SABINE PASS LNG, L.P. AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

EX-4.1 2 dex41.htm INDENTURE Indenture

Exhibit 4.1

EXECUTION COPY

 


SABINE PASS LNG, L.P.

AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS PARTY HERETO

 


INDENTURE

Dated as of November 9, 2006

 


The Bank of New York

Trustee

 



CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*

 

Trust Indenture Act Section

  

Indenture Section

310(a)(1)

   7.10

 (a)(2)

   7.10

 (a)(3)

   N.A.

 (a)(4)

   N.A.

 (a)(5)

   7.10

 (b)

   7.10

 (c)

   N.A.

311(a)

   7.11

 (b)

   7.11

 (c)

   N.A.

312(a)

   2.05

 (b)

   13.03

 (c)

   13.03

313(a)

   7.06

 (b)(1)

   10.06

 (b)(2)

   7.06; 7.07

 (c)

   7.06; 10.06; 13.02

 (d)

   7.06

314(a)

   4.03; 13.02; 13.05

 (b)

   10.02

 (c)(1)

   13.04

 (c)(2)

   13.04

 (c)(3)

   N.A.

 (d)

   10.06

 (e)

   13.05

 (f)

   N.A.

315(a)

   7.01

 (b)

   7.05; 12.02

 (c)

   7.01

 (d)

   7.01

 (e)

   6.11

316(a) (last sentence)

   2.09

 (a)(1)(A)

   6.05

 (a)(1)(B)

   6.04

 (a)(2)

   N.A.

 (b)

   6.07

 (c)

   2.12

317(a)(1)

   6.08

 (a)(2)

   6.09

 (b)

   2.04

318(a)

   13.01

 (b)

   N.A.

 (c)

   13.01

N.A. means not applicable.

* This Cross Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION

BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01    Definitions.    1
Section 1.02    Other Definitions.    29
Section 1.03    Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.    29
Section 1.04    Rules of Construction.    30

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01    Form and Dating.    30
Section 2.02    Execution and Authentication.    31
Section 2.03    Registrar and Paying Agent.    32
Section 2.04    Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.    32
Section 2.05    Holder Lists.    33
Section 2.06    Transfer and Exchange.    33
Section 2.07    Replacement Notes.    45
Section 2.08    Outstanding Notes.    45
Section 2.09    Treasury Notes.    45
Section 2.10    Temporary Notes.    46
Section 2.11    Cancellation.    46
Section 2.12    Defaulted Interest.    46

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND OFFERS TO PURCHASE NOTES

Section 3.01    Notices to Trustee.    46
Section 3.02    Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.    47
Section 3.03    Notice of Redemption.    47
Section 3.04    Effect of Notice of Redemption.    48
Section 3.05    Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.    48
Section 3.06    Notes Redeemed in Part.    48
Section 3.07    Optional Redemption.    48
Section 3.08    Open Market Purchases; No Mandatory Redemption or Sinking Fund.    49
Section 3.09    Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds or Excess Loss Proceeds.    49
Section 3.10    Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Construction Proceeds.    51

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01    Payment of Notes.    52
Section 4.02    Maintenance of Office or Agency.    52
Section 4.03    Reports.    52
Section 4.04    Compliance Certificate.    53
Section 4.05    Taxes.    53
Section 4.06    Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.    54
Section 4.07    Restricted Payments.    54
Section 4.08    Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.    57
Section 4.09    Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.    58


          Page
Section 4.10    Asset Sales.    61
Section 4.11    Transactions with Affiliates.    62
Section 4.12    Liens.    63
Section 4.13    Business Activities.    63
Section 4.14    Maintenance of Existence.    64
Section 4.15    Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.    64
Section 4.16    Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.    65
Section 4.17    Advances to Subsidiaries.    66
Section 4.18    Payments for Consent.    66
Section 4.19    Events of Loss    66
Section 4.20    Ownership.    67
Section 4.21    Accounting and Cost Control Systems.    68
Section 4.22    Access.    68
Section 4.23    Environmental Audits.    68
Section 4.24    Preservation of Assets.    68
Section 4.25    Insurance.    68
Section 4.26    Compliance with Law.    68
Section 4.27    Safety Precautions.    69
Section 4.28    Maintenance of Approvals for Transaction Documents.    69
Section 4.29    Scope of Work; Engagement of Contractors.    69
Section 4.30    Construction and Completion of Phase 1.    69
Section 4.31    Construction Reports.    69
Section 4.32    Changes to the Construction Budget and Schedule.    69
Section 4.33    Material Project Agreements.    70
Section 4.34    Phase 1 Final Completion.    70
Section 4.35    Operation of the Project.    70
Section 4.36    Technology.    71
Section 4.37    Preservation of Security Interests.    71
Section 4.38    Accounts.    71
Section 4.39    Credit Rating Agencies.    71
Section 4.40    Additional Note Guarantees.    71
Section 4.41    Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.    71

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01    Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.    72
Section 5.02    Successor Corporation Substituted.    73

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01    Events of Default.    74
Section 6.02    Acceleration.    76
Section 6.03    Other Remedies.    76
Section 6.04    Waiver of Past Defaults.    76
Section 6.05    Control by Majority.    77
Section 6.06    Limitation on Suits.    77
Section 6.07    Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.    77
Section 6.08    Collection Suit by Trustee.    77
Section 6.09    Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.    78
Section 6.10    Priorities.    78
Section 6.11    Undertaking for Costs.    78

 

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          Page

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01    Duties of Trustee.    79
Section 7.02    Rights of Trustee.    80
Section 7.03    Individual Rights of Trustee.    81
Section 7.04    Trustee’s Disclaimer.    81
Section 7.05    Notice of Defaults.    81
Section 7.06    Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.    81
Section 7.07    Compensation and Indemnity.    81
Section 7.08    Replacement of Trustee.    82
Section 7.09    Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.    83
Section 7.10    Eligibility; Disqualification.    83
Section 7.11    Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.    83

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01    Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.    84
Section 8.02    Legal Defeasance and Discharge.    84
Section 8.03    Covenant Defeasance.    84
Section 8.04    Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.    85
Section 8.05    Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.    86
Section 8.06    Repayment to Company.    87
Section 8.07    Reinstatement.    87

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01    Without Consent of Holders of Notes.    87
Section 9.02    With Consent of Holders of Notes.    88
Section 9.03    Amendment of Security Documents.    90
Section 9.04    Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.    90
Section 9.05    Revocation and Effect of Consents.    90
Section 9.06    Notation on or Exchange of Notes.    91
Section 9.07    Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.    91

ARTICLE 10

COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

Section 10.01    Security.    91
Section 10.02    Collateral Trustee and Collateral Trust Agreement.    91
Section 10.03    Shared Collateral    92
Section 10.04    Additional Parity Secured Debt    92
Section 10.05    Equal and Ratable Sharing of Shared Collateral by Holders of Parity Secured Debt    92
Section 10.06    Release of Security Interests    93
Section 10.07    Security Documents.    94
Section 10.08    Recording and Opinions.    95
Section 10.09    Release of Shared Collateral.    95
Section 10.10    Certificates of the Company.    96
Section 10.11    Certificates of the Trustee.    96
Section 10.12    Authorization of Actions to Be Taken by the Trustee Under the Security Documents.    96

 

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          Page
Section 10.13    Authorization of Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Security Documents.    97
Section 10.14    Termination of Security Interest.    97

ARTICLE 11

NOTE GUARANTEES

Section 11.01    Guarantee.    97
Section 11.02    Limitation on Guarantor Liability.    98
Section 11.03    Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee Notation.    98
Section 11.04    Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.    99
Section 11.05    Releases.    99

ARTICLE 12

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 12.01    Satisfaction and Discharge.    100
Section 12.02    Application of Trust Money.    101

ARTICLE 13

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 13.01    Trust Indenture Act Controls.    102
Section 13.02    Notices.    102
Section 13.03    Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.    103
Section 13.04    Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.    103
Section 13.05    Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.    103
Section 13.06    Rules by Trustee and Agents.    104
Section 13.07    No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.    104
Section 13.08    Governing Law.    104
Section 13.09    No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.    104
Section 13.10    Successors.    104
Section 13.11    Severability.    104
Section 13.12    Counterpart Originals.    104
Section 13.13    Table of Contents, Headings, etc.    104
Section 13.14    Amendment and Restatement of Prior Credit Agreement.   

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A1    FORM OF NOTE
Exhibit A2    FORM OF REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE
Exhibit B    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Exhibit C    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Exhibit D    FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR
Exhibit E    FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE
Exhibit F    FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
Exhibit G    FORM OF PLEDGE AGREEMENT
Exhibit H    FORM OF SUBSIDIARY INTERCOMPANY NOTE

 

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INDENTURE dated as of November 9, 2006 among Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, the Guarantors (as defined) and The Bank of New York, as trustee.

The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as defined) of the 7 1/4% Senior Secured Notes due 2013 (the “2013 Notes”) and the 7 1/2% Senior Secured Notes due 2016 (the “2016 Notes” and, collectively with the 2013 Notes, the “Initial Notes” and together with any Additional Notes issued hereunder, the “Notes”):

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION

BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

“2013 Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The Initial 2013 Notes and the Additional 2013 Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the 2013 Notes shall include the Initial 2013 Notes and any Additional 2013 Notes.

“2016 Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. The Initial 2016 Notes and the Additional 2016 Notes shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the 2016 Notes shall include the Initial 2016 Notes and any Additional 2016 Notes.

Acceptable Guarantee” means an unconditional guarantee, from an entity with long term unsecured and unguaranteed senior debt rated not less than A from S&P and A2 from Moody’s.

Acceptable Letter of Credit” means an irrevocable letter of credit from a bank or trust company with a combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000 whose long term unsecured and unguaranteed senior debt rated not less than A from S&P and A2 from Moody’s.

Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and

(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.

Act of Required DebtHolders” means, as to any matter at any time prior to the Discharge of the Parity Secured Debt, a direction in writing delivered to the Collateral Trustee by or with the written consent of the Holders of more than 50% of the sum of:

(1) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Parity Secured Debt; and

(2) other than in connection with the exercise of remedies, the aggregate unfunded commitments to extend credit which, when funded, would constitute Parity Secured Debt.

 

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For purposes of this definition, (a) Parity Secured Debt registered in the name of, or Beneficially Owned by, the Company or any Affiliate of the Company (other than Notes held by any Person that is an Affiliate of the Company as of the date of this Indenture and that is regulated by any banking or insurance authority) will be deemed not to be outstanding, and (b) votes will be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Collateral Trust Agreement.

Additional Interest” means all liquidated damages then owing pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement.

Additional 2013 Notes” means additional 2013 Notes (other than the Initial 2013 Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, which may be part of the same series as the Initial 2013 Notes, or may be different series.

Additional 2016 Notes” means additional 2016 Notes (other than the Initial 2016 Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, which may be part of the same series as the Initial 2016 Notes, or may be different series.

“Additional Notes” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, which may be part of the same series as the Initial Notes, or may be different series.

“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, “control,” as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with” have correlative meanings. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the definition of “Affiliate” shall not encompass (a) any individual solely by reason of his or her being a director, officer or employee of any Person and (b) the Trustee, the Collateral Trustee, the Depositary or any Holder solely in their capacity as such.

“Agent” means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional paying agent.

Anchor Customer” means Total LNG USA, Inc., Chevron U.S.A. Inc. and any replacements for Total LNG USA, Inc. or Chevron USA Inc. having (or having a guarantor with) a credit rating of not less than A2 from Moody’s and A from S&P and engaged in the international gas, petroleum or LNG business.

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

(1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; or

(2) the excess of: (a) the present value at the redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note (as set forth in Section 3.07 hereof) plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the applicable redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over (b) the principal amount of the Note, if greater.

“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or exchange of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of the Depositary, Euroclear and Clearstream that apply to such transfer or exchange.

 

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Asset Sale” means:

(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights; provided that the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the provisions of Section 4.15 and/or Section 5.01 and not by the provisions of Section 4.10; and

(2) the issuance of Equity Interests in any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Subsidiaries.

Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be an Asset Sale:

(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves assets having a Fair Market Value of less than $5.0 million;

(2) a transfer of assets between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(3) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or to any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4) the sale, lease or other disposition of (a) products, services, inventory or accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business or (b) equipment or other assets pursuant to a program for the maintenance or upgrading of such equipment or assets and the disposition of obsolete equipment, equipment that is damaged or worn out or assets no longer needed in the business of the Company;

(5) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(6) settlement, release, waiver or surrender of contract, tort or other claims in the ordinary course of business or a grant of a Lien not prohibited by this Indenture;

(7) a Restricted Payment that does not violate Section 4.07 or a Permitted Investment; and

(8) the sale or other disposition of cool down gas, excess retainage gas and the sale of LNG or natural gas to which the Company has taken title pursuant to any terminal use or similar agreement as a result of the failure of any customer of the Company to take redelivery of any natural gas at any delivery point.

“Assumption Agreement” means the agreement for the assumption and adoption by the General Partner, the Limited Partner, Cheniere LNG O&M Services, L.P., the Company and other Affiliates of the Company of certain obligations under the Settlement Agreement.

“Attributable Debt” means in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that if such sale and leaseback transaction

 

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results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Indebtedness represented thereby will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligation.”

“Authorized Officer” means a Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer or Corporate Secretary of the General Partner.

“Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or state law for the relief of debtors.

Beneficial Owner” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial ownership of any particular “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act), such “person” will be deemed to have beneficial ownership of all securities that such “person” has the right to acquire by conversion or exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is exercisable only after the passage of time. The terms “Beneficially Owns” and “Beneficially Owned” have a corresponding meaning.

Board of Directors” means:

(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation or any committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of such board;

(2) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general partner of the partnership;

(3) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any controlling committee of managing members thereof; and

(4) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person serving a similar function.

“Broker-Dealer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Legal Holiday.

“Capital Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at that time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be prepaid by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

“Capital Stock” means:

(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;

(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;

(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership interests (whether general or limited) or membership interests; and

(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person, but excluding

 

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from all of the foregoing any debt securities convertible into Capital Stock, whether or not such debt securities include any right of participation with Capital Stock.

“Cash Equivalents” means:

(1) United States dollars;

(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition;

(3) marketable general obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any such state or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition thereof, having a credit rating of “A” or better from either S&P or Moody’s;

(4) certificates of deposit, demand deposit accounts and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, with any domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of “B” or better;

(5) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2), (3) and (4) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (4) above;

(6) commercial paper or tax exempt obligations having one of the two highest ratings obtainable from Moody’s or S&P and, in each case, maturing within one year after the date of acquisition; and

(7) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (6) of this definition or a money market fund or a qualified investment fund (including any such fund for which the Collateral Trustee or any Affiliate thereof acts as an advisor or a manager) given one of the two highest long-term ratings available from S&P or Moody’s.

“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:

(1) the direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation or sale or other transfer of equity of any direct or indirect owner of the General Partner of the Company), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the General Partner of the Company to any “person” (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act);

(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or

(3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without limitation, any merger or consolidation, but excluding any “person” (as defined above) becoming the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of Parent or any successor thereof),

 

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the result of which is that any “person” (as defined above), other than Parent or any successor or subsidiary thereof, becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the General Partner, measured by voting power rather than number of shares which occurrence is followed by a Ratings Decline within 90 days thereof.

Cheniere Marketing TUA” means the agreement dated as of the date hereof between Cheniere Marketing, Inc. and the Company.

“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, S.A.

Collateral Trust Agreement” means the Collateral Trust Agreement dated as of the date hereof by and among the Company and the other Pledgors from time to time party thereto, The Bank of New York in its capacity as Trustee under this Indenture and as Collateral Trustee and any other Secured Debt Representative from time to time party thereto.

“Collateral Trustee” means The Bank of New York in its capacity as Collateral Trustee under the Security Documents, together with its successors in such capacity.

Commission” or “SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company” means Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., and any and all successors thereto.

“Consolidated Cash Flow” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus, without duplication:

(1) any net loss realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(2) all extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items of loss or expense to the extent deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(3) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(4) the Fixed Charges of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent that such Fixed Charges were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(5) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(6) all non-cash charges related to restricted stock and redeemable stock interests granted to officers, directors and employees, to the extent deducted in computing such Consolidated Net Income; minus

 

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(7) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for such period, other than the accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of business, in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in accordance with GAAP; provided that:

(1) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or similar distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Person;

(2) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior Government Approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders;

(3) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles will be excluded; and

(4) any non-cash mark-to-market adjustments to assets or liabilities resulting in unrealized gains or losses in respect of Interest Rate and Currency Hedges (including those resulting from the application of SFAS 133) shall be excluded.

Construction Budget and Schedule” means the Phase 1 Construction Budget and Schedule and the Phase 2-Stage 1 Construction Budget and Schedule when taken together.

“Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” will be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 13.02 hereof or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Company.

Cost to Complete Test” means that funds available to the Company in the Project Accounts together with revenues to be received by the Company prior to Phase 1 Final Completion, binding equity commitments with respect to funds supported by an Acceptable Letter of Credit or Acceptable Guarantees, anticipated insurance proceeds and/or available borrowings under Indebtedness permitted under this Indenture, are sufficient to achieve Phase 1 Final Completion and to pay any principal and interest due and payable on any Indebtedness of the Company and the Guarantors prior to the achievement of Phase 1 Final Completion.

Credit Rating Agencies” means Moody’s, S&P and any other “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” registered with the Commission.

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

“Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

Debt Payment Account” means the account of such name maintained by the Company with the Depositary Agent in accordance with the Security Deposit Agreement.

 

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“Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.

“Definitive Note” means a certificated Note registered in the name of the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof, substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto except that such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto.

“Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

Depositary Agent” means the Bank of New York, in its capacity as “Depositary Agent” and “Securities Intermediary” under the Security Deposit Agreement, together with its permitted successors and assigns.

“Disqualified Stock” means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is exchangeable, in each case at the option of the Holder of the Capital Stock), or upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the Holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the Holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale will not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof. The amount of Disqualified Stock deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Disqualified Stock, exclusive of accrued dividends.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United States or the District of Columbia or that guarantees or otherwise provides direct credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company.

DSR Account” means the account of such name maintained by the Company with the Collateral Trustee in accordance with the Security Deposit Agreement.

“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).

Equity Offering” means any issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to any Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company) or a contribution to the equity capital of the Company by any Person (other than a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company).

“Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank, S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system.

“Event of Loss” means, whether in respect of a single event or a series of related events, any of the following:

 

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(1) any loss, destruction or damage of the Project;

(2) any actual condemnation, seizure or taking by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise of the Project, or confiscation of the Project or the requisition of the use of the Project in each case by a governmental authority; or

(3) any settlement in lieu of clause (2) above.

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

Exchange Notes” means the Notes issued in the Exchange Offer pursuant to Section 2.06(f) hereof.

“Exchange Offer” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

Exchange Offer Registration Statement” has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Fair Market Value” means the value that would be paid by a willing buyer to an unaffiliated willing seller in a transaction not involving distress or necessity of either party, determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the General Partner (unless otherwise provided in this Indenture).

“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means with respect to any specified Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs, assumes, guarantees, repays, repurchases, redeems, defeases or otherwise discharges any Indebtedness (other than ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, guarantee, repayment, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other discharge of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference period. In the event that Fixed Charges are zero and Consolidated Cash Flow is greater than zero, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be greater than 2.0 to 1.

In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio:

(1) acquisitions and dispositions of business entities or property and assets constituting a division or line of business of any Person that have been made by the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or consolidations, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period, and Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference period will be calculated on a pro forma basis in good faith on a reasonable basis by a responsible financial or accounting Officer of the Company;

(2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;

 

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(3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses (and ownership interests therein) disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date;

(4) any Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at all times during such four-quarter period;

(5) any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary on the Calculation Date will be deemed not to have been a Restricted Subsidiary at any time during such four-quarter period; and

(6) if any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Indebtedness will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term as at the Calculation Date in excess of 12 months).

“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any specified Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:

(1) Beginning April 1, 2009, the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued, including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers’ acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Interest Rate Agreements; plus

(2) Beginning April 1, 2009, the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus

(3) any interest on Indebtedness of another Person that is guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether or not such guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus

(4) the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued and whether or not in cash, on any series of preferred stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession, which are in effect from time to time.

 

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“General Partner” means Sabine Pass LNG-GP, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

“Global Note Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(2) hereof, which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.

“Global Notes” means, individually and collectively, each of the Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto and that bears the Global Note Legend and that has the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto, issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(3), 2.06(b)(4), 2.06(d)(2) or 2.06(f) hereof.

Government Approval” shall mean (a) any authorization, consent, approval, license, lease, ruling, permit, tariff, rate, certification, waiver, exemption, filing, variance, claim, order, judgment or decree of, by or with, (b) any required notice to, (c) any declaration of or with or (d) any registration by or with, any government authority, in each case relating to the Project except to the extent routine or ministerial in nature or not otherwise material to the Project or the Company’s compliance with any applicable law or obtaining or maintaining any Government Approval.

“Government Securities” means securities that are direct obligations of, or obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America, for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged.

“Guarantee” means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take or pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise).

“Guarantors” means each Subsidiary of the Company that executes a Note Guarantee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and such Person’s respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Note Guarantee of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate and Currency Hedges and, in the case of the Company, commodity hedges relating to the purchase of LNG for cool down of the Project.

“Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.

Holdings Credit Agreement” means the Credit Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2005, among Cheniere LNG Holdings LLC, the lenders party thereto and Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, as collateral agent and administrative agent.

IAI Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold to Institutional Accredited Investors.

 

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Immaterial Subsidiary” means, as of any date, any Restricted Subsidiary whose total assets, as of that date, are less than $1,000,000 and whose total revenues for the most recent 12-month period do not exceed $1,000,000.

“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person, any indebtedness of such Person (excluding accrued expenses and trade payables), whether or not contingent:

(1) in respect of borrowed money;

(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);

(3) in respect of banker’s acceptances;

(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations or Attributable Debt in respect of sale and leaseback transactions;

(5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property or services due more than six months after such property is acquired or such services are completed; or

(6) representing any Interest Rate and Currency Hedges or commodity hedges relating to the purchase of LNG for cool down of the Project,

if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit, Attributable Debt and Interest Rate and Currency Hedges and such commodity hedges) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term “Indebtedness” includes (a) all indebtedness of any other Person, of the types described above in clauses (1) through (6), secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified Person (regardless of whether such indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person) and (b) to the extent not otherwise included, the guarantee by the specified Person of any indebtedness of any other Person, of the types described above in clauses (1) through (6).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall not constitute Indebtedness:

(a) any indebtedness that has been defeased in accordance with GAAP or defeased pursuant to the deposit of cash or Cash Equivalents (in an amount sufficient to satisfy all obligations relating thereto at maturity or redemption, as applicable, including all payments of interest and premium, if any) in a trust or account created or pledged for the sole benefit of the holders of such indebtedness, and subject to no other Liens, and in accordance with the other applicable terms of the instrument governing such indebtedness; and

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

“Indenture” means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time.

“Indirect Participant” means a Person who holds a beneficial interest in a Global Note through a Participant.

 

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“Initial 2013 Notes” means the first $550,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2013 Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

“Initial 2016 Notes” means the first $1,482,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2016 Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

“Initial Notes” means the aggregate principal amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.

“Initial Purchasers” means, with respect to the Initial Notes Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Lehman Brothers Inc., and with respect to any Additional Notes the purchaser of such Additional Notes from the Company.

“Institutional Accredited Investor” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act, who are not also QIBs.

Interest Payment Date” means May 30 and November 30 of each year, commencing on May 30, 2007, or if any such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day.

Interest Rate Agreement” means with respect to any Person any interest rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement as to which such Person is party or a beneficiary.

Interest Rate and Currency Hedges” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement or Currency Agreement.

Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms of loans (including guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Company’s Investments in such Subsidiary that were not sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07. The acquisition by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Subsidiary in such third Person in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07. Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the amount of an Investment will be determined at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

Issue Date” means the first date of original issuance of the Notes under this Indenture.

 

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J&S Cheniere Potential TUA Letter” means the letter agreement dated as of the date hereof among Cheniere Marketing, Inc., Cheniere LNG, Inc. and the Company.

J&S Cheniere Terminal Use Agreement” means any terminal use or similar agreement entered into pursuant to the option agreement dated December 23, 2003 between Cheniere LNG Inc. and J&S Cheniere S.A. “Junior Lien” means a Lien granted by a security document to the Collateral Trustee upon any property of the Company or any Guarantor that is junior to the Liens securing the Secured Obligations.

Junior Lien Debt” means: Additional Indebtedness that is secured by a Junior Lien but only if on or before the day on which such Indebtedness is incurred by the Company such Indebtedness is designated by the Company, in an officer’s certificate by an Authorized Officer delivered to the Collateral Trustee on or before such date, as Junior Lien Debt for the purposes of each of the Junior Lien Documents and the Collateral Trust Agreement.

Junior Lien Documents” means all agreements governing, securing or relating to any Junior Lien Obligations.

Junior Lien Obligations” means the Junior Lien Debt and all other Obligations in respect of Junior Lien Debt.

Lease Agreements” means the agreements between the Company and any land owner granting a lease of real property situated in Cameron Parish, Louisiana in connection with the Project.

“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in the City of New York or Houston, Texas or at a place of payment are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to remain closed.

“Letter of Transmittal” means the letter of transmittal to be prepared by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in connection with the Exchange Offer.

“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest.

“Limited Partner” means Sabine Pass LNG-LP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

LNG” means liquefied natural gas.

Management Services Agreement” means the agreement dated February 25, 2005 between the Company and the General Partner for the management, administration, development and operation of the Project and for the management and administration of the Company, as amended and in effect from time to time.

“Material Adverse Effect” means any event or condition which has a material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the Company or the ability of the Company to perform its payment obligations under the Notes.

Material Project Agreements” means:

 

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(1) the Phase 1 EPC Contract;

(2) any terminal use agreement signed with an Anchor Customer (and any guarantee thereof);

(3) the Management Services Agreement;

(4) the O&M Agreement;

(5) each Omnibus Agreement;

(6) the Lease Agreements; and

(7) any amendment or replacement of (or guarantee or credit support related to) any of the foregoing, from time to time.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Mortgage” means the Third Amended and Restated Multiple Indebtedness Mortgage, Assignment of Rents and Leases and Security Agreement, made by the Company to The Bank of New York, as Collateral Trustee.

Net Income” means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income (loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:

(1) any gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such gain or loss, realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale; or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(2) any extraordinary gain or loss, together with any related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain or loss.

Net Loss Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Event of Loss, including, without limitation, insurance proceeds, condemnation awards or damages awarded by any judgment, net of:

(1) the direct costs in recovery of such proceeds (including, without limitation, legal, accounting, appraisal and insurance adjuster fees and any relocation expenses incurred as a result thereof);

(2) amounts required to be and actually applied to the repayment of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness that is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees) permitted under this Indenture that is secured by a Permitted Lien on the asset or assets that were the subject of such Event of Loss that ranks prior to the security interest of the Collateral Trustee in those assets; and

(3) any taxes or tax distributions paid or payable as a result of the receipt of such cash proceeds.

 

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Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, taxes paid or payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements.

Non-Recourse Debt” means Indebtedness:

(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender;

(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that the Holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of time or both any Holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated or payable prior to its Stated Maturity; and

(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

“Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.

Note Documents” means the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents, as amended and in effect from time to time.

“Note Guarantee” means the guarantee by each Guarantor of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes executed pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture.

“Notes” has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this Indenture. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes.

“Obligations” means any principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

“Offering Circular” means that certain confidential offering circular, dated as of November 1, 2006, pursuant to which the Notes were first offered to eligible purchasers in a private placement.

“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller, the Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.

“Officers’ Certificate” means a certificate signed by one Officer of the General Partner, which officer must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of the General Partner, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof.

O&M Agreement” means the agreement between the Company and the Operator for the operation of the Project, as amended and in effect from time to time.

 

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“Omnibus Agreements” means (a) the Omnibus Agreement dated as of September 2, 2004 between Total LNG USA, Inc. and the Company and (b) the Omnibus Agreement dated as of November 8, 2004 between the Company and Chevron U.S.A. Inc., as amended and in effect from time to time.

Operating Period Required Amount” means the total amount of interest due and payable on the Notes on the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

Operation and Maintenance Expenses” means, for any period, the sum, computed without duplication, of the following: (a) general and administrative expenses including expense reimbursements payable to the manager pursuant to the Partnership Agreement and for ordinary course fees and costs of the manager pursuant to the Management Services Agreement plus (b) expenses for operating the Project and maintaining it in good repair and operating condition payable during such period, including the ordinary course fees and costs of the Operator payable pursuant to the O&M Agreement plus (c) insurance costs payable during such period plus (d) applicable sales and excise taxes (if any) payable or reimbursable by the Company during such period plus (e) franchise taxes payable by the Company during such period plus (f) property taxes payable by the Company during such period plus (g) any other direct taxes (if any) payable by the Company during such period plus (h) costs and fees attendant to the obtaining and maintaining in effect the Government Approvals payable during such period plus (i) legal, accounting and other professional fees attendant to any of the foregoing items payable during such period plus (j) all other cash expenses payable by the Company in the ordinary course of business. Operation and Maintenance Expenses shall exclude, to the extent included above: (i) payments into any of the Project Accounts during such period, (ii) payments of any kind with respect to Restricted Payments during such period, (iii) depreciation for such period, (iv) any capital expenditure including permitted capital expenditures and (v) any payments of any kind with respect to any restoration during such period.

Operator” means Cheniere LNG O&M Services, L.P. or such other person from time to time party to the O&M Agreement as ‘Operator’.

“Opinion of Counsel” means an opinion or opinions from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section 13.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee.

“Parent” means Cheniere Energy, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Parity Lien” means a Lien granted by a Security Document to the Collateral Trustee, at any time, upon any property of the Company or any Guarantor to secure Parity Secured Debt.

“Parity Lien Documents” means the Parity Lien Documents as defined in the Security Deposit Agreement.

Parity Secured Debt” means the Initial Notes and any other Indebtedness of the Company (including Additional Notes), which may be guaranteed by the Guarantors, that is secured equally and ratably with the Notes by a Parity Lien that was permitted to be incurred pursuant to clauses (2), (6), (7), (8), (12) and (14) of the definition of Permitted Debt.

“Participant” means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Clearstream, respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Clearstream).

 

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Partnership Agreement” means the Fifth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of the Company, effective as of the date hereof, as amended and in effect from time to time.

“Permitted Business” means the construction, ownership, development, operation, expansion, reconstruction, debottlenecking, improvement and maintenance of the Project, and all activity necessary or undertaken in connection with the foregoing.

“Permitted Investments” means:

(1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Guarantor and that is engaged in the Permitted Business;

(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;

(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:

(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.10;

(5) any Investment in any Person solely in exchange for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

(6) any Investments received in compromise or resolution of (A) obligations of trade creditors or customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer; or (B) litigation, arbitration or other disputes with Persons who are not Affiliates;

(7) Investments represented by Hedging Obligations;

(8) advances to or reimbursements of employees for moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar expenditures in the ordinary course of business;

(9) loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $2.5 million at any one time outstanding;

(10) repurchases of the Notes;

(11) advances, deposits and prepayments for purchases of any assets, including any Equity Interests;

(12) advances to customers or suppliers in the ordinary course of business that are, in conformity with GAAP, recorded as accounts receivable, prepaid expenses or deposits on the

 

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balance sheet of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and endorsements for collection or deposit arising in the ordinary course of business;

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

(14) Investments received as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(15) surety and performance bonds and workers’ compensation, utility, lease, tax, performance and similar deposits and prepaid expenses in the ordinary course of business;

(16) guarantees of Indebtedness permitted under Section 4.09;

(17) Investments existing on the Issue Date; and

(18) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate Fair Market Value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (18) that are at the time outstanding not to exceed $10.0 million.

“Permitted Liens” means:

(1) Liens in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(2) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Company or the Subsidiary;

(3) Liens on property (including Capital Stock) existing at the time of acquisition of the property by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in existence prior to, such acquisition, and not incurred in contemplation of, such acquisition;

(4) bankers’ Liens, rights of setoff and Liens to secure the performance of bids, tenders, trade or governmental contracts, leases, licenses, statutory obligations, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(5) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease Obligations) permitted by clauses (2), (6), (7), (8), (12) and (14) of Section 4.09(b) covering only the assets acquired with or financed by such Indebtedness;

(6) Liens existing on the Issue Date;

(7) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly

 

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instituted and diligently concluded; provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;

(8) Liens imposed by law, such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, landlord’s and mechanics’ Liens, in each case, incurred in the ordinary course of business or incident to the development of the Project or any restoration of the Project following an Event of Loss;

(9) survey exceptions, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real property that were not incurred in connection with Indebtedness and other encumbrances and imperfections to title that do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties they encumber or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;

(10) Liens created for the benefit of (or to secure) the Notes (or the Note Guarantees) and the Assumption Agreement;

(11) Liens to secure any Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture; provided, however, that:

(a) the new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property and assets that secured or, under the written agreements pursuant to which the original Lien arose, could secure the original Lien (plus improvements and accessions to, such property or proceeds or distributions thereof); and

(b) the Indebtedness secured by the new Lien is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (x) the outstanding principal amount, or, if greater, committed amount, of the Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness and (y) an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related to such renewal, refunding, refinancing, replacement, defeasance or discharge;

(12) to the extent, in each case, not otherwise resulting in an Event of Default, Liens arising by reason of a judgment, decree or court order and any Liens that are required to protect or enforce any rights in any administrative, arbitration or other court proceedings in the ordinary course of business;

(13) Liens contained in purchase and sale agreements limiting the transfer of assets pending the closing of the transactions contemplated thereby;

(14) Liens created in connection with advances or deposits made in connection with the purchase of assets or Equity Interests;

(15) Liens that may be deemed to exist by virtue of contractual provisions that restrict the ability of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from granting or permitting to exist Liens on their respective assets;

(16) Liens in favor of the Trustee as provided for in this Indenture on money or property held or collected by the Trustee in its capacity as Trustee;

 

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(17) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company with respect to obligations that do not exceed $10.0 million at any one time outstanding;

(18) Liens referred to in the title policy currently in effect with respect to the Project site;

(19) Liens in respect of rights of or granted by owners of oil and gas estates in and to the Project site; and

(20) Junior Liens.

“Permitted Payments to Parent” means, without duplication as to amounts allowed to be distributed under any other provision of this Indenture:

(1) payments to the Parent to permit the Parent to pay reasonable accounting, legal and administrative expenses of the Parent when due, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1.0 million per calendar year; and

(2) for any fiscal year or portion thereof (the “Tax Year”) of the Company in which period the Company is a limited partnership, disregarded entity or other substantially similar pass-through entity for federal and state income tax purposes, distributions to enable the partners of the Company to make payments of federal, state and local income taxes not covered by the State Tax Sharing Agreement (including quarterly estimated payments thereof) in respect of the taxable income of such partner with respect to the Company for each such Tax Year (“Tax Distributions”) in an aggregate amount equal to the relevant income tax (including any penalties and interest) that the Company and its Subsidiaries that are treated as pass-through entities for federal and state income tax purposes (“Pass-Through Subsidiaries”) would owe for such Tax Year if the Company were a corporation subject to federal and state income tax filing a separate tax return or a separate consolidated, combined or unitary return solely with its Pass-Through Subsidiaries, taking into account any carryovers and carrybacks of tax attributes that are generated by and directly allocable to the Company and its Pass-Through Subsidiaries (such as the applicable net operating losses, tax credits, etc.). In determining the amount of the Tax Distributions, the Company shall compute its tax liability as if (i) each of the Company and its Pass-Through Subsidiaries were regular corporate taxpayers, and (ii) the Company was the common parent corporation during the applicable taxable reporting period. All relevant tax computations shall be made as if the Company was not related to either the Parent or any of the Parent’s Affiliates. Any Tax Distributions received from the Company shall be paid to the appropriate taxing authority within 30 days of the receipt of such Tax Distributions.

“Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, any Disqualified Stock of the Company or any preferred stock of any Restricted Subsidiary (a) issued in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to extend, renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease, discharge or otherwise retire for value, in whole or in part, or (b) constituting an amendment, modification or supplement to or a deferral or renewal of ((a) and (b) above, collectively, a “Refinancing”), any other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than intercompany Indebtedness), any Disqualified Stock of the Company or any preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary in a principal amount or, in the case of Disqualified Stock of the Company or preferred stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, liquidation preference, not to exceed (after deduction of reasonable and customary fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Refinancing) the lesser of:

 

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(1) the principal amount or, in the case of Disqualified Stock or preferred stock, liquidation preference, of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock so Refinanced (plus, in the case of Indebtedness, the amount of premium, if any paid in connection therewith); and

(2) if the Indebtedness being Refinanced was issued with any original issue discount, the accreted value of such Indebtedness (as determined in accordance with GAAP) at the time of such Refinancing.

Notwithstanding the preceding, no Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock will be deemed to be Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, unless:

(1) such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock has a final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, later than the final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced;

(2) if the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced is contractually subordinated or otherwise junior in right of payment to the Notes, such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock has a final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, later than the final maturity date or redemption date, as applicable, of, and is contractually subordinated or otherwise junior in right of payment to, the Notes, on terms at least as favorable to the Holders of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced at the time of the Refinancing; and

(3) such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is incurred or issued by the Company or such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is incurred or issued by the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being Refinanced or the issuer of the Disqualified Stock or preferred stock being Refinanced.

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

Phase 1” means the initial 2.6 Bcf/d of regasification capacity of the Project, including three LNG storage tanks with an aggregate LNG storage capacity of 10.1 Bcfe, along with two unloading docks capable of handling 87,000 cm to 250,000 cm LNG vessels and vaporizers and related facilities.

Phase 2-Stage 1” the additional two LNG storage tanks, vaporizers and related facilities required to enable the Project to achieve a maximum regasification capacity of 4.0 Bcf/d.

Phase 2-Stage 1 Completion” means “Final Acceptance” as defined in the Agreement for Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Management of Construction Services of the Sabine Pass LNG Phase 2 Receiving Storage and Regasification Terminal Expansion between the Company and Bechtel Corporation.

Phase 1 Construction Budget and Schedule” means, until Phase 1 Final Completion, (a) a budget setting forth, on a monthly basis, the timing and amount of all projected payments of Phase 1 Project Costs through the projected date of Phase 1 Final Completion and (b) a schedule setting forth the proposed engineering, procurement, construction and testing milestone schedule for the development of

 

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Phase 1 through the projected date of Phase 1 Final Completion, which budget and schedule shall (i) be certified by the Company as the best reasonable estimate of the information set forth therein as of the Issue Date and (ii) be consistent with the requirements of the Transaction Documents; provided, that in each of clause (a) and (b), such budget and schedule may be modified from time to time so long as such modification is in conformance with the Phase 1 EPC Contract and the other Transaction Documents.

Phase 2-Stage 1 Construction Budget and Schedule” means, until Phase 1 Final Completion, (a) a budget setting forth, on a monthly basis, the timing and amount of all projected payments of Phase 2-Stage 1 Project Costs through the projected date of Phase 1 Final Completion and (b) a schedule setting forth the proposed engineering, procurement, construction and testing milestone schedule for the development of Phase 2-Stage 1 through the projected date of final completion for Phase 2-Stage 1, which budget and schedule shall (i) be certified by the Company as the best reasonable estimate of the information set forth therein as of the Issue Date and (ii) be consistent with the requirements of the Transaction Documents; provided, that in each of clause (a) and (b), such budget and schedule may be modified from time to time so long as such modification is in conformance with the Phase 2-Stage 1 EPC Arrangements and the other Transaction Documents.

Phase 1 Contractor” means Bechtel Corporation.

Phase 2-Stage 1 EPC Arrangements” means the arrangements for the engineering, procurement and construction of Phase 2-Stage 1 by the Company with Bechtel Corporation, Remedial Construction Services, L.P., Diamond LNG LLC and Zachry Construction Corporation, respectively, in connection with the construction of Phase 2-Stage 1.

Phase 1 EPC Contract” means the lump sum turnkey agreement for the engineering, procurement and construction of Phase 1 by and between the Company and the Phase 1 Contractor dated as of December 18, 2004, as amended and in effect from time to time.

“Phase 1 Final Completion” has the meaning given to “Final Completion” in the Phase 1 EPC Contract.

Phase 1 Target Completion” has the meaning given to “Target Completion” in the Phase 1 EPC Contract.

“Phase 1 Project Costs” means all costs, fees, taxes and expenses incurred by the Company to complete Phase 1 as contemplated by (and consistent with) the Transaction Documents and Government Approvals.

Phase 2-Stage 1 Project Costs” means all costs, fees, taxes and expenses incurred by the Company to complete Phase 2-Stage 1 as contemplated by (and consistent with) the Transaction Documents and Government Approvals.

Pledge Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Parity Lien Pledge Agreement dated as of the date hereof among the Company, the General Partner, the Limited Partner and the Collateral Trustee.

“Pledgors” means the General Partner, the Limited Partner, the Company and each Subsidiary of the Company, if any, that executes a security document in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, and each such Person’s respective successors and assigns, in each case, until the Security Document of such Person has been released in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

 

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“Private Placement Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(1) hereof to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.

“Project” means the Company’s receiving terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, including associated storage tanks, unloading docks, vaporizers, tugs and related facilities.

Project Accounts” means the series of cash accounts the Company maintains with the Collateral Trustee pursuant to the Security Deposit Agreement.

Project Completion” or “Completion” means the Phase 1 Final Completion and Phase 2-Stage 1 Completion, when taken together.

“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

“Rating Categories” means:

(1) with respect to S&P, any of the following categories: AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB, B, CCC, CC, C and D (or equivalent successor categories); and

(2) with respect to Moody’s, any of the following categories: Aaa, Aa, A, Baa, Ba, B, Caa, Ca, C and D (or equivalent successor categories).

“Ratings Decline” means a decrease in the rating of the Notes by either Moody’s or S&P by one or more gradations (including gradations within Rating Categories as well as between Rating Categories) from the initial rating on the Issue Date. In determining whether the rating of the Notes has decreased by one or more gradations, gradations within Ratings Categories, namely + or — for S&P, and 1, 2, and 3 for Moody’s, will be taken into account; for example, in the case of S&P, a rating decline either from BB+ to BB or BB to B+ will constitute a decrease of one gradation.

“Registration Rights Agreement” means the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 9, 2006, among the Company and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof, as such agreement may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time and, with respect to any Additional Notes, one or more registration rights agreements among the Company and the other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the Company to the purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes under the Securities Act.

“Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Regulation S Global Note” means a Regulation S Temporary Global Note or Regulation S Permanent Global Note, as appropriate.

Regulation S Permanent Global Note” means a permanent Global Note in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note upon expiration of the Restricted Period.

“Regulation S Temporary Global Note” means a temporary Global Note in the form of Exhibit A2 hereto deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee,

 

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issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.

“Required Debt Payment Amount” means on any date of determination thereof, the amount equal to (i) the aggregate amount of interest on the Notes due on the immediately succeeding Interest Payment Date, multiplied by (ii) the number of months passed since the preceding Interest Payment Date, divided by (iii) six.

“Replacement Assets” means (1) non-current assets that will be used or useful in a Permitted Business or (2) substantially all the assets of a Permitted Business or a majority of the Voting Stock of any Person engaged in a Permitted Business that will become on the date of acquisition thereof a Restricted Subsidiary.

“Responsible Officer,” when used with respect to the Trustee, means any officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any successor group of the Trustee) who has direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, in the case of the second sentence of Section 7.05, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

“Restricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Global Note” means a Global Note bearing the Private Placement Legend.

“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

“Restricted Period” means the 40-day distribution compliance period as defined in Regulation S.

“Restricted Subsidiary” of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“Revenue Account” means the account of such name maintained by the Company with the Collateral Trustee in accordance with the Security Deposit Agreement.

“Rule 144” means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.

Rule 144A Global Note” means a Global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A. “Rule 903” means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Rule 904” means Rule 904 promulgated under the Securities Act.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Secured Debt” means the Parity Secured Debt.

 

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Secured Debt Documents” means, collectively, the Note Documents, and this Indenture or agreement governing each other Series of Secured Debt and all agreements binding on any obligor related thereto.

Secured Debt Representative” means the Trustee and each other representative of a Series of Secured Debt.

Secured Debt Termination Date” means the date on which all Secured Debt (including all interest accrued thereon after the commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency or liquidation proceeding at the rate, including any applicable post-default rate, specified in the applicable Secured Debt Documents, even if such interest is not enforceable, allowable or allowed as a claim in such proceeding) have been paid in full in cash (and/or defeased in accordance with the applicable Secured Debt Documents), all commitments to extend credit under all Secured Debt Documents have terminated or expired and all outstanding letters of credit issued pursuant to any Secured Debt Documents have been cancelled, terminated or cash collateralized.

Secured Obligations” means the Parity Secured Debt and the Assumption Agreement.

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

Security Agreement” means that certain Amended & Restated Parity Lien Security Agreement, dated as of the date hereof by and between the Company and the Collateral Trustee on behalf of and for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Security Deposit Agreement” means the Security Deposit Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among the Company, the Collateral Trustee and the Depositary Agent.

Security Documents” means the Collateral Trust Agreement, the Security Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, the Mortgage, the Security Deposit Agreement and all other security agreements, pledge agreements, collateral assignments, mortgages, deeds of trust, collateral agency agreements, control agreements or other grants or transfers for security executed and delivered by the Company or any other Pledgor creating (or purporting to create) a Lien upon Shared Collateral in favor of the Collateral Trustee, in each case, as amended, modified, renewed, restated or replaced, in whole or in part, from time to time.

“Senior Debt” means:

(1) all Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any Note Guarantee, and

(2) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clause (1).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the preceding, Senior Debt will not include:

(1) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the Company;

(2) any intercompany Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the Company or any of its Affiliates;

 

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(3) any trade payables;

(4) the portion of any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of this Indenture; or

(5) Indebtedness which is classified as non-recourse in accordance with GAAP or any unsecured claim arising in respect thereof by reason of the application of Section 1111(b)(1) of the Bankruptcy Law.

“Series of Secured Debt” means, severally, the Notes and each other issue or series of Parity Secured Debt.

“Settlement Agreement” means the Settlement and Purchase Agreement dated as of June 14, 2001 among the Parent, Cheniere FLNG, L.P., Crest Energy L.L.C., Crest Investment Company and Freeport LNG Terminal LLC, as modified by the letter agreement dated February 27, 2003.

“Shared Collateral” means all collateral of whatsoever nature purported to be subject to the Lien of any Security Document.

“Shelf Registration Statement” means the Shelf Registration Statement as defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.

“Significant Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date of this Indenture.

“State Tax Sharing Agreement” means the Tax Sharing Agreement dated as of the date hereof between Parent and the Company, without regard to any amendment after the Issue Date unless approved by the Trustee pursuant to an Act of Required Debtholders.

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any installment of interest or principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which the payment of interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the documentation governing such Indebtedness, and will not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

“Subordinated Indebtedness” means Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor that is contractually subordinated in right of payment, in any respect (by its terms or the terms of any document or instrument relating thereto), to the Notes or the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor, as applicable.

“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any specified Person:

(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency and after giving effect to any voting agreement or stockholders’ agreement that effectively transfers voting power) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation, association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and

 

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(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).

“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. §§ 77aaa-77bbbb).

Transaction Documents” means the Note Documents and the Material Project Agreements.

Treasury Rate” means, as of any redemption date, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two business days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to the maturity date; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to the maturity date, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

“Trustee” means The Bank of New York until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

“Unrestricted Definitive Note” means a Definitive Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

“Unrestricted Global Note” means a Global Note that does not bear and is not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that is designated by the Board of Directors of the General Partner as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:

(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;

(2) except as permitted by Section 4.11 hereof, is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company unless the terms of any such agreement, contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;

(3) is a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a) to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or preserve such Person’s financial condition or to cause such Person to achieve any specified levels of operating results; and

(4) has not guaranteed or otherwise directly or indirectly provided credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

“U.S. Person” means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(k) promulgated under the Securities Act.

“Voting Stock” of any specified Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.

 

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“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:

(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by

(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section
“Additional Indebtedness”    4.09(b)
“Affiliate Transaction”    4.11
“Asset Sale Offer”    3.09
“Authentication Order”    2.02
“Change of Control Offer”    4.15
“Change of Control Payment”    4.15
“Change of Control Payment Date”    4.15
“Covenant Defeasance”    8.03
“DTC”    2.03
“Event of Default”    6.01
“Event of Loss Offer”    3.09
“Excess Proceeds”    4.10
“incur”    4.09
“Legal Defeasance”    8.02
“Offer Amount”    3.09
“Offer Period”    3.09
“Paying Agent”    2.03
“Permitted Debt”    4.09
“Payment Default”    6.01
“Purchase Date”    3.09
“Registrar”    2.03
“Restricted Payments”    4.07

Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.

The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

“indenture securities” means the Notes;

“indenture security Holder” means a Holder of a Note;

“indenture to be qualified” means this Indenture;

 

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“indenture trustee” or “institutional trustee” means the Trustee; and

“obligor” on the Notes and the Note Guarantees means the Company and the Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Note Guarantees, respectively.

All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA, defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA have the meanings so assigned to them.

Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

(4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural include the singular;

(5) “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

(7) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating.

(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication will be substantially in the form of Exhibits A1 and A2 hereto. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess of $100,000.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will be substantially in the form of Exhibits A1 or A2 hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon and the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A1 hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and without the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate

 

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principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.

(c) Temporary Global Notes. Notes offered and sold in reliance on Regulation S will be issued initially in the form of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, which will be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Trustee, at its New York office, as custodian for the Depositary, and registered in the name of the Depositary or the nominee of the Depositary for the accounts of designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Restricted Period will be terminated upon the receipt by the Trustee of:

(1) a written certificate from the Depositary, together with copies of certificates from Euroclear and Clearstream certifying that they have received certification of non-United States beneficial ownership of 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note (except to the extent of any beneficial owners thereof who acquired an interest therein during the Restricted Period pursuant to another exemption from registration under the Securities Act and who will take delivery of a beneficial ownership interest in a 144A Global Note or an IAI Global Note bearing a Private Placement Legend, all as contemplated by Section 2.06(b) hereof); and

(2) an Officers’ Certificate from the Company.

Following the termination of the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note will be exchanged for beneficial interests in the Regulation S Permanent Global Note pursuant to the Applicable Procedures. Simultaneously with the authentication of the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, the Trustee will cancel the Regulation S Temporary Global Note. The aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Trustee and the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.

(3) Euroclear and Clearstream Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream will be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and the Regulation S Permanent Global Note that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.

(d) Additional Notes. Subject to compliance with the provisions of this Indenture, the Company may issue Additional Notes under this Indenture after the Issue Date in an unlimited aggregate principal amount.

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

At least one Officer must sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile signature.

If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid.

 

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A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.

The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by at least one Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate Notes for original issue that may be validly issued under this Indenture, including any Additional Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding at any time may not exceed the aggregate principal amount of Notes authorized for issuance by the Company pursuant to one or more Authentication Orders, except as provided in Section 2.07 hereof.

The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an Affiliate of the Company.

The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes (and, in each case, any Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor) shall be treated as a single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes (and, in each case, any Exchange Notes issued in exchange therefor). Nothing in this paragraph shall be deemed to modify, replace or otherwise affect the restrictions on transfer applicable to Restricted Notes set forth in Section 2.06 hereof.

Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.

The Company will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.

The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, Additional Interest if any, or interest on the Notes, and will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon

 

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any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05 Holder Lists.

The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a). If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company will furnish to the Trustee at least seven Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA § 312(a).

Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary, by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes if:

(1) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice from the Depositary;

(2) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the Trustee; provided that in no event shall the Regulation S Temporary Global Note be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act; or

(3) there has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Notes.

Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1) or (2) above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.

(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:

 

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(1) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.06(b)(1).

(2) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above, the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar either:

(A) both:

(i) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii) instructions given in accordance with the Applicable Procedures containing information regarding the Participant account to be credited with such increase; or

(B) both:

(i) a written order from a Participant or an Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged; and

(ii) instructions given by the Depositary to the Registrar containing information regarding the Person in whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1) above;

provided that in no event shall Definitive Notes be issued upon the transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903 under the Securities Act.

Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the Company in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(2) shall be deemed to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof.

 

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(3) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note or the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

(C) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(4) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any Holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder of the beneficial interest to be transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or

(ii) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

 

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and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.

Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.

(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.

(1) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. If any Holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;

(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

 

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(G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer contained therein.

(2) Beneficial Interests in Regulation S Temporary Global Note to Definitive Notes. Notwithstanding Sections 2.06(c)(1)(A) and (C) hereof, a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note prior to (A) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (B) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act, except in the case of a transfer pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 903 or Rule 904.

(3) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder of such beneficial interest, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or

 

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(ii) if the Holder of such beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(4) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any Holder of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note, then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(4) will be registered in such name or names and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the Holder of such beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(4) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.

(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:

(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (2)(b) thereof;

(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof;

(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with

 

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Rule 144, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;

(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;

(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or

(G) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,

the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, in the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note, and in all other cases, the IAI Global Note.

(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or

(ii) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial

 

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interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar and the Company to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note.

(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes.

If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (2)(B), (2)(D) or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so transferred.

(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.06(e).

(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:

(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;

(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and

 

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(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.

(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if:

(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;

(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement;

(C) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or

(D) the Registrar receives the following:

(i) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or

(ii) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (4) thereof;

and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.

(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the Holder thereof.

(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will authenticate:

 

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(1) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interests in the Restricted Global Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company; and

(2) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (C) they are not affiliates (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company.

Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be reduced accordingly, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal amount.

(g) Legends. The following legends will appear on the face of all Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.

(1) Private Placement Legend.

(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (II) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) AND, IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES LESS THAN $250,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT, (III) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (V) PURSUANT TO AN

 

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EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (IV) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE. IN ANY CASE, THE HOLDER HEREOF WILL NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ENGAGE IN ANY HEDGING TRANSACTIONS WITH REGARD TO THIS SECURITY EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(3), (c)(4), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (f) of this Section 2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.

(2) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear a legend in substantially the following form:

“THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.”

(3) Regulation S Temporary Global Note Legend. The Regulation S Temporary Global Note will bear a Legend in substantially the following form:

“THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN). NEITHER THE HOLDER NOR THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF INTEREST HEREON.”

 

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(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.

(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.

(1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof or at the Registrar’s request.

(2) No service charge will be made to a Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.06 hereof).

(3) The Registrar will not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.

(4) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes will be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(5) Neither the Registrar nor the Company will be required:

(A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on the day of selection;

(B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or

(C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note between a record date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

(6) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is

 

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registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

(7) The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.

(8) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by facsimile.

Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.

If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Note, the Company will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.

Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.

The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(a) and 3.07(c) hereof.

If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replacement Note is held by a “protected purchaser” under the uniform commercial code.

If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.

If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company or any Guarantor, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or any Guarantor, will be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of

 

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determining whether the Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.

Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company will prepare and the Trustee will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.

Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture.

Section 2.11 Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will destroy canceled Notes (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all canceled Notes will be delivered to the Company. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.

If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment. The Company will fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION AND OFFERS TO PURCHASE NOTES

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officers’ Certificate setting forth:

(1) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

(2) the redemption date;

(3) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and

 

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(4) the redemption price.

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed.

If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption on a pro rata basis and, if applicable, with such adjustments that may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $100,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof will be purchased unless otherwise required by law or applicable stock exchange requirements.

No Notes of $100,000 or less can be redeemed in part. In the event of partial redemption, the particular Notes to be redeemed will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption or purchase date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption.

The Trustee will promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $100,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such Holder, even if not in the amount of $100,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000 thereof, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Articles 8 or 12 hereof.

The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed and will state:

(1) the redemption date;

(2) the redemption price;

(3) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note;

(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(7) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed; and

 

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(8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the redemption date (unless a shorter period is acceptable to the Trustee), an Officers’ Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03 hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be conditional.

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

At least one Business Day prior to the redemption date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued interest and Additional Interest, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed.

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption. If a Note is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date. If any Note called for redemption is not so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) At any time prior to November 30, 2009, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate original principal amount of the 2013 Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price of 107.25% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:

(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2013 Notes originally issued on the Issue Date (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Affiliates) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

 

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(2) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(b) The Company may redeem all or a part of the 2013 Notes at any time and from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2013 Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders of the 2013 Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

(c) At any time prior to November 30, 2009, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate original principal amount of the 2016 Notes issued under this Indenture at a redemption price of 107.50% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that:

(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2016 Notes originally issued on the Issue Date (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Affiliates) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption; and

(2) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(d) The Company may redeem all or a part of the 2016 Notes at any time and from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2016 Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of redemption, subject to the rights of Holders of the 2016 Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date.

(e) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.

Section 3.08 Open Market Purchases; No Mandatory Redemption or Sinking Fund.

The Company may at any time and from time to time purchase Notes in the open market or otherwise. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

Section 3.09 Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds or Excess Loss Proceeds.

In the event that, pursuant to Sections 4.10 or 4.19 hereof, the Company is required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an “Asset Sale Offer” or an “Event of Loss Offer,” respectively), it will follow the procedures specified below.

The Asset Sale Offer or the Event of Loss Offer, as applicable, shall be made to all Holders and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets or loss proceeds. The Asset Sale Offer or the Event of Loss Offer, as applicable, will remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is required by applicable law (the “Offer Period”). No later than three Business Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the “Purchase Date”), the Company will

 

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apply all Excess Proceeds or Excess Loss Proceeds, as applicable (the “Offer Amount”) to the purchase of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if applicable) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and other Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer or the Event of Loss Offer, as applicable. Payment for any Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are made.

If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional interest will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer or the Event of Loss Offer, as applicable.

Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer or the Event of Loss Offer, as applicable, the Company will send, by first class mail, a notice to each of the Holders, with a copy to the Trustee. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer or the Event of Loss Offer, as applicable. The notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer or the Event of Loss Offer, as applicable, will state:

(1) that the Asset Sale Offer or the Event of Loss Offer, as applicable, is being made pursuant to this Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 or 4.19, as applicable, hereof and the length of time the Asset Sale Offer or the Event of Loss Offer, as applicable, will remain open;

(2) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;

(3) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will continue to accrete or accrue interest;

(4) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment, any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer or the Event of Loss Offer, as applicable, will cease to accrete or accrue interest after the Purchase Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer or the Event of Loss Offer, as applicable, may elect to have Notes purchased in integral multiples of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof only;

(6) that Holders electing to have Notes purchased pursuant to any Asset Sale Offer or the Event of Loss Offer, as applicable, will be required to surrender the Note, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase Date;

(7) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased;

(8) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by Holders thereof exceeds the Offer Amount, the Company will select the Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered (and, if applicable,

 

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with respect to the Notes, with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, will be purchased); and

(9) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).

On or before the Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful, accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer or the Event of Loss Offer, as applicable, or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes or portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the Company for purchase, and the Company will promptly issue a new Note, and the Trustee, upon written request from the Company, will authenticate and mail or deliver (or cause to be transferred by book entry) such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer or the Event of Loss Offer, as applicable, on the Purchase Date.

Section 3.10 Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Construction Proceeds.

In the event that, pursuant to Section 3.2(d) of the Security Deposit Agreement, the Company determines that any amounts on deposit in the Construction Sub-Account (as defined in the Security Deposit Agreement) are not required to be applied to complete the funding of construction of Phase 1 or Phase 2 (the “Excess Construction Proceeds”), such Excess Construction Proceeds shall be used to make an offer to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with unused or unutilized construction loans or advances. Such offers shall be made to Holders of Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof applicable to Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any such offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any such excess funds remain unapplied after consummation of such a offer, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may use such amounts for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes tendered into such offer exceeds the amount of excess funds, the Trustee will select the Notes to be purchased on a pro rata basis and, if applicable, with such adjustments that may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $100,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof will be purchased. Upon completion of each such offer, the amount of excess funds will be reset at zero.

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to such an offer to purchase with Excess Construction Proceeds. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 3.10, or compliance with the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 3.10 would constitute a violation of any such laws or regulations, the Company will

 

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comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 3.10 by virtue of such compliance.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.

The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on, the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest and Additional Interest, if any will be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due. The Company will pay all Additional Interest, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.

The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to 1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York for such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

Section 4.03 Reports.

(a) After the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, then the Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after it files them with the SEC, copies of its annual reports and of the information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may by rules and regulations prescribe) that the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

 

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(b) As long as the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, nor is exempt from reporting pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Exchange Act and the Notes are “restricted securities” within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act, upon the request of a Holder who is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A) or any owner of a beneficial interest in a note who is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A), the Company shall promptly furnish or cause to be furnished “Rule 144A Information” (as defined herein) to such Holder or Beneficial Owner or to a prospective purchaser of such note who is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A) designed by such Holder or Beneficial Owner who is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A). “Rule 144A Information” shall be such information as is specified pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act (or any successor provision thereto).

(c) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, in addition to the requirement to furnish Rule 144A Information as provided in the preceding paragraph, the Company shall furnish or cause to be furnished to Holders and (upon the request thereof delivered to the Company or the Trustee) to Holders of an interest in any Global Note (i) annual consolidated financial statements of the Company prepared in accordance with GAAP (together with notes thereto and a report thereon by an independent accountant of established national reputation), such statements to be so furnished within 105 days after the end of the fiscal year covered thereby and (ii) unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company for each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Company and the corresponding quarter and year-to-year period of the prior year prepared in all material respects on a basis consistent with the annual financial statements furnished pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph, such statements to be so furnished within 60 days after the end of each such quarter.

Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Company and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, an Officers’ Certificate stating that to the signing Officers’ knowledge no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or, if a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company will deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default, an Officers’ Certificate specifying such Default or Event of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.

Section 4.05 Taxes.

Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall (i) file or cause to be filed all tax returns required to be filed by it, and (ii) pay and discharge, before the same shall become delinquent, after giving effect to any applicable extensions, all taxes imposed on it or its property (including interest and penalties) unless such taxes are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, appropriate reserves are maintained with respect thereto and such proceedings, if adversely determined, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall promptly notify the Collateral Trustee, in reasonable detail, of any material disputes pending between it and any governmental authority relating to taxes.

 

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Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Company and each of the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each of the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.07 Restricted Payments.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:

(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or distribution on account of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or indirect holders of the Company’s or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests in their capacity as such (other than dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company and other than dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company);

(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect Parent of the Company;

(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Indebtedness (excluding any intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), except (a) a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof or (b) the purchase, repurchase or other acquisition of any such Indebtedness in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such purchase, repurchase or other acquisition; or

(4) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other actions set forth in these clauses (1) through (4) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”); provided, that for the avoidance of doubt, payment of Operation and Maintenance Expenses shall not constitute Restricted Payments,

unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such Restricted Payment:

(1) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment; and

(2) the Company has successfully achieved Phase 1 Target Completion; and

(3) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at the beginning of the

 

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applicable four-quarter period (or if fewer than four fiscal quarters have elapsed since the achievement of Phase 1 Target Completion, the number of full fiscal quarters that have elapsed), have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of Additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(b) hereof (for the avoidance of doubt, the Restricted Payment itself will not be considered in such pro forma calculation); and

(4) the Debt Payment Account has on deposit the Required Debt Payment Amount; and

(5) the DSR Account has on deposit the Operating Period Required Amount.

(b) So long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the provisions of Section 4.07(a) hereof will not prohibit:

(1) the payment of any dividend or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration of the dividend or giving of the redemption notice, as the case may be, if at the date of declaration or notice, the dividend or redemption payment complied with the provisions of this Indenture;

(2) the making of any Restricted Payment in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of (i) the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or (ii) from the substantially concurrent contribution (other than by a Subsidiary of the Company) of capital to the Company in respect of its Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock); provided, that 50% of the net cash proceeds pursuant to clause (i) above that are not retained or expended by the Company shall be used to make an offer to the Holders of the Notes and to the holder of other Parity Secured Debt, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other Parity Secured Debt that may be purchased with such 50% of the net cash proceeds. The offer price for the Notes and the Parity Secured Debt will be equal to 100% of principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any such net cash proceeds remain unapplied after consummation of the offer, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may use those proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture;

(3) the repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Indebtedness (including the payment of any required premium and any fees and expenses incurred in connection with such repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition) with the net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent incurrence of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness so long as such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final scheduled maturity date equal or later than the earlier of (x) the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired or (y) 360 days following the maturity date of the Notes;

(4) the payment of any dividend (or, in the case of any partnership or limited liability company, any similar distribution) by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Holders of its Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of such Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such dividend or similar distribution is paid to all holders of such Equity Interests on a pro rata basis based upon their respective holdings of such Equity Interests;

(5) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company held by any of Parent’s or the Company’s (or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries’) current or former directors or

 

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employees; provided that the aggregate price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired Equity Interests may not exceed $1.0 million in any twelve-month period (with unused amounts in any 12-month period being permitted to be carried over into succeeding 12-month periods; subject to a maximum payment of $2.5 million in any twelve-month period); provided, further, that the amounts in any 12-month period may be increased by an amount not to exceed the cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of the Company’s Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) or Parent’s Equity Interests to any such directors or employees that occurs after the Issue Date;

(6) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon the exercise or exchange of stock options, warrants or other similar rights to the extent such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise or exchange price of those stock options, and the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement of Equity Interests made in lieu of withholding taxes resulting from the exercise or exchange of stock options, warrants or other similar rights;

(7) payments to fund the purchase by the Company of fractional shares arising out of stock dividends, splits or combination or business combinations;

(8) the declaration and payment of regularly scheduled or accrued dividends to Holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company issued on or after the date of this Indenture in accordance with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test described in Section 4.09(b) hereof;

(9) the repayment of the Holdings Credit Agreement in an amount not to exceed $373.0 million, and the payment of any make-whole, break funding, early termination or other prepayment penalties or amounts in connection with such prepayment and the termination of any related Interest Rate Agreement with a portion of the net proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the Notes on the Issue Date as described in the Offering Circular;

(10) Permitted Payments to Parent; and

(11) except for Operation and Maintenance Expenses, payments for fees and costs pursuant to the Management Services Agreement, payments to the Operator pursuant to the O&M Agreement, so long as the relevant state or local combined, consolidated or unitary tax return is properly filed that includes the Company and Parent, payments under the State Tax Sharing Agreement and, without duplication, payments under Section 6.6 of the Partnership Agreement.

Notwithstanding any provision or implication to the contrary, any revenues received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary prior to Phase 1 Target Completion may be distributed upon the Company fulfilling the conditions set forth above.

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the Fair Market Value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any cash Restricted Payment shall be its face amount, and the Fair Market Value of any non-cash Restricted Payment exceeding $15.0 million shall be determined conclusively by two senior Officers of the Company acting in good faith whose conclusions with respect thereto shall be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, provided, however, that if the Fair Market Value of any non-cash Restricted Payment exceeds $25.0 million, such Fair Market Value shall be determined conclusively by the Board of Directors of the General Partner and set forth in a board resolution, and a

 

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certified copy of such board resolution shall be delivered to the Trustee. For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.07, in the event that a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of more than one of the exceptions described in clauses (1) through (10) of this Section 4.07(b) or is entitled to be made pursuant to Section 4.07(a), the Company shall, in its sole discretion, classify such Restricted Payment, or later classify, reclassify or re-divide all or a portion of such Restricted Payment, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.07.

Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Subsidiaries.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:

(1)(x) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or (y) pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; or

(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

(b) The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) hereof will not apply to encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:

(1) agreements or instruments governing existing indebtedness as in effect on the Issue Date, the Assumption Agreement or Settlement Agreement and any amendments, restatements, modifications, increases, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those agreements or instruments; provided that the amendments, restatements, modifications, increases, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in those agreements or instruments on the Issue Date;

(2) this Indenture, the Notes, the Note Guarantees and the Security Documents;

(3) applicable law, rule, regulation or order;

(4) customary non-assignment provisions in contracts and licenses entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(5) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of business and Capital Lease Obligations that impose restrictions on the property purchased or leased of the nature described in clause (3) of Section 4.08(a) hereof;

(6) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary pending the sale or other disposition;

(7) Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 hereof, including Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness; provided that the restrictions contained in the agreements

 

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governing such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, than those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being refinanced;

(8) Liens permitted to be incurred under the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(9) provisions limiting the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, sale-leaseback agreements, stock sale agreements, security agreements, mortgages, purchase money agreements and other similar agreements or instruments entered into with the approval of the Board of Directors of the General Partner, which limitation is applicable only to the assets that are the subject of such agreements;

(10) Interest Rate and Currency Hedges permitted from time to time under this Indenture; and

(11) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business.

Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise, with respect to (collectively, “incur,” with “incurrence” having a correlative meaning) any Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and issue Disqualified Stock, and Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Debt) and issue preferred stock, if additional equity investments in the Company are made (other than to redeem or repurchase outstanding Indebtedness), in which case the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness for each $1.00 so contributed and the Company has received written confirmation from each of Moody’s and S&P or any successor thereto, or if there is no such successor, another “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” registered with the Commission that no Ratings Decline will occur as a result of the incurrence of such additional Indebtedness.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provisions of Section 4.09(a) hereof will not prohibit the incurrence of any of the following (the items of Indebtedness described below in this Section 4.09(b) being referred to collectively as “Permitted Debt”):

(1) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Notes and the related Note Guarantees to be issued on the date of this Indenture and the Exchange Notes and the related Note Guarantees to be issued pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement;

(2) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or the net proceeds of which are used to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) hereof or clauses (1), (2) and (14) of this Section 4.09(b);

(3) the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of shares of preferred stock; provided, however, that:

 

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(a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity Interests that results in any such preferred stock being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; and

(b) any sale or other transfer of any such preferred stock to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,

will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such preferred stock by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (3);

(4) the incurrence, assumption or creation of obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the Assumption Agreement;

(5) the incurrence, assumption or creation of obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Interest Rate and Currency Hedges;

(6) the incurrence of a guarantee by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section 4.09; provided that if the Indebtedness being guaranteed is Subordinated Indebtedness, then the guarantee shall be subordinated to the same extent as the contractual subordination applicable to the Indebtedness guaranteed;

(7) the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness in an amount not to exceed $100.0 million in respect of (i) cost overruns of the construction, cool down, commissioning and completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2-Stage 1 and (ii) to finance the restoration of the Project following an Event of Loss;

(8) the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness in respect of working capital in an amount not to exceed $20.0 million (subject to a temporary increase, in an amount not to exceed $75.0 million, such increase to terminate not later than December 31, 2010, to fund the purchase of LNG for cool down of the Project and the entering into by the Company of any commodity hedging arrangements relating to such LNG);

(9) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness in respect of workers’ compensation claims, self-insurance obligations, bankers’ acceptances, performance bonds, completion bonds, bid bonds, appeal bonds and surety bonds or other similar bonds or obligations, and any guarantees or letters of credit functioning as or supporting any of the foregoing;

(10) Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within five Business Days of its incurrence;

(11) the incurrence by the Company of Indebtedness to the extent that the net proceeds thereof are promptly deposited to defease or to satisfy and discharge the Notes;

(12) Indebtedness consisting of the financing of insurance premiums in customary amounts consistent with the operations and business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

 

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(13) Subordinated Indebtedness between or among the Company and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and

(14) the incurrence by the Company or the Guarantors of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) at any time outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to renew, refund, refinance, replace, defease or discharge any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (14), not to exceed $25.0 million.

In addition to Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (14) above, the Company may incur additional Indebtedness (other than Parity Secured Debt) (the “Additional Indebtedness”) so long as (i) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company’s most recently ended four full fiscal quarters (or if fewer than four fiscal quarters have elapsed since the achievement of Phase 1 Target Completion, the number of full fiscal quarters that have elapsed) for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such Additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or preferred stock is issued, as the case may be, would have been at least 2.0 to 1, determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the Additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the Disqualified Stock or preferred stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the beginning of such period and (ii) the Company has received written confirmation from two Credit Rating Agencies that no Ratings Decline will occur as a result of the incurrence of the Additional Indebtedness.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (14) above, or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a) hereof or this Section 4.09(b), the Company will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence, or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09. The accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, the reclassification of preferred stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and the payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of the same class of Disqualified Stock will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the amount of any such accrual, accretion or payment is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.09, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this Section 4.09 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in exchange rates or currency values.

The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:

(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;

(2) in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified Person, the lesser of:

(a) the Fair Market Value of such asset at the date of determination; and

(b) the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person; and

(3) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness.

 

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Section 4.10 Asset Sales.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:

(1) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale equal to the greater of (i) the Fair Market Value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of and (ii) an amount equal to the invested cost of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of, less depreciation; and

(2) at least 90% of the consideration therefor received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash, Cash Equivalents or Replacement Assets or a combination thereof. For purposes of this provision, each of the following shall be deemed to be cash:

(A) any liabilities, as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent consolidated balance sheet (or as would be shown on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of the date of such Asset Sale), of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Note Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further liability therefor; and

(B) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are contemporaneously, subject to ordinary settlement periods, converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 90 days after such Asset Sale, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion.

Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale, the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may apply an amount equal to such Net Proceeds:

(1) to repay Senior Debt; or

(2) to make any capital expenditure or to purchase Replacement Assets (or enter into a binding agreement to make such capital expenditure or to purchase such Replacement Assets; provided that (a) such capital expenditure or purchase is consummated within the later of (x) 360 days after the receipt of the Net Proceeds from the related Asset Sale and (y) 180 days after the date of such binding agreement and (b) if such capital expenditure or purchase is not consummated within the period set forth in subclause (a), the amount not so applied will be deemed to be Excess Proceeds (as defined below)).

Pending the final application of any Net Proceeds, the Company may reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest the Net Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.

An amount equal to any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section 4.10 will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” If on any date, the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $25.0 million, then within ten Business Days after such date, the Company will make an offer (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets in

 

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accordance with Section 3.09 hereof to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain unapplied after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may use those Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased shall be determined on a pro rata basis and, if applicable, with respect to the Notes, with such adjustments that may be deemed appropriate by the Trustee so that only Notes in denominations of $100,000 or whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof will be purchased. Upon completion of each Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the sale, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, will be governed by the provisions of Section 4.15 and/or the provisions of Section 5.01 hereof and not by the provisions of this Section 4.10.

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10, or compliance with the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10 would constitute a violation of any such laws or regulations, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.10 by virtue of such compliance.

Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to enter into any transaction that is otherwise permitted hereunder with or the benefit of an Affiliate (including guarantees and assumptions of obligations of an Affiliate) (each an “Affiliate Transaction”), except:

(1) to the extent required by applicable law;

(2) to the extent required or contemplated by the O&M Agreement, the Management Services Agreement, the J&S Cheniere Terminal Use Agreement, the Cheniere Marketing TUA, J&S Cheniere Potential TUA Letter, State Tax Sharing Agreement or the Assumption Agreement;

(3) upon terms no less favorable to the Company than would be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate, or, if no comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate is available, then on terms that are determined by the Board of Directors of the General Partner to be fair in light of all factors considered by said Board of Directors to be pertinent to the Company;

(4) for any Project processing or use agreement with an Affiliate of the Company; provided that the terms of such agreement provide for the recovery of at least the incremental Operation and Maintenance Expenses associated with operations pursuant to such agreement and such agreement is subject to the Liens of the Security Documents; and

 

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(5) Subordinated Loans between or among the Company, any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and/or any of their Affiliates.

Prior to entering into any agreement with an Affiliate, the Company shall deliver to the Collateral Trustee a certificate of an Authorized Officer as to the satisfaction of the applicable condition set forth in clauses (2), (3), (4) and (5) of this Section 4.11(a).

(b) The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a) hereof:

(1) any employment agreement, employee benefit plan, officer or director indemnification agreement or any similar arrangement entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

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

(3) transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns, directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;

(4) payment of reasonable directors’ fees to Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of the Company;

(5) any issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to Affiliates of the Company;

(6) any Permitted Investments or Restricted Payments that do not violate Section 4.07 hereof;

(7) Permitted Payments to Parent; and

(8) any contracts, agreements or understandings existing as of the Issue Date or contracts disclosed in the Offering Circular, and any amendments to or replacements of such contracts, agreements or understandings so long as any such amendment or replacement is not more disadvantageous to the Company or to the Holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date.

Section 4.12 Liens.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien securing Indebtedness on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired, except Permitted Liens.

Section 4.13 Business Activities.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than Permitted Businesses, except to such extent as would not be material to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

 

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Section 4.14 Maintenance of Existence.

Subject to the rights of the Company under Section 5.01 hereof, the Company shall do all things necessary to maintain: (i) its corporate, limited liability company or partnership, as applicable, existence in its jurisdiction of organization; provided, that the foregoing shall not prohibit conversion into another form of entity or continuation in another jurisdiction and (ii) the power and authority (corporate and otherwise) necessary under the applicable law to own its properties and to carry on the business of the Project. Each of the Company and the Guarantors shall not dissolve, liquidate, and shall not take any action to amend or modify its corporate constituent or governing documents where such amendment would be adverse in any material respect to the Holders of the Notes. The Company shall comply with the Single Purpose Entity Requirements set forth in section 1.2 of its Partnership Agreement.

Section 4.15 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) of payment (a “Change of Control Payment”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) of that Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to not less than 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of repurchase (the “Change of Control Payment Date,” which date will be no earlier than the date of such Change of Control). No later than 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control and stating:

(1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 4.15 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for payment;

(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed;

(3) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrete or accrue interest;

(4) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrete or accrue interest after the Change of Control Payment Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Paying Agent at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the Notes purchased; and

(7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be equal to $100,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

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The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change in Control. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Section 4.15, or compliance with the provisions of this Section 4.15 would constitute a violation of any such laws or regulations, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.15 by virtue of such compliance.

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

(1) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly tendered; and

(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes properly accepted together with an Officers’ Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company.

The Paying Agent will promptly mail (but in any case not later than five days after the Change of Control Payment Date) to each Holder of Notes properly tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Note will be in principal amount of $100,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

If Holders of not less than 95% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in a Change of Control Offer and the Company, or any third party making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company as described above, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company will have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described above, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price in cash equal to the applicable Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and Additional Interest, if any thereon, to the date of redemption.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Section 4.15 hereof and purchases all Notes properly tendered and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer, or (2) notice of redemption has been given pursuant to Section 3.03 with respect to a redemption of Notes pursuant to Section 3.07 hereof, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable redemption price.

Section 4.16 Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction; provided that the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may enter into a sale and leaseback transaction if:

 

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(1) the Company or that Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, could have (a) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the Attributable Debt relating to such sale and leaseback transaction under the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test in Section 4.09(b) hereof and (b) incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.12 hereof;

(2) the gross cash proceeds of that sale and leaseback transaction are at least equal to the Fair Market Value, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the General Partner and set forth in an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the property that is the subject of that sale and leaseback transaction; and

(3) the transfer of assets in that sale and leaseback transaction is permitted by, and the Company applies the proceeds of such transaction in compliance with, Section 4.10 hereof.

Section 4.17 Advances to Subsidiaries.

All advances to Restricted Subsidiaries made by the Company must be evidenced by intercompany notes in favor of the Company. These intercompany notes will be pledged pursuant to the applicable Security Document as Shared Collateral to secure the Notes. Each intercompany note will be payable upon demand and will bear interest at the weighted average interest rate on the Notes, and will be subordinated in right of payment to all existing Senior Debt of the Restricted Subsidiary to which such loan is made. “Senior Debt” of Subsidiaries for the purposes of the intercompany notes will be defined as all Indebtedness of the Restricted Subsidiaries that is not specifically by its terms made pari passu with or junior to the intercompany notes. A form of intercompany note is attached as Exhibit H to this Indenture. Repayments of principal with respect to any intercompany note will be required to be deposited in the Revenue Account for application in accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 3.2 of the Security Deposit Agreement.

The Company will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of which the Company is a creditor by virtue of an intercompany note to incur any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any Senior Debt of such Restricted Subsidiary and senior in any respect in right of payment to any intercompany note.

Section 4.18 Payments for Consent.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Notes for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid and is paid to all Holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.

Section 4.19 Events of Loss

(a) After any Event of Loss, the Company may apply the Net Loss Proceeds from the Event of Loss to the rebuilding, repair, replacement or construction of improvements to the Project, with no obligation to make any purchase of any Notes, provided, that with respect to any Event of Loss that results in Net Loss Proceeds equal to or greater than $100.0 million:

(1) the Company delivers to the Trustee within 120 days of such Event of Loss a written opinion from a reputable contractor that the Project can be rebuilt, repaired, replaced or constructed and operating within 540 days following such Event of Loss; and

 

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(2) the Company delivers to the Collateral Trustee within 120 days of such Event of Loss a certificate from an Authorized Officer certifying that the applicable entity has available from Net Loss Proceeds, cash on hand, binding equity commitments with respect to funds, anticipated insurance proceeds and/or available borrowings under Indebtedness permitted under this Indenture to complete the rebuilding, repair, replacement or construction described in clause (1) above and to pay debt service on its Indebtedness during the repair or restoration period.

(b) Any Net Loss Proceeds that are not reinvested (or committed for reinvestment by the Company) within 540 days following an Event of Loss will be deemed “Excess Loss Proceeds.” Within 15 days following the date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Loss Proceeds exceeds $100.0 million, the Company will make an Event of Loss Offer in accordance with Section 3.09 hereof. If any Excess Loss Proceeds remain after consummation of an Event of Loss Offer, the Company may use those Excess Loss Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. Upon completion of each Event of Loss Offer, the amount of Excess Loss Proceeds will be reset at zero.

If any payment date in connection with an Event of Loss Offer is on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of business on such record date.

The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Event of Loss Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.19, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 hereof or this Section 4.19 by virtue of such conflict.

Pending their application, all Net Loss Proceeds will be invested in Cash Equivalents held in an account in which the Collateral Trustee has a perfected security interest for the benefit of the Holders of Secured Obligations, subject only to Permitted Liens. The Company may withdraw funds from the collateral account upon delivery of a certificate of the Authorized Officers that such funds will be used to pay for or reimburse that entity for either (1) the actual cost of a permitted use of Net Loss Proceeds as provided above or (2) the Event of Loss Offer, in each case pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents. The Company shall grant to the Collateral Trustee, on behalf of the Holders, a security interest, subject only to Permitted Liens, on any property or assets rebuilt, repaired, replaced or constructed with such Net Loss Proceeds on the terms set forth in this Indenture and the Security Documents.

In the event of an Event of Loss pursuant to clause (3) of the definition of “Event of Loss” with respect to property or assets that have a Fair Market Value (or replacement cost, if greater) in excess of $5.0 million, the Company will be required to receive consideration at least 90% of which is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents.

Section 4.20 Ownership.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, and the Limited Partner and the General Partner will not, permit either the Company or any of the Guarantors to issue, sell, transfer or dispose of any Capital Stock of the Company or any Guarantor, other than to the Limited Partner and the General Partner, the Company or one of the Guarantors.

 

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Section 4.21 Accounting and Cost Control Systems.

The Company shall maintain, or cause to be maintained, a management information and cost accounting systems for the Project at all times in accordance with prudent industry practice.

Section 4.22 Access.

Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall grant the Collateral Trustee or its designee from time to time, including but not limited to during the pendency of a Default or an Event of Default, reasonable access to all of its books and records, quality control and performance test data, all other data relating to the Project and construction progress and the physical facilities of the Project and an opportunity to discuss accounting matters with the Company’s independent auditors, provided that all such inspections are conducted during normal business hours in a manner that does not unreasonably disrupt the construction or operation of the Project. The Collateral Trustee shall also have the right to monitor, witness and appraise the construction, testing and operation of the Project. So long as a Default or any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the reasonable fees and documented expenses of such persons shall be for the account of the Company.

Section 4.23 Environmental Audits.

If the Collateral Trustee reasonably believes that a violation or threat of violation of any environmental law may have occurred that might reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or if a Default or an Event of Default has occurred, the Company shall, upon receipt of a written communication setting forth the basis for such belief, grant access to and assist any environmental consultants for the purpose of conducting any environmental compliance audits requested by the Collateral Trustee in its reasonable discretion and all reasonable costs associated with any such audits shall be paid by the Company and the Guarantors.

Section 4.24 Preservation of Assets.

Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall maintain its assets in good repair and shall make such repairs and replacements as are required in accordance with prudent industry practice.

Section 4.25 Insurance.

Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will keep the Project property of an insurable nature and of a character usually insured, insured with financially sound insurers with all risk property and general liability coverage (including deductibles and exclusions) and in such form and amounts as are customary for project facilities of similar type to the Project (including, prior to Phase 1 Final Completion, delay in start-up coverage and, after Phase 1 Final Completion, business interruption). The Company will cause each insurance policy to name the Collateral Trustee on behalf of the secured parties as additional insureds as their interest may appear.

Section 4.26 Compliance with Law.

Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall (i) comply with all applicable laws, rules, regulations and orders of governmental authorities (including without limitation environmental, health and safety, mining, port and railway and native title laws), except where such failure to comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) notify the Collateral Trustee promptly following the initiation of any proceedings or material disputes with any governmental authority or other parties relating to compliance or noncompliance with any such law, rule, regulation or order.

 

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Section 4.27 Safety Precautions.

Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall implement and administer safety, health and environmental procedures for the Project consistent with all applicable environmental, health and safety laws, rules, regulations and orders, including with respect to all contractors and subcontractors, except where the failure to so implement and administer could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.28 Maintenance of Approvals for Transaction Documents.

Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall maintain or cause to be maintained all third-party authorizations that are necessary for (i) the execution, delivery and performance by it of the Material Project Agreements to which it is a party and (ii) the incurrence and guarantee of the Notes, as the case may be, in good standing, in full force and effect.

Section 4.29 Scope of Work; Engagement of Contractors.

Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to perform, or cause to be performed, all work and services required or appropriate (as set forth in the Construction Budget and Schedule) in connection with the design, engineering, construction, testing and commencement of operations of Phase 1.

Section 4.30 Construction and Completion of Phase 1.

Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause Phase 1 to be constructed in all material respects in accordance with the Construction Budget and Schedule and to cause Phase 1 Target Completion to occur on or before March 20, 2009.

Section 4.31 Construction Reports.

Until the occurrence of Phase 1 Target Completion, the Company will provide a monthly progress report to the Collateral Trustee within 30 days after the end of each month. The Company will ensure that the monthly progress reports include the following information:

(1) a comparison of progress in the construction of the Project in the previous month against the Construction Budget and Schedule, as it may be amended from time to time;

(2) a comparison of project construction expenditures against the Construction Budget and Schedule, as it may be amended from time to time, including a description of any material variations or change orders issued;

(3) any material delays envisaged in the construction of the Project and the reasons for such delay (such as an industrial dispute, shipping delays or weather);

(4) any relevant material invoices relating to the construction of the Project; and

(5) any material disputes or defaults under any material construction contracts.

Section 4.32 Changes to the Construction Budget and Schedule.

The Company will notify the Collateral Trustee of any change to the Construction Budget and Schedule which will increase the then existing Construction Budget and Schedule by more than

 

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$30,000,000. The Company and the Guarantors may implement a change to the Construction Budget and Schedule provided that: (a) the change relates to the Project, and (b) if following implementation of any change which, together with any other changes made to the Construction Budget and Schedule will result in a cumulative increase of more than $100,000,000 to the Construction Budget and Schedule relating to Phase 1, the Cost to Complete Test will continue to be satisfied. Any time a change in the Construction Budget and Schedule described in clause (b) of the foregoing sentence is proposed to be made, the Company must provide the Collateral Trustee with a certificate from an Authorized Officer describing in reasonable detail the nature and cost of the proposed change and certifying that the requirements of the preceding sentence are satisfied.

Section 4.33 Material Project Agreements.

Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall comply in all material respects with its payment and other material obligations under the Material Project Agreements, except where the failure to so comply could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and the Guarantors must notify the Collateral Trustee when entering into or terminating any Material Project Agreement and provide a copy of any such contract to the Collateral Trustee. Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not agree to any material amendment or termination of any Material Project Agreement to which it is or becomes a party unless (i) a copy of such amendment or termination has been delivered to the Collateral Trustee at least 10 Business Days in advance of the effective date thereof along with a certificate of an Authorized Officer certifying that the proposed amendment or termination could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) the Company has obtained the consent of a majority of the Holders of the Notes to such amendment or termination; provided, that without the consent of the Holders of a majority of the outstanding principal amount of the Notes, the Company will not: (x) take any action under the Cheniere Marketing TUA that would cause or enable an Anchor Customer to reduce the monthly reservation fee or operating fee; (y) amend a terminal use agreement with an Anchor Customer to decrease the tenor, reduce the monthly reservation fee or operating fee, amend the force majeure provisions, the taxes and regulatory costs sharing provisions, or the agreement termination provisions in a manner adverse to the Company, or reduce the aggregate amount of any guarantee in respect of such terminal use agreement; or (z) agree to take, or take, title to LNG or natural gas (other than LNG or natural gas to which the Company has taken title in connection with cool down or retainage or pursuant to any terminal use or similar agreement as a result of the failure of any customer of the Company to take redelivery of any natural gas at any delivery point) from any Anchor Customer.

Section 4.34 Phase 1 Final Completion.

When the Company believes that Phase 1 Final Completion has been achieved, the Company must deliver to the Collateral Trustee a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Company certifying that Phase 1 Final Completion has been achieved and detailing the basis for that conclusion.

Section 4.35 Operation of the Project.

The Company shall (i) cause the Project to be operated, repaired and maintained at all times in substantial accordance with prudent industry practice and the Material Project Agreements, (ii) maintain or caused to be maintained such spare parts and inventory as are consistent with the Material Project Agreements and prudent industry practice and (iii) maintain or cause to be maintained at the Project site a complete set of plans and specifications for the Project.

 

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Section 4.36 Technology.

The Company shall (i) take all such reasonable actions as may be necessary to ensure that it possesses, or has the right to use, all licenses and other rights with respect to technology prior to Project Completion (or at such earlier time as may be required under the circumstances), and (ii) maintain in place all licenses and other rights with respect to technology, in each case to the extent necessary for the development, construction, operation or maintenance of the Project at any time, except where the failure to take such actions or maintain such licenses or rights could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.37 Preservation of Security Interests.

Each of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall preserve, maintain and perfect the first priority security interests subject to Permitted Liens granted under the Security Documents and preserve and protect the Shared Collateral as set forth in the Security Documents.

Section 4.38 Accounts.

The Company shall cause the Project Accounts to be established and maintained at all times in accordance with this Indenture and the Security Deposit Agreement, shall maintain no bank accounts other than the Project Accounts and checking, demand deposit or similar accounts with any financial institutions and shall make no transfer, deposit or withdrawal from any Project Account, except in each case as specifically permitted in this Indenture and the Security Deposit Agreement.

Section 4.39 Credit Rating Agencies.

The Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the Notes to be rated by at least two Credit Rating Agencies. If one of the two Credit Rating Agencies ceases to be a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” registered with the SEC or ceases to be in the business of rating securities of the type and nature of the Notes, the Company and the Guarantors may replace the rating received from it with a rating from any other “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” in the business of rating securities of the type and nature of the Notes.

Section 4.40 Additional Note Guarantees.

If (a) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates another Domestic Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture, and (b) that newly acquired or created Domestic Subsidiary is or becomes obligated with respect to any Indebtedness, then the Company shall cause such Domestic Subsidiary to (x) become a Guarantor and execute a Note Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form and substance satisfactory to the Trustee, (y) execute such Security Documents as the Collateral Trustee reasonably requests in order to subject such Guarantor’s properties to the Liens contemplated herein and in the Collateral Trust Agreement and (z) deliver an Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee within 15 Business Days of the date on which the conditions in both (a) and (b) above were satisfied; provided that any Domestic Restricted Subsidiary that constitutes an Immaterial Subsidiary need not become a Guarantor until such time as it ceases to be an Immaterial Subsidiary. The form of such Note Guarantee is attached as Exhibit E hereto.

Section 4.41 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries.

The Board of Directors of the General Partner may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is

 

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designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate Fair Market Value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as Unrestricted will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.07 hereof or under one or more clauses of the definition of Permitted Investments, as determined by the Company. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of a resolution of the Board of Directors of the General Partner giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in default of such covenant. The Board of Directors of the General Partner may at any time designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if (1) such Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable reference period; and (2) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.

The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into another Person (regardless of whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), convert into another form of entity or continue in another jurisdiction; or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another Person, unless:

(1) either:

(A) the Company is the surviving entity; or

(B) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger or resulting from such conversion (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;

(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such conversion, consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement, if

 

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applicable, and the Security Documents to which the Company is a party pursuant to agreements reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;

(3) immediately after such transaction or transactions, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(4) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been made would, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of Additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test described in Section 4.09(b) hereof.

The surviving entity will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture, but, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its assets, the Company will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes.

In addition, the Company will not, directly or indirectly, lease all or substantially all of the properties or assets of it and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to any other Person. This Section 5.01 will not apply to:

(1) a merger of the Company with an Affiliate solely for the purpose of changing the jurisdiction of the organization of the Company to another jurisdiction; or

(2) any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, lease or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted.

Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the “Company” shall refer instead to the successor Person and not to the Company), and may exercise every right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein; provided, however, that the predecessor Company shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company’s assets in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof.

 

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ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Additional Interest, if any, with respect to, the Notes;

(2) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Notes;

(3) failure by the Company to comply with its obligations described under Section 5.01 hereof or to consummate a purchase of Notes when required pursuant to Section 4.15 or Section 4.10 hereof;

(4) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days to comply with the provisions of Section 4.07 or Section 4.09 hereof or to comply with the provisions described under Section 4.15 or Section 4.10 hereof to the extent not described in clause (3) of this Section 6.01;

(5) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes to comply with any of the other agreements in this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Notes unless covered by another Event of Default;

(6) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, if that default:

(A) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or

(B) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity,

and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $25.0 million or more; but only if such Indebtedness remains unpaid or the acceleration unrescinded;

(7) any final judgment or decree (to the extent not covered by insurance) for the payment of money in excess of $25.0 million is entered against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and is not paid or discharged, and there is any period of 60 consecutive days following entry of such final judgment or decree during which a stay of enforcement of such final judgment or decree, by reason of pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect;

 

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(8) breach by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any material representation or warranty or agreement in the Security Documents unless remedied within 60 days of the Company obtaining knowledge of such breach;

(9) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Security Document of the General Partner, the Limited Partner, the Company or of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any such Pledgor, or any Person acting on behalf of any such Pledgor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Security Document to which it is a party or shall cease to grant the Holders any right or Lien in Shared Collateral;

(10) the failure by the Company or any Guarantor to comply in all material respects with its payment and other material obligations under a Material Project Agreement unless within 60 days after actual knowledge by the Company or any Guarantor of such failure to comply, such failure has been remedied by the Company or the relevant Guarantor (as applicable) or if not capable of cure within 60 days, the Company or such Guarantor has commenced curing such default within 60 days and diligently pursues such cure; provided such cure is completed within 180 days of such knowledge;

(11) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any such Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any such Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Note Guarantee;

(12) the Project is abandoned in whole;

(13) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of Bankruptcy Law:

(A) files a voluntary petition,

(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case,

(C) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or for all or substantially all of its property,

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors, or

(E) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; and

(14) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A) is for relief against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;

 

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(B) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

(C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 90 consecutive days.

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (13) of Section 6.01 hereof, with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice (subject to applicable law). If any other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable immediately, by notice in writing to the Company, specifying the Event of Default.

Upon any such declaration, the Notes shall become due and payable immediately.

The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may, on behalf of all of the Holders, rescind an acceleration and its consequences, if the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default (except nonpayment of principal, interest or premium or Additional Interest, if any, that has become due solely because of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.

Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided, however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences,

 

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including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

A Holder may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes only if:

(1) such Holder gives to the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holder or Holders offer and, if requested, provide to the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) during such 60-day period, Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request.

A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder of a Note.

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder; provided that a Holder shall not have the right to institute any such suit for the enforcement of payment if and to the extent that the institution or prosecution thereof or the entry of judgment therein would, under applicable law, result in the surrender, impairment, waiver or loss of the Lien of this Indenture upon any property subject to such Lien.

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) hereof occurs and is continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest

 

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remaining unpaid on, the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.10 Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any and interest, respectively; and

Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.

Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its

 

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discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(1) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

(2) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(3) the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.

 

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(f) The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company.

(f) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity or security against the losses, liabilities and expenses that might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of such Default or Event of Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.

(h) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused, directly or indirectly, by circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including, without limitation, acts of God; earthquakes; fire; flood; terrorism; wars and other military disturbances; sabotage; epidemics; riots; interruptions; loss or malfunctions of utilities, computer (hardware or software) or communication services; accidents; labor disputes; acts of civil or military authority and governmental action.

(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder or under the Security Documents (including as Collateral Trustee under the Security Documents), and each agent, custodian and other Person (including any co-Collateral Trustee or separate collateral trustee under the Security Document) employed to act hereunder or under the Security Documents.

 

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Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to continue as trustee (if this Indenture has been qualified under the TIA) or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is known to the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Note, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.

(a) Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the Trustee will mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such reporting date that complies with TIA § 313(a) (but if no event described in TIA § 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also will comply with TIA § 313(b)(2). The Trustee will also transmit by mail all reports as required by TIA § 313(c).

(b) A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of Notes will be mailed by the Trustee to the Company and filed by the Trustee with the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with TIA § 313(d). The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes are listed on any stock exchange.

Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.

(a) The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The Trustee’s compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

 

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(b) The Company and the Guarantors will indemnify the Trustee against any and all losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this Indenture and the Security Documents, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Guarantors, any Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder or thereunder, except to the extent any such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or willful misconduct. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not relieve the Company or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The Company or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld.

(c) The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(d) To secure the Company’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(13) hereof occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

(f) The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA § 313(b)(2) to the extent applicable.

Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.

(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;

(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

 

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(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(f) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07 hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another Person, the successor Person without any further act will be the successor Trustee.

Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a Person organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100.0 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of TIA § 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA § 310(b).

Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

The Trustee is subject to TIA § 311(a), excluding any creditor relationship listed in TIA § 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA § 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.

 

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ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Company may at any time, at the option of the Board of Directors of its General Partner evidenced by a resolution set forth in an Officers’ Certificate, elect to have either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees) on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Note Guarantees and this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, such Notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;

(2) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes under Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;

(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(4) this Article 8.

Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03 hereof.

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07 through 4.41 hereof and clause (4) of Section 5.01 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes).

 

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For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Company and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections 6.01(3) through 6.01(5) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.

Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.

In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:

(1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized investment bank, appraisal firm, or firm of independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on, the outstanding Notes on the stated date for payment thereof or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being defeased to such stated date for payment or to a particular redemption date;

(2) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that:

(A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(B) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable federal income tax law,

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel confirming that the Holders of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

(4) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute

 

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a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;

(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is bound;

(6) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of the Company or others;

(7) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clause (1) through (6) of this Section 8.04 have been complied with; and

(8) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel (which opinion of counsel may be subject to customary assumptions, qualifications and exclusions), stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (2), (3) and (5) of this Section 8.04 have been complied with; provided that the opinion of counsel with respect to clause (5) of this Section 8.04 may be to the knowledge of such counsel.

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

 

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Section 8.06 Repayment to Company.

Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

Section 8.07 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.

Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Notes and this Indenture or the Note Guarantees without the consent of any Holder of Notes:

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

(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes;

(3) to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to the Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees by a successor to the Company or such Guarantor pursuant to Article 5 or Article 10 hereof;

(4) to effect the release of a Guarantor from its Note Guarantee and the termination of such Note Guarantee, all in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture governing such release and termination;

(5) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder;

 

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(6) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;

(7) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Circular to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of this Indenture or the Note Guarantees or the Notes;

(8) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the date hereof;

(9) to add any Note Guarantee; or

(10) to provide for a successor Trustee in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.

No amendment or supplement to the provisions of this Indenture will:

(1) be effective unless set forth in a writing signed by the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of each affected Series of Secured Debt then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, any Series of Secured Debt), voting as a separate class; or

(2) be effective without the written consent of the Company

Any such amendment or supplement that imposes any obligation upon the Collateral Trustee or adversely affects the rights of the Collateral Trustee in its individual capacity will become effective only with the consent of the Collateral Trustee

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of the Board of Directors of its General Partner authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee will not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.

Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof) and the Notes and the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with

 

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a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for purposes of this Section 9.02.

Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of the Board of Directors of its General Partner authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture.

It is not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company will mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees. However, without the consent of each Holder of each series of Notes affected, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;

(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Note or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the redemption of the Notes; provided, however, that any purchase or repurchase of Notes, including pursuant to Sections 4.10, 4.15 or 4.19 hereof shall not be deemed a redemption of the Notes;

(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest, including default interest, on any Note;

(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

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

(6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive payments of principal of, or interest or premium or Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes;

(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note; provided, however, that any purchase or repurchase of Notes, including pursuant to Sections 4.10, 4.15 or 4.19 hereof, shall not be deemed a redemption of the Notes;

 

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(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or

(9) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.

Section 9.03 Amendment of Security Documents.

The Collateral Trust Agreement provides that no amendment or supplement to the provisions of any Security Document will be effective without the approval of the obligors party thereto and the Collateral Trustee acting as directed by an Act of Required DebtHolders, except that:

(1) any amendment or supplement that has the effect solely of (i) adding or maintaining Shared Collateral, securing additional Secured Debt that was otherwise permitted by the terms of the Secured Debt Documents to be secured by the Shared Collateral or preserving or perfecting the Liens thereon or the rights of the Collateral Trustee therein; (ii) curing any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency; (iii) providing for the assumption of the Company’s or another Pledgor’s obligations under any Security Document in the case of a merger or consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of such Pledgor’s assets, as applicable; (iv) releasing a Pledgor from a Security Document and the termination of such Security Document, all in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture governing such release and termination; (v) making any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of Notes or the Collateral Trustee or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder or the Collateral Trustee; (vi) conforming the text of the Collateral Trust Agreement or any other Security Document to any provision of this Description of Notes to the extent that such provision in this Description of Notes was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Collateral Trust Agreement or such Security Document; or (vii) adding any Security Document, will become effective when executed and delivered by the obligors party thereto and the Collateral Trustee as directed by such obligors; and

(2) no amendment or supplement that imposes any obligation upon the Collateral Trustee or any Secured Debt Representative in its individual capacity or adversely affects the rights of the Collateral Trustee or any Secured Debt Representative in its individual capacity will become effective without the additional consent of the Collateral Trustee or such Secured Debt Representative, in its individual capacity.

Any amendment or supplement to the provisions of the Security Documents that releases Shared Collateral will be effective only in accordance with the requirements set forth in Section 10.06, 10.09 and 11.05 hereof.

Section 9.04 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes will be set forth in a amended or supplemental indenture that complies with the TIA as then in effect.

Section 9.05 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment,

 

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supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

Section 9.06 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.07 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental indenture authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company may not sign an amended or supplemental indenture until the Board of Directors of the General Partner approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully protected in relying upon an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.

ARTICLE 10

COLLATERAL AND SECURITY

Section 10.01 Security.

(a) The payment of the Notes, when due, and the performance of all other Parity Secured Debt are secured equally and ratably by liens upon the Company’s rights in the Shared Collateral. The payment of the guarantees of each Guarantor and all other obligations of such Guarantor, when due, and the performance of all other obligations of such Guarantor with respect to Parity Secured Debt under the Secured Debt Documents are secured equally and ratably by liens upon such Guarantor’s rights in the Shared Collateral.

(b) The Company shall, and shall cause each of the Guarantors to, do or cause to be done all acts and things which may be required, or which the Collateral Trustee from time to time may reasonably request, to assure and confirm that the Collateral Trustee holds, for the benefit of the holders of Notes and the other Parity Secured Debt, duly created, enforceable and perfected Liens upon the Shared Collateral as contemplated by this Indenture and the Security Documents, so as to render the same available for the security and benefit of this Indenture and of the Notes and Note Guarantees, according to the intent and purposes hereof expressed subject in each case to any express provisions of any Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreement.

Section 10.02 Collateral Trustee and Collateral Trust Agreement.

(a) On the date of this Indenture, the Company and the other Pledgors will enter into a Collateral Trust Agreement with the Collateral Trustee, which sets forth the terms on which the Collateral Trustee receives, holds, administers, maintains, enforces and distributes the proceeds of all Liens upon any Shared Collateral at any time delivered to it, in trust for the benefit of the present and future Holders

 

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of the Secured Obligations, including the Holders of the Notes. The 2013 Notes and the 2016 Notes, upon issuance, will be designated as Parity Secured Debt for purposes of the Collateral Trust Agreement.

(b) The Collateral Trustee is authorized and empowered to appoint one or more co-Collateral Trustees as it deems necessary or appropriate.

(c) Neither the Trustee nor the Collateral Trustee nor any of their respective officers, directors, employees, attorneys or agents shall be responsible or liable for the existence, genuineness, value or protection of any Shared Collateral, for the legality, enforceability, effectiveness or sufficiency of the Security Documents, for the creation, perfection, priority, sufficiency or protection of any Lien, or for any defect or deficiency as to any such matters, or for any failure to demand, collect, foreclose or realize upon or otherwise enforce any of the Liens or Security Documents or any delay in doing so.

Section 10.03 Shared Collateral

(1) The Notes are secured, together with all other Parity Secured Debt of the Company, equally and ratably by security interests granted to the Collateral Trustee in all of the assets of the Company; and

(2) each Guarantor’s subsidiary guarantees are secured, together with such Guarantor’s guarantee of all future Parity Secured Debt of such Guarantor, equally and ratably by security interests granted to the Collateral Trustee in all assets of such Guarantor.

Section 10.04 Additional Parity Secured Debt

Subject to the provisions of this Indenture and the Security Documents, the Company may incur additional Parity Secured Debt by issuing Additional Notes under this Indenture. The additional Parity Secured Debt will be pari passu with the Notes, will be guaranteed on a pari passu basis by each Guarantor and will be secured by the Shared Collateral equally and ratably with the Notes for as long as the Notes and guarantees of Notes, subject to the covenants contained in this Indenture, are secured by the Shared Collateral. The additional Parity Secured Debt will only be permitted to share in the Shared Collateral if such Indebtedness and the related Liens are permitted to be incurred under the covenants in Sections 4.09 and 4.12.

Section 10.05 Equal and Ratable Sharing of Shared Collateral by Holders of Parity Secured Debt

Notwithstanding (1) anything to the contrary contained in the Secured Debt Documents, (2) the time of incurrence of any Series of Parity Secured Debt, (3) the order or method of attachment or perfection of any Liens securing any Series of Parity Secured Debt, (4) the time or order of filing or recording of financing statements, mortgages or other documents filed or recorded to perfect any Lien upon any Shared Collateral, (5) the time of taking possession or control over any Shared Collateral or (6) the rules for determining priority under any law governing relative priorities of Liens:

(1) all Liens at any time granted by the General Partner, the Limited Partner, the Company or any of its subsidiaries in the Shared Collateral to secure any of the Parity Secured Debt shall secure, equally and ratably, all liabilities of the General Partner, the Limited Partner, the Company or such subsidiary under or in respect of the Parity Secured Debt; and

(2) after paying or discharging obligations if any outstanding under the Assumption Agreement, all proceeds of all Liens at any time granted by the General Partner, the Limited Partner, the Company or any of its subsidiaries in the Shared Collateral to secure any of the Parity

 

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Secured Debt shall be allocated and distributed equally and ratably on account of all liabilities of the General Partner, the Limited Partner, the Company or such subsidiary under or in respect of the Parity Secured Debt.

The foregoing provision is intended for the benefit of, and will be enforceable as a third party beneficiary by, each present and future Holder of Parity Secured Debt and each present and future Secured Debt Representative.

Section 10.06 Release of Security Interests

(a) In accordance with the provisions of the Collateral Trust Agreement or as provided hereby, the Collateral Trustee’s Liens upon the Shared Collateral will be released:

(1) in whole, at any time, if neither the Company nor any Guarantor has any Secured Debt nor Junior Lien Debt secured by Liens under the Security Documents;

(2) as to any or all Shared Collateral at any time, if (A) consent to the release of Shared Collateral has been given by an Act of Required DebtHolders and (B) such release has become effective in accordance with the terms of such consent;

(3) as to (A) deposits in any cash collateral account that are to be applied to fund any mandatory prepayment or purpose offer (including an Asset Sale Offer) that becomes required as to any Secured Debt as a result of a sale of assets, concurrently with such application, so long as effective provision is made for apportionment of such funding to all Holders of Secured Debt entitled to participate in such mandatory prepayment or purchase offer in accordance with their respective entitlements under the Secured Debt Documents; and (B) deposits in any cash collateral account that constitute proceeds from an asset sale that are permitted under the Secured Debt Documents to be reinvested or otherwise are not required under the Secured Debt Documents to be reinvested or otherwise are not required to be applied to a mandatory prepayment or purchase offer in respect of any Secured Debt, concurrently with such reinvestment in assets constituting Shared Collateral or other permitted use under the Secured Debt Documents;

(4) in accordance with the provisions of the Security Documents as in effect from time to time; or

(5) in order to permit the consummation of any Asset Sales permitted by this Indenture.

(b) With respect to the Notes or each series of Notes, the Collateral Trustee’s Liens upon Shared Collateral will no longer secure the note Obligations with respect to the Notes or that series of Notes and the right of the Holders of such note Obligations to the benefits and proceeds of the Collateral Trustee’s Liens on Shared Collateral will terminate and be discharged:

(1) upon satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as set forth under in Section 12.01 hereof;

(2) upon a Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to that series of Notes as set forth in Article 8 hereof; or

 

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(3) upon payment in full in cash of the applicable Notes and all other related Note Obligations that are outstanding, due and payable at the time the Notes are paid in full in cash.

(c) the Company will otherwise comply with the provisions of TIA §314(b).

To the extent applicable, the Company will cause TIA §313(b), relating to reports, and TIA §314(d), relating to the release of property or securities or relating to the substitution therefor of any property or securities to be subjected to the Lien of the Security Documents, to be complied with. Any certificate or opinion required by TIA §314(d) may be made by an Officer of the General Partner except in cases where TIA §314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent Person, which Person will be an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert selected or reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph, the Company will not be required to comply with all or any portion of TIA §314(d) (1) with respect to certain ordinary course of business releases of Shared Collateral as described in this Indenture and (2) if it determines, in good faith based on advice of counsel, that under the terms of TIA §314(d) and/or any interpretation or guidance as to the meaning thereof of the Commission and its staff, including “no action” letters or exemptive orders, all or any portion of TIA §314(d) is inapplicable to one or a series of released Shared Collateral.

To the extent applicable, the Company will furnish to the Trustee, prior to each proposed release of Shared Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents:

(1) all documents required by TIA §314(d); and

(2) an opinion of counsel to the effect that such accompanying documents constitute all documents required by TIA §314(d).

Section 10.07 Security Documents.

The due and punctual payment of the principal of and interest and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether on an Interest Payment Date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest and Additional Interest (to the extent permitted by law), if any, on the Notes and performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders of Notes or the Trustee under this Indenture and the Notes, according to the terms hereunder or thereunder, are secured as provided in the Security Documents which the Company has entered into simultaneously with the execution of this Indenture. Each Holder of Notes, by its acceptance thereof, consents and agrees to the terms of the Security Documents (including, without limitation, the provisions providing for foreclosure and release of Shared Collateral) as the same may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms and authorizes and directs the Collateral Trustee to enter into the Security Documents and to perform its obligations and exercise its rights thereunder in accordance therewith. The Company will deliver to the Trustee copies of all documents delivered to the Collateral Trustee pursuant to the Security Documents, and will do or cause to be done all such acts and things as may be necessary or proper, or as may be required by the provisions of the Security Documents, to assure and confirm to the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee the security interest in the Shared Collateral contemplated hereby, by the Security Documents or any part thereof, as from time to time constituted, so as to render the same available for the security and benefit of this Indenture and of the Notes secured hereby, according to the intent and purposes herein expressed. The Company will take, and will cause its Subsidiaries to take, any and all actions reasonably required to cause the Security Documents to create and maintain, as security for the Obligations of the Company hereunder, a valid and enforceable perfected first priority Lien in and on all

 

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the Shared Collateral, in favor of the Collateral Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of Notes, superior to and prior to the rights of all third Persons and subject to no other Liens than Permitted Liens.

Section 10.08 Recording and Opinions.

(a) The Company will furnish to the Collateral Trustee and the Trustee on November 30th in each year beginning with November 30, 2007, an Opinion of Counsel (subject to customary or necessary assumptions, qualifications and exceptions), dated as of such date, (A) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, based on relevant laws as in effect on the date of such Opinion of Counsel, action has been taken with respect to the recording, registering, filing, re-recording, re-registering and re-filing of this Indenture, the filing of all financing statements, continuation statements or other filings under the uniform commercial code and the recording, filing, re-registering and re-filing of the Mortgage as is necessary to maintain the Liens created by the Security Documents and reciting with respect to such security interests the details of such action or referring to prior Opinions of Counsel in which such details are given, and (B) describing, in the opinion of such counsel, based on relevant laws as in effect on the date of such Opinion of Counsel, all continuation statements or other filings under the uniform commercial code that are necessary during the succeeding 12 months to maintain the Liens under the Security Documents (or stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, no such action is necessary to maintain the Liens created by the Security Documents).

(b) The Company will otherwise comply with the provisions of TIA §314(b).

Section 10.09 Release of Shared Collateral.

(a) Subject to subsections (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 10.09, Shared Collateral may be released from the Lien and security interest created by the Security Documents at any time or from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Security Documents or as provided hereby. In addition, upon the request of the Company pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate certifying that all conditions precedent hereunder have been met and stating whether or not such release is in connection with an Asset Sale and (at the sole cost and expense of the Company) the Collateral Trustee will release Shared Collateral that is sold, conveyed or disposed of in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture; provided that if such sale, conveyance or disposition constitutes an Asset Sale, the Company will apply the Net Proceeds in accordance with Section 4.10 hereof. Upon receipt of such Officers’ Certificate the Collateral Trustee shall execute, deliver or acknowledge any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release to evidence the release of any Shared Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Indenture or the Security Documents.

(b) No Shared Collateral may be released from the Lien and security interest created by the Security Documents pursuant to the provisions of the Security Documents unless the certificate required by this Section 10.09 has been delivered to the Collateral Trustee; provided, that no such certificate shall be required in connection with any sale, transfer or other disposition of Shared Collateral if such sale, transfer or other disposition does not constitute an Asset Sale or is otherwise expressly permitted by the terms of any Security Document and such Security Document does not require delivery of such certificate and no instrument of release or other action of the Collateral Trustee is required in connection with such release.

(c) At any time when a Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the maturity of the Notes has been accelerated (whether by declaration or otherwise) and the Trustee has delivered a notice of acceleration to the Collateral Trustee, no release of Shared Collateral pursuant to the provisions of the Security Documents will be effective as against the Holders of Notes.

 

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(d) The release of any Shared Collateral from the terms of this Indenture and the Security Documents will not be deemed to impair the security under this Indenture in contravention of the provisions hereof if and to the extent the Shared Collateral is released pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents. To the extent applicable, the Company will cause TIA § 313(b), relating to reports, and TIA § 314(d), relating to the release of property or securities from the Lien and security interest of the Pledge Agreement and relating to the substitution therefor of any property or securities to be subjected to the Lien and security interest of the Security Documents, to be complied with. Any certificate or opinion required by TIA § 314(d) may be made by an Officer of the Company except in cases where TIA § 314(d) requires that such certificate or opinion be made by an independent Person, which Person will be an independent engineer, appraiser or other expert selected or approved by the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee in the exercise of reasonable care.

Section 10.10 Certificates of the Company.

The Company will furnish to the Trustee and the Collateral Trustee, prior to each proposed release of Shared Collateral pursuant to the Security Documents:

(1) all documents required by TIA §314(d); and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel, which may be rendered by internal counsel to the Company, to the effect that such accompanying documents constitute all documents required by TIA §314(d).

The Trustee may, to the extent permitted by Sections 7.01 and 7.02 hereof, accept as conclusive evidence of compliance with the foregoing provisions the appropriate statements contained in such documents and such Opinion of Counsel.

Section 10.11 Certificates of the Trustee.

In the event that the Company wishes to release Shared Collateral in accordance with the Security Documents and has delivered the certificates and documents required by the Security Documents and Sections 10.09 and 10.10 hereof, the Trustee will determine whether it has received all documentation required by TIA § 314(d) in connection with such release and, based on such determination and the Opinion of Counsel delivered pursuant to Section 10.10(2) hereof, will deliver a certificate to the Collateral Trustee setting forth such determination.

Section 10.12 Authorization of Actions to Be Taken by the Trustee Under the Security Documents.

Subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 and 7.02 hereof, the Trustee may, in its sole discretion and without the consent of the Holders of Notes, direct, on behalf of the Holders of Notes, the Collateral Trustee to, take all actions it deems necessary or appropriate in order to:

(1) enforce any of the terms of the Security Documents; and

(2) collect and receive any and all amounts payable in respect of the Obligations of the Company hereunder.

The Trustee will have power to institute and maintain such suits and proceedings as it may deem expedient to prevent any impairment of the Shared Collateral by any acts that may be unlawful or in violation of the Security Documents or this Indenture, and such suits and proceedings as the Trustee may deem expedient to preserve or protect its interests and the interests of the Holders of Notes in the Shared

 

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Collateral (including power to institute and maintain suits or proceedings to restrain the enforcement of or compliance with any legislative or other governmental enactment, rule or order that may be unconstitutional or otherwise invalid if the enforcement of, or compliance with, such enactment, rule or order would impair the security interest hereunder or be prejudicial to the interests of the Holders of Notes or of the Trustee).

Section 10.13 Authorization of Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Security Documents.

The Trustee is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of the Holders of Notes distributed under the Security Documents, and to make further distributions of such funds to the Holders of Notes according to the provisions of this Indenture.

Section 10.14 Termination of Security Interest.

Upon the payment in full of all Obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes, or upon Legal Defeasance, the Trustee will, at the request of the Company, deliver a certificate to the Collateral Trustee stating that such Obligations have been paid in full, and instruct the Collateral Trustee to release the Liens pursuant to this Indenture and the Security Documents (subject to the satisfaction of any release of Lien provisions set forth in the Security Documents).

ARTICLE 11

NOTE GUARANTEES

Section 11.01 Guarantee.

(a) Subject to this Article 11, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:

(1) the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on, the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and

(2) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.

Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. To the extent permitted by applicable law, each Guarantor hereby waives

 

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diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Note Guarantee will not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture.

(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full force and effect.

(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, to the extent permitted by applicable law, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.

Section 11.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, and to the extent permitted by applicable law, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.

Section 11.03 Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee Notation.

To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 11.01 hereof, each Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee substantially in the form attached as Exhibit E hereto will be endorsed by an Officer of such Guarantor on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.

Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 11.01 hereof will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Note Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note on which a Note Guarantee is endorsed, the Note Guarantee will be valid nevertheless.

 

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The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

In the event that the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries creates or acquires any Domestic Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture, if required by Section 4.40 hereof, the Company will cause such Domestic Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.40 hereof and this Article 11, to the extent applicable.

Section 11.04 Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.

Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.05 hereof, no Guarantor may sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:

(1) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and

(2) either:

(a) subject to Section 11.05 hereof, the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger unconditionally assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under this Indenture, its Note Guarantee and the Registration Rights Agreement on the terms set forth herein or therein, pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee; or

(b) the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation, Section 4.10 hereof.

In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Note Guarantee endorsed upon the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Note Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Note Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Note Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.

Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding clauses 2(a) and (b) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the Notes will prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company or another Guarantor, or will prevent any sale or conveyance of the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.

Section 11.05 Releases.

(a) In the event of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all of the Capital Stock of any Guarantor, in each case to a Person that is not (either before or after giving effect to

 

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such transactions) the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, then such Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the Capital Stock of such Guarantor) or the corporation acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor) will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee; provided that the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 hereof. Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 hereof, the Trustee will execute any documents reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under its Note Guarantee and any Security Documents to which it is a party.

(b) Upon designation of any Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, such Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee and any Security Documents to which it is a party.

(c) Upon Legal Defeasance in accordance with Article 8 hereof or satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture in accordance with Article 12 hereof, each Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee and any Security Documents to which it is a party.

Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee as provided in this Section 11.05 will remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest and premium and Additional Interest, if any, on the Notes and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided in this Article 11.

ARTICLE 12

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 12.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:

(1) either:

(a) all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(b) all Notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year and the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on the Notes not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;

 

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(2) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such deposit)’

(3) such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;

(4) the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and

(5) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.

In addition, the Company must deliver to the Trustee (a) an Officers’ Certificate stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (1) through (5) of this Section 12.01 have been satisfied, and (b) an opinion of counsel (which opinion of counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and qualifications), stating that all conditions precedent set forth in clauses (3) and (5) of this Section 12.01 have been satisfied; provided that the opinion of counsel with respect to clause (3) of this Section 12.01 may be to the knowledge of such counsel.

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause (1) of this Section 12.01, the provisions of Sections 12.02 and 8.06 hereof will survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 12.01 will be deemed to discharge those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

Section 12.02 Application of Trust Money.

Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 12.01 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium and Additional, if any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 12.01 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.01 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium or Additional Interest, if any, or interest on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

 

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ARTICLE 13

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 13.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.

If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties imposed by TIA §318(c), the imposed duties will control.

Section 13.02 Notices.

Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or by first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), facsimile transmission or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the others’ address:

If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:

Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.

c/o Cheniere Energy, Inc.

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 3100

Houston, TX 77002

Facsimile No.: (713)  ###-###-####

Attention: Don A. Turkleson

With a copy to:

Andrews Kurth LLP

600 Travis, Suite 4200

Houston, TX 77002

Facsimile No.: (713)  ###-###-####

Attention: Geoffrey K. Walker

If to the Trustee:

The Bank of New York

101 Barclay Street, 8 W

New York, NY 10286

Facsimile No.: (212)  ###-###-####

Attention: Corporate Trust Administration

The Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed; when receipt acknowledged, if transmitted by facsimile; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; provided that all notices and communications to the Trustee shall not be deemed received by the Trustee unless actually received by the Trustee at its address set forth above.

Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class mail, or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its

 

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address shown on the register kept by the Registrar. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any Person described in TIA § 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 13.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.

Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA § 312(b) with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of TIA § 312(c).

Section 13.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:

(1) an Officers’ Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied, provided, that no such Officers’ Certificate shall be delivered on the date of this Indenture in connection with the original issuance of the initial Global Notes; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth in Section 13.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied, provided, that no such Opinion of Counsel shall be delivered on the date of this Indenture in connection with the original issuance of the initial Global Notes.

Section 13.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to TIA § 314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA § 314(e) and must include:

(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been satisfied; and

 

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(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.

Section 13.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 13.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders.

No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor (including without limitation, the General Partner, the Limited Partner and the Parent), as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

Section 13.08 Governing Law.

THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

Section 13.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 13.10 Successors.

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes will bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 11.05 hereof.

Section 13.11 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 13.12 Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

Section 13.13 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

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[Signatures on following page]

 

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SIGNATURES

Dated as of November 9, 2006

 

SABINE PASS LNG, L.P.
By:   Sabine Pass LNG-GP, Inc.,
  its general partner
By:  

/s/ Graham A. McArthur

Name:   Graham A. McArthur
Title:   Treasurer
THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Beata Hryniewicka

Name:   Beata Hryniewicka
Title:   Assistant Vice President


[Face of Note]

CUSIP/CINS                     

    % Senior Secured Notes due 20    

 

No.            $                    

SABINE PASS LNG, L.P.

promises to              pay to or registered assigns,

the principal sum of                                                                                                                DOLLARS on                     , 20    .

Interest Payment Dates:                      and                     

Record Dates:                      and                     

Dated:                     , 20    

 

SABINE PASS LNG, L.P.
By:   Sabine Pass LNG-GP, Inc.,
  its general partner
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

This is one of the Notes referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK,

    as Trustee

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

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[Back of Note]

    % Senior Secured Notes due 20    

[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1) INTEREST. Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at     % per annum from                     , 20     until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any, payable pursuant to Section 6 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on                      and                      of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be                     , 20    . The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

(2) METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the                      or                      next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Paying Agent or Registrar maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

(3) PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, The Bank of New York, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

 

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(4) INDENTURE AND SECURITY DOCUMENTS. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of November 9, 2006 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Notes are secured obligations of the Company. The Notes are secured by a pledge of Shared Collateral (as defined in the Indenture) pursuant to the Security Documents referred to in the Indenture. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

(5) OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) The Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes, at any time and from time to time, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph 5, at any time prior to                     , 20    , the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate original principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture at a redemption price of     % of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that at least 65% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued on the Issue Date (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Affiliates) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption and that such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(6) MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(7) REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDER.

(a) If there is a Change of Control, the Company will be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) of payment (the “Change of Control Payment”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $100,000 and integral multiples pf $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to not less than 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of repurchase (the “Change of Control Payment Date,” which date will be no earlier than the date of such Change of Control). No later than 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

(b) If on any date, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company consummates any Asset Sales whereby the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds from such Asset Sale exceeds $25.0 million, then within ten Business Days after such date, the Company will

 

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commence an offer (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in the Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary) may use such deficiency for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes.

(8) NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction or discharge of the Indenture. Notes in denominations larger than $100,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed.

(9) DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

(10) PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

(11) AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class, and any existing Default or Event or Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for

 

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uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption of the Company’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees in case of a merger or consolidation, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder, to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA, to conform the text of the Indenture, the Security Documents or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Circular, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents or the Notes; to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture, or to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture to the Indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes.

(12) DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Additional Interest, if any, with respect to, the Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Notes; (iii) failure by the Company to comply with its obligations described under Section 5.01 of the Indenture or to consummate a purchase of Notes when required pursuant to Section 4.15 or Section 4.10 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days to comply with the provisions of Section 4.07 or Section 4.09 of the Indenture or to comply with the provisions described under Section 4.15 or Section 4.10 of the Indenture to the extent not described in clause (3) of Section 6.01 of the Indenture; (v) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes to comply with any of the other agreements in the Indenture, the Security Documents or the Notes unless covered by another Event of Default; (vi) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, if that default (A) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or (b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity; and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $25.0 million or more; but only if such Indebtedness remains unpaid or the acceleration unrescinded; (vii) any final judgment or decree (to the extent not covered by insurance) for the payment of money in excess of $25.0 million is entered against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and is not paid or discharged, and there is any period of 60 consecutive days following entry of such final judgment or decree during which a stay of enforcement of such final judgment or decree, by reason of pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; (viii) breach by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any material representation or warranty or agreement in the Security Documents unless remedied within 60 days of the Company obtaining knowledge of such breach; (ix) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Security Document of the General Partner, the Limited Partner, the Company or of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any such Pledgor, or any Person acting on behalf of any such Pledgor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Security Document to which it is a party or shall cease to grant the Holders any of the Shared Collateral or rights purported to be granted thereunder; (x) the failure by the Company or any Guarantor to

 

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comply in all material respects with its payment and other material obligations under a Material Project Agreement and within 60 days after actual knowledge by the Company or any Guarantor of such failure to comply, such failure has not been remedied by the Company or the relevant Guarantor (as applicable) within 60 days or if not capable of cure within 60 days, the Company or such Guarantor has commenced curing such default within 60 days and diligently pursues such cure; provided such cure is completed within 180 days of such knowledge; (xi) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Note Guarantee of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any such Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any such Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Note Guarantee; (xii) the Project is abandoned in whole; and (xiii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency described in the Indenture with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary.

(13) TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(14) NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor (including without limitation, the General Partner, the Limited Partner and the Parent), as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(15) AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

(16) ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

(17) ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes will have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of November 9, 2006, between the Company and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof or, in the case of Additional Notes, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes will have the rights set forth in one or more registration rights agreements, if any, [between/among] the Company[, the Guarantors] and the other parties thereto, relating to rights given by the Company [and the Guarantors] to the purchasers of any Additional Notes (collectively, the “Registration Rights Agreement”). By such Holders’ acceptance of Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes, such Holder acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including without limitation the obligations of the Holders with respect to indemnification of the Company and the Guarantors to the extent provided therein

 

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(18) CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

(19) GOVERNING LAW. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.

c/o Cheniere Energy, Inc.

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 3100

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: [Chief Financial Officer]

 

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ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:   

 

   (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 


(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 


 


 


 


(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint                                                                                                                                     to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:  

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee*:  

 

 


* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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Option of Holder to Elect Purchase

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨ Section 4.10              ¨ Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$                    

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:  

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Tax Identification No.:                                          

 

Signature Guarantee*:

 

 

 


* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

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SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE *

The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

 

Amount of decrease in
Principal Amount

[at maturity] of

this Global Note

 

Amount of increase in
Principal Amount

[at maturity] of

this Global Note

 

Principal Amount

[at maturity] of this

Global Note following

such decrease

(or increase)

 

Signature of authorized
officer of Trustee or
Custodian

       
       
       
       
       

 


* This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

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[Face of Regulation S Temporary Global Note]

CUSIP/CINS             

    % Senior Secured Notes due 20    

 

No.            $                    

SABINE PASS LNG, L.P.

promises to pay to [CEDE & CO.] or registered assigns,

the principal sum of                                                                                                                DOLLARS on                     , 20    .

Interest Payment Dates:                      and                     

Record Dates:                      and                     

Dated:                     , 200  

 

SABINE PASS LNG, L.P.
By:   Sabine Pass LNG-GP, Inc.,
  its general partner
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

This is one of the Notes referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture:

THE BANK OF NEW YORK,

    as Trustee

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

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[Back of Regulation S Temporary Global Note]

    % Senior Secured Notes due 20    

THE RIGHTS ATTACHING TO THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE, AND THE CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURES GOVERNING ITS EXCHANGE FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES, ARE AS SPECIFIED IN THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN). NEITHER THE HOLDER NOR THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF THIS REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RECEIVE PAYMENT OF INTEREST HEREON.

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF [THE COMPANY].

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, [CEDE & CO.], HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

THIS SECURITY (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF THIS SECURITY MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.

THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS SECURITY MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) IN THE UNITED STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A,

 

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(II) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES THE TRUSTEE A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE (THE FORM OF WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) AND, IF SUCH TRANSFER IS IN RESPECT OF AN AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOTES LESS THAN $250,000, AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE TO THE COMPANY THAT SUCH TRANSFER IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT, (III) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF AVAILABLE) OR (V) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF CASES (I) THROUGH (IV) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS SECURITY FROM IT OF THE RESALE RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE. IN ANY CASE, THE HOLDER HEREOF WILL NOT, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ENGAGE IN ANY HEDGING TRANSACTIONS WITH REGARD TO THIS SECURITY EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (4) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.

UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) (“DTC”), TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

(1) INTEREST. Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at     % per annum from                     , 20     until maturity and shall pay the Additional Interest, if any,

 

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payable pursuant to Section 6 of the Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company will pay interest and Additional Interest, if any, semi-annually in arrears on                      and                      of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest Payment Date; provided further that the first Interest Payment Date shall be                     , 20    . The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect to the extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Additional Interest, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Until this Regulation S Temporary Global Note is exchanged for one or more Regulation S Permanent Global Notes, the Holder hereof shall not be entitled to receive payments of interest hereon; until so exchanged in full, this Regulation S Temporary Global Note shall in all other respects be entitled to the same benefits as other Notes under the Indenture.

(2) METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) and Additional Interest, if any, to the Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on the                      or                      next preceding the Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable as to principal, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest at the office or agency of the Paying Agent or Registrar maintained for such purpose within or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and Additional Interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal of and interest, premium and Additional Interest, if any, on, all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which will have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

(3) PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, The Bank of New York, the Trustee under the Indenture, will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

(4) INDENTURE AND SECURITY DOCUMENTS. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of November 9, 2006 (the “Indenture”) among the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to the TIA. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling. The Notes are secured obligations of the Company. The Notes are secured by a pledge of Shared Collateral (as defined in the Indenture) pursuant to the Security

 

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Documents referred to in the Indenture. The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be issued thereunder.

(5) OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.

(a) The Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes, at any time and from time to tine, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed by first-class mail to each Holder’s registered address, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium, and accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the date of redemption (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the rights of Holders of Notes on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph 5, at any time prior to                     , 20    , the Company may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate original principal amount of the Notes issued under the Indenture at a redemption price of     % of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings; provided that at least 65% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes originally issued on the Issue Date (excluding Notes held by the Company and its Affiliates) remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption and that such redemption occurs within 90 days of the date of the closing of such Equity Offering.

(6) MANDATORY REDEMPTION.

The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

(7) Repurchase at the Option of Holder.

(a) If there is a Change of Control, the Company will be required to make an offer (a “Change of Control Offer”) of payment (the “Change of Control Payment”) to each Holder to repurchase all or any part (equal to $100,000 and integral multiples pf $1,000 in excess thereof) of each Holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to not less than 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of repurchase (the “Change of Control Payment Date,” which date will be no earlier than the date of such Change of Control). No later than 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as required by the Indenture.

(b) If on any date, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company consummates any Asset Sales whereby the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds from such Asset Sale exceeds $25.0 million, then within ten Business Days after such date, the Company will commence an offer (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to all Holders of Notes and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to those set forth in the Indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture, to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Additional Interest, if any, thereon to the date of purchase, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture. To the extent that

 

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the aggregate amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company (or such Restricted Subsidiary) may use such deficiency for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” attached to the Notes.

(8) NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction or discharge of the Indenture. Notes in denominations larger than $100,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed.

(9) DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of $100,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.

This Regulation S Temporary Global Note is exchangeable in whole or in part for one or more Global Notes only (i) on or after the termination of the 40-day distribution compliance period (as defined in Regulation S) and (ii) upon presentation of certificates (accompanied by an Opinion of Counsel, if applicable) required by Article 2 of the Indenture. Upon exchange of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note for one or more Global Notes, the Trustee shall cancel this Regulation S Temporary Global Note.

(10) PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

(11) AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class, and any existing Default or Event or Default or compliance with any provision of the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes including Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class. Without the consent of any Holder of a Note, the Indenture or the Notes or the Note Guarantees may be amended or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to provide for the assumption

 

A2-6


of the Company’s or a Guarantor’s obligations to Holders of the Notes and Note Guarantees in case of a merger or consolidation, to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any such Holder, to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the TIA, to conform the text of the Indenture, the Security Documents or the Notes to any provision of the “Description of Notes” section of the Offering Circular, to the extent that such provision in that “Description of Notes” was intended to be a verbatim recitation of a provision of the Indenture, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents or the Notes; to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the limitations set forth in the Indenture, or to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture to the Indenture and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes.

(12) DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Additional Interest, if any, with respect to, the Notes; (ii) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on, the Notes; (iii) failure by the Company to comply with its obligations described under Section 5.01 of the Indenture or to consummate a purchase of Notes when required pursuant to Section 4.15 or Section 4.10 of the Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days to comply with the provisions of Section 4.07 or Section 4.09 of the Indenture or to comply with the provisions described under Section 4.15 or Section 4.10 of the Indenture to the extent not described in clause (3) of Section 6.01 of the Indenture; (v) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 60 days after notice from the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes to comply with any of the other agreements in the Indenture, the Security Documents or the Notes unless covered by another Event of Default; (vi) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) whether such Indebtedness or Guarantee now exists, or is created after the Issue Date, if that default (A) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on, such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a “Payment Default”); or (b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity; and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates $25.0 million or more; but only if such Indebtedness remains unpaid or the acceleration unrescinded; (vii) any final judgment or decree (to the extent not covered by insurance) for the payment of money in excess of $25.0 million is entered against the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and is not paid or discharged, and there is any period of 60 consecutive days following entry of such final judgment or decree during which a stay of enforcement of such final judgment or decree, by reason of pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; (viii) breach by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any material representation or warranty or agreement in the Security Documents unless remedied within 60 days of the Company obtaining knowledge of such breach; (ix) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Security Document of the General Partner, the Limited Partner, the Company or of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any such Pledgor, or any Person acting on behalf of any such Pledgor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under the Security Document to which it is a party or shall cease to grant the Holders any of the Shared Collateral or rights purported to be granted thereunder; (x) the failure by the Company or any Guarantor to comply in all material respects with its payment and other material obligations under a Material

 

A2-7


Project Agreement and within 60 days after actual knowledge by the Company or any Guarantor of such failure to comply, such failure has not been remedied by the Company or the relevant Guarantor (as applicable) within 60 days or if not capable of cure within 60 days, the Company or such Guarantor has commenced curing such default within 60 days and diligently pursues such cure; provided such cure is completed within 180 days of such knowledge; (xi) except as permitted by the Indenture, any Note Guarantee of any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Guarantors that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary is held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceases for any reason to be in full force and effect, or any such Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any such Guarantor, denies or disaffirms its obligations under its Note Guarantee; (xii) the Project is abandoned in whole; and (xiii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency described in the Indenture with respect to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary.

(13) TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee.

(14) NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, member, partner or stockholder of the Company or any Guarantor (including without limitation, the General Partner, the Limited Partner and the Parent), as such, will have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note Guarantees, the Security Documents or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

(15) AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.

(16) ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (= tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

(17) ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of Notes under the Indenture, Holders of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note will have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement dated as of November 9, 2006, between the Company and the other parties named on the signature pages thereof or, in the case of Additional Notes, Holders thereof will have the rights set forth in one or more registration rights agreements, if any, [between/among] the Company[, the Guarantors] and the other parties thereto, relating to rights given by the Company [and the Guarantors] to the purchasers of any Additional Notes (collectively, the “Registration Rights Agreement”). By such Holders’ acceptance of the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes, such Holder acknowledges and agrees to the provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement, including without limitation the obligations of the Holders with respect to indemnification of the Company and the Guarantors to the extent provided therein.

(18) CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP numbers to be

 

A2-8


printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption, and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

(19) GOVERNING LAW. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THE INDENTURE, THIS NOTE AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES.

The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement. Requests may be made to:

Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.

c/o Cheniere Energy, Inc.

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 3100

Houston, Texas 77002

Attention: [Chief Financial Officer]

 

A2-9


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:   

 

   (Insert assignee’s legal name)

 

 


(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)

 

 


 


 


 


(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably                                                                                                                                                     appoint to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:  

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

 

Signature Guarantee*:

 

 

 


* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A2-10


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

¨ Section 4.10                ¨ Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

$                    

Date:                     

 

Your Signature:  

 

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)

Tax Identification No.:                                          

 

Signature Guarantee*:  

 

 


* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A2-11


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE REGULATION S TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE

The following exchanges of a part of this Regulation S Temporary Global Note for an interest in another Global Note, or exchanges of a part of another other Restricted Global Note for an interest in this Regulation S Temporary Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

 

Amount of decrease in
Principal Amount

[at maturity] of

this Global Note

 

Amount of increase in
Principal Amount

[at maturity] of

this Global Note

 

Principal Amount

[at maturity] of this

Global Note following

such decrease

(or increase)

 

Signature of authorized
officer of Trustee or
Custodian

       
       
       
       
       

 

A2-12


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

The Bank of New York, as Trustee

101 Barclay Street, 8 W

New York, New York 10286

 

cc: Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.

c/o Cheniere Energy, Inc.

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 3100

Houston, Texas 77002

 

  Re: [fill in full title of securities]

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of November 9, 2006, (the “Indenture”), among Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                                , (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of $                     in such Note[s] or interests (the “Transfer”), to                                          (the “Transferee”), as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:

[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]

1. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

2. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Temporary Global Note, the Regulation S Permanent Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule 904(b) of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act and (iv) if the

 

B-1


proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, (x) the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser) and (y) the interest transferred will be held immediately thereafter through Euroclear or Clearstream. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Regulation S Permanent Global Note, the Regulation S Temporary Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

3. ¨ Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note or a Restricted Definitive Note pursuant to any provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):

(a) ¨ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;

or

(b) ¨ such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a subsidiary thereof;

or

(c) ¨ such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act;

or

(d) ¨ such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture and (2) if such Transfer is in respect of a principal amount of Notes at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee (a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the IAI Global Note and/or the Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

4. ¨ Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.

(a) ¨ Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer

 

B-2


restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(b) ¨ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

(c) ¨ Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule 903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

  [Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

Dated:                     

 

B-3


ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

 

  1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:

[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]

 

(a)    ¨   a beneficial interest in the:
   (i)   ¨    144A Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
   (ii)   ¨    Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
   (iii)   ¨    IAI Global Note (CUSIP                     ); or
(b)    ¨   a Restricted Definitive Note.

 

  2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:

[CHECK ONE]

 

(a)    ¨   a beneficial interest in the:
   (i)   ¨    144A Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
   (ii)   ¨    Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP                     ), or
   (iii)   ¨    IAI Global Note (CUSIP                     ); or
   (iv)   ¨    Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP                     ); or
(b)    ¨   a Restricted Definitive Note; or
(c)    ¨   an Unrestricted Definitive Note,
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE

The Bank of New York, as Trustee

101 Barclay Street, 8 W

New York, New York 10286

 

cc: Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.

c/o Cheniere Energy, Inc.

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 3100

Houston, Texas 77002

 

  Re: [fill in full title of securities]

(CUSIP                     )

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of November 9, 2006 (the “Indenture”), among Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., as issuer (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

                                         , (the “Owner”) owns and proposes to exchange the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal amount of $                     in such Note[s] or interests (the “Exchange”). In connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:

1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note

(a) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(b) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(c) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is

 

C-1


being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

(d) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner’s Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.

2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes

(a) ¨ Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

(b) ¨ Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange of the Owner’s Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the [CHECK ONE] ¨ 144A Global Note, ¨ Regulation S Global Note, ¨ IAI Global Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired for the Owner’s own account without transfer and (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.

This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your benefit and the benefit of the Company.

 

 

 

  [Insert Name of Transferor]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

C-2


Dated:                     

 

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EXHIBIT D

FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM

ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR

The Bank of New York, as Trustee

101 Barclay Street, 8 W

New York, New York 10286

 

cc: Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.

c/o Cheniere Energy, Inc.

717 Texas Avenue, Suite 3100

Houston, Texas 77002

 

  Re: [fill in full title of securities]

Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of November 9, 2006 (the “Indenture”), among Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., as issuer (the “Company”), the guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

In connection with our proposed purchase of $                     aggregate principal amount of:

 

  (a) ¨ a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or

 

  (b) ¨ a Definitive Note,

we confirm that:

1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell, pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”).

2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein, we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter substantially in the form of this letter and, if such transfer is in respect of a principal amount of Notes, at the time of transfer of less than $250,000, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree to provide to any Person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses (A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales thereof are restricted as stated herein.

3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the Company such certifications, legal opinions and other

 

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information as you and the Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.

4. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

5. We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which is an institutional “accredited investor”) as to each of which we exercise sole investment discretion.

You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby.

 

 

  [Insert Name of Accredited Investor]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

Dated:                     

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EXHIBIT E

[FORM OF NOTATION OF GUARANTEE]

For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture) has, jointly and severally, unconditionally guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the provisions in the Indenture dated as of November 9, 2006 (the “Indenture”) among Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., (the “Company”), the Guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the “Trustee”), (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium and Additional Interest, if any, and interest on, the Notes, whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, the due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and the due and punctual performance of all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee pursuant to the Note Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in Article 11 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for the precise terms of the Note Guarantee. Each Holder of a Note, by accepting the same, agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions.

Capitalized terms used but not defined herein have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.

 

[NAME OF GUARANTOR(S)]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

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EXHIBIT F

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE

TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS]

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of                     , 200  , among                              (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (or its permitted successor), a Delaware limited partnership (the “Company”), the Company, the other Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein) and The Bank of New York, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of                     , 2006 providing for the issuance of     % Senior Secured [Discount] Notes due 20     (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally guarantee all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein (the “Note Guarantee”); and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:

1. CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to provide an unconditional Guarantee on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Note Guarantee and in the Indenture including but not limited to Article 11 thereof.

3. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or agent of the Guaranteeing Subsidiary, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Notes, any Note Guarantees, the Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of the Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

4. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

5. COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

6. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

 

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7. THE TRUSTEE. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above written.

Dated:                     , 20    

 

[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
SABINE PASS LNG, L.P.
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
[EXISTING GUARANTORS]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

THE BANK OF NEW YORK,

    as Trustee

By:  

 

  Authorized Signatory

 

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EXHIBIT G

[FORM OF PLEDGE AGREEMENT]

 

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EXHIBIT H

[FORM OF SUBSIDIARY INTERCOMPANY NOTE]

PROMISSORY NOTE

 

$                       [Date]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned,                     , a                      corporation (the “Maker”), promises to pay to the order of SABINE PASS LNG, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership (together with any subsequent holder of this Note, the “Holder”) at its office located at 717 Texas Avenue, Suite 3100, Houston, Texas 77002, or at such other address as the Holder may from time to time designate in writing, the principal sum of                      Dollars ($                    ) (the “Maximum Credit”), or such lesser amount as is loaned to the undersigned from time to time pursuant [hereto] [to the [Insert name of applicable Loan Agreement] (the “[Loan Agreement]”) between the undersigned and the Holder dated                     ,] together with interest thereon.

[Reference to the [Loan Agreement] is hereby made for a statement of the rights of the Holder and the duties and obligations of the Maker, but neither this reference to the [Loan Agreement] nor any provision thereof shall affect or impair the absolute and unconditional obligation of the Maker to pay the principal, interest and other amounts, if any, payable with respect to this Note when due. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the [Loan Agreement]. ]

Maker shall pay interest on the outstanding principal to the Holder at the rate of [            ] percent (    %) per annum payable semi-annually in arrears on [            ] and [            ]of each year. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a [            ] day-year and actual days elapsed. All past due principal and/or interest or installments thereof shall bear interest from maturity at the rate of [interest rate plus [    ]%] per annum (the “Default Rate”).

The entire outstanding principal and all accrued but unpaid interest on this Note [and all charges pursuant to the [Loan Agreement]] or any portion thereof shall be due and payable in full on demand by the Holder or, if not sooner demanded.

The principal sum evidenced by this Note, together with accrued interest and other sums or amounts due hereunder, shall become immediately due and payable at the option of the Holder upon the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default [in accordance with the provisions of the [Loan Agreement]] [as defined below].

With respect to the amounts due pursuant to this Note, the Maker waives the following: (1) all rights of exemption of property from levy or sale under execution or other process for the collection of debts under the Constitution or laws of the United States or any state thereof or (2) demand, presentment, protest, notice of dishonor, notice of nonpayment, suit against any party, diligence in collection of this Note, and all other requirements necessary to enforce this Note.

In no event shall the amount of interest (and any other sums or amounts that are deemed to constitute interest under applicable law) due or payable hereunder (including interest calculated at the Default Rate) exceed the maximum rate of interest designated by applicable law (the “Maximum Amount”), and in the event such payment is inadvertently paid by the Maker or inadvertently received by the Holder, then such excess sum shall be credited as a payment of principal, and if in excess of such balance, shall be immediately returned to the Maker upon such determination. It is the express intent hereof that the Maker not pay and the Holder not receive, directly or indirectly, interest in excess of the Maximum Amount.

 

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The Holder shall not by any act, delay, omission or otherwise be deemed to have modified, amended, waived, extended, discharged or terminated any of its rights or remedies, and no modification, amendment, waiver, extension, discharge or termination of any kind shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the Holder. All rights and remedies of the Holder under the terms of this Note and applicable statutes or rules of law shall be cumulative, and may be exercised successively or concurrently. The Maker agrees that there are no defenses, equities or setoffs with respect to the obligations set forth herein, and to the extent any such defenses, equities, or setoffs may exist, the same are hereby expressly released, forgiven, waived and forever discharged.

Wherever possible, each provision of this Note shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable Legal Requirements (where “Legal Requirements” means all applicable laws, statutes, ordinances, rulings, regulations, codes, decrees, orders, policies, guidelines, judgments, covenants, conditions, restrictions, approvals, permits and requirements of, from or by any federal, state or local government or political subdivision thereof or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to government and having jurisdiction over any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company or government or other entity or matters in question), but if any provision of this Note shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable Legal Requirements, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Note.

This Note and the obligations arising hereunder shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and performed in such State and any applicable law of the United States of America.

Any legal suit, action or proceeding against the Holder by the Maker arising out of or relating to this Note shall be instituted in any federal or state court in New York. Any legal suit, action or proceeding against the Maker by the Holder arising out of or relating to this Note shall be instituted in any federal or state court in New York. The Maker hereby (i) irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum, and (ii) irrevocably submits to the jurisdiction of any such court in any suit, action or proceeding.

THE MAKER, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT THAT IT MAY LAWFULLY DO SO, WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY TORT ACTION), BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY HERETO WITH RESPECT TO THIS NOTE OR THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS. THE MAKER AGREES THAT THE HOLDER MAY FILE A COPY OF THIS WAIVER WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE KNOWING, VOLUNTARY AND BARGAINED AGREEMENT OF THE MAKER IRREVOCABLY TO WAIVE ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY, AND THAT, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT THAT IT MAY LAWFULLY DO SO, ANY DISPUTE OR CONTROVERSY WHATSOEVER BETWEEN THE MAKER AND THE HOLDER SHALL INSTEAD BE TRIED IN A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION BY A JUDGE SITTING WITHOUT A JURY.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

 

H-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Maker has caused this Note to be properly executed on the date first above written, and has authorized this Note to be dated as of the day and year first above written.

 

[Name of Subsidiary]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

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