Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Southern LNG Company, L.L.C. (El Paso Corporation and El Paso Pipeline Partners Operating Company, L.L.C.)
This agreement, effective March 30, 2010, is between El Paso Corporation and El Paso Pipeline Partners Operating Company, L.L.C., as members of Southern LNG Company, L.L.C. It amends and restates the original LLC agreement, outlining the company's governance, member rights and obligations, capital contributions, and management structure. The agreement sets forth how the company will be operated under Delaware law, including procedures for decision-making, profit distribution, and dispute resolution. It also details conditions for membership changes and other key operational terms.
LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY AGREEMENT
OF
SOUTHERN LNG COMPANY, L.L.C.
DEFINITIONS AND TERMS
i) | Credit to such Capital Account any amounts which such Member is obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) or is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulations §1.704-2(g)(1) and §1.704-2(i)(5); | ||
ii) | Debit to such Capital Account the items described in Treasury Regulation §§1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), and 1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6). |
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b) | the sum of (i) all cash and cash equivalents of the Company and its Subsidiaries: (or the Companys proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand at the end of such Quarter, and (ii) if the Management Committee so determines, all or any portion of any additional cash and cash equivalents of the Company and its Subsidiaries (or the Companys proportionate share of cash and cash equivalents in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) on hand on the date of determination of Available Cash with respect to such Quarter resulting from Working Capital Borrowings made subsequent to the end of such Quarter, less | ||
c) | the amount of any cash reserves established by the Management Committee (or the Companys proportionate share of cash reserves in the case of Subsidiaries that are not wholly owned) to (i) provide for the proper conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries (including reserves for any of the following of the Company and its Subsidiaries: (A) future maintenance capital expenditures, (B) anticipated future credit needs and (C) possible refunds of collected rates subject to refund or reasonably likely to be refunded as a result of a settlement or hearing relating to FERC rate proceedings) subsequent to such Quarter or (ii) comply with applicable Law or any loan agreement, security agreement, mortgage, debt instrument or other agreement or obligation to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or by which it is bound or its assets are subject; |
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FORMATION
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CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
a) | Except as otherwise provided in the following provisions of this Section 3.01 or Section 3.02, the Management Committee may issue or cause to be issued a notice to each Member for the making of Capital Contributions at such times and in such amounts as the Management Committee shall determine (a Capital Call), such determination to be made in accordance with Article VII. All amounts timely received by the Company under this Section 3.01 shall be credited to the respective Members Capital Account as of the specified date. | ||
b) | Each Capital Call shall contain the following information: |
i) | The total amount of Capital Contributions required from all Members; | ||
ii) | The amount of Capital Contribution required from the Member to which the notice is addressed, which amount must equal that Members Percentage Interest of the total Capital Call; | ||
iii) | The purpose for which the funds are to be applied in such reasonable detail as the Management Committee shall direct; and | ||
iv) | The date on which payments of the Capital Contribution shall be made (which date shall not be earlier than the 30th Day following the date the Capital Call is given, unless an earlier date is approved by the Management Committee) and the method of payment, provided that the date and the method shall be the same for each of the Members. |
c) | Each Member agrees that it shall make payments of its respective Capital Contributions in accordance with Capital Calls issued as provided in this Section 3.01. |
a) | Instead of making a Capital Call under Section 3.01, the Management Committee by notice in writing (the Loan Notice) submitted to the Members may request the Members to lend funds to the Company at such times, in such amounts and under such terms and conditions as the Management Committee shall determine; provided, however, that the Management Committee shall not issue any such Loan Notice to the extent that incurring any such loan would breach or violate any financing or other agreement of the Company. |
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b) | Each Loan Notice issued under Section 3.02(a) shall contain the following information: |
i) | The total amount of loans requested from the Members; | ||
ii) | The amount of the loan requested from the Member to which the notice is addressed, which amount must equal (A) that Members Percentage Interest of the total amount of loans requested in the Loan Notice; | ||
iii) | The purpose for which the funds are to be applied in such reasonable detail as the Management Committee shall direct; | ||
iv) | The date on which the loans to the Company are to be made (which date shall not be earlier than the 30th Day following the date the Loan Notice is given, unless an earlier date is approved by the Management Committee) and the method of payment, provided that the date and the method shall be the same for each of the Members; and | ||
v) | All terms concerning the repayment of or otherwise relating to the loans, provided that the terms shall be the same for each of the Members. |
c) | No Member shall be obligated to make a loan or advance to the Company following its receipt of a Loan Notice unless all Members agree to do so. |
a) | The Company shall maintain for each Member (or a beneficial owner of Membership Interests held by a nominee in any case in which the nominee has furnished the identity of such owner to the Company in accordance with Section 6031(c) of the Code or any other method acceptable to the Management Committee) owning a Membership Interest a separate Capital Account with respect to such Membership Interest in accordance with the rules of Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). The aggregate amount in the Capital Accounts existing as of the Effective Date hereof shall be based on the assets and liabilities owned by the Company as of the Effective Date hereof and allocated between the Members in accordance with their Percentage Interests. Each Members Capital Account shall be increased by (i) the amount of money contributed by that Member to the Company, (ii) the fair market value of |
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property contributed by that Member to the Company (net of liabilities secured by such contributed property that the Company is considered to assume or take subject to under Section 752 of the Code), and (iii) allocations to that Member of Company income and gain (or items thereof), including income and gain exempt from tax and income and gain described in Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g), but excluding income and gain described in Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(4)(i), and shall be decreased by (iv) the amount of money distributed to that Member by the Company, (v) the fair market value of property distributed to that Member by the Company (net of liabilities secured by such distributed property that such Member is considered to assume or take subject to under Section 752 of the Code), (vi) allocations to that Member of expenditures of the Company described (or treated as described) in Section 705(a)(2)(B) of the Code, and (vii) allocations of Company loss and deduction (or items thereof), including loss and deduction described in Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g), but excluding items described in (vi) above and loss or deduction described in Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(4)(i) or 1.704-1(b)(4)(iii). The Members Capital Accounts shall also be maintained and adjusted as permitted by the provisions of Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) and as required by the other provisions of Treasury Regulation §§1.704-1(b)(2)(iv) and 1.704-1(b)(4), including adjustments to reflect the allocations to the Members of depreciation, depletion, amortization, and gain or loss as computed for book purposes rather than the allocation of the corresponding items as computed for tax purposes, as required by Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(g). Thus, the Members Capital Accounts shall be increased or decreased to reflect a revaluation of the Companys property on its books based on the fair market value of the Companys property on the date of adjustment (as determined pursuant to Section 3.05(b)), immediately prior to (A) the contribution of money or other property to the Company by a new or existing Member as consideration for a Membership Interest or an increased Percentage Interest, (B) the distribution of money or other property by the Company to a Member as consideration for a Membership Interest, or (C) the liquidation of the Company. A Member who has more than one Membership Interest shall have a single Capital Account that reflects all such Membership Interests, regardless of the class of Membership Interests owned by such Member and regardless of the time or manner in which such Membership Interests were acquired. Upon the Disposition of all or a portion of a Membership Interest, the Capital Account of the Disposing Member that is attributable to that Membership Interest shall carry over to the Assignee in accordance with the provisions of Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(l). The Capital Accounts shall not be deemed to be, nor have the same meaning as, the capital account of the Company under the NGA. | |||
b) | Whenever the fair market value of the Companys property is required to be determined pursuant to the third and fourth sentences of Section 3.05(a), the Management Committee shall establish the fair market value in a notice to the Members. |
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a) | General. If any Member fails to make a Capital Contribution when required in a Capital Call under Section 3.01 of this Agreement (each such Member being a Non-Contributing Member), then, provided the failure has not been cured, the Members that have contributed their Capital Contributions in response to such Capital Call (each, a Contributing Member) may (without limitation as to other remedies that may be available) at any time following the 10th Day following the date the Capital Contribution was due elect to pay the portion of the Capital Contribution owed and unpaid by the Non-Contributing Member (the Additional Contribution), in which event the Contributing Member(s) that elect to fund the Non-Contributing Members share (the Additional Contributing Members) may treat the contribution as either: (i) a Capital Contribution resulting in the Additional Contributing Members receiving a Priority Interest under Section 3.06(b), or (ii) a permanent capital contribution that results in an adjustment of Membership Interests under Section 3.06(c), as determined by the Additional Contributing Members as set forth below. |
b) | Priority Interest. If the Additional Contributing Members elect to treat the payment of an Additional Contribution as a contribution for which the Additional Contributing Members receive a Priority Interest, then the following shall apply: |
i) | Each Additional Contributing Member shall receive a Priority Interest in the distributions from the Company that would otherwise be due and payable to the Non-Contributing Member(s). The Priority Interest |
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received by each Additional Contributing Member shall be in the proportion that the amount of the Additional Contribution paid by such Additional Contributing Member bears to the amount of the Additional Contributions made by all Additional Contributing Members (each Additional Contributing Members percentage share of the Priority Interests shall be its Priority Interest Sharing Ratio). All distributions from the Company that would otherwise be due and payable to the Non-Contributing Member(s) instead shall be paid to the Additional Contributing Members in accordance with their respective Priority Interest Sharing Ratio and no distribution shall be made from the Company to any Non-Contributing Member until all Priority Interests have terminated. The Priority Interest shall terminate with respect to an Additional Contributing Member when that Additional Contributing Member has received either through the distributions it receives in respect of its Priority Interest or through payment(s) to it by the Non-Contributing Member(s) (which payment(s) may be made by the Non-Contributing Member(s) at any time) of an amount equal to the Additional Contribution made by such Additional Contributing Member, plus a return thereon of twelve percent (12%) per annum (compounded quarterly on the outstanding balance). For purposes of making this calculation, all amounts received by an Additional Contributing Member shall be deemed to be applied first against a return on, and then to the amount of, the Additional Contribution. For purposes of maintaining Capital Accounts, any amount paid by a Non-Contributing Member to a Contributing Member to reduce and/or terminate a Priority Interest shall be treated as though such amount were contributed by the Non-Contributing Member to the Company and thereafter distributed by the Company to the Contributing Member with respect to its Priority Interest. | |||
ii) | The Priority Interests shall not alter the Percentage Interests, nor shall the Priority Interests alter any distributions to the Contributing Members (in their capacity as Contributing Members, as opposed to their capacity as Additional Contributing Members) in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, a Member may not dispose of all or a portion of its Priority Interest except to a Person to which it Disposes of all or the applicable pro rata portion of its Membership Interest after compliance with the requirements of this Agreement for the Disposition. | ||
iii) | No Member that is a Non-Contributing Member may Dispose of its Membership Interest unless, at the closing of such Disposition, either the Non-Contributing Member or the proposed Assignee pays the amount necessary to terminate the Priority Interest arising from such Non-Contributing Members failure to contribute. No such transferee shall be admitted to the Company as a Member until compliance with this Section 3.06(b)(iii) has occurred. |
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c) | Permanent Contribution. Subject to Section 3.06(a), if the Additional Contributing Members elect under Section 3.06(a) to have the Additional Contribution treated as a permanent capital contribution, then each Additional Contributing Member that funds a portion of the Additional Contribution shall have its Capital Account increased accordingly and the Members Membership Interests and Percentage Interests will be automatically adjusted to equal each Members total Capital Contributions when expressed as a percentage of all Members Capital Contributions. | ||
d) | Further Assurance. In connection with this Section 3.06, each Member shall execute and deliver any additional documents and instruments and perform any additional acts that may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate and perform the provisions of this Section 3.06. |
MEMBERS
a) | Units. The Membership Interests of the Company shall be comprised of one class of interests (the Units). The Units will have the rights, designations and preferences as provided in this Agreement. | ||
b) | Units Authorized. There shall be 100 Units authorized. | ||
c) | Certificated Units. All Units shall be certificated and issued as provided in Section 8.02. Persons holding Units shall be admitted to the Company as Members and such ownership shall be recorded by amendment to Annex I hereto, which shall not be considered an amendment to this Agreement. |
a) | such Member is duly incorporated, organized or formed (as applicable), validly existing, and (if applicable) in good standing under the Law of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, organization or formation; if required by applicable Law, such Member is duly qualified and in good standing in the jurisdiction of its principal place of business, if different from its jurisdiction of incorporation, organization or formation; and such Member has full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder, and all necessary actions by the |
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board of directors, stockholders, managers, members, partners, trustees, beneficiaries, or other applicable Persons necessary for the due authorization, execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Member have been duly taken; |
b) | such Member has duly executed and delivered this Agreement and this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Member enforceable against it in accordance with its terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar Laws of general application and by the effect of general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered at law or in equity; and | ||
c) | such Members authorization, execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement does not and will not (i) conflict with, or result in a breach, default or violation of, (A) the organizational documents of that Member, (B) any contract or agreement to which such Member is a party or is otherwise subject, or (C) any Law, order, judgment, decree, writ, injunction or arbitral award to which such Member is subject; or (ii) require any consent, approval or authorization from, filing or registration with, or notice to, any Governmental Authority or other Person, unless such requirement has already been satisfied. |
DISTRIBUTIONS AND ALLOCATIONS
a) | On or before the final Business Day of the calendar month immediately following the end of each Quarter (commencing with the Quarter ending March 31, 2010), the Management Committee shall review and determine the amount of Available Cash with respect to that Quarter, and, subject to the terms of Section 3.06(b), an amount equal to 100% of Available Cash with respect to that Quarter shall be distributed in accordance with this Article V to the Members (other than a Breaching Member) in proportion to their respective Percentage Interests (at the time the amounts of such distributions are made); provided, however, that the amount of Available Cash required to be distributed for the Quarter in which the Effective Date occurs, shall be pro rated based upon a fraction, of which the numerator is the number of days in the period that commences on the Effective Date and ends on March 31, 2010 and of which the denominator is 92. |
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b) | Notwithstanding Section 5.01(a), in the event of the dissolution and winding up of the Company, all receipts of the Company received during or after the Quarter in which the Liquidation Date occurs shall be applied and distributed solely in accordance with, and subject to the terms and conditions of Section 9.02(a)(iii)(C). | ||
c) | Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained in this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to make a distribution to a Member on account of its interest in the Company if such distribution would violate the Act or any applicable Law. |
a) | For purposes of maintaining the Capital Accounts pursuant to Section 3.05, except as provided in Section 5.02(b) and (c), each item of income, gain, loss, expense, deduction and credit of the Company shall be allocated to the Members in accordance with their respective Percentage Interests. | ||
b) | With respect to each period during which a Priority Interest is outstanding, each Additional Contributing Member shall be allocated items of income and gain in an amount equal to the return that accrues with respect to that Additional Contributing Members Additional Contribution pursuant to Section 3.06(b)(i), and items of income and gain that would otherwise be allocable to the Non-Contributing Member(s) shall be correspondingly reduced. | ||
c) | Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.02, the following special allocations shall be made in the following order: |
i) | Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof to the contrary, if there is a net decrease in Minimum Gain (as generally defined under Treasury Regulation Section §1.704-1 or §1.704-2) for a taxable year (or if there was a net decrease in Minimum Gain for a prior taxable year and the Company did not have sufficient amounts of income and gain during prior years to allocate among the Members under this Section 5.02(c)(i), then items of income and gain shall be allocated to each Member in an amount equal to such Members share of the net decrease in such Minimum Gain (as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.704-2(g)(2)). It is the intent of the Members that any allocation pursuant to this Section 5.02(c)(i) shall constitute a minimum gain chargeback under Treasury Regulations §1.704-2(f) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. | ||
ii) | Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain Chargeback. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article V, except Section 5.02(c)(i), if there is a net decrease in Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain (as generally defined under Treasury Regulation §1.704-1 or §1.704-2), during any taxable year, any Member who has a share of the Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain shall be allocated such amount of income and gain |
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for such year (and subsequent years, if necessary) determined in the manner required by Treasury Regulation §1.704-2(i)(4) as is necessary to meet the requirements for a chargeback of Member Nonrecourse Debt Minimum Gain. |
iii) | Qualified Income Offset. Except as provided in Section 5.02(c)(i) and (ii) hereof, in the event any Member unexpectedly receives any adjustments, allocations or distributions described in Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(4), §1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(5), or §1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d)(6), items of Company income and gain shall be specially allocated to such Member in an amount and manner sufficient to eliminate, to the extent required by the Allocation Regulations, the deficit balance, if any, in its Adjusted Capital Account created by such adjustments, allocations or distributions as quickly as possible. | ||
iv) | Gross Income Allocations. In the event any Member has a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account at the end of any Company taxable period in excess of the sum of the amount such Member is obligated to restore pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(c) or is deemed to be obligated to restore pursuant to the penultimate sentences of Treasury Regulations §§1.704-2(g)(1) and 1.704-2(i)(5), such Member shall be specially allocated items of Company gross income and gain in the amount of such excess as quickly as possible; provided, that an allocation pursuant to this Section 5.02(c)(iv) shall be made only if and to the extent that such Member would have a deficit balance in its Adjusted Capital Account after all other allocations provided in this Section 5.02 have been tentatively made as if Section 5.02(c)(iv) were not in the Agreement. | ||
v) | Company Nonrecourse Deductions. Company Nonrecourse Deductions (as determined under Treasury Regulation §1.704-2(c)) for any fiscal year shall be allocated among the Members in proportion to their Percentage Interests. | ||
vi) | Member Nonrecourse Deductions. Any Member Nonrecourse Deductions (as defined under Treasury Regulation §1.704-2(i)(2)) shall be allocated pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.704-2(i) to the Member who bears the economic risk of loss with respect to the partner nonrecourse debt to which it is attributable. Provided, however, that if more than one Member bears the economic risk of loss for such debt, the Member Nonrecourse Deductions attributable to such partner nonrecourse debt shall be allocated to and among the Members in the same proportion that they bear the economic risk of loss for such partner nonrecourse debt. This Section 5.02(c)(vi) is intended to comply with the provision of Treasury Regulation §1.704-2(i) and shall be interpreted consistently therewith. |
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vii) | Code Section 754 Adjustment. To the extent an adjustment to the adjusted tax basis of any Company asset pursuant to Section 734(b) or 743(b) of the Code is required, pursuant to the Allocation Regulations, to be taken into account in determining Capital Accounts, the amount of such adjustment to the Capital Accounts shall be treated as an item of gain (if the adjustment increases the basis of the asset) or loss (if the adjustment decreases such basis), and such item of gain or loss shall be specially allocated to the Members in a manner consistent with the manner in which their Capital Accounts are required to be adjusted pursuant to the Allocation Regulations. | ||
viii) | Curative Allocation. The special allocations set forth in Sections 5.02(c)(i)-(vii) (the Regulatory Allocations) are intended to comply with the Allocation Regulations. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 5.02, the Regulatory Allocations shall be taken into account in allocating items of income, gain, loss and deduction among the Members such that, to the extent possible, the net amount of allocations of such items and the Regulatory Allocations to each Member shall be equal to the net amount that would have been allocated to each Member if the Regulatory Allocations had not occurred. |
a) | Except as otherwise provided herein, for federal income tax purposes each item of income, gain, loss and deduction shall be allocated among the Members in the same manner as its correlative item of book income, gain, loss and deduction is allocated pursuant to Section 5.02. | ||
b) | Notwithstanding any provisions contained herein to the contrary, for income tax purposes, income, gain, loss, and deduction with respect to property contributed to the Company by a Member or revalued pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(2)(iv)(f) shall be allocated among the Members in a manner that takes into account the variation between the adjusted tax basis of such property and its Carrying Value, as required by Section 704(c) of the Code and Treasury Regulation §1.704-1(b)(4)(i), using the remedial allocation method permitted by Treasury Regulation §1.704-3(d). |
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BOOKS AND RECORDS, REPORTS, AND BANK ACCOUNTS
MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY
a) | Representatives. |
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i) | Composition. The Management Committee shall be composed of 4 Representatives designated as provided below by the Members. Each of El Paso and Opco shall be entitled to designate the number of Representatives and Alternate Representatives set forth opposite such Members name in Annex I under the column entitled Number of Representatives and Alternate Representatives. | ||
ii) | Designation. To facilitate the orderly and efficient conduct of Management Committee meetings, each Member shall notify the other Members in writing, from time to time, of the identity of (A) one or more of its officers, employees or agents who will represent it at meetings (each, a Representative), such number of Persons so identified at any time not to exceed the number of Representatives to be designated by such Member in accordance with Section 7.02(a)(i), and (B) one or more of its officers, employees or agents who will represent it at any meeting that any one or more of that Members Representatives is unable to attend (each an Alternate Representative; if an Alternate Representative is to be an alternate for more than one Representative of a Member, the Members notification shall specify same), such number of Persons so identified at any time not to exceed the number of Alternate Representatives to be designated by such Member in accordance with Section 7.02(a)(i). (The term Representative shall also refer to any Alternate Representative that is actually performing the duties of the applicable Representative.). The initial Representatives and Alternate Representatives designated by each Member are set forth in Annex I. A Member may designate different Representatives or Alternate Representatives for any meeting of the Management Committee by notifying each of the other Members on or before the date scheduled for that meeting; provided, however, that if giving that advance notice is not feasible, then any new Representative or Alternate Representative shall present written evidence of his or her authority at the commencement of such meeting. Alternate Representatives may attend all Management Committee meetings but shall have no vote at any such meeting attended except in the absence of the Representative for whom such Person is the Alternate Representative. Upon the death, resignation or removal for any reason of any Representative of a Member, such Member shall promptly designate a successor as provided herein. | ||
iii) | Authority. Each Representative shall have the full authority to act on behalf of the Member that designated such Representative; the action of the Representative(s) at a meeting (or through a written consent) of the Management Committee shall bind the Member that designated that Representative(s); and the other Member shall be entitled to rely upon such action without further inquiry or investigation as to the actual authority (or lack thereof) of such Representative(s). In addition, the act of an Alternate Representative shall be deemed the act of the Representative for which that Alternate Representative is acting, without |
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the need to produce evidence of the absence or unavailability of such Representative. |
iv) | DISCLAIMER OF DUTIES; INDEMNIFICATION. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY DUTY OTHERWISE EXISTING AT LAW, IN EQUITY, OR OTHERWISE, WITH RESPECT TO ANY VOTE, CONSENT OR APPROVAL AT ANY MEETING OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE, OR ANY ACTION OTHERWISE TAKEN BY A REPRESENTATIVE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, THE ACT OR OTHERWISE, EACH REPRESENTATIVE MAY ACT, AND GRANT OR WITHHOLD ITS VOTE, CONSENT OR APPROVAL, IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, FREE FROM ANY DUTY, FIDUCIARY OR OTHERWISE, TO THE COMPANY OR ANY MEMBER (OTHER THAN TO THE MEMBER THAT APPOINTED SUCH REPRESENTATIVE), OTHER THAN THE DUTY TO ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE IMPLIED CONTRACTUAL COVENANT OF GOOD FAITH AND FAIR DEALING. THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 7.02(a)(iv) SHALL APPLY NOTWITHSTANDING THE NEGLIGENCE, GROSS NEGLIGENCE, WILLFUL MISCONDUCT, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHER FAULT OR RESPONSIBILITY OF A MEMBER OR ITS REPRESENTATIVE (OTHER THAN SUCH THAT WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE IMPLIED CONTRACTUAL COVENANT OF GOOD FAITH AND FAIR DEALING). | ||
v) | Attendance. Each Member shall use all reasonable efforts to cause its Representative(s) or Alternate Representative(s) to attend each meeting of the Management Committee, unless its Representative(s) is unable to do so because of a force majeure event or other event beyond such Persons reasonable control, in which event such Member shall use all reasonable efforts to cause its Representative(s) or Alternate Representative to participate in the meeting by telephone or other electronic communication pursuant to Section 7.02(g). |
b) | Procedures. The Management Committee shall maintain (or cause to be maintained) written minutes of each of its meetings, which shall be submitted for approval within a reasonable period of time after each meeting. The Management Committee may adopt such rules and procedures relating to its activities as the Management Committee may deem appropriate, provided that such rules and procedures shall not be inconsistent with or violate the provisions of this Agreement. | ||
c) | Time and Place of Meetings. The Management Committee shall meet no less often than once each Quarter; provided, however, that in lieu of any such meeting the Management Committee may elect to act by written consent. The time, date and location of meetings of the Management Committee, and the agenda for each such meeting, shall be as determined by the Management Committee from time to time. |
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Special meetings of the Management Committee may be called at such times, and in such manner, as any Representative or Member determines to be necessary or appropriate. Any Representative or Member calling for any such special meeting shall notify all other Representatives and Members of the date and agenda for such meeting on or before the third Business Day prior to the date of such meeting, provided that such three (3) Business Day period may be waived by agreement of the other Representatives. Attendance of a Members Representative at a meeting of the Management Committee shall constitute a waiver of notice of that meeting, except where the Representative attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting was not properly called or convened in accordance with this Agreement. |
d) | Quorum. The presence, in person, by telephone or by other form of two-way electronic communication permitted by Section 7.02(g), of a majority of the Representatives (including, in the absence of a Representative, the Alternate Representative of such Person) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Management Committee, provided that such majority includes at least one Representative (or Alternate Representative) of each Member, unless any Member is a Breaching Member, in which case a Representative (or Alternate Representative) of such Breaching Member will not be required for a quorum. | ||
e) | Voting. Except as provided otherwise in this Agreement, each Representative (or Alternate Representative, as the case may be) present and acting at a meeting of the Management Committee shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to the Management Committee for its approval, consent or determination. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Representatives in attendance at a meeting of the Management Committee at which a quorum is present (a Majority Interest) shall constitute the action of the Management Committee. | ||
f) | Action by Written Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken at a regular or special meeting of the Management Committee may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote if a consent or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed either by all of the Representatives (or if a Representative is unavailable, the Alternate Representative for that unavailable Representative). Such written consents shall be filed with the minutes of the Company proceedings and shall have the same force and effect as a vote at a meeting. | ||
g) | Meetings by Telephone or Other Communications Devices. Representatives (including any Alternate Representative) may participate in and hold any meeting by means of conference telephone, videoconference or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can communicate with and hear each other. Participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting, except where a Member participates in the |
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meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of any business on the ground that the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. |
h) | Matters Requiring Management Committee Approval. Except as expressly provided elsewhere in this Agreement, none of the following actions may be taken by, or on behalf of the Company, without first obtaining the vote of the Management Committee described below: |
i) | Unanimous Interest. The following actions shall require the approval of all Representatives or Members: |
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ii) | Majority Interest. Except for matters that are covered by Section 7.02(h)(i) or matters that the law otherwise requires approval by a greater percentage, a Majority Interest shall be required to approve any action that requires approval of the Members or the Representatives, including the following matters: |
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i) | Subcommittees. The Management Committee shall have the power and authority to create such subcommittees, and delegate to such subcommittees such authority and responsibility, and rescind any such delegations, as it may deem appropriate. | ||
j) | Officers. |
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a) | Each Member agrees to the terms of Section 2.07. | ||
b) | In addition to the rights set forth in Section 2.07, any Member or Affiliate or Affiliates of a Member (including any Subsidiary of a Member) shall have the right to engage in businesses of every type and description and other activities for profit and to engage in and possess an interest in other business ventures of any and every type or description, whether in businesses engaged in or anticipated to be engaged in by the Company or any Subsidiary, independently or with others, including business interests and activities in direct competition with the business and activities of the Company or any Subsidiary, and none of the same shall constitute a breach of this Agreement or any duty otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise to the Company, any Subsidiary or any Member. None of the Company, any Subsidiary or any other Person shall have any rights by virtue of this Agreement or the relationship established hereby in any business ventures of any Member or any Affiliate of a Member (including any Subsidiary of a Member). | ||
c) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, (i) the engaging in competitive activities by any Person (including any Member or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate of a Member) in accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.03 is hereby approved by the Company and all Members, (ii) it shall be deemed not to be a breach of any Members or any other Persons duties to the Company or any Member or any other obligation of any type whatsoever of a Member or any other Person to the Company or any Member for any such Person to engage in such business interests and activities in preference to or to the exclusion of the Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) none of the Members or any other Person shall have any obligation hereunder or as a result of any duty otherwise existing at law, in equity or otherwise to present business opportunities to the Company or any Subsidiary and |
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(iv) the doctrine of corporate opportunity or other analogous doctrine shall not apply to any Member or other Person. | |||
d) | The Company may transact business with any Member or Affiliate of a Member, provided the terms of those transactions are approved by the Management Committee or expressly contemplated by this Agreement or involve transportation agreements on the Facilities with an Affiliate of a Member incurred in the ordinary course of the Companys business. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Members recognize and agree that their respective Affiliates currently, or in the future may, engage in various activities involving natural gas marketing and trading (including futures, options, swaps, exchanges of future positions for physical deliveries and commodity trading), transportation, gathering, processing, storage, distribution, development and ownership, as well as other commercial activities related to natural gas and other hydrocarbons and that these and other activities by Members Affiliates may be based on natural gas that is transported in the Facilities or otherwise made possible or more profitable by reason of the Companys activities (herein referred to as Affiliates Outside Activities). No Affiliate of a Member shall be restricted in its right to conduct, individually or jointly with others, for its own account any Affiliates Outside Activities, and no Member or its Affiliates shall have any duty or obligation, express or implied, fiduciary or otherwise, to account to, or to share the results or profits of such Affiliates Outside Activities with, the Company, any other Member or any Affiliate of any other Member, by reason of such Affiliates Outside Activities. | ||
e) | To the extent permitted by Law, the provisions of this Agreement, including this Section 7.03 and Sections 7.02(a)(iv), 7.02(e)(ii), 7.06 and 7.07, constitute an agreement to modify or eliminate fiduciary duties pursuant to the provisions of the Act. |
a) | cooperate fully with the Company and the Management Committee in securing appropriate Authorizations for the development, construction and operation of the Facilities, including supporting all applications submitted to the FERC by or on behalf of the Company, and in connection with any reports prescribed by any other Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Company; |
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b) | join in any eminent domain takings by the Company, to the extent, if any, required by Law; |
c) | devote such efforts as shall be reasonable and necessary to develop and promote the Facilities for the benefit of the Company, taking into account the Members Percentage Interest, resources and expertise; and |
d) | cooperate fully with the Company and the Management Committee to ensure compliance with FERC Standards of Conduct, if applicable. |
DISPOSITIONS OF MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS
a) | Except to the extent permitted by this Section 8.01, a Member (the Disposing Member) may not Dispose of all or any portion of its Membership Interest (the Subject Interest) to a Person who is not a Permitted Transferee of such Member unless and until (i) the other terms and conditions set forth in this Section 8.01 have been satisfied and (ii) such Disposition has been approved by the requisite approval of the Management Committee. If any Disposing Member intends to dispose of its Membership Interest pursuant to a bona fide offer (Acquisition Proposal) from a |
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Person who is not a Permitted Transferee, such Disposing Member shall notify the Management Committee and the other Members in writing (Transfer Notice), which Transfer Notice shall specify the identity of the proposed transferee and the terms and conditions (including the cash and a description of the non-cash consideration constituting the purchase price) of the proposed Disposition and shall include a complete copy of the Acquisition Proposal. Except with respect to a proposed Disposition to a Permitted Transferee, the Members (other than the Disposing Member) shall have the right, at any time during the period (the Exercise Period) that ends at 5:00 p.m. Houston, Texas time on the 30th day after receipt of the Transfer Notice to elect to purchase the Subject Interest at the price and on the terms and conditions set forth in the Acquisition Proposal. Any Member(s) who elect to purchase the Subject Interest (each, a ROFR Buyer) must furnish written notice (each, a ROFR Acceptance) to the Disposing Member prior to termination of the Exercise Period. |
b) | The Disposing Member shall not be bound to Dispose of any portion of the Subject Interest to any ROFR Buyer(s) unless all of such Subject Interest is accepted for purchase by ROFR Buyers in accordance with this Section 8.01. If there is more than one ROFR Buyer who timely delivers a ROFR Acceptance, each such ROFR Buyer shall be entitled to purchase its pro rata portion of the Subject Interest, based upon the ratio that each such ROFR Buyers Percentage Interest bears to the total Percentage Interests of all such ROFR Buyers. The ROFR Buyer(s) may substitute the cash equivalent for any portion of the consideration specified in the Acquisition Proposal which was other than cash or a promissory note payable in cash; provided, however, that if the ROFR Buyer(s) desire to so substitute cash for any such non-cash consideration, and if the ROFR Buyer(s) determination of the fair market value of such non-cash consideration is less than the fair market value that was given for such consideration by the Disposing Member in the Transfer Notice, the ROFR Buyer(s) shall state their determination of such value in the ROFR Acceptance; and if the Disposing Member and the ROFR Buyer(s) are unable to mutually agree upon the fair market value of such non-cash consideration within five Business Days after the delivery of the ROFR Acceptance, then the Disposing Member and the ROFR Buyer(s) shall promptly cause such value to be determined through appraisal in the manner provided in Section 8.01(e). Such appraisal procedure shall delay, if necessary, any closing of the sale of the Subject Interest. Any delayed closing shall occur, subject to the next sentence, within 15 days after delivery to the parties of the appraisers determination of the value of the non-cash consideration. The cash equivalent of any such non-cash consideration that is to be paid at the closing of the purchase and sale of the Subject Interest shall in such event be the amount determined by the appraisal. | ||
c) | The closing of the Disposition of the Subject Interest pursuant to the exercise of the rights of first refusal granted in Section 8.01(a) shall be at 9:00 a.m. Houston, Texas time on the 45th day following the end of the Exercise Period at the Companys principal office, or such other place as agreed by the Disposing Member and ROFR Buyer(s), subject to any delay in the closing provided for below or in connection with any appraisal conducted as contemplated in Section 8.01(e), unless the |
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Disposing Member and the ROFR Buyer(s) otherwise agree. At the closing, the consideration to be paid by the ROFR Buyer(s) shall be delivered by the ROFR Buyer(s) to the Disposing Member (by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the extent such consideration is cash), and the Disposing Member shall deliver to the ROFR Buyer(s) an instrument of assignment of the Subject Interest accompanied by the Interest Certificate evidencing same, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and adverse claims with respect thereto. The ROFR Buyer(s) shall be entitled to pay for the Subject Interest in cash or with cash and a promissory note on substantially similar terms to that set forth in the Transfer Notice. The Disposing Member and the ROFR Buyer(s) shall cooperate in good faith in obtaining all necessary governmental and other third Person approvals, waivers and consents required for the closing. Any such closing shall be delayed, to the extent required, until the next succeeding Business Day following the obtaining of all necessary governmental approvals or the expiration of all government waiting periods; provided, however, that in the case of such delay, the purchase price shall be increased by interest at the Default Rate from the date that the closing would have otherwise occurred. |
d) | If, after completion of the foregoing procedures under this Section 8.01, the Members (other than the Disposing Member) fail to elect to purchase all of the Subject Interest, the Disposing Member may, at any time within 120 days after the expiration of the Exercise Period or after the decision of the appraisers, if longer, Dispose of all (but not less than all) of the Subject Interest to the proposed acquirer under the Acquisition Proposal on terms no more favorable to such acquirer than those set forth in said Acquisition Proposal (and the Transfer Notice) and offered to the Members (other than the Disposing Members). After the expiration of such 120-day period, the Disposing Member may not Dispose of the Subject Interest described in the Transfer Notice without complying again with the provisions of this Section 8.01 if and to the extent then applicable. | ||
e) | If the Disposing Member and the ROFR Buyer(s) are unable to agree within 30 days after the Transfer Notice is given upon one independent appraiser who will determine the value of any non-cash consideration proposed as all or part of the purchase price for any Subject Interest, then within 30 days after the Transfer Notice is given, the Disposing Member, on the one hand, and the ROFR Buyer(s), collectively, on the other, shall each appoint an independent appraiser who has at least 10 years experience in valuing interstate pipeline business activities similar to those conducted by the Company. If the two parties each timely appoint an independent appraiser and such appraisers are unable to agree upon the value of any non-cash consideration proposed as all or part of the purchase price for the Subject Interest, then a third appraiser shall be appointed by the two appraisers. The third appraiser shall value the non-cash consideration proposed in the Acquisition Proposal for the Subject Interest within 30 days of appointment. If such appraisal is less than the lower of the two initial appraisers valuation of such consideration, then the value shall equal the average of the lowest two of the three appraisers valuations. If such appraisal exceeds the higher of the two initial appraisers valuations of such consideration, then the value shall equal the average of the two highest appraisers valuations. The appraisers shall employ such persons and incur |
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such expenses as are necessary to reach such determination. The Disposing Member shall bear 50% of all fees and expenses incurred by the appraisers in making such valuation determination, and the ROFR Buyer(s), collectively, shall bear the other 50% of all such fees and expenses. The determination of the appraisers shall be final and binding upon the parties. |
f) | Except for a Disposition to a Permitted Transferee or a Disposition effect in accordance with and subject to the procedures in Sections 8.01(a)-(e) above, a Member may not Dispose of a Membership Interest without the prior written approval of the Management Committee. Any attempted Disposition of a Membership Interest, other than in strict accordance with this Section 8.01, shall be, and is hereby declared, null and void to the fullest extent permitted by law. The rights and obligations constituting a Membership Interest may not be separated, divided, split off or otherwise separated from the other attributes of a Membership Interest except with the express prior written approval of the Management Committee and as contemplated by the express provisions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Member may not effect a Disposition (including a Deemed Tax Disposition) if such Disposition, when added to the total of all other Dispositions (including Deemed Tax Dispositions) within the preceding twelve months, results in the Company being considered to have terminated within the meaning of Section 708(b)(1)(B) of the Code, unless such Disposition has been approved in accordance with Section 7.02(h)(i)(G). | ||
g) | Each Interest Certificate shall bear a legend as specified in Section 8.02(f). |
a) | Each Membership Interest shall constitute a security within the meaning of, and shall be governed by, (i) Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (including Section 8-102(a)(15) thereof) as in effect from time to time in the State of Delaware and in the State of New York and (ii) Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any other applicable jurisdiction that now or hereafter substantially includes the 1994 revisions to Article 8 thereof as adopted by the American Law Institute and the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and approved by the American Bar Association on February 14, 1995. | ||
b) | Upon the issuance of Membership Interests to any Member in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Company may issue one or more Interest Certificates (as defined herein) in the name of such Member. Each such Interest Certificate shall be denominated in terms of the percentage of Membership Interests evidenced by such Interest Certificate and shall be signed by an Officer on behalf of the Company. Interest Certificate means a certificate issued by the Company substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, which evidences the ownership of Membership Interests. Each Interest Certificate shall bear, in effect, the following legend: The Interest shall constitute securities within the meaning of, and shall be governed by, (i) Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code (including Section 8- |
34
102(a)(15) thereof) as in effect from time to time in the State of Delaware and in the State of New York and (ii) Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any other applicable jurisdiction that now or hereafter substantially includes the 1994 revisions to Article 8 thereof as adopted by the American Law Institute and the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws and approved by the American Bar Association on February 14, 1995. |
c) | Upon a Members Disposition in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, including Section 8.01 hereof, of any or all Membership Interests in the Company represented by a Interest Certificate, the transferee of such Membership Interests shall deliver such endorsed Interest Certificate to the Company for cancellation, and the Company shall thereupon issue a new Interest Certificate to such transferee for the percentage of Membership Interests that is the subject of such Disposition and, if applicable, cause to be issued to such Member a new Interest Certificate for that percentage of Membership Interests that were represented by the canceled Interest Certificate and that are not the subject of such Disposition. | ||
d) | The Company shall maintain books for the purpose of registering the Disposition of Membership Interests. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, a Disposition of Membership Interests in the Company requires delivery of an endorsed Interest Certificate and shall be effective upon registration of such Disposition in the books of the Company. | ||
e) | The Company shall issue a new Interest Certificate in place of any Interest Certificate previously issued if the holder of the Membership Interests represented by such Interest Certificate, as reflected on the books and records of the Company: |
i) | makes proof by affidavit, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, that such previously issued Interest Certificate has been lost, stolen or destroyed; | ||
ii) | requests the issuance of a new Interest Certificate before the Company has notice that such previously issued Interest Certificate has been acquired by a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim; | ||
iii) | if requested by the Company, delivers to the Company a bond, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company, with such surety or sureties as the Company may direct, to indemnify the Company against any claim that may be made on account of the alleged loss, destruction or theft of the previously issued Interest Certificate; and | ||
iv) | satisfies any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Company. |
f) | In addition to the legend referred to in Section 8.02(b), each Interest Certificate that is issued shall bear the following legend: |
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g) | Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any provision of this Agreement is inconsistent with any non-waivable provision of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code, such provision of Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code shall control. |
a) | Except as otherwise expressly provided by the Act, the debts, obligations and liabilities of the Company, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, shall be the debts, obligations and liabilities solely of the Company, and the Members shall not be obligated personally for any such debt, obligation or liability of the Company solely by reason of being a member of the Company. | ||
b) | After the Effective Date, the Management Committee shall, and shall cause the Officers to, use their respective reasonable efforts to prevent the Company from entering into any contract, lease, sublease, note, indebtedness, deed of trust or agreement or document that creates any liability, indebtedness or other obligation unless there is contained therein an appropriate provision expressly limiting the claims of all parties to such instruments or agreements and other beneficiaries |
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thereunder to the assets of the Company and expressly waiving any rights of such parties and other beneficiaries to proceed against any Members for any such Company obligation, without the prior written consent of all Members. |
DISSOLUTION, WINDING UP AND TERMINATION
a) | notice from the Management Committee to the Members dissolving the Company; | ||
b) | entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Company under Section 18-802 of the Act; | ||
c) | an event that makes it unlawful for all or substantially all of the business or affairs of the Company to be carried on; or | ||
d) | the termination of the legal existence of the last remaining member of the Company or the occurrence of any other event which terminates the continued membership of the last remaining member of the Company in the Company, unless the Company is continued without dissolution in a manner permitted by this Agreement or the Act. |
a) | On the occurrence of a Dissolution Event, the Liquidator shall, under the supervision of the Management Committee, proceed diligently to wind up the affairs of the Company and make final distributions as provided herein and in the Act. The costs of winding up shall be borne as a Company expense. Until final distribution, the liquidator shall continue to operate the Company properties with all of the power and authority of the Members. The steps to be accomplished by the Liquidator are as follows: |
i) | as promptly as possible after dissolution and again after final winding up, the Liquidator shall cause a proper accounting to be made by a recognized firm of independent certified public accountants of the Companys assets, liabilities and operations through the last calendar day of the month in which the dissolution occurs or the final winding up is completed, as applicable; |
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ii) | the Liquidator shall discharge from Company funds all of the indebtedness of the Company and other debts, liabilities and obligations of the Company (including liabilities to Members, to the extent permitted by law); and all expenses incurred in winding up and any loans described in Section 3.02 or otherwise make reasonable provision for payment and discharge thereof (including the establishment of a cash escrow fund for contingent, conditional or unmatured liabilities in such amount and for such term as the liquidator may reasonably determine in accordance with Section 18-804 of the Act); and | ||
iii) | all remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed to the Members as follows: |
b) | The distribution of cash or property to a Member in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.02 constitutes a complete return to the Member of its Capital Contributions and a complete distribution to the Member of its Company Membership Interest and all the Members property. To the extent that a Member returns funds to the Company, it has no claim against any other Member for those funds. | ||
c) | No dissolution or termination of the Company shall relieve a Member from any obligation to the extent such obligation has accrued as of the date of such dissolution or termination. Upon such termination, any books and records of the Company that there is a reasonable basis for believing will ever be needed again shall be furnished |
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to the Liquidator, which shall keep such books and records (subject to review by any Person that was a Member at the time of dissolution) for a period of at least three years. At such time as the Liquidator no longer agrees to keep such books and records, it shall offer the Persons who were Members at the time of dissolution the opportunity to take over such custody, shall deliver such books and records to such Persons if they elect to take over such custody and may destroy such books and records if they do not so elect. Any such custody by such Persons shall be on such terms as they may agree upon among themselves. |
TAXES
a) | to adopt as the Companys fiscal year the calendar year; | ||
b) | to adopt the accrual method of accounting; | ||
c) | to elect, pursuant to Section 754 of the Code in accordance with the applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder, to adjust the basis of the Companys properties; | ||
d) | to elect to amortize the organizational expenses of the Company ratably over the period as permitted by Section 709(b) of the Code; and |
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e) | any other election the Management Committee may deem appropriate. |
a) | The Management Committee shall designate El Paso to serve as the tax matters partner of the Company pursuant to Section 6231(a)(7) of the Code (the Tax Matters Member). The Tax Matters Member shall take such action as may be necessary to cause to the extent possible each other Member to become a notice partner within the meaning of Section 6223 of the Code. The Tax Matters Member shall inform each other Member of all significant matters that may come to its attention in its capacity as Tax Matters Member by giving notice thereof on or before the fifth Business Day after becoming aware thereof and, within that time, shall forward to each other Member copies of all significant written communications it may receive in that capacity. | ||
b) | The Tax Matters Member shall provide any Member, upon request, access to accounting and tax information and schedules as shall be necessary for the preparation by such Member of its income tax returns and such Members tax information reporting requirements. | ||
c) | Any cost or expense incurred by the Tax Matters Member in connection with its duties, including the preparation for or pursuance of administrative or judicial proceedings, shall be reimbursed by the Company. | ||
d) | The Tax Matters Member shall not bind any Member to a settlement agreement without obtaining the consent of such Member. Any Member that enters into a settlement agreement with respect to any Company item (as described in Code Section 6231(a)(3)) shall notify the other Members of the settlement agreement and its terms on or before the 90th Day after the date of the settlement. | ||
e) | No Member shall file a request pursuant to Code Section 6227 for an administrative adjustment of Company items for any taxable year without first notifying the other Members. If the Management Committee consents to the requested adjustment, the Tax Matters Member shall file the request for the administrative adjustment on behalf of the Members. If such consent is not obtained on or before the 30th Day after such notice, or within the period required to timely file the request for administrative adjustment, if shorter, any Member, including the Tax Matters Member, may file a request for administrative adjustment on its own behalf. Any Member intending to file a petition under Code Sections 6226, 6228 or other Code Section with respect to any item involving the Company shall notify the other Members of such intention and the nature of the contemplated proceeding. In the case where the Tax Matters Member is the Member intending to file such petition on |
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behalf of the Company, such notice shall be given within a reasonable period of time to allow the other Members to participate in the selection of the forum in which such petition will be filed. | |||
f) | If any Member intends to file a notice of inconsistent treatment under Code Section 6222(b), such Member shall give reasonable notice under the circumstances to the other Members of such intent and the manner in which the Members intended treatment of an item is (or may be) inconsistent with the treatment of that item by the other Members. |
a) | there occurs an event that makes it unlawful for the Member to continue to be a Member; | ||
b) | the Member commences liquidation or winding up; or | ||
c) | notice from the Management Committee if the Member commits a Default and the Default has not been cured. |
a) | The Withdrawn Member ceases to be a Member immediately upon the occurrence of the applicable Withdrawal event. | ||
b) | The Withdrawn Member shall not be entitled to receive any distributions from the Company except as set forth in Section 11.03(e), and it shall not be entitled to exercise any right of a Member, including any voting or consent rights or to receive any further information (or access to information) from the Company. The Percentage Interest of that Member shall not be taken into account in calculating the Percentage Interests of the Members for any purposes. This Section 11.03(b) shall also apply to a Breaching Member; but if a Breaching Member cures its breach |
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during the applicable cure period, then any distributions that were withheld from that Member shall be paid to it, without interest. | |||
c) | The Withdrawn Member must pay to the Company all amounts, if any, that it owes to the Company. | ||
d) | The Withdrawn Member shall remain obligated for all liabilities it may have under this Agreement or otherwise with respect to the Company that accrue prior to the Withdrawal. | ||
e) | From the date of the Withdrawal to the date of the payment, the former Capital Account balance of the Withdrawn Member shall be recorded as a contingent obligation of the Company, and not as a Capital Account, until payment is made. The rights of a Withdrawn Member under this Section 11.03(e) shall (i) be subordinate to the rights of any other creditor of the Company, (ii) not include any right on the part of the Withdrawn Member to receive any interest (except as may otherwise be provided in the evidence of any indebtedness of the Company owed to such Withdrawn Member) or other amounts with respect thereto; (iii) not require the Company to make any distribution (the Withdrawn Members rights under this Section 11.03(e) being limited to receiving such portion of distributions as the Management Committee may, in its Sole Discretion, decide to cause the Company to make); (iv) not require any Member to make a Capital Contribution or a loan to permit the Company to make a distribution or otherwise to pay the Withdrawn Member; and (v) be treated as a liability of the Company for purposes of Section 14.03. Except as set forth in this Section 11.03(e), a Withdrawn Member shall not be entitled to receive any return of its Capital Contributions or other payment from the Company in respect of its Membership Interest. | ||
f) | The Percentage Interest of the Withdrawn Member shall be allocated among the remaining Members in the proportion that each Members Percentage Interest bears to the total Percentage Interest of all remaining Members, or in such other proportion as the Members may unanimously agree. | ||
g) | Any Representative(s) and Alternate Representative(s) of such Member on the Management Committee shall cease to be a member of the Management Committee immediately upon the occurrence of the applicable Withdrawal event. |
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a) | first, within 10 Days after receipt of the Dispute Notice, one representative selected by each Disputing Member shall meet (whether by phone or in person) in a good faith attempt to resolve the Dispute; | ||
b) | second, if the Dispute is still unresolved, then after the 20th Day following the commencement of the efforts to resolve the matter described in Section 12.02(a) but in no event later than the 30th Day after receipt of the Dispute Notice, the chief executive officer (or his designee) of the parent of each Disputing Member shall meet (whether by phone or in person) in a good faith attempt to resolve the Dispute; and | ||
c) | third, if the Dispute is still unresolved, then after the 10th Day following the commencement of the efforts to resolve the matter described in Section 12.02(b), any Disputing Party may submit the Dispute for resolution under the Federal Arbitration Act by binding arbitration following the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (or, if that Association has ceased to exist, its principal successor) (the AAA) then in effect, including its evidentiary and procedural rules (excluding rules governing the payment of arbitration, administrative or other fees or expenses to the Arbitrator(s) or the AAA), to the extent that such rules do not conflict with the terms of this Agreement, by notifying the other Disputing Members (an Arbitration Notice) within the applicable limitation period provided by law. |
a) | For any case in which any claim, or combination of claims, is less than or equal to $1,000,000, the arbitration shall be heard by a sole Arbitrator. Any case in which any claim, or combination of claims, exceeds $1,000,000 will be subject to the AAAs Large, Complex Case Procedures and decided by the majority of a panel of three neutral Arbitrators. The Arbitrator(s) shall be selected in accordance with this Section 12.03. |
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b) | For arbitrations conducted by a single Arbitrator, the Disputing Member that submits a Dispute to arbitration shall designate a proposed neutral sole Arbitrator in its Arbitration Notice. If any other Disputing Member objects to a proposed sole Arbitrator, it may, on or before the tenth Day following delivery of the Arbitration Notice, notify all of the other Disputing Members of its objection. All of the Disputing Members shall attempt to agree upon a mutually acceptable sole Arbitrator. If they have not done so, then after the 20th Day following delivery of the notice described in the immediately preceding sentence, any Disputing Member may request the AAA to designate the sole Arbitrator. For arbitrations conducted by a panel of three Arbitrators, the Disputing Member initiating arbitration shall nominate one Arbitrator at the time it initiates arbitration. The other Disputing Member(s) shall collectively nominate one Arbitrator on or before the 10th Day after receiving the Arbitration Notice. The two Arbitrators shall appoint a third, neutral Arbitrator. All Arbitrators shall be competent and experienced in matters involving the interstate natural gas transportation business in the United States, with at least 10 years of legal, engineering, or business experience in the gas transportation industry, and shall be impartial and independent of the Members (and the other Arbitrators, in the case of arbitrations conducted by a panel of three arbitrators, except for prior arbitrations). Each Disputing Member shall pay for the expenses incurred by the Arbitrator it appoints, if applicable, and the costs of the sole Arbitrator or the third Arbitrator shall be divided equally among the Disputing Members. If any Arbitrator so chosen shall die, resign or otherwise fail or becomes unable to serve as Arbitrator, a replacement Arbitrator shall be chosen in accordance with this Section 12.03. |
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INDEMNIFICATION
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MISCELLANEOUS
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Members: EL PASO CORPORATION | ||||
By: | /s/ D. Mark Leland | |||
D. Mark Leland | ||||
Executive Vice President | ||||
EL PASO PIPELINE PARTNERS OPERATING COMPANY, L.L.C. | ||||
By: | /s/ John J. Hopper | |||
John J. Hopper | ||||
Vice President and Treasurer | ||||
SOUTHERN LNG COMPANY, L.L.C.,
a Delaware limited liability company
3
SOUTHERN LNG COMPANY, L.L.C. | ||||
By: | ||||
Name: | ||||
Title: | ||||
4
Number of | ||||||||||||||
Representatives and | Identity of | |||||||||||||
Member Identity | Percentage | Alternate | Identity of | Alternate | ||||||||||
and Address | Number of Units | Interest | Representatives | Representatives | Representatives | |||||||||
El Paso Corporation | 49 | 49 | % | 1 Representatives | Daniel B. Martin | |||||||||
1001 Louisiana | and up to 1 | |||||||||||||
Houston, Texas 77002 | Alternate | |||||||||||||
Attention: ______ | ||||||||||||||
El Paso Pipeline | 51 | 51 | % | 3 Representatives | James C. Yardley | |||||||||
Partners Operating | and up to | Norman G. Holmes | ||||||||||||
Company, L.L.C. | 3 Alternates | Michael J. Varagona | ||||||||||||
El Paso Building | ||||||||||||||
1001 Louisiana | ||||||||||||||
Houston, Texas 77002 | ||||||||||||||
Attention: ______ |