i), shall be paid directly to the Administrative Agent and if necessary, assigned to the Administrative Agent to be, at the election of the Administrative Agent, (A) applied in accordance with Section 7.6 of this Agreement, whether or not the Secured Obligations are then due and payable, or (B) returned to such Credit Party to repair or replace the damaged or destroyed Property covered by such policy or to make such other investments permitted under Section 6.3 of this Agreement.

(e)            After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, all proceeds of insurance, including any casualty insurance proceeds, property insurance proceeds, proceeds from actions, and any other proceeds, shall be paid directly to the Administrative Agent and if necessary, assigned to the Administrative Agent, to be applied in accordance with Section 7.6 of this Agreement, whether or not the Secured Obligations are then due and payable.

(f)             In the event that any insurance proceeds are paid to any Credit Party in violation of clause (d) or clause (e), such Credit Party shall hold the proceeds in trust for the Administrative Agent, segregate the proceeds from the other funds of such Credit Party, and promptly pay the proceeds to the Administrative Agent with any necessary endorsement.  Upon the request of the Administrative Agent, each of the Parent and its Subsidiaries shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent any additional assignments and other documents as may be necessary or desirable to enable the Administrative Agent to directly collect the proceeds as set forth herein.

Section 5.4             Compliance with Laws.  Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations (including Environmental Laws) which are applicable to the operations and Property of any Credit Party and maintain all related permits necessary for the ownership and operation of each Credit Party's Property and business, except in any case where the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change.

Section 5.5             Taxes.  Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay and discharge all taxes, assessments, and other charges and claims related thereto imposed on the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries prior to the date on which penalties attach other than any tax, assessment, charge, or claims which is being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves have been established in compliance with GAAP.

Section 5.6             New Subsidiaries.  Within 10 days after the creation of a new Subsidiary or the purchase by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries of the Equity Interests of any Person, which purchase results in such Person becoming a Subsidiary of the Parent, the Parent shall cause (a) such Subsidiary to execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent (i) a joinder to the Guaranty, (ii) a joinder to the Security Agreement, (iii) if such Subsidiary owns any real property, a Mortgage covering such real properties, and (iv) such evidence of corporate authority to enter into such Guaranty, Security Agreement, and Mortgage as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and (b) the equity holder of such Subsidiary to execute a pledge agreement pledging 100% of the Equity Interest owned by such equity holder of such Subsidiary and such evidence of corporate, limited liability company or partnership authority to enter into such pledge agreement as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request, along with share certificates pledged thereby and appropriately executed stock powers in blank, if applicable; provided that, no new Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to enter into a Guaranty, Security Agreement or pledge agreement and the Parent or any Subsidiary that is an equity holder of a Foreign Subsidiary shall only be required to pledge 66% of the Equity Interest of such Foreign Subsidiary.

 
-70-

 

Section 5.7             Security.  Each Credit Party agrees that at all times before the termination of this Agreement, payment in full of the Obligations (other than reimbursement and indemnity obligations which survive but are not due and payable), the termination and return of all Letters of Credit and termination in full of the Commitments, the Administrative Agent shall have an Acceptable Security Interest in the Collateral to secure the performance and payment of the Secured Obligations.  Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, grant to the Administrative Agent a Lien in any Property of such Credit Party or such Subsidiary now owned or hereafter acquired promptly and to take such actions as may be required under the Security Documents to ensure that the Administrative Agent has an Acceptable Security Interest in such Property.

Section 5.8             Accounts.  Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain their principal operating accounts and other deposit accounts with Wells Fargo or such accounts with other depositary banks that are subject to Account Control Agreements and deposit all proceeds of Eligible Receivables which were considered in calculating the then effective Borrowing Base into such accounts with Wells Fargo or such accounts that are subject to Account Control Agreements; provided that, the requirements of this Section 5.8 shall not apply to (i) deposit accounts which are outside of the United States of America, and collectively have a balance of less than $1,000,000, or (ii) deposit accounts within the United States of America, which, individually has a balance of less than $100,000, and which collectively have a balance of less than $300,000.

Section 5.9             Records; Inspection.  Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain proper, complete and consistent books of record with respect to such Person's operations, affairs, and financial condition.  From time to time upon reasonable prior notice, each Credit Party shall permit any Lender and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to permit any Lender, at such reasonable times and intervals and to a reasonable extent and under the reasonable guidance of officers of or employees delegated by officers of such Credit Party or such Subsidiary, to, subject to any applicable confidentiality considerations, examine and copy the books and records of such Credit Party or such Subsidiary, to visit and inspect the Property of such Credit Party or such Subsidiary, and to discuss the business operations and Property of such Credit Party or such Subsidiary with the officers and directors thereof.

 
-71-

 

Section 5.10           Maintenance of Property.  Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain their owned, leased, or operated Property in good condition and repair, normal wear and tear excepted; and shall abstain from, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to abstain from, knowingly or willfully permitting the commission of waste or other injury, destruction, or loss of natural resources, or the occurrence of pollution, contamination, or any other condition in, on or about the owned or operated Property involving the Environment that could reasonably be expected to result in Response activities and that could reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change.

Section 5.11           Borrowing Base Audits; Appraisal Reports.  Each Credit Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit the Administrative Agent to perform collateral audits and field exams of the Properties of the Parent and Subsidiaries and to provide the Administrative Agent with such assistance and information so that (a) a collateral audit dated as of July 31st of each year may be completed on or prior to the immediately following September 30th of each year, and (b) a collateral audit dated as of January 31st of each year may be completed on or prior to the immediately following March 31st of each year.  If no Default has occurred and is continuing, only such two audits per year and any other audits performed at the request of the Borrower shall be performed at the Borrower's sole cost and expense and the costs of each such appraisal reports shall be paid by the Borrower.  If a Default has occurred and is continuing, the Administrative Agent may perform such additional audits, appraisal reports and field exams, and all such audits, reports and field exams shall be performed at the Credit Parties' sole cost and expense.

Section 5.12           Landlord Agreements.  On or prior to May 15, 2009, each Credit Party shall, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to, obtain fully executed lien waiver or subordination agreements in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and covering each of the leased premises listed on Schedule 3.1 other than to the extent such lien waiver or subordination would not be required under Section 6.21(a)(ii) below.

ARTICLE 6

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

So long as any Obligation shall remain unpaid, any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, or there shall exist any Letter of Credit Exposure, the Borrower agrees to comply with the following covenants.

Section 6.1              Debt.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, assume, incur, suffer to exist, or in any manner become liable, directly, indirectly, or contingently in respect of, any Debt other than the following (collectively, the "Permitted Debt"):

(a)            the Obligations;

(b)            intercompany Debt incurred in the ordinary course of business owed by any Credit Party to any other Credit Party; provided that, if applicable, such Debt as an investment is also permitted in Section 6.3;

 
-72-

 

(c)            Debt in the form of accounts payable to trade creditors for goods or services and current operating liabilities (other than for borrowed money) which in each case are not more than 90 days past due, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business, as presently conducted, unless contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

(d)            purchase money indebtedness or Capital Leases in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2,500,000 at any time; provided no Credit Party may enter into additional indebtedness of the type described in this clause (d) if a Default is continuing or entering into the additional indebtedness could reasonably be expected to cause a Default;

(e)            Debt secured by Liens of the type described in Section 6.2(f);

(f)             Debt in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,500,000 secured solely by Receivables owed by a Foreign Account Debtor that are not included in determining the Borrowing Base hereunder;

(g)            Debt under the Wright Seller Note; provided that (i) such Debt is unsecured, (ii) such Debt is subordinated to the Secured Obligations on terms satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (iii) the scheduled maturity of such Debt is no earlier than 91 days after the later of the scheduled Revolving Maturity Date and the Term Maturity Date, (iv) no principal payments are required thereunder other than at the scheduled maturity thereof, (v) the interest on such Debt shall not exceed 8.00% per annum other than a default rate of interest which shall not exceed 2.00% in excess of the otherwise applicable interest rate, and (vi) the principal amount thereof shall not, at any time, exceed $3,385,000.00; and

(h)            Debt in the form of obligations (contingent or otherwise) related to the letter of credit issued on July 10, 2008 by Wells Fargo for the account of the Borrower to British Arab Commercial Bank for the face amount of 10,000,000.00 Algerian Dinars and including any extension, amendments and renewals thereof so long as the face amount of such letter of credit does not exceed 15,000,000.00 Algerian Dinars.

Section 6.2             Liens.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, assume, incur, or suffer to exist any Lien on the Property of any Credit Party or any Subsidiary, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or assign any right to receive any income, other than the following (collectively, the "Permitted Liens"):

(a)             Liens securing the Secured Obligations pursuant to the Security Documents;

(b)            Liens imposed by law, such as materialmen's, mechanics', carriers', workmen's and repairmen's liens, and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business securing obligations which are not overdue for a period of more than 30 days or are being contested in good faith by appropriate procedures or proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been established;

(c)            Liens arising in the ordinary course of business out of pledges or deposits under workers compensation laws, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, or other social security or retirement benefits, or similar legislation to secure public or statutory obligations;

 
-73-

 

(d)            Liens for taxes, assessment, or other governmental charges which are not yet due and payable or which are being actively contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

(e)            Liens securing purchase money debt or Capital Lease obligations permitted under Section 6.1(d); provided that each such Lien encumbers only the Property purchased in connection with the creation of any such purchase money debt or the subject of any such Capital Lease and the amount secured thereby is not increased;

(f)             Liens on Property of Persons which become Subsidiaries of the Parent after the Effective Date and securing Permitted Debt; provided that, (i) such Liens are in existence at the time the respective Persons become Subsidiaries of the Parent and were not created in anticipation thereof and (ii) the Debt secured by such Liens (A) is secured only by such Property and not by any other assets of the Subsidiary acquired, and (B) is not increased in amount;

(g)            Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statements regarding operating leases to the extent such operating leases are permitted hereby;

(h)            encumbrances consisting of minor easements, zoning restrictions, or other restrictions on the use of real property that do not (individually or in the aggregate) materially affect the value of the assets encumbered thereby or materially impair the ability of any Credit Party to use such assets in its business, and none of which is violated in any material aspect by existing or proposed structures or land use;

(i)             Liens arising solely by virtue of any statutory or common law provision relating to banker’s liens, rights of set-off or similar rights and remedies and burdening only deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depository institution;

(j)             Liens on cash or securities pledged to secure performance of tenders, surety and appeal bonds, government contracts, performance and return of money bonds, bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory obligations, regulatory obligations and other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(k)            judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default, provided that (i) any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment shall not have been finally terminated or the period within which such proceeding may be initiated shall not have expired and (ii) no action to enforce such Lien has been commenced;

(l)             Liens on cash or Liquid Investments granted to Wells Fargo, for its own account, to secure the Debt permitted under Section 6.1(h); and

(m)           Liens on Receivables owed by a Foreign Account Debtor securing the Debt permitted under Section 6.1(f).

Section 6.3             Investments.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make or hold any direct or indirect investment in any Person, including capital contributions to the Person, investments in or the acquisition of the debt or equity securities of the Person, or any loans, guaranties, trade credit, or other extensions of credit to any Person, other than the following (collectively, the "Permitted Investments"):

 
-74-

 

(a)            investments in the form of trade credit to customers of a Credit Party arising in the ordinary course of business and represented by accounts from such customers;

(b)            Liquid Investments;

(c)            loans, advances, or capital contributions to, or investments in, or purchases or commitments to purchase any stock or other securities or evidences of indebtedness of or interests in any Person and existing on the Effective Date, in each case as specified in the attached Schedule 6.3; provided that, the respective amounts of such loans, advances, capital contributions, investments, purchases and commitments shall not be increased (other than appreciation);

(d)            loans and advances by a Credit Party to any other Credit Party;

(e)            investments in the form of Acquisitions permitted by Section 6.4;

(f)            (i) creation of any additional Subsidiaries domiciled in the U.S. in compliance with Section 5.6. and (ii) creation of any additional Subsidiaries domiciled outside of the U.S. in compliance with Section 5.6; provided that with respect to any Subsidiary domiciled outside of the U.S., the initial capitalization of such Subsidiary by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries shall not be in excess of the greater of (a) the minimum amount required by law and (b) $10,000; provided further that, with respect to a Subsidiary domiciled in or outside of the U.S., any contributions, loans, or advances to, or investments in such Subsidiary (other than the initial capitalization of such Subsidiary) by any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall be otherwise permitted under this Section 6.3; and

(g)            travel advances or travel loans to officers and employees of any Credit Party; provided that the aggregate outstanding amount of such advances and loans shall not exceed $150,000.

Section 6.4             Acquisitions.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, make an Acquisition in a transaction or related series of transactions other than the Wright Acquisition.

Section 6.5             Agreements Restricting Liens.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or permit to exist any contract, agreement or understanding (other than this Agreement, the Security Documents and agreements governing Debt permitted by Sections 6.1(d), (e) and (f) to the extent such restrictions govern only the asset financed pursuant to such Debt) which in any way prohibits or restricts the granting, conveying, creation or imposition of any Lien on any of its Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, to secure the Secured Obligations or restricts any Subsidiary from paying Restricted Payments to the Parent, or which requires the consent of or notice to other Persons in connection therewith.

 
-75-

 

Section 6.6             Use of Proceeds; Use of Letters of Credit.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to: (a) use the proceeds of the Term Advances for any purposes other than to, on the Closing Date, refinance the advances outstanding under, and as defined in, the Bilateral Agreement; (b) use the proceeds of the Revolving Advances for any purposes other than (i) to refinance the advances and other obligations outstanding under the Bilateral Agreement, (ii) to finance a portion of the purchase price for the Wright Acquisition, (iii) working capital purposes of any Credit Party, and (iv) other general corporate purposes of any Credit Party, including the payment of fees and expenses related to the entering into of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents; or (c) use the proceeds of the Swing Line Advances or the Letters of Credit for any purposes other than (i) working capital purposes of any Credit Party and (ii) other general corporate purposes of any Credit Party.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, use any part of the proceeds of Advances or Letters of Credit for any purpose which violates, or is inconsistent with, Regulations T, U, or X.

Section 6.7              Corporate Actions.

(a)            No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, merge or consolidate with or into any other Person, except that the Parent and the Borrower may merge with any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries and any Credit Party may merge or be consolidated with or into any other Credit Party; provided that immediately after giving effect to any such proposed transaction no Default would exist and, in the case of any such merger to which the Parent or the Borrower is a party, the Parent or the Borrower is the surviving entity.

(b)            No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change its name, change its state of incorporation, formation or organization, change its organizational identification number or reorganize in another jurisdiction, create or suffer to exist any Subsidiary not existing on the date of this Agreement, sell or otherwise dispose of any of its ownership interest in any of its Subsidiaries, or in any manner rearrange its business structure as it exists on the date of this Agreement, provided that (i) the Parent may create or acquire new Subsidiaries if such new Subsidiaries comply with Section 5.6 and such transactions otherwise comply with the terms of this Agreement, (ii) a Credit Party may change its name, change its state of incorporation, formation or organization, and change its organizational number provided that such Credit Party has (A) given the Administrative Agent at least thirty (30) days' prior notice of such change and (B) taken all actions necessary or as requested by the Administrative Agent to ensure that the Liens on the Collateral granted in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties remain perfected, first-priority Liens, and (iii) a Credit Party may dissolve or terminate the existence of any Inactive Subsidary.

Section 6.8             Sale of Assets.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, convey, or otherwise transfer any of its assets except that (a) any Credit Party may sell, convey, or otherwise transfer any of its assets to any other Credit Party so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby; provided that the receiving Credit Party shall ratify, grant and confirm the Liens on such assets (and any other related Collateral) pursuant to documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; (b) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries may sell inventory in the ordinary course of business; and (c) the Parent and its Subsidiaries may sell, convey, or otherwise transfer any equipment provided that, (i) if such equipment is intended to constitute Collateral under the Security Documents, before or after giving effect to such Asset Sale, the aggregate amount of all Asset Sales of equipment that is intended to constitute Collateral under the Security Documents and completed during any fiscal year shall not exceed $1,000,000, (ii) if such equipment is not intended to constitute Collateral under the Security Documents, before or after giving effect to such Asset Sale, the aggregate amount of all Asset Sales of equipment that was not intended to constitute Collateral under the Security Documents and completed during any fiscal year shall not exceed $5,000,000, and (iii) the consideration received in respect of any Asset Sale described in (i) and (ii) shall be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the equipment subject to such Asset Sale.

 
-76-

 

Section 6.9            Restricted Payments.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to make any Restricted Payments except that so long as no Default exists or would result from the making of such Restricted Payment (a) the Subsidiaries of the Parent may make Restricted Payments to the Parent or any other Credit Party, and (b) the Borrower may make scheduled interest payments due under the Wright Seller Note which are permitted by subordination terms as approved by the Administrative Agent.

Section 6.10           Affiliate Transactions.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction or series of transactions (including, but not limited to, the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of Property, the making of any investment, the giving of any guaranty, the assumption of any obligation or the rendering of any service) with any of their Affiliates which are not Credit Parties unless such transaction or series of transactions is on terms no less favorable to the Parent or any Subsidiary, as applicable, than those that could be obtained in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person that is not such an affiliate.

Section 6.11           Line of Business.  No Credit Party shall, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change the character of the Parent's and its Subsidiaries collective business as conducted on the date of this Agreement, or engage in any type of business not reasonably related to the Parent's and its Subsidiaries collective business as presently and normally conducted.

Section 6.12           Hazardous Materials.  No Credit Party (a) shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, handle, transport, use, or dispose of any Hazardous Substance or Hazardous Waste, except in the ordinary course of its business and except in compliance with Environmental Law other than to the extent that such non-compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change or in any liability on the Lenders or the Administrative Agent, and (b) shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, release any Hazardous Substance or Hazardous Waste into the environment and shall not permit any Credit Party's or any Subsidiary's Property to be subjected to any release of Hazardous Substance or Hazardous Waste, except in compliance with Environmental Law other than to the extent that such non-compliance could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Change or in any liability on the Lenders or the Administrative Agent.

 
-77-

 

Section 6.13           Compliance with ERISA.  Except for matters that individually or in the aggregate could not reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Change, no Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly: (a) engage in any transaction in connection with which the Parent or any Subsidiary could be subjected to either a civil penalty assessed pursuant to section 502(c), (i) or (l) of ERISA or a tax imposed by Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code; (b) terminate, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to terminate, any Plan in a manner, or take any other action with respect to any Plan, which could result in any liability to the Parent, any Subsidiary or any member of the Controlled Group to the PBGC; (c) fail to make, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to fail to make, full payment when due of all amounts which, under the provisions of any Plan, agreement relating thereto or applicable law, the Parent, a Subsidiary or member of the Controlled Group is required to pay as contributions thereto; (d) permit to exist, or allow any Subsidiary or any member of the Controlled Group to permit to exist, any accumulated funding deficiency (or unpaid minimum required contribution for plan years after December 31, 2007) within the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or section 412 of the Code, whether or not waived, with respect to any Plan; (e) permit, or allow any member of the Controlled Group to permit, the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities (as “actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities” shall have the meaning specified in section 4041 of ERISA) under any Plan that is regulated under Title IV of ERISA to 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; (f) contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, any Multiemployer Plan; (g) acquire, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to acquire, an interest in any Person that causes such Person to become a member of the Controlled Group if such Person sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or at any time in the six-year period preceding such acquisition has sponsored, maintained, or contributed to, (1) any Multiemployer Plan, or (2) any other Plan that is subject to Title IV of ERISA under which the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under such Plan exceeds 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; (h) incur, or permit any member of the Controlled Group to incur, a liability to or on account of a Plan under sections 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA; (i) contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to any employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in section 3(1) of ERISA, including, without limitation, any such plan maintained to provide benefits to former employees of such entities, that may not be terminated by such entities in their sole discretion at any time without any liability; or (j) amend or permit any member of the Controlled Group to amend, a Plan resulting in an increase in current liability such that the Parent, any Subsidiary or any member of the Controlled Group is required to provide security to such Plan under section 401(a)(29) of the Code.

Section 6.14           Sale and Leaseback Transactions.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell or transfer to a Person any Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, if at the time or thereafter the Parent or a Subsidiary shall lease as lessee such Property or any part thereof or other Property which the Parent or a Subsidiary intends to use for substantially the same purpose as the Property sold or transferred.

Section 6.15           Operating Leases.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any lease that constitutes an operating lease under GAAP if the obligations of the Parent or such Subsidiary as lessee under such lease would cause its lease payments (excluding payments for taxes, insurance, and other non-rental expenses to the extent not included within the stated amount of the rental payments under such lease) in respect of all such leases entered into by the Parent and its Subsidiaries to exceed $2,500,000 during any fiscal year of the Parent.

 
-78-

 

Section 6.16           Limitation on Hedging.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) purchase, assume, or hold a speculative position in any commodities market or futures market or enter into any Hedging Arrangement for speculative purposes; or (b) be party to or otherwise enter into any Hedging Arrangement which (i) is entered into for reasons other than as a part of its normal business operations as a risk management strategy and/or hedge against changes resulting from market conditions related to the Parent's or its Subsidiaries’ operations, (ii) is longer than the term of the Term Loan, or (iii) obligates the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries to any margin call requirements.

Section 6.17           Minimum Tangible Net Worth.  Parent shall not permit its Tangible Net Worth as of the end of each fiscal quarter, commencing with the quarter ending June 30, 2009, to be less than an amount equal to (i) 85% of its Tangible Net Worth as of March 31, 2009 plus (ii) an amount equal to 50% of the Parent's consolidated Net Income for each fiscal quarter ending on or after March 31, 2009 in which such consolidated Net Income is greater than $0 plus (iii) an amount equal to 100% of Equity Issuance Proceeds received by any Credit Party or any Subsidiary after March 31, 2009.

Section 6.18           Leverage Ratio.  Parent shall not permit the Leverage Ratio as of each fiscal quarter end, commencing with the quarter ending March 31, 2009, to be more than 2.25 to 1.00.

Section 6.19           Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.  Parent shall not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of each fiscal quarter end, commencing with the quarter ending March 31, 2009, to be less than 1.50 to 1.0.

Section 6.20           Capital Expenditures.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, cause the aggregate Capital Expenditures expended by the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in any fiscal year (or, with respect to any Subsidiary that was acquired during such fiscal year, the portion of such fiscal year that such Subsidiary was a Subsidiary) to exceed $30,000,000 in the aggregate for such fiscal year.

Section 6.21           Landlord Agreements.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to (a) from and after May 15, 2009, hold, store or otherwise maintain any equipment that is intended to constitute Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents at premises within the U.S. which are not owned by a Credit Party and which are not covered by a lien waiver or subordination agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent unless either (i) such equipment is located at the job site under which such equipment is then currently under contract, or (ii) the aggregate value of all equipment located at premises within the U.S. which are not owned by a Credit Party and which are not covered by a lien waiver or subordination agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent does not exceed $500,000, or (b) after the Closing Date, enter into any new verbal or written leases for premises located in the U.S. with any Person who has not executed a lien waiver or subordination agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (other than extensions of existing leases).

 
-79-

 

Section 6.22           Borrowing Base Deficiency.  The Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, permit a Borrowing Base Deficiency to exist at any time.

Section 6.23           Non-Obligor Entities.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, including any provision of this Article 6, no Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien on or in respect of any of its Property (including any Domestic Equipment) for the benefit of any Non-Obligor Entity, (b) sell, assign, pledge, or otherwise transfer any of its Properties (including any Domestic Equipment) to any Non-Obligor Entity, or (c) make or permit to exist any loans, advances, or capital contributions to, or make any investment in, or purchase or commit to purchase any stock or other securities or evidences of indebtedness of or interests in, any Non-Obligor Entity or in any Properties of any Non-Obligor Entity other than, without duplication, the following: (i) the loans, advances, capital contributions, investments, and commitments made prior to the date hereof in any Non-Obligor Entity; provided that, the respective amounts of such loans, advances, capital contributions, investments, and commitments shall not be increased (other than by appreciation) and (ii) such other investments permitted under Section 6.3(f) above.

Section 6.24           Amendment of the Subordinated Debt Terms.  No Credit Party shall, nor shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, amend any of the documents, including the Wright Seller Note, or terms governing the Debt permitted under clause 6.1(g) hereunder, without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, in the Administrative Agent’s sole reasonable discretion.

ARTICLE 7

DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

Section 7.1              Events of Default.  The occurrence of any of the following events shall constitute an "Event of Default" under this Agreement and any other Credit Document:

(a)            Payment Failure.  Any Credit Party (i) fails to pay any principal or interest when due under this Agreement or (ii) fails to pay, within three Business Days of when due, any other amount due under this Agreement or any other Credit Document, including payments of fees, reimbursements, and indemnifications;

(b)            False Representation or Warranties.  Any representation or warranty made or deemed to be made by any Credit Party or any officer thereof in this Agreement, in any other Credit Document or in any certificate delivered in connection with this Agreement or any other Credit Document is incorrect, false or otherwise misleading in any material respect (provided such materiality qualifier shall not apply in instances where a specific representation contains a materiality or Material Adverse Change qualifier) at the time it was made or deemed made;

(c)            Breach of Covenant.  (i) Any breach by any Credit Party of any of the covenants in Section 5.2(d), Section 5.2(g), Section 5.3(a) or Article 6 of this Agreement or the corresponding covenants in any Guaranty or (ii) any breach by any Credit Party of any other covenant contained in this Agreement or any other Credit Document and such breach shall remain unremedied for a period of thirty days after the occurrence of such breach (such grace period to be applicable only in the event such Default can be remedied by corrective action of a Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries);

 
-80-

 

(d)            Guaranties.  Any provisions in the Guaranties shall at any time (before its expiration according to its terms) and for any reason cease to be in full force and effect and valid and binding on the Guarantors party thereto or shall be contested by any party thereto; any Guarantor shall deny it has any liability or obligation under such Guaranties; or any Guarantor shall cease to exist other than as expressly permitted by the terms of this Agreement;

(e)            Security Documents.  Any Security Document shall at any time and for any reason cease to create an Acceptable Security Interest in the Property purported to be subject to such agreement in accordance with the terms of such agreement or any material provisions thereof shall cease to be in full force and effect and valid and binding on the Credit Party that is a party thereto or any such Person shall so state in writing; provided that, with respect to the acquisition of any new equipment title of which is evidenced by a certificate of title, the Borrower shall have 30 days from the date of acquisition of such equipment to deliver such certificate of title to the Administrative Agent and otherwise create an Acceptable Security Interest in such equipment;

(f)             Cross-Default. (i) The Borrower or any Guarantor shall fail to pay any principal of or premium or interest on its Debt which is outstanding in a principal amount of at least $1,000,000.00 individually or when aggregated with all such Debt of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries so in default (but excluding Debt evidenced by the Notes) when the same becomes due and payable (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in the agreement or instrument relating to such Debt; (ii) any other event shall occur or condition shall exist under any agreement or instrument relating to Debt which is outstanding in a principal amount of at least $1,000,000.00 individually or when aggregated with all such Debt of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries so in default (other than Debt evidenced by the Notes), and shall continue after the applicable grace period, if any, specified in such agreement or instrument, if the effect of such event or condition is to accelerate, or to permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Debt prior to the stated maturity thereof; or (iii) any such Debt shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment); provided that, for purposes of this paragraph (f), the "principal amount" of the obligations in respect of Hedging Arrangements at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting agreements) that would be required to be paid if such Hedging Arrangements were terminated at such time;

(g)            Bankruptcy and Insolvency.  (i) Any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of the Borrower (other than an Inactive Subsidiary) shall terminate its existence or dissolve or (ii) any Credit Party or any Subsidiary of the Borrower (A) admits in writing its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due; makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors; consents to or acquiesces in the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, fiscal agent, or trustee of itself or any of its Property; files a petition under bankruptcy or other laws for the relief of debtors; or consents to any reorganization, arrangement, workout, liquidation, dissolution, or similar relief or (B) shall have had, without its consent: any court enter an order appointing a receiver, liquidator, fiscal agent, or trustee of itself or any of its Property; any petition filed against it seeking reorganization, arrangement, workout, liquidation, dissolution or similar relief under bankruptcy or other laws for the relief of debtors and such petition shall not be dismissed, stayed, or set aside for an aggregate of 60 days, whether or not consecutive;

 
-81-

 

(h)            Adverse Judgment.  The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries suffers final judgments against any of them since the date of this Agreement in an aggregate amount, less any insurance proceeds covering such judgments which are received or as to which the insurance carriers admit liability, greater than $1,000,000.00 and either (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such judgments or (ii) there shall be any period of 30 consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgments, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect;

(i)             Termination Events.  Any Termination Event with respect to a Plan shall have occurred, and, 30 days after notice thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, such Termination Event shall not have been corrected and shall have created and caused to be continuing a material risk of Plan termination or liability for withdrawal from the Plan as a "substantial employer" (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), which termination could reasonably be expect to result in a liability of, or liability for withdrawal could reasonably be expected to be, greater than $500,000.00;

(j)             Plan Withdrawals.  The Borrower or any member of the Controlled Group as employer under a Multiemployer Plan shall have made a complete or partial withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan and such withdrawing employer shall have incurred a withdrawal liability in an annual amount exceeding $500,000.00;

(k)            Change in Control.  The occurrence of a Change in Control; or

(l)             Material Adverse Change.  The occurrence of a Material Adverse Change.

Section 7.2              Optional Acceleration of Maturity.  If any Event of Default (other than an Event of Default pursuant to Section 7.1(g)) shall have occurred and be continuing, then, and in any such event,

(a)            the Administrative Agent (i) shall at the request, or may with the consent, of the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare that the obligation of each Lender to make Advances and the obligation of the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit shall be terminated, whereupon the same shall forthwith terminate, and (ii) shall at the request, or may with the consent, of the Majority Lenders, by notice to the Borrower, declare the Notes, all interest thereon, and all other amounts payable under this Agreement to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the Notes, all such interest, and all such amounts shall become and be forthwith due and payable in full, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind (including, without limitation, any notice of intent to accelerate or notice of acceleration), all of which are hereby expressly waived by each of the Credit Parties,

 
-82-

 

(b)            the Borrower shall, on demand of the Administrative Agent at the request or with the consent of the Majority Lenders, deposit with the Administrative Agent into the Cash Collateral Account an amount of cash equal to the outstanding Letter of Credit Exposure as security for the Secured Obligations to the extent the Letter of Credit Obligations are not otherwise paid or cash collateralized at such time, and

(c)            the Administrative Agent shall at the request of, or may with the consent of, the Majority Lenders proceed to enforce its rights and remedies under the Security Documents, the Guaranties, or any other Credit Document for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties by appropriate proceedings.

Section 7.3             Automatic Acceleration of Maturity.  If any Event of Default pursuant to Section 7.1(g) shall occur,

(a)            the obligation of each Lender to make Advances and the obligation of the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit shall immediately and automatically be terminated and the Notes, all interest on the Notes, and all other amounts payable under this Agreement shall immediately and automatically become and be due and payable in full, without presentment, demand, protest or any notice of any kind (including, without limitation, any notice of intent to accelerate or notice of acceleration), all of which are hereby expressly waived by each of the Credit Parties,

(b)            the Borrower shall, on demand of the Administrative Agent at the request or with the consent of the Majority Lenders, deposit with the Administrative Agent into the Cash Collateral Account an amount of cash equal to the outstanding Letter of Credit Exposure as security for the Secured Obligations to the extent the Letter of Credit Obligations are not otherwise paid or cash collateralized at such time, and

(c)            the Administrative Agent shall at the request of, or may with the consent of, the Majority Lenders proceed to enforce its rights and remedies under the Security Documents, the Guaranties, or any other Credit Document for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties by appropriate proceedings.

Section 7.4             Set-off.  Upon (a) the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default and (b) the making of the request or the granting of the consent, if any, specified by Section 7.2 to authorize the Administrative Agent to declare the Notes and any other amount payable hereunder due and payable pursuant to the provisions of Section 7.2 or the automatic acceleration of the Notes and all amounts payable under this Agreement pursuant to Section 7.3, the Administrative Agent and each Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by the Administrative Agent or such Lender to or for the credit or the account of any Credit Party against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement, the Notes held by the Administrative Agent or such Lender, and the other Credit Documents, irrespective of whether or not the Administrative Agent or such Lender shall have made any demand under this Agreement, such Note, or such other Credit Documents, and although such obligations may be unmatured.  Each Lender agrees to promptly notify the Borrower after any such set-off and application made by such Lender, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off and application.  The rights of the Administrative Agent and each Lender under this Section 7.4 are in addition to any other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of set-off) which the Administrative Agent or such Lender may have.

 
-83-

 

Section 7.5             Remedies Cumulative, No Waiver.  No right, power, or remedy conferred to any Lender in this Agreement or the Credit Documents, or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity, by statute, or otherwise shall be exclusive, and each such right, power, or remedy shall to the full extent permitted by law be cumulative and in addition to every other such right, power or remedy.  No course of dealing and no delay in exercising any right, power, or remedy conferred to any Lender in this Agreement and the Credit Documents or now or hereafter existing at law, in equity, by statute, or otherwise shall operate as a waiver of or otherwise prejudice any such right, power, or remedy.  Any Lender may cure any Event of Default without waiving the Event of Default.  No notice to or demand upon the Borrower or any other Credit Party shall entitle the Borrower or any other Credit Party to similar notices or demands in the future.

Section 7.6             Application of Payments.  Prior to an Event of Default, all payments made hereunder shall be applied by the Administrative Agent as directed by the Borrower, but subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the application of prepayments according to Section 2.5 and Section 2.12.  During the existence of an Event of Default, all payments and collections received by the Administrative Agent shall be applied to the Secured Obligations in accordance with Section 2.12 and otherwise in the following order:

 FIRST, to the payment of all costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as such hereunder or under any other Credit Document) in connection with this Agreement or any of the Secured Obligations, including all court costs and the fees and expenses of its agents and legal counsel, the repayment of all advances made by the Administrative Agent as secured party hereunder or under any other Credit Document on behalf of any Credit Party and any other costs or expenses incurred in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy hereunder or under any other Credit Document;

 SECOND, to the payment of all accrued interest constituting part of the Secured Obligations (the amounts so applied to be distributed ratably among the Lenders (and to the extent applicable to Hedging Arrangements, the Swap Counterparties and to the extent applicable to Banking Services Obligations, Wells Fargo or its Affiliate that is owed such obligations) pro rata in accordance with the amounts of the Secured Obligations owed to them on the date of any such distribution);

 THIRD, to the payment of any then due and owing principal constituting part of the Secured Obligations (the amounts so applied to be distributed ratably among the Lenders (and to the extent applicable to Hedging Arrangements, the Swap Counterparties and to the extent applicable to Banking Services Obligations, Wells Fargo or its Affiliate that is owed such obligations) pro rata in accordance with the principal amounts of the Obligations owed to them on the date of any such distribution), and when applied to make distributions by the Administrative Agent to pay the principal amount of the outstanding Borrowings, pro rata to the Lenders;

 
-84-

 

 FOURTH, to the payment of any then due and owing other amounts (including fees and expenses) constituting part of the Secured Obligations (the amounts so applied to be distributed ratably among the Lenders (and to the extent applicable to Hedging Arrangements, the Swap Counterparties and to the extent applicable to Banking Services Obligations, Wells Fargo or its Affiliate that is owed such obligations) pro rata in accordance with such amounts owed to them on the date of any such distribution), and when applied to make distributions by the Administrative Agent to pay such amounts payable to the Lenders under this Credit Agreement, pro rata to the Lenders; and

 FIFTH, to the Credit Parties, their successors or assigns, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct.

ARTICLE 8

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Section 8.1             Appointment, Powers, and Immunities.  Each Lender hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to act as its agent under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents with such powers and discretion as are specifically delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.  The Administrative Agent (which term as used in this sentence and in Section 8.5 and the first sentence of Section 8.6 shall include its Affiliates and its own and its Affiliates' officers, directors, employees, and agents):  (a) shall not have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and shall not be a trustee or fiduciary for any Lender; (b) shall not be responsible to the Lenders for any recital, statement, representation, or warranty (whether written or oral) made in or in connection with any Credit Document or any certificate or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by any of them under, any Credit Document, or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability, or sufficiency of any Credit Document, or any other document referred to or provided for therein or for any failure by any Credit Party or any other Person to perform any of its obligations thereunder; (c) shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, or verify the performance or observance of any covenants or agreements by any Credit Party or the satisfaction of any condition or to inspect the Property (including the books and records) of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; (d) shall not be required to initiate or conduct any litigation or collection proceedings under any Credit Document unless requested by the Majority Lenders in writing and it receives indemnification satisfactory to it from the Lenders; and (e) shall not be responsible for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it under or in connection with any Credit Document, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct.  The Administrative Agent may employ agents and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected by the Administrative Agent with reasonable care.

Section 8.2             Reliance by Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon any certification, notice, instrument, writing, or other communication (including, without limitation, any thereof by telephone or telecopy) believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or made by or on behalf of the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including counsel for any Credit Party), independent accountants, and other experts selected by the Administrative Agent.  The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Notes as the holder thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until the Administrative Agent receives and accepts an Assignment and Acceptance executed in accordance with Section 9.7.  As to any matters not expressly provided for by this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to exercise any discretion or take any action, but shall be required to act or to refrain from acting (and shall be fully protected in so acting or refraining from acting) upon the instructions of the Majority Lenders, and such instructions shall be binding on all of the Lenders; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that exposes the Administrative Agent to personal liability or that is contrary to any Credit Document or applicable law or unless it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking any such action.

 
-85-

 

Section 8.3             Defaults.  The Administrative Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice from a Lender or the Borrower specifying such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default".  In the event that the Administrative Agent receives such a notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default, the Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Lenders.  The Administrative Agent shall (subject to Section 8.2) take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall reasonably be directed by the Majority Lenders, provided that, unless and until the Administrative Agent shall have received such directions, the Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action, with respect to such Default or Event of Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interest of the Lenders.

Section 8.4             Rights as Lender.  With respect to its Commitments and the Advances made by it, Wells Fargo (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) in its capacity as a Lender hereunder shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not acting as the Administrative Agent, and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity. Wells Fargo (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) and its Affiliates may (without having to account therefor to any Lender) accept deposits from, lend money to, make investments in, provide services to, and generally engage in any kind of lending, trust, or other business with any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates as if it were not acting as Administrative Agent, and Wells Fargo (and any successor acting as Administrative Agent) and its Affiliates may accept fees and other consideration from any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates for services in connection with this Agreement or otherwise without having to account for the same to the Lenders.

Section 8.5              Indemnification.  

(a)            THE LENDERS SEVERALLY AGREE TO INDEMNIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND EACH AFFILIATE THEREOF AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS (TO THE EXTENT NOT REIMBURSED BY THE BORROWER), RATABLY ACCORDING TO THE RESPECTIVE PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS OF THE ADVANCES THEN HELD BY EACH OF THEM (OR IF NO PRINCIPAL OF THE ADVANCES IS AT THE TIME OUTSTANDING, RATABLY ACCORDING TO THE RESPECTIVE COMMITMENTS HELD BY EACH OF THEM IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE TERMINATION, EXPIRATION OR FULL REDUCTION OF EACH SUCH COMMITMENT), FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED ON, INCURRED BY, OR ASSERTED AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN ANY WAY RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ACTION TAKEN OR OMITTED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT (INCLUDING THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S OWN NEGLIGENCE), AND INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES, PROVIDED THAT NO LENDER SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY PORTION OF SUCH LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DISBURSEMENTS RESULTING FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.  WITHOUT LIMITATION OF THE FOREGOING, EACH LENDER AGREES TO REIMBURSE THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT PROMPTLY UPON DEMAND FOR ITS RATABLE SHARE (DETERMINED AS SET FORTH ABOVE IN THIS PARAGRAPH) OF ANY OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES (INCLUDING COUNSEL FEES) INCURRED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION, EXECUTION, DELIVERY, ADMINISTRATION, MODIFICATION, AMENDMENT, OR ENFORCEMENT (WHETHER THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS, LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, OR OTHERWISE) OF, OR LEGAL ADVICE IN RESPECT OF RIGHTS OR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IS NOT REIMBURSED FOR SUCH BY THE BORROWER.

 
-86-

 

(b)            THE REVOLVING LENDERS SEVERALLY AGREE TO INDEMNIFY THE ISSUING LENDER AND EACH AFFILIATE THEREOF AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS (TO THE EXTENT NOT REIMBURSED BY THE BORROWER), RATABLY ACCORDING TO THE RESPECTIVE PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS OF THE REVOLVING ADVANCES THEN HELD BY EACH OF THEM (OR IF NO PRINCIPAL OF THE REVOLVING ADVANCES IS AT THE TIME OUTSTANDING, RATABLY ACCORDING TO THE RESPECTIVE AMOUNTS OF THE REVOLVING COMMITMENTS THEN HELD BY EACH OF THEM, OR, IF NO SUCH PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS ARE THEN OUTSTANDING AND NO REVOLVING COMMITMENTS ARE THEN EXISTING, RATABLY ACCORDING TO THE REVOLVING COMMITMENTS HELD BY EACH OF THEM IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION THEREOF), FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY KIND OR NATURE WHATSOEVER WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED ON, INCURRED BY, OR ASSERTED AGAINST THE ISSUING LENDER IN ANY WAY RELATING TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY ACTION TAKEN OR OMITTED BY THE ISSUING LENDER UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT (INCLUDING THE ISSUING LENDER'S OWN NEGLIGENCE), AND INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ENVIRONMENTAL LIABILITIES, PROVIDED THAT NO REVOLVING LENDER SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY PORTION OF SUCH LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES, OR DISBURSEMENTS RESULTING FROM THE ISSUING LENDER'S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.  WITHOUT LIMITATION OF THE FOREGOING, EACH REVOLVING LENDER AGREES TO REIMBURSE THE ISSUING LENDER PROMPTLY UPON DEMAND FOR ITS RATABLE SHARE (DETERMINED AS SET FORTH ABOVE IN THIS PARAGRAPH) OF ANY OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES (INCLUDING COUNSEL FEES) INCURRED BY THE ISSUING LENDER IN CONNECTION WITH THE PREPARATION, EXECUTION, DELIVERY, ADMINISTRATION, MODIFICATION, AMENDMENT, OR ENFORCEMENT (WHETHER THROUGH NEGOTIATIONS, LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, OR OTHERWISE) OF, OR LEGAL ADVICE IN RESPECT OF RIGHTS OR RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT, TO THE EXTENT THAT THE ISSUING LENDER IS NOT REIMBURSED FOR SUCH BY THE BORROWER.

 
-87-

 

Section 8.6             Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.  Each Lender agrees that it has, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis of the Borrower and the other Credit Parties and decision to enter into this Agreement and that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own analysis and decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Documents.  Except for notices, reports, and other documents and information expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent hereunder and for other information in the Administrative Agent's possession which has been requested by a Lender and for which such Lender pays the Administrative Agent's expenses in connection therewith, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the affairs, financial condition, or business of any Credit Party or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates that may come into the possession of the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates.

Section 8.7             Resignation of Administrative Agent and Issuing Lender.  The Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower.  Upon receipt of notice of any such resignation, the Majority Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender with, so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the consent of the Borrower, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  If no successor Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender shall have been so appointed by the Majority Lenders with the consent of the Borrower, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent's or Issuing Lender's giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender may, on behalf of the Lenders and the Borrower, appoint a successor Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender, which shall be, in the case of a successor agent, a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or of any State thereof and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $250,000,000.00 and, in the case of the Issuing Lender, a Lender; provided that, if the Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender 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 or Issuing Lender shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (except that (A) in the case of any collateral security held by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders or the Issuing Lender under any of the Loan Documents, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed and (B) the retiring Issuing Lender shall remain the Issuing Lender with respect to any Letters of Credit outstanding on the effective date of its resignation or removal and the provisions affecting the Issuing Lender with respect to such Letters of Credit shall inure to the benefit of the retiring Issuing Lender until the termination of all such Letters of Credit) and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the retiring Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and the Issuing Lender directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender, as applicable, as provided for above in this paragraph.  Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender by a successor Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender, such successor Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges, and duties of the retiring Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender, and the retiring Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, except that the retiring Issuing Lender shall remain the Issuing Lender with respect to any Letters of Credit outstanding on the effective date of its resignation or removal and the provisions affecting the Issuing Lender with respect to such Letters of Credit shall inure to the benefit of the retiring Issuing Lender until the termination of all such Letters of Credit.  After any retiring Administrative Agent's or Issuing Lender's resignation as Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender, the provisions of this Article 8 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative Agent or Issuing Lender under this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

 
-88-

 

Section 8.8              Collateral Matters.

(a)            The Administrative Agent is authorized on behalf of the Secured Parties, without the necessity of any notice to or further consent from such Secured Parties, from time to time, to take any actions with respect to any Collateral or Security Documents which may be necessary to perfect and maintain the Liens upon the Collateral granted pursuant to the Security Documents.  The Administrative Agent is further authorized (but not obligated) on behalf of the Secured Parties, without the necessity of any notice to or further consent from the Secured Parties, from time to time, to take any action in exigent circumstances as may be reasonably necessary to preserve any rights or privileges of the Secured Parties under the Credit Documents or applicable Legal Requirements.  By accepting the benefit of the Liens granted pursuant to the Security Documents, each Secured Party hereby agrees to the terms of this paragraph (a).

(b)            The Lenders hereby, and any other Secured Party by accepting the benefit of the Liens granted pursuant to the Security Documents, irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent to (i) release any Lien granted to or held by the Administrative Agent upon any Collateral (a) upon termination of this Agreement, termination of all Hedging Agreements with such Persons, termination of all Letters of Credit, and the payment in full of all outstanding Advances, Letter of Credit Obligations and all other Secured Obligations payable under this Agreement and under any other Credit Document; (b) constituting property sold or to be sold or disposed of as part of or in connection with any disposition permitted under this Agreement or any other Credit Document; (c) constituting property in which no Credit Party owned an interest at the time the Lien was granted or at any time thereafter; or (d) constituting property leased to any Credit Party under a lease which has expired or has been terminated in a transaction permitted under this Agreement or is about to expire and which has not been, and is not intended by such Credit Party to be, renewed or extended; and (ii) release a Guarantor from its obligations under a Guaranty and any other applicable Credit Document if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a transaction permitted under this Agreement.  Upon the request of the Administrative Agent at any time, the Secured Parties will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent's authority to release particular types or items of Collateral pursuant to this Section 8.8.

 
-89-

 

(c)            Notwithstanding anything contained in any of the Credit Documents to the contrary, the Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent, and each Secured Party hereby agree that no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce the Guaranties, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies hereunder and under the Security Documents may be exercised solely by Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms hereof and the other Credit Documents.  By accepting the benefit of the Liens granted pursuant to the Security Documents, each Secured Party not party hereto hereby agrees to the terms of this paragraph (c).

ARTICLE 9

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 9.1              Costs and Expenses.  The Borrower agrees to pay on demand

(a)            all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of Administrative Agent (but not of other Lenders) in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration, modification, and amendment of this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Credit Documents including costs associated with field examinations, appraisals, and the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of outside counsel for Administrative Agent (but not of other Lenders), with respect to advising the Administrative Agent as to its rights and responsibilities under this Agreement, and

(b)            all out-of-pocket costs and expenses, if any, of the Administrative Agent and each Lender (including outside counsel fees and expenses of each Lender) in connection with the enforcement (whether through negotiations, legal proceedings, or otherwise) of this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Credit Documents.

Section 9.2              Indemnification; Waiver of Damages.  

(A)           INDEMNIFICATION.  EACH CREDIT PARTY HERETO AGREES TO, JOINTLY AND SEVERALLY, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING LENDER AND EACH LENDER AND EACH OF THEIR AFFILIATES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AND ADVISORS (EACH, AN "INDEMNITEE") FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LOSSES, LIABILITIES, COSTS, AND EXPENSES (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES) THAT MAY BE INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED OR AWARDED AGAINST ANY INDEMNITEE, IN EACH CASE ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR BY REASON OF (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IN CONNECTION WITH ANY INVESTIGATION, LITIGATION, OR PROCEEDING OR PREPARATION OF DEFENSE IN CONNECTION THEREWITH) THE CREDIT DOCUMENTS, ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREIN OR THE ACTUAL OR PROPOSED USE OF THE PROCEEDS OF THE ADVANCES, INCLUDING SUCH INDEMNITEE'S OWN NEGLIGENCE, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT SUCH CLAIM, DAMAGE, LOSS, LIABILITY, COST, OR EXPENSE IS FOUND IN A FINAL, NON-APPEALABLE JUDGMENT BY A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION TO HAVE RESULTED FROM SUCH INDEMNITEE'S GROSS NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.  IN THE CASE OF AN INVESTIGATION, LITIGATION OR OTHER PROCEEDING TO WHICH THE INDEMNITY IN THIS SECTION 9.2 APPLIES, SUCH INDEMNITY SHALL BE EFFECTIVE WHETHER OR NOT SUCH INVESTIGATION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT BY ANY CREDIT PARTY, ITS DIRECTORS, SHAREHOLDERS OR CREDITORS OR AN INDEMNITEE OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ANY INDEMNITEE IS OTHERWISE A PARTY THERETO AND WHETHER OR NOT THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY ARE CONSUMMATED.  THE FOREGOING INDEMNITY AND HOLD HARMLESS SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LOSSES, LIABILITIES, COSTS OR EXPENSES THAT IS INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED OR AWARDED AGAINST ANY INDEMNITEE DIRECTLY FOR, OR AS A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF, SUCH INDEMNITEE BEING A DEFAULTING LENDER UNDER CLAUSE (A) OR (B) OF THE DEFINITION OF "DEFAULTING LENDER", WHETHER ASSERTED BY ANY CREDIT PARTY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING LENDER OR THE SWING LINE LENDER.

 
-90-

 

(b)            Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc.  To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no Credit Party shall assert, agrees not to 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 Credit Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Advance or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.  No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (a) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Credit Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(c)            Survival.  Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the Credit Parties hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Credit Parties contained in this Section 9.2 shall survive the termination of this Agreement, the termination of all Commitments, and the payment in full of the Advances and all other amounts payable under this Agreement.

 
-91-

 

Section 9.3             Waivers and Amendments.  No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement, the Notes, or any other Credit Document, nor consent to any departure by the Borrower or any Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Majority Lenders and the Borrower, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given; provided that:

(a)            no amendment, waiver, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Term Lenders and the Borrower, do any of the following: (i)  reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Term Notes, (ii) postpone or extend any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Term Notes, including, without limitation, the Term Maturity Date, or (iii) change the number of Term Lenders which shall be required for the Term Lenders to take any action hereunder or under any other Credit Document;

(b)            no amendment, waiver, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Revolving Lenders and the Borrower, do any of the following: (i)  reduce the principal of, or interest on, the Revolving Notes, (ii) postpone or extend any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or interest on, the Revolving Notes, including, without limitation, the Revolving Maturity Date, (iii) change the number of Revolving Lenders which shall be required for the Revolving Lenders to take any action hereunder or under any other Credit Document, or (iv) amend Section 2.2(f)(ii) or waive or consent to any departure by the Borrower from the terms of thereof;

(c)            no amendment, waiver, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by all the Lenders and the Borrower, do any of the following:  (i) waive any of the conditions specified in Article 3, (ii) reduce any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Credit Document (other than those specifically addressed above in this Section 9.3), (iii) increase the aggregate Commitments (except pursuant to Section 2.15), (iv) postpone or extend any date fixed for any payment of any fees or other amounts payable hereunder (other than those otherwise specifically addressed in this Section 9.3), (v) other than as a result of acceleration pursuant to Article 7, change the Term Maturity Date to a date that is earlier than one day after the then effective Revolving Maturity Date, amend the amortization schedule thereof to increase the principal prepayment amounts, or otherwise change any provision hereof which would have the effect of increasing the aggregate amount of Term Advances that are required to be paid in any given year, (vi) amend Section 2.12(e), Section 7.6, this Section 9.3 or any other provision in any Credit Document which expressly requires the consent of, or action or waiver by, all of the Lenders, (vii) release any Guarantor from its obligation under any Guaranty or, except as specifically provided in the Credit Documents and as a result of transactions permitted by the terms of this Agreement, release all or a material portion of the Collateral except as permitted under Section 8.8(b); or (viii) amend the definitions of "Majority Lenders", "Majority Revolving Lenders", "Majority Term Lenders", or "Maximum Exposure Amount";

(d)            no Commitment of a Lender or any obligations of a Lender may be increased without such Lender's written consent;

 
-92-

 

(e)            no amendment, waiver, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Majority Revolving Lenders and the Majority Term Lenders, adversely affect the interests, rights or obligations of the Revolving Lenders in a manner substantially different from the effect of such amendment, waiver or consent on the Term Lenders, it being understood that, if the excess of the aggregate Revolving Commitments over the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding amount of all Revolving Advances plus (ii) the Letter of Credit Exposure plus (iii) the aggregate outstanding amount of all Swing Line Advances, is greater than $0, any amendment, waiver or consent that has the effect of curing or waiving any Default shall require the consent of the Majority Revolving Lenders in addition to all other consents required hereunder;

(f)            no amendment, waiver, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Majority Revolving Lenders and the Majority Term Lenders, adversely affect the interests, rights or obligations of the Term Lenders in a manner substantially different from the effect of such amendment, waiver or consent on the Revolving Lenders;

(g)            no amendment, waiver, or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above to take such action, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Credit Document;

(h)            no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Issuing Lender in addition to the Lenders required above to take such action, affect the rights or duties of the Issuing Lender under this Agreement or any other Credit Document; and

(i)             no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above to take such action, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement or any other Credit Document.

Section 9.4             Severability.  In case one or more provisions of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law, the validity, legality, and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall not be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 9.5             Survival of Representations and Obligations.  All representations and warranties contained in this Agreement or made in writing by or on behalf of the Credit Parties in connection herewith shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, the making of the Advances or the issuance of any Letters of Credit and any investigation made by or on behalf of the Lenders, none of which investigations shall diminish any Lender's right to rely on such representations and warranties.  All obligations of the Borrower or any other Credit Party provided for in Sections 2.10, 2.11, 2.13(c), 9.1 and 9.2 and all of the obligations of the Lenders in Section 8.5 shall survive any termination of this Agreement and repayment in full of the Obligations.

Section 9.6             Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Borrower, the Parent and the Administrative Agent, and when the Administrative Agent shall have, as to each Lender, either received a counterpart hereof executed by such Lender or been notified by such Lender that such Lender has executed it and thereafter shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Parent, the Administrative Agent, and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns, except that neither the Borrower nor any other Credit Party shall have the right to assign its rights or delegate its duties under this Agreement or any interest in this Agreement without the prior written consent of each Lender.

 
-93-

 

Section 9.7              Lender Assignments and Participations.

(a)            Each Lender may assign to one or more Eligible Assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Advances, its Notes, and its Commitments); provided, however, that (i) each such assignment shall be to an Eligible Assignee; (ii) except in the case of an assignment to another Lender or an assignment of all of a Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, any such partial assignment with respect to the Revolving Commitments shall be in an amount at least equal to $5,000,000.00 and any such partial assignment with respect to the Term Loan shall be in an amount at least equal to $5,000,000; (iii) each assignment of a Lender's rights and obligations with respect to Revolving Advances and its Revolving Commitment shall be of an constant, and not varying percentage of all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement as a Revolving Lender and the Revolving Notes (other than rights of reimbursement and indemnity arising before the effective date of such assignment) and shall be of an equal pro rata share of the Assignor's interest in the Revolving Advances and Revolving Commitments; (iv) each assignment of a Lender's rights and obligations with respect to Term Advances and its Term Commitment shall be of an constant, and not varying percentage of all of its rights and obligations under this Agreement as a Term Lender and the Term Notes (other than rights of reimbursement and indemnity arising before the effective date of such assignment) and shall be of an equal pro rata share of the Assignor's interest in the Term Advances and Term Commitments; and (v) the parties to such assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent for its acceptance an Assignment and Acceptance, together with any Notes subject to such assignment and the assignor or assignee Lender shall pay a processing fee of $3,500.00; provided that such processing fee shall not be required for the initial assignments made by Wells Fargo as a Lender in connection with the initial syndication of its Commitments hereunder.  Upon execution, delivery, and acceptance of such Assignment and Acceptance and payment of the processing fee, the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of such assignment, have the obligations, rights, and benefits of a Lender hereunder and the assigning Lender shall, to the extent of such assignment, relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under this Agreement.  Upon the consummation of any assignment pursuant to this Section 9.7, the assignor, the Administrative Agent and the Borrower shall make appropriate arrangements so that, if required, new Notes are issued to the assignor and the assignee.  If the assignee is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof, it shall deliver to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent certification as to exemption from deduction or withholding of Taxes in accordance with Section 2.13(e).

(b)            The Administrative Agent shall maintain at its address referred to in Section 9.9 a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it and a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitments of, and principal amount of the Advances owing to, each Lender from time to time (the "Register").  The entries in the Register shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error, and the Credit Parties, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement.

 
-94-

 

(c)            Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Acceptance executed by the parties thereto, together with any Notes subject to such assignment and payment of the processing fee, the Administrative Agent shall, if such Assignment and Acceptance has been completed, (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) record the information contained therein in the Register, and (iii) give prompt notice thereof to the parties thereto.

(d)            Each Lender may sell participations to one or more Persons in all or a portion of its rights, obligations or rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitments or its Advances) provided, however, that (i) such Lender's 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, (iii) the participant shall be entitled to the benefit of the yield protection provisions contained in Sections 2.10 and 2.11 and the right of set-off contained in Section 7.4, and (iv) the Borrower shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, and such Lender shall retain the sole right to enforce the obligations of the Borrower relating to its Advances and its Notes and to approve any amendment, modification, or waiver of any provision of this Agreement (other than amendments, modifications, or waivers decreasing the amount of principal of or the rate at which interest is payable on such Advances or Notes, extending any scheduled principal payment date or date fixed for the payment of interest on such Advances or Notes, or extending its Commitment).

(e)            Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this Agreement, any Lender may at any time assign and pledge all or any portion of its Advances and its Notes to any Federal Reserve Bank as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A and any Operating Circular issued by such Federal Reserve Bank.  No such assignment shall release the assigning Lender from its obligations hereunder.

(f)             Any Lender may furnish any information concerning the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in the possession of such Lender from time to time to assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and participants), subject, however, to the provisions of the following paragraph Section 9.8.

Section 9.8             Confidentiality.  The Administrative Agent, the Swing Line Lender, the Issuing Lender, and each Lender (each a "Lending Party") agree to keep confidential any information furnished or made available to it by any Credit Party pursuant to this Agreement and identified by such Credit Party as proprietary or confidential; provided that nothing herein shall prevent any Lending Party from disclosing such information (a) to any other Lending Party or any Affiliate of any Lending Party, or any officer, director, employee, agent, or advisor of any Lending Party or Affiliate of any Lending Party for purposes of administering, negotiating, considering, processing, implementing, syndicating, assigning, or evaluating the credit facilities provided herein and the transactions contemplated hereby, (b) to any other Person if directly incidental to the administration of the credit facilities provided herein, (c) as required by any Legal Requirement, (d) upon the order of any court or administrative agency, (e) upon the request or demand of any regulatory agency or authority, (f) that is or becomes available to the public or that is or becomes available to any Lending Party other than as a result of a disclosure by any other Lending Party prohibited by this Agreement, (g) in connection with any litigation relating to this Agreement or any other Credit Document to which such Lending Party or any of its Affiliates may be a party, (h) to the extent necessary in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy under this Agreement or any other Credit Document, and (i) to any actual or proposed participant or assignee, in each case, subject to provisions similar to those contained in this Section 9.8.  NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED HEREIN, nothing in this Agreement shall (a) restrict any Lending Party from providing information to any bank or other regulatory or governmental authorities, including the Federal Reserve Board and its supervisory staff; (b) require or permit any Lending Party to disclose to any Credit Party that any information will be or was provided to the Federal Reserve Board or any of its supervisory staff; or (c) require or permit any Lending Party to inform any Credit Party of a current or upcoming Federal Reserve Board examination or any nonpublic Federal Reserve Board supervisory initiative or action.

 
-95-

 

Section 9.9             Notices, Etc.  All notices and other communications (other than Notices of Borrowing and Notices of Continuation or Conversion, which are governed by Article 2 of this Agreement) shall be in writing and hand delivered with written receipt, telecopied, sent by facsimile (with a hard copy sent as otherwise permitted in this Section 9.9), sent by a nationally recognized overnight courier, or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested as follows: if to a Credit Party, as specified on Schedule II and if to any Lender, the Swing Line Lender, or the Issuing Lender, at its credit contact specified under its name on Schedule II.  Each party may change its notice address by written notification to the other parties.  All such notices and communications shall be effective when delivered, except that notices and communications to any Lender, Swing Line Lender, or the Issuing Lender pursuant to Article 2 shall not be effective until received and, in the case of telecopy, such receipt is confirmed by such Lender, Swing Line Lender or Issuing Lender, as applicable, verbally or in writing.

Section 9.10           Business Loans.  Each Credit Party warrants and represents that the Obligations evidenced by the Notes are and shall be for business, commercial, investment or other similar purposes and not primarily for personal, family, household or agricultural use, as such terms are used in Chapter One ("Chapter One") of the Texas Credit Code.  At all such times, if any, as Chapter One shall establish a Maximum Rate, the Maximum Rate shall be the "indicated rate ceiling" (as such term is defined in Chapter One) from time to time in effect.

Section 9.11           Usury Not Intended.  It is the intent of each Credit Party and each Lender in the execution and performance of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents to contract in strict compliance with applicable usury laws, including conflicts of law concepts, governing the Advances of each Lender including such applicable laws of the State of Texas, if any, and the United States of America from time to time in effect.  In furtherance thereof, the Lenders and the Credit Parties stipulate and agree that none of the terms and provisions contained in this Agreement or the other Credit Documents shall ever be construed to create a contract to pay, as consideration for the use, forbearance or detention of money, interest at a rate in excess of the Maximum Rate and that for purposes of this Agreement "interest" shall include the aggregate of all charges which constitute interest under such laws that are contracted for, charged or received under this Agreement; and in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, under any circumstances the aggregate amounts taken, reserved, charged, received or paid on the Advances, include amounts which by applicable law are deemed interest which would exceed the Maximum Rate, then such excess shall be deemed to be a mistake and each Lender receiving same shall credit the same on the principal of its Notes (or if such Notes shall have been paid in full, refund said excess to the Borrower).  In the event that the maturity of the Notes are accelerated by reason of any election of the holder thereof resulting from any Event of Default under this Agreement or otherwise, or in the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration that constitutes interest may never include more than the Maximum Rate, and excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise shall be canceled automatically as of the date of such acceleration or prepayment and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited on the applicable Notes (or, if the applicable Notes shall have been paid in full, refunded to the Borrower of such interest).  In determining whether or not the interest paid or payable under any specific contingencies exceeds the Maximum Rate, the Credit Parties and the Lenders shall to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law amortize, prorate, allocate and spread in equal parts during the period of the full stated term of the Notes all amounts considered to be interest under applicable law at any time contracted for, charged, received or reserved in connection with the Obligations.  The provisions of this Section shall control over all other provisions of this Agreement or the other Credit Documents which may be in apparent conflict herewith.

 
-96-

 

Section 9.12           Usury Recapture.  In the event the rate of interest chargeable under this Agreement at any time is greater than the Maximum Rate, the unpaid principal amount of the Advances shall bear interest at the Maximum Rate until the total amount of interest paid or accrued on the Advances equals the amount of interest which would have been paid or accrued on the Advances if the stated rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect. In the event, upon payment in full of the Advances, the total amount of interest paid or accrued under the terms of this Agreement and the Advances is less than the total amount of interest which would have been paid or accrued if the rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had, at all times, been in effect, then the Borrower shall, to the extent permitted by applicable law, pay the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders an amount equal to the difference between (i) the lesser of (A) the amount of interest which would have been charged on its Advances if the Maximum Rate had, at all times, been in effect and (B) the amount of interest which would have accrued on its Advances if the rates of interest set forth in this Agreement had at all times been in effect and (ii) the amount of interest actually paid under this Agreement on its Advances.  In the event the Lenders ever receive, collect or apply as interest any sum in excess of the Maximum Rate, such excess amount shall, to the extent permitted by law, be applied to the reduction of the principal balance of the Advances, and if no such principal is then outstanding, such excess or part thereof remaining shall be paid to the Borrower.

Section 9.13           Governing Law.  This Agreement, the Notes and the other Credit Documents (unless otherwise expressly provided therein) shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Texas.  Without limiting the intent of the parties set forth above, (a) Chapter 346 of the Texas Finance Code, as amended (relating to revolving loans and revolving tri-party accounts (formerly Tex.  Rev.  Civ.  Stat.  Ann.  Art.  5069, Ch.  15)), shall not apply to this Agreement, the Notes, or the transactions contemplated hereby and (b) to the extent that any Lender may be subject to Texas law limiting the amount of interest payable for its account, such Lender shall utilize the indicated (weekly) rate ceiling from time to time in effect.  Each Letter of Credit shall be governed by either (i) the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (2007 Revision), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 600, or (ii) the International Standby Practices (ISP98), International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590, in either case, including any subsequent revisions thereof approved by a Congress of the International Chamber of Commerce and adhered to by the Issuing Lender.  

 
-97-

 

Section 9.14           Submission to Jurisdiction.  Each Credit Party hereby irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any Texas state or federal court sitting in Houston, Texas in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the other Credit Documents, and each Credit Party hereby irrevocably agrees that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such court.  Each Credit Party hereby unconditionally and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so, any right it may have to the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance of such action or proceeding.  Each Credit Party hereby agrees that service of copies of the summons and complaint and any other process which may be served in any such action or proceeding may be made by mailing or delivering a copy of such process to such Credit Party at its address set forth in this Agreement.  Each Credit Party hereby 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 Section shall affect the rights of any Lender to serve legal process in any other manner permitted by the law or affect the right of any Lender to bring any action or proceeding against any Credit Party or its Property in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

Section 9.15           Execution in Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

Section 9.16           Waiver of Jury.  EACH CREDIT PARTY, THE LENDERS, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING LENDER, AND THE SWING LINE LENDER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT, OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 9.17           USA Patriot Act.  Each Lender that is subject to the Patriot Act and the Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies each Credit Party that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies such Credit Party, which information includes the name and address of such Credit Party and other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as applicable, to identify such Credit Party in accordance with the Patriot Act.

PURSUANT TO SECTION 26.02 OF THE TEXAS BUSINESS AND COMMERCE CODE, A LOAN AGREEMENT IN WHICH THE AMOUNT INVOLVED IN THE LOAN AGREEMENT EXCEEDS $50,000.00 IN VALUE IS NOT ENFORCEABLE UNLESS THE LOAN AGREEMENT IS IN WRITING AND SIGNED BY THE PARTY TO BE BOUND OR THAT PARTY'S AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE.

 
-98-

 

THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES TO AN AGREEMENT SUBJECT TO THE PRECEDING PARAGRAPH SHALL BE DETERMINED SOLELY FROM THE WRITTEN LOAN AGREEMENT, AND ANY PRIOR ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES ARE SUPERSEDED BY AND MERGED INTO THE LOAN AGREEMENT.  THIS WRITTEN AGREEMENT AND THE CREDIT DOCUMENTS, AS DEFINED IN THIS AGREEMENT, REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTERS SET FORTH HEREIN AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank.  Signature pages follow.]

 
-99-

 

EXECUTED as of the date first above written.
 
 
 
BORROWER:
     
     
 
BOOTS & COOTS SERVICES, LLC
     
     
 
By:
/s/ CARY BAETZ
 
Name:  
Cary Baetz
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
     
 
PARENT:
     
     
 
BOOTS & COOTS INTERNATIONAL WELL CONTROL, INC.
     
     
 
By:
/s/ CARY BAETZ
 
Name:
Cary Baetz
 
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
Signature page to Credit Agreement
(Boots & Coots Services, LLC)
 

 
 
 
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT:
     
 
WELLS FARGO BANK,
   
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
   
as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender
   
and Issuing Lender
     
     
     
 
By:
/s/ MICHAEL W. NYGREN
 
Name:  
Michael W. Nygren
 
Title:
Vice President
     
     
 
LENDERS:
     
 
WELLS FARGO BANK,
   
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
   
as a Revolving Lender and a Term Lender
     
     
 
By:
/s/ MICHAEL W. NYGREN
 
Name:
Michael W. Nygren
 
Title:
Vice President
 
 
Signature page to Credit Agreement
(Boots & Coots Services, LLC)
 

 
 
 
ROYAL BANK OF CANADA
 
as a Revolving Lender and a Term Lender
     
     
 
By:
/s/ JAY T. SARTAIN
 
Name:  
Jay T. Sartain
 
Title:
Authorized Signatory
 
 
Signature page to Credit Agreement
(Boots & Coots Services, LLC)
 

 
 
 
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
 
as a Revolving Lender and a Term Lender
     
     
 
By:
/s/ GARY L. MINGLE
 
Name:  
Gary L. Mingle
 
Title:
Senior Vice President
 
 
Signature page to Credit Agreement
(Boots & Coots Services, LLC)
 

 

SCHEDULE I
Pricing Schedule

The Applicable Margin with respect to Commitment Fee, Revolving Advances, Term Advances and Swing Line Advances shall be determined in accordance with the following Table based on the Parent's Leverage Ratio as reflected in the Compliance Certificate delivered in connection with the Financial Statements most recently delivered pursuant to Section 5.2.  Adjustments, if any, to such Applicable Margin shall be effective on the date the Administrative Agent receives the applicable Financial Statements and corresponding Compliance Certificate as required by the terms of this Agreement.  If the Borrower fails to deliver the Financial Statements and corresponding Compliance Certificate to the Administrative Agent at the time required pursuant to Section 5.2, then effective as of the date such Financial Statements and Compliance Certificate were required to the delivered pursuant to Section 5.2, the Applicable Margin with respect to Commitment Fee, Revolving Advances, Term Advances and Swing Line Advances shall be determined at Level III and shall remain at such level until the date such Financial Statements and corresponding Compliance Certificate are so delivered by the Borrower.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower shall be deemed to be at Level I described below until delivery of its unaudited Financial Statements and corresponding Compliance Certificate for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2009.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the determination of the Applicable Margin for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.8(c).

Applicable
Margin
Leverage Ratio
Eurodollar
Advances
Base Rate
Advances
Commitment
Fee
         
Level I
Is less than 1.50
5.25%
4.25%
1.300%
Level II
Is equal to or greater than 1.50 but less than 1.75
5.50%
4.50%
1.350%
Level III
Is equal to or greater than 1.75
5.75%
4.75%
1.400%